Morse Pond School

Principal’s Weekly Message 

September 13, 2024

Dear Morse Pond families,

Another week has passed here at Morse Pond and I am so happy to see how well our students have adjusted to their new routines and created strong classroom communities.  Staff and students have been taking the time to open the year slowly, allowing opportunities for building new connections and learning about each other.  It’s this important work at the beginning of a school year that sets the stage for future success.  

Updates

*School Council:  We are still looking for parents/guardians to serve on the school council this year.  We currently have one parent representative for the group, but more are always welcome.   If you are interested in serving on the council, please email Mr. Adams directly at:  [email protected]

*Elective Classes Begin:  Beginning next Tuesday, September 17, students will attend an elective class once each week.  Students will attend band, chorus, or a rotation through the other specialist areas with their homeroom at 2:04 on their designated day.  The schedule for elective days is:

Tuesday:  6th grade math homerooms (Kelleher, Langan, Tribou, Harris, St. Germain, Mercer)

Wednesday:  6th grade ELA homerooms (Zaino, Simanski, Ryan, Morse, Deasy)

Thursday:  5th grade math homerooms (Kelliher, Vendice, Strong, Peterson, Oliveira, Mathews)

Friday:  5th grade ELA homerooms (Buscher, Falcone, Andrews, Briggs, Duff-Still)

Update from the Falmouth Recreation Department RE: School Half Day Program for Grades 5-8

We wanted to inform you of some important changes regarding the Recreation Department's policies on school half days.

1. Pre-Registration Required: beginning this school year, the Recreation Center will no longer offer drop-in services for students on school half days. Students will need to be pre-registered to attend on these days. The program is free and you can register NOW on myrec: https://falmouthma.myrec.com/info/activities/default.aspx

2. Supervised Stay: Once students arrive at the Recreation Center for school half day programming, they will be required to stay in the building until an authorized adult signs them out, at or before 4PM.

3. Gymnasium Closure: Please note that the gymnasium is currently closed for new floor installation. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to improve our facilities.

We apologize for any inconvenience these changes may cause and appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a safe and organized environment for our students.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the pre-registration process, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Julie Williams-Tinkham

Recreation Director, Town of Falmouth

508-457-2567

*Grief Groups:  Please see the attached fliers for information about these important support groups.  

*Hispanic Heritage Month:  At Falmouth Public Schools, we proudly celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (https://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/) from September 15 to October 15, honoring the significant achievements, resilience, and contributions of Hispanic Americans who have shaped our nation's history and continue to inspire progress. Originally established in 1968 as a week-long observance (https://history.house.gov/HistoricalHighlight/Detail/15032398402?ret=True) under President Lyndon Johnson, Hispanic Heritage Month was expanded to a 30-day celebration by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, marking an official recognition of the vibrant diversity within our communities.

This year’s theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together, (https://www.nationalcouncilhepm.com/national-hispanic-heritage-month)” calls us to reflect on the trailblazers who are driving meaningful progress and to engage in creating an inclusive future for all.

At Falmouth, we support and embrace all students year-round. Learning about diverse cultures is not limited to designated months but is integrated throughout the year, embedded in our curriculum. Our educators are committed to being culturally responsive in their classrooms, and Heritage Months provide opportunities to celebrate and elevate the work happening year-round. 

*Girl Singer: A Concert of Story and Jazz – September 19:  On Thursday, September 19, we have a special event: Girl Singer: A Concert of Story and Jazz. This performance combines jazz music with readings from Mick Carlon’s YA novel Girl Singer, a historical fiction about a jazz singer and her encounter with a Holocaust survivor. The Poster (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U088DZ8TExJCkw3dgcmds-4Eg69zUYNU/edit) for this event is attached, and more information is available on the FJC website.   

*Meet Your Teacher Night:  Parents, guardians and students are all invited to attend this event on September 25 beginning at 6:30.  The schedule for each grade level is below.  Parking will be provided on our front field.  Students are invited attend this event with their families and will be the tour guides for the classrooms!