Superintendent Update
Superintendent's Update: May 1, 2024
Dear Medway Families,
Spring is a season filled with opportunities to celebrate the achievements of our students, and last week was no exception. We are thrilled to share some highlights with you.
Medway proudly participated in the annual 5 Town Special Olympics, held this year in Millis. Congratulations to all the student-athletes from Medway, Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, and Millis! We commend their dedication and sportsmanship, as well as the unwavering support of our staff and families, for making this event a resounding success.
Additionally, we had the pleasure of hosting the 7th Annual Permanent Art Collection Gallery Opening last Thursday. This special event brings together talented artists from every grade K-12, as recognized by their art teachers. Their exceptional work will be framed and will adorn the walls of our district, serving as a testament to their creativity and skill.
This week, our student celebrations continued with Medway High School’s International Thespian Society (ITS) Induction and Innovation Showcase. The ITS event featured the theatrical talents of 16 new inductees as well as the current members of the Class of 2024. The Innovation Showcase, a recent addition to our high school calendar, showcases the ingenuity of our students through projects undertaken in Project Lead the Way courses, Innovation Pathway internships, and our Capstone Course. Students presented innovative solutions and product designs that were reviewed by both industry professionals and MPS faculty and staff. Congratulations to all who participated.
As we approach the final quarter of the school year, we eagerly anticipate many more opportunities to celebrate our students' achievements and talents. Please take a moment to review the informational items and updates provided below.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
District Information/Updates
FY25 Budget
The approved FY25 Medway Public Schools Budget will be voted on as part of the May 13 Annual Town meeting which will take place at Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, beginning at 7:00 p.m. You can find the information about the FY25 MPS budget HERE.
2024-2025 School Calendar
Please find the FY25 school year calendar here.
Please note, the last day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is Friday, June 14, 2024.
Please Sign Up for Transportation for the 2024-25 School Year
Please find the newly adopted 2024-25 Transportation Handbook (which outlines the changes for next year), as well as policies EEA (Student Transportation) and EEAA (Walkers and Riders). Families are encouraged to read this important letter.
All parents/guardians should have received an email for each current district student (with the exception of 12th graders, School Choice students and those attending out of district schools) informing them of their transportation eligibility and providing a link for the registration. The registration page will include a link to Unipay and directions for payment via a check. Please note that all registrations not paid in full within 5 business days will be voided. The district’s new transportation handbook for the 2024-25 school year can be found on the transportation website. Any questions regarding this process can be directed to the transportation department via this Google form.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024/2025 School Year is OPEN!
Kindergarten registration has opened for the 2024-2025 school year. 2024-2025 school year kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2024. Registration information is available online, in the superintendent’s office, and at the McGovern School. You can find important information and events leading up to kindergarten in this document: Road to Kindergarten. We will send more information out in the coming weeks, but wanted to share dates for planning purposes. Finally, please mark your calendars for Kindergarten Camp which will take place from July 29-August 2. We will publish additional information as it becomes available. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2037 to the Medway Public Schools!
Pre-School Lottery
The Preschool Program is still taking applications for 1/2 day community peer spaces. If you are interested, please email Sue Frederick, Assistant Director of Student Services (sfrederick@medwayschools.org).
The integrated preschool works to create an inclusive environment where all children may realize their full potential. The integrated program consists of students who require services due to their identified disabilities as well as community peers, who are not eligible for special education services and are not experiencing delays in their development.
Assistant Superintendent Search Process
As we have shared, we are in the process of identifying the next Assistant Superintendent for the Medway Public Schools. Our Interview Committee, which included educators, community members, and administrators met with eight highly qualified candidates last week and forwarded three finalists for consideration. On Monday, April 29, and Tuesday April 30 the three finalists returned to Medway to engage in an extensive series of events.
The next phase of our process will involve further reference checks and a comprehensive review of the feedback received from faculty, staff, and the community. We aim to announce the selected candidate for the assistant superintendent role next week.
SADD: Mock Crash at Medway High School
On Friday, April 26, our junior and senior classes engaged in a powerful demonstration—a mock accident simulation designed to underscore the risks of underage drinking and impaired driving. The impactful event was held in the MHS parking lot and organized by our SADD club in collaboration with school administrators, Medway Police, and Fire Departments. Following the demonstration, students had the opportunity to debrief the experience, allowing for reflection and discussion on the importance of responsible decision-making.
As we approach prom season, it's crucial to reinforce these important messages to both students and families. Together, we continue to prioritize safety, awareness, and the well-being of our community, especially during this celebratory time.
COVID-19 Updated Recommendation from MA DPH
As you may be aware, the CDC has dropped the five-day isolation requirement for a positive COVID-19 test. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health also recently updated its recommendations to align with the CDC. Their updated guidance can be found here.
Student Recognitions
Art Walk & POPs Night
Please join us for the Annual Spring Art Exhibit in the Medway High School Foyer on Wednesday, May 8 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. This will be followed by the Pops Concert in the Gymnasium.
The MFPA is pleased to again offer a table seating option for the MHS Pops Concert.
For $80/table or $10/seat, you can reserve seats for the concert. The MFPA will provide an assortment of sweet and salty treats to nosh on while enjoying the incredible tunes of Blockbuster Movies, Jazz, Rock, and more performed by our talented students in the Medway High School Concert Band, Jazz Band and Choral Ensembles, conducted by Ms. Amanda Webster and Ms. Ashley Nelson-Oneschuk.
A limited number of tables/seats are available for reservation until midnight on May 5.
In addition to this fun alternative for seating, general bleacher seating is offered to all at no cost.
Don't wait to purchase your seats ~ we sold out last year and anticipate doing so again this year. Click here or QR Code above to purchase tickets.
Medway High School International Thespian Society Induction
Congratulations to the newly inducted members of the Medway High School Chapter of the International Thespian Society. The induction event featured student performances and celebrations of talent. A complete list of the new inductees can be found below.
Jules Antonino
Riley Ashok
Megan Calnan
Aidan Christie
Kaitlyn D'Souza
Bella Diamandis
Rowan Esposito
Jasmine Foley
Chloe Kassel
Jules Laven
Ellie Maurer
Vanessa Mazzocca
Liam McCarthy
Michelle Pishchik
Liliana Reed
Nina Vallante
7th Annual Permanent Art Collection Gallery Opening
Thank you to all that came to our 7th Annual Permanent Art Collection Opening on Thursday, April 25 at Medway Middle School. We celebrated our 13 new additions to the Permanent Art Collection and the artists who created them. A very special thanks to our Arts’ educators who have inspired all of our artists: Maureen Brodeur, Noelle Fiori Jackson, Marc Davidson, Christine Moyer, Robin Hackett, and Robea Nordman.
5 Town Special Olympics
Congratulations to the Medway athletes who participated in last week’s Five Town Special Olympics which took place at Millis High School. This annual event brings together five towns, including Medway, Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, and Millis, and provides students with exceptional needs the opportunity to participate in friendly athletic competition with their peers. We were very proud of all of our student athletes.
Teaching and Learning Updates
Statewide MCAS Testing Resumes
A reminder to families that the second round of MCAS state testing has resumed and the remaining schedule is as follows:
Tutoring and Writing Support Through Paper.co
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
District Operations
Technology Updates
1:1 Deployment Schedule: We would like to remind families that devices will be collected at the end of the school year from all seniors and 8th-grade students. Devices should be in good working order and returned with the charger for reuse in other areas. In the Fall, new devices will be deployed to all 5th and 9th-grade students with an intended use for four (4) years.
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option. The Technology Department would like to remind families that devices found to be vandalized will result in the student losing their privilege to be issued a school-owned device.
Community Education
Spring Brochure - Our latest brochure is now accepting registrations! Are you in need of a relaxing night out with your friends? Register for Paint & Sip, English Paper Piecing, Floral Arrangement, or Pebble Art! Please view the brochure here and register on Arbiter using the following links - Preschool, Youth & Teen Programs and Adult Programs.
Summer Youth Programs - We are delighted to feature many exciting craft, STEM and sports/fitness activities to keep your children active and having fun all summer long! Programs for high school students - College Essay Workshop and Driver’s Education with Teachers Driving Academy - are currently accepting registrations. Our summer programs may be viewed here with registration access to Arbiter using the following link - Summer Youth Programs.
Summer of Discovery 2024 - Our August 12 -16 program is an academic and social/emotional support program intended to enhance the opportunities for identified students to successfully transition into the 2024-2025 school year. Families of identified students will be contacted in late May.
Summer Brochure - Arriving in Medway mailboxes in mid-May! Additional children’s programs will be featured PLUS some of our most popular adult programs offered during the fall, winter and spring months will now be available this summer!
District Wide Vacancies and Openings
Medway Public Schools has been actively working to staff all district wide vacancies.
All vacant positions can be found on both School Spring and/or Indeed.
As we head into Spring, we are faced with many opportunities to attend career and job fairs in surrounding areas. Medway Public Schools will be attending the Bridgewater State University career fair on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. We hope to be able to connect with many new faces and discuss career opportunities for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district. The following articles were recently shared published on our district website which can be accessed here:
Updates from Support Organizations
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Meeting Tonight
Join us for tonight's SEPAC meeting from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room. The agenda can be found here.
‘SUP Medway: Parent/Caregiver Presentation
For the Building Bright Brains campaign, ‘SUP Medway brought in Dr. Crystal Collier to speak on the topic of Parenting using Modern Brain Science. A recording of the presentation is available HERE.
Caregiver/Parent Survey - ‘SUP Medway
Your perspectives are so important for guiding the work our coalition does in this community to keep our young people safe. Responses are completely anonymous. There's an option for gift card drawing ($50 to Restaurant 45 and $30 to Nirvana Cafe) as a thank you for participating. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/medsurvey
Project Sticker Shock
The Student Division of ‘SUP Medway Youth Drug Prevention Coalition recently partnered with local businesses to remind adults that it is not okay to purchase alcohol for those underage. 5 Medway High School students created a custom sticker and placed 600 of these stickers on cases of alcohol across 3 stores: One Stop Convenience, West Medway Liquors, and Keystone Liquors.
