Message from Principal Chad Leith
Dear members of the Morse School community,

November 2018 marks the 22nd year that students at the Morse School have participated in the Tom Turkey reading challenge for charity. Each of the feathers on the Tom Turkey display in our main lobby has the name of a student and the title of a book that she or he read written on it. It is a commitment on the part of each child to read the book and then purchase the feather for one quarter. It has been wonderful to watch the tail feathers grow and grow, becoming an exciting display of the generosity of the Morse School students and families!

This year Tom Turkey has 1,457 tail feathers and the donation amounts to $364.25. The charity that was chosen by the school this year was UNICEF, which works in 190 countries and territories to improve the lives of children and their families. Thanks to all Morse School students and teachers who participated in this year’s challenge. I also wish to share my very special appreciation to Ms. Van Stry (B7), who began the Tom Turkey tradition in 1996 and who has contributed her time and energy to making this year’s challenge such a success!

My very best wishes to all Morse School students, families and staff members for a peaceful Thanksgiving break. I look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, November 26th!

Sincerely,

Chad Leith
Principal

Quality Learning and Professional Time
Studies conducted last year, and meetings with diverse stakeholders since, have raised concerns about the amount and quality of learning and professional time in Cambridge Public Schools. CPS is in the midst of a study and design process examining a range of options for improving learning and professional time, with an initial focus on elementary and Upper School schedules. 

View the latest updates on this process on the CPS website, and save the dates for the following Public Forums: 

December 5 | 6PM | Morse School
January 10 | 6PM | Kennedy-Longfellow School
January 12 | 10AM | Graham & Parks School

The Superintendent will develop a proposal that will be shared for stakeholder feedback in January. In addition to the public forums, school-based meetings are being scheduled for all schools. Any changes in school schedules will benefit from a full planning year in 2019-20 before implementation in 2020-2021. 

City of Cambridge Participatory Budget Vote Week is Here!
Are you a resident of Cambridge and at least 12 years old? Come out and VOTE on how to spend $900,000 to improve the city! Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process through which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. The City hopes that PB will help directly involve residents in the budgeting and City-building process, foster civic engagement and community spirit, and help ensure that the City’s Capital Plan reflects the priorities of Cambridge residents. More info on when and where to vote for your favorite projects is 
available here. 

Other CPS Events and Opportunities Outside CPS

Cambridge Digs DEEP - Building Understanding on Differing Perspectives
Join us for a City-wide Community Forum as we share feedback, build trust, and engage in dialogue across difference. All are welcome! Food and child care will be provided. Presented by Mayor Marc McGovern and Councilor Sumbul Siddiqui.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018 | 5:30 - 8PM
Fletcher Maynard Academy Gymnasium
225 Windsor Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Learn more >>

Immigration Legal Screening Clinics
3rd Wednesday each month, 5:15-7:15PM
Free consultations with an immigration attorney for Massachusetts immigrants and their families
Community Legal Services & Counseling Center (CLSACC)
90 Third St., Cambridge
617.349.4396; [email protected] 
See flyer >>

Cambridge Affordable Housing Information Sessions
Learn about the eligibility requirements and application process for the following programs Cambridge Rental and Homeownership Programs: Inclusionary Housing Rental Program for studios, 1BR, 2BR, & 3BR units
throughout Cambridge, Homeowner Resale Pool, First-Time Homebuyer Workshop, Downpayment Assistance, and HomeBridge. Open to all. No RSVP Necessary. Learn more >>

Cambridge Bicycle Safety
Does your child bike to school? Do you bike with your child to school? Would you or your child like to get around by bike but feel it is not safe? Cambridge Bicycle Safety is an all-volunteer group of Cambridge residents who are asking for safer bike lanes and a complete network of protected lanes throughout Cambridge. Separated lanes in the last two years--Cambridge, Brattle and sections of Mass Ave--have been the result of people in the community organizing. But we need more voices. We are looking for stories of parents and their children who bike or would like to bike. If you have a story and want to learn more, email us.

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