Dear Medway families,
There has been a great deal to celebrate and look forward to over the last few weeks and in the upcoming weeks. Congratulations to all of our winter coaches and student athletes for completing competitive regular seasons and continued best wishes to those still in post season play. Additionally, best wishes to the cast and crew of Peter Pan who take the stage for three performances this weekend.
We hope to see many in our community this evening for our FY24 Budget Forum. This event will take place from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Presentation Room at Medway Middle School and is an opportunity for community members to learn more about the FY24 Budget Process and to ask clarifying questions.
Several additional updates and information items are highlighted below.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
FY24 Budget Development and Approval Process
During the March 2 School Committee meeting, Dr. Pires, Superintendent, and Mrs. Pat Leonhardt, Director of Finance and Operations, presented a challenging FY24 Preliminary Budget Presentation to the School Committee. This budget is under review by the School Committee and there are opportunities for community engagement in the coming weeks prior to the School Committee vote which is scheduled for March 16.
Please find below upcoming events connected with the remaining events for the FY24 Budget for the Medway Public Schools. We invite community members to join us.
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 6:30 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.
2023-2024 APPROVED School Calendar
The 2023-2024 School Year Calendar has been approved. The School Committee also approved the 2024 Medway High School Graduation date. Click here to view.
Spring 2023 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Schedule
Students in grades 3-8 and grade 10 will be participating in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science/Technology/Engineering between March and May. These assessments, while representing only one measure of student learning, provide the district with valuable information about areas of success and where we can improve. Students are encouraged to be on time and in attendance on these days.
| Date | School | Grade | Subject Matter Test |
| March 28, 2023 | Medway High School | Grade 10 | English Language Arts (Session 1) |
| March 29, 2023 | Medway High School | Grade 10 | English Language Arts (Session 2) |
| April 4, 2023 | Burke-Memorial School | Grade 3 | ELA (Session 1) |
| Medway Middle School | Grade 5 and 8 | English Language Arts (Session 1) | |
| April 5, 2023 | Burke-Memorial School | Grade 3 | ELA ( Session 2) |
| Medway Middle School | Grade 5 and 8 | English Language Arts (Session 2) | |
| April 11, 2023 | Burke-Memorial School | Grade 4 | ELA (Session 1) |
| Medway Middle School | Grade 6 and 7 | English Language Arts (Session 1) | |
| April 12, 2023 | Medway Middle School | Grade 6 and 7 | English Language Arts (Session 2) |
| Burke-Memorial School | Grade 4 | ELA (Session 2) | |
| May 2, 2023 | Burke-Memorial School | Grade 3 | Mathematics (Session 1) |
| May 3, 2023 | Burke-Memorial School | Grade 3 | Mathematics (Session 2) |
| May 9, 2023 | Burke-Memorial School | Grade 4 | Mathematics (Session 1) |
| May 10, 2023 | Burke-Memorial School | Grade 4 | Mathematics (Session 2) |
| Medway Middle School | Grades 5 and 8 | Mathematics (Session 1) | |
| May 11, 2023 | Medway Middle School | Grades 5 and 8 | Mathematics (Session 2) |
| May 15, 2023 | Medway Middle School | Grade 6 and 7 | Mathematics (Session 1) |
| May 16, 2023 | Medway Middle School | Grades 6 and 7 | Mathematics (Session 2) |
| Medway High School | Grade 10 | Mathematics (Session 1) | |
| May 17, 2023 | Medway High School | Grade 10 | Mathematics (Session 2) |
| Medway Middle School | Grades 5 and 8 | Science/Tech/Eng. (Session 1) | |
| May 18, 2023 | Medway Middle School | Grades 5 and 8 | Science/Tech/Eng. (Session 2) |
Equity Steering Committee
The Equity Steering Committee hosted its 6th Equity Steering Committee meeting last week. The agenda focused a great deal on moving forward with our action planning work. We are in the process of reviewing the data and feedback that was shared by our Focus Group members who joined us in mid-February. The Committee next meets at the end of March.
2022-2023 Department of Education Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Report Cards
Each year, schools and districts across the Commonwealth are required to share DESE developed “report cards” which highlight performance under a number of criteria. Building principals shared these reports with families this week. A fact sheet on the “report card” can be found here and a letter from Assistant Superintendent Gabby Abrams with a link to school report cards can be found below.
Burke-Memorial Elementary School
MFE Grant Awarded to MHS History/Social Science’s Department
Congratulations to Aubrie Rojee, History/Social Sciences Department Head at Medway High School for successfully securing a grant totaling $1000 from the Medway Foundation for Education. This grant will fund a unique educational opportunity that uses historical footage, modern technology and Holocaust survivor testimonies to teach about the horrors that happened in the world’s most infamous concentration camp. All junior students and those enrolled in our Genocide and Persecution Studies course will have the opportunity to be led through the camp by a live tour guide on Zoom (tour time: 2 hours). Additionally, students will have the opportunity to have a camp survivor speak with students. This is an opportunity being afforded by the East Valley Jewish Cultural Council. (to be experienced the week of April 14 during Holocaust Remembrance).
Winter Sports Updates
The Medway Mustangs had a great winter season and we are now in the midst of the MIAA tournament season.
