Week Two: A message from the Morris School District superintendent

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From Morris School District Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast:

MARCH 22, 2020

Dear Morris School District Community,

As we begin week #2 of virtual learning, I want to extend a simple message of solidarity and gratitude.

5200 students … 3000 families … 1000 employees … 10 schools … ONE COMMUNITY. This is a formula I have invoked throughout my five years as superintendent of the Morris School District, but it has taken on new meaning in light of our current circumstances. I have never felt more grateful to my Central Office team, more impressed by the leadership of our principals and building administrators, more proud of our talented and resourceful teachers and counselors, or more inspired by the resilience and commitment of our students and their families.

I offer a special, heartfelt thank you to the many staff members who are working behind the scenes to allow crucial operations to continue running: Our custodians, nurses, lunch aides, security guards, tech support, payroll staff and other district personnel. This is new territory for all of us, but we are navigating it together with the strength of community to sustain us.

Our transition to virtual learning was a major undertaking. Yet the preparation, focus, and continued patience of everyone involved has allowed this transition to take root meaningfully and effectively. Each week we will continue to methodically expand both our technological capacity and our delivery of instructional content, and build upon the previous week’s foundation.

I am confident that our united front, our one community, will make the best of this challenging situation and emerge even stronger for it.

I wish all of you and your families good health and good learning in the weeks ahead.

Sincerely,

Mackey Pendergrast

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO REMEMBER:  PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

  • With the continued need for strict social distancing, it is likely that NJ schools will remain closed into April or later. Please prepare yourselves for this possibility with respect to childcare arrangements and provisions for successful virtual learning. We will send a communication by the end of the week with an update on closure.
  • PLEASE follow the Governor’s orders to stay home except for essential travel (such as going to the doctor’s office, grocery store, pharmacy, and other permissible locations). This includes instructing your children NOT TO MEET others at the park, playground, basketball court, or someone’s home. We encourage you to find safe ways for your children to get fresh air and exercise in their own backyards or on a walk in your neighborhood, or to socialize with their friends virtually or by phone. But please restrict their interactions with other children and enforce the six-feet-of-distance rule.
  • The District is providing meals for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Please click HERE for more information.
  • If you are experiencing any problems accessing your child’s virtual learning (e.g. a video won’t load, you cannot open a document, you are unsure how to connect to an online platform, etc.), please contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible. If the teacher is unable to provide assistance, please complete a Tech Help Ticket HERE.
  • Please continue to check the Virtual Learning Hub and the FAQs for any new or updated information.
  • Finally, PLEASE HELP US KEEP INFORMATION CHANNELS FLOWING PROPERLY. If you have any questions about your child’s virtual learning program, please contact your child’s teacher or principal. While social media is an important vehicle for outreach, support, and camaraderie within our district community, it is not the optimal place to “crowd source” questions about the MSD curriculum or virtual learning program. We would like to ensure the dissemination of accurate, consistent information and appreciate your help toward this objective. Thank you, as always, for your partnership.

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