April 5, 2007

CALENDAR EVENTS INCLUDED
-School not in session on Friday, April 6
-No School for Elementary – Mon. 4/9
-PTO MEETING – TUES. – 4/10 – 7:00
-VOLUNTEER TEA – Wed. 4/25-8:00am
-See included calendar for other activities

A CHIRP OF KNOWLEDGE… “Education is the chief defense of nations.”
Edmund Burke, British politician, writer and orator

PRINCIPAL’S JOURNAL.. One of the founding fathers’ first concerns was to establish a sound educational system. Likewise, the first things developing nations do today, in catching up to the Information Age, is to strengthen their educational institutions. People who build nations build schools first. It’s what’s most important. This is one of the essential reasons why we reach for educational excellence at Morley. Each child, parent, guardian and teacher is an important player in this mission. We must empower tomorrow’s citizens to realize a meaningful, purposeful, and satisfying life.

STUDENTS…Academics are bursting out all over!

Two fifth graders, Tyler M and Peter M, were selected among eight other LPS students as finalists in the Mayor’s Water Wise Poster Contest. To the right you can see the pride in these two students! Peter is on the left and Tyler on the right.

IMPORTANT FIGURES IN AMERICAN HISTORY Fourth grade students in Mrs. Kovar’s Unit Studies’ class, gave a performance on important figures in a short play, followed by a ‘Wax Museum’ of important individuals in America’s history.

We all learned a lot about these significant figures from our past, along with seeing the brilliant representation by our students!

Sacajawea (Madison S.), Eliza Luca Pinkney (Maddy O.), and Harriet Tubman (Janessa W.).	Chief Massasoit (Alexander D.), Mary Brewster (Brooke O.), and Benjamin Franklin (Brandon C.).

LPS Pfizer Science Fair Purple Ribbon Winners
Morley School fifth graders
We are so proud of our students’ expertise, research, and development in science!

Grant D. was awarded a purple ribbon for his demonstration on Eye Muscles and Learning. Grant’s information has great implication for all in becoming aware that eye muscles, their development and movement, can affect the learning process.	Chloe K. presented a highly sophisticated experiment and display on Splitting Water.

Lake L. tells about his experiment on the question, “Does Caffeine Affect Heart Rate During Sleep? Lake presented convincing evidence that caffeine can have high impact on increased heart rate during sleeping hours.	TianYe C. presents her experiment and display on Hot Ice. TianYe presented evidence that it does take longer for hot water, versus cold water, to turn into the solid stage of ice.

Kriti K. also received a purple ribbon for her exhibit on ‘Save The Bay’.

STEPPING BACK IN TIME TO HERITAGE SCHOOL
Fourth graders took a step back in time for their Heritage School field experience. After studying Nebraska history, all fourth grade students culminated their learning with a field trip to Heritage School, a one room school house on the Nebraska State Fair grounds. Their experiences for the entire day, were drawn from public school practices about one hundred years ago. Students especially liked the recitation of the times, strict instruction, food and clothing of the times long ago.

To the right, Jamie B. anxiously awaited her experience of “a day at Heritage School’, with her hair done in rag curls by Mrs. Kovar, her lunch in a basket with bread baked by her Grandma Norma, and in her fashionable heritage dress. Doesn’t she look like a ‘perfect picture from the past?’

FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS RANK HIGH IN ON LINE MATH
Congratulations to several fourth and fifth grade students, who recently ranked very high in the state on line math competition, under the mentorship of Richard Cotter, mentor for some of our high ability students at Morley.

In the fourth grade competition, the following students were in the top twelve:
Erick B. Zaran C.Addison K. Adam S.

In the fifth grade competition, the following students were in the top thirty:
Craig O.Kevin J.TianYe C. Sam W. Drew H. Greg D. Grant D. Kevin C.

Of special note is that Eric B. earned a second place in the fourth grade state competition, while Craig O. earned a second place in the fifth place competition.

Also, in the fifth grade state placement, Kevin J. earned third place, TianYe C. earned fourth place, and Sam W. was the fifth place winner.

