PIERCE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Family Update
April 8, 2024
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 note that tonight’s diversity, equity and inclusion community event is being postponed. Based on the participant pre-registration data, it seems that rescheduling the event will allow for more parents and families to participate in the event.
Please do not hesitate to be in touch with any questions.
Sincerely,
William Fish, Ed.D.
Principal
Upcoming Dates
- April 10th & April 11th – ELA MCAS (grades 6-8)
April 15th-April 19th – April vacation
Tonight's DEI Committee Event Postponed
Tonight’s diversity, equity and inclusion community event is being postponed. Based on the participant pre-registration data, it seems that rescheduling the event will allow for more parents and families to participate in the event.
Washington D.C. Fundraising Appeal
The 8th grade class trip to Washington, D.C. is back! We have 237 students signed up to travel to DC with their classmates and Pierce staff. The cost of this trip is $1289 per student, and we would like to give EVERY student the opportunity to go. We are in need of about $25,000 in scholarship funds and hoping you can help.
Please check out THIS VIDEO to hear more from our students and teachers about our appeal to the community for support.
We are hoping you will consider making a donation to help fund a scholarship for students in need – and no amount is too small! Please click on THIS LINK to donate, or you can make a check out to the Pierce PTO and drop it off in the front office (please put "DC scholarship fund" on the check memo).
Please note that the Pierce PTO is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible. In many cases, donations are eligible for corporate matching.
Many thanks to the families who have already made a donation!
MCAS Testing this Week
MCAS testing will begin this Wednesday (4/10/24). All students take the English language arts and math tests and grade 8 students also take the science, technology and engineering (STE) test. The full testing schedule is as follows:
ELA (all grades): April 10 & April 11
STE (grade 8 only): May 13 & May 14
Math (all grades): May 16 & May 17
On the days of testing, we ask that you remind your child to eat at breakfast in the morning. Breakfast at school is free for all students every day.
Spring PASS Classes
Registration for winter PASS classes is now open. The next session will start on April 22nd and run for eight weeks. The cost for each PASS class is $50. Click here for information about the spring PASS offerings.
Running Club is Back!
Come join the Pierce Running Club to work on building a love for running and increase your endurance. Participants can come when they are available – it’s okay if participants can’t attend both days. Runs will be around 3 miles but there will be opportunities to modify the loops as needed. Runners should come with running sneakers and proper athletic clothing. Please, dress appropriately for the weather. Contact Ms. Devin (kdevin@miltonps.org) with any questions.
First Day: Tuesday April 9, 2024
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Meet: Outside Gymnasium/ Locker Rooms (after students change)
IS Math Stock Market Project
Ms. Hallisey's IS Math 7th graders are investing in the stock market! Students have $50,000 to invest in at least 5 stocks. The class had a visit from Rahul, a stock analyst; Shane, Head of Technology and Public Equities, and Peter Scully (Milton parent) Head of Trading. The guests presented to the class about diversifying stocks and how to invest at an early age to maximize their dividends. Thank you to our speakers!
AMPlify Arts Showcase
Save the Date! Pierce Middle School's Second Annual AMPlify Arts Showcase will take place on Thursday, May 9th, 2024 from 5pm - 7pm in the Pierce Cafeteria. This event will showcase and celebrate the incredible skills and talents of Pierce students in the visual arts and music - you won't want to miss it!
Congratulations to the winner of our student designed AMPlify Arts logo contest, Emily Zheng. Emily's design was selected by student vote.
Youth Art Exhibition
Each year, in celebration of Youth Art Month, the National Art Education Association and its state chapters host a Youth Art Exhibition honoring student artists. This year, 8 of our young artists have artwork featured in the online exhibit.
Please help us celebrate those students by visiting the Pierce Middle School Gallery to see their work and if you are so inclined, leave those students a note about their artwork. Follow this link to see all of the galleries and select the Milton hyperlink to find Pierce.
Congratulations to the following students whose work was selected for the exhibit: 8th graders Ray Abraham and Maddie Foley; 7th graders Nolan Hunt, Juliette Van Riet, Naomi Maliel, and Catheline Daniel; and 6th graders Belle Do and James Huang.
MFE Celebration May 4 - Tickets on sale now!
The Milton Foundation for Education (MFE) invites you to come celebrate our teachers and staff at our Annual Celebration for Education (CFE) on May 4th! Get ready for an evening filled with Kentucky Derby flare with betting, bourbon, and dancing! Tickets available now at this link!
- This year’s Celebration will again be at Southline, the former headquarters of the Boston Globe, just 6 miles away at 135 Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester.
- Early start at 5pm so that you can watch the race live.
- Teacher of the Year winners from each of our six schools will be honored.
- Derby betting squares are available at this link.
- All your southern food favorites are on the menu.
Derby attire, hats and bows appreciated! There will be a best hat and tie contest.
Save 20% on tickets if you register by April 12th.
Sponsorship opportunities available: Milton Foundation for Education
Lost & Found
The lost and found continues to grow. If your child is missing a personal item, please have them check the lost and found outside the cafeteria.
Extended School Year - Summer 2024
ESY 2024 is quickly approaching! For more information, please refer to our 2023 ESY website. We are looking forward to a fun and educational summer for all students receiving special education services! Please be on the lookout for registration information from your child's Team Chair or Liaison.
