Dear Medway families,
Thank you to those who joined our most recent Superintendent’s Chat which was focused on the FY24 (the school year 2023-2024) Budget Process. During the Chat, we had an opportunity to share an overview of school finance which can be found here. We continue to work hard to manage a very complex budget situation with an eye on preserving the services closest to our students. The complete FY24 budget process is delineated below, along with several other important district updates and informational items.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
February Vacation
There will be no school Monday-Friday, February 20-24, for Winter Break. We hope you and your families enjoy the week!
2023-2024 APPROVED School Calendar
At the School Committee meeting that was held on Thursday, February 2, the 2023-2024 School Year Calendar was approved. School Committee also approved the 2024 Medway High School Graduation date. Click here to view!
FY24 Budget Development and Approval Process
As you might imagine, the current economic conditions are challenging as we develop the FY24 budget. The increased needs of students, the diminishing available additional funds (e.g. ESSER), and the high inflationary number are creating circumstances that will require ongoing discussion to plan through and manage. The budget development process is one that provides the opportunity for the community to ask questions and share information. Please find below specific events that are connected to the budget development process. We invite community members to join us.
February 9, 2023: Charting the Course - District Improvement Update and Budget Overview Presented to the School Committee
On Thursday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Pires, Superintendent, and Ms. Abrams, Assistant Superintendent, will present Charting the Course: District Improvement Plan Mid-year Update and FY24 Budget Overview to the School Committee. This presentation will highlight the priority areas to be addressed in the FY24 Recommended Superintendent’s Budget. The presentation will be shared with families following the presentation.
March 2, 2023: FY24 Budget Presentation
On Thursday, March 2, at 7:00 p.m., in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room, Dr. Pires and Ms. Leonhardt, Director of Finance and Operations, will present the FY24 Recommended Superintendent’s Budget to the Medway School Committee.
March 9, 2023: Public Forum on the FY24 Budget
On Thursday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m., in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room, the School Committee and Dr. Pires will host a public forum for interested community members regarding the FY24 budget. This session is interactive and participant questions will be answered.
March 16, 2023: Public Hearing on FY24 Budget and FY24 Budget Vote
On Thursday, March 16, at 6:00 p.m. in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room, community members are invited to share public comments regarding the proposed FY24 budget with the School Committee. This is the final opportunity for community feedback prior to the School Committee vote on the FY24 budget planned as part of the regular School Committee meeting agenda later this evening. Feedback shared at the hearing will be acknowledged and noted, but there will not be a dialogue during the Budget Hearing.
At 7:00 p.m. this same evening, in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room, the School Committee will vote to forward the FY24 Medway Public Schools Budget to the Town of Medway, to be included as part of the FY24 Town of Medway budget.
May 8, 2023: Town Meeting
Community members are encouraged to attend Medway’s Town Meeting on Monday, May 8, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., at Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, when residents will be asked to vote on the Town of Medway FY24 budget, which will be inclusive of the FY24 Medway Public School’s budget to be used for the 2023-2024 school year.
Medway Public Schools App Launched
On Wednesday, February 1, we launched the new Medway Public Schools Mobile App. It’s everything Medway Public Schools, in your pocket. As of today, there are 458 downloads. We communicated the launch on our website as well as through social media. To download the app scan the QR code.
Mid-Year Feedback Requested: Paper.co: Grade 5-12 Online Homework and Writing Support Program
As you are likely aware, Medway Schools has partnered with Paper. co, a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week online homework support and writing review program. It has taken some time for students to understand its use and potential benefit, and we believe it’s essential to gain feedback on this tool. We are asking educators, students, and families of students in Grades 5-12 to offer input through this FORM. Only families of Grade 5-12 students should respond. We will keep the survey open until February vacation.
Information about Paper.co can be found HERE.
Equity Steering Committee and Action Planning Update
The Equity Steering Committee has had a busy week this week. They are preparing an update on their progress to present to a Focus Group of ~30 family members, faculty and staff, and students. The Focus Group members will have the opportunity to provide the Steering Committee with feedback on their work to date connected with the three initial areas of focus:
- Develop a professional climate where adult and student diversity and perspectives are valued.
- Support a student/learner climate where student diversity and perspectives are nurtured and valued.
- Establish standard instructional practices that improve equity and inclusion.
88 Keys for Kids Campaign and Medway Friends of the Performing Arts Annual Campaign
In partnership with our support organizations, Medway Public Schools are excited to invite funding contributions to support the purchase of a new professional performance piano and additional performing arts department needs! For fundraising details, please click here.
