January 30, 2019 Community Update
Dear Medway families,
We have officially crossed over to the second half of the 2018-19 school year. With our year well underway and current year plans firmly in place, we start to turn our attention to planning for the 2019-2020 school year. The recent approval of our 2019-2024 Strategic Plan (more on this below) and budgetary discussions within our schools and at the district level have fueled exciting improvement conversations throughout the district. We look forward to sharing these efforts with you in the coming months.
Sincerely,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Approved Transition to New Student Information System: Infinite Campus
As many in our community are aware, our current student information system, Visions (previously MMS), has presented our district with a number of challenges over the years. The latest update to this system has forced us to reassess whether or not this product meets our needs and expectations have extended beyond the functionality of this system. We have determined that transition to a new Student Information System would support effective communication and efficiency.
At the January 10 school committee meeting, Mr. Boucher, Director of Information Services, Ms. Abrams, Assistant Superintendent, and Dr. Pires, Superintendent, presented information pertaining to the potential transition to a new student information system, Infinite Campus. The link to this presentation can be found here.
We are happy to announce that the School Committee unanimously approved the transition to the new student information system at the January 24 meeting. Our proposed timeline for implementation will involve many steps over the next six months, including data conversion, staff training, and parent advisories, concluding in a projected ‘go live date’ of August 2, 2019. We are very excited about this new system and all of the functionality it provides. We will provide further updates to our families as this process progresses.
FY20 Budget Process
The district’s FY20 Budget development process is well underway. The Medway School Committee has held a number of “Office Hours” so that interested residents could share input and ask questions related to budget development. Additionally, the Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee has met to engage in conversations with town officials about the FY20 budget development process.
On Thursday, February 7, Dr. Pires, Superintendent, and Mr. Don Aicardi, Director of Finance and Operations, will provide an overview of the FY20 budget along with identified areas for improvement during the scheduled School Committee Meeting. At the February 28 Medway School Committee Meeting, Dr. Pires will share with the Committee, the Superintendent’s Recommended FY20 Budget.
In addition, a Superintendent’s Chat, focused on the FY20 budget, will take place on Tuesday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the School Committee Room (Door #7). Community members are welcome to attend to learn more about the budget development process and priorities for the FY20 budget.
Rob Pearl’s Retirement Event
Thank you to the many students, colleagues, community members and supporters of the Medway athletics for such a meaningful showing of appreciation and support at Rob Pearl’s retirement event on Monday, January 28. Rob’s contributions to Medway athletics are numerous and his over fourteen year tenure with the school system has been greatly valued. We wish Rob only the best in his retirement.
2019-2024 Medway Public Schools Strategic Plan
We had the opportunity to share elements of our updated Strategic Plan through our students’ voices during our January 22 Professional Development Day. Eight high school students who represented a wonderful cross section of our student population spoke with sincerity, courage, and commitment about the impact of our strategic work on their experiences as learners. Our student speakers included: Kaitlin Fitzgerald, Bella Pagliazzo, Matt Peterson, Anthony Volz, John Boujnane, Catherine Higgins, Olivia Dennehy, and Trinity Johnson. We were all so proud of them!
We will be formally communicating the complete 2019-2024 Medway Public Schools Strategic Plan to our greater community in the coming months. With school committee approval during the January 10 meeting, the following goals, core values, and core competencies are components of the 2019-2024 Medway Public Schools Strategic Plan.
Goals:
#1 Goal: IMPROVED LEARNING:
Improve the learning of all.
Goal #2: SOCIAL / EMOTIONAL WELLNESS
Foster the social, emotional, and healthy development of all.
Goal #3:INNOVATIVE TEACHING and LEADERSHIP
Ensure evidenced-based best practices and encourage innovation in teaching and leading.
Goal #4: POSITIVE LEARNING CULTURE:
Cultivate a professional and student culture that values respect, trust, collaboration, and effective communication.
Core Values:
The Medway Public Schools believe in...
...active, continuous learning
...equity and empowerment
...relationships built on mutual respect and trust
...comprehensive wellness
...for all
Core Competencies:
Communication
Collaboration
Critical Thinking
Creativity
The 2019-2024 Strategic Plan development process also included a decision to refresh our district logo. This new logo is a simplified version of the Medway Mustang that has been used on our Medway gear and will replace this image as well as the image of the book and star that was previously found on our website and throughout the district.
School Committee Fundraising Policy Updated
At its meeting on January 24, 2019, the School Committee voted to approve policy #41, Fundraising. This policy garnered a great deal of interest from the community during the revision and approval process. The approved policy can be viewed here. With this policy now approved, district leadership will work on procedures that ensure the implementation of this policy. The development of those procedures will take some time and will be clearly communicated to the community when complete. During this interim period, while the development of these procedures is underway, we ask that organizations conducting fundraising continue to follow the procedures outlined in the old policy. This includes gaining prior approval of all fundraising activities by making a request to the building principal or Superintendent's Office.
