November 6, 2018 Community Update
Dear Medway families,
Last week brought tragedy to both our local communities and those across the nation. Our thoughts continue to be with those mourning the loss of our former student, Shayla Lynch, as well as those throughout the nation who grieve in the wake of the Pittsburgh tragedy. Our district work to support the social and emotional wellness of our students, faculty, and staff as well as ensure dignity and respect for all has only been further reinforced by this past week’s events.
We hope that you will join us in collaboration and learning in the coming weeks by taking part in our Cultural Proficiency Self Evaluation Survey and attending a special Medway and Franklin hosted T.H.R.I.V.E. event on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. Details connected with this event as well as other district updates can be found below.
Sincerely,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent
No School ~ Monday, November 12, 2018
Just a reminder that this Monday, November 12, 2018, is a no school day in observance of Veterans Day.
School Committee Office Hours
- The School Committee will be holding office hours in November. These office hours provide community members with the opportunity to connect with members of the school committee in an informal setting to share ideas, voice concerns, and ask questions about the district and its schools. As the committee is just starting the budget process for FY ‘20, your input as to district needs and expectations would be helpful. Please consider joining us at one of the following times:
- Monday, November 19, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Medway High School library, 88 Summer Street, prior to town meeting.
- Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Medway High School guidance office, 88 Summer Street.
Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Professional Development Day
Medway Public Schools will host its second Professional Day of the school year on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The focus of the last session of the afternoon will be faculty and staff wellness. We are looking for community members who work or have a passion for an area of wellness who would be willing to volunteer an hour of their time to facilitate a session from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at Medway High School on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. If you have an area of expertise and are interested in offering a wellness session, please fill out this form. If we have a high level of interest, we may not be able to offer all sessions. We will confirm participation with all interested by the end of December.
Boston Children’s Hospital Parent Focus Group
Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) has chosen to partner with Medway Public Schools to investigate the most effective way to screen students for substance use, as required by the state of Massachusetts. As part of this investigation, BCH is looking for parents of 7th and 10th grade students to participate in a focus group. The one hour focus group will be held on November 28 at 6:00 p.m. Parent volunteers will be served dinner and awarded a $20 Target gift card for participating. For more information and to sign-up please click here.
November Wellness Newsletter
In this month’s edition of the Medway Wellness Newsletter you will find information about childhood/teen depression, how to “floss,” Responsive Classroom, a free family night out, and more.
Summer 2018 Extended Year Services (EYS) Program Presentation
At the last School Committee meeting, Kat Bernklow, Director of Student Services, presented an update on the summer Extended Year Services. She provided information based on the summer programs that are offered and some of the feedback received. A copy of the presentation can be found here.
2018 Spring MCAS Presentation
Also during last week’s School Committee Meeting, Gabby Abrams, Assistant Superintendent, provided information related to this past spring’s Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). She provided results from each school as well as comparisons to other districts. A copy of the presentation can be found here.
Medway Schools Cultural Proficiency Survey
Medway is committed to thinking critically and reflectively to improve 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, is now available to parents. 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 through November 30, 2018. A separate email with the survey was sent on October 30. The survey can be found here.
Council on Aging: Veterans Project
The Medway Council on Aging, in collaboration with Medway High School, is hosting a Veterans Project on Wednesday, November 7th from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at the Medway Senior Center. Medway High School students will present the history of our local veterans. Light refreshments will be served.
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E (Tools for Health, Resiliency, Inclusiveness, Vitality and Empowerment):
UPCOMING: Challenge Success: Free Family Night Out!, November 14, 2018, Dinner beginning at 5:30; viewing beginning at 6:00 p.m.
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 and to register for dinner please click here.
Basic Rights in Special Education Workshop
Medway SEPAC is Partnering with Ashland’s SEPAC to host the Federation for Children With Special Needs (FCSN) workshop this November 14, 2018. It will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Ashland Middle School, 87 W Union St, Ashland, MA. This important workshop is an annual requirement to provide community members with basic legal information, interpretation, and a forum for answering their questions regarding any student with a disability. For more information, please click here.
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. To learn more about this Medway tradition and to register, click here.
Thank You and Congratulations: McGovern Secretary Mrs. Berset Retires
After 30 years with the McGovern School, Mrs. Eileen Berset, school secretary, retired on Wednesday, October 31. During their annual Halloween Safety event at McGovern, Mrs. Berset was showered with cards, flowers, singing and a lot of care and support from the entire McGovern School community. Mrs. Berset has been a tremendous asset to the Medway Schools for all these years. We will miss her but wish her well in her next adventure!
Memorial and McGovern Boiler Project
The facilities department is pleased to report the boiler project is just about complete. All four boilers have been installed and are fully operational. The new Lochinvar boilers are 96% efficient and will provide greater reliability and anticipated lower annual operating costs. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to CIPC for supporting this capital project from the very beginning. Their support was essential in making this project a reality.