We are so proud of these students and their academic excellence in mathematics!

BRIGHT LIGHTS
So many of our Morley students have enjoyed classes and workshops offered by BRIGHT LIGHTS. Registration began April 1. A special insert on all of the offerings, can be found in the LPS Community News, a publication being sent home today.

A WORD ABOUT CLOTHING AND SPRINGTIME
Now that the temperatures are getting warmer, our style of clothing, also, changes to lighter wear. I want to remind all that flip-flops and high heels are highly discouraged at school, along with short shorts, short skirts, holes in clothing, super baggy, draggy clothing, pasta straps, and other apparel that is dangerous to movement, and distracts students in school. Also, roller shoes are never allowed. Tee shirts, well-fitting jeans, burmuda shorts, sneakers, skirts right above or below the knee, etc., are all pretty comfortable for students and are very ‘kid-friendly.’ Thank you for helping your child to be safe and comfortable while at school, so your child can do the best job of learning in our academic environment.

PLEASE CHECK OUT LOST CLOTHING
We have an abundance of clothing items – all lost at this point! PLEASE HELP US FIND THE OWNERS OF THESE BEAUTIFUL PIECES OF CLOTHING. Great coats, hoodies, mittens, sweatshirts, etc., are in our lunchroom. Come in and check out our ‘collection’, and remind your child to do the same. We would love the have find an owner for each item!

A GENTLE REMINDER ABOUT PARKING LOTS
As staff comes to work, they need to find a space to park. If you are bringing your child/ren to a pre-school activity, please consider dropping off your child, using the curb cut areas on Monterey. Not only would this allow staff to find a space to park, it would promote safety for our children. Thank you so much for your cooperation and consideration.

PTO MEETING
Be sure to come to the PTO meeting on Tuesday, April 10, at 7:00 pm, Multipurpose Room. This is the last formal PTO meeting of the year, so we would love to see you there!

THE PROGRAM WILL BE ON SAFETY, presented by Officer Jason Hellmuth, father of first grade student, Ryan. Officer Hellmuth will be presenting safety in many different arenas – home, school, bicycle, etc. With spring here, and summer around the corner, children are spending more time outside, on bicycles, etc. Tips on how to be safe in all settings, is well worth the time. Also, a business meeting is planned for this PTO meeting, presenting detailed information on our activities and slate of officers for next year.

I continue to be so very appreciative of our fine PTO leadership. President Vicki Fisher, Vice-President Anne Marie Healey, Secretary Lisa Larson, and Treasurer Renee Faden, have continued to lead us ‘down a remarkable path!’ Their never ending support, commitment, time, and talent are reflected in the successful year we have experienced. And….we still have a quarter of it left, to work and grow together!

PARENTS
Parents, you have been incredibly wonderful and so involved in multiple ways. The level of support, volunteering in so many ways, and being so visible and available for our children, teachers, and each other, never goes unnoticed. WE SO APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO, and FEEL SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR UNCONDITIONAL FOCUS ON EDUCATION AT MORLEY. At this time of year, and throughout the year, you are so instrumental in promoting academic excellence. Thank you for this intensely important level of parental involvement and partnerships.

VOLUNTEER TEA on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 We would be so very honored if you would join the Morley staff, parents, and other volunteers, for the Volunteer Tea on Wednesday, April 25, at 8:00 – 9:00 am, in the lunchroom. This is one small way we can express our appreciation for your support and involvement for all at Morley.

Students will be ready to entertain you, along with staff. Rolls, coffee, juice, certificates and small gifts of appreciation will be waiting for you. Our theme this year is “WE TREASURE OUR VOLUNTEERS!”. We are working on invitations, as I write this, so please be checking your mailbox. If an invitation does not reach you, and you have volunteered at Morley, please come anyway. We want you to know how much we appreciate you. Parents may, also, bring children to the Tea.

