Dear Medway families,
Sending you and yours wishes for a relaxing and smooth end to 2022. We expect continued excellent and important work in 2023 and thank you for your partnership.
In some personal news, and with mixed feelings, I wanted to share that I have been named a finalist for the position of Superintendent of the Dedham Public Schools, after interviewing in a preliminary round. While I was not actively looking, the opportunity to learn more about Dedham and this position was one that I could not pass up. The decision to explore this possibility was not made lightly and with the utmost respect and appreciation for our community. I do not know where this process will lead, but wanted to assure you that my focus and commitment to the students, staff, and community will continue to be my priority.
Please find several updates and informational items below.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Reminder: Early Release and No School Schedule
On Friday, December 23, 2022, there is an Early Release day scheduled at all schools. Please see the dismissal times below.
- Medway Middle School- 11:02 a.m.
- Burke-Memorial Elementary- 11:30 a.m.
- Medway High School- 11:34 a.m.
- McGovern Elementary- 12:00 p.m.
There will be no school Monday, December 26, 2022 thru Monday, January 2, 2023.
We will return to school on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
Communications Test
Yesterday, families, faculty and staff should have received an email, phone call, and text message from the Medway Schools. This summer we transitioned to a new provider and wanted to conduct and test our new communication system. If you received the information to the devices you expected, you do not need to do anything else. If you received this message in error or would like to be removed from any of these lists, please email us at parent@medwayschools.org.
Transitioning Students Back to School After Winter Break: Five Strategies for Parents
Having a week off from school can provide a needed break from the routines of the school week for both students and caregivers. However, this less structured time can make it difficult for students to transition back to school after the winter break. Here are five strategies parents and caregivers can use to make the transition back to school easier for their students.
New England School Development Council (NESDEC) Student Recognitions
During the December 15 School Committee meeting, Superintendent Pires announced the recipients of the 2022 NESDEC Award for Academic Growth and Student Leadership in Learning. Recipients are selected by the high school administration team and the criteria for selection include students:
- who consistently pursue a high level of academic effort;
- who serve as positive role models for the student body;
- who exemplify admirable character and accomplishment.
Congratulations to Meredith O’Mara and Luke Frauton who were selected to receive this recognition.
Medway High School Receives Grant to Advance Innovation Pathway in Healthcare and Social Assistance
Principal John Murray is pleased to announce that Medway High School has received a grant to advance its Innovation Pathway in Healthcare and Social Assistance. For the full article, click here!
Medway High School Recognizes 2022-2023 Student Advisory Board's Ongoing Collaboration with School Committee
Superintendent Armand Pires and Principal John Murray are pleased to recognize the members of the 2022-2023 Student Advisory Board for their engagement and collaboration with the Medway School Committee. For the full article, click here!
Superintendent’s Chat: FY24 Budget
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). We have shared previously that the FY24 budget is going to be complicated and we are interested in hearing from our community about priorities and questions that you may have. We will be sharing an overview of how funding is provided to support schools as a helpful informational resource during the Chat.
Equity Steering Committee
Our district and community Equity Steering Committee came together for our third meeting on December 7. During this meeting, Steering Committee members engaged in learning connected with access and opportunity for students and used this learning to inspire thinking and ideas around the three initial focus areas:
- Support a teacher climate where adult and student diversity, differences, and multiple perspectives are valued.
- Support a student climate where diversity, difference, and multiple perspectives are valued.
- Establish common instructional practices that demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion
The Committee continues to express and demonstrate great commitment to this work and we are looking forward to progress with our action plan development after the start of the new year.
‘SUP Medway Coalition
‘SUP Medway met as a full coalition on Tuesday, December 13. This group of community leaders, parents, students, and school staff reviewed the coalition’s one-year action plan and broke into working groups. These groups spent their time together creating a list of the next steps for getting the goals of the action plan off the ground. The coalition will meet again in February.
Medway Middle School Winter Chorus and Band Concerts
Congratulations to Ms. Von Jena and Mrs. Cronin for supporting their Grade 5-8 musicians in performance over the last two weeks for both middle school chorus and band.
Medway High School Art Walk and Winter Concert
Congratulations to Mrs. Brodeur, Mrs. Jackson, Ms. Webster, Mrs. Nelson-Oneschuk and all of their Grade 9-12 student artists and performers on their Wednesday, December 14 Art Walk, band, and choral performances.
