Dear Medway families,
We are very excited that our student shadowing experience has returned. This practice, which we began before the pandemic, provides our assistant superintendent, director of student services, and me the opportunity to walk alongside a student in their learning. These opportunities, classroom visits, meetings with school and district leaders, and connections with families, support our work to keep the student at the center of our strategic planning and decision-making. We plan to shadow two students at each school over this school year.
I was excited about my opportunity to shadow a grade 1 student at McGovern School this week. It was beautiful to be in the classroom and experience first-hand what our students experienced. I am looking forward to my next shadow experience in January.
Please find several updates and informational items below.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
FY23 Budget Update
Last week the Medway School Committee met with the Medway Select Board and Medway Finance Committee to conduct the annual Budget Reconfiguration. This annual event provides an opportunity for school officials to share with members of the other boards the changes that have been made to the current, FY23 budget. This is typically a technical task resulting in information about funding being moved from one account to another due to spending actuals or projections.
At the Tri-Board Meeting last Thursday (School Committee, Town Select Board, Town Finance Committee), school officials shared specifics regarding the adjustments to the FY23 budget and also shared the news that there is a deficit that is being projected for the current school year (FY23). The current projected deficit is approximately $625,000 and is driven largely by student needs. While a budget deficit is always a concern, the district has prepared for this likelihood over the past few years. As discussed last week, there is a plan to correct this budget deficit by using additional Circuit Breaker, School Choice, and potentially ESSERIII funds.
The group also talked about the FY24 (The school Year 2023-2024) budget development which is currently underway.
FY24 Capital Requests
Annually, the Medway Schools submits Capital Improvement Requests to the Town for review and funding consideration. With the continued status of supply chain issues and inflationary costs, developing a Capital Improvement Plan has been challenging. The FY24 (the school year 2023-2024) plan was approved by the Medway School Committee and presented to the Town Capital Improvement Planning Committee on Tuesday, December 6. The FY24 Capital Improvement Requests can be found here.
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.
Superintendent's Chat: Assessment
Superintendent Chats provide a forum for school and district leaders to share updates and information and are also an opportunity for community members to learn and seek clarity around several topical issues relevant to our Medway students and families.
Last week, we provided an opportunity for families to deepen their understanding of the role of assessment and the specific academic assessments that M.P.S. uses to support student learning. The slides we shared, which can be found here, define different types of academic reviews that we use and the purposes for their use. Additionally, there is information for families about how you can learn more about your student's performance on specific assessments. We hope that this information is supportive of your needs.
Save the date! Our next Superintendent Chat will take place on Thursday, February 2, at 5:30 p.m. in the Presentation Room at Medway Middle School (Door #7) around FY24 Budget ideas.
Medway High School Innovative Pathway Application Update
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education allows high schools to apply for innovative pathway designation in identified areas. When implemented, an Innovative Pathway includes participating in pre-defined courses with a Capstone or Internship after the course work. Innovation Pathways aims to "connect student learning to a broadly-defined industry sector that is in demand in the regional and state economy, and guide students to relevant post-secondary education and training. All pathways are designed to increase equitable access by eliminating barriers to student participation."
We are pleased to share that Medway High School has progressed on its second application for an Innovative Pathway designation for an Information Technology Pathway. M.H.S. has received approval through the Part A phase of the Massachusetts Innovation Pathways designation process. With this approval, Medway High School can move forward in its application for official designation as having an Information Technology Pathway.
We should learn about the Innovative Pathway designation by the end of February. If successful, this will be Medway High School's second innovative pathway designation. Medway High School received recognition for a Healthcare and Social Assistance Pathway last year.
Medway High School Senior Destiny Ojukwu Recognized by Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents for Academic Excellence
Superintendent Armand Pires and Principal John Murray are pleased to announce that Medway High School senior Destiny Ojukwu has been presented with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Award of Academic Excellence.
Ojukwu was nominated by the faculty and staff at Medway High School and was presented with the award earlier this month. A news article can be found here.
Medway High School Students Recognized
Fifty-two Medway seniors are among those throughout the state to receive a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship this year. The students receiving this distinction demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, and all performed in the top 25% of MCAS for the district. The John and Abigail Adams scholarship can be applied to all four undergraduate institutions at U.M.A.S.S. as well as all state universities and community colleges in Massachusetts. Congratulations to our students! You can see the full article here.
Sophomore, Palak Yadav, Selected as a Playbook Initiative Trainer
The Playbook Initiative is a special partnership between Project 351 and the Boston Celtics to advance social and racial justice. As part of the program, Palak will work with middle school educators Doug Herbst, Jennifer Lindsey, Todd Swavey, and Julie Lafferty and will be trained to lead workshops to educate middle school students about complex social issues.
The work with Playbook strongly aligns with Medway's strategic goals and core values of empowerment and equity and fostering belonging for all.
Inclement Weather
It is the goal of the district to hold school whenever possible. Parents and students should plan accordingly and leave plenty of time on winter mornings to arrive at school safely. The final decision about a child attending school during a weather event always rests with individual families. Occasionally, deteriorating weather may mean that schools close due to unsafe conditions.