Important Resources for Families
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Mental Health Resource for Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Parenting Solutions Library
For the last several years, Medway Schools have collaborated with the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth (MPY) to provide professional development for our staff. MPY now offers a library of 10-minute videos and handouts for parents. Over 24 offerings include tips for parents regarding school success, student mental health, and more. The library can be accessed for free by clicking here.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools: Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps
Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School: Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool
Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School: Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool
Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary: Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial
Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School: Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem
Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education: Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce
Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_
Superintendent's Update: April 10, 2024
Dear Medway families,
What an exciting week! We started with the solar eclipse and moved into some beautiful spring-like weather. We would like to thank the Medway Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (MEPTO) and Medway Secondary Parent Teacher Organization (MSPTO) for their generous support as they provided solar eclipse glasses for all students in our schools. We are appreciative of their support so that all of our students could participate in this amazing celestial event.
In addition, we are excited to share the latest Spotlight on Excellence. As you know, we started the Spotlight on Excellence series to highlight some of the amazing work going on throughout the district. This month’s spotlight highlights the power of partnership and community. Through a grant initially supported by the Medway Foundation for Education (MFE), and partnerships with a teacher and students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School, the Town of Medway Department of Public Works, and the Medway Schools Facilities Department, an expanded outdoor play space was recently installed at McGovern School. Please find the link to this month’s spotlight here: Spotlight on Excellence: McGovern School Outdoor Playspace.
Finally, please find below some other important information and updates including a reminder for families to register for transportation for next year.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
District Information/Updates
Reminder: No School Monday, April 15 - Friday, April 19, 2024
There will be no school on Monday, April 15 - Friday, April 19. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Monday, April 22.
2024-2025 School Year Transportation Changes and Registration
As the School Committee has now adopted the 2024-25 Transportation Handbook (which outlines the changes for next year), as well as policies EEA (Student Transportation) and EEAA (Walkers and Riders), parents and guardians are encouraged to read this important letter. Please note that registration opens on April 1, 2024 for next year’s busing.
Registration for student transportation for the 2024-25 school year opened on April 1, 2024. All parents/guardians should have received an email on that date for each current district student (with the exception of 12th graders, School Choice students, and those attending out-of-district schools) informing them of their transportation eligibility and providing a link for the registration. The registration page will include a link to Unipay and directions for payment via a check. Please note that all registrations not paid in full within 5 business days will be voided. The district’s new transportation handbook for the 2024-25 school year can be found on the transportation website. Any questions regarding this process can be directed to the transportation department via this Google form.
Medway Middle School Program of Studies 2024-2025 Proposed Changes Presented
At the April 4 School Committee meeting, Amanda Luizzi shared an overview of the FY25 Medway Middle School Programs of Studies proposed changes. The presentation can be found here.
FY25 Budget
During the March 21 School Committee meeting, the Medway School Committee voted to approve the FY25 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget. The budget now becomes part of the FY25 Town of Medway budget to be voted on during the May 13 Annual Town meeting which will take place at Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
We thank all who have participated in this important annual district process.
New Family Welcome Videos Released
In partnership with https://kartoonedu.com/, we recently released new welcome videos for families new to Medway. We hope that this personal touch will provide our families with additional information and support during their transition to our school district. You can access the videos through the following links.
https://vimeo.com/900213051/943b10f1fe?embed_email_provider=gmail - English
https://vimeo.com/901531323/614d5ef555?embed_email_provider=gmail - Portuguese
https://vimeo.com/906215762/7b5f85ac02?embed_email_provider=gmail - Spanish
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024/2025 School Year is OPEN!
Kindergarten registration has opened for the 2024-2025 school year. 2024-2025 school year kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2024. Registration information is available online, in the superintendent’s office, and at the McGovern School. You can find important information and events leading up to kindergarten in this document: Road to Kindergarten. We will send more information out in the coming weeks, but wanted to share dates for planning purposes. Finally, please mark your calendars for Kindergarten Camp which will take place from July 29-August 2. We will publish additional information as it becomes available. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2037 to the Medway Public Schools!
Pre-School Lottery
The Preschool Program is still taking applications for 1/2 day community peer spaces. If you are interested, please email Sue Frederick, Assistant Director of Student Services (sfrederick@medwayschools.org).
The integrated preschool works to create an inclusive environment where all children may realize their full potential. The integrated program consists of students who require services due to their identified disabilities as well as community peers, who are not eligible for special education services and are not experiencing delays in their development.
2024-2025 School Calendar
A copy of the approved FY25 school year calendar can be found here.
Revised Last Day of School, 2023-2024
Due to the snow day on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, the last day of school for the 2023-2024 school year will now be Friday, June 14, 2024. Should we need to cancel school again this year, this date will move.
COVID-19 Updated Recommendation from MA DPH
As you may be aware, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has dropped the five-day isolation requirement for a positive COVID-19 test. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health also recently updated its recommendations to align with the CDC. Their updated guidance can be found here.
Student Recognitions
Congratulations! Medway Middle School Presents: Frozen, Jr.
Congratulations to the cast and crew of Medway Middle School’s production of Frozen, Jr. What a great adventure you took us on filled with fantastic music and magical characters.
Congratulations to the Medway High School Band and Choral Groups
Over the weekend, our Medway High School Band and Choral Groups participated in the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) festival. Each group was allotted a 30-minute time slot to perform three selections. Each group then received a 25-minute clinic from one of the adjudicators, as well as score sheets from each of the adjudicators, recorded adjudicators' comments and a performance recording.
The MHS Concert Band received their first Silver Medal and the Medway High School Concert Choir received a Gold Medal. The dedication and hard work of our students should be commended.
Teaching and Learning Updates
Tutoring and Writing Support Through Paper.co
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
District Operations
Technology Updates
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option. The Technology Department would like to remind families that devices found to be vandalized will not be returned to the student. The student will lose their privilege to be issued a school-owned device.
Community Education
Summer of Discovery - The 2024 program will take place August 12-16. Summer of Discovery is an academic and social/emotional support program intended to enhance the opportunities for identified students to transition into the 2024-2025 school year. Community Education will partner with building and district administrators to identify students who qualify for this program. We will begin our reach out to families in early May.
Spring After School Enrichment Flyer - Registration opened on Thursday, April 4 for students in kindergarten through grade 8. Please see the registration links for each school - McGovern, Burke-Memorial, Medway Middle. We are pleased to offer many varied programs from which to choose this spring!
Spring Brochure - Our latest brochure is now accepting registrations! Please view the brochure here and register on Arbiter using the following links - Preschool, Youth & Teen Programs and Adult Programs.
Summer Youth Programs - We are excited to offer a great variety of fun summer activities for children! Cooking, Theater, Art, Sports, STEM and more are open for registration! Our summer programs may be viewed here with registration access to Arbiter using the following link - Summer Youth Programs.
District Wide Vacancies and Openings
Medway Public Schools has been actively working to staff all district-wide vacancies.
All vacant positions can be found on both School Spring and/or Indeed.
As we head into Spring, we are faced with many opportunities to attend career and job fairs in surrounding areas. Medway Public Schools attended the local Blackstone Valley Job Fair on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 held in the Milford High School cafeteria. We were able to connect with many new faces and discuss career opportunities for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district. The following articles were recently shared published on our district website which can be accessed here:
Updates from Support Organizations
TONIGHT!!! Please join us! Medway Friends of the Performing Arts: Swing & Sing
Join us for Swing & Sing, an evening showcasing jazz bands and a cappella groups, happening tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Medway High School Auditorium. This unique evening will feature Medway and Medfield High School a cappella groups as well the Medway Middle School Jazz Band and the Medway High School Jazz Band. Swing & Sing is a celebration of community and the joy of music that you won't want to miss!
‘SUP Medway: How to Use Brain Science for Parenting Modern Teens & Tweens, Dr. Crystal Collier
The 'SUP Medway coalition is excited to bring in Dr. Crystal Collier to speak with parents and students about Building Bright Brains.
How to Use Brain Science for Parenting Modern Teens & Tweens
Support your kids’ growing brain & reduce risky behavior.
Learn how to encourage executive function skills at each life stage.
Thursday, April 25, 7:00 p.m.
Thayer Homestead, 2B Oak St, Medway, MA
Traducción en vivo en español disponible (Spanish interpretation will be available)
Register Free for In Person or Virtual here.
Sponsored by 'SUP Medway Coalition
(ADD IMAGE)
Dr. Crystal Collier, a therapist, researcher in prevention, and educator, encourages children and teens to explore their brains in an enjoyable, interactive manner. Through engaging presentations, students learn about the growth and development of their 'accelerator' and 'brakes' within the brain. Dr. Collier discusses the 'Brain's Rule' and offers guidance on nurturing and enhancing executive functioning skills, empowering students to make wise decisions and resist risky behaviors when encountering new challenges and temptations. Tailored to the developmental stage, grade groups will receive varying levels of neuroscience information. Students will be tasked with creating their own 'hip, slick, and cool' refusal strategies, showcasing them during volunteer opportunities. Student Assemblies for several grades will follow on Friday, April 26.
‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway’s youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. This Friday will include games (such as an inflatable gaga pit and Ping Pong), arts & crafts (an art contest), a visit from K-9 Frankie the therapy dog, social time, pizza & more! This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
The next date for the program will be April 26 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Medway Middle School, old gym, and will be a laser tag tournament!.
We also have added an end of the school year FIELD TRIP! If your youth has attended 3 Friday Night Done Right Drop-Ins, they will be eligible to go on this field trip.
Click here to sign up your youth!
National Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Medication Take Back Day
'SUP Medway encourages all to clear medicine cabinets and drop off excess/unused medications on Saturday, April 27 at Medway Town Hall parking lot between 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., organized by SAFE Coalition.
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is an after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10 p.m., and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, please contact Gabby Giannelli at info@supmedway.com
To sign up click here.
Important Resources for Families
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Mental Health Resource for Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Parenting Solutions Library
For the last several years, Medway Schools have collaborated with the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth (MPY) to provide professional development for our staff. MPY now offers a library of 10-minute videos and handouts for parents. Over 24 offerings include tips for parents regarding school success, student mental health, and more. The library can be accessed for free by clicking here.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools: Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps
Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School: Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool
Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School: Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool
Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary: Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial
Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School: Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem
Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education: Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce
Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_
Superintendent's Update: March 27, 2024
Dear Medway families,
While the cold temperatures persist, signs of spring are ever present throughout the Medway Public Schools. State MCAS testing began this week at Medway High School and will continue throughout the district over the next several weeks; athletic teams have begun their spring schedules and performing and visual arts groups are working hard on their end-of-year showcases of talent; and, of course, our Class of 2024 anxiously awaits the many events that lead to their ascension beyond the walls and halls of Medway High School.
