Readers Become Leaders At Morley Dr. Ellen G. Stokoe, Principal And Mr. Ryan Cleary

MORLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

77 Bretton Road W Hartford, CT 06119 860.233.8535/Fax: 860.233.7705

http://www.morley.whps.org

June 11, 2014

Dearest Morley Families,

It is truly hard to believe that this is my very last Reader letter that I am writing to my devoted Morley Community. My ‘journey of joy’ as your proud Principal is coming to an end, but with it I take away so many fond memories that will last me forever.

I have been blessed with a family of stu-dents, teachers and parents that have enabled me to accomplish many worth-while ventures and develop deep and trusting relationships. I do not take lightly how committed you have all been to the success of Morley School and have embraced what is right for our children as we have guided them during these important informative years together.

Farewell sounds so permanent, so I will say ‘see you about’ as I know I will; in Starbucks, Big Y, Whole Foods, Blue Back Square, perhaps, in time, reading a story to your children at Morley, or sharing an adventure I have had in the UK, kayaking or hiking in the USA, on an African Safari, in Europe, or wher-ever life brings Andrew and me (“Oh, the places we will go”). However, wher-ever I am, your beautiful spirits will al-ways be with me in my heart.

I am fulfilled as the leader of the grand-est school in all the land and I will al-ways count my last 14 years of my ca-reer as the happiest part of my joyous journey.

May Morley continue on its successful path under the stellar leadership of Mr. Ryan Cleary.

With much love and thankfulness,

Ellen

PS “Don’t cry because it is over. Smile

because it happened.” Dr. Seuss

Dear Morley Families,

The 2013-2014 school year has certainly been one to remember! We have managed to do an incredible amount of learning this year. As we prepare for a nice “recharge” over the summer, I think about all of the hard work that has gone into meeting the rigorous demands of our new curriculum and meeting the challenge of a new state wide assessment system. Throughout the course of the year students have consistently risen to the occasion as a result of a dedicated staff, a supportive parent community, and a model leader in Dr. Stokoe.

As this year comes to a close, our school prepares for a transition. For the last 14 years this building has been masterfully led by Dr. Stokoe. Working with the families in our community, Dr. Stokoe has built Morley to be the amazing place that it is! Dr. Stokoe has led with love throughout her tenure, and she will leave a legacy of love behind her. There will forever be pieces of her compassion alive at Morley School.

I want to thank the Morley community for your support in my transi-tion from curriculum specialist to the next principal of Morley School. Over the last 2 years I have fallen in love with this community. I con-sider myself so lucky to have the opportunity to work with every child, parent, and staff member that makes up Morley School. As I look into the future, I am excited to begin the work that will enable us to maintain the traditions that give Morley School its unique iden-tity while helping us to evolve to meet the demands of 21st century expectations regarding standards and assessment. Please accept my sincere gratitude for this community’s support and know that I am so excited to continue working with you all in my new capacity.

I wish you all a relaxing summer filled with special time with family and friends. Thank you for your support of teaching, learning, and literacy at Morley School this year. Have a wonderful summer!

Respectfully yours,

Ryan Cleary

From Monica Rockefeller & Martha Rosenthal Dear friends, We would like you all to know that we will be retiring at the end of this school year. We both feel extremely fortunate to have been part of this unique neighborhood community throughout our careers, working with wonderful children and teachers, always with the support of our Morley families. As some of you know, we have been here, one way or another, for a very long time. In addition to our many years as Morley librarians we were also Morley parents ourselves, so hold a special fondness for this school on many levels. As this chapter ends and we turn the page, a small, adventuring friend comes to mind: Stuart... started up the road that led toward the north. The sun was just coming up over the hills on his right. As he peered ahead into the great land that stretched before him, the way seemed long. But the sky was bright, and he somehow felt he was headed in the right direction. from Stuart Little by E.B. White We are grateful for all the children we have taught and loved throughout the years, for all we have learned from each of you, and especially for the opportunity to have shared the richness of literature with our young readers. Fondly, Monica Rockefeller Martha Rosenthal

Important Dates to Jot Down . . . 6/12 - 6/19/14

Notices, Newsletters, Forms & Brochures

Which can be found in the school office and interior courtyard

WHPS Connections Newsletter, Life Learn Continuing Education for Adults and Summer Options for Kids