Our Girls Basketball team remains in the tournament having won their first game in the tournament against Reading. They compete against #1 St. Mary’s in Lynn on Friday night at 6:00 p.m.
Boys Basketball entered the Division 3 tournament as the #26. They played hard, but lost 53-87 last Friday.
Our Girls Co-op Hockey Team, the #16 seed hosted their first ever home tournament game that unfortunately ended in a 1-2 loss.
Our Boys and Girls Indoor Track Teams had a fantastic winter season. Many new school records were set and our athletes performed very well at the TVL Showcase Meet as well as the Division 5 State Meet. There were so many top performances, but the highlight was Jaina Campbell earning a spot in the MIAA Meet of Champions event for the high jump!
Our Gymnastics Co-op Team finished the regular season with a perfect 7-0 record and finished in fourth place at the Sectional Meet. They qualified for the State Championship Meet and did an outstanding job! Congratulations to the team and coaches!
Our Winter Cheer Team has done very well in their competition season. They came in 2nd pace at Regionals last Sunday, March 5 at Whitman-Hanson High School.
Our Boys and Girls Swim and Dive team members (via Holliston HS) had a great season. The boys team finished as TVL Co-Champions and many of our swimmers qualified for the divisional state tournament. In addition, Devin Bird, Jon Bird and Michael Webb all qualified for the All-State Championship.
Both the Coed Alpine Ski Team and the Boys Hockey Team have concluded their seasons. Both teams were very young this past season and look to rebuild next season.
Thank you! Mid-Year Feedback Paper.co: Grade 5-12 Online Homework and Writing Support Program
We were appreciative to the families, students, and staff who offered reflections and insights regarding student access to Paper.co, a 24 hour a day online homework and writing support tool. We have analyzed the data and found both incredibly supportive and positive feedback and also areas for improvement. We have shared feedback with Paper.co and Principals Luizzi and Murray are working with their teams to ensure that students, especially those who are demonstrating an academic need for additional support, are more specifically assisted to utilize this tool in addition to other resources available.
Medway Public Schools App
Be sure to download the new Medway Public Schools Mobile App that was launched at the beginning of the month. It’s everything Medway Public Schools, in your pocket. As of today, there are over 600 downloads. We communicated the launch on our website as well as through social media. To download the app, scan the QR code.
88 Keys for Kids Campaign and Medway Friends of the Performing Arts Annual Campaign
Medway Public Schools, in partnership with our support organizations, 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.
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration is now open for the 2023-2024 school year. In order to be eligible for kindergarten, students must be 5 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 information out in the coming weeks. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2036 to the Medway Public Schools!
Pre-School Lottery OPEN
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.
Thank you! Medway Foundation for Education Trivia Bee!
Thank you to the MFE for hosting a wonderful return to a time honored tradition with the MFE Trivia Bee on Tuesday night. It was an exciting competition and we wish to extend congratulations to the Medway High School Teachers team for taking home the grand trophy. The MFE hosts these events as fundraising efforts to support innovative grant proposals in support of all students in the Medway Public Schools.
Medway High School Presents: Peter Pan!
Come and be whisked away to a place where dreams are born and no one grows up! Medway High School Theatre Program presents their performance of Peter Pan!. Reserved seating tickets are available for $15 online or tickets will be available at the door. They will be offering three performances on Friday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 11 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. All performances will take place at Medway High School. We hope to see you there!
Medway Middle School Presents: Oliver!, Jr.
Medway Middle School Department of Performing Arts proudly presents their performance of Oliver!, Jr. Come follow Oliver on his adventures in this timeless tale of hope, resilience, and the power of friendship in the face of adversity. Reserved seating tickets are available for $10 online or will be on sale at the door for $12. This year’s performances will take place on Friday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 1 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All performances will take place at Medway High School.
Technology Updates
The Technology Department would like to remind families of our path for device repair and covering costs. If a device is in need of repair, please have your child deliver the device to the front office of the middle or high school and it will be forwarded to IT for review and repair. When the device is submitted for repair, we will determine insurance eligibility, assess the repair needed, and process the repair and costs based on one of the two scenarios. Scenario One - If the device is insured, we will send it out to the insurer approved repair depot. Please note insured devices under repair can take anywhere from four to eight weeks to process. Scenario Two - If the device is not insured, the Technology department will repair the device with new and recovered parts in-house, invoice the family for the repair costs (parts only), and return the device to the main office for student pickup. Invoices are due within 30-days and helps to support the purchase of parts to repair devices.
Community Education
The Spring Brochure, including the yellow Summer Insert, is at the printer and will be out very soon. You can preview all of the wonderful opportunities on the Community Education website. The Summer Insert will offer many interesting 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, is seeking 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.
On March 7th the third semester of WIN Support Programs began at the Middle School and High School. We have offered 70 students support between the two schools with the potential to enroll more as the semester progresses. Special shout out to all of the incredibly talented Medway Public School staff that help make this program possible.
Our Summer Adventures Camp is currently full with the only exception being the week of July 4th.
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 there has been an expanded use of updated COVID-19 vaccines by the Centers for Disease Control. 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
Upcoming Events (click here)