Morrison Message
May, 2001
www.seorf.ohiou.ohiou.edu/~xx036
P.T.O. OFFICERS AND CHAIRS DESERVE OUR THANKS
   Our P.T.O. officers and chairpersons deserve a round of applause for the superb leadership and hard work which they contributed to Morrison throughout the 2000-01 academic year.  We had numerous successful events involving parents and the P.T.O. including:  the Fall Carnival, Book Fair/Dinner, Grandparents' Day, Box Tops for Education, Script, Santa's Workshop, Visiting Scientists/Mathematicians, Awards, and Hospitality.
   Special thanks goes to our P.T.O. officers including: Janis Schriner and Traci Lawrence, Co-Presidents; Dorothy Schey, Vice President; Margie Innis, Secretary;  Laura Tuck and Cindy Rothwell, Co- Treasurers.
   Chairpersons who led important P.T.O. committees included: Lisa Williams and Mary Ann Gulino Book Fair; Karen Aftabezadeh and Sandi Mathews, Book Fair Dinner; Margie Innis, Box Tops for Education; Betty Sindelar, Traci Lawrence, Liz Luehrman, and Catherine Bruggeman, Script; Brenda and Marc Newman, Fall Carnival; Janis Schriner,Grandparents' Day; Liz Luehrman,Hospitality; Kathryn Bolin, Perfect Attendance; Christine Lein, Membership; Audra Stewart, Room Parents; Susan Williford and Una Gilfert, Santa's Workshop; Angel Mack, Visiting Scientists and Mathematicians.
   Thank you parents for the excellent help which you provided to Morrison.
 LEADERS FOR 2001-02
   The P.T.O. membership has approved the following  slate of officers for 2001-02:
Co-Presidents-Janis Schriner & Traci Lawrence; Co-Vice Presidents-Una Gilfert and Susan Williford;
Co-Secretaries- Carlyn and Fred Rickey; Co-Treasurers- Margie Innis and Kathryn Bolin.  We hope that all Morrison families will lend their support to our P.T.O. leaders.
DARE GRADUATION PLANNED
   DARE graduation for sixth gradersoccurs on Tuesday, May 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Athens Community Center. This event is organized by DARE officer, Rick Crossan and will include students from Morrison and West.  Families are  invited to this  graduation being   held at the Athens  Community Center instead of Morrison.
AUTHORS AT WORK
   Mrs. Michigan's and Mrs. Watson's kindergarten classes had an Authors' Party on Friday, April 6th.  Prior to the party, parents read to their children from October 1st to March 31st to reach a goal of 30 hours.  Mr. Gordon presented certificates at the party to those students who reached their goal.  Each child wrote his/her own book and illustrated it.  During the party, each child read his/her book to the parents in attendance.  After  the stories were  read, the children  served their parents  refreshments as a  thank you for  helping them reach  their goal.  It was a  very successful  party enjoyed by all.
 UPCOMING  KINDERGARTEN EVENTS
   * Summer birthdays will be celebrated throughout the rest of the school year
   * Field trip to Noah's Ark on Friday,
May 11th
   * Visit first grade classrooms and eat in the cafeteria on Wednesday, May 23rd
   * Field trip to the OU Airport, OU Food Services, and Southside Park on Friday,
May 25th.
   * Picnic with our buddies at Beacon shelter house on Wednesday, May 30th for the morning children and on Thursday, May 31st for the afternoon children
MRS. WILLIFORD'S PRE-SCHOOL
   Mrs. Williford's Preschool Class is enjoying learning about the season of spring!  We are learning first  hand about plants  and other growing  things as we watch  our "garden" in the  hallway "grow" by  adding caterpillars,  butterflies, bushes, and flowers we have created ourselves.  We are also watching living flowers grow as well.   Several days ago we planted flower seeds, and now we are observing and recording our seedlings as they  begin to sprout and grow.  Our children enjoyed a spring visit to the land lab with our buddies where we helped plant a tree, provided by T. S. Trim, on Arbor Day.  (Since then, we have had to go back to our little tree, remove all the caterpillars off of it, and cover it with netting to save it from being devoured by those ubiquitous tent caterpillars that have invaded Athens this spring!)
