Dear Medway families,
We hope that this email finds you well. As you know, last week our high school was the target of threats that resulted in a lockdown. This incident was upsetting within our high school, and broader school community. We are deeply appreciative of the Medway Police and Fire Departments for their support and leadership during this incident.
As we have communicated, we take our responsibility of ensuring a safe environment for students, faculty and staff seriously. Over the past few years we have continued to identify opportunities to improve school safety through a number of building and process improvements. We also partner with the Medway Police Department and other agencies to stay up to date with improvements in practices related to safety and security.
As is our practice following any significant event, the leadership team met to discuss the event and what was learned to support our continued improvement in response to safety concerns. It was a robust conversation with many learnings and plans for continued improvement. During the discussion we emphasized the need for ongoing practice with our students regarding safety protocols for responding to threats. Therefore, before the end of the school year, all schools will be conducting a drill on this topic. To ensure the best support for students, each school will organize the drill in a manner that is appropriate for their specific student body. This is particularly crucial for our youngest learners. You can expect to hear more about these drills from building principals. This drill is important for students, and will fuel continued safety and security planning over the summer.
Finally, we continue to appreciate the strong partnership with families around safety and security. We understand that a challenging element of safety and security planning and preparedness is that we are not able to share the totality of what we are doing. We have greatly appreciated the understanding and patience that has been exhibited by our families as we stay anchored in the knowledge that the safety and security of our schools is a primary focus of us all.
Please find other important updates below.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Updates/Information Items
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.
Medway School Committee Spring Newsletter
The Medway School Committee has published a Spring Newsletter that can be viewed here.
May 8 Town Meeting
During the May 8 Town Meeting, the Medway Public Schools FY24 Budget will be voted on as part of the overall Town of Medway FY24 Budget.
Available Assistance
Extra COVID Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known as SNAP Emergency Allotments, were created during the pandemic to help individuals and families buy food. Federal action ended the extra COVID SNAP benefits on March 2, but Massachusetts is providing extra SNAP benefits at the beginning of April, May, and June. Households are encouraged to visit Mass.gov/ExtraCOVIDSNAP for more information, and the Department of Transitional Assistance also has outreach materials available in 16 languages.
MassHealth
Families with MassHealth need to renew their coverage this year in order to maintain coverage. Information is available on mass.gov/masshealthrenew. Another helpful resource is the MassHealth Renewal Help Guide.
SEPAC Updates
SEPAC Election Results: SEPAC held their final meeting of the year on May 3rd. This meeting was the SEPAC Board Member Elections. We would like to congratulate the new members of the SEPAC board for the upcoming school year. Those individuals include Courtney Murray Marshall, Justine Blanchard, David Fitzgerald, and Tatevik Holmgren. Along with these positions, the SEPAC also has an opening for school based liaisons in all four schools. Please reach out to the SEPAC at sepac@medwayschools.org or visit the SEPAC website at https://sites.google.com/view/medwaysepac for more information.
Technology Updates
Device Replacement Cycle: The Medway Technology Department would like to remind families with 8th and 12th grade students that we intend to collect all chromebook devices and chargers by the last day of school, according to our replacement lifecycle of four years. In September, students entering 5th and 9th grade will receive new devices to support our digital curriculum and learning initiatives. We thank you for preparing to return the device within the last week of school, exact dates to follow.
Device Repair Costs: We would like to remind families that any device in need of repair can be dropped off at each school’s front office for review. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. We will remind families of any outstanding invoice over the next month with the expectation that payment is made within thirty (30) days.
88 Keys for Kids and Annual Campaign for the Medway Friends of the Performing Arts (MFPA) Successfully Completed
Thanks to the many individual and family donors and the Medway Foundation for Education who contributed to the 88 Keys for Kids and MFPA Annual Campaign, we were able to nearly meet our funding goal of $20,000 for the purchase of a performance piano for Medway High School. Donations from our community totaled $8,080.95, MFE donated $5000, and the MFE match campaign in April provided an additional $5000. The total campaign raised $18,080.95!
This campaign, in addition to funding that will be voted on during the May 8 Town Meeting as part of the Select Board’s efforts to support this work, will enable the Medway Public School’s performing arts department to secure all current requests for their program (piano, risers, and choral shells). Please plan to show your support of this additional funding at the May 8 Town Meeting. Thank you again for your generosity!
Community Education
Our updated Summer Brochure will arrive in Medway mailboxes in mid-May. The brochure will feature many exciting craft, STEM and sports/fitness activities to keep your children active and having fun all summer long! Programs for high school students - College Essay Workshop, Speed & Strength Academy with Jason Shea, Field Hockey Clinic with Coach Has, and Driver’s Education with Teachers Driving Academy - are currently accepting registrations. Families may begin registering using this link now!
