Dear Morse School Parents & Caregivers,

Yesterday, Superintendent Greer announced that masks will become optional in Cambridge Public Schools beginning this Monday, March 14th - exactly two years from the date we went into our first pandemic-related school closure. Since March 2020, the COVID-19 virus has had an enormous impact on our daily lives - both inside and outside of school. So the change to a “mask optional” approach will likely lead to a range of different emotions among the children and adults in our community. This morning, Ms. Headley and I led a special school-wide Live Stream broadcast, to reinforce the idea that beginning on Monday, it is okay to wear a mask and it is okay to not wear a mask. This is a choice that families will make, and we will be respectful of everyone’s choice. Here is a link to the social story that we shared with students during our morning broadcast. Please consider reviewing the slides with your child and discussing at home what choice makes the most sense for the members of your household.

As we make this transition, I strongly encourage all Morse School parents and caregivers to consider getting your children vaccinated. As explained in this overview of the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, becoming fully vaccinated can lower your child’s risk of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19, and can help prevent serious illness even if your child does become infected. It is an important step that we can all take to keep our community healthy and safe as mask wearing becomes optional. Please see this Massachusetts “Vax Finder” website to find out where you can get your child vaccinated.

Family Gym & Game Night - Friday, March 18th (6-8PM)
As I mentioned in last Friday’s newsletter, we are excited to invite Morse School parents, caregivers, and students to participate in our first indoor community event since the start of the pandemic. Next Friday, March 18th from 6-8 PM, Morse School students and their families are welcome to join in on small-sided soccer games, basketball, line dancing, action painting with Ms. Kerr in the art studio, a Just Dance competition, board games, and climbing and tumbling in our indoor playground. To ensure a safe and fun event for all, children must be supervised by their parents/caregivers at all times. We will share more details about the event as we learn more about any COVID protocols that may need to be followed at the event.

I look forward to being back in touch next week with more Morse School information and updates. In the meantime, I wish you all the best for a wonderful and restful weekend.

Sincerely,
Chad