Family and Community Newsletter - May 1st - 5th, 2023
Family Shout Outs!
If you have a shout out for a community member, please email info@75morton.org and we will be sure to include it in the newsletter!
Shout out to Lili F for chaperoning the 6th grade field trip to the Museum of Natural History!
Shout out to Corinne and Rebecca for volunteering at Open Mic Night!
Shout out to Lili and Carlos Ramirez for donating delicious Colombian pastries from their bakery Romeo and Juliet to our teacher-student playdate!
Student Life at 75 Morton
Check out all of the exciting things happening at 75 Morton during a very busy week!
The Columbia Space Initiative invited forty 6th and 7th graders to Columbia University. Students participated in a Q&A with professor and ex-astronaut Mike Massimino, toured the engineering building, and completed a building activity.
8th-graders ended the week with fun and games (teacher baby photo trivia, shadow boxing competition, and human bowling!) during Advisory Olympics! Shout out to Ayanna's advisory for their win 2 years in the row!
Open Mic Night was a success! What talented students we have at 75 Morton!
75 Morton Celebrated Poetry Week by writing haikus and turning them into buttons during Lunch in the Library! Class 711 memorized a poem and recited it to classes around the building! Teacher Brian C created a "Poet-Tree" for Poem in Your Pocket Day! Highlight Book of the Week: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mike-jung/boys-back-row/
8th-grade Instrumental Music majors practice on their guitars!
8th-grade scientists complete a Regents Lab identifying the role of catalase in organic objects!
Teacher Play date “Games and Goodies” - courtesy of the O’Brien family - from our teacher auction items!
Our hydroponics lab had another harvest - Tatsoi, a little arugula, a ton of cilantro!
And, finally, 6th graders attended a field trip to the Museum of Natural History!!
Hello Distinguished Guests,
Please Join us this Friday, May 5th at 2pm for the 8th Grade Drama production of Henry IV, by William Shakespeare, in collaboration with Theatre for a New Audience. Email Nicholas with RSVP at Nicholas@75morton.org .
And Also:
Math State Exam - Tuesday, May 2nd and Wednesday, May 3rd. If you have questions or concerns about the exam, please email Ayanna@75morton.org by May 1st. Emails the morning of the exam make organization very difficult.
Note: 8th graders will be taking Mock Regents Tuesday and Wednesday and may not opt out of these tests as they are in-house assessment and not state exams.
Please consider donating to our PTA today! Whether $750, $75, or $7.50, any amount supports our students.
From Previous Newsletters:
Vaccination Updates - Effective February 10, 2023, DOE employees are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination. Additionally, visitors entering DOE schools or buildings are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination.
SWAG - Show your Morton Pride! Morton swag stocked items are available for purchase and will be delivered to students in school
https://75mortonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/75morton_storeJumprope: Families should be checking Jumprope weekly to monitor student scores. If you need login support, please email your child's advisor.
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:
May 2nd - 3rd - 6th and 7th grade Math State Exam/8th grade Regents Practice
May 5th - Student Town halls - Topics: 6th grade Puberty, 7th grade Consent, 8th grade Health Relationships
May 5th - 8th grade Drama Henry IV performance 2:00pm
May 12th - 7th and 8th grade Instrumental Music Field Trip
May 18th - Art Show - 6pm
May 23rd - 6th grade Talent Show
May 24th - 7th/8th grade Talent Show
May 25th - 26th - STEAM Maker's Fair
May 25th - 7th grade Spring Fling 5om
June 6th - Spring Concert - 6pm
June 8th - Chancellor's Day - NO SCHOOL
June 9th - Clerical Day - NO SCHOOL
75 Morton Goals
Goal #1
Create space and time for staff to connect, create, and share joy in order to build community, encourage a sense of well-being, and demonstrate trust.
Goal #2
Teachers reflect upon and then revise school policies and procedures so that all voices and experiences are heard and the school community can be responsive to teacher and student needs.
Goal #3
Develop teacher pedagogy around discussion, with a focus on equity of voice, in order to create learning environments where students know their voices matter, to amplify voices that may not be heard, and improve student comprehension
Goal #4
Create a school-wide understanding of restorative practices and implement those practices in a consistent, transparent manner to staff, students, and families.
Equity Vision
At 75 Morton, we believe that all students can achieve high-levels of academic success. We believe students learn best when:
their identities are affirmed and nurtured
their voices are heard and valued
authentic connections are built between students, families, and staff