Morse Weekly Family Newsletter: February 25, 2021
Published on Feb 25, 2021 13:39
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February 25, 2021
Greetings from Chad Leith
Dear Morse School parents and caregivers,
I hope that your child enjoyed the February break and that his/her week is off to a great start!
I would like to begin this week’s newsletter by highlighting recent acts of racial violence aimed at Asians and Asian Americans. These hate crimes - documented in a recent blog post by Awaken co-founder and CEO Michelle Kim - have caused fear and harm across the country. They reflect a persistent and historic strain of structural racism in the United States. As noted in this recent New York Times opinion piece by Anne Anlin Cheng, the racism experienced by Asian and Asian Americans, while long-standing and pervasive, often goes overlooked. As a community that actively seeks to provide a welcoming and affirming experience to children, families, and staff members of all backgrounds, I ask that we share a commitment to understanding and challenging the harmful stereotypes and narratives that perpetuate anti-Asian racism. For my part, I must acknowledge that even as I have sought to provide anti-racist resources for the members of the Morse School community, I have often fallen short with respect to resources that highlight the voices, stories, and experiences of Asians and Asian Americans. This is something I hope to correct, and ask for your help and solidarity as we together work to ensure that our Asian and Asian-American classmates, neighbors, and colleagues enjoy a feeling of belonging and support within our Morse School community.
On a related note, Morse School parents and caregivers of East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, or multi-racial Asian heritage are invited to participate in a Cambridge Families of Asian Descent Get-Together on March 9th from 7:30-8:30PM. For more information and to register, please visit this page on our website.
I’d also like to share a reminder that the Morse School Working Group on Race & Equity will hold its February meeting this evening from 6:00-7:30PM. We will be joined tonight by Community Charter School of Cambridge Head of School Becki Norris and CCSC School Psychologist April Valete, who will share about the equity improvement work taking place at their school. This conversation will provide us with an opportunity to collaborate with - and learn from - another school community that is engaged in the important and difficult work of addressing implicit racial bias and systemic racism. All parents, caregivers, and staff members are warmly invited to attend. I shared the link for this evening’s meeting in an email to the community on Tuesday (2/23), but please let me know if you need me to re-send!
Black History Month Live Stream Resources
As part of yesterday’s Live Stream, Ms. Headley and I shared some Black History Month resources. Unfortunately, we experienced a few technical difficulties during our broadcast, and so I wanted to provide a link to my 8 minute interview with Cambridge School Committee Member Ayesha Wilson, who shared about growing up in Cambridge, her work as a social worker and public servant, and her thoughts on Black History Month. For those looking to learn more about the history of Cambridge’s black community, I am also sharing the Cambridge Black Trailblazers website and the list of historical markers along Cambridge’s African American Heritage Trail (which makes for a great neighborhood walk on a warm spring day!).
COVID Safety Information for In-Person Families
Thanks to those parents and children who were able to join me and Ms. Headley yesterday evening as we shared important safety information for those returning to in-person learning. If you were unable to attend, we ask that you and your child please take the opportunity to review these resources before your child comes to school on March 1st:
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The Morse School COVID-19 Procedures document, which includes updated information about arrival, dismissal, meals, in-school transitions, and the use of outdoor spaces.
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A child-friendly safety video explaining safety protocols and expectations for students (9min).
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An updated Spring 2021 parent and caregiver COVID safety video, with important safety expectations for both parents and children (30min).
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The CPS COVID-19 Safety Plan, with important resources, including the “What Should I Do?” document, which offers guidance for children, parents, and staff members.
Thanks to you and your child for doing your part to help keep our Morse School community safe and strong!
A Reminder about Absences & Tardies
Whether learning in-person or from home, your child is expected to participate in a full day of schooling, in accordance with the schedule developed by Morse School teachers and teams. Please report any absence to Morse Clerk Elaine Delaney (617-349-6575). Also, parents of children learning in-person are reminded that drop off begins at 8:10. After 8:25, your child will be marked tardy and must enter the school through the Main Entrance.
As always, I am grateful for your support and collaboration as we continue to operate under challenging circumstances. I wish you and your child all the best for a great end to the school week and a safe and restful weekend.
Sincerely,
Principal Chad Leith
Healthy Snack of the Week
Here's Cambridge in Motion's Healthy Snack of the Week:
Crunchy Banana Boats: Slice a banana in half, spread nut butter over the flat side and sprinkle granola over the top!
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In Our District & Community
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Find opportunities for Cambridge families here – or call/text us at 617.686.2998 or email us. Programs are continuing to update their opportunities based on the recent state guidelines, so check back often!
HEALTH RESOURCES
-- Free COVID-19 Testing is available, view schedule here. Schedule an appointment here or call 617.349.9788.
-- Get Your Flu Shot! You can make an appointment for a flu shot with either your healthcare provider or local pharmacy. Details >>
FOOD RESOURCES
-- Lasagna Love helps deliver free, home-cooked dishes to struggling families. Request a meal >>
Sign up to volunteer >>
-- The Daily Table: Free store membership, open to all. *Accepts cash, credit & SNAP (Every in-store items are SNAP-eligible).
-- Guide to Healthier Snacking
Find handy tips on the right hand margin of the School Health page on the CPHD website! Details >>
-- Harvard Sq. "Fridge in the Square" aims to redistribute resources within our community to those in need on a hyper-local scale. Sign up to volunteer >> Questions? Please email or DM on Instagram @cambridgefridge.
-- Cambridge Food Assistance
* Find It Cambridge List (Food Pantries, Financial Assistance for Food, Free Delivery Services)
* Food Resources (Food pantries, congregate programs, school meals)
* Farmers Market flyer
Translation for all fliers here.
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MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
-- HandholdMA.org is a user-friendly site for MA families worried about their children’s mental health.
-- Mass Support is offering free, anonymous, & confidential programs to ALL MA residents during the COVID19 pandemic. Learn more >>
-- McLean Hopsital is offering free mental health resources.
Curiosity Challenge
Part of Cambridge Science Festival
Deadline: February 28
Open to students ages 5-14
Details >>
After-School Orienteering Mini-Games
Navigation Games is providing mini-games at different parks this winter!
Details >>
DHSP After-School Programs
K-8 FREE Virtual Programming!
Register >>
Cambridge Public Library Resources
-- Tween/Teen Virtual Hangout
A drop-in hour for tweens, teens and their caregivers. Register here >>
-- English Classes: *Registration required. Please see the Library’s online events calendar for more details.
Questions about P-EBT Benefits?
Contact Project Bread for information & support on Pandemic EBT funding, SNAP benefits, & food resources. For help, call 800.645.8333 or visit here.
Tenants Rights & Resources
To learn more about tenants rights and resources in Cambridge, please visit this website >>
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