Beverly Cleary School

 

 

Dear Families,

 

 

 

 

I’m so excited to return to Beverly Clearly- Hollyrood. I truly enjoy teaching first grade

- it is so thrilling to see the growth that children make during the year! To give you a

little background on myself - I started teaching in Portland Public Schools with First

Grade at King Elementary School. Then I had a wonderful opportunity to teach for the

Department of Defense Schools for seven years. I taught First, Second and Third

Grade while living in and experiencing several countries - England, Germany and Korea.

When I returned to Portland, I started at Woodlawn Elementary before eventually

transferring to Buckman Elementary, and three years ago transferring to Hollyrood. My

husband Kevin and I have two daughters we adopted from China. Briana will be junior at

Cleveland and Annika will be in the seventh grade at Fernwood.

I want the children to have healthy snacks and I find it is easier if everyone has the same

snack each day. I have a monthly sign up sheet on the bulletin board. Please choose a

week that will work for you. I find that small carrots or crackers are the easiest. Please

do not send anything with nuts. If your child has allergies and cannot eat the snack,

please talk to me and we will make other arrangements.

Today you received your child’s register form. Please look it over, make any corrections

and return it to me by Friday, September 9.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays (12:30-1:00) we will walk to the Grant track and the children

will run or walk around the track for 15 minutes. I will keep track of the laps we will

celebrate when they run a half/whole marathon. The kids really enjoy keeping track of

how far they can run! I will need volunteers to help us walk the children over to the

track. There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board and we will start next Tuesday,

the 13th.

The children may have water bottles at their seats. In fact, I encourage them to have

their own water bottles and drink a lot of water throughout the day. Please make sure

that the cap is a pop top so we minimize spills.

For birthdays, our class makes a special book for each birthday child. I ask that treats

not be brought in. I also ask that if your child is having a birthday party and sending out

invitations that you mail the invitations. Children’s feelings are hurt when they are not

invited to a party and it can be very disruptive in the classroom. Thank you for your

cooperation.

I find it easier and faster when I test the children individually after school since it is

hard to get it done during the day when there are so many things going on. I will put a

schedule on the bulletin board-please sign your child up for a time that works for you. If

you are not able to stay one time after school do not worry about it. I will test your child

during the school day. Testing usually takes about 20 minutes.

In a few weeks, I will have a sign up sheet with times and days where I need help in the

classroom. I

 

LOVE parent volunteers and find that volunteers are an essential part of a

 

successful classroom (So much so that you will probably even see Kevin, Briana and Annika

helping out in my room from time to time!)

 

 

 

 

Sincerely,

Carolyn Morris

 

 

 

 

cmorris@pps.k12.net

 

 

 

 

 

What We Are Learning About

 

 

 

 



 

Community Building- Our main focus

 

during the first few weeks of school will

be to build a strong classroom community.

It is important that each child feels safe

and welcome in the classroom.

 

 

 

 



 

Rules/Expectations- We will review school

 

rules and procedures. This week we will

create our classroom rules as a group.

 

 

 

 

First Grade News

Ms. Morris – Room 19

September 6, 2011

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events and Dates

Open House - Sept. 14th

(Adults only)

Late Opening-Sept. 21st

Picture Day - Sept. 27th