Dear Medway families,
We have been excited to return to student celebrations and performances in a more typical fashion over the past few weeks. We hope to see many families at the upcoming concerts and art walk at both the middle and high schools. As we continue to move to more normalcy around our traditions and events, it remains important that we do our part to reduce COVID-19 risks within our community. As you have likely seen, we continue to experience a rising number of cases at all levels within our schools. We must continue to work together to minimize the spread of COVID-19 by following all mitigation strategies including: signing your child up for regular testing, observing required quarantine guidelines, and keeping them home and having them tested when symptomatic. Through our combined efforts we will continue to be able to experience all of the wonderful traditions and events, while protecting our community.
Please find several informational items and updates from the district below.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Save the Date: T.H.R.I.V.E. Event: Chasing Childhood
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. has partnered with Medfield Public Schools to bring the film Chasing Childhood to our parent communities. Families will have the opportunity to watch the film from January 14-18. On January 19, Dr. Peter Gray, featured in the film, will give a presentation for parents from 12:00-1:00 p.m. A link to the film and an event registration form will be shared as we get closer to the screening window.
Solar Canopy Community Survey
The Medway Public Schools, at the advice of the Town of Medway Energy and Sustainability Committee, are exploring the possibility of adding solar canopies to the schools' parking lots. Installing solar canopies would provide onsite renewable power generation and provide long-term financial benefits to the Medway Public Schools.
We are seeking the opinions of the community to better understand overall interest, questions, and concerns that may be connected to projects like this. To gather this information, we are asking that you complete the Solar Canopy Survey. The survey will be open until Tuesday, January 4. The results from this survey will help inform decision making on this topic.
Updates from Athletics
MIAA Winter Masking Requirements
Shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday break, MIAA released their direction on masking for the winter season. The winter season began on Monday, November 29 with the same masking guidelines as fall sports. Additional details can be found here.
MIAA and NFHS Required Program
As you have seen, there have been some very high profile negative situations that have occurred throughout the state involving athletic teams and behavior. In an attempt to address these issues in a proactive way, the MIAA Board of Directors voted on and implemented changes that go into effect as we get ready to begin the winter season. This includes mandated implicit bias training for coaches, student athletes, and athletic directors. These groups will also be required to sign the MIAA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pledge. It also includes the requirement to report issues to MIAA. Additional details can be found here.
Technology Update
Online Registration - If you have not already done so, please login to the parent portal and complete the information review under the MORE > Online Registration option. It is imperative that all families complete this task. The portal can be reached by clicking here. If you need an activation code to create an account, please email parent@medwayschools.org and request one.
Student 1:1 Devices - As we near mid-year, we would like to notify families that we plan to collect the 8th grade student devices at the end of the school year and reissue new devices to grades 5 and 9 in Fall 2022. The devices deployed in the Fall are intended to be used by the students under our 1:1 plan for 4 years. Details regarding 8th grade collection will be provided as we draw closer to June.
Medway SEPAC Survey
The Medway SEPAC board is seeking feedback from families about how we can best support you and your child(ren). Please take a moment to complete this brief survey to share your thoughts with us. The link may be found here.
Grade 6-12 Assessment Information Presented to School Committee
During the School Committee meeting on Thursday, December 2, Dr. Pires, Superintendent, and Ms. Abrams, Assistant Superintendent, presented the Grade 6-12 Spring/Fall 2021 Assessment Information to the School Committee. This presentation can be found here.
Proof of Student Vaccination Request
As you may be aware the CDC recently recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children age 5-11. As your elementary and middle school children become fully vaccinated we ask you to please share proof of their vaccination with our school nurses by completing this form: K-8 Vaccination Status Response. If your student attends Medway High School and we have previously reached out to you for proof of immunization and you have yet to respond you may share their information through the use of this form: 9-12 Vaccination Status Response.
Student COVID-19 Testing Update
We have begun to notice that, although our enrollment in our weekly COVID testing program is over 50% in our schools, student participation has been declining. Our goal is to utilize the information gained from our testing program to support our decision making about mitigation strategies. Families, we need your help! Please share with your children the importance of participating in this program.
