May 30, 2019 Community Update
Dear Medway families,
We have officially entered into senior week as our Class of 2019 prepares for the start of their next chapter. During our Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 2, we will acknowledge and celebrate the successes of this group of students and, as a full community, extend to them our support and best wishes for continued success. We hope to see many of you at our upcoming Commencement Ceremony and/or one of the many end of year celebrations in the last couple of weeks of school.
Sincerely,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent
School Calendars
Our last day of school, which will be a half day, will be Tuesday, June 18, 2019. The approved calendar for the 2019-2020 school year can be found here.
Medway Town Election
Congratulations to Tim Fagerson and Lauren Nassiff on their recent appointments to School Committee. Thank you to Diane Borgatti for her leadership and commitment to this role over the last 12 years.
Medway High School Assistant Principal Search
We are happy to announce the appointment of Sonja Metcalf to the position of High School Assistant Principal. Ms. Metcalf comes to us from North Attleborough High School where she has been Assistant Principal for the past three years. Prior to that, Ms. Metcalf was a spanish teacher at King Philip High School and band director in Douglas. Ms. Metcalf will be joining our team on July 1, 2019.
SEPAC Executive Board
Medway’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council represents a dedicated group of parents who support programming and learning in support of students with disabilities. This year, SEPAC has hosted a few events for all families around topics pertinent in the field of education including: Basic Rights for Parents and their Students with Disabilities; Understanding 504; and Power of the Positive: Helping Parents of Students With Disabilities Take Care of Themselves.
The SEPAC recently held their annual executive board elections. The 2019-2020 SEPAC Executive Board members include:
Co-Chair: Kristen Anne Salera Co-Chair: Matthew Schwarm
Secretary: Kimberly Olsen Treasurer: Allison Bogosian
Congratulations to our new SEPAC leadership. Kat Bernklow, Director of Student Services, will be connecting with the new board members soon. In addition, she is working with Millis SEPAC to identify potential partnership opportunities.
Jan Brett Visits McGovern
Last Monday, May 20, 2019, author Jan Brett spent the day at McGovern Elementary School as a result of McGovern’s success in the contest to have Jan Brett visit. Over 3000 other schools across the nation competed for this honor. Ms. Brett met with both the Kindergarten and Grade 1 students during class assemblies in the morning where she shared with them one of her books and also showed them how she applies her creativity to the drawing of her famous character, Hedgie. Mrs. Amy McDonald, principal, was a true sport as she donned the Hedgie costume.
Following the assemblies, Ms. Brett met with classes in the library to share more about her work as an author and illustrator. Everyone enjoyed the visit and we are most thankful to the team at McGovern led by library paraprofessional, Christy Esposito, for their efforts to bring this rich experience to our students.
Fine and Performing Arts’ Celebrations
The Medway High School Pops Concert and Arts Walk, and Chamber Concert and Honors Recital featured our student artists and musicians during two well attended events. It was a pleasure to see our students’ artistic and musical talents in action. Congratulations to educators Kendra Nutting, Amanda Webster, Noelle Jackson, and Maureen Brodeur and to all of their student musicians and artists for their work to make this event a success.
On Tuesday, Medway High School added a new charter to their list of societies when they became part of the International Thespian Society. Medway High School inducted twenty-three students, some of whom have dedicated almost four-hundred hours to the Medway High School theatre program. Following the formal induction ceremony, Congratulations to all involved and thank you to Kendra Nutting, high school performing arts teacher, for hosting this event.
During McGovern Elementary School’s Annual Art Show last week, families had the opportunity to see their child’s work, participate in art related activities, and memorialize their attendance at artistically designed “photo booths.” Thank you to McGovern art educator, Robin Hackett, for her organization of this special event.
Lastly, our Burke-Memorial 4th grade students participated in their annual Memorial Day performances. Thank you to Emily Bilodeau and Erin Cronan for organizing these performances.
