Welcome to this week's edition of:

Happy Friday, Morton 709 Families, Staff, and Community,

I'm grateful for the people who make Morton 709 exceptional-You!

Morton 709 earning Exemplary Status reflects what our entire community can achieve when we pursue excellence together. Special congratulations to our STEM and technology teachers and programs on their recognition from the TEAI!

It has been an outstanding week across both academics and athletics—best of luck to our football team as they begin playoff competition, and congratulations to all of our fall sports teams on a wonderful season. Thank you for carrying our mission forward every day.

Quote of the Week:

"Be humble, be hungry, and always be the hardest worker in the room." — Dwayne Johnson

Go, Potters.

Dr. Joe Sander

Superintendent

You can read the press release Dr. Sander sent to the community about this extraordinary achievement at this LINK.

All Morton CUSD 709 Schools Receive the Highest Level Performance Rating - Exemplary

Morton Community Unit School District 709 is proud to announce exceptional

performance on the 2026 School Report Card, highlighting high academic standards and student

growth across all district schools. This accomplishment directly aligns with our steadfast commitment to Morton 709’s core strategic pillars:

● Preparing Students and Staff for the Future with Purpose

● Promoting Social-Emotional and Mental Wellness for All

● Maintaining Rigorous, Standards-Driven Curriculum and Instruction

"This outstanding achievement on our latest school report card is a direct reflection of the dedication, hard work, and collective commitment demonstrated across every building in our district," said Dr. Joseph Sander, Superintendent of Morton 709. "It clearly reflects our district's mission in action and the extraordinary team that powers it."

Dr. Sander emphasized that the achievement belongs to the entire Morton 709 community.

"Extraordinary results require an extraordinary team. From all of our faculty, staff, and board to our

students and their caregivers, every member of our community plays a vital role in carrying out our

mission to be providers of and advocates for the education of all children."

Morton CUSD 709 recorded several notable outcomes during the 2025-26 school year, including:

● All six schools earned an Exemplary Profile of Performance

● Consistent Attendance across all schools received the highest rating - 91% avg. districtwide

● Morton High School has a 96% graduation rate

Our people, our mission, and our community are all part of this achievement.

A fun, quick look at what's happening around the district!

Special thanks to Paul F Photo, Sue's Sports Pictures and Posts, and Morton Potter Athletics.

Morton High School recently earned awards at the 33rd Illinois Technology Education Conference, held October 23–24, 2026, at Illinois State University (ISU) in Normal, IL.

The Technology Education Association of Illinois (TEAI) organizes the conference to promote and recognize technology, engineering, and industrial education teachers and pre-service educators across elementary, middle, high school, and university levels. TEAI promotes Technology and Engineering STEM Education throughout Illinois. International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA) is the parent organization of TEAI and governs all National and International standards for Technology and Engineering curriculum.

This quote from the TEAI website speaks to the depth, breadth, and diversity of teachers under the big, ever-changing umbrella of technology education.

"We are dedicated to the promotion and professional development for teachers in the Technology Education field. Over the years, the profession has changed names; however, the mission remains the same: to prepare children for their future! Whether you teach in a department that calls itself "Industrial Arts", "Industrial Technology", "Shop", "Manual Arts", or "Technology Education", you are still giving and helping kids learn technological literacy. From Band saws and rocketry to computer-aided design and architecture or electronics, we teach kids to use, manage, and assess the machines, tools, and resources all around us in the ever-evolving world of technology."

Morton High School received both "2026 High School Program of the Year" and "2026 New Teacher of the Year" Awards.

MHS Teachers: Tiffany Beard, Mason Kleiber, and Chris Garner

This award is an acknowledgment of a superior technology education program which provides fundamental knowledge about the development of technology, its effect on people, the environment and culture, and draws its instructional content from one or more of the following systems: communication, energy utilization, production/manufacturing, and transportation.

This award recognizes Mr. Mason Kleiber as an outstanding “new” teacher who provides his students with the most current curriculum and stays professionally active so that his personal growth continues. Eligible teachers must have no more than 5 years of teaching experience to be considered for this award. Mr. Kleiber’s business card reflects his passion for teaching career and technical education. It states, “If it isn’t broken, take it apart and fix it anyway.”

Tiffany Beard, Mason Kleiber, and Chris Garner readily acknowledge their STEM department colleagues and educators in other departments, including but not limited to math, science, and business, who are part of the team earning the TEAI Program Excellence Award for MHS, as well as the supportive administration.

