One of Stroudsburg’s elementary schools has reached an outstanding milestone: its 100-year anniversary!
B.F. Morey Elementary school, located on West Main Street across from the high school, has been a place of creativity, learning, and acceptance for many students. The school was built in 1925, in honor of Benjamin Franklin Morey, and originally contained eight classrooms from kindergarten through sixth grade.
Benjamin Franklin Morey was born on January 19, 1848. He graduated from the State National School in 1871, and took charge of public schools until 1875, according to B.F. Morey Elementary School.
Stroudsburg Area School District has been a home for inclusion and endless potential for students of all backgrounds and Morey Elementary has been a prime example of this. Throughout the school year, an effort is made to promote and encourage Morey students to work towards a brighter future by being inclusive of others, trustworthy, responsible, and respectful.
Within their curriculum and their multitude of events, Morey inspires its students to become the best version of themselves and help those in need. Through afterschool programs like Girls on the Run, Mad Science, and STEAM Club, students are offered opportunities to explore their interests while still learning more about the world around them.
“My primary goal has been to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. I firmly believe that for students to thrive academically, they must feel safe, respected, and understood,” says George Angelopoulos, principal of Morey Elementary. “Additionally, I am committed to celebrating the diversity within our school community, ensuring that all students, regardless of background or ability, feel included and supported.”
March 2 to 6 celebrates “Read Across America Week,” which begins on the birthday of famous author, Dr. Seuss. Morey dedicates this week to encouraging students to use their imagination and creative flow through reading and storytelling.
Morey’s staff brainstormed and came up with five fun themes for the students to participate in throughout the week. Each day, the students have to read a book and dress in an outfit that corresponds with the theme. The themes are as follows:
Monday: Read a silly story and wear a silly outfit.
Tuesday: Read a book about a famous American and dress like them.
Wednesday: Read about an influential athlete and wear something to represent your favorite sport.
Thursday: Read a book about a different culture. Wear something to represent your favorite culture or hometown.
Friday: Read your favorite book and dress like your favorite character from a book.
(Photo provided by Caputo)
These themes allow the students to read their favorite stories and learn about new people and cultures while dressing up and having fun!
“Throughout the week, we have several guest readers. We have news reporters, police officers, administrators, etc. that read to the students but then also talk about how learning how to read helped them in school and to get their jobs,” explains Lynsey Caputo, a kindergarten teacher at Morey. “They talk about how important it is to know how to read. That you will read every day for the rest of their lives. It has helped my students from hearing it from others, especially ones that they look up to.”
Caputo, along with many other teachers at Morey, have the opportunity to have guest readers come into their classrooms and read stories to their students. On Monday, March 3, Caputo’s kindergarten class got a wonderful visit from Mr. Caleb Oney, a reporter for Blue Ridge Communications TV-13 and nephew of Caputo.
Caputo had Oney read “Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See” to her kindergarten class. This children’s classic introduces zoo animals, sounds, and colors to young readers. She expresses that she had Oney read this book because it had been a bedtime favorite for her daughter.
“Read Across America” Week is just one example of how Morey values the education of its students and strives to help them grow individually and academically. The school has used its 100 years to build a lasting community within Stroudsburg school district and will continue to grow as a strong place of acceptance for all students and staff!