M is For Medway Project
Each school in Medway agreed to participate in the M if for Medway Cultural Council's initiative. These M's will be included in a collection of 24 M's spread all over town during the upcoming year. The students at each school worked hard on this project and the finished pieces are ready to be submitted.
- All students in McGovern worked with their art teacher, Robin Hackett, to create an M that represents their Favorite Places in Medway written over a rainbow background.
- All students in Burke-Memorial worked together with their art teacher, Christine Moyer, to create Sticking Together - a collection of stickers that represent their school community.
- Under the advisement of their art teacher, Marc Davidson, 8th grade student Olivia Basso from Medway Middle School created the Medway Past and Present M.
- Working with their art teacher, Maureen Brodeur, students from Medway High School created the MHS Arts M to represent how arts affect their lives both in and outside of school.
Fall Sports Updates
The regular season wrapped up last week for the remaining teams. Our teams performed well and several have been recognized as follows: TVL Titles in Football, Field Hockey, Girl’s and Boy’s Soccer and Volleyball. A 2nd place TVL Title was earned in Cheerleading as well!
- Football traveled to Ashland last Friday night for the D6 South Sectional Semifinals and lost in the final seconds.
- Field Hockey was defeated by Hanover at home last Friday.
- Volleyball beat Norton last Thursday. They then went on to play Nashoba Monday night where they won in 3 games to advance to Central Division 2 SemiFinals. Their next game is Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. where they will host Canton. An article about the team can be found here.
- Girls Soccer won 3-1 vs Duxbury on Sunday and will now travel to Somerset/ Berkley on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
- Boy’s Soccer won 4-0 vs Bishop Stang on Sunday. They will host Norton on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. An article about the team can be found here.
- Cheer took 1st place at the Mansfield competition over the weekend and will compete in Regionals Sunday at Franklin High School.
- Football will play at East Bridgewater Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Franklin High School for a non-playoff game.
Highlights from the October 26 Boston 25’s High School GameDay Game of the Week: Norwell at Medway can be found here.
Congratulations to all of our fall sport athletes, coaches and parents for a great season!
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.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Congratulations
Congratulations to the cast and crew of Medway High School’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The performances of last Friday and Saturday evening brought raucous laughter as the cast brought the audience through the trials and tribulations of the classic Shakespearean comedy.
Athletic Director Search Update
The posting for the Athletic Director position is now live. For a copy of the posting please click here. We have a large committee who will serve as the screening committee. Membership includes administration, booster clubs, students, coaches, and parents at large. The timeline for the search is as follows:
- Applications accepted from October 19 through November 7, 2018
- First Round Interviews: November 14 & 15
- Finalist Round: November 26
- Site Visit
- Community Forum
- Contract awarded week of December 10, 2018
Medway High School Auditorium Upgrades
Through the capital budget process, the Medway School Department has been able to secure funding to upgrade the high school auditorium audio and video systems. This upgrade will greatly improve the quality of the sound and video presentations held within the space. Our first “viewing” of this upgrade will be at Town Meeting, November 19th, 2018, 7:00pm.
Upcoming Events
November 7, 2018 | Veterans Day Project, Medway Senior Center, 4:00 p.m. |
November 12, 2018 | No School- Veterans Day |
November 13, 2018 | National Honor Society Induction, Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:00 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. SEPAC Event: Basic Rights in Special Education, Ashland Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |
November 15, 2018 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |
November 19, 2018 | School Committee Office Hours, High School Library, 6:30 p.m.prior to Town Meeting Fall Town Meeting, Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:00 p.m. |
November 21, 2018 | Early Release- All Schools Dismissal Times: McGovern - 12:00 p.m. Burke-Memorial - 11:30 am Medway Middle - 11:02 am Medway High - 11:34 am |
November 22, 2018 | Turkey Trot, Medway High School, 7:30 a.m., Happy Thanksgiving! |
November 22-23, 2018 | No School, Thanksgiving Holiday |
November 29, 2018 | School Committee Office Hours, Guidance Suite, Medway High School, 7:00 p.m. |
December 5, 2018 | Medway High School Winter Concert and Art Walk, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m. |
December 6, 2018 | Early Release - Grades K-4 Only Dismissal Times: McGovern - 12:00 p.m. Burke- Memorial - 11:30 am School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |
December 11, 2018 | Early Release - Grades K-4 Only Dismissal Times: McGovern - 12:00 p.m. Burke-Memorial - 11:30 am T.H.R.I.V.E. Event: Unguarded: A Conversation with Chris Herren, St. Joseph’s Parish, 7:00 p.m. |
December 13, 2018 | Medway Middle School’s Winter Chorus Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m. |
December 20, 2018 | Burke-Memorial Winter Concert, Cafeteria, Burke-Memorial School, 7:00 p.m. |
December 24, 2018- January 1, 2019 | No School- Winter Break |