They are impacting students today in ways that will echo into their future learning and accomplishments. Way to shine, 709!

If approved by law, County Schools Facility Sales Tax revenue can be used for:

Learn more about how this request could impact students, staff, and our school community by visiting tazewellfonecent.info, or contacting us directly!

🐻🐻🐻🐻Home of the Lettie Brown Bears🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻

Thank you to Morton Fire Department for teaching our 1st and 2nd graders about Fire Safety!

The students learned so much. They listened to every word.

Dinner tables were probably full of fire safety information that evening.

Well done, Morton Fire Department!

Third-graders at Lettie Brown made the most of their Artistic Adventures! As they explore crayon and watercolor, students are discovering how wax crayons resist watercolor paint, creating bright colors and lively designs.

Whether they’re building on natural talent, trying something new, or simply having fun, every student is making their mark. Along the way, students are building creativity, focus, and confidence—skills that help them learn in every classroom.

As Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist.

Wednesday, Nov. 4 - Early Release Day - 11:45 dismissal

Friday, Nov. 6 - Popcorn Friday - Thank you to the Hranka Family for sponsoring this month!

Wednesday, Nov. 11 - Veterans Day - No School

Thursday, Nov. 19 - Family Reading Night 5:00-7:00

Wednesday, Nov. 25-Friday, Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Break

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Jefferson Patriots' 2nd-grade writing is "Out of this World." Handwriting is an important skill, as is fine motor work. These imaginative students are growing their handwriting skills and writing skills at the same time. Be sure to ask what inspired their writing.

Treat, of course! The hallways are covered with reminders of this costume and candy season.

The fundraiser is in full swing. No selling required and lots of amazing prizes to earn If you are as excited as we are, scan the QR code or go to http://jefferson61550.pledgestar.com/ and get started now!! Cash and check donations are welcome, too.

October 26: Fall Fundraiser Begins

November 6: Fall Fundraiser ends

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🐊🐊🐊🐊🐊"Home of the Grundy Gators"🐊🐊🐊🐊🐊

"Who are the people in your neighborhood?" It is a famous Sesame Street Song. The Grundy team went with a forever classic theme. For the District Office, Grundy is literally "in the neighborhood."

Did you know some bats eat mosquitoes, helping make a positive difference in their environment? It’s a bat-tastic week to be a Grundy Gator kindergartener!

Wednesday, November 4th - Early Dismissal (11:55 AM)

Wednesday, November 11th - Veterans Day - No School

Wednesday, November 25 - 29 - Thanksgiving Break - No School

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🦁🦁🦁🦁"Home of the Lincoln Lions" 🦁🦁🦁🦁

The Lincoln Lions had a busy week with Red Ribbon's healthy living theme days.

Halloween week is a great time to talk about good, healthy choices.

We wore a little red... that was not hard to find in Morton.

Some days were cozy.

Making healthy life choices is better as a team!

Together, we can make a difference.

Go, Lions.

Creating a sense of family is important to school culture. Siblings love seeing each other in the school hallways. It is an extra special day when your big sister gets to read to your kindergarten class! Way to go, Sadie!

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🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺 Home of the Huskies 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

The Morton Academy Huskies enjoyed dressing up for Red Ribbon Week. They enjoyed every day.

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Acts of kindness and service are at the heart of the MJHS Help-A-Thon. Students, staff, and community members come together for a day of service that makes a real difference. Along with Grandparents Day and Halloween, it’s one of the best days of the year at MJHS—and a great reminder that helping others is always in season.

Help-A-Thon takes service beyond the brick-and-concrete walls into places like nursing homes, first responders' garages, and our local food banks, library, and park district. Some students find themselves thinking about careers they had not previously considered.

Learning, leading, and helping while raising money for the many extra things that make learning at MJHS something students remember and carry into High School.

Thank you to the students, staff, and parents who helped support the event.

It was a spook-tacular way to bring the community together!

💫💫💫💫"Home of the Potters!"💫💫💫💫

Happy Halloween! Watch as our PeeWee Potters show off their amazing Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat with the Morton High School students!

What a Thursday! Morton Potter's volleyball team wins the Regional Championship in a tough conference. Way to go, Potters!

The Potters XC team earned 48 points last Saturday. They did it as a team, running as a pack right into a regional championship. The did it with grit, guts, and heart.

