PIERCE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Family Update - November 21, 2022
Week of November 28, 2022
Dear Pierce Families,
This week’s newsletter includes details about upcoming events in and around the school community. If you would like to view this newsletter in another language, you'll find the translate button at the top right corner of the document.
Please do not hesitate to be in touch with any questions.
Sincerely,
William Fish, Ed.D.
Principal
Upcoming Dates
November 29, 2022 -- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee meeting
December 8, 2022 -- Early release day for students
December 13, 2022 -- Winter music concert (Grade 6 chorus, strings, chamber ensemble and band)
Pierce Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Over the course of the past few years, the Pierce diversity, equity and inclusion committee has worked collaboratively with stakeholders to promote a more inclusive environment at our school and within our community. From developing lessons for students to creating protocols to respond to hate speech, this group has been committed to ensuring a sense of connection and belonging for students, staff and families. Our work this year will include a focus on family and community engagement through a DEI lens. The DEI committee meets monthly and is open to all. Please contact Dr. Fish (wfish@miltonps.org) if you are interested in learning more about the group’s work and upcoming meeting dates.
8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip Information
Click HERE to access Pierce's one-stop site for all things about the 8th grade DC trip. On this site you can find trip information, links to register, the financial assistance form and all trip documents.
You can follow the instructions below to register for this year's 8th Grade DC trip:
- go to www.nationsclassroomtours.com
- click on Register Now and enter the tour ID#35672302
- provide your traveler and account holder information
- select your payment option (pay in full or EZ Pay Plan)
The registration deadline is November 30...Don't miss out!
School Committee Forum
On Wednesday, November 30, from 7-8:30pm, the School Committee will host the second of four public forums for the Milton community. The forum will provide a 30 minute presentation on Safe and Supportive Schools, a pillar of the MPS Strategic Plan. Following the presentation by MPS faculty, community members will be invited to ask questions and share comments about Safe and Supportive Schools. MPS administrators, faculty, and School Committee members will respond to questions and comments and share their perspectives on the issues.
Safe and Supportive Schools foster a safe, positive, healthy, and inclusive whole school learning environment. In the Milton Public Schools, we strive to support students holistically in key areas of development through the implementation of practices grounded in the prioritization of SEL competencies and trauma-informed instruction. In accordance with current research, MPS has prioritized fostering safe and supportive schools as a critical foundation for maximizing teaching and learning and academic excellence in safe, positive, healthy, and inclusive school learning environments.
The public forum will be held at the Council on Aging, at 10 Walnut St, just behind Town Hall. The meeting will be hybrid, with attendees able to participate in person and through Zoom at this link (Passcode: 168556). All links to attend are posted on the main page of the MPS website linked here.
Pierce Basketball Team Information
The Pierce Basketball tryouts have been rescheduled for the week of December 5th-9th.
Boys’ tryouts:
Monday, December 5th 2:30-4:00
Wednesday, December 7th 2:30-4:00
Girls’ tryouts:
Tuesday, December 6th 2:30-4:00
Thursday, December 8th 2:30-4:00
In order to try out, students must submit the signed permission slip, complete the online concussion course, and submit an updated physical exam prior to November 30.
NOTE: If you have completed the online concussion course and/or submitted a physical for volleyball or cross country this year you do need to complete/submit it again. Please indicate that you have completed/submitted it in your paperwork.
No student will be allowed to try out if they have not submitted all of the above paperwork.
Click HERE for full details including the permission slip, instructions for the concussion course and registration information.
Middle School Wrestling Program
Pierce wrestling will run from December 5th to January 31st. Students in grades 6-8 are welcome to join. Registration is during the first sessions the week of December 5th. All practices and scrimmages will take place at the Milton High School Copeland Field House. Below is the schedule:
Mondays: 7:15 p.m. to 8:15p.m.
Tuesdays: 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
PLUS 3 SCRIMMAGES
If you have questions, please reach out to Ted Carroll, Milton High Head Wrestling Coach, 617-648-6005, tedandkatecarroll@comcast.net or Kevin Doyle, 781-879-0884, kvn_doyle@yahoo.com.
Post Secondary Planning Night
Please join the MHS School Counseling Department for their annual Post Secondary Planning Night on Thursday, December 1st, from 6:15p.m.-8:30 p.m. Over two hours, families will have the opportunity to attend the information sessions that most interest them. Sessions include How to Pay for College, Services for Students with Disabilities, Start Planning for your Child’s Future, Trade Talk, Admissions Advisory: Private Colleges and Public Universities and College Testing: ACT vs SAT. The evening is targeted to parents and guardians of students in Grades 8-11 but all are welcome to attend. We hope you will join us for this valuable evening as you begin to think about your child’s post secondary plans.