Operationally, spring marks a time of both reflection and preparation. Thank you to the Medway School Committee for their passage of the Recommended FY25 Budget for the Medway Public Schools. This was a very challenging budget year as the needs of our students and the district have outpaced additional resources. Despite that, this budget reflects the addition of essential services for students to meet academic and behavioral needs.
Finally, I would like to congratulate our Cheerleading Team on their latest achievement - New England Champions! This latest achievement caps off an excellent season. Congratulations!
Please find below several important updates and informational items.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
District Information/Updates
No School: Friday, March 29
A reminder that there will be no school on Friday, March 29.
FY25 Budget
During the March 21 School Committee meeting, the Medway School Committee voted to approve the FY25 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget. The budget now becomes part of the FY25 Town of Medway budget to be voted on during the May 13 Annual Town meeting which will take place at Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
We thank all who have participated in this important annual district process.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024/2025 School Year is OPEN!
Kindergarten registration has opened for the 2024-2025 school year. 2024-2025 school year kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2024. Registration information is available online, in the superintendent’s office, and at the McGovern School. You can find important information and events leading up to kindergarten in this document: Road to Kindergarten. We will send more information out in the coming weeks, but wanted to share dates for planning purposes. Finally, please mark your calendars for Kindergarten Camp which will take place from July 29-August 2. We will publish additional information as it becomes available. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2037 to the Medway Public Schools!
Pre-School Lottery
The Preschool Program is still taking applications for ½ day community peer spaces. If you are interested, please email Sue Frederick, Assistant Director of Student Services (sfrederick@medwayschools.org).
The integrated preschool works to create an inclusive environment where all children may realize their full potential. The integrated program consists of students who require services due to their identified disabilities as well as community peers, who are not eligible for special education services and are not experiencing delays in their development.
Revised Last Day of School, 2023-2024
Due to the snow day on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, the last day of school for the 2023-2024 school year will now be Friday, June 14, 2024. Should we need to cancel school again this year, this date will move.
2024-2025 School Calendar
A copy of the approved FY25 school year calendar can be found here.
COVID-19 Updated Recommendation from MA DPH
As you may be aware, the CDC has dropped the five-day isolation requirement for a positive COVID-19 test. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health also recently updated its recommendations to align with the CDC. The key changes families should be aware of are:
If a student has COVID-19 or other respiratory symptoms, they should remain home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication), and symptoms begin to improve or completely resolve.
If a student tests positive for COVID-19 but does not have symptoms, they should wear a mask when indoors, including at school, for five days after testing positive.
The complete updated guidance can be found here.
Solar Eclipse
On Monday, April 8, there will be a solar eclipse. The event is expected to begin shortly after 2:00 p.m. and last around two and a half hours. Although this can be exciting, proper precautions must be taken to avoid eye damage. The principal at each building will send home more information about the eclipse and student precautions in the coming weeks.
Parent/Guardian Webinar: Helping Our Pre-Teens and Teens Thrive
As a district partner, Cartwheel is offering a free webinar for Medway parents and caregivers on April 3, at 7:00 p.m. Please consider joining Cartwheel and Dr. Anisha Abraham for a webinar that will provide practical strategies to parents of adolescents on topics ranging from communication, relationships, body image, and social media. For more information and to register, please click here.
Transportation Registration
Registration for student transportation for the 2024-25 school year will open on April 1, 2024. Parents will receive an email for each current district student (with the exception of 12th graders) informing them of their transportation eligibility and providing a link for the registration. The registration page will include a link to Unipay and directions for payment via a check. Please note that all registrations not paid in full within 5 business days will be voided.
Student Recognitions
Medway Cheer Wins New England Competition
Congratulations to our Medway Cheer team who competed at the New England Interscholastic Spirit Championship at Worcester State University on Saturday, March 16 and earned a first place finish. We are all very proud of this team’s commitment and hard work.
Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) All State Festival
Congratulations to the following Medway High School students who participated in the Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association All State Festival on Friday, March 22 and their performance on Saturday, March 23:
William George
Nora Keavany
Caitlin MacNeil
Matt Shawlis
Timmy Reda
Medway Middle School Presents: Frozen, Jr.
Medway Middle School Performing Arts presents their performance of Frozen Jr. The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready for your Broadway Junior stars! Frozen Jr. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. Tickets are on sale here online or can be purchased at the door. They will be offering three performances on Friday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All performances will take place at Medway High School.
Teaching and Learning Updates
Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Plan Approved by School Committee
During the March 21 School Committee meeting, the 2024-2027 Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Plan was approved by the School Committee. This plan is anchored in both a review of student achievement data and in feedback that we received from families as part of our Student Learning in Mathematics Survey. Thank you to those who completed this survey. The Plan will focus on mathematics learning for high needs students (low income, special education, and English learners) but has been developed in an effort to benefit all students. The Student Opportunity Act Plan can be found here.
Equity Plan Action Step: Physical Space Assessment
As you may recall, Objective 1 of MPS Equity Plan is: The physical environment is one where students see themselves and develop social awareness and empathy for self and others. The first action step of this objective is to Assess each school’s physical environment to determine the impact on the student climate. To achieve this goal, Jena Doolas, an equity consultant and retired educator, visited MMS on March 25 and MHS on March 26. Ms. Doolas will share her findings with the District by late April. Responsive Classroom conducted a similar assessment at our elementary schools in the fall. These consultations were funded through a DESE grant.
Music in Our Schools Month!
Tutoring and Writing Support Through Paper.co
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
District Operations
Technology Updates
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option. The Technology Department would like to remind families that devices found to be vandalized will not be returned to the student. The student will lose their privilege to be issued a school-owned device.
Transportation Changes 2024-25 School Year
As the School Committee has now adopted the 2024-25 Transportation Handbook (which outlines the changes for next year), as well as policies EEA (Student Transportation) and EEAA (Walkers and Riders), parents and guardians are encouraged to read this important letter. Please note that registration opens on April 1, 2024 for next year’s busing.
Community Education
Spring After School Enrichment Flyer - Registration for spring after school programs for students in kindergarten through grade 8 is expected to open in early April with classes beginning the week of April 22. Please visit our website and keep an eye out for social media posts and school emails for more details!
Camp Counselors - We are actively seeking counselors for our popular Summer Adventures Camp! Individuals ages 16 and up may apply for this paid position. Enthusiastic and energetic individuals, with experience working with children, are encouraged to apply. Please complete our application and we will contact you soon!
Spring Brochure - Our latest brochure is now accepting registrations! Please view the brochure here and register on Arbiter using the following links - Preschool, Youth & Teen Programs and Adult Programs.
Summer Youth Programs - We are excited to offer a great variety of fun summer activities for children! Cooking, Theater, Art, Sports, STEM and more are open for registration! Our summer programs may be viewed here with registration access to Arbiter using the following link - Summer Youth Programs.
District Wide Vacancies and Openings
Medway Public Schools has been actively working to staff all district wide vacancies.
All vacant positions can be found on both School Spring and/or Indeed.
Medway Public Schools is also looking to increase its sub pool for the remainder of the school year. If you or anyone you know feels they may be a qualified substitute, please contact hr@medwayschools.org for more information.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district. The following articles were recently shared published on our district website which can be accessed here:
Updates from Support Organizations
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Meeting
SEPAC held their most recent meeting on Monday, March 11. During this meeting, there were discussions and proposals about the revised by-laws. SEPAC officers also engaged in discussions with families about topics involving assessment in Special Education. The next SEPAC meeting will occur on April 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
‘SUP Medway: How to Use Brain Science for Parenting Modern Teens & Tweens, Dr. Crystal Collier
The 'SUP Medway coalition is excited to bring in Dr. Crystal Collier to speak with parents and students about Building Bright Brains.
How to Use Brain Science for Parenting Modern Teens & Tweens
Support your kids’ growing brain & reduce risky behavior.
Learn how to encourage executive function skills at each life stage.
Thursday, April 25, 7:00 p.m.
Thayer Homestead, 2B Oak St, Medway, MA
Traducción en vivo en español disponible (Spanish interpretation will be available)
Register Free for In Person or Virtual here.
Sponsored by 'SUP Medway Coalition
Dr. Crystal Collier, a therapist, researcher in prevention, and educator, encourages children and teens to explore their brain in an enjoyable, interactive manner. Through engaging presentations, students learn about the growth and development of their 'accelerator' and 'brakes' within the brain. Dr. Collier discusses the 'Brain's Rule' and offers guidance on nurturing and enhancing executive functioning skills, empowering students to make wise decisions and resist risky behaviors when encountering new challenges and temptations. Tailored to the developmental stage, grade groups will receive varying levels of neuroscience information. Students will be tasked with creating their own 'hip, slick, and cool' refusal strategies, showcasing them during volunteer opportunities. Student Assemblies for several grades will follow on Friday, April 26.
‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway’s youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. This Friday will include games (such as an inflatable gaga pit and Ping Pong), arts & crafts (an art contest), a visit from K-9 Frankie the therapy dog, social time, pizza & more! This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
The next date for the program will be April 26 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Medway Middle School, old gym, and will be a laser tag tournament!.
We also have added an end of the school year FIELD TRIP! If your youth has attended 3 Friday Night Done Right Drop-Ins, they will be eligible to go on this field trip.
Click here to sign up your youth!
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10 p.m., and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, Gabby Giannelli, info@supmedway.com
To sign up click here.
Important Resources for Families
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Mental Health Resource for Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Parenting Solutions Library
For the last several years, Medway Schools have collaborated with the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth (MPY) to provide professional development for our staff. MPY now offers a library of 10-minute videos and handouts for parents. Over 24 offerings include tips for parents regarding school success, student mental health, and more. The library can be accessed for free by clicking here.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools: Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School: Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School: Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary: Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School: Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education: Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness
Superintendent's Update: March 13, 2024
Dear Medway families,
As you have likely noted, it’s been a busy month with multiple updates to share with you over the last few weeks. With many FY25 Budget events back to back, please know that it is our intent and goal to keep you as connected and informed as possible.
As we have been reflecting, this past weekend’s “spring forward” of the clocks marks a pivot that will lead us into the final quarter of the school year very soon. This time in our school year calendar is an exciting and busy one as it features many major performing and visual arts’ events, MCAS and other standardized assessments, end of winter and launch of spring sports’ seasons, the start of a new district strategic planning process, and final preparations as our Class of 2024 readies themselves for their next stage of learning and life.
Finally, I would like to congratulate our Cheerleading Team who were crowned State Champions this past Saturday. Congratulations!