Amazing swims at the Conference Meet brought home the trophy and the honors. The Washington Co-op is the 2026 MID-ILLINI SWIM AND DIVE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS.

• Senior Maya Happel takes 1st in 200IM (varsity), 1st in 200 free relay (varsity), 1st in 400 free relay (varsity), and 2nd in 100 breast (varsity)
• Senior Nika Happel takes 1st in the 200 free relay (varsity), 1st in the 400 free relay (varsity), 2nd in the 100 back (varsity), and 3rd in the 200 medley relay (varsity)
• Junior Anna Hartzell takes 1st in the 200IM (JV), 9th in the 100 fly (varsity), 3rd in the 200 free relay (varsity), and 3rd in the 400 free relay (varsity)
• Junior Addison Izzo takes 1st in the 100 back (JV), 2nd in the 500 free (JV), 1st in the 400 free relay (JV), and 4th in the 200 medley relay (varsity)
• Junior Audrey Sefried takes 1st in the 200 free (JV), 1st in the 500 free (JV), 1st in the 200 free relay (JV), and 1st in the 400 free relay (JV)
• Sophomore Rosie Lorenz takes 5th in the 100 fly (varsity), 6th in the 100 back (varsity), 1st in the 200 free relay (JV), and 4th in the 200 medley relay (varsity)
• Freshman Eva Sefried takes 4th in the 500 free (varsity), 6th in the 200 free (varsity), 3rd in the 200 free relay (varsity), and 3rd in the 400 free (varsity

In this Care U episode, Don & Stephanie discuss connection.

Connection matters, but how connected are we really? In this episode, we explore the Six Points of Connection and reflect on the relationships, communities, places, and activities that create belonging in our lives. We also consider what our connections model for the children in our care and how intentional connection can impact those around us. We hope you enjoy the episode.

Learn more about the Chamber of Connection: https://www.chamberofconnection.org/

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Questions? Want to hear more about something? Did something really hit home? We love FEEDBACK at Care U.

This is an exciting new year of learning and connecting as we care for students and families.

Student Support Services is excited to offer these opportunities for families to learn, ask questions, and plan for your student's future. We are grateful to have experts to help guide the way.

You do not have to be a Morton 709 student, but Ms. Lindsay Franklin, Director of Student Support Services, would like to note that these sessions are for families of students who require specialized care as they age out of our Morton 709 programming.

The 2026-27 Early Childhood Education and Preschool for All calendar is available. There are times when these young learners will have a unique schedule due to their half-day schedule. Please review this schedule and share it with family and other caregivers.

• The next Developmental Screening is on October 14, 2026
• Screenings are by appointment only.
• Call 309-284-8033.

The Board of Education's next meeting is Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM.

🦇November 2026 Dining Menus and November Newsletter 🎃

Click here for: November 2026 Breakfast Menu

Breakfast Prices: Grades K-12: $1.85

Student Extra Entrée: $1.10; Extra Milk: $0.70

Adults/Visitors: $2.75

Click here for: November 2026 Elementary LUNCH Menu

Click here for: November 2026 Morton Academy LUNCH Menu

🎃Grundy Preschool Snacks: November 2026

Click here for: November 2026 MJHS LUNCH Menu

MJHS Extras cost extra: MJHS A La Carte Menu

This Week at MHS:

MHS Lunch Menu -

November 2nd - 6th (Pizza Bar)

November 9th - 13th (Southwest Bar)

November 16th - 20th (Burger Bar)

November 23rd - 27th (Pasta Bar)

November 30th - December 4th (Sandwich Bar)

Extras cost extra: MHS A La Carte Menu

MHS Coffee Bar Menu

Morton Food Services is excited to offer breakfast for all. What started as a trial at Jefferson School has grown to every Morton 709 school.

Breakfast is a great way to start the day!

⚾👟🏐 MHS Athletics & Activities Homepage 🏀🥎⚽🏌🏻‍♀️

⚾👟🏐 MJHS Athletics & Activities Homepage 🏀🥎⚽🏌🏻‍♀️

2026-27 Early Childhood Education and Preschool for All calendar

2026-27 School Year Public Calendar

Just a reminder, the Revised 2026-27 Calendar includes school in session on election day. The state did not declare it a holiday, so the schedule was revised.

2027-28 School Year Public Calendar

How do I pay for it?

Safety Letter

Please request these records before the June 15, 2027, deadline.