Work Hard! Play Fair! Take Care Of Each Other!
September - 2020
Greetings!

Thank you for 8 amazing days of patience, dedication and perseverance! The best is yet to come. We could not have done it without you.

Please know that there is an open door policy at Morton. If you are ever in need please do not hesitate to contact me for assistance. I can be reached at Twanjua.Jones@fayette.kyschools.us.

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend and continue to be supportive advocates for your children...we are stronger together!
School Announcements
Morton Online Fundraiser
Please Support Morton Middle School

We are collaborating with Charleston Wrap Fundraising to help achieve our goal this year ($20,000). They are a kitchen and homeware business that offer a wide range of premium products and décor items at a wide range of prices. But the most important thing to know is that 40% of every sale goes to us! Students can earn prizes and rewards based on the number of sales made. $10 donations to Morton Middle School will count as one sale.

This year our fundraiser will be online sales only, and we are asking you to help us sell 2 ways---order yourself and contact out of town friends or family as well. Perfect gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, housewarmings, and many more occasions. All students received a color catalog with instructions on how to order in their 20-21 student planners. Online shopping is as easy as going to www.charlestonwrapstore.com and entering Morton’s Organization ID # 19515. Once you’re logged in, you can access some great tools at your Check-In Spot to help you spread the word about the sale.

The sale runs from August 28-September 14, to earn prizes for sellers. Online orders will still be credited to Morton all the way up until December 7, 2020. All sales are online so please do not send orders to schoolNo door to door sales please. Each order placed ships directly to the purchaser. Any prizes earned by students will ship to Morton and we will distribute at that time. For more information, contact Mr. Williams at 859-381-3533 ext. 41402
Parent Technology Support
What is Canvas?
  1. Canvas is a Learning Management System from Instructure and is available across grades 6-12 in FCPS.
  2. Many instructors use it for course calendars, digital assignments, secure class discussions, etc.
  3. There are also Canvas apps for Apple iOS and Android mobile devices.
  4. Parents can be Observers on their children's Canvas accounts. We urge parents to sign up for that service. 
Parent Canvas Support
Click the "How do I become a parent observer?" button above!
What is an Observer role in Canvas?
Observers have limited permissions that allow them to see what is going on in a course and a calendar of assignments. Like students, Observers cannot view a course until it is published and the course has started. For assistance with Assignments, Test Dates, Quizzes, or other Canvas course content, please contact your child’s teacher.

How do I adjust how many Canvas Notifications I get?
Parents can adjust Canvas Notifications from your Canvas Dashboard:
  • Click on Account
  • Click on Notifications
  • Set the frequency of the different Canvas Notifications throughout the school year as the need arises.

How do I download and set up the Canvas Parent App on my mobile device?
NOTE: Only download the Canvas Parent App after you have created your Observer account as shown above. You will use your Observer login information by clicking on “Login with Canvas.”
The Canvas Parent App enhances the potential for parents to engage in their student's education. Parents can review upcoming or past assignments, check on grades, and receive course announcements.
FCPS District Upcoming Events
Saturday
AUG 15
ALL DAY Special programs application window opens
Monday
SEP 7
ALL DAY Labor Day; no school
Wednesday
OCT 7
ALL DAY Special programs application deadline
For Parents & Families
As you are planning out your weekend, be sure to make time to head over to our online store and check out this year's Spirit Wear options. We are taking orders through September 15.
And while you're there, remember to pay your membership dues. They are $5 and are due annually. Be sure to sign your kiddo up too.

A Message from Our PTSA President
In most years, I would use this letter to remind you that the National PTA was founded in 1897 in order to advocate for ALL students and support parent involvement and to inform you of all the ways parents, teachers and students can get involved, typically by volunteering. We know that when parents are involved with their children’s education, student achievement increases, school environments improve, and communities grow stronger.

But, as everyone knows, this 2020-21 school year is different. The ongoing pandemic is disrupting every aspect of normal society, including greatly limiting how our students and teachers can interact with one other and how the rest of us can help, at least physically. I challenge you to not let COVID-19 be an excuse to disengage but to help us re-double our efforts to ensure that EVERY student, teacher and family has what they need to succeed this very challenging year.

More than ever before, Morton PTSA will focus on the following five principles:

• Collaboration: We will work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to broaden and enhance our ability to serve and advocate for all children and families.
• Commitment: We are dedicated to children’s educational success, health, and well-being through strong family and community engagement, while remaining accountable to the principles upon which our association was founded.
• Diversity: We acknowledge the potential of everyone without regard, including but not limited to: age, culture, economic status, educational background, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, legal status, marital status, mental ability, national origin, organizational position, parental status, physical ability, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and work experience.
• Respect: We value the individual contributions of members, employees, volunteers, and partners as we work collaboratively to achieve our association’s goals.
• Accountability: All members, employees, volunteers, and partners have a shared responsibility to align their efforts toward the achievement of our association’s strategic initiatives.

In these trying times, Morton PTSA needs you more than ever. Here is how you can help:

1. Sign-Up your student(s), yourself, and other family members for PTSA memberships, and then invite all the adults, Morton alumni/retired staff, and businesses you know to do the same. Individual memberships are $5. Business memberships are new to Morton PTSA this year. They are $50 and come with two named memberships. There are many perks to this package. Please contact us for more info.
2. Make a donation in any amount to Morton PTSA by clicking the DONATE NOW button on our MemberHub store.
3. Volunteer to help from home, or (if/when allowed) on campus. (You must have a completed volunteer application and background check on file with FCPS to do so.)

You are welcome to attend all PTSA General Membership meetings. Our first meeting for the 2020-21 school year will be held September 10 at 7:00pm. For the time being, they will be held virtually. Zoom links are on the website, just click the meeting date. The links will also be posted to the Morton PTSA Facebook page.

Speaking of social media, follow us on Instagram - @mortonptsa.

If at any time I may be of service to you or your student, please email me at mortonmiddleptsa@gmail.com.

Your partner in education,


Brandon Sharp, President
Morton Middle School PTSA
There Is No Wrong Way To PTA. How Do You PTA? 
NTI 2DL Schedule
August 27 - September 30
Building Relationships
Virtual Classroom visits
Engagement
Assessment of Learning
The Waffle
Classroom Polls
Assessment for Learning
Introduction to Canvas
ADDRESS: 1225 Tates Creek Road Lexington, KY 40502
PHONE: (859) 381-3533
FAX: (859) 381-3536