Please find important information and updates below.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
District Information/Updates
No School: Friday, March 15
A reminder that there will be no school on Friday, March 15 in support of professional development time for educators and support staff.
FY25 Budget
During the February 29 School Committee meeting, Dr. Pires, Superintendent, and Mrs. Pat Leonhardt, Director of Business, Finance, and Operations, presented the FY25 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget. The presentation that was shared can be found on the district website.
During the March 7 School Committee meeting, Dr. Pires engaged in a highly productive discussion with the Committee and, as a result of this dialogue, the School Committee has expressed support for continuing the Mandarin Program at Medway Middle School through the 2025-2026 school year. As we have shared, Dr. Murray, Principal of Medway High School, has indicated that the in-person Mandarin program at Medway High School will be concluding at the end of this academic year. Although virtual options may be explored for students to continue their Mandarin studies, there is no guarantee that such an option will be available once they transition to Medway High School.
Public Hearing on FY25 Budget: We invite the public to join us this Thursday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room, door #7, to share public comments regarding the proposed FY25 budget with the School Committee. This is the final opportunity for community feedback prior to the School Committee vote on the FY25 budget.
Additional FY25 Budget events include:
March 21, 2024: School Committee to Vote on FY25 Budget: At the March 21 School Committee meeting, the committee will vote to approve and forward the FY25 Medway Public Schools Budget to the Town of Medway to be included as part of the FY25 Town of Medway budget.
May 13, 2024: Annual Town Meeting: Community members are encouraged to attend Medway’s Town Meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., at Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, when residents will be asked to vote on the Town of Medway FY25 budget, which will be inclusive of the FY25 Medway Public School’s budget to be used for the 2024-2025 school year.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024/2025 School Year is OPEN!
Kindergarten registration has opened for the 2024-2025 school year. 2024-2025 school year kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2024. Registration information is available online, in the superintendent’s office, and at the McGovern School. You can find important information and events leading up to kindergarten in this document: Road to Kindergarten. We will send more information out in the coming weeks, but wanted to share dates for planning purposes. Finally, please mark your calendars for Kindergarten Camp which will take place from July 29-August 2. We will publish additional information as it becomes available. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2037 to the Medway Public Schools!
Pre-School Lottery
The integrated preschool works to create an inclusive environment where all children may realize their full potential. The integrated program consists of students who require services due to their identified disabilities as well as community peers, who are not eligible for special education services and are not experiencing delays in their development. For families interested in having their child attend the Integrated Preschool program at McGovern School, the lottery for community peers will be opening up in February 2024. In a future community update we will provide links to the online lottery form and information about the process. For reference, you can review the preschool webpage found here for information on the previous years preschool lottery process.
Revised Last Day of School, 2023-2024
Due to the snow day on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, the last day of school for the 2023-2024 school year will now be Friday, June 14, 2024. Should we need to cancel school again this year, this date will move.
2024-2025 School Calendar
During the January 18 School Committee meeting, the 2024-2025 school calendar and graduation date were approved. A copy of the approved FY24 school year calendar can be found here.
COVID-19 Guidance
As you may be aware the CDC has dropped the five-day isolation requirement for a positive COVID-19 test. At this time, the following Massachusetts guidance is still in effect. If and when the guidance in Massachusetts changes, we will update and communicate our new practices.
Parent/Guardian Webinar: Helping Our Pre-Teens and Teens Thrive
As a district partner, Cartwheel is offering a free webinar for Medway parents and caregivers. Please consider joining Cartwheel and Dr. Anisha Abraham for a webinar that will provide practical strategies to parents of adolescents on topics ranging from communication, relationships, body image, and social media. For more information and to register please click here.
District Operations
Technology Updates
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option. The Technology Department would like to remind families that devices found to be vandalized will not be returned to the student. The student will lose their privilege to be issued a school-owned device.
Educational Technology Audit to Begin
The district is engaging in a Technology Landscape Analysis which will focus primarily on the educational technology within our district. This audit will provide us with valuable information to identify critical focus areas for hardware, software, security, and maintenance aimed to leverage technology as a supportive and safe instructional tool for our students. We hope to share the analysis when complete.
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option. The Technology Department would like to remind families that devices found to be vandalized will not be returned to the student. The student will lose their privilege to be issued a school-owned device.
Educational Technology Audit to Begin
The district is engaging in a Technology Landscape Analysis which will focus primarily on the educational technology within our district. This audit will provide us with valuable information to identify critical focus areas for hardware, software, security, and maintenance aimed to leverage technology as a supportive and safe instructional tool for our students. We hope to share the analysis when complete.
Community Education
Spring Brochure - Our latest brochure is now accepting registrations! Please view the brochure here and register on Arbiter using the following links - Preschool, Youth & Teen Programs and Adult Programs. Celebrate spring by joining us at several events planned at Molly’s Apothecary, Muffin House Cafe, and CraftRoots Brewing! Are you looking for a fitness program? We offer basketball, pickleball, golf, Zumba, strengthening, stretching, cardio boxing, Tai Chi, step aerobics, and so much more!
Summer Youth Programs - Registration is open! Summer is right around the corner, and we are excited to offer a great variety of fun summer activities for children who will be entering Kindergarten in September and older. Our summer programs may be viewed here with registration access to Arbiter using the following link - Summer Youth Programs.
Camp Counselors - We are actively seeking counselors for our popular Summer Adventures Camp! Individuals ages 16 and up may apply for this paid position. Enthusiastic and energetic individuals, with experience working with children, are encouraged to apply. Please complete our application and we will contact you soon!
District Wide Vacancies and Openings
Medway Public Schools has been actively working to staff all district wide vacancies.
All vacant positions can be found on both School Spring and/or Indeed.
Medway Public Schools is also looking to increase its sub pool for the remainder of the school year. If you or anyone you know feels they may be a qualified substitute, please contact hr@medwayschools.org for more information.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district. Click here to view recently published articles on our district website.
Student Recognitions
Medway High School Band and Choral Festival “Preview” Concert TONIGHT
Please join us this evening, Wednesday, March 13 for a Festival Preview Concert performed by our high school choral and instrumental groups. These groups will be participating in the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association Festival during the first weekend in April and this Preview Concert is a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their work before this event. The concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Medway High School.
Winter Athletics Post Season Competition
The Girls Basketball team earned a win vs. Newburyport last Friday, March 8. On Monday, they advanced to the Final 4 in a match against #2 Norwell where they played hard, but were defeated 52-39.
The gymnastics team competed in the New England Gymnastics Championship on Saturday, March 9 and earned an impressive 4th place finish.
Medway Cheer came out on top at the MSAA State Cheer Championship on Sunday, March 10 and will next compete in the New England Spirit Championship this weekend at Worcester State University.
Medway High School Presents: The Wizard of Oz
Congratulations to the cast and crew of Medway High School’s production of The Wizard of Oz! What a wonderful journey over the rainbow you took us on.
Medway Middle School Presents: Frozen Jr.
Medway Middle School Performing Arts presents their performance of Frozen Jr. The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready for your Broadway Junior stars! Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. Tickets are on sale here online or can be purchased at the door. They will be offering three performances on Friday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All performances will take place at Medway High School.
Teaching and Learning Updates
2024-2025 Medway High School Program of Studies Presentation
During the March 7 School Committee meeting, Dr. Murray, Medway High School Principal, shared proposed changes to the 2024-2025 Program of Studies. The School Committee will be voting on these proposed changes at an upcoming meeting. Dr. Murray’s presentation can be found here.
2024-2027 Student Opportunity Act Plan Presentation
Also during the March 7 School Committee meeting, Assistant Superintendent, Gabby Abrams, shared an overview of the 2024-2027 Student Opportunity Act. This plan is anchored in both a review of student achievement data and in feedback that we received from families as part of our Student Learning in Mathematics Survey. Thank you to those who completed this survey. The Plan will focus on mathematics learning for high needs students (low income, special education, and English learners) but has been developed in an effort to benefit all students. The School Committee will be voting on this plan at an upcoming meeting before the plan is submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) by April 1. The proposed Student Opportunity Act Plan can be found here.
Music In Our Schools Month
Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) is an annual celebration that occurs in March, dedicated to highlighting the importance of music education in schools and communities. Initiated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), MIOSM aims to raise awareness of the benefits of music education and advocate for its inclusion in the curriculum. Throughout the month, schools across the United States organize concerts, performances, workshops, and other events to showcase the talents of students and educators in music. As part of this celebration, the Medway Music Department, in collaboration with Medway Friends of the Performing Arts (MFPA), Medway High School Tri-M Music Honor Society, and Medway Cable Access Newswatch, has conducted a series of daily features where a different student (from kindergarten to 12th grade) shares their unique music education experiences through a brief video interview. MFPA will be sharing these daily student features on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
Tutoring and Writing Support Through Paper.co
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
Updates from Support Organizations
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Meeting
On Monday, March 11, 2024 the SEPAC held an in-person meeting at Medway Public Library. During this meeting, there were discussions and proposals about the revised by-laws. SEPAC officers also engaged in discussions with families about topics involving assessment in Special Education. The next SEPAC meeting will occur on April 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
MFPA Community Concert: SAVE THE DATE!!! TUNE THOSE UKULELES!
The MFPA is thrilled to present our 9th annual Medway Family Concert on March 24 at the Medway High School Auditorium at 2:00 p.m.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Medway Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Their generous funding has helped the MFPA create a tradition that can be enjoyed by everyone in the community. This year we are featuring The Unlikely Strummers, a group of Ukulele players that will provide a fun afternoon. All concert goers with a Ukulele are encouraged to bring their own Ukulele and strum along! We will also have the Burke-Memorial School Ukuleles on hand for any students that would like to join the band!
This FREE concert is an hour long and complimentary refreshments are provided at the end of the show.
‘SUP Medway: How to Use Brain Science for Parenting Modern Teens & Tweens, Dr. Crystal Collier
The 'SUP Medway coalition is excited to bring in Dr. Crystal Collier to speak with parents and students about Building Bright Brains.
How to Use Brain Science for Parenting Modern Teens & Tweens
Support your kids’ growing brain & reduce risky behavior.
Learn how to encourage executive function skills at each life stage.
Thursday, April 25, 7:00 p.m.