Please note that in order to attend ESY Services, your child’s IEP must be returned signed to your building’s Team Chair. Any questions or concerns regarding ESY should be emailed directly to esy@miltonps.org.
MCAS Dates
The dates of the spring 2024 MCAS administration are as follows:
Grades 6, 7 & 8 ELA – April 10th & April 11th
Grade 8 STE – May 13th & May 14th
Grades 6, 7 & 8 Math – May 16th & May 17th
Grade 8 civics field test – May 30th
Yearbook Sales
The 2023-2024 Pierce Yearbook is now on sale. Yearbooks typically sell out, so be sure to reserve your copy now. Buy your Pierce Middle School yearbook here.
Family Resources
Please reach out to Marti O’Keefe McKenna, Family Outreach Liaison, at (617)980-7343 or mmckenna@miltonps.org with any questions you might have about MPS programs, the upcoming school year or if you are in need of a resource. All calls and emails are confidential. All updates on Family Resources – food, heating assistance, health insurance, financial assistance, contacts – can be found at this link.
Reporting Student Attendance
Families are asked to complete this form to communicate information about their student’s attendance. The form can be used to report student absences, tardies and dismissals.
District News and Events
Eclipse Safety
As you likely know, a total solar eclipse will be visible from many parts of the US on April 8, 2024.
While no location in Massachusetts will experience totality, some parts of the state will see over 95% coverage of the sun if weather permits. The eclipse will begin shortly after 2 PM and will last about 2 and a half hours until about 4:30 PM. While parts of New England are in the path of totality and will experience full darkness, locally we will experience a partial eclipse at approximately 3:30 pm. The timing of the eclipse overlaps with dismissal and after school athletics. We are preparing our students for the eclipse and instructing them not to look directly at the eclipse without proper eye protection; however, the district is not providing solar eclipse glasses for students.
We appreciate your help with reminding your student of the importance of safety regarding the solar eclipse. Please visit NASA's website for comprehensive information about the eclipse including safety information and what to expect during the eclipse. There are many cultural stories surrounding eclipses and the Exploratorium website contains information about various cultural eclipse narratives and histories. Happy (and safe) eclipse viewing!
6th Grade Concert Band Opportunity
Attention all concert band students in 5th and 6th grade: Do you want to learn about Marching Band? On April 27th from 1- 4PM, the leadership from the Milton High School Marching Band will be holding a one day only camp to teach you everything about marching band! Learn marching technique, what it means to be in the marching band, and play exciting music. We look forward to seeing you there. Please sign up using this google form.
Footloose at MHS!
Come support our amazing MHS Theatre Program as they present Footloose The Musical!
- Friday, April 26, 2024 - 7:00 PM
- Saturday, April 27, 2024 - 2:00 PM
- Saturday, April 27, 2024 - 7:00 PM
- Sunday, April 28, 2024 - 2:00 PM
Get tickets HERE!
Screenagers at Home Viewing
Screenagers Under the Influence is now available for at home on-line viewing, until April 11th. Click the link to register and receive your free link to the film. https://www.eventcombo.com/e/screenagers-under-the-influence-presented-by-the-milton-coal-70297
All parents should understand the latest trends when it comes to drugs and alcohol, and that means understanding the on-line environment. This 70-minute film delves into how the tech revolution has reshaped adolescence and its effects on substance use. The film debunks myths and depicts strategies parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision making , support teen mental health, set limits, and create healthy environments.
Updated COVID Guidance
MPS has updated our policy to follow COVID 19 isolation/ quarantine/ exposure guidance released this week from the Department of Public Health (DPH).
On March 25, 2024, DPH released a statement that they have reviewed recent CDC guidance regarding respiratory virus isolation strategies. DPH has updated its recommendations for the general public to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. MPS will follow the guidance specifically highlighted in the section "Schools and Childcare settings." You can read the guidelines here: Staying home to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses | Mass.gov.
MPS Summer!
MPS Summer fun is just around the corner! MSE is a fabulous way to spend some of your summer days. Milton Summer Enrichment (MSE) registration will open on March 11 on Family ID. The MSE 2024 Brochure is linked here.
Grace + Grit 5K
Please join us for the third annual Grace+Grit 5K which is being held on Saturday, May 18th at the Glover School. This race is held in honor of Katie Crowell, Glover’s past PTO president, who was an amazing member of our community.
Visit https://racewire.com/register.php?id=14048 for additional information.
Helpful Contacts
Ms. Janice Mazzola, Assistant Principal, jmazzola@miltonps.org
Dr. Matthew Maré, Assistant Principal, mmare@miltonps.org
Mrs. Erin Jaquette, Grade 6 School Counselor, ejaquette@miltonps.org
Mrs. Lisa Veldran, Grade 7 School Counselor, lveldran@miltonps.org
Mrs. Erica Benjamin, Grade 8 School Counselor, ebenjamin@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. Amanda Gray, Special Education Team Chair, agray@miltonps.org
Dr. Seth Harmon, Special Education Team Chair, sharmon@miltonps.org
Mrs. Marti O'Keefe McKenna, Family Outreach Liaison, mmckenna@miltonps.org
Mrs. Sandra Wyse, Administrative Assistant, swyse@miltonps.org
Mrs. Kristen Lesser, Administrative Assistant, klesser@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