If you have not already registered your child and you would like your student to participate in weekly testing, please complete this consent form and select Medway as your district as well as the appropriate school for your student. As previously communicated, consent forms completed this week will allow your student(s) to begin participating in routine COVID-19 safety checks the week of December 13. We encourage all students to participate in weekly COVID-19 safety checks, regardless of vaccination status.
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic (5-11 year olds)
The Town of Medway will be hosting a vaccine clinic for children aged 5-11 on December 20, 2021. To register your student for the clinic please click here. The clinics will take place in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room (door 7) from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Please park in the side parking lot. All students ages 5-11, regardless of residency, are welcome to participate.
VaxAbilities COVID-19 Clinics
VaxAbilities is hosting disability-friendly events across Massachusetts. These events will have extra staff on hand to provide skilled support to persons with disabilities or sensory support needs. For more information and to register for a clinic near you please visit www.vaxabilities.com
Community Education Department
Our Winter 2022 Brochure, offering many new and exciting programs, is expected in homes in mid-December. Follow us on social media -
Twitter: @Medwayce
Instagram: @Medwaycommunityed
Facebook: @medwayce
For registration information, please access FamilyID.
Updates from the MFPA
December 8th is the return to the Medway High School auditorium for the first band and chorus concert since December 2019! Come listen to our talented music students and enjoy the creative display of the art students! Holiday treats will be available for purchase throughout the evening at our MFPA Bake Sale/Cookie Walk. All proceeds go directly back to the Medway Performing Arts students, including lesson grants, scholarships, and enrichment activities for the music curriculum.
The MPFA is excited to announce the arrival of Medway Performing Arts gear! Use this link to access the online ordering site for a variety of items, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, blankets and more. Time to show off some pride for the talented Medway students in Band, Chorus, and Drama. A portion of all orders will directly benefit the MFPA to help us support the Performing Arts at all Medway Schools.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools: Twitter: @MedwaySchools Instagram: @Medwayschools Facebook: @medwayps
Medway High School: Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo
Medway Middle School: Twitter: @MedwayMiddle
Burke-Memorial Elementary School: Twitter: @BurkeMemorial
McGovern Elementary School: Twitter @McGovernElem
Medway Community Education: Twitter: @Medwayce Instagram: @Medwaycommunityed Facebook: @medwayce
Medway Public Schools In the News
Vaccination Clinic for Students ages 5-11
Medway Tri-M Music Honor Society Welcomes Five Student Inductees
Medway High School’s National Honor Society Welcomes A Record 72 Inductees
Upcoming Events
December 8, 2021 | SEPAC Business meeting (virtual) 6:30-6:55 p.m, with an open Membership Meeting following from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Medway High School Art Walk, Lobby/Atrium, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m. Medway High School Winter Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, 7:00 p.m. |
December 14, 2021 | Medway Middle School Winter Band Concerts, Auditorium, Medway High School, Grade 5: 5:15 p.m. Grade 6: 6:15 p.m. Grades 7-8: 7:25 p.m. |
December 16, 2021 | Medway Middle School Winter Chorus Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, Grades 5-6: 6:00 p.m. Grades 7-8: 7:00 p.m. |
December 20, 2021 | MFPA Meeting, Virtual, 7:00 p.m. |
December 23, 2021 | Early Release: Grades PK-12 |
December 24, 2021 - January 2, 2022 | No School: Winter Vacation |
January 6, 2022 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 6:00 p.m. |
January 11, 2022 | MFPA Meeting, Virtual, 7:00 p.m. |
January 12, 2022 | High School Honors & Small Ensemble Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:30 p.m. |
January 14-18, 2022 | T.H.R.I.V.E. Event: Family viewing of Chasing Childhood, documentary, available. Details to be shared soon |
January 17, 2022 | No School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
January 18, 2022 | No School: Professional Development Day |
January 19, 2022 | T.H.R.I.V.E. Event: A presentation and conversation with Dr. Peter Grey, Chasing Childhood contributor, 12:00 p.m., Virtual, Details TBD |
January 20, 2022 | School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 6:30 p.m. |
January 26, 2022 | MSPTO Meeting, Virtual, 7:00 p.m. |