Thayer Homestead, 2B Oak St, Medway, MA
Traducción en vivo en español disponible (Spanish interpretation will be available)
Register Free for In Person or Virtual: https://bit.ly/thayer25
Sponsored by 'SUP Medway Coalition
(ADD IMAGE)
Dr. Crystal Collier, a therapist, researcher in prevention, and educator, encourages children and teens to explore their brain in an enjoyable, interactive manner. Through engaging presentations, students learn about the growth and development of their 'accelerator' and 'brakes' within the brain. Dr. Collier discusses the 'Brain's Rule' and offers guidance on nurturing and enhancing executive functioning skills, empowering students to make wise decisions and resist risky behaviors when encountering new challenges and temptations. Tailored to the developmental stage, grade groups will receive varying levels of neuroscience information. Students will be tasked with creating their own 'hip, slick, and cool' refusal strategies, showcasing them during volunteer opportunities. Student Assemblies for several grades will follow on Friday, April 26.
‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway’s youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. This Friday will include games (such as an inflatable gaga pit and Ping Pong), arts & crafts (an art contest), a visit from K-9 Frankie the therapy dog, social time, pizza & more! This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
The next date for the program will be April 26 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Medway High School.
We also have added an end of the school year FIELD TRIP! If your youth has attended 3 Friday Night Done Right Drop-Ins, they will be eligible to go on this field trip.
Here is the link to sign up your youth: https://bit.ly/FridayNightDoneRightSignUp
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10 p.m., and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, Gabby Giannelli, info@supmedway.com
To sign up click this link: https://bit.ly/MMShype
Important Resources for Families
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Mental Health Resource for Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Parenting Solutions Library
For the last several years, Medway Schools have collaborated with the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth (MPY) to provide professional development for our staff. MPY now offers a library of 10-minute videos and handouts for parents. Over 24 offerings include tips for parents regarding school success, student mental health, and more. The library can be accessed for free by clicking here.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools: Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School: Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School: Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary: Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School: Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education: Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness
Superintendent's Update: March 6, 2024
Dear Medway families,
While you received a Community Update last week, there is a lot going on and we wanted to be sure you had up to date information.
As you may know, last Thursday we presented a preliminary FY25 budget recommendation to the School Committee. The journey to this point has been challenging. We have grappled with flat state funding, limited funding increases from the Town, growing student needs, and rising costs in our current inflationary climate. However, through creative problem-solving, decisive action by the School Committee, and ongoing efforts to secure additional funding through competitive grants, we are pleased to share the budget recommendation that not only includes additional support for our students but also largely maintains the integrity of existing programs. We remain optimistic that the budgetary constraints will ease as we embark on planning for the 2025-2026 school year.
For this update, in addition to details about the proposed budget and the process leading to final budget approval, I encourage you to explore information on the Strategic Plan development process. Your involvement in shaping the future of our schools is invaluable, and there are opportunities for you to engage in this important endeavor. Other noteworthy updates also follow.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
District Information/Updates
No School: Friday, March 15
A reminder that there will be no school on Friday, March 15 in support of professional development time for educators and support staff.
FY25 Budget Process
During the February 29 School Committee meeting, Dr. Pires, Superintendent, and Mrs. Pat Leonhardt, Director of Business, Finance, and Operations, presented the FY25 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget. The presentation that was shared can be found on the district website.
To keep you informed and engaged in this important process, we are committed to sharing upcoming events and resources designed to foster a transparent and inclusive dialogue with our community. Below is a list of resources and events that have taken place and that will be taking place to provide you with opportunities to remain connected and participate in the discussions surrounding our budget development:
March 14, 2024: Public Hearing on FY25 Budget: On Thursday, March 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room, community members are invited to share public comments regarding the proposed FY25 budget with the School Committee. This is the final opportunity for community feedback prior to the School Committee vote on the FY25 budget. Feedback shared at the hearing will be acknowledged and noted, but there will not be a dialogue during the Budget Hearing.
March 21, 2024: School Committee to Vote on FY25 Budget: At the March 21 School Committee meeting, the committee will vote to approve and forward the FY25 Medway Public Schools Budget to the Town of Medway to be included as part of the FY25 Town of Medway budget.
May 13, 2024: Annual Town Meeting: Community members are encouraged to attend Medway’s Town Meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., at Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, when residents will be asked to vote on the Town of Medway FY25 budget, which will be inclusive of the FY25 Medway Public School’s budget to be used for the 2024-2025 school year.
Strategic Planning Process
We are launching an exciting nine-month process to develop an updated Strategic Plan for the Medway School District. The updated plan will replace the current plan, 2019-2024 Excellence for All: A Medway Mindset, Strategic Plan, while also embedding elements of the recently developed MPS Equity Plan. An important approach to the development of this plan is that it will include engagement and feedback from faculty and staff, students, family, and community members.
We invite you to be a part of shaping our future by joining us in various capacities:
1. Steering Committee: Approximately 18 members, including school, district, and community representatives, will guide and inform the strategic planning process. This commitment involves around 10 meetings, with initial dates set for April 11, May 2, May 16, May 30, and June 13 (tentative). Additional meeting details for next year will follow in the Spring.
2. Advisory Team: Community and school leaders will serve as advocates and advisors to the Steering Committee, ensuring broad engagement. Advisory Team members will participate in a 1:1 interview with our Strategic Planning facilitator and join a Spring Focus Group (dates TBD).
3. Community Workshop: Community members are invited to participate in focus groups to share insights on our strengths and opportunities for improvement.
We aim to finalize our next Strategic Plan by December 1, 2024. If you are interested in staying informed, participating in workshops and surveys, or volunteering for the Advisory Team or Steering Committee, please sign up HERE by March 15, 2024. We'll confirm participation shortly after.
Your involvement is crucial as we chart the course for Medway's educational future. Together, let's shape a strategic plan that reflects our collective aspirations and values.
Approved Transportation Changes
As we have communicated, the Medway School Committee approved the implementation of a Pay to Ride transportation program, as well as some other important changes to the transportation program effective for the 2024-25 school year. While we had planned to share the transportation handbook and information on the registration process by the beginning of March, more time is required. Please anticipate all materials to be shared by the middle of March. Thank you for your patience.
A synopsis of the program approved by the School Committee:
Students in K through Grade 6 who live more than 2 miles from school will receive school transportation at no cost
Students in K through Grade 6 who live less than 2 miles from school, and all students in grades 7-12 who do not qualify for free transportation, can participate in transportation via the district’s Pay to Ride program. The program is structured as follows:
$250 annual fee for first child in a family; $150 annual fee for each additional child with an annual family cap of $550
Students may take a different bus in the morning than the afternoon but each bus (morning and afternoon) must be consistent all 5 days of the week.
Example of approved scenario:
Morning pickup on Bus A at home
Afternoon dropoff on Bus B at daycare
*Example of approved scenario:
Morning pickup on Bus A at home
Bus to MEDI on M, T, W
Either Bus A or Bus B on Th, F (must be the same on both days)
*Note: Transportation to and from MEDI is managed by MEDI and not considered a separate stop
In addition, families who meet the federal guidelines for free and reduced lunch will not be required to pay for transportation. Until the 2024-25 lunch eligibility forms are available, a student’s lunch status for the 2023-24 school year can be used for transportation eligibility.
Please note that per Medway School Committee policy JFBB, School Choice students are not eligible for district transportation.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024/2025 School Year is OPEN!
Kindergarten registration has opened for the 2024-2025 school year. 2024-2025 school year kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2024. Registration information is available online, in the superintendent’s office, and at the McGovern School. You can find important information and events leading up to kindergarten in this document: Road to Kindergarten. We will send more information out in the coming weeks, but wanted to share dates for planning purposes. Finally, please mark your calendars for Kindergarten Camp which will take place from July 29-August 2. We will publish additional information as it becomes available. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2037 to the Medway Public Schools!
Pre-School Lottery
The integrated preschool works to create an inclusive environment where all children may realize their full potential. The integrated program consists of students who require services due to their identified disabilities as well as community peers, who are not eligible for special education services and are not experiencing delays in their development. For families interested in having their child attend the Integrated Preschool program at McGovern School, the lottery for community peers will be opening up in February 2024. In a future community update we will provide links to the online lottery form and information about the process. For reference, you can review the preschool webpage found here for information on the previous years preschool lottery process.
Revised Last Day of School, 2023-2024
Due to the snow day on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, the last day of school for the 2023-2024 school year will now be Friday, June 14, 2024. Should we need to cancel school again this year, this date will move.
2024-2025 School Calendar
During the January 18 School Committee meeting, the 2024-2025 school calendar and graduation date were approved. A copy of the approved FY24 school year calendar can be found here.
COVID-19 Guidance
As you may be aware the CDC has dropped the five-day isolation requirement for a positive COVID-19 test. At this time the following Massachusetts guidance is still in effect. If and when the guidance in Massachusetts changes we will update and communicate our new practices.
District Operations
Technology Updates
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option. The Technology Department would like to remind families that devices found to be vandalized will not be returned to the student. The student will lose their privilege to be issued a school-owned device.
Educational Technology Audit to Begin
The district is engaging in a Technology Landscape Analysis which will focus primarily on the educational technology within our district. This audit will provide us with valuable information to identify critical focus areas for hardware, software, security, and maintenance aimed to leverage technology as a supportive and safe instructional tool for our students. We hope to share the analysis when complete.
Community Education
Spring Brochure - Our latest brochure is now accepting registrations! Please view the brochure here and register on Arbiter using the following links - Preschool, Youth & Teen Programs and Adult Programs. Celebrate spring by joining us at several events planned at Molly’s Apothecary, Muffin House Cafe, and CraftRoots Brewing! Are you looking for a fitness program? We offer basketball, pickleball, golf, Zumba, strengthening, stretching, cardio boxing, Tai Chi, step aerobics, and so much more!
Summer Youth Programs - Registration is open! Summer is right around the corner, and we are excited to offer a great variety of fun summer activities for children who will be entering Kindergarten in September and older. Our summer programs may be viewed here with registration access to Arbiter using the following link - Summer Youth Programs.
Camp Counselors - We are actively seeking counselors for our popular Summer Adventures Camp! Individuals ages 16 and up may apply for this paid position. Enthusiastic and energetic individuals, with experience working with children, are encouraged to apply. Please complete our application and we will contact you soon!
District Wide Vacancies and Openings
Medway Public Schools has been actively working to staff all district wide vacancies.
All vacant positions can be found on both School Spring and/or Indeed.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district. Click here to view recently published articles on our district website.
Student Recognitions
Winter Athletics PostSeason Competition
The Medway Mustangs had a great winter season and now the MIAA tournament season is underway.