Thank You Community Volunteers: January 22, Professional Development Day
This year, the second half of our January 22 professional development day, in alignment with goal #2 of our Strategic Plan, featured wellness workshops for our faculty and staff. Members of our community volunteered their time and expertise to come in and facilitate these sessions. A big thank you to all community members who offered a session: Kira Scanlon, Sofia Reddy, Molly Bradosky, Kirsten DeSorbo, Kimberly Marshall-Manning, Donna Moilanen, Erin Defoyd, Filipe Cotas, Rachel Wolff Lander, Chelvan Randolph, Stacey Flaherty, Drs. Cliff and Christy Taylor, Paul Gerst, Tim Sharpe, Danielle Hafers, and Susan McCarthy.
Faculty and staff expressed gratitude and appreciation for this effort. Thank you also to our support organizations, MEPTO, MSPTO, MFE and SEPAC for hosting a smoothie bar for all faculty and staff at the end of the day.
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. Pick 2: Winter Parent Workshops
TONIGHT, parents will have the option of attending 2 of the 4 workshops being offered on vaping, mindfulness, social media, and childhood nutrition. For more details about the event please click here and to register, click here.
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. Community Book Read
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E., in collaboration with the Medway Foundation for Education, is sponsoring a community book read of iGen. Books will be made available, free of charge, at Medway businesses such as the Muffin House, T.C. Scoops, Starbucks, etc. and at the Medway Public Library from February 1, through March 31. A full list of the locations can be found here. The book read will conclude with two parent facilitated book discussions on April 2 and 3. For more information please click here.
High School Program of Studies Presentation
At the January 24 School Committee Meeting, Dr. John Murray, Medway High School Principal, David List, Dean of Student Activities, and Dot Pearl, Dean of Student Services, presented the 2019-2020 High School Program of Studies. Approval of the 2019-2020 Medway High School Program of Studies will be on the February 7 School Committee Meeting agenda. That presentation can be found here.
Director of Facilities Entry Plan Findings
During the January 24 School Committee Meeting, Jim Kane, Director of Facilities, presented the Medway Public Schools Director of Facilities Entry Plan. That presentation can be found here.
District Improvement Plan Mid-Year Update
During the January 24 School Committee Meeting, Dr. Armand Pires, Superintendent, and Gabrielle Abrams, Assistant Superintendent, presented the Mid-Year District Improvement Plan Update for the 2018-2019 school year. That presentation can be found here.
Grade 5 Band Concert
Mr. Doug Dufresne led the fifth grade band in a great show of their talents last Wednesday afternoon. The students performed for their families and teachers and the event featured a few solos and duets. Congratulations to all 5th grade instrumentalists for their hard work and dedication; you should be very proud!
Middle School Science Fair
Congratulations to Mr. Larry Brown and thirty grade 7 and 8 students who participated in the 12th Annual Medway Middle School Science Fair last week. The research and hard work of these students were incredibly appreciated and evident in all of the projects. An article in the Milford Daily News covering this event can be found here. The top winners were:
3rd Place (Tie)
Name: Sarah Longval and Annie Bomfim (8th Graders)
Project: Caffeine Withdrawal
Area of Science: Chemistry – Scientific Investigation
Name: Samantha Buonaccorsi (8th Grader)
Project: Twisted Taste
Area of Science: Chemistry and Behavioral Science – Scientific Investigation
2nd Place (Tie)
Name: Isabelle Basso (8th Grader)
Project: Can the Brain Feel Pain?
Area of Science: Behavioral Science – Research
Name: Sinead Bergeron (7th Grader)
Project: If You Build It, Will It Fly?
Area of Science: Physical Science – Scientific Investigation
1st Place
Name: Alexandra Montana (7th Grader)
Project: The Meaning of Meow: How Cats Communicate
Area of Science: Life Science and Behavioral Science – Research
Medway High School Student Athletes Honored
Congratulations to Ava Vasile and Mary Monaghan who have been identified to attend the MIAA Girls and Women in Sports Day at Faneuil Hall on Friday, February 1. Each school in the Commonwealth selects two girls to be recognized. Ava and Mary were selected based on their outstanding contributions to Medway Athletics during the last four years.
Middle School Mathematics Curriculum Resource Pilots
As communicated by Mr. Juelis, Medway Middle School principal, our grade 6-8 students will be engaging in a pilot of two commercial mathematics’ products for the remainder of the year. As was recommended in the 2017-2018 PK-12 Mathematics Curriculum Review Process, these pilots will inform a recommendation for either a full year pilot or adoption of a new resource for the 2019-2020 school year.
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration for the 2019-2020 school year will take place on Tuesday, February 26, from 3:30-6:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 2, from 9:00-12:00 p.m. 2019-2020 school year kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2019. Registration packets will be available in the superintendent’s office, at the McGovern School, and online on February 1.