MHS Information Night for 8th Grade Families
In preparation for the transition to high school, all 8th grade families are invited to attend a presentation at Milton High School on December 15th at 6:00 p.m.
Families Helping Families
Each year our school counselors identify Pierce families in need and collect gift cards to be distributed to them for the holidays. This program, Families Helping Families, provides an opportunity for your family to bring a little bit of holiday spirit to another family at the Pierce Middle School in the most anonymous and quiet way. If you are interested in supporting this effort, please bring your gift card donation to the main office at the Pierce Middle School by December 16th and deposit it in the sealed box located in the front office. We recommend gift cards to Star Market/Shaws/Stop and Shop, Target, and Old Navy, but we will of course accept gift cards from all stores. Our school counseling staff will make sure that these gift cards find their way to needy Pierce families this holiday season. Please know that we truly appreciate your generosity.
Katie Greer at MPS
On September 29th, Katie Greer came to Milton and spoke to all 3rd-5th grade students on digital citizenship. That evening, Katie delivered a powerful parent/guardian session titled, Keeping Students Safe in a Digital World. On January 5th, Katie will be returning to Milton to speak to all of our secondary students. That evening she will deliver another parent/guardian session at 6pm in the Pierce auditorium. Please complete the short survey linked here to help us determine the topic for Katie’s evening session on January 5th, 2023.
Music Department Fundraiser
Looking for an easy and healthy holiday gift idea? Support the Milton Music Department by ordering from our online citrus fruit fundraiser anytime between now and December 11th! Gift boxes or crates of fresh fruit are guaranteed to ship directly to the recipient in time for Christmas. Whether you’re shopping for yourself, your family, colleagues, neighbors, or friends, these delicious gift boxes are sure to be a hit. Use the QR code below or visit this link to order through our website. The sale closes on December 11th, so don’t delay!
Family Resources
This week's Family Resource Newsletter contains information about two local food resources for families. If you need additional assistance, please reach out to Marti O’Keefe McKenna, MPS Family Outreach Liaison at 617-980-7343 or mmckenna@miltonps.org. All calls and emails are confidential.
Food Services
Need lunch menus? They are always posted on the MPS Food Service website linked here. As a reminder, Massachusetts has extended free school meals for all students through the 2022-2023 school year. This means that one breakfast and one lunch each day will continue to be served at no cost to all students!
Sophia's Socks for the Homeless!
Help bring happiness, warmth and joy to the homeless. 6th grader Sophia Casini has been keeping feet toasty since 2015. You can help out by dropping new socks in the "sox box" located in the front lobby at Pierce. All socks will be donated to the homeless guests of the St. Francis House in Boston.
Plus Portals Technical Support
IEP Meeting Preference Form
Community News & Events
We have created a Community News & Events page on our website, which contains full details on community events sent to us each week. Please visit the MPS Community News & Events page for information on many terrific community events and opportunities!
Helpful Contacts
Ms. Janice Mazzola, Assistant Principal, jmazzola@miltonps.org
Ms. Kaitlin Gass, Assistant Principal, kgass@miltonps.org
Mrs. Lisa Veldran, Grade 6 Guidance Counselor, lveldran@miltonps.org
Mrs. Erica Benjamin, Grade 7 Guidance Counselor, ebenjamin@miltonps.org
Mrs. Erin Jaquette, Grade 8 Guidance Counselor, ejaquette@miltonps.org
Mrs. Myriam Francoeur, School Adjustment Counselor, mfrancoeur@miltonps.org
Mrs. Lynne Henry, School Adjustment Counselor, lhenry@miltonps.org
Mrs. Kara Sheridan, School Adjustment Counselor, ksheridan@miltonps.org
Ms. Allsyon Bell, Special Education Team Chair, abell@miltonps.org
Ms. Amanda Gray, Special Education Team Chair, agray@miltonps.org
Mrs. Marti O'Keefe McKenna, Family Outreach Liaison, mmckenna@miltonps.org
Pierce Middle School
Email: wfish@miltonps.org
Website: https://www.miltonps.org/pierce/
Location: 451 Central Avenue, Milton, MA, USA
Phone: (617)696-4568