Boys Basketball (#17) played their final game of the season last week against #16 Abington. They played hard, but were defeated in the end 72-68.
Last Friday, our #3 Girls Basketball team played an incredible game against Triton Regional High School bringing home the win 49-30. They played again last night in the ‘Sweet 16’ against #14 Springfield International Charter School where they again, came out on top with a 60-55 win! They will host #27 Newburyport on Friday, March 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Elite 8.
The gymnastics team will compete in the New England Gymnastics Championship on Saturday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m. at Algonquin High School. The Medway Co-op Gymnastics team finished 4th in the State Championship on Saturday, March 2.
Medway Cheer won the D3 South Regional on March 3. They will compete in the MSAA State Cheer Championship in Worcester on Sunday, March 10 at Worcester State University, time TBA.
Both the Boy's and Girl’s Pentathlon teams were successful last week. The Boy’s team of Brian McGrath, Davis Campbell, and Dalton Feeney finished 11th out of 31 teams.
The Girl's team of Jaina Campbell, Camellia Meredith, and Ally Chleboski finished 12 out of 33 teams.
Jaina Campbell was the top individual, finishing 11th out of 146 athletes!
Brooke Scott competed in the New England Championship, finishing 25th out of 35 athletes in the dash.
The 4x200 meter relay of Camellia Meredith, Jaina Campbell, and Brooke Scott finished 12 out of 32 teams.
Jack Weintraub will be competing in the Freshman 400-meter run at the New Balance National Championship on Thursday, March 7.
Our Alpine Ski Team competed in the State Championship last week. Elle Heiden finished #3 in the girl's top 10 individual races. The girls team finished 2nd for team results.
The boys finished 9 for team results.
Medway High School Presents: The Wizard of Oz
Medway High School Theatre Program presents their performance of The Wizard of Oz. Follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. Tickets are on sale here online or can be purchased at the door. They will be offering three performances on Friday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 9 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. All performances will take place at Medway High School. We hope to see you there!
Medway Middle School Presents: Frozen Jr.
Medway Middle School Performing Arts presents their performance of Frozen Jr. The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready for your Broadway Junior stars! Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. Tickets are on sale here online or can be purchased at the door. They will be offering three performances on Friday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All performances will take place at Medway High School.
Teaching and Learning Updates
Spring 2024 MCAS Schedule
Students in grades 3-8 and grade 10 will be participating in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science/Technology/Engineering between March and May. These assessments, while representing only one measure of student learning, provide the district with valuable information about areas of success and where we can improve. Students are encouraged to be on time and in attendance on these days.
Tutoring and Writing Support Through Paper.co
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
Music In Our Schools Month
Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) is an annual celebration that occurs in March, dedicated to highlighting the importance of music education in schools and communities. Initiated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), MIOSM aims to raise awareness of the benefits of music education and advocate for its inclusion in the curriculum. Throughout the month, schools across the United States organize concerts, performances, workshops, and other events to showcase the talents of students and educators in music. As part of this celebration, the Medway Music Department, in collaboration with Medway Friends of the Performing Arts (MFPA), Medway High School Tri-M Music Honor Society, and Medway Cable Access Newswatch, has conducted a series of daily features where a different student (from kindergarten to 12th grade) shares their unique music education experiences through a brief video interview. MFPA will be sharing these daily student features on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
Updates from Support Organizations
MFPA Community Concert: SAVE THE DATE!!!
The MFPA is thrilled to present our 9th annual Medway Family Concert on March 24th at the Medway High School Auditorium at 2 pm.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Medway Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Their generous funding has helped the MFPA create a tradition that can be enjoyed by everyone in the community. This year we are featuring The Unlikely Strummers, a group of Ukulele players that will provide a fun afternoon. All concert goers with a Ukulele are encouraged to bring their own Ukulele and strum along! We will also have the Memorial School Ukuleles on hand for any students that would like to join the band!
This FREE concert is an hour long and complimentary refreshments are provided at the end of the show.
‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway’s youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. This Friday will include games (such as an inflatable gaga pit and Ping Pong), arts & crafts (an art contest), a visit from K-9 Frankie the therapy dog, social time, pizza & more! This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
The upcoming dates for the program are April 26 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Medway High School.
We also have added an end of the school year FIELD TRIP! If your youth has attended 3 Friday Night Done Right Drop-Ins, they will be eligible to go on this field trip.
Here is the link to sign up your youth: https://bit.ly/FridayNightDoneRightSignUp
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10 p.m., and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, Gabby Giannelli, info@supmedway.com
To sign up click this link: https://bit.ly/MMShype
Shamrock Shuffle
Get ready to Shuffle! Please join Medway Elementary Parent Teacher Organization MEPTO for the 13th annual Shamrock Shuffle on Saturday, March 9, 2022 at the Medway High School. The 5K course winds through the scenic back roads of Medway and is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, including children and families. All proceeds from this event will be used to support the creative arts programs at both McGovern and Memorial Schools. Make sure you wear your green and show off your shamrock pride!
Important Resources for Families
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Mental Health Resource for Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Parenting Solutions Library
For the last several years, Medway Schools have collaborated with the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth (MPY) to provide professional development for our staff. MPY now offers a library of 10-minute videos and handouts for parents. Over 24 offerings include tips for parents regarding school success, student mental health, and more. The library can be accessed for free by clicking here.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools:
Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School:
Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School:
Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary:
Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School:
Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education:
Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_
Superintendent's Update: February 28, 2024
Dear Medway families,
We hope that you had a great February break. As we shared in January, each month we plan to share a new Spotlight on Excellence. The purpose of the Spotlight on Excellence is to highlight some of the great work that is going on throughout the district. The subject of this month’s Spotlight on Excellence is no exception! The Community Education department provides important support and programming to our students, and the broader community. The department is an incredibly important asset to the work we do, most recently contributing to supporting the needs of students through a range of programs including What I Need (W.I.N.) and Summer of Discovery. Take a look at this month’s Spotlight on Excellence: Community Education!
Included below are many important updates and informational items, including some opportunities to get involved in planning for our future..
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
Strategic Planning Process
We are launching an exciting nine-month process to develop an updated Strategic Plan for the Medway School District. The updated plan will replace the current plan, 2019-2024 Excellence for All: A Medway Mindset, Strategic Plan, while also embedding elements of the recently developed MPS Equity Plan. An important approach to the development of this plan is that it will include engagement and feedback from faculty and staff, students, family, and community members.
We invite you to be a part of shaping our future by joining us in various capacities:
1. Steering Committee: Approximately 18 members, including school, district, and community representatives, will guide and inform the strategic planning process. This commitment involves around 10 meetings, with initial dates set for April 11, May 2, May 16, May 30, and June 13 (tentative). Additional meeting details for next year will follow in the Spring.
2. Advisory Team: Community and school leaders will serve as advocates and advisors to the Steering Committee, ensuring broad engagement. Advisory Team members will participate in a 1:1 interview with our Strategic Planning facilitator and join a Spring Focus Group (dates TBD).
3. Community Workshop: Community members are invited to participate in focus groups to share insights on our strengths and opportunities for improvement.
We aim to finalize our next Strategic Plan by December 1, 2024. If you are interested in staying informed, participating in workshops and surveys, or volunteering for the Advisory Team or Steering Committee, please sign up HERE by March 15, 2024. We'll confirm participation shortly after.
Your involvement is crucial as we chart the course for Medway's educational future. Together, let's shape a strategic plan that reflects our collective aspirations and values.
District Information/Updates
LAST CALL! RESPONSE REQUESTED: Development of Medway’s 3 year Student Opportunity Act Plan
Medway Public Schools is in the process of developing a plan to submit to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education called a Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Plan. This is a 3 year plan that is intended to focus on a subset of the district’s overall initiatives. Each district’s plan should include the identification of evidence-based programs and strategies that will improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students, including English learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students.
Based on an analysis of student outcomes and feedback from families, school leaders, and faculty and staff, Medway’s SOA Plan for 2024-2027 will focus on enhancing our practices around mathematics education. In order to finalize this plan we are reaching out to seek your feedback to shape this plan.
Thank you for participating in this brief survey by March 1. We will be sharing the DRAFT SOA Plan with School Councils, the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) and the Medway School Committee throughout the month of March and submitting our final plan to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by April 1, 2024, per requirement.
Please contact Gabby Abrams, Assistant Superintendent, at gabrams@medwayschools.org with any questions.
Approved Transportation Changes
As we have communicated, the Medway School Committee approved the implementation of a Pay to Ride transportation program, as well as some other important changes to the transportation program effective for the 2024-25 school year. While we had planned to share the transportation handbook and information on the registration process by the beginning of March, more time is required. Please anticipate all materials to be shared by the middle of March. Thank you for your patience.
A synopsis of the program approved by the School Committee:
Students in K through Grade 6 who live more than 2 miles from school will receive school transportation at no cost
Students in K through Grade 6 who live less than 2 miles from school, and all students in grades 7-12 who do not qualify for free transportation, can participate in transportation via the district’s Pay to Ride program. The program is structured as follows:
$250 annual fee for first child in a family; $150 annual fee for each additional child with an annual family cap of $550
Students may take a different bus in the morning than the afternoon but each bus (morning and afternoon) must be consistent all 5 days of the week.
- Example of approved scenario:
- Morning pickup on Bus A at home
- Afternoon dropoff on Bus B at daycare
- Example of approved scenario:
- Morning pickup on Bus A at home
- Bus to MEDI on M, T, W
- Either Bus A or Bus B on Th, F (must be the same on both days)
*Note: Transportation to and from MEDI is managed by MEDI and not considered a separate stop
In addition, families who meet the federal guidelines for free and reduced lunch will not be required to pay for transportation. Federal guidelines for the 24-25 school year will be available soon.
Please note that per Medway School Committee policy JFBB, School Choice students are not eligible for district transportation.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024/2025 School Year is OPEN!
Kindergarten registration has opened for the 2024-2025 school year. 2024-2025 school year kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2024. Registration information is available online, in the superintendent’s office, and at the McGovern School. You can find important information and events leading up to kindergarten in this document: Road to Kindergarten. We will send more information out in the coming weeks, but wanted to share dates for planning purposes. Finally, please mark your calendars for Kindergarten Camp which will take place from July 29-August 2. We will publish additional information as it becomes available. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2037 to the Medway Public Schools!