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Presentation on Bullying
On February 1, 2023, the Medway SEPAC and the Federation for Children with Special Needs hosted a virtual presentation by Elaine Rabbitt. Rabbitt was previously the Vice President of the Special Needs Advocacy Network. She is a special education advocate and parent coach who has supported families in Central Massachusetts since 2007. The title of the presentation was Bullying: What Parents Need to Know. The slide deck can be found here.
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration is now open as of February 6 for the 2023-2024 school year. To be eligible for kindergarten, students must be five years old by August 31, 2023. Registration information will be available online and in the superintendent’s office and the McGovern School if needed. We will send more details out in the coming weeks.
We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2036 to the Medway Public Schools!
Pre-School Lottery- Opens TODAY!
The Pre-School Lottery for community peers for the 2023-2024 School Year is now open! Click here to access the online lottery form. Click here to view the Registration Process for Community Peers. For additional information, please click here to view the Pre-School Lottery packet released by Sue Frederick, Assistant Director of Student Services, and Amy McDonald, Principal at McGovern Elementary School.
Technology Updates
Student-Issued Device Advisory: We continue seeing a higher volume of Chromebook repairs than anticipated. As we approach the late winter and spring sessions, we remind families that these devices are utilized for multiple purposes, including our internal and state assessments. If a device requires repair in any way, please do not hesitate to drop it off at the school front office for service. Please be aware that insured device repairs take four to eight weeks to process, and uninsured device repairs will be charged to the family. We also intend to collect all 8th and 12th-grade student-issued devices on the final week of school and deploy new devices to all 5th and 9th-grade students in the Fall of 2023.
Medway High School Education Internship Opportunities
We are excited to share with you an opportunity for Medway High School seniors who are interested in the education field or who would like to intern at an elementary school to participate in a paid internship program beginning this winter. The High School Senior Internship in Education Program (HSSIEP) project is an initiative sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that provides seniors an experience in the field of education to encourage future educators to enter the teaching profession.
Medway High School is partnering with schools across Medway, including Medway Middle School, Burke-Memorial School, McGovern School, and Medway Daycare. Students will be individually assigned to a classroom during a time that best fits into their schedule. This could be during the school day if time is available, after school, or during school breaks. Each intern will be assigned a supervising teacher. In addition to their supervising teacher, interns will receive training.
We anticipate that the program will begin this month and run through the end of the school year. Between 16-20 students will participate in each of our schools and in our daycare. Students will be paid $15.00 per hour through the MassHire Workforce Board.
Minding Your Mind Panel Discussion
On Thursday, March 2nd, the Franklin YMCA will partner with Minding Your Mind to host a parent panel discussion about student mental health. Joining the Minding Your Mind speakers will be a North Attleboro High School Psychologist. The event will take place at the Franklin YMCA, 45 Forge Hill Road, from 5:30-7:30, and childcare will be provided. For further information, please click here.
Medway Middle School Science Fair
Congratulations, and thank you to all Medway Middle School Science Fair participants and Mr. Larry Brown, advisor. Tuesday’s event was an excellent showcase of learning. Twenty-one students in grades 7 and 8 participated.
The following students earned award recognition:
3rd Place
Name: Geetika Seethammagari
Project: “Introverts vs. Extroverts” - Research
Area of Science: Behavioral Science
2nd Place (3-way Tie)
Name: Parker Levasseur & Scott Feeney
Project: “Muscular Mindfulness” - Scientific Investigation
Area of Science: Life & Behavioral Science
Name: Elizabeth Mafuleka
Project: “In Your Head” Mandela Effect - Research
Area of Science: Behavioral Science
Name: Rishi Gupta
Project: “I’m Attracted to You” Magnetism - Research
Area of Science: Physical Science
1st Place
Name: Kathryn Baio
Project: Corvid Intelligence: “Bird Brain” - Research
Area of Science: Behavioral Science
Medway Middle School Student Aurelia Mello was Selected as Project 351 Ambassador
We are pleased to share that eighth-grader Aurelia Mello was recently selected as Medway’s 2023 Project 351 Ambassador.
Project 351 is a non-profit organization that empowers a youth-led movement for change powered by an eighth-grade student representing every city and town in Massachusetts.
Medway's eighth-grade students participated in an essay contest about service, and Mello's was selected from among several finalists. After reading the final essays, she was chosen as Medway's ambassador for her inspiring service ethic and values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude. Mello wrote her essay about her volunteer service at Medway Public Library and her service coaching a kindergarten through the second-grade softball team.
Scholastic Art Awards sponsored by the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University
Congratulations to Natalie Goodale and Isabelle Basso, who were recognized for their art skills in the Scholastic Art Awards sponsored by the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University.