   Our class has had some exciting visitors lately.  Mother Goose stopped by to visit a few days ago.  It was great to meet her, and we enjoyed sharing some familiar nursery rhymes and learning new songs and dances with her.  Then, Tommy the Tooth came to our classroom bringing songs, poems, information and prizes for each student.  What a great way to share the season of spring with each other! Mrs. Williford's Preschool Class is enjoying learning about the season of spring!  We are learning first hand about plants and other growing things as we watch our "garden" in the hallway "grow" by adding caterpillars, butterflies, bushes, and flowers  we have created  ourselves.  Our  children are also  watching living  flowers grow.   Several days ago we  planted flower seeds  and now we are  observing and  recording our seedlings as they  begin to sprout and grow.
  NOTES FROM MUSIC
Xylophones
   The Morrison Arts Council funded the purchase of two xylophones, which will be played by all Morrison  students in the music  room.  Primary  students have enjoyed  learning to accompany  songs on both the bass  and alto xylophone.   The instruments were  used in the Kids Next Door Grandparents Day performance as well.  Students in grades 4 - 6 will play the xylophones in music classes after the May 10, Mus/Art Show.
Mus/Art Show
   During the spring months, 4th - 6th graders have worked on music for the Morrison Mus/Art Show.  The show took place on Thursday, May 10, at 7:00 p.m. (Viewing of student works of art began at 6:30 p.m.) The musical portion of the program was called "Sing and Celebrate the 20th Century." This entertaining musical revue included popular music from each decade of the 20th century and was greatly enjoyed by the many parents in attendance.
 Kids Next Door
   The Kids Next Door performed an exciting Grandparents Day program on April 12.  Many grandparents and senior friends complimented the group on their fine singing.  The last scheduled Kids Next Door performance for the year occurred during the Morrison MusArt  Show.  We hope you did not miss their superb performance.
FROM THE LIBRARY
   This year's April Book Fair was the bestever!  A sincere thank you to the many, many volunteers who contributed to the success of this annual event.   A special thank you to co-chairs, Lisa Willliams and Mary Ann Gulino.  They did a fantastic job both before and during Book Fair week.  Thank you, also, to Gerry Hikida and for her fine work and to everyone who attended the Book Fair on Family Night or later in the week.  Your participation helped to provide many new books for the library.
   In addition to obtaining money for buying new library books, we receive free books or software from the Book Fair as part of our profits.  Each classroom received $30 in books or software.  In addition, the Book Fair provided many of the raffle prizes awarded to our students.  Erin Thatcherwas the winner of $25 in books for herself and for her classroom.  Winners of raffle prizes for each grade were:  Sulei al-Sulemani, Kevin Brown, Cody Mack, Jamie Hyde, Joe Tysko, Lauren Herpy, Nicholas Bolin, and Toshe Byrd. Congratulations, everyone!
   Special thanks also to our Book Fair Dinner Chairs Karen Aftabezabeh and Sandi Mathews for the superb job they did once again with our Book Fair Dinner.
  OTHER HAPPENINGS THIS MONTH:
Monday-Tuesday, May 14-15, I.E.P. Reviews for students in special education,
Monday, May 14, 6th grade visits COSI,
Wednesday, May 16, Pre-School Registration 9:00 - 2:30,
Friday, May 18, Field Day 9:00 - 3:00,
Monday, May 21, I.E.P. Reviews for students in multi-handicapped classes,
Tuesday, May 22, DARE graduation- 7:00 Athens Community Center,
Wednesday - Friday - May 23-25, 5th grade at Woodland Altars,
Thursday, May 24, Board of education meets at Morrison - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 25, Kindergarten visits the O.U. Airport and Central Food Service,
Wednesday, May 30, 6th grade visits Hocking College - 9:00 - 2:00,
Wednesday, May 30, student council dance with a tropical theme - 6:30 - 8:00
June 1, 9:15 - 8:00 p.m. student council trip to Columbus.
