El Morro Elementary update

All students and staff returned to El Morro Elementary School from the winter break ready for a great start to the new year. The calendar at El Morro this month is as busy as usual.

Our first PTA meeting of the year featured Ken Kramer, superintendent of Crystal Cove State Park, who informed parents about the conversion of El Morro Village to a state park campground and how this will affect El Morro Elementary. While change can sometimes be difficult, we look forward to working with the state park system to make this transition a positive experience.

The final days before the winter break brought the resignation of El Morro’s much-loved reading specialist, Kathleen Marlow, who touched many lives. Not only did she help struggling students develop reading skills, she also encouraged them to believe in themselves while instilling in them a love of learning and books. Her dedication was tremendous, and her presence will be missed by all.

To fill Mrs. Marlow’s role, the school welcomes Sarah White as reading technician on the El Morro campus. Sarah began at El Morro this past fall as a special-education instructional aide. She was a one-on-one shadow for a kindergartener with a cochlear implant, spending half of the day with the student in the SDC classroom and the other half helping the girl adjust to a kindergarten classroom.

Working toward a master’s degree in education at National University, Sarah brings varied experiences in teaching reading and language programs to children. She says she is excited to transition into the reading technician position because it allows her to share her joy in reading.

“It is immensely fulfilling to be able to help a child transform from a struggling reader into someone who approaches a book with excitement and confidence,” Sarah said. We welcome her to her new role.

Friends and family of El Morro students, mark your calendars for the annual El Morro Talent Show on Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Artist’s Theatre. Chris Barton and Lisa Mansour are once again co-chairing this wonderful event.

Auditions for the annual El Morro Talent Show took place on Wednesday, Jan. 18. The talent show is open to all third-, fourth- and fifth-graders who audition prepared acts. It is sure to be a fantastic show. Contact Lisa Mansour (499-5929 or lisa@mansoiurfamily.com) or Chris Barton (497-2065 or lbeachsix@msn.com) with questions.

Also, the El Morro Jog-a-Thon Committee, headed up by Robin Rounaghi, is now gearing up for the annual fundraiser, to be held on Friday, March 24. El Morro’s largest fundraiser, the Jog-a-Thon it helps fund the many awesome PTA programs that run throughout the year.

We are looking for businesses and individuals interested in becoming Jog-a-Thon sponsors. This is a wonderful way to benefit our community and kids, not to mention an excellent advertising opportunity. Contact Robin Rounaghi (499-4059 or robinr1@cox.net) to sign up for the committee or for more details about the benefits of becoming a sponsor.

* Melissa Cavanaugh is president of the El Morro Elementary School PTA.