Remembering September 11th
As we move through New York City, we are surrounded by people who bear the trauma and sadness of the events of September 11th. The losses we endured still resonate in all of us.
The 2001 US poet laureate, Billy Collins, reflects on the enormity of our loss in his 2002 poem "The Names." Today, I am holding on to the line, "So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart" as my way to remember.
Morton Magic!
Have a shout-out to a parent or member of our community? Please email info@75morton.org and we will be sure to include in the weekly newsletter!
Shout out to our PTA members for organizing and supplying the treats for the Welcome Back Gathering for Families on the first day of school!
Dear Families,
This weekend I attended my best friend's wedding. It was a beautiful celebration in Brooklyn with laughter and tears and connections between old friends. I even had the privilege of giving a speech. Everyone asked how the first week of school went, and I loved being able to say that my first week was great. It just feels great, but we can also see the moments of joy - kids screaming in excitement at seeing each other again, silly behaviors in the lunchroom, and 6th graders smiling at dismissal and telling their families they had a great week.
We're excited to ride this vibe as we move into week two.
With much respect,
Valerie
PS - Make sure your kiddo has their planner tomorrow and every day!
8th Grade Out Lunch
8th graders have the privilege of beginning out lunch before the other grades, and based on the number of IDs we need to print for them, we believe out lunch can begin Wednesday (for 8th graders only).
8th graders will have a townhall on Monday reminding them of the requirements to attend out lunch as well as the boundaries. The map is below for your reference.
Please complete the online blue card, which includes the out lunch permission slip. Otherwise, students will be given a hardcopy on Monday to complete and bring back. There is ONE DAY turn around time for permission slips. If your child brings it back Wednesday, they can attend Thursday. Please prepare appropriately.
And, as always, if a student does not have an ID card on them, they may not go to out lunch. No exceptions. If a student is late (8:41 or after) they are not allowed to attend outlunch.
Permission Slip - Governors Island Field Trips
Each grade will be going on a field trip to Governors Island
Wednesday, September 21st - 7th grade
Thursday, September 22nd - 6th grade
Friday, September 23rd - 8th grade
Please fill out the permission slip allowing your child to attend.
And we need YOU to help chaperone!
And Also:
BIG NEWS! - Starting September 8, a supplemental M11 trip will be scheduled to serve MS297 students on school days from the M20 bus stop located across the street from the school.
The "school-tripper" bus will load in the existing bus stop on Hudson Street at Barrow Street. This means students won't have to walk 1/2 a mile up Hudson to catch the M11.
It will arrive at 3:08 PM, head up Hudson, and then rejoin the regular M11 route at Greenwich & Bethune, and continue to its last drop-off at Amsterdam Avenue & 66th Street.
Anyone who needs to travel north of 66th Street can transfer to a regular M11 bus at any stop along the way.
Huge shout out to Council Member Erik Bottcher and the MTA for making this possible!
School IDs For returning students - Make sure you locate your students' school ID from last year so they can use it for this upcoming year. If the majority of 7th and 8th graders have their IDs by the start of the year it will allow the "Out Lunch" privilege to begin earlier for these grades.
From Previous Newsletters:
Blue Card - we need every family to complete the blue card. While there will be a hard copy sent home, filling out the electronic version is easier for all of us! We will share a family directory (see permissions in blue card document) soon after school begins. Fill out the necessary Blue Card for emergency contact information.
Supplies - We purchased all supplies for all students. Please contribute $75 here to help off-set costs - and consider donating an additional $75 to sponsor a student in need. Students should bring a backpack and pen/pencils on the first day of school. Pay for your students' school supplies HERE. You will be directed to our school Family Portal, Membership Toolkit, to create an account or log into your existing account (returning families). From there you will be directed to purchase your students' school supplies.
Transportation - Please email our community associate tiffany@75morton.org for questions about transportation.
Family Handbook - Families are responsible for reading our Family Handbook. School policies and procedures, grading, and staff information can be found there. Students will also be receiving a student handbook they will review during orientation.
Important Dates:
September 14th - New Family Orientation - 8:50am in cafeteria
September 19th - Afterschool Begins
September 22nd - Meet the Teacher Night - VIRTUAL zoom 5:30 - 7:30pm
September 26-27th - Rosh Hashanah - No School
October 5th - Yom Kippur - No school
Looking for a way to support our teachers and show them some love? Teachers love snacks during meetings! You can have them sent to the main office or email PTA@75morton.org if you have questions.