Welcome to this week's edition of:

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

What an incredible week for Morton 709! From football advancing in the state playoffs and both cross-country teams punching their tickets to the State Meet, and our outstanding band earning honors across multiple performance levels in Nashville, our students continue to knock it out of the park.

Thank you to our entire Potter community—students, staff, and families—for standing together and supporting one another through every season!

Quote of the Week: "The resistance that you fight physically in the gym and the resistance that you fight in life can only build a strong character." -Arnold Schwarzenegger

Go, Potters.

Dr. Joe Sander

Superintendent

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.

In this video we highlight employees of Morton District 709 who are also veterans. We are grateful for their service to our country and for how that service comes through in every role they play at Morton CUSD 709.

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

It isn't exactly how the nursery rhyme goes, but it seemed to fit these glowing pumpkins. Lettie Brown’s sixth-grade artists brought their creativity to life with a stunning pumpkin collection. Each one is a frame-worthy work of art, full of color, imagination, and personality—and they seem to glow!

Using the medium on the black paper makes the pumpkins appear to glow. Gorgeous work, sixth grade!

Congratulations to these talented students for creating such beautiful pieces. You don’t have to leave Morton to find great artists!

The Sunshine Cart came to Lettie Brown with three wheels and four paws this time! Mrs. Waterfield and her team love to surprise the Lettie Brown staff!

It is a great culture builder. The students get just as excited as the staff when the Sunshine Cart rolls in to make everyone's day.

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 sixth graders enjoyed a festive day filled with Halloween art and a trip to Great American Popcorn and Pumpkin Park. It was a gourd time!

The Jefferson Patriots had so many different costumes. Imagination runs deep!

Halloween is always so much fun for the Patriot family.

Ms. Washburn’s second-grade artists brought their artwork to light by displaying it in the windows. Their creative hand designs seem to glow as the sunlight shines through—what a bright idea!

The district office team started the day at Jefferson last week. Connecting with staff and seeing students’ learning in action.

It was wonderful to see curiosity and discovery happening in every space.

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, Nov. 11 - Veterans Day - No School

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

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🐊🐊🐊🐊🐊"Home of the Grundy Gators"🐊🐊🐊🐊🐊

Mrs. Wyman was serenaded this week by some singing Gators. They have the shortest commute to the District Office for Morton Elementary Choir practice. They took the time to sing "Happy Birthday" to Mrs. Wyman. It was a sweet surprise from a joyful crew.

It was a random act of kindness. Mrs. Wyman was delighted.

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 days are full, and we like it that way. The Lincoln Lions were reading, retelling, writing, and discussing literature this morning.

Plus, one Lion earned a ROAR card for making good choices on my way out the door. Keep working hard, Lions!

The first 50 days flew by, so Lincoln’s kindergarteners celebrated in ’50s style—with fun outfits, soda floats, dancing, and hula hoops. What a rockin’ way to mark 50 days of learning!

Happy Election Day! In Miss Edwards’ class, Cool Ranch Doritos led 17-5. Fun fact: Nacho Cheese has won the past two years.

In Fifth grade, our students had a write-in ballot for their favorite lunches. It’s bosco sticks, pizza dippers, and Dutch waffles taking the top three spots. The most votes goes to…Dutch waffles!! They are delicious!

Our sixth graders did an extraordinary job in this evening’s musical, Almost the Legend of King Arthur!

The cast was rich with talent. Mr. Rocke was so proud of their work and performance.

Thank you to Mr. Rocke for writing an incredible show and giving our students the experience of performing in a musical and a memory that will last a lifetime! Bravo!!

The Daily Roar, Lincoln’s newspaper, will soon be hot off the presses. Mrs. Dalberg is leading this great group of writers.

This week, Mr. Plevka came in and shared his writing expertise and journalism tips with our Lions. We are excited to read their first issue!

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🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺 Home of the Huskies 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

We have officially started a new month, which means new goals and a new SEL focus for Morton Academy! This month, we are focusing on Empathy and Kindness—learning how to understand others' feelings, show compassion, and make a positive difference through our words and actions. Let's make it a great month filled with kindness!

