Family and Community Newsletter - April 25th - 29th, 2022

Morton Magic!

Have a shout out to a parent or member of our community? Please share at info@75morton.org and we will be sure to include in the weekly newsletter!

  • Shout out to the 6th and 7th-grade families who joined in the fun at Parent's Night Out!


Image of parents and Valerie at beer garden social

Thank you to everyone who completed the School Survey and entered their child into the raffle!

The winning class is....810! They will have a pizza party on Friday!

The winners of the raffle (one for each grade) will be announced Monday over the loud speaker.


Student Life at Morton

Check out what's happening at 75 Morton!

  • The Black Student Union had a Spring Picnic!

  • 7th-Grade Advisories had fun creating Found Poetry and Erasure Poetry in celebration of Poetry Month!

  • We're short on photos this week, so here's a shot of my newest family member, Becca! She's a 9-year-old bulldog we recently adopted from Rescue City. She's a big ball of love.

April is Poetry Month!

Check out the fun 75Morton Poetry Website created by our ELA teacher and librarian, Donna Santman!


Dear Families,

What did you do during the summer as a middle schooler? I spend a whole lot of time doing nothing - watching "Full House" reruns, begging my parents for a ride to the mall, and chosing a video at Blockbuster (have I aged myself yet?). Both of my parents worked, and I was bored and left to my own devices.  The perfect recipe for trouble...

Luckily, NYC students have an opportunity to have a more fulfilling and interesting summer than I did in middle school! Last year NYC DOE began Summer Rising and it was a great success. Summer Rising provides students with academic enrichment in the morning and fun camp-like activities in the afternoon. It is also FREE!  

This year, the program will begin July 5 and will run Monday - Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m, during the months of July and August. Students will be provided with free breakfast and lunch, with snacks available in the afternoon on request.

Summer Rising 2022 application for K-8 students will open on Monday. You can apply at nyc.gov/SummerRising.You should apply as soon as possible to ensure your preferred placement!

The Family Update has all of the information you will need to complete registration. At 75 Morton, our point person for Summer Rising is Jill, our Parent Coordinator. If you have questions, please email her at jill@75morton.org.

Best,

Valerie

Important Reminder

  • Starting Monday, April 25th, any student who swipes in after 8:50am will NOT be able to attend outlunch. Exceptions will be made for excused lateness on a case-by-case basis. Please remind your child. School lunch is available for ALL students if your child arrives late and can not attend outlunch.


NYS State Math Exam

  • The Math test will be administered on April 26-27.

  • Mock Regents (Living Environment and Algebra) will be given to all 8th graders on those days.

  • 6th and 7th-grade students who opt out will practice their ELA and Math skills on iReady during the testing time. We encourage all students to take the exam, as it is important data for our school and the student.

  • Students who are not finished with the test by their lunch period will not be able to go to out lunch. They will need to pack a lunch or eat school lunch.

  • Please see these guides for families for more information.

  • If you have questions or concerns about the tests, email Katie@75morton.org or valerie@75morton.org


And Also:

  • At-Home COVID Testing - Students were given four at-home COVID tests to use during Spring Break. They should use the test kit on the evening of April 23, and again on the evening of April 24, before returning to school on April 25. Please note that while use of the test kit is strongly encouraged, participation is voluntary and students are not required to show proof of a negative test result before being allowed to return to school.

  • CAREER DAY SPEAKERS NEED -THURSDAY, MAY 19
    We still need about 10 more volunteers to be guest speakers for this event please fill out this form. We are looking for representatives from a huge variety of career possibilities: engineers, artists, technologists, musicians, athletes, business leaders, writers, doctors, lawyers, contractors, architects- variety! We hope to spark student interest in future fields of work, develop mentorships and possible future internships. Please join us to inspire our students!

From Previous Newsletters:

  • TEEN ARTS CONNECTION - https://teens.artsconnection.org/

    • As an Arts Connection Teen, you will have access to some of the most exciting and engaging arts experiences in NYC!

    • This include High 5 Tickets to the Arts! This is ArtsConnection Teen Program’s affordable access to the City’s professional dance, music, theater, film, and visual arts for only $5 a ticket. Best deal in NYC!

  • PTA Events - Please join us!

    • 75 Morton Bowl-a-Thon - TUESDAY, MAY 3 | 6-8pm, Frames Bowling Lounge
      Got some "spare" time? Save the date for one of our favorite FUN-raisers - The 75 Morton Bowl-a-thon! Students, parents, teachers and staff bowl to help raise money for the school. Click HERE for more information and to register by April 15. Questions? Email bowl-a-thon@75morton.org.

    • Collaborative Conversations - TUESDAY, MAY 10 | 9AM

      Join us for our second in this series with Dr. Renee Blake and Dr. Ken Saunders of United Solutions Consultancy Group. There will be opportunities to share feelings anonymously about issues, demographic changes throughout our schools, and events happening in the world. This is an opportunity for 75 Morton families to meaningfully engage with their peers, shape community, and create a broader vision for what an equitable and diverse school environment can be.

      Register here via Zoom

    • 75 Morton Video Festival - THURSDAY, MAY 12

      Have your student create a 30 second to 3-minute clip. All videos will be shared with the community at our Video Festival, Thursday, May 12 4:30 - 6:30pm. Some genres to consider - animation, comedy, musical performance, documentary. Let their inner auteur shine! The deadline for submissions is April 29

      Click here to send in the video clips.

  • Out lunch boundaries - Jill sent out a letter about new outlunch rules. Students are no longer allowed to go to 5 Guys or King's Deli for safety reasons.

  • Consent/removal for in-school testing through the NYCSchools Account or return a signed paper form HERE to the school

Important Dates: 

  • April 26th - 27th - Math State Exam/Mock Regents for 8th graders

  • April 27th - PTA meeting 9am

  • May 2nd - No School - Eid al-Fitr

  • May 2nd - May 6th - Teacher Appreciation Week!

  • May 19th - Career Day

  • May 30th - No School - Memorial Day

  • June 6th - No School for Students

  • June 9th - No School for Students

Looking for a way to support our teachers and show them some love? Teachers love snacks! You can have them sent to the main office. Email jill@75morton.org or PTA@75morton.org if you have questions.