The Summer Adventures Camp is currently accepting applications for students ages 14 and 15 for the volunteer LIT (Leader in Training) camp opportunity. Please visit the Community Education website to complete the application, which can then be forwarded to communityeducation@medwayschools.org. Interviews will take place on Wednesday, May 17, in the Community Education office located in the Burke wing of the Burke-Memorial School.
Community Education has begun plans for our Summer of Discovery Program that will take place August 14 - August 18. We are thrilled to be able to offer this program at no cost to the community and build on the last two years of success. If you are interested in having your child participate in Summer of Discovery, please hold the dates in your family planning. Registration will open in June!
Building Bright Brains Campaign Launched by ‘SUP Medway
Medway’s youth drug prevention coalition, ‘SUP Medway, has launched its first community-wide campaign, Building Bright Brains centered around impacts to adolescent brain development. Read the press release to learn more about the campaign and come get Bright Brain branded prizes at the ‘SUP Medway table at the Annual Town Meeting, Monday, May 8 at Medway High School.
Upcoming Meetings/Events
Massachusetts Senate President Presents: Mental Health Essentials for Parents and Caregivers
Join in on this virtual presentation, May 7, delivered by experts from the Mental Health Collaborative (MHC). This free webinar aims to provide those with children, particularly in grades six through 12, the tools they need to understand their children’s stress, identify emotional and behavioral health issues and their treatments, and empower them to obtain and maintain good mental health for their loved ones.
Live translation is available in Portuguese, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL). You can register for the event at www.karenspilka.com/mentalhealth.
Equity Steering Committee to Finalize and Share DRAFT of Medway Public School’s Equity Action Plan
Over the next few weeks, the Equity Steering Committee, who have been working hard and collaboratively to develop an action plan in response to the Equity Assessment conducted in Spring 2022, will share a draft of their work with Focus Groups and the School Committee. They meet on May 10 to finalize the drafts and then meet with Focus Groups on May 18. The plan will be presented to the School Committee in June. This action plan will represent a first step in the larger work to begin the development of the next Medway Public School’s Strategic Plan, 2025-2030.
Art Show and Pops Night at Medway High School
Join us for the Annual Spring Art Exhibit in the Medway High School Foyer on Wednesday, May 10 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. This will be followed by the Pops Concert in the Auditorium.
Action Requested
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. Parent/Caregiver Survey
Tools for Health, Resiliency, Inclusiveness, Vitality and Empowerment (T.H.R.I.V.E.) is a component of the Medway Public Schools Wellness Department that is committed to providing wellness-related parent/guardian enrichment opportunities. T.H.R.I.V.E. is looking to better understand how parents/caregivers would like to consume enrichment opportunities and what topics they would like to learn more about next school year. Please share your thoughts by completing this two-three minute survey. The survey will close on May 12.
Student Congratulations
2023 6th Annual Permanent Art Collection Inductees
Congratulations to art educators Maureen Brodeur, Noelle Fiori-Jackson, Marc Davidson, Christine Moyer, Robin Hackett, Beth Ann Cornwell and the following students’ works of art that were chosen to be installed as part of the Medway Public School’s Permanent Art collection:
| Marguerite Golden, Pre-K | Ian Layton, Grade 6 |
| Thomas Blake, Kindergarten | Jack Green, Grade 7 |
| Aliviah Santucci, Grade 1 | Liliana Reed, Grade 8 |
| Taylor Schroeder, Grade 2 | Emma Taraborelli, Grade 9 |
| Anabella Alicea, Grade 3 | Lily Gibson, Grade 10 |
| Nolan Rediger, Grade 4 | Jaina Campbell, Grade 11 |
| Jaime Lema, Grade 5 | Nora Kempner, Grade 12 |
Our artists were joined by families and the greater community last week to share their work. We look forward to having the artwork displayed in the gallery found in the Superintendent's hall of the middle school. You can find a copy of the program that was shared at the gallery viewing here.
Central District Massachusetts Music Educators Association
Congratulation to Medway High School band and choral teachers, Ms. Amanda Webster and Mrs. Ashley Nelson-Oneschuk, and the following students who performed at the CDMMEA concert on Saturday, April 29 in Franklin:
Parley Bradosky (9th) -- Voice
Amelia Dahlheimer (9th) -- Voice
Charlotte George (9th) -- Trumpet
The CDMMEA is an organization that seeks to support comprehensive, quality music education for all students. They continue to be an influential voice for music as an essential part of the core education.
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 If you need this information translated, please copy and paste it into Google Translate. The link to