June 6, 9:15 - 6th grade graduation,
June 7, LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
TO PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN TAKE MEDICATION AT SCHOOL
   Parents whose children take medication at school should come to Morrison on the last day of school and pick up any remaining medication for their son/daughter.  Medications will NOT be sent home with the students.  Parents will have a one-week grace period following the last day of school to visit Morrison and retrieve their child's medication.  After that date, remaining medications will be destroyed.
REMINDER TO SIXTH GRADE PARENTS
   Please make sure that your son/daughter has received the second MMR immunization prior to entering 7thgrade AND that officials at Athens Middle School have received that documentation from you.  This is a state- mandated requirement.
   Help you son/daughter get off to a good start at AMS by making sure that all  immunization requirements have been met.
MOVING?  REQUEST STUDENT RECORDS NOW
   Parents who are moving out of the Athens area should request their children's records soon and by no later than June 1.  This will permit us tome to copy the records and make them available to you prior to the summer vacation.  Requests that are made after June 1, might not be processed until August.  Don't delay.  Make your records request today by contacting the school office at 593-5445.
STUDENT SCHOOL SUPPLIES BEING SUPPLIED BY DISTRICT IN 2001-02
   The Athens City School District has received funding for student school supplies in 2001-02.  Thus, parents will NOT need to purchase  paper, pencils, glue, and other supplies prior to the beginning of school in August and students will NOT need to bring  supplies with them  on the first day of  school.  These  student supplies will  be provided at no  charge to our  children.  We are  pleased to offer this savings to our families.  Note:  If students lose or abuse their supplies, then their parents may need to buy some supplies later in the school year.  We will keep you informed.
LIBRARY CLOSING
   Our library closes on Friday, May 18.  Students who have library books need to return them at that time.  Also, please search around the house for books that may be misplaced.  Students who lose books will need to pay for them prior to the end of the school year.  We do not issue progress reports or transcripts until outstanding bills are paid.
BILLS ARE DUE
   Lunch charges will  NOT be permitted after  Friday, May 18.  All  lunch charges and other  bills need to be paid at  that time and lunches  will need to be paid for  on a daily basis until  the end of the school  year.  Student Progress  Reports and transcripts are not issued to students who have unpaid bills.

THANKS FOR HELPING MAKE THIS A GOOD YEAR AT MORRISON
 Special thanks goes to our parents who supported their children and our teachers by assisting with school projects, helping with homework, attending school and P.T.O. events, and for making education a priority in their households.  Your efforts and support are greatly appreciated and have contributed to a more successful educational experience for your children.
 To those families departing Morrison, we wish you well.  If you will be returning in August, we look forward to working again with your children and you during 2001-2002.  Happy summer vacation.
EARLY DISMISSAL TO HAPPEN ON THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
 Elementary schools will dismiss at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 4.  Most students should arrive home by 2:30.  Please expect your son or daughter early and make the necessary child care arrangements.
SIXTH GRADE GRADUATION PLANNED
 Sixth graders will graduate at Morrison on Wednesday, June 6, at 9:15.   Parents are invited to attend.  The ceremony occurs in the multi-purpose room.
DISTRICT FUNDING TO PAY FOR STUDENT SUPPLIES NEXT YEAR
 Families will NOT need to purchase school supplies for the 2001-02 academic year.  Our district has received funding that will enable us to pay for most of the student supplies (i.e. pencils, paper, glue) needed for the next school year.   Thus, save your money and send it to school in early September for workbooks and other materials that students will be acquiring.
MOVING? MAKE REQUESTS FOR STUDENT RECORDS NOW
 If your family is moving from the Morrison attendance area, we recommend that you make requests for copies of your child's school records now.  Requests that are received by
June 1, will be processed in June while those received after that date may not be processed until the middle of August.  Don't delay.  Make the request today by contacting our school secretary.
ROOM ROSTERS TO BE POSTED IN AUGUST
 Room rosters for the 2001-2002 academic year will be posted on the school's front doors by Monday, August 20.  Stop by either during the day or night and check the rosters.
SCHOOL CALENDAR ATTACHED
 On the back of this note is the School Calendar for 2001-2002.  The first day of school is August 28, for students in grades 1-6.  Kindergarten orientation for students and their families happens on August 28-29.  Kindergartners begin classes on August 30.