Natalie Goodale Silver Key
Isabelle Basso Honorable Mention
Vaping Presenter at Medway Middle and High Schools
On Tuesday, students in grades 5-12 participated in a drug/vaping prevention presentation co-sponsored by ‘SUP Medway drug prevention coalition and MSPTO. The professional speaker's uplifting message of “Be, Do, and Have” encouraged students to reach their full potential while also ensuring they understand the facts and risks of vaping. A message with resources was sent home to parents after the event. Including:
How to Talk to Youth about Vaping/E-cigs
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yGLNIiRQcFoq6jVXwP6q9czPXeuOr8yZ/view?usp=sharing
Helping Your Teen Quit Vaping
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ZoZT517QxiLZD9J-50C1kXUgwa_Co3u/view?usp=sharing
A Parent's Role in Drug Prevention
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10dLA0xsTH0ssGtJlvrRDtcHnEd4j6VtV/view?usp=sharing
Medway Friends of Performing Arts
Musical Bingo Night
The MFPA is hosting a Musical Bingo Night on February 16 in the Medway Middle School Cafeteria. This fun night is a family-friendly event that is open to all. Doors open at 6:00 pm, and music will start at 6:30 pm. The fundraiser donation minimum is $5/person or $25/family. Registration is open until February 15th (or until spots run out). Register here!
We will accept cash, check, or Venmo - MFPA Medway @Medwayfriendsofperformingarts
Venmo can be paid in advance upon confirmation of your registration.
All proceeds directly benefit the Medway Performing Arts Students!
Medway Foundation for Education (MFE): Trivia Bee is Back!
The Medway Foundation for Education (MFE) is pleased to host the annual MFE Trivia Bee. This event is a time-honored tradition where colleagues, teachers, students, and friends compete to reveal Medway’s top trivia team! The event will take place on Tuesday, March 7, in the Burke-Memorial Elementary School Cafeteria from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The funding generated from participation in this event supports the MFE’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the Medway Public Schools. Please consider participating! A registration form can be found here.
Community Education
This summer’s Summer of Discovery program, including the Summer Bridge program for students entering grade 9, will take place August 14-18. We will provide a registration date and additional details when available.
The Spring Brochure, including the yellow Summer Insert, will be in homes and on the District website in early March. It is never too early to begin planning for warmer weather for yourself, your family, and your friends. The Summer Insert will offer many exciting and varied activities for your children this summer - sports, arts and crafts, STEM, cooking, and much more! Suzanne Bonfilio, our Program Coordinator for all enrichment activities, seeks talented and skilled individuals to instruct a Community Education enrichment program. If you are interested in sharing your information, please email Suzanne at sbonfilio@medwayschools.org.
The Summer Adventures Camp still has openings for campers entering Kindergarten through grade 6 during week 2 (July 5-7), week 3 (July 10-14), and week 7 (August 7-11). Does your older child enjoy spending time outdoors with children? Students ages 14 and 15 may apply for a Leader-in-Training volunteer position. A two-week minimum commitment is required. Send an email expressing your interest to communityed@medwayschools.org before April 30. Please include a summary of why you are interested in this opportunity. Our department will contact a limited number of candidates to schedule an interview. Individuals ages 16 and up may apply for a Camp Counselor paid position. Enthusiastic, energetic individuals who have experience working with children are encouraged to apply. Send an email expressing your interest to communityed@medwayschools.org before March 25. Please include a summary of any work and/or volunteer experience you have with children. Applications will be emailed to candidates. A limited number of applicants will be contacted for an interview to be held in April.
Fuel Assistance Available
If you are a one-person household and earn less than $40,951 per year or a two-person household and earn less than $53,551 per year, you may qualify for home fuel assistance. A full eligibility and benefits chart can be found here. Medway Outreach Workers Marcia Lombardo and Kim Cookson are happy to help you apply for fuel assistance or answer any questions. They can be reached at 508-533-3210 or mlombardo@townofmedway.org. Please note if adults in your household are not U.S. citizens, but a child in the home is a citizen, you can still apply for fuel assistance.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Flu Prevalence Update
Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shared that the Centers for Disease Control has expanded the use of updated COVID-19 vaccines. They also shared that there have been much higher than usual rates of flu activity this year. To view their joint letter, please click here.
COVID-19 Reminders and ProtocolsWith the cold and flu season upon us and the continuing challenges posed by COVID-19, it is important that we all stay vigilant in protecting the health of our schools. At-home testing is encouraged when your child or a family member has symptoms. Free at-home tests are available with most health insurance through the CVS reimbursement program. If your child tests positive, please inform your child’s school nurse and follow COVID protocols around isolation and mask-wearing. We encourage you to keep your child home when exhibiting COVID and influenza symptoms and recommend mask-wearing when sick. For tips on effective mask-wearing and mask options, please click here.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools: Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School: Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School: Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary: Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School: Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education: Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed