April 2, 2019 Community Update
Dear Medway families,
March was a busy month in our schools. There were many wonderful events and celebrations that highlighted the exceptional work of our students. As we move to April, we will continue to have opportunities to celebrate our students. Spring sports are officially underway, our spring musical at Medway Middle School will stage this weekend, and we have begun to look at our planning processes and procedures for the next school year now that the budget has been approved by the School Committee.
We hope that you will have the opportunity to participate in some of the exciting events that are planned in the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Upcoming School Closures
A reminder to all families that here is no school Monday, April 15-Friday April 19 in observance of April vacation.
School Calendars
At this time, our last day of school, which will be a half day, is anticipated to be Tuesday, June 18, 2019. The one snow day this winter is included in this date. The approved calendar for the 2019-2020 school year can be found here.
Excellence for All: A Medway Mindset, 2019-2024 Strategic Plan
As you are likely aware, the Medway School Committee recently approved the Medway Public School’s 2019-2024 Strategic Plan. We engaged our faculty and staff in a naming contest and are pleased to share that Excellence for All: A Medway Mindset, 2019-2024 has been chosen.
We are working to finalize the plan in its entirety and will be mailing this document to all Medway households in the next month. Thanks to all members of the community who supported the development of this important document.
T.H.R.I.V,E. Community Book Read ~ iGen - Tonight, April 2, and Tomorrow, April 3
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. is sponsoring a community book read discussion of iGen tonight and tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. The iGen conversations will be parent facilitated and open to any community member. For more information, including how to register, please click here. We hope that you will join this important community conversation. Thank you to the Medway Foundation for Education for their generous support of this effort.
Wellness Newsletter, April 2019
Please find the April edition of the Wellness Newsletter linked here.
Burke-Memorial Plaque Nominations
Medway Public Schools is now accepting nominations for names to be placed on the Burke-Memorial School plaque. A nomination form can be found here or in the superintendent’s office. Nominations must be submitted to the Office of the Superintendent, Medway Public Schools, 45 Holliston Street, Medway, MA 02053 by May 30, 2019. Candidates for inclusion on the Burke-Memorial School plaque must have made a significant or memorable contribution to the town and/or school community. Through their behavior and character, the candidate can be shown to be/have been an excellent role model. This person, through service, volunteerism, or dedication has made Medway school or town life better for those who follow. Residents, past or present, who have sacrificed their lives or freedom in service to their country, either as members of the military or as civilians contributing to military or peace efforts, may also be nominated. The superintendent’s office shall send a letter to the candidate(s) or their families to advise them that a nomination has been made. The Medway School Committee will vote on the nominations in June.
Mental Health Grant Awarded to Medway Schools
We are pleased to share that the Medway Public Schools were awarded a $22,500 grant by the Greater Milford Community Health Network to partner with the NAN Project to address student mental health concerns. The NAN Project will provide peer to peer mental health education to 10th grade students, work with student leaders to develop an ongoing campaign to reduce the stigma around mental health issues, and will provide QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training for Medway High School faculty and staff. The initiation of this program is scheduled to launch in October 2019.
Safe Routes to School Grant Application
We are pleased to report that through Director of Wellness, Dr. Ryan Sherman’s work on MassDOT’s Safe Routes to Schools program, the Town of Medway was invited to apply for a grant to improve pedestrian safety. Dr. Sherman and Medway’s Department of Public Services Deputy Director, Peter Pelletier, worked together to submit a grant request of $1,000,000 for improvements in the Cassidy Lane and Holliston Street area. We were recently notified by MassDOT that this project was selected to move forward in the project funding process. We will continue to provide updates as this process moves forward.
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Schedule
Students in grades 3-8 will be participating in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science/Technology/Engineering in the coming months. The full district schedule for these assessments can be found here. These assessments, while represent 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.
Best Buddies Prom
MHS Peer Counselors and Best Buddies are sponsoring the annual Best Buddies Prom for members of the MHS Best Buddies and other students of the Medway Public Schools who have special needs and are in grades 8-12. This year’s theme is “ALOHA!” The event is open to other Best Buddies Clubs in the neighboring towns. The Peer Counselors provide a night of dancing complete with a red carpet experience! Light snacks, games, and a photo booth will be provided as well. Parents are welcome to stay for the event, stay for part of the event, or drop off their child. This event is scheduled for April 5, at Burke-Memorial’s Cafeteria from 6:30-9 p.m.
