FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Who should I contact if I want information about the Morris Area School District?
Any district staff member can answer questions about our school. Pre-school and community education questions can be directed to the Community Education Office (589-4394). Elementary questions can be directed to the Elementary Office (589-1250). High school can be directed to the High School Office (589-4400). District questions can be directed to the Superintendent’s Office (589-4840).
How do I register my child in the Morris Area School District?
If you wish to enroll your child in the district, please contact the appropriate office. Pre-school and community education can be reached at the Community Education Office (589-4394). Elementary parents and students should contact the Elementary Office (589-1250). High school parents and students should contact the High School Office (589-4400).
Can I open enroll my child in the Morris Area School District?
There is a process in the Morris Area School District for open enrollment. For more information on open enrollment options, contact Jeannie Maanum at 320-589-4840.
Who should I contact if my child needs to ride the school bus to or from school?
Deann Recker is the Transportation Director for the Morris Area School District. The phone number of the bus garage is 320-589-3932 and Deann’s e-mail address is drecker@morris.k12.mn.us. Please contact her for more information.
What activities are offered in the Morris Area School District?
Fall Sports
Football
Volleyball
Cross Country
Girls Tennis
Girls Swimming
Winter Sports
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Boys Swimming
Boys Hockey
Girls Hockey
Wrestling
Gymnastics
Spring Sports
Baseball
Softball
Girls Track
Boys Track
Boys Golf
Girls Golf
Elementary Activities
Student Council (Grades 3-6)
Math Masters (Grades 5 & 6)
Geography Bee (Grades 4-6)
Spelling Bee (Grades 5-8)
Pre-School Hour’s Activities
Drum line
Jazz I and Jazz II Band
MAHS Express Choir
Clubs
Art Club
Drama Club
Film Club
Spanish Club
Other Activities
Business Professionals of America
Environthon
Fall Musical
FFA
Knowledge Bowl
Math League
Student Energy Team
National Honor Society
One-Act Play
Pep Band
Robotics
Speech
Spring Play
Student Council
Morris Area Student Leaders
Students of Service
Junior High Play
Are there ways as a parent to get involved in the Morris Area School District?
There are many ways for parents to become involved with the Morris Area School District. Each building has multiple opportunities for parent involvement and volunteering, and the district offers membership on various volunteer advisory committees. For more information on ways for parents to get involved, please contact any of the school district offices.
Are there fine arts opportunities in the curriculum?
The Morris Area School District has strong community support for fine arts in the curriculum and programming is found in each of the district’s schools. All elementary students have music every day from a licensed music instructor. High school students have opportunities in visual arts, band, choir, and theater/drama. Again, these are taught by licensed instructors. There are also fine arts opportunities that are part of the extra and co-curricular programs in place in the district.
Does Morris Area High School offer advanced opportunities for students?
Morris Area Elementary School offers a variety of advanced learning opportunities for students through its EAGER program. For Morris Area High School offers a rigorous academic program, including 11 dual enrollment courses, also known as College in the Schools course. Classes are taken at MAHS and taught by School District staff. Through these college-level courses, students have an opportunity to earn college credit at most colleges and universities. For more information on MAHS’s College in the Schools course offerings, contact the MAHS office.
What procedures are used when there is a delayed start, early dismissal, or school closure because of bad weather?
Morris Area Schools uses the Instant Alert system to communicate with parents and staff when school is impacted by bad weather. Parents can sign up to receive Instant Alert phone messages, e-mails, and text messages at multiple e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Information is also conveyed through several radio stations, including KMRS/KKOK, and parents and community members can tune into:
- WCCO Channel 4 or wcco.com
- KSTP Channel 5 or kstp.com
- KMSP Channel 9 or kmsp.com
- KARE Channel 11 or kare11.com
What sort of preparation for emergencies is in place?
Please know that the Morris Area School district has both districtwide and building-level crisis plans and teams in place to deal with a variety of situations. In addition, we have good relationships with local and state authorities to assist us with emergency preparations. Key points of crisis planning efforts:
These plans are rehearsed and reviewed periodically and teams are prepared to act if the need arises.
- We try not to interrupt instruction unless it is absolutely necessary.
- We concentrate our energies on education with the goal of keeping things as normal as possible and remaining calm.
- We will provide help for students in dealing with difficult situations.
- We may also call in counselors or send home information for parents, if appropriate.
- We conduct several school safety drills each year as part of our normal safety planning and preparation. What are school safety drills?
As part of our regular examination of district and building safety plans, we conduct drills and exercises known as school safety drills. Over time, those exercises have included fire and tornado drills and we’ve recently added “lock-down”, “shelter-in-place”, and “evacuation/relocation” drills in our schools as well. We need to be intentional with our efforts to keep students and staff safe. Being familiar with procedures and expectations – and having drills to practice our procedures – is a critical component to ensuring safety. We often notify parents in advance when safety drills are scheduled and ask that they discuss the situation with their child(ren).
Are there any voter-approved operating levies or referenda in the district?
Morris Area Schools is making use of funds from operating levies approved in 2001 and 2005. These operating levy monies are used to maintain programs and staffing. The district will have an operating levy for consideration in the November 2, 2010 General Election.
In November 2002, the district passed a $27 million referendum, and the funds were used to build a new elementary school, make updates and improvements to the high school, to pay for a portion of a joint athletic facility with UMM (Big Cat Stadium), and to make capital improvements throughout the district.