November 24, 2020 
What's New From Your Morse PTO
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
"Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." --Melody Beattie
2 HOURS OF POWER VOLUNTEER CHALLENGE
THANK YOU 
We appreciate all of you who have volunteered your time and talents by signing up to join a committee or lead an event. Review all of our volunteer opportunities here, and stay tuned for more ways to help as we make decisions about spring PTO events very soon. Questions? Please feel free to email us. 
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DON'T FORGET
Marksmen Mondays Coming Soon
Beginning after Thanksgiving Break, each Monday will be Marksman Monday. This is a Spirit Wear day to sport your favorite Morse gear and celebrate our strong Morse community. Fun Run shirts, field trip shirts, Morse spirit wear from past years, or Morse gear you've purchased this year: we want to see it all! If your family is in need of some new Marksman attire, the Morse Spirit Wear store will open again in February. Join us each Monday as we come together to show our Marksman pride!

Gather your Hy-Vee Receipts and Box Tops
As you shop for the holidays,  remember that we are still collecting Box Tops and Hy-Vee receipts. Box Tops can be submitted through the Box Top app just by scanning your grocery receipt. You can send in all Hy-Vee receipts with your child, and they will be delivered to the front office.  Read more here about how you can raise money for Morse just by shopping!
GOOD TO KNOW
Morse PTO Fulfills Take Stock Wishes 
Morse PTO fulfilled over $3,300 in teacher and staff wishes through Take Stock in Morse. Unlike profits from fundraisers and PTO fees, which support specific school initiatives, Take Stock donations only fulfill teacher and staff requests. That means that 100% of these funds go directly back into the classroom in the form of resources, educational materials, innovative programming, and cutting-edge technology. Thanks to your generous donations, teachers and staff have been able to make positive enhancements to their learning environments. Check out this year's grant details. 

Gingerbread Project Coming Soon
Each holiday season Mrs. Mulholland hosts a special project that reminds us we are one family, one community. The Gingerbread Project looks to help those Morse families who may need extra assistance during the holiday season. As this year has been particularly difficult, please reach out by emailing Mrs. Mulholland if you or someone you know could use some extra Marksman support during this time of year. All gift giving and receiving is kept confidential. Also be on the lookout for permission for your student to bring home a Gingerbread need SOON!

How You Can Help TODAY
As we move into the holiday season TOGETHER, you can support your child's teacher and the Morse Community TODAY:
  • Purchase something from the teacher's Amazon Wishlist. Check out Morse staff wishlists here. 
  • Go on a scavenger hunt for Clorox wipes and Germ X or Purell hand sanitizer. As teachers work to keep our students healthy, they are quickly running low on these supplies. If you are out and happen to see these brands, grab one for your child's teacher and send it in. The teachers will be so thankful.
  • Check your child's school supplies.  As students are carrying their supplies to specials such as art or Spanish, they may be going through markers and crayons quicker than usual. Ask your student if he or she needs refills on certain colors or other supplies.  Also, please make sure your student takes a reusable water bottle to school each day. 
  • Give grace. While wishlists and hand sanitizer are nice, ultimately what the Morse staff needs is your understanding, patience, and encouraging words during this time.  
SAVE THE DATE
IN-PERSON STUDENT Picture Day--Tuesday, December 1
School pictures are scheduled for in-person students on December 1. Your child should have brought home a flyer with details. Click here to make an order. The Morse order code for in-person students is 55050MB.
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.