Dear Morse School parents and caregivers,

Today we will add another entry to the Morse School history books as we convert our Main Lobby into a pooled student COVID testing site. All JK-5 students who have submitted consent forms will be accompanied to the Main Lobby by their teachers today to participate in the self-administered PCR test (Special Start students will be tested outside of their classrooms). Here is a helpful overview from the district, which explains the testing plan and offers answers to general questions about student testing. Here is the video we have shown all of our students to help them prepare. If you have not done so already, please be sure to complete the testing consent forms so that your child can participate in the weekly testing program. If you have questions, please reach out to our Clerk Elaine Delaney.

Morse Spring 2021 Student Survey
Over the coming week, we will also ask each of our Gr. 2-5 students to complete a short student survey. Survey items are designed to gauge students’ sense of belonging and to give them an opportunity to share their suggestions and feedback on how things are going this year. The survey is anonymous and results will help inform our school improvement planning process. The final version of the survey reflects the input of many different stakeholders, including Morse staff members and the parent representatives on the Morse School Council. If you have questions or concerns about the survey, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.

Morse School Council Meeting – Thursday, 3/11
The Morse School Council will hold its monthly meeting this Thursday, March 11th from 6-7:30PM. At Thursday’s meeting, I will offer updates on our latest expansion of in-person learning and our ongoing COVID mitigation efforts. We will also discuss possible implications of the Education Commissioner’s decision to require Massachusetts elementary schools to begin offering 5-day-a-week in-person learning beginning on April 5th. Morse School Council meetings are virtual and open to all members of the community. However, in accordance with new district guidelines, the meeting link will be shared directly with interested parents on the day of the meeting. This step comes in response to recent "Zoom bombing" incidents, in which Zoom links were used inappropriately by individuals not affiliated with the Cambridge Public Schools. Please let me know by 12PM on Thursday if you are interested in attending. To learn more about the Council, please visit the School Council page on our website.

Thank you and best wishes for a great start to your week!

Sincerely,

Principal Chad Leith

National Nutrition Month: 
School Breakfast Rocks!

Did you know that 8-12% of all school-aged kids, and as many as 20-30% of teens, skip breakfast? But study after study shows that kids who eat breakfast function better! They do better in school and have better concentration and more energy and are generally in better overall health than those who skip the morning meal. ALL school meals are FREE this year, so there has never been a better time to eat and enjoy school breakfast! Try all the tasty options this March: fruit and yogurt parfaits, whole wheat pancakes, cereal with fresh fruit, and more! From your friends at Cambridge in Motion, a program of the Cambridge Public Health Department, and CPSD Food & Nutrition Services.

Find CPS School Menus >>

Learn about the benefits of eating breakfast from the American Academy of Pediatrics >> 

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