Message from Principal Chad Leith
Dear Morse School Parents and Family Members,

December is a busy month at the Morse School, with many different activities and celebrations taking place. Here are a few announcements and reminders to help you and your child successfully navigate the coming weeks!

Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences provide an important opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss students’ academic progress and social development. Our first-trimester conferences for Grades 1-5 will take place next Wednesday, December 12th. During your child’s conference, you will receive your child’s report card and have an opportunity to view some of the work your child has completed during the first three months of school. If you have not received a conference sign-up form in your child’s backpack, please contact your child’s teacher or call the Main Office (617-349-6575). For more information about our new standards-based report card, please click here.



“Soft Opening” for Our New Playground!
This week our children were finally able to enjoy the new Morse School playground! Our teachers have been talking with students about how to follow expected behaviors on the new equipment and structures, so that recess play is both fun and safe for everyone. Unfortunately, due to ongoing construction of the adjacent basketball court, the Morse School Playground will not be accessible and open to the public until early January (weather permitting). When we have a date for the “official” opening of the area, I will share the news through my weekly family newsletter.

Reminder: Student Cell Phone Policy
As a reminder to all parents and students, cell phones belonging to students must be kept in backpacks and turned off during regular school hours (from arrival through dismissal). While some parents view cell phones as an important tool for communicating with children before and after school, they can distract from proper school functioning during the school day. As outlined in our student and parent handbook, Morse School staff members reserve the right to take cell phones from students who do not turn them off and/or store them in backpacks during the school day. The first time a phone is taken, it will be returned to the student at the end the day. The second time a phone is taken, a parent or guardian will be expected to come into school to retrieve it. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged or misplaced cell phones. If you believe that providing your child with a cell phone is a necessity, please remind him/her of the school policy and encourage him/her to follow the expected behavior for cell phone use. As always, if there is an emergency and you need to speak to your child urgently, you may call the Main Office and we will connect you with your child.

Thank you and best wishes for a wonderful weekend!

Chad Leith
Principal

Improving Learning & Professional Time
Join the discussion of school schedules in CPS! 

Cambridge Public Schools is seeking to understand the use of time in our schools and identify possible improvements, with a focus on elementary and upper schools. We are gathering stakeholder feedback through a study and design process that includes public meetings, focus groups, and surveys. Give input via survey >>

Join us for a feedback session with the CPS community. Childcare and dinner will be provided. Share your opinion about the length of the school day and school year and tell us what you wish there was more time for in the day. Learn more >>

Other CPS Events and Opportunities Outside CPS

Immigration Legal Screening Clinics
3rd Wednesday each month, 5:15-7:15PM
Free consultations with an immigration attorney for Massachusetts immigrants and their families
Community Legal Services & Counseling Center (CLSACC)
90 Third St., Cambridge
617.349.4396; [email protected] 
See flyer >>

Cambridge Affordable Housing Information Sessions
Learn about the eligibility requirements and application process for the following programs Cambridge Rental and Homeownership Programs: Inclusionary Housing Rental Program for studios, 1BR, 2BR, & 3BR units
throughout Cambridge, Homeowner Resale Pool, First-Time Homebuyer Workshop, Downpayment Assistance, and HomeBridge. Open to all. No RSVP Necessary. Learn more >>

City of Cambridge Participatory Budget Vote Week is Here
Are you a resident of Cambridge and at least 12 years old? Come out and VOTE on how to spend $900,000 to improve the city! Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process through which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. The City hopes that PB will help directly involve residents in the budgeting and City-building process, foster civic engagement and community spirit, and help ensure that the City’s Capital Plan reflects the priorities of Cambridge residents. More info on when and where to vote for your favorite projects is 
available here. 

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