THIS WEEKEND! Medway Middle School’s Musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
Medway Middle School students have been working hard in preparation for their performance of Cinderella. Advance tickets are available for $8 online or for $10 at the door. This year we will be offering three performances on Friday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All performances will take place at Medway High School. We hope to see you there!
Last Week to Vote for Jan Brett to visit McGovern!
As of March 31, McGovern Elementary School is in 1st place out of 3,984 schools vying for Jan Brett to visit their school. We are about 873 votes ahead of Jones Dairy Elementary in Wake Forest, NC. Vote for McGovern here; one vote per e-mail address is allowed. Voters just need to enter McGovern's address:
Contest winners will be announced on April 8.
Family Concert Sponsored by Medway Friends of Performing Arts
Medway Friends of Performing Arts is pleased to invite the community to its 5th Annual Medway Family Concert. Tickets are not required for this free concert which will take place Sunday, April 7 at 2:00 p.m. in the Medway High School auditorium. This year's concert will feature the New England Percussion Ensemble, which specializes in presenting creative and energetic audience-interactive enrichment programs for audiences of all ages. Their nationally unique, multi-cultural presentations are a healthy blend of information, performance, and hands-on participation that engage audiences physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Eyes, ears, and minds are opened by the many melodic, rhythmic, and tonal possibilities of percussion, and the notion that percussion is "just drums" is forever changed. This annual concert is presented by the Medway Friends of Performing Arts and is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, David French Music, and Medway Cable Access. Please contact MFPA President, Kevin Green, for further information at medwayfriendsofperformingarts@gmail.com. A flyer for the event can be viewed here.
5 Town Special Olympics
The 5 Town Special Olympics took place on Friday, March 22 and highlighted the talents and hard work of our students with disabilities. Students from Medway, Medfield, Millis, Holliston, and Ashland participate in this event. This year’s theme was floor hockey and took place at Holliston High School. Students ran through a series of sport skills’ stations run by volunteers and staff from Holliston. Before our Medway athletes went to Holliston, they were sent off with an energetic parade through the schools, cheered on by their classmates and teachers. Congratulations to all of our student athletes who participated.
3rd Annual Permanent Art Collection Gallery Opening Congratulations
Last week, Medway hosted its 3rd Annual Permanent Art Gallery Collection Opening. A great crowd of family, friends, community members, and town and school leaders engaged with our student artists and explored with them the inspiration for their chosen pieces. The pieces will be added to the Superintendent’s hallway in the coming months. Pictures featured in Milford Daily News can be found here and an article about the event can be found here. Congratulations to our 2019 Permanent Art Collection artists:
Luca Parabicoli | Kindergarten |
Kaitlin Mezoff Monjan | Grade 1 |
Grady Prentice | Grade 2 |
Kaitlyn McMahon | Grade 3 |
Henry Lee | Grade 4 |
Isabella Cortis | Grade 5 |
Christina Harrahy | Grade 6 |
Ava Fahey | Grade 7 |
Alise Higgins | Grade 8 |
Keara Fallon | Grade 10 |
Aoife Bergeron | Grade 10 |
Lillian Garten | Grade 11 |
Allie Cervantes | Grade 12 |
Medway High School Science Olympiad Achievements
On Saturday, March 23, the Medway Science Olympiad team competed at the Science Olympiad State Meet hosted by Framingham State University. Congratulations go out to all 19 competitors. Bronze medals were awarded to Marie McCormick and Josie McGlynn for the Write it Do it event and Honorable Mention recognitions were awarded to Owen Reed and Nik Peterson and Ariya Ahona and Molly Britton for Boomilever and Anatomy & Physiology, respectively. Thank you to our Science Olympiad advisors, Joan Hallett, Donna Pereira, and Frank Hoek.