Medway Girl’s Soccer Team Recognized
The Medway Girl’s Soccer Team was one of eight girls soccer teams to be awarded the inaugural Program of Excellence Award by the Eastern Massachusetts Girls’ Soccer Coaches Association. Congratulations to Coach Jay Rojee and his whole team for this prestigious recognition.
The recipients also included Hopkinton, Hull, Mansfield, Marshfield, Needham, Winchester, and Wilmington. The goal of the EMGSCA is to recognize high school soccer excellence, on and off the field. More details about this award and Medway’s season can be found here.
Permanent Art Collection: Print Orders Accepted
March’s Permanent Art Collection Gallery Opening was a great success. Prints of the featured artists’ works are available for purchase. If you are interested in purchasing an 8x10 matted print of any of the pieces from this year’s collection, please fill out this order form and return it to the superintendent’s office. Each print is $25. Checks can be made payable to Medway Public Schools. The funds raised will support sustainability of this event. Prints will be available for pick up at the superintendent’s office once ready. We will accept orders through June 1, 2019.
Mustang Nation Newsletter
The latest edition the the Medway Athletics newsletter can be found here.
Medway Public Schools In the News
The Medway Public Schools have been highlighted a few times in the last few weeks. Links to these articles can be found below.
Medway High School student tellers compete
Medway senior Caroline Williams drafts bill to provide free menstrual products in school
DEP lauds Medway for safe drinking water
Jan Brett Visits Medway School
Medway boys lacrosse honors former classmate
Medway Friends of the Performing Arts Fortissimo Fundraiser
Medway Friends of the Performing Arts has embarked on their first annual campaign $5 for Fortissimo. MFPA is asking the community to ‘loudly’ support the Medway School System Performing Arts Programs by giving $5 to benefit students from PK through 12th grade. The MFPA is planning its support of school performing arts programs and extracurricular activities for the 2019-2020 school year. Support from the Medway community can help them reach their goals. The MFPA is proud to have provided the following in the past: scholarships for instrument lessons musical instruments a portable sound system for the district funding towards school musicals buses for enrichment trips Tri-M ceremonies and community concerts
Donations of any amount can be made the following ways: Cash, Check or PayPal. Please deliver our completed form and your cash or check donation to your child’s school office or mail the form with your donation to:
MFPA, 5 Grapevine Way, Medway, MA 02053
Every donor will be entered into a drawing to win a season pass of (2) tickets for one performance each of the high school play, high school musical, and middle school musical. Those interested in being included in the drawing should submit donations by June 18.
Food Service Jobs Available
Part time and substitute jobs are available in our Food Services Department. We are looking for individuals interested in serving healthy food to students with the flexibility to be home when kids are home. Food service experience is a plus, but not required. Please email Shawn Fallon at sfallon@medwayschools.org or call 508-533-3230 x5026 for more information.
Upcoming Events
May 29, 2019 | High School Scholarship Night, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m. |
May 30, 2019 | Middle School Band Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m. |
June 2, 2019 | High School Graduation, Gymnasium, Medway High School, 2:00 p.m. |
June 3, 2019 | Memorial Arts Festival and Band Concert, Burke Memorial Elementary School, 6:00 p.m. |
June 4, 2019 | High School Scholastic Awards Night, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m. |
June 5, 2019 | Medway Middle School Spring Chorus Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m. |
June 6, 2019 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 6:45 p.m. |
June 11, 2019 | MFE Board Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 6:30 p.m. MFPA Meeting, Alumni Conference Room, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. SEPAC Meeting, Library, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m. |
June 13, 2019 | 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, Anderson Gym, Medway Middle School, 6:30 p.m. |
June 18, 2019 | Last Day of School - Early Release McGovern - 12:00 p.m. Burke -Memorial - 11:30 am Medway Middle - 11:02 am Medway High - 11:34 am |
June 20, 2019 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m. |