2nd Grade: Mapping with Beebots!
Submitted By: Jennifer LaValle, Instructional Technology
Specialist
2nd Graders are practicing their mapping skills with Beebots in the Computer Lab! Beebot is a robot that students control by giving it directions. After practicing labeling coordinates on a map and adding cardinal directions (North/East/South/West), students worked through mapping puzzles to get Beebot from one coordinate to another on the map. In this activity, students are solving problems, working together, and persevering through challenges. Great work, 2nd graders!
Tom Turkey 2017
While some students in the Cambridge Public Schools and across the state of Massachusetts, participate in a Turkey Trot run for charity in November, the Morse School has a tradition of its own. Morse School Children read books and purchase a Tom Turkey tail feather for charity! Learn more >>
Cultural Proficiency Work Continues at Morse School
Submitted By: Joe Maloney, Special Start Teacher & Cultural Proficiency Team Member
We just wanted to update you about cultural proficiency work in our school, which is one of the district's goals. Currently, three staff members including myself are part of the Wheelock College culture training. It's a training with colleagues from every school across the district. This work has been really great so far, and we can't wait to bring it back to our school in the spring.
As we go into winter break, I wanted to share the following article (see below) with all of you. When we talk about cultural proficiency, we often aren't specific about what that means. This article discusses one way we can be culturally proficient, which is to recognize and celebrate the diversity of holidays that are celebrated at this time of year.
We look forward to working with you in 2018 to find more ways to put cultural proficiency into practice in our classrooms and across our school.
Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas:
The Last Thing That Ever Needs To Be Said About It
By Paul Brandeis Raushenbush
Read article >>
There's a Lot Going On in Our School Library this Month!
Get the latest library updates from Sarah Pennell, Morse School Librarian. Read on to find out more >>
I Do Not Mind You, Winter Wind
Poem Written By: Jack Prelutsky
I do not mind you, Winter Wind
when you come whirling by,
to tickle me with snowflakes
drifting softly from the sky.
I do not even mind you
when you nibble at my skin,
scrambling over all of me
attempting to get in.
But when you bowl me over
and I land on my behind,
then I must tell you, Winter Wind,
I mind . . . I really mind!
The Veleveteen Rabbit
Submitted By: Morse JK & K Staff
On Thursday, December 14th, Homerooms B6, B7, B8, and D6 travelled by school bus to the Boston Children’s Theatre at the Calderwood Pavilion. We were treated to a performance of The Velveteen Rabbit. Based on the original children’s book by Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit (or How Toys Become Real) tells the story of a stuffed rabbit and his desire to become real, through the love of his owner. The book was first published in 1922 and has been republished many times since.
Combining the use of puppetry and live actors the Boston Children’s Theatre brought this story of love, friendship, and hope to the audience. The magical production generated many smiles to our young students, many of them first time theatre attendees. We were fortunate to have part of this trip funded by a grant from the Performing Arts Department of Cambridge Public Schools and the Friends of Morse.
Photo: Velveteen Rabbit puppet and actor
Winter Weather!
At the Morse School, we try to go outside as much as possible. Children need coats, hats, mittens/gloves during the winter months. If there is a large amount of snow on the ground, boots and snow pants are helpful.
The Physical Education Teachers ask that each child has sneakers for his/her P.E. class. Shoes are more comfortable for kids to wear inside and help with maintaining a dry and safe floor. Please include these in your child's backpack on days when boots are necessary. Thank you for your support with a healthy and sound winter season!
CPSD also has a cold weather policy, if you should have questions about when it is too cold to go out. Below is an excerpt from "Cambridge Public Schools - Administrative Wellness Policy Guidelines and Implementation Procedures" (page 8):
Winter Weather Safety
Principals and Heads of Upper Schools are encouraged not to cancel recess due to weather, unless absolutely necessary. Each principal and head of upper school or designee will determine whether the temperature or wind chill are severe enough to cancel recess. A basic framework for weather decisions is the following:
–Below 10 degrees: Indoor Recess
–Below 32 degrees: Coat, long pants, gloves/mittens & hats as appropriate. More detail (including wind-chill) can be found at the Child Care Weather Watch.
–Students who do not have appropriate winter or rain wear may need to be kept inside, but other students are expected to participate in outside recess. Principals and Heads of Upper Schools will inform parents/guardians to send students to school dressed appropriately for the weather and that any families that need help obtaining winter outerwear should contact their school's family liaison.
During outdoor activities, principals and heads of upper schools will put measures into place to:
–Promote or require student use of protective items such as clothing (long pants, coat, hats and gloves/mittens).
–Notify families prior to field trips and prolonged outdoor events that they are expected to prepare their child accordingly for activities in winter weather.
–As needed, consider substituting indoor activities that take place when temperature, wind chill or weather are severe.
5th Grade Reviews of "A Christmas Carol" at the Central Square Theatre
Some of our students gave reviews of the play they recently went to see! Read more >>
|
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
No School: Winter Break
December 25 - January 1
School resumes on January 2
School Council Meeting
January 3 | 6:30-8PM
FMS Movie Night
January 5 | 6-8PM
Friends of Morse Meeting
January 8 | 6:30-7:30PM
No School: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 15
Morse Calendar >>
District Calendar >>
COLD VS FLU: HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE
Are you coming down with a cold? Do you have the flu? See some differences and similarities between colds and flu >>
THE OT CORNER
Welcome to the Occupational Therapy (OT) Corner by Morse PreK-5 OTs! Read on >>
IN OUR DISTRICT & COMMUNITY
Immigration Legal Screening Clinic
This FREE monthly clinic offers participants a consultation with an immigration attorney and the chance to learn more about how immigration law affects them and their families. Details >>
More programs & events in our community >>
FIND IT CAMBRIDGE
Looking for things to do in Cambridge? Then take a peek at Find It Cambridge!
www.finditcambridge.org
HEALTHY SNACK OF THE WEEK
Here's Cambridge in Motion's healthy snack of the week suggestion: turkey slice and sprouts on whole wheat wrap.
MOBILE APP
Keep informed via our FREE mobile app!
Details >>
Morse School
40 Granite St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
617.349.6575
Fax: 617.349.6576
Morse Website
|
|
|