Dear Morse School parents and caregivers,

There is no doubt that 2020 was a very challenging year for our Morse School community, but I continue to find inspiration in the resilience of our families, children, and staff members. Monday’s Winter Solstice - the darkest day of the year - is behind us and the days are beginning to get longer and brighter. Despite the winter months that lie ahead, I see many reasons to hope that 2021 will be a strong and positive year for the Morse School. For those who missed this morning’s Live Stream, here are a few positive thoughts and 2020 silver linings shared by some of our Morse School teachers! (Including previously unseen footage of Mr. K playing the ukulele! Please click here to see the 8min video!)

Here are a few ideas and reminders as you wrap up 2020 and look ahead to the New Year.

Looking for some good movies to watch with your family over the break? As I mentioned during this morning’s Live Stream, my daughter Isabella and I have just shared our list of great children’s movies featuring characters of color in positive and prominent roles! (Please click here to see the list!) Intentionally and regularly exposing your children to books, movies, and television shows that include positive portrayals of characters of color is an important way in which you can help disrupt patterns of systemic racism.

Indeed, the events of 2020 forced us all to recognize that our society continues to foster white privilege while devaluing and disempowering individuals and communities of color. In addition to making intentional choices about what your children read and watch, please consider the ways in which you can take your own next steps towards anti-racist awareness and action. Whether it be by reading an article or book, listening to a podcast, watching a movie, or engaging in a conversation with a friend, family member, or neighbor, please set aside some time over the break to connect yourself with the long and hard work of anti-racism. The race & equity page on our school website has resources that can help, including a list of anti-racist resources for parents and caregivers. It also features information about how you can engage in this work with other families, including the upcoming meeting of the Morse Parents and Caregivers of Color Affinity Group on January 7th, when the group will be joined by Cambridge School Committee Member Ayesha Wilson (please see the attached flyer for more information).

We will be hosting our next learning-materials pick-up from January 4th-8th. Please plan to come by the Morse School building between 7:30-3:30 to pick up your child’s learning materials and library books for the month of January. If you are unable to stop by during these hours, please reach out to our Family Liaison Ms. Sullivan ([email protected]).

Many things are still up in the air for 2021, including when our in-person learners will be able to return to the Morse School building, and when and how we may expand our in-person learning model to include a larger number of eligible students. Ms. Headley and I will be sure to share more information as it becomes available. The possible expansion of in-person learning will be among the topics addressed at the next Morse School Council meeting on January 14th (6:00-7:30pm; Zoom link here).

On behalf of Ms. Headley and the rest of our Morse School team, I wish you the very best for a safe and restful winter break. I look forward to seeing you back on January 4th, 2021!

Sincerely,
Chad

Healthy Snack of the Week

Here's Cambridge in Motion's Healthy Snack of the Week:
Carrot Boats: Sliced carrots topped with hummus or cream cheese and dried fruit and/or nuts on top! Try pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, or sliced prunes. 

In Our District & Community