STEM Saturday
On Saturday, March 23, Medway Public Schools hosted the 4th annual STEM Saturday for Girls, an event open to grade 2-6 participants. Exelon sponsored the day which hosted presentations from organizations such as New England Aquarium, Fungineers, and Discovery Museums. Over 100 girls participated in the day. We are so thankful to the many educators who extended their professional time to make this event such a success as well as to MEPTO and MSPTO for their support of the event. Our Women in STEM members and advisors from Medway High School also supported meaningful learning throughout. A video slideshow of the day can be found here.
Challenge Day at Medway High School
Recently, 100 students and about 20 faculty and staff from Medway High School participated in Challenge Day. Challenge Day is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps people learn to connect through powerful, life-changing programs in their schools, businesses, communities. Using highly interactive and energetic activities, their programs provide teens and adults with tools to break down the walls of separation and isolation and replace them with compassion. The program inspires individuals to live, study, and work in an environment of acceptance, love, and respect. For more information about the program, click here. The Metrowest Daily News featured several pictures from this event which can be found here: Photos: Challenge Day at Medway High School.
Music in Our Schools Month Performances at Burke-Memorial Elementary School
Congratulations to our third grade musicians, under the leadership of Emily Bilodeau, for a terrific set of performances during the week of March 25. Their vocal and instrumental work were a great way to honor Music in Our Schools Month!
Burke-Memorial Elementary School also hosted its second Open Mic Night where parents and students were invited to come and hear performances by Burke-Memorial School students. Over 20 students participated by playing instruments, singing songs, or reading original poetry.
Medway Foundation for Education (MFE) Upcoming Event
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.
Special thanks are extended to the members of the Medway Foundation for Education for hosting another fun Dodging4School event.
For more information about the Medway Foundation for Education, please check out their website.
In the NewsMedway Public Schools have been highlighted a few times in the last couple of weeks connected to our work around safety and social and emotional learning. Links to these articles can be found below.
Medway installs cameras on school buses
Photos: Challenge Day at Medway High School
Medway launches task force to reduce student stress
Upcoming Events
April 2, 2019 | T.H.R.I.V.E. Community Book Read Discussion Group, T.C. Scoops, 6:30 p.m. |
April 3, 2019 | T.H.R.I.V.E. Community Book Read Discussion Group, Medway Public Library, 6:30 p.m. |
April 5, 2019 | Medway Middle School presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |
April 6, 2019 | Medway Middle School presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Auditorium, Medway High School, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. |
April 7, 2019 | MFPA Family Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, 2:00 p.m. |
April 9, 2019 | MFPA Meeting, Alumni Conference Room, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |
April 11, 2019 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m |
April 15-19, 2019 | No School: April Vacation |
April 23, 2019 | Kindergarten Parents Night, McGovern Elementary School, 6:00 p.m. |
April 25, 2019 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |
May 4, 2019 | MFE Kentucky Derby Gala, Thayer Homestead, , 4:30 p.m. |
May 9, 2019 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |
May 10, 2019 | Senior Superlative Night, Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:00 p.m. |
May 13, 2019 | Annual Spring Town Meeting, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m. |
May 14, 2019 | MFPA Meeting, Alumni Conference Room, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |
May 15, 2019 | High School Pops Concert and Art Walk, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m. |
May 16, 2019 | MEPTO Meeting, Burke Memorial Elementary, 6:30 p.m. |
May 17, 2019 | Early Release: All Grades McGovern - 12:00 p.m. Burke -Memorial - 11:30 am Medway Middle - 11:02 am Medway High - 11:34 am Medway High School Senior Prom, Sheraton Hotel, Four Points, Norwood, 6:00 p.m. |
May 18, 2019 | Medway Pride Day Medway Alumni Banquet, Doubletree Hilton Hotel, Milford, 6:00 p.m. |
May 21, 2019 | McGovern Art Show, McGovern Elementary, 5:30 p.m. |
May 22, 2019 | High School Chamber Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:00 p.m. MSPTO Meeting, Guidance Suite, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |
May 23, 2019 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |
May 27, 2019 | No School: Memorial Day |
May 28, 2019 | Middle School Band Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m. |
May 29, 2019 | High School Scholarship Night, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:30 p.m. |
June 2, 2019 | High School Graduation, Gymnasium, Medway High School, 2:00 p.m. |