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This month, we celebrate and recognize the history, culture, traditions, and contributions of Native American peoples. Students can stop by the MJHS Library and check out our special book display featuring stories, history, and information about American Indian and Native American people and cultures.

Whether students enjoy historical stories, fascinating facts, or learning about different cultures, there's something here for everyone.

Take a look, find a book that interests you, and check one out! You might discover something new!

Monday's Potter Pride was a great success...a couple of girls basketball victories over Canton made it sweeter. Our pep band, Limited Edition choir, cheerleading, and dance performed and the boys basketball teams played each other. Thanks for coming out to support are students!

A great fall band concert! It was “Thrilling”!

Rainy days can be a little “blah,” and lunchtime can feel gloomy. Not at MJHS—not when Mr. Moore is in charge! Lunchroom shenanigans are always on the menu.

For junior high students, lunch is a chance to take a breather between classes and PE. Mr. Moore makes that time extra special by creating upbeat, positive moments students can carry with them when they move on to MHS.

This week, an inflatable cash cube and Monopoly money were just the ticket. There was laughter, camaraderie, and a real sense of family around the lunch tables. One thing it wasn’t? Quiet! Sounds like lunch was “money” well spent.

A special shout-out to the MJHS Food Services team for rolling with the extra noise and helping students enjoy a little stress relief in their day.

Thank you, Mr. Moore, for making lunchtime a little brighter—even on rainy days!

In Junior High, only the staff dress up, and the students love it. It takes the pressure off them and lets the staff show that they will do anything for their students. They might be a little competitive with their peers, too.

It was a spectacular day at MJHS.

The Morton High School Marching Potters gave an outstanding final performance of their show, “What Gives You Wings,” earning seventh place in finals with a score of 86.050 at the 2026 Bands of America Middle Tennessee Regional Championship. The competition featured 39 bands from 11 states. In finals, the top bands compete together, regardless of class.

Earlier in the day, the Marching Potters were named Class 2A champions. Congratulations on an amazing finish to a fantastic season!

B Naturals & Bum Bums participated in the Central Illinois Youth in Harmony Festival at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts on Thursday. Over 300 students from all over central IL came together for coaching sessions and ensemble singing in the Barbershop style.

The day ended with a concert featuring our students and the featured quartet, After Hours, which includes our MJHS Choir Director, Tim Beutel.

💫💫💫💫"Home of the Potters!"💫💫💫💫

The experience leaves a lasting impression: students still talk about it at reunions and share it with their own children. And with Northwoods Park as their classroom, they’re truly in their element.

Best of all, the outing gets students outdoors and immersed in nature—an experience that stays with them long after the leaves fall. They had a glorious day on the learning adventure.

Mrs. Abigail Davis, business teacher and DECA sponsor, purchased custom shirts for the business club from The RISEing Company, a student-run business at MHS.

The students who made the shirts were proud of their work, and Mrs. Davis affirms they have every reason to be proud, too. They produce a great product at a fair price.

If you ask, RISE teacher Ms. Mallory Kosner says her students love the work they do at The RISEing Company—and that care and enthusiasm show up in the finished products.

Morton Football Playoff- Ticket Info

$9 at the door (Cash/Card)

$7 ($8.35 with fees) for GoFan Digital Tickets

• Gametime vs. Triad - 2:00pm
• Gates Open at 1:00pm

We recap postseason results from football, volleyball, swimming, and cross country.

Morton Varsity XC Sectional:

Images from Melissa Hendrick

"Sectional champs!!!! And wow, did they go out fast.

Watching this team run is pure joy and adrenaline. Next up, state!

Congratulations, team!

Congratulations to Elizabeth and Payton!

In this Care U episode, Don & Stephanie discuss the power of gratitude.

What happens when a simple gratitude challenge becomes a daily practice for nearly 14 years? In this episode, we welcome Valerie Smith, who shares how more than 5,000 consecutive days of gratitude have shaped her perspective, helped her navigate loss, and helped build meaningful connections with others. Together, we explore the power of noticing the little things, finding joy in difficult moments, and making gratitude part of everyday life.

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 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.