Date Day Event Location Time

6/12 Thursday Farmers’ Market Blacktop 3:20PM - 4:20PM

GRADE 5 MOVING UP CEREMONY Auditorium 6:00PM

6/13 Friday Grade 5 Picnic Fern Park All Day

Grade 4 Explorer Fair Auditorium 1:15PM - 2:00PM

6/16 Monday Grade 2 Classes Walk to . . . Fern Park 9:00AM - 12:30PM

Grade 3 Rotary Dictionary Project Auditorium 1:30PM - 2:15PM

6/18 Wednesday Backpack Brigade Walk to Town Hall 9:00AM - 11:00AM

Celebrate Dr. Stokoe Auditorium 6:00PM - 8:00PM

6/19 Thursday “Readers Become Leaders” Assembly 9:30AM

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

2pm CLOSING

PTO Ice Pops Playground After School

West Hartford Schools Summer Program – A Regional Gem for

Skills Building and Get-Ahead High School Credit

The 2014 Summer School Program welcomes students to a wide selection of enriching courses and great

activities. The offerings range from four-week preschool & kindergarten activities at Aiken School, to

classes for both middle school and high school students held this year at Sedgwick Middle School while the

high school buildings undergo repairs and updates.

For very young students, we have three programs. Summer Fun for Preschoolers provides many activities

for 3 to 5 year olds in small group settings. G.R.A.S.P., or Get Ready at Summer Pre-School, emphasizes

early learning skills for children entering kindergarten this fall. And Moving on Up offers more formal

educational skill development for children “moving up” to first grade this fall. All three of these programs

will be held at Aiken School and are scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30 each morning for four weeks, beginning

on Monday, June 30 and ending on Friday, July 25 (No class on July 4).

For students entering grades 7 and 8, we are adding Technology classes in photography/graphic design

and animation/web design (which are also open to high school students), as well as our popular

Introduction to Algebra and Study Skills for Middle School courses.

In addition to more than 30 credit classes that can be taken for get-ahead or remedial high school credit at

Sedgwick this summer, such as Modern World History for incoming ninth graders, or Health and

American Government for sophomores, we have added some exciting elective classes in Introductory

Chinese and, for students entering grades 11 and 12, Anatomy & Physiology, which isn’t offered during the

school year. Course descriptions and registration procedures can be found now online at whlifelearn.org, or

by phone at 860-561-6900, or in person at the Continuing Education office at Town Hall. The high school

Program of Studies has our summer information at the back of that guidebook, and our own summer course

catalog will be mailed to all homes in early May. Catalogs will also be available at our schools and libraries.

ARE YOU MOVING?

INFORMATION FOR ENROLLMENT In order to get the most accurate numbers as possible for next year’s enrollment, we need your

help. If you will be moving out of the Morley district for the 2014-2015 school year, please

call the school office. If you have a 5th grader who will not attend King Philip or Bristow

Middle School, we need that information too; otherwise all 5th grade student records will

move on to King Philip or Bristow Middle School.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING MORNING DROP OFF AND AFTERNOON PICK UP

Please remember, for the safety of your children . . .

Do not enter the school parking lot Do not enter the school parking lot

AND AND DO DO NOT PARK IN THE BUS LANENOT PARK IN THE BUS LANE

to drop off or pick up students.to drop off or pick up students.

Thank you for your cooperation!

CALLING FUTURE KINDERGARTNERS

If you have (or know of a child) eligible for kindergarten in the fall (5 years old on or before 1/1/15), please call the school of-fice at 233.8535.

YEARBOOKS

2013 -14

Yearbooks have arrived and will be distributed to the 5th graders at their

class picnic on Friday. They will be distributed to everyone else that ordered

one on Monday, June 16th. We have a few extras – if you did not order one

and would like to buy one, please email Melissa Arcaro

at mrarcaro@gmail.com. They are $20 each (checks payable to Morley

PTO) and will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Due to the potential danger of students getting hit by a car from a ball rolling into the street, we are asking families to heed the new rule of waiting until AFTER the buses have left Morley School to begin the activity on the front of the school grassy area with the "kick the ball" game.

Students have been running into the street after the ball and our crossing guard, security guard, principal and teachers are fearful of an accident occurring.

Thank you for helping to keep our children safe!

Dr. Ellen G. Stokoe

C.J. Nesta Fund

The C.J. Nesta Fund, in memory of a student, is maintained through ongoing contributions by parents and the PTO. The C.J. Nesta Fund provides scholarships for summer school, vacation programs, field trips, and classroom activities. Teachers make specific requests on behalf of students in need to Dr. Ellen G. Stokoe (program administrator). The Morley teachers and Dr. Ellen G. Stokoe appreciate your support of this fund!

C.J. NESTA DONATION

TEACHER THANK YOU

Parent’s Name:

______________________________________

Student’s Name:

______________________________________

______________________________________

Donation made in honor of:

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

Checks made payable to Morley School and sent

to the Morley School Office.