Dear Medway families,
Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to host Congressman Joseph Kennedy, State Representatives Roy and Murray, and local officials for a tour of the Medway High School rooftop solar project. This project is just one example of the commitment that the Medway School Committee and town officials have made to ensure that the resources of our school and local community are both efficient and sustainable.
Our newly refined 2019-2024 Strategic Plan continues to take shape. Our next step is to gather feedback from faculty and staff as we conduct “Listening Tours” in our schools. This document, like the one that came before it, represents a vision for what we believe to be essential to sustain and surpass prior levels of excellence within our school community. We are excited to bring the 2019-2024 Medway Public School’s Strategic Plan to you in the coming months.
Sincerely,
Armand Pires, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools
Burke Memorial Plaque Ceremony Honorees
Last Thursday the Medway School Committee and school and district administrators hosted the Memorial Plaque Ceremony. This event featured the celebration of three honorees: Margaret Slatkavitz, Nancy Vinton and Peggy Yanuskiewicz.
Margaret Slatkavitz was nominated by her son Kevin Slatkavitz. Margaret served on the Medway High School Alumni Association for more than 40 years. “She was a quiet leader who was well respected by everyone for her dedication and integrity.”
Nancy Vinton was nominated by MaryJane White for her many contributions to the school and town. Nancy was a teacher and a volunteer in the Medway Schools for more than 34 years. She was also a deacon at the Medway Community Church and president of the Medway Garden Club.
Peggy Yanuskiewicz, former principal of the McGovern Elementary School, was nominated by Jim MacLean, former Director of Facilities for the Medway Schools. He noted, “Peggy was one of the most dedicated, respected and adored principals in the Medway School System.” Peggy was also nominated by McGovern Elementary colleague, Christine Baldiga who noted Peggy’s wisdom, commitment and unique ability to make everyone feel special.
These three honorees have made a significant or memorable contribution to the town or school community. Through their service, volunteerism or dedication each has made the community of Medway better.
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Conference and Medway Honors
Earlier this month, a few members of the Medway Public Schools attended the Project Lead the Way Annual Conference in Worcester. Annie Colamaria and Stephanie Cunningham, Burke-Memorial Science, Technology and Engineering teachers, represented Medway as session presenters.
Burke-Memorial Elementary School was honored with the “100% School Award” for engaging all students in Project Lead the Way inquiry based science lessons. This has been a recent addition to our K-2 programs which extends the learning that was already taking place with our grade 3 and 4 students. In addition, Medway High School was honored, along with two other high schools, for the AP +PLTW Recognition Award. We are so proud of our educators and school leaders for their willingness to engage in this inquiry based program in support of their students’ learning.
Medway Schools Cultural Proficiency Survey
Medway is committed to thinking critically and reflectively to improving our practice to meet the needs of all students and their families. The annual cultural proficiency survey, assessing parent/guardian views of our practice related to equitable education and teaching students in a culturally responsive manner, will be available to parents at the end of October. The survey helps us examine our practices and deepen the conversation of what culturally responsive and equitable instruction, and safe and supportive environments means and looks like in the Medway Public Schools. The survey window will be open from October 30 through November 30, 2018. A separate email with the survey will be sent on October 30.
Fall Sports Highlights and Honors
As we are still in regular season play with most of our fall athletic teams, we want to highlight those programs that have reached exciting milestones. Congratulations to the boys varsity football team who held on to beat Bellingham last week to clinch the TVL small division title for the first time in a decade and a first ever trip to the postseason. An article in the Metrowest Daily News can be found here. Medway now plays Norwell at home in the 1st round of the MIAA football playoffs on Friday, October 26 at 7:00 p.m. In addition, There was a great article about the Girls Soccer Team as they look to a postseason run. The article can be found here.
The fall season has been great for our teams: Football, Volleyball, Field Hockey and Girl's soccer all have wrapped up the TVL Small titles. Boy's soccer is 1 point out of 1st place. Matt Peterson represented Medway in the MIAA Golf Tournament on Monday. The Cross Country teams compete in the TVL showcase meet today in Medfield, and Cheerleading competes for the TVL title on Sunday at 12:00 in Bellingham.
Additional highlights and celebrations will be included in future updates.
Community Education Program Update
At last week’s School Committee meeting, members from our Community Education department shared a summary of Spring and Summer 2018 offerings as well as what is in store for Fall 2018. The Community Education programs are designed to meet the varied needs of our residents. We are fortunate to have a Community Education program that offers programming for all residents of Medway. A copy of the presentation can be found here.
Medway High School SAT and AP Presentation
Also during last week’s School Committee meeting, Dr. John Murray, Principal, and Mrs. Dot Pearl, Dean of Student Services, shared a presentation that detailed Medway High School’s participation in both the SAT assessments as well as Advanced Placement testing. A copy of the presentation can be found here.
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E (Tools for Health, Resiliency, Inclusiveness, Vitality and Empowerment):
UPCOMING: Challenge Success: Free Family Night Out!