Pre-School Lottery
The integrated preschool works to create an inclusive environment where all children may realize their full potential. The integrated program consists of students who require services due to their identified disabilities as well as community peers, who are not eligible for special education services and are not experiencing delays in their development. For families interested in having their child attend the Integrated Preschool program at McGovern School, the lottery for community peers will be opening up in February 2024. In a future community update we will provide links to the online lottery form and information about the process. For reference, you can review the preschool webpage found here for information on the previous years preschool lottery process.
2024-2025 (FY25) Budget Development Update, Timeline and Events
To keep you informed and engaged in this important process, we are committed to sharing upcoming events and resources designed to foster a transparent and inclusive dialogue with our community. Below is a list of resources and events that have taken place and that will be taking place to provide you with opportunities to remain connected and participate in the discussions surrounding our budget development:
December 19, 2023: The district held a webinar on the Fundamentals of School Finance. If you were unable to attend, the recording can be found here.
January 11, 2024: On Thursday, January 11, 2024 the district held a Transportation Webinar to share information and answer questions about the proposed changes for the 2024/2025 school year.
February 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., Charting the Course - District Improvement Update and Budget Overview Presented to the School Committee: Dr. Pires, Superintendent, and Ms. Abrams, Assistant Superintendent, presented Charting the Course: District Improvement Plan 2023-2024 Mid-year Update and FY25 Budget Overview to the School Committee. This presentation highlighted the priority areas to be addressed in the FY25 Recommended Superintendent’s Budget. The presentation can be found here.
February 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., Joint School Committee Public Forum and Superintendent Chat: School Committee Public Forum and Superintendent Chat FY25 Budget Discussion and Community Input.
February 29, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., FY25 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget Presentation: Dr. Pires and Ms. Leonhardt, Director of Finance and Operations, will present the FY25 Recommended Superintendent's Budget to the School Committee.
March 14, 2024: Public Hearing on FY25 Budget: On Thursday, March 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room, community members are invited to share public comments regarding the proposed FY25 budget with the School Committee. This is the final opportunity for community feedback prior to the School Committee vote on the FY25 budget. Feedback shared at the hearing will be acknowledged and noted, but there will not be a dialogue during the Budget Hearing.
March 21, 2024: School Committee to Vote on FY25 Budget: At the March 21 School Committee meeting, the committee will vote to approve and forward the FY25 Medway Public Schools Budget to the Town of Medway to be included as part of the FY25 Town of Medway budget.
May 13, 2024: Annual Town Meeting: Community members are encouraged to attend Medway’s Town Meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., at Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, when residents will be asked to vote on the Town of Medway FY25 budget, which will be inclusive of the FY25 Medway Public School’s budget to be used for the 2024-2025 school year.
Revised Last Day of School, 2023-2024
Due to the snow day on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, the last day of school for the 2023-2024 school year will now be Friday, June 14, 2024. Should we need to cancel school again this year, this date will move.
2024-2025 School Calendar
During the January 18 School Committee meeting, the 2024-2025 school calendar and graduation date were approved. A copy of the approved FY24 school year calendar can be found here.
District Operations
Technology Updates
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option. The Technology Department would like to remind families that devices found to be vandalized will not be returned to the student. The student will lose their privilege to be issued a school-owned device.
Educational Technology Audit to Begin
The district is engaging in a Technology Landscape Analysis which will focus primarily on the educational technology within our district. This audit will provide us with valuable information to identify critical focus areas for hardware, software, security, and maintenance aimed to leverage technology as a supportive and safe instructional tool for our students. We hope to share the analysis when complete.
Community Education
Spring Brochure - Our newest brochure is expected in Medway homes in early March. We are pleased to offer programs for all age groups - preschool, youth, teens and adults. Gather your friends and plan a fun night out creating beautiful artwork and crafts. Celebrate spring by joining us at several events planned at Molly’s Apothecary, Muffin House Cafe, and CraftRoots Brewing! Are you looking for a fitness program? We offer basketball, volleyball, pickleball, golf, Zumba, strengthening, stretching, cardio boxing, Tai Chi, step aerobics, and so much more! Please visit our website or watch for social media posts regarding the opening of our spring registration in early March.
Summer Youth Programs - The yellow insert, filled with sports, STEM, crafts, cooking and theater programs, will be included as part of our Spring Brochure. Be prepared and plan your children’s summer schedule by viewing our Summer 2024 Calendar with dates and times for many summer activities. Check back frequently to view any new programs added! Registration for summer programs will open in early March.
Camp Counselors - We are actively seeking counselors for our popular Summer Adventures Camp! Individuals ages 16 and up may apply for this paid position. Enthusiastic and energetic individuals, with experience working with children, are encouraged to apply. Please complete our application and we will contact you soon!
District Wide Vacancies and Openings
Medway Public Schools has been actively working to staff all district wide vacancies.
All vacant positions can be found on both School Spring and/or Indeed.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district. Click here to view recently published articles on our district website.
Student Recognitions
Winter Athletics PostSeason Competition
The Medway Mustangs had a great winter season and now the MIAA tournament season is on its way.
Our #9 Boys Hockey team had a great 12-9 season and will be up against #24 Ashland today at 4:00 p.m. at the Pirelli Arena.
Our #30 Girls Hockey team will also be playing later this evening against #3 Burlington at 6:10 p.m, Burlington Ice Palace.
Boys Basketball (#17) has had an excellent 10-10 season and will be competing against #16 Abington at the Abington High School tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
Our #3 Girls Basketball team had an incredible 16-4 season and will be playing again on March 1 at 6:00 p.m. against a to-be-determined team.
The Gymnastics team will compete in the State Championship on March 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Algonquin High School.
Our Cheer team will compete in the MSAA South Regional Cheer Championship on March 3 at Duxbury High School, time TBA.
Select members of our Boy's Track Team competed in the Pentathlon at the Reggie Lewis Center yesterday. Results will be forthcoming. A few of our Girl's Track Team members will compete in the Pentathlon, also at the Reggie Lewis Center today at 3:30 p.m.
Our Alpine Ski Team competed in the State Championship yesterday at Wachusett Mountain, and those results will be forthcoming as well.
Medway High School Presents: The Wizard of Oz
Medway High School Theatre Program presents their performance of The Wizard of Oz. Follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. Tickets are on sale here online or can be purchased at the door. They will be offering three performances on Friday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 9 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. All performances will take place at Medway High School. We hope to see you there!
Medway Middle School Presents: Frozen Jr.
Medway Middle School Performing Arts presents their performance of Frozen Jr. The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready for your Broadway Junior stars! Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. Tickets are on sale here online or can be purchased at the door. They will be offering three performances on Friday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All performances will take place at Medway High School.
Medway Middle School Science Fair
On February 15, Medway Middle School hosted their 16th Annual Science Fair. Congratulations to all who participated. Please see the award recipients listed below.
3rd Place (TIE)
Name: Rishi Gupta
Project: Green Without Soil (Hydroponics)
Area of Science: LifeScience/Technology - Research
Name: Kathryn Baio
Project: Brood Parasites: Would You Raise the Baby that Killed Your Children?
Area of Science: Life Science - Research
2nd Place
Name: Abby Waugh
Project: Food For Thought (Training Your Mind and Body)
Area of Science: Chemistry/Life Science - Scientific Investigation
1st Place
Name: Geetika Seethammagari
Project: Bridges and Brains
Area of Science: Science Engineering - Research
Teaching and Learning Updates
Spring 2024 MCAS Schedule
Students in grades 3-8 and grade 10 will be participating in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science/Technology/Engineering between March and May. These assessments, while representing only one measure of student learning, provide the district with valuable information about areas of success and where we can improve. Students are encouraged to be on time and in attendance on these days.
Tutoring and Writing Support Through Paper.co
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
Updates from Support Organizations
Medway Foundation for Education Trivia Bee
The MFE continued the time honored tradition hosting another successful MFE Trivia Bee on Tuesday night. There was a large turnout including 5 teams of high school students, teams from each school in the district, and School Committee members. It was an exciting competition and we wish to extend congratulations to “Don’t Worry, BEE Happy” for taking home the grand trophy. The MFE hosts these events as fundraising efforts to support innovative grant proposals in support of all students in the Medway Public Schools.
MFE also thanked former members Aimee Selby and Brian Gray.
‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway’s youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. This Friday will include games (such as an inflatable gaga pit and Ping Pong), arts & crafts (an art contest), a visit from K-9 Frankie the therapy dog, social time, pizza & more! This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
The upcoming dates for the program are March 1 & April 26 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Medway High School.
We also have added an end of the school year FIELD TRIP! If your youth has attended 3 Friday Night Done Right Drop-Ins, they will be eligible to go on this field trip.
Here is the link to sign up your youth: https://bit.ly/FridayNightDoneRightSignUp
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10 p.m., and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, Gabby Giannelli, info@supmedway.com
To sign up click this link: https://bit.ly/MMShype
Shamrock Shuffle
Get ready to Shuffle! Please join Medway Elementary Parent Teacher Organization MEPTO for the 13th annual Shamrock Shuffle on Saturday, March 9, 2022 at the Medway High School. The 5K course winds through the scenic back roads of Medway and is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, including children and families. All proceeds from this event will be used to support the creative arts programs at both McGovern and Memorial Schools. Make sure you wear your green and show off your shamrock pride! Click here to register today!
Important Resources for Families
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Mental Health Resource for Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Parenting Solutions Library
For the last several years, Medway Schools have collaborated with the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth (MPY) to provide professional development for our staff. MPY now offers a library of 10-minute videos and handouts for parents. Over 24 offerings include tips for parents regarding school success, student mental health, and more. The library can be accessed for free by clicking here.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools:
Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School:
Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School:
Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary:
Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School:
Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education:
Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_
Superintendent's Update: February 7, 2024
Dear Medway families,
As we navigate the complexities of budget planning for the upcoming school year, we have worked hard to be transparent about the challenges posed by increased costs against the backdrop of economic uncertainty. Despite these hurdles, we want to share and highlight some amazing work by our teachers and leaders to secure additional financial support for our students and programs.
In the current school year alone, the Medway Public Schools have successfully obtained nearly $1.2 million in competitive grant funds. This is in addition to the nearly $900,000 in competitive grants received last year. These funds, from a variety of sources, play a vital role in enriching the educational experiences of our students.
