Do you really know all the great things happening at Morrice Area Schools? We have a variety of “Memorable Morrice Moments” we’d like to share with you!     • Viva La France! Mrs. Yonkman has organized a field trip to France in April of 2008 for her French II and French III students. Laingsburg and Perry students will also be attending.   • The Administration and Staff have implemented a program called SOAR (Be Safe, Take Ownership, Allow Learning, Be Respectful) to promote positive behavior inside and outside of the classroom. Students can earn weekly SOAR slips for chances to win prizes if they demonstrate the principles of SOAR. Students who also have perfect attendance each semester are eligible to win a $100.00 cash prize donated by staff members.   • A Morrice chapter of BPA (Business Professionals of America) has been started by Ms. Grandy. This is not something she gets paid to do. She does it to enrich her curriculum and to give students an extracurricular activity. Recently, the Morrice Chapter took a field trip to Grand Rapids to attend a BPA activity. Also, Ms. Grandy’s BMA classes are initiating an online learning experience with Blackboard, through the support of the RESD.   • While teaching Special Education classes, Mrs. White wrote three mini-grants and was awarded $1,100.00, which was spent on developing Special Education curriculum. In the past two years, Mrs. White has created two new classes for Morrice High School students. She spent her free time researching Forensic Science and now Morrice students enjoy learning about the science and technology of Forensics. Last summer, she also researched AP Biology and developed the course, which students are now taking. She did this for minimal cost to the district, by buying books on E-Bay at $15.00 a book, instead of $140.00 for new ones, and paying for her own resource materials.   • Seventh and Eighth grade students in Mrs. Jarrad’s classes have been extending a helping hand to those in need. They participated in Operation Christmas Child. Students brought in shoeboxes, and the classes and Mrs. Jarrad filled them with toys, clothes, and health products. They dropped off the boxes to the Samaritan Purse International organization in Swartz Creek.   • The art classes in Morrice have been busy. Mrs. Jones’s third grade art class, along with her high school art class, were one of twelve schools in the state who were given the opportunity to decorate the Governor’s Residence. The third grade students decorated ornaments for her home and office. The high school students created a snowmen sculpture out of matchbox cars to represent Michigan’s automotive history. The sculpture sits in the governor’s living room and is one of the first decorations seen when entering the residence. Mrs. Jones’s high school students also participate yearly in the Shiawassee Arts Council Scholarship Center, and Morrice always has winners in this event. The art classes also have a yearly Empty Bowl fundraiser. The students make bowls and sell them and all the money is donated to local food banks.   • The band is continuing to bang out a great beat, thanks to Mrs. Sparks, Mrs. Ball, and the Band Boosters. They, along with the students and parents, fought to keep the band program by having fundraisers. The Band Boosters pay Mrs. Ball’s salary at the elementary so 40 out of 56 fifth grade students have the opportunity to enhance their education through music. Also, for the first time, Morrice marched in the Perry Parade of Lights on December 8th. To help spark musical interest in the younger students, our high school band students share their knowledge and talents at the elementary. They mentor the little musicians in an after- school program.   • Helping those in need is important during the holiday season. Mr. Alleman organized two food drives and students brought in food to their third and fifth hour classes. All food is given to the Perry/Morrice/Shaftsburg Emergency Relief.   • Students in Mrs. Latunski’s Special Education classes are experiencing the joys of reading. Mrs. Latunski has spent her own money to buy books and materials to get students reading. She also buys books on tape for those who have more difficulty reading. She gives prizes to those doing well in their other classes and to encourage her students to read. Students are able to visit new worlds and open their minds through reading thanks to Mrs. Latunski’s efforts and dedication.   • Our Morrice football players do more than compete during the season. They also read to the Kindergarten classes. Mrs. Edington and Mrs. Rockafellow have the athletes select a book and read aloud to the students as they sit in a circle. The young men discuss the story and have conversations with the little Orioles.   • Student Council members, led by Mrs. Broomfield, are buddying up with the elementary students and serving as mentors. Buddy Lunch is an opportunity for the older kids to help the younger students at the elementary. Some responsibilities are going out and playing with the kids at recess, informing 6th grade students about junior high, sitting with kids in the cafeteria at lunch, working on art projects, helping students in their creative writing class, and helping them in gym class.   • Positive behavior and academic success paid off for junior high students. Mrs. Rounds organized a bowling party. Along with bowling, students could eat pizza, drink some soda pop, socialize with their friends, and interact with their teachers who volunteered to chaperone. Mrs. Rounds also made sure two families were able to have a Christmas for their children. She asked the Morrice staff and administrators for help, and over $700.00 was collected.   • Mr. Long’s Woods I class is getting hands-on experience crafting a Recurve Bow. Mr. Long wanted a project that would interest and challenge his students. Many Morrice students enjoy hunting, and are taking pride and ownership in the creation and design of their bows.   • Each senior who took the ACT retake increased his/her score in English. The minimum gain was two points and the maximum gain was eight points. ACT calls a one point gain significant. Ms. Darnell created an ACT folder and a Writing folder for each of her students in her college English class. She focused on writing skills (usage, mechanics, and style) and test preparation. One student’s score increased enough to be accepted into a private college and another student’s composite score increased so he was able to receive an extra $1,000.00 in scholarship money per year. The list above only represents a few of the great “Morrice Memorable Moments.” Morrice schools continue to offer a level of educational experience which meets or exceeds student’s needs. Academics, extracurricular activities, and positive student-teacher relationships prepare Morrice Orioles to be successful beyond high school. The Morrice Community should be proud of its students, parents, staff, and teachers. The ACT Team