HY–VEE RECEIPTS – DOLLARS FOR EDUCATION Thank you so much for your participation in this wonderful program. IF YOU STILL HAVE RED-LINED Hy-Vee receipts, please send them in the school RIGHT AWAY! Please send them by April 13th, so we can get the totals added and sent on to Hy-Vee. Again, thank you so much for helping Morley earn this extra money. Please be assured that it will be used for basic academic supplies and books for our Morley students.

TARGET SHOPPERS – THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR MORLEY Like a gift out of nowhere, came a check of $425.42 from the Target corporate office. This amount of money, came from Target shoppers, who were kind enough to indicate Morley as they used their cards to purchase merchandise at Target. This is a significant fund for our Morley academic needs. For your information, a total of $3442.71 has been realized and received since the initial start of this program in November, 2000. We so appreciate businesses supporting education, and patrons supporting those businesses.

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC PATTERN AT MORLEY SCHOOL
FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILDREN,
PLEASE COOPERATE AND FOLLOW THIS PLAN

1. Traffic will flow ONE WAY (from east to west) in front of the school, turning south at Pacific Street. Only daycare vans will utilize the area on the north side of Monterey Drive between Pacific Street and East Bermuda Drive. There will be no double parking.

2. There will be NO loading or unloading on the south side of Monterey Drive in front of the school. This is a “NO PARKING” area. Do NOT pull into or park in the staff parking lots.

3. Utilize alternate areas for pick-up/drop-off such as Sumner Street, East Bermuda Drive, the east side of 70th Street, etc. Establish a spot where your child can walk to you instead of you driving to your child.

4. Remember that there are staff members outside to help your child cross Monterey Drive and also 70th Street at arrival and dismissal times. Also, as students are dismissed in the afternoon, a staff member supervises the Monterey and East Bermuda crosswalk. This supervision is provided when crossing streets, and should give parents more confidence regarding their child’s safety.
5. Carpooling with other families reduces the number of cars at arrival and dismissal times.

MORLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR APRIL

Thursday, April 5 Maunday Thursday
Heritage School for Mrs. Kovar’s 4th Gr. Class
End of 3rd Quarter

Friday, April 6 Good Friday – School not in Session

Sunday, April 8 Easter

Monday, April 9 School not in Session – Teacher Plan Day

Tuesday, April 10 Computer Open House
9:30-1:30pm=2nd Graders to Chet Ager
10:30 & 2:40pm=Junior Achievement/Rm. 109
1-3:00pm=Nebraska Quilters/4th Gr.
7:00 pm = PTO Meeting

Wednesday, April 11
8:15am=Spirit Team Meeting
Computer Open House

Thursday, April 12 Computer Open House
7:00pm=4th Grade Quarter Party at Champions Fun Center

Friday, April 13 Computer Open House

Sunday, April 15 National Library Week
National Volunteer Week

Monday, April 16 MAT Tests for 3rd & 5th Grades
Happy Birthday Mrs. Griesen and Mrs. Horst!

Tuesday, April 17 MAT Tests for 3rd & 5th Grades

Wednesday, April 18 MAT Tests for 3rd & 5th Grades
Lincoln Para Appreciation Day

Thursday, April 19 MAT Tests for 3rd & 5th Grades

Friday, April 20 MAT Tests for 3rd & 5th Grades
Kindergarten Screening – all day
Report Cards Go Home With Students

Saturday, April 21 Happy Birthday Mrs. Schwartz!

Sunday, April 22 Earth Day

Monday, April 23 MAT Tests for 3rd & 5th Grades
Week of the Young Child

Tuesday, April 24 MAT Tests for 3rd & 5th Grades
PLC Day = school dismisses 2 hours early
Happy Birthday Mr. Hack!

Wednesday, April 25 MAT Tests for 3rd & 5th Grades
8-9:00am=Volunteer Coffee
Professional Secretaries Day
PTO Plant Sale Pick-up

Thursday, April 26 MAT Tests for 3rd & 5th Grades

Friday, April 27 MAT Tests for 3rd & 5th Grades
9:15am = Hop-to-its Assembly
National Arbor Day

Monday, April 30
9:15-11:45am = Morley 5th Graders visit Lux/lunch