COVID-19 Reminders and ProtocolsWith the cold and flu season upon us, and the continuing challenges posed by COVID-19, it is important 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. We encourage you to keep your child home when exhibiting COVID and influenza symptoms and recommend mask-wearing when sick. For tips on effective mask-wearing and mask options, please click here.
Community Education School Committee Presentation
At the School Committee meeting on Thursday, December 15, the Community Education Department presented their Annual Program Overview. The presentation can be viewed here.
Inclement Weather Bus Stops
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. Please know that the final decision about a child attending school during a weather event always rests with individual families. There may be occasions when deteriorating weather will mean that schools close due to unsafe conditions.
The superintendent will review anticipated road and sidewalk conditions, access to schools, projected weather forecasts, and consult with the police and public works departments in order to make a determination between approximately 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. if conditions will be 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 that will contact your home/cell phone and email using the information you have 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 (MEDI), 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 phone and email and carried on local television channels.
Please keep in mind:
- Bus routes will begin by 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 take place 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 home.
Inclement Weather Bus Stops for Walkers
We understand that inclement weather days can prove challenging to getting your child to school. If your child(ren) is/are typically a walker and you are unable to find another means of transportation during inclement weather, or when sidewalks have not yet been plowed, please complete this brief form. 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 that these stops will only be activated during storms or following a storm when sidewalks have not yet been cleared, and as communicated. 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 your child is regularly driven to school and you or he/she feels it is unsafe to drive during the inclement weather, please determine an alternative means of transportation to school.
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.
Light the Spark Awards
The Light the Spark Award acknowledges those community members who are not professional educators or school staff, who see and celebrate the spark in children and families and help it to shine more brightly, benefiting the child, their family, their peers and the Medway community. This year, we would like to congratulate Medway community members, Jay Golden, and Todd Johnson, for their outstanding work within Medway. Jay is a Medway Challenger League baseball and basketball coach and Todd is a Boy Scout Leader.
Technology Updates
Our continued efforts towards promoting online registration and the yearly information update, have been the most successful this year, achieving 80% completion, compared to prior year rates. We will continue to promote the completion of this process for the remaining 200+/- students. Next year, we intend to implement a kiosk for completion of this task prior to the start of the school year, in hopes that we can achieve 100% completion before the start of school.
Community Education
Our Winter Brochure has gone out and registration is open! Please take a look at the variety of programs available for all ages. New and unique adult fitness programs and one-night enrichment classes are a wonderful way to start the new year off feeling great and socializing with friends. Three exciting day trips are planned this spring - Blue Man Group performance in Boston on March 25, Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, CT on April 29, and Animals Topiary Garden & Picnic in Portsmouth, RI on May 13. Limited coach bus seats are available.
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 23, 2022 | Early Release Day: All Schools Medway Middle School- 11:02 a.m. Burke-Memorial Elementary- 11:30 a.m. Medway High School- 11:34 a.m. McGovern Elementary- 12:00 p.m. |
| December 26, 2022- January 2, 2023 | No School: Winter Break |
| January 3, 2023 | All students return to school from Winter Break |
| January 4, 2023 | SEPAC Meeting, via ZOOM, 7:00 p.m. |
| January 5, 2023 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |
| January 10, 2023 | Medway Friends of Performing Arts Meeting, Virtual, 7:00 p.m. |
| January 11, 2023 | Medway High School Science O Regional Meet, Auditorium, Medway High School, 3:00 p.m. |
| T.H.R.I.V.E.: Impact of Student Sleep on Academic and Athletic Performance, Judith Owens, MD, MPH, GoToWebinar, 7:00 p.m. | |
| January 14, 2023 | Senior Districts Concert, Mechanic Hall, 4:00 p.m. |
| January 16, 2023 | No School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| January 18, 2023 | Equity Steering Committee Meeting, Medway Middle School, 5:30-7:30 p.m. |
| January 19, 2023 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |
| January 20, 2023 | Medway High School Best Buddies Basketball Bash, Medway High School Gym, 7:00 p.m. |
| January 23, 2023 | MEPTO Meeting, Library, Burke-Memorial Elementary School, 6:30 p.m. |
| January 25, 2023 | MSPTO Meeting, Virtual, 7:00 p.m. |