Want to read this page in another language? Use the Google Translate widget at the top of your screen (desktop website view).
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week 2025
4/8/2025 6:07 pm
Wrap UP! TSAW 2025
Teacher and Staff Appreciation week at Morse Elementary School was filled with many opportunities for students, families and the community to show our gratitude to the school’s staff. This whole week we embodied the “Morse Code” core value of kindness as we found ways to celebrate each member of our school’s teaching and support staff. The theme of the week - “UP!” - was woven throughout our messages.
Leading up to and throughout the week, parent volunteers help students decorate pendant flags with pictures and words of appreciation. A hot air balloon decorated with students’ thumbprints and signatures allowed everyone - even our youngest learners - to decorate the school with the message “Thank you for lifting us up!”
Monday morning started with a delicious breakfast donated by our local neighborhood shop Black Sheep Market to help everyone “Wake Up!”. Vivek, A 4th grade parent and FMS president, brought his fancy coffee machine and made one of a kind lattes and coffees. Families volunteered to help set up as early as 6:30am, starting the week off strong.
Tuesday and Thursday, Seth and his colleagues from SKY Bodywork in Porter Square, Cambridge gave 10 minute chair massages to any teachers or staff who were interested. Everyone had the chance to “Loosen Up” during a very busy week. Seth is a local Cambridge parent and we were excited to support his independent business.
Teachers and staff were surprised with potted herb plants that were thoughtfully designed and planted by Morse parent and FMS board member Amelia and her kids. 95 potted plants appeared in the staff lounge with this message of gratitude: “Thank you for helping me to grow, and teaching me all that you know, and most of all thanks for all the love you show.”
The grand finale happened on Friday with a big community wide potluck lunch with the theme “Fill Up!” More than 50 families brought food or volunteered their time to decorate, set up, serve and clean up the potluck which included delicacies from around the world including big trays of sushi, 16 huge calzones, sandwiches, a bottomless crockpot of spaghetti bolognese, crunchy salads and a mouth watering dessert spread. Teachers and staff entered a raffle for gorgeous flowers lovingly arranged and donated by Morse parent, Pam. Watch the Instagram Reel
Our school’s staff doesn’t stop at the entrance - we included our two crossing guards, Cheryl and Howard, in the expressions of gratitude with breakfast treats and gift cards. Morse is lucky to host two afterschool programs so afterschool teachers were also celebrated by families with sweet treats and cards coordinated by families who attend afterschool programs.
5/15/2025 Jess Hoy, FMS Board member and Morse parent
Thanks for lifting us UP!
We are so excited to show our appreciation to our Morse School teachers and staff. They SHOW UP every day and help our Morsels LEVEL UP. We have a full week of UPLIFTING activities planned. Check it out, along with ways to participate.
>> Follow along with daily updates on our Instagram!
Schedule of events
FMS Activities:
☕️ WAKE UP! Monday, 5/5, 7-9 am (6:30 am for setup): Bagels, coffee, and more, donated by Black Sheep Market
💆🏽 LOOSEN UP! Tue 5/6 & Thu 5/8: Massages by Sky Bodywork! 10 minutes during the school day to unwind and relax.
📝 BRIGHTEN UP! Wed, 5/7: During lunchtime, volunteers will help Morsels write small notes of gratitude to any teachers and staff they'd like to thank.
🌱 GROW UP! Tue, 5/6: Small plants gifts to take home or keep in classrooms.
🥪 FILL UP! Friday, 5/9, 11 am-1 pm: Potluck lunch, showing how much our community cares through our food.
Family individual ACTIVITIES:
Say thanks and demonstrate your appreciation in your way throughout the week.
Here are some suggestions:
- Write a note or poem and send it in your Morsel's folder
- Draw a picture
- Send flowers, a gift card, or other small gift
Ways to participate in the FMS activities
☕️ Staff the WAKE UP breakfast (2-3 people, early Monday morning - 5/5; email angelika@friendsofmorse.org)
🥪 Contribute food to the FILL UP! potluck lunch on Friday 5/9 (as many contributors as possible!)
🌹 Donate flowers for the FILL UP! potluck lunch on Friday 5/9. We use them as decoration and then give them away to a few lucky teachers.
🤩 Staff the FILL UP! potluck lunch on Friday 5/9 (3-5 people, 11 am-1 pm)
🤫 Help Morsels write BRIGHTEN UP! notes to teachers/staff. Lunchtime (Wed, 5/7; email angelika@friendsofmorse.org).
Questions? Comments? Want to get involved?
Contact us: hello@friendsofmorse.org
Social media: @friendsofthemorseschool on Facebook and Instagram
Signing up is free. Our website and emails are available in any language supported by Google Translate. We send emails just once a week (usually).
