August 17, 2022 
What's New From Your Morse PTO
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
"You are off to great places. Today is your first day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!"
-Dr. Seuss 
MAKE YOUR MARK THIS SCHOOL YEAR
Volunteer Spotlight
Morse PTO is looking to fill the following positions immediately.
​ 5th Grade Celebrations
  • Do you have a 5th grade student? If so, we need your help! Work with 5th grade teachers to plan special events and activities throughout the year, including the 5th Grade Farewell! Click the Sign-Up Genius to sign up. ​
Grant Award Committee
  • We are still looking for one more person to join this committee to review Take Stock staff grants and determine which will be awarded. This includes Prize Squad duties! Committee members must be PTO members who have contributed to Take Stock. Meetings happen in the fall. Click the Sign-Up Genius to sign up. 
Bring Morse Spirit to a Monday Morning
  • Did you get a picture with our Morse Marksman at School Supply Drop Off Night? Currently we are looking for Morse parents who can spare 15 minutes on a Monday morning to don the Marksman suit and help the community start the week off right. Check out the Sign-Up Genius to get your turn.
​Take a look at all of our volunteer needs by checking out our 2022-2023 Morse PTO Events Sign-Up . Volunteering is a great way to build community and have input in your student's elementary school experience. Questions? Please feel free to email us. ​
DON'T FORGET
Get to Know Your PTO
​If you haven't had a chance yet, scan the QR code or click here to learn more about what the Morse PTO does and where your money goes. Most importantly, find out how you can help make this year a success!

Kindergarten Coffee Tomorrow
You've dropped off the supplies and met your student's kindergarten teacher. Now it's time for your little one's first day of school. Join us after drop off tomorrow, August 18th, in the Morse library to connect with other Morse parents who may be feeling all the feelings right there with you. Grab a coffee, a muffin, and some reassurance that your student is going to have a great day! 

It's Not Too Late to Join Morse PTO!
Did you know that Morse PTO has already been working hard to make the Morse staff feel supported and appreciated? Last week Morse PTO gifted each staff member a gift card to purchase supplies for the classroom. In addition, the PTO provided lunch to welcome our staff back into the building. Morse PTO depends on families joining to help with this kind of staff appreciation and MORE! Your $30 membership fee is important to us. Learn more about where your money goes by clicking here . You can join the Morse PTO today through ParentVue.
GOOD TO KNOW
Sprit Wear Shop Opens Soon
Be on the lookout for information next weeks about our Spirit Wear Shop. Through the online shop, you can order Morse attire to wear to school events and spirit days. Let us help you surprise your student with a special gift or start your holiday shopping early! 

Scan Those Box Tops and Save Hy-Vee Receipts
​Your participation in these programs matters! Box Tops can be submitted through the Box Top app by scanning your grocery receipt, and you can send all Hy-Vee receipts to the office.  Click here for detailed instructions or to read more about these initiatives. ​

Help By Taking Stock in Morse
​If you have yet to donate to Take Stock, you still have time! Remember that we do not do traditional fundraisers that ask you to sell wrapping paper or cookie dough. Instead, we ask parents and caregivers to fulfill teacher and staff grant requests: 100% of your Take Stock in Morse donation goes directly back into the classroom in the form of resources, educational materials, innovative programming, and cutting-edge technology. Teachers and staff will be submitting grants next month. You can donate to Take Stock through ParentVue.

Remember Parking and School Pick-Up Changes
​This year the afternoon dismissal carline will begin lining up just past the drive to the teacher's back parking lot. Last year PTO auctioned off five Golden Tickets, free passes to "cut" the car line and pull into the circle drive. Once dismissal begins, the cars in the carline will be signaled to pull up into the circle drive, closing down Golden Ticket access for the day.  In addition, PTO now has two Trivia Auction Winner parking spots. Note that the spot next to the original auction winner spot is also now a reserved parking space. A sign will be installed soon, but please avoid parking in this auctioned-off spot.  

New Morse PTO Website 
​We have been updating our Morse PTO website over the last month! Stay tuned for more info about all the great resources you can find on our site. You can also stay up-to-date with Morse PTO by following us on Facebook or Instagram!
Kindergarten Coffee--Thursday, August 18, 8:30-9:00am in the Morse Library
Join us for coffee, connection, and commiseration after dropping off your student on the first day. We look forward to meeting you!

Back To School Night--Tuesday, August 23, 5:30-6:00pm or 6:10-6:40pm
This is the night Morse welcomes parents back to school! You'll hear from your child's teacher(s), check out his/her classroom, learn about Morse PTO, and more. Don't miss it.

Spirit Night for Morse Elementary at Chick-Fil-A--September 20, 4:00-8:00PM 
Whether you want to dine in or order online and carry out, make the Chick-Fil-A at 7500 W 135th St. Overland Park  part of your dinner plans on September 20th. You can help us raise money for Morse while taking a night off from cooking! Put this event on your calendar and stay tuned for more details soon!
It's a great day to be a Marksman!
The mission of the Morse Elementary PTO is to promote and encourage a
​student-centered environment with strong community connections.