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. and the Franklin Public Schools have joined in a collaborative venture to bring conversations about overall student wellness and success to our combined communities. We invite you and your family to join us for a free night out! This family night will take place on Wednesday, November, 14 at Medway High School and will include a free dinner, an interactive movie, and activity-based childcare. All adults and school-aged children are welcome! For more details, please click here.
Carrie Stack: Parent Self-Care and Childhood Mental Health
Last week, Carrie Stack of the Say Yes Institute, returned to Medway to present to our parents about the importance of self-care and its connection to childhood mental health. Along with her high energy levels, Carrie brought strategies for parents to take home and start using right away. The feedback that we received regarding Carrie’s workshop was very positive. Thanks to those who joined us!
Responsive Classroom: Techniques Parents Can Use at Home, K-4
Last night, our latest T.H.R.I.V.E. event was hosted in partnership with MEPTO to support our K-4 parents’ understanding of the role that Responsive Classroom serves in our classrooms as well as provide families with at home strategies to reinforce this philosophy. Amy McDonald, McGovern principal, Amanda Luizzi, Burke Memorial principal, and John Kelley, Burke Memorial assistant principal, presented to elementary parents what it’s like for their children to experience Responsive Classroom
Medway High School Fitness Center Project
We are continuing to work on moving forward with improvements to the Medway High School Fitness Center. Thanks to Mr. Rob Pearl, Athletic Director, and Dr. Ryan Sherman, Director of Wellness, for their leadership on this project. The weight room at the high school is being moved to the former dance/classroom space which will double the available space for equipment. In addition, we have advertised for a fitness center monitor to supervise the space outside of school hours. Once this position is filled it will allow the fitness center to be available after school Monday through Thursday. We continue to work with interested community organizations and outside supporters to gain the necessary funding for new equipment for the space. We will continue to keep the community apprised of our progress.
Teacher Recognition
Mr. Ed Barry, high school biology teacher who started this school year, has been nominated to receive one of the 2018 ABE Teacher Recognition Awards. Ed comes to Medway from Marion High School. Since the end of 2017, ABE has been secretly collecting nominations from his students. 220 nominations were received for 33 ABE Teachers. Between now and the event, the ABE Massachusetts Team and an advisory group will select ten teachers who will win a $100 gift card to purchase lab supplies for their classrooms. The ABE Teacher Recognition Event will take place on Friday, October 26 at Harvard University. More about the ABE program can be found here. Congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Barry.
Turkey Trot
The 8th annual Medway Turkey Trot is scheduled to take place on Thanksgiving morning, November 22. The 5k route starts at Medway High School at 7:30 a.m. All proceeds from this annual tradition supports the Medway High School Athletic Department purchases of uniforms and athletic equipment. All runners who register for the race by Monday, November 5th will receive a performance t-shirt. To learn more about this Medway tradition and to register, click here.
Community Bulletin Board
For more community events, please be sure to visit Medway’s Community Bulletin. It can be found at www.medwayschools.org under the Community tab.. Here you will find information about all the happenings around Medway. You can find the page here. Once on this page, the opportunity to sign up for a weekly email with these updates is at the top of the page. Click Join Email List and it will ask for your name and email as well as which schools you would like to sign up for.
Medway Foundation for Education Update
Medway Foundation for Education (MFE) is one of several important supporting organizations to the Medway Public Schools. The MFE volunteer Board organizes several fun events during the year that raise funds for grant requests submitted by teachers, students or parents interested in enhancing the learning process across all Medway schools. MFE has provided over $300,000 in cumulative grant funding for innovative programs and technologies that have contributed to the competitiveness of our school district for over 16 years.
MFE will host their Annual Drive from October 15 through November 12, 2018. This event kicks off MFE’s season of giving and any size donation helps towards the goal. Prizes are available to donors each week of the drive. Drop off boxes will be located at Middlesex Savings Bank and Charles River Bank. Online donations accepted through Network for Good (link provided on www.MFEducation.org/home)
For a list of all scheduled events for this school year, click here.
Upcoming Events
November 1, 2018 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |
November 2, 2018 | Medway High School’s Fall Play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |
November 3, 2018 | Medway High School’s Fall Play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |
November 14, 2018 | T.H.R.I.V.E. Event: Challenge Success: Raising a Well Balanced Student, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m. MFE Wine and Whiskey Tasting Fundraiser Event, Pour Richard’s, Franklin, 6:30 p.m. |
November 15, 2018 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |
November 19, 2018 | Fall Town Meeting, Medway High School Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. |
November 21, 2018 | Early Release- All Schools Dismissal times: McGovern - 12:00 p.m. Memorial - 11:30 a.m. Middle - 11:02 a.m. High - 11:34 a.m. |
November 22, 2018 | Turkey Trot, Medway High School, 7:30 a.m. |
November 22-23, 2018 | No School, Thanksgiving Holiday |