Integrated Preschool Lottery The preschool lottery, for typical peers, will take place on Thursday, February 14, 2019 from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. In order to be considered for the lottery you need to complete either the online or paper Lottery Registration Form. Please click here for an online Lottery Registration Form. If completing the paper version, the lottery application should be returned to the McGovern School no later than February 8, 2019. We will notify families of lottery results by February 22, 2019. 2019-2020 school year preschool students must be 3 years old by August 31, 2019 to enter the half day program and 4 years old by August 31, 2019 to enter the full day program. Finally, registration for students attending the Integrated Preschool will be on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 from 3:30-6:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 2, 2019 from 9:00 a.m-12:00 p.m. Registration packets will be available in the superintendent’s office, the McGovern School and online on February 1. Please click here to read more information about the integrated preschool program.
Medway Friends of the Performing Arts (MFPA) SuperBowl Day Fundraiser
Come visit the Medway Friends of the Performing Arts’ bake sale to satisfy your Super Bowl sweet tooth on Sunday, February 3. This will be taking place at Shaw’s supermarket between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. This event will also feature live performances by Medway music and theater students
.
Proceeds will support all Medway school performing arts’ events, the purchase of new equipment and instruments, music field trip transportation, and music lesson scholarships.
If you would like to help MFPA by signing up to bake or volunteer for the sale, please click here. Thank you!
Special Olympics Fundraiser at Chipotle, Milford ~ February 26, 2019 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The 8th Annual 5 Towns School Day Special Olympics is scheduled for March 22, 2019 at the Holliston High School Field House. The theme this year is hockey! We are incredibly excited to again partner with Chipotle/Milford to fundraise for this event. The date of the fundraiser is February 26 between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., and more information may be found here. All monies raised by the 5 Towns School Day Committee are held in account for the games by Massachusetts Special Olympics.
Medway Foundation for Education (MFE) Upcoming Events
MFE Trivia Bee
An annual event hosted by the Medway Foundation for Education, the trivia contest features a DJ emcee who uses music to provide clues for each question. Teams of 6 compete for the Trivia Bee Trophy in a 20 question contest. The event will take place on Wednesday February 27, 2019 at the Burke-Memorial School Cafeteria from 7:00-9:00 p.m. A registration form can be found here.
MFE Dodging4School
Back by popular demand, Dodging4School is scheduled for Saturday March 23, 2019 at Medway Middle School. Details on how to register can be found on our website and Facebook page.
Kentucky Derby Party
Held at one of the most picturesque locations in Medway, Thayer Homestead, this event is scheduled for Saturday May 4, 2019 starting in the afternoon.
For more information about the Medway Federation for Education, please check out their website!
Medway Public Schools In the News
The Medway Public School’s addition of Tuition Free Full Day Kindergarten and was recently featured in Wicked Local. It can be found here.
Upcoming Events
January 30, 2019 | T.H.R.I.V.E. Event: Vaping, Mindfulness, Digital Citizenship and Childhood Nutrition, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:30 p.m. |
February 6, 2019 | MEPTO Meeting, McGovern Elementary School, 6:30 p.m. |
February 7, 2019 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |
February 12, 2019 | MFPA Meeting, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |
February 18-22, 2019 | No School - February Vacation |
February 23, 2019 | Town of Medway Legislative Breakfast, Sanford Hall, 8:30 a.m. |
February 25, 2019 | T.H.R.I.V.E. Event: Celebrating Differences, Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:00 p.m. |
February 26, 2019 | Kindergarten Registration, Library, McGovern Elementary School, 3:30 p.m. |
February 27, 2019 | MFE Trivia Bee, Cafeteria, Burke-Memorial Elementary School, 6:30 p.m. |
February 28. 2019 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. MSPTO Meeting, Medway Middle School, 7:30 p.m. |
March 2, 2019 | Kindergarten Registration, Library, McGovern Elementary School, 3:30 p.m. |
March 8, 2019 | MHS Musical, Once on this Island, Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |
March 9, 2019 | MEPTO Shamrock Shuffle, Medway High School, 9:00 a.m. MHS Musical, Once on this Island, Auditorium, Medway High School, 2:00 p.m. MHS Musical, Once on this Island, Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |
March 12, 2019 | Burke-Memorial Open Mic Night, Cafeteria, Burke-Memorial Elementary School, 7:00 p.m. MFPA Meeting, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |
March 14, 2019 | School Committee Public Hearing on FY20 Budget, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School 6:00 p.m. School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m |
March 15, 2019 | Early Release, all grades. McGovern - 12:00 p.m. Burke-Memorial - 11:30 a.m. Medway Middle - 11:02 a.m. Medway High - 11:34 a.m. |
March 27, 2019 | MSPTO Meeting, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |