Dear Parents/Guardians:

 As a result of the school cancellation today, all after-school activities are also cancelled.  Unfortunately this means our evening concerts need to be postponed.  Tonight’s concerts will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, December 11th.  The times for each concert will be the same.  As a reminder, auditorium doors will not open until 15 minutes before show time.  We are sorry for the unavoidable inconvenience and look forward to seeing you all at our Winter Concert! 

Moran’s PTAC group will meet tomorrow (11^th) evening at 6:00 p.m. in the Moran library/media center.  Administration will present Moran’s Technology and Safe School Climate Plan at that meeting.

Lastly, Moran’s November Triad has been updated at the previously established Google address.  Please take a look.

 Thank you and be safe today!

 Sincerely,

Joseph A. Piacentini

Principal

James H. Moran Middle School

(203) 741-2900

@JAPiacentini

Presenter Gary Redman from the Wallingford Police Department’s Youth Division

• difference between unkindness and bullying
• how to keep your child safe online
• how to keep communication lines open
• when to report
• what to do if have concerns
• etc.

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Both Wallingford Middle Schools are excited to announce that we are bringing back our After-School Activities Program this year.  This program was very popular in years past and we hope that it is successful once again.  In order to assist you in planning for your child’s activity, I would appreciate it if you would take the time to read the items below.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at Moran. The number I can be reached at is (203) 741-2900.  Thank you.

• The activities will be run 2 or 3 days per week for a 6 week session.
• The activities will be supervised by Moran staff members.
• Participation is completely voluntary.
• A late bus (shared with Sheehan) may be provided.
• Activities are only available to students currently enrolled at Moran.
• There will be two sessions; one in the Fall and one in the Spring.
• All school rules apply during after-school activities.
• Parent permission will be required for students to participate.
• Activities will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Below is a list of activities that Moran is thinking of offering.  Please check off those that your child may be interested in.  This will not be a guarantee that they are enrolled in this activity, but will help us to decide which we will offer.

____: Homework Club

____: School Gardening

____: Sewing

____: Varsity Choir

____: Cooking & Crafts

____: Photography

____: Board Games

____: Intramural Basketball (a.m.)

____: Intramural Floor Hockey (a.m.)

Student’s Name: __________________________________ Grade: _________________

This message went out to Moran teachers today…

Good morning everyone,

For those of you with homerooms you will find order forms for yearbooks in your mailboxes. If you could try to get them out to your students by the end of the week it would be greatly appreciated. Included with the form is a Replayit business card with  information on how to upload school photographs to the Moran yearbook staff .  If you take pictures of your classroom activities or field trips, the yearbook staff would love to use them. Please start uploading those great activities to Replayit!

For those of you without a homeroom you will be receiving  Replayit business cards with information on how to upload school photographs to the Moran yearbook staff .  If you take pictures of your classroom activities or field trips, the yearbook staff would love to use them. Please start uploading those great activities to Replayit!

Do you need someone to take the photographs for you?

I also have a group of student freelance photographers who would love to take photographs for you. Let me know and a yearbook photographer will contact you.

 Thanks,

Anita Pelletier

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Please join us on Wednesday, October 23rd from 8-9 am in the Moran Library Media Center for our first Parent Coffee.  This months’ coffee aligns to the Wallingford Core Values Belonging, Community Involvement & Respect.  We will be introducing our support staff, providing information on community resources, discussing tips for communication with your middle school student, and giving an update on Rachel’s Challenge.  We hope you will come for coffee, for community, and for the opportunity to voice your questions and comments related to these core values here at Moran.

October 8, 2013

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Please join us on Wednesday, October 23^rd from 8-9 am in the Moran Library Media Center for our first Parent Coffee.  This months’ coffee aligns to the Wallingford Core Values Belonging, Community Involvement & Respect.  We will be introducing our support staff, providing information on community resources, discussing tips for communication with your middle school student, and giving an update on Rachel’s Challenge.  We hope you will come for coffee, for community, and for the opportunity to voice your questions and comments related to these core values here at Moran.  Look for future emails announcing upcoming coffee dates:

Tuesday, November 26^th– Diversity & Personal Responsibility: Bullying Prevention, Cyber-safety, and Digital Responsibility- Presentation by Wallingford Youth Officer Mandy Miranda.

Wednesday, January 29^th– Life-long Learning: Study skills and how to support your child as a learner, offer ideas for how to facilitate more parental involvement at Moran

Spring Coffees- TBD

We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Moran Administration

Please take a look at the attached letter.  Additionally, the web-links below provide some great information specific to your student’s grade level.  Give me a call at Moran if you have any questions.

CCSS Parent Letter – 9-30-13

6th = http://pta.org/files/2012_NPTA_PG-6thGrade.pdf

7th = http://pta.org/files/2012_NPTA_PG-7thGrade.pdf

8th = http://pta.org/files/2012_NPTA_PG-8thGrade.pdf

Overview of Common Core State Standards

            The Common Core State Standards are a set of research-based, globally competitive K-12 expectations for English Language Arts and Mathematics.  They are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills our young people need so that they are fully prepared to compete in a globally competitive economy.  The standards establish:

• Consistent learning goals for all students
• Clear roadmaps of academic expectations at each grade level
• Relevance to the real world and prepare students for post-secondary education and a globally competitive workforce

For an overview of the Common Core State Standards, visit the following link to see a 3 minute video overview:  http://vimeo.com/51933492

            More information can be found on the Wallingford Public School website.  

The article below is a nice summary of why to get involved in school organizations as a parent.  Please take the time to read it.  If you have any questions about our PTO, PTAC, or any other school organization please feel free to call our main office.  Thank you.

12 Most Mutually Beneficial Reasons for Joining the PTA

http://12most.com/2013/09/02/12-mutually-beneficial-reasons-joining-pta/

Here a few great sites for parents to access as we get prepared for our new school year.  I am really looking forward to working with all of you.  Here’s to a great year!!!

Keep Your Middle Schooler Organized

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thinking-about-kids/201201/keep-your-middle-schooler-organized

25 Education Blogs Perfect For Parents (And Just About Anyone Else)

http://www.edudemic.com/2012/08/25-education-bogs-perfect-for-parents-and-just-about-anyone-else/

From Perfection to Personal Bests: 7 Ways to Nurture Your Gifted Child

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/signe-whitson/nurture-gifted-children_b_1240258.html