The superintendent will review anticipated road and sidewalk conditions, access to schools, and projected weather forecasts and consult with the police and public works departments to determine between approximately 5:00 am and 6:00 am if conditions are safe for students to come to school.
The following plans will be in effect for inclement weather:
No School Announcement
If the superintendent has determined the conditions are unsafe, school will be canceled. The district will utilize the emergency notification system to contact your home/cell phone and email using the information you provided to your child's school. The "no-school" announcement will also be carried on local television channels 4, 5, and 7.
All classes, school activities, before and after school programs, the Medway Extended Day program (M.E.D.I.), daycare program, adult education evening classes, and any school facilities use activities will be canceled. Transportation of students to out-of-district schools will also be canceled.
One- or Two-Hour Delayed Opening Announcement
If the superintendent has been notified that the public works department needs additional time to plow or sand the streets to ensure safety, then a determination for a one- or two-hour delay may be made. As with no-school announcements, the delayed opening announcement will be made using the emergency notification system to home/cell phones and email and carried on local television channels.
Please keep in mind:
- Bus routes will begin with a one-or two-hour delay, including all special education transportation for out-of-district schools.
- Do not send your child to school earlier than the delayed opening, as the school grounds may not be plowed, and there will be no staff available to supervise early arrivals.
- PreK ½ day sessions will occur if a one-hour delay is called and will be canceled for a two-hour delay.
- School lunch will be served at its regularly scheduled time.
- Schools will be dismissed at their regular times.
Emergency Early Release Announcement
If a severe weather condition or other emergency develops during the school day, the district may release students before the typical end of the school day. Parents will be notified by home/cell phone and email, and the announcement will be carried on local television channels and displayed on the district website. As appropriate, the district will work with public safety officials to shelter students in the district if unable to send them home.
Inclement Weather Bus Stops for Walkers
We understand that inclement weather days can prove challenging to get your child to school. Please complete this brief form if your child(ren) is/are typically a walker and you cannot find another means of transportation during inclement weather or when sidewalks are unplowed. We will use this information to set up "inclement weather bus stops." We have provided this service as a way to support safe transportation to school. Please note these stops will only be activated during/following a storm when sidewalks have not yet been cleared. We will communicate additional information when bus stops have been established.
Additional Reminders for Parents
Be sure your child's school has your updated contact information.
Have a family emergency plan in place, so your child knows what to do if sent home for any of the reasons noted above. If you drive your child to school and you or they feel it is unsafe to drive during the inclement weather, please determine an alternative means of transportation to school.
COVID-19 Reminders and Protocols With the cold and flu season upon us, and the continuing challenges posed by COVID-19, it is essential 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 CVS. If your child tests positive, please inform your child's school nurse and follow COVID protocols around isolation and mask-wearing.
Community Education
Look for our Winter Brochure in Medway mailboxes in early December. Once again, many programs will be offered for all age groups, whether one-night enrichment or multi-session fitness and wellness. Social media posts will update families when registration opens. Please visit our website to register via FamilyID/Arbiter Sports. Mark your calendars - registration for the 2023 Summer Adventures Camp begins on Wednesday, February 1.
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:
| December 13, 2022 | Medway Middle School Winter Chorus Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 pm. |
| December 14, 2022 | Medway High School Artwalk, Main Lobby, Medway High School, 6:00 pm. |
| Medway High School Winter Concert Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:00 pm. | |
| December 15, 2022 | School Committee Meeting Presentation Room Medway Middle School, 7:00 pm. |
| December 20, 2022 | Medway Middle School Winter Band Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 pm. |
| December 23, 2022 | Early Release Day: All Schools Medway Middle School- 11:02 am. Burke-Memorial Elementary- 11:30 am. Medway High School- 11:34 am. McGovern Elementary- noon. |
| December 26, 2022- January 2, 2023 | No School: Winter Break |
| January 3, 2023 | All students return to school following the Winter Break |
| January 4, 2023 | S.E.P.A.C. Meeting via ZOOM, 7:00 pm. |
| January 5, 2023 | School Committee Meeting Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 pm. |
| January 10, 2023 | Medway Friends of Performing Arts Meeting, Virtual, 7:00 pm. |
| January 11, 2023 | Medway High School Science O Regional Meet, Medway, 3:00 pm. |
| T.H.R.I.V.E.: Impact of Student Sleep on Academic and Athletic Performance, Judith Owens, MD, M.P.H., GoToWebinar, 7:00 pm. | |
| January 14, 2023 | Senior Districts Concert, Mechanic Hall, 4:00 pm. |
| January 16, 2023 | No School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| January 18, 2023 | Equity Steering Committee Meeting, Medway Middle School, 5:30–7:30 pm. |
| January 19, 2023 | School Committee Leadership Dinner, Medway Middle School, 5:00 pm. |
| School Committee Meeting Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 pm. | |
| January 20, 2023 | Medway High School Best Buddies Basketball Bash Medway High School Gym, 7:00 pm. |
| January 23, 2023 | M.E.P.T.O. Meeting, Library, Burke-Memorial Elementary School, 6:30 pm. |
| January 25, 2023 | M.S.P.T.O. Meeting, Virtual, 7:00 pm. |