October 9, 2020    

Dear Families,

Thanks to those of you who joined us at the PTA meeting. We know it is hard to get 100% participation, but if you were there, please reach out to a friend who could not attend and fill them in on what's new.

There is always new information to add to this complicated picture of school (see the numbers). As I said at the meeting, we are not doing a watered down version of pre-Covid school, we are doing a strong version of current Covid school.

It reminds me of when my daughters were little. Every Sunday night, we had a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday to the week. It was just a simple little sheet cake with candles but my little girls sang their hearts out, finding reason to celebrate. These Sunday birthdays were just as meaningful as the real thing.

We are determined to make this version of school work and will face each week with the same energy and optimism. At 75 Morton, we are embracing the challenge and giving it all of our hearts. Your children need us, and you, to make this work. 

We hear you and we listened. We now have:

• Added screen breaks
• Reduced homework
• Supported more conversations between students
• Included movement into the school day

And we know that this is just the beginning. There will be more tweaks as we move forward together. Keep reading below for more updates.

With Respect,

Jacqui and Katie

Additional information:

CURRICULUM LETTERS

We are sending home Curriculum Letters at the end of the day today. There is no version of Curriculum Night this year so please read the letters and share them with your students.

THE "SCARY" LETTER

I mentioned at the PTA meeting that every time we call in a potential Covid case (that is, any child or adult who reports to us that they have shortness of breath, a new cough, loss of taste or smell, a fever of 100F or more, nausea, runny nose, fatigue, muscle or body aches, sore throat, or diarrhea) to the DOE Situation Room we get guidance about next steps. Most often, we ask the family of the student or the staff member to get a Covid test, see a doctor, and return if the test is negative and they have been cleared by a doctor and symptom free for 24 hours. 

One of the steps is to send home a letter which we will do moving forward. Please do not be alarmed by the letter. Part of it reads:

Today we are writing to inform you, out of an abundance of caution, of a potential case of COVID-19 in our school community. We are handling this situation with the utmost seriousness, working in partnership with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health) to confirm test results. At this time there are no plans for classroom or school closures, and students should continue to attend as regularly scheduled unless they are feeling ill. If and only if the individual tests positive, you will receive another update informing you and framing the next steps.

If we do send this letter please read it completely so you understand that there is NO CONFIRMED case. If there is a confirmed case, you will be fully informed. 

ADVISORY CHANGES

We are pausing on our full Advisory Curriculum. This means your child can be screen free during lunch. Your child should check in with their Advisor within the first few minutes of lunch, but can then go off screen, or choose to stay on and chat. Your child's advisor is still your main point person for any questions, concerns, and ideas. Please note, 8th graders will be required to participate in some Lunch/Advisory classes for high school prep. Their advisors will let them know when that is starting. 

GUIDANCE FOR YOUR ROLE IN REMOTE LEARNING

Please urge your child to put their video on and follow their teachers' instructions when to mute/unmute.  And parents, stay off screen. Please remember, no child in middle school wants their parent(s) hovering. EVER. 

GRADING

We are waiting for the NYC DOE to determine their official Grading Policy. Once we have more details from the DOE, we will develop our 75 Morton Grading Policy. Stay tuned.

75 Morton | MS 297

www.75morton.org