Among the many successes, some highlights of what these grants have provided include:
Provide literacy professional development and resources for K-5 teachers
Provide professional development for multiple special educators in systematic multisensory reading instruction
Support for the implementation of additional intervention programs aimed at accelerating math learning, including tutoring and vacation week acceleration academies (Math Camp)
Planning and implementation support for the Innovation Pathways in Healthcare, Information, Business, and Finance at Medway High School
Intensive professional development and support to improve instructional experiences through implementation of a “Deeper Learning” Initiative at Medway Middle School
Funding to support improvement of, and transition to, a new Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
New Chromebooks to enhance student learning opportunities
Sustained support for the Substance Use Prevention Coalition (SUP Medway)
Support to address chronic absenteeism through targeted initiatives
Funding for positions including Wrap Around Service Coordinator and middle school/high school adjustment counselor
The efforts of our educators and leaders to research, apply for, and secure this level of grant funding has been incredible and we know that the student focused work that these funds support would not be possible without these additional funds. A more complete list of successful competitive grants can be found here.
As we continue to navigate these budgetary challenges, we remain deeply grateful for the ongoing support and collaboration from our dedicated educators, community partners, and, of course, our resilient students and families. Please find additional important updates below.
Sincerely,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
District Information/Updates
Upcoming Winter Break
There will be no school starting Monday, February 19-Friday, February 23 for winter break.
RESPONSE REQUESTED: Development of Medway’s 3 year Student Opportunity Act Plan
Medway Public Schools is in the process of developing a plan to submit to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education called a Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Plan. This is a 3 year plan that is intended to focus on a subset of the district’s overall initiatives. Each district’s plan should include the identification of evidence-based programs and strategies that will improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students, including English learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students.
Based on an analysis of student outcomes and feedback from families, school leaders, and faculty and staff, Medway’s SOA Plan for 2024-2027 will focus on enhancing our practices around mathematics education. In order to finalize this plan we are reaching out to seek your feedback to shape this plan.
Thank you for participating in this brief survey by March 1. We will be sharing the DRAFT SOA Plan with School Councils, the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) and the Medway School Committee throughout the month of March and submitting our final plan to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by April 1, 2024 per requirement.
Please contact Gabby Abrams, Assistant Superintendent, at gabrams@medwayschools.org with any questions.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024/2025 School Year is OPEN!
Kindergarten registration has opened for the 2024-2025 school year. 2024-2025 school year kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2024. Registration information is available online, in the superintendent’s office, and at the McGovern School. You can find important information and events leading up to kindergarten in this document: Road to Kindergarten. We will send more information out in the coming weeks, but wanted to share dates for planning purposes. Finally, please mark your calendars for Kindergarten Camp which will take place from July 29-August 2. We will publish additional information as it becomes available. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2037 to the Medway Public Schools!
Pre-School Lottery
The integrated preschool works to create an inclusive environment where all children may realize their full potential. The integrated program consists of students who require services due to their identified disabilities as well as community peers, who are not eligible for special education services and are not experiencing delays in their development. For families interested in having their child attend the Integrated Preschool program at McGovern School, the lottery for community peers will be opening up in February 2024. In a future community update we will provide links to the online lottery form and information about the process. For reference, you can review the preschool webpage found here for information on the previous years preschool lottery process.
Approved Transportation Changes
At its meeting last Thursday February 1, the Medway School Committee approved the implementation of a Pay to Ride transportation program, effective for the 2024-25 school year. The specifics of the adopted program differ from the recommendations proposed and previously communicated by the district.
A synopsis of the program approved by the School Committee:
Students in K through Grade 6 who live more than 2 miles from school will receive school transportation at no cost
Students in K through Grade 6 who live less than 2 miles from school, and all students in grades 7-12 who do not qualify for free transportation, can participate in transportation via the district’s Pay to Ride program. The program is structured as follows:
$250 annual fee for first child in a family; $150 annual fee for each additional child with an annual family cap of $550
Students may take a different bus in the morning than the afternoon but each bus (morning and afternoon) must be consistent all 5 days of the week.
Example of approved scenario: Morning pickup on Bus A at home; Afternoon dropoff on Bus B at daycare
Example of approved scenario: Morning pickup on Bus A at home; Bus to MEDI on M, T, W; Either Bus A or Bus B on Th, F (must be the same on both days)
*Note: Transportation to and from MEDI is managed by MEDI and not considered a separate stop
In addition, families who meet the federal guidelines for free and reduced lunch will not be required to pay for transportation.
Please note that per Medway School Committee policy JFBB, School Choice students are not eligible for district transportation.
The district is working on a parent/guardian transportation handbook which will detail program specific program elements, as well as a proposed transportation registration schedule. Both will be communicated no later than March 1.
2024-2025 (FY25) Budget Development Update, Timeline and Events
To keep you informed and engaged in this important process, we are committed to sharing upcoming events and resources designed to foster a transparent and inclusive dialogue with our community. Below is a list of resources and events that have taken place and that will be taking place to provide you with opportunities to remain connected and participate in the discussions surrounding our budget development:
December 19, 2023: The district held a webinar on the Fundamentals of School Finance. If you were unable to attend, the recording can be found here.
January 11, 2024: On Thursday, January 11, 2024 the district held a Transportation Webinar to share information and answer questions about the proposed changes for the 2024/2025 school year.
February 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., Charting the Course - District Improvement Update and Budget Overview Presented to the School Committee: Dr. Pires, Superintendent, and Ms. Abrams, Assistant Superintendent, presented Charting the Course: District Improvement Plan 2023-2024 Mid-year Update and FY25 Budget Overview to the School Committee. This presentation highlighted the priority areas to be addressed in the FY25 Recommended Superintendent’s Budget. The presentation can be found here.
February 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., Joint School Committee Public Forum and Superintendent Chat: School Committee Public Forum and Superintendent Chat FY25 Budget Discussion and Community Input. 6:00 p.m., Medway Middle School Presentation Room
February 29, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., FY25 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget Presentation: Dr. Pires and Ms. Leonhardt, Director of Finance and Operations, will present the FY25 Recommended Superintendent's Budget to the School Committee.
March 14, 2024: Public Hearing on FY25 Budget: On Thursday, March 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room, community members are invited to share public comments regarding the proposed FY25 budget with the School Committee. This is the final opportunity for community feedback prior to the School Committee vote on the FY25 budget. Feedback shared at the hearing will be acknowledged and noted, but there will not be a dialogue during the Budget Hearing.
March 21, 2024: School Committee to Vote on FY25 Budget: At the March 21 School Committee meeting, the committee will vote to approve and forward the FY25 Medway Public Schools Budget to the Town of Medway to be included as part of the FY25 Town of Medway budget.
May 13, 2024: Annual Town Meeting: Community members are encouraged to attend Medway’s Town Meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., at Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, when residents will be asked to vote on the Town of Medway FY25 budget, which will be inclusive of the FY25 Medway Public School’s budget to be used for the 2024-2025 school year.
2024-2025 School Calendar
During the January 18 School Committee meeting, the 2024-2025 school calendar and graduation date were approved. A copy of the approved FY24 school year calendar can be found here.
2023-2024 DESE Report Cards
Each year, schools and districts across the Commonwealth are required to share DESE developed “report cards” which highlight performance under a number of criteria. Building principals will be sharing these reports with families this week. A fact sheet on the “report card” can be found here and a letter from Assistant Superintendent Gabby Abrams with a link to school report cards can be found below.
Technology Updates
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option. The Technology Department would like to remind families that devices found to be vandalized will not be returned to the student. The student will lose their privilege to be issued a school-owned device.
Educational Technology Audit to Begin
The district is engaging in a Technology Landscape Analysis which will focus primarily on the educational technology within our district. This audit will provide us with valuable information to identify critical focus areas for hardware, software, security, and maintenance aimed to leverage technology as a supportive and safe instructional tool for our students. We hope to share the analysis when complete.
Spring 2024 MCAS Schedule
Students in grades 3-8 and grade 10 will be participating in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science/Technology/Engineering between March and May. These assessments, while representing only one measure of student learning, provide the district with valuable information about areas of success and where we can improve. Students are encouraged to be on time and in attendance on these days.
Student Congratulations! Central District Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association (CDMMEA) Junior Districts 2024
On February 4, nineteen students from Medway High School and Middle School auditioned for the Massachusetts Music Educators Central District Junior Festival. Educators Erin Cronan, Ashley Nelson-Oneschuk, Nori von Jena and Amanda Webster are thrilled to announce that twelve Medway students have been chosen to participate in this year's festival scheduled for April.
Please join us in extending congratulations to the following individuals for this achievement!
Chorus
Megan Calnan (Soprano) - Medway HS
Myla Campbell (Soprano) - Medway MS
Ruby Dwyer (Alto) - Medway MS
Rowan Esposito (Alto) - Medway HS
Riley Gallerani (Soprano) - Medway HS
Emma Keavany (Alto) - Medway MS
Anna Pierangeli (Soprano) - Medway HS
Concert Band
Alenka Cook (Flute) - Medway. MS
Kelsey Jacobs (Euphonium) - Medway HS
Keira Lipman (Bass Clarinet) - Medway MS
Aurelia Mello (Flute) - Medway HS
Orchestra
Michael Luca (Mallet Percussion) - Medway HS
Medway High School Presents: The Wizard of Oz
Medway High School Theatre Program presents their performance of The Wizard of Oz. Follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on February 10 at 6:00 a.m. and will be available for purchase online here. They will be offering three performances on Friday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 9 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. All performances will take place at Medway High School. We hope to see you there!
District Wide Vacancies and Openings
Medway Public Schools has been actively working to staff all district wide vacancies.
All vacant positions can be found on both School Spring and/or Indeed.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district. The following articles were recently shared published on our district website which can be accessed here:
Community Education
Summer Adventures Camp - Registration opened on Thursday, February 1 for children entering Kindergarten through Grade 5. Before registering, we remind families to be best prepared by reading the information provided on Arbiter Registration. Information includes Health Care and Immunization records required by Medway Board of Health, Cancellation and Refund Policy, Field Trips, Meningococcal Disease and Immunization, Camp Parental Consent, Field Trip Release, Camp Rules and Behavior Expectations, and the Medway Public Schools/Town of Medway Release of Liability. The Summer Adventures Camp must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Health (105 CMR 430.000) and is licensed by the Town of Medway Board of Health. Information on 105 CMR 430.000 can be obtained at (617) 983-6761.
Driver’s Education 30-Hour Classroom Program: We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Teachers Driving Academy (TDA) in the education of young drivers. TDA is offering the required 30-hour classroom program In Person which, for many, is the preferred method of learning. The program will take place at Medway High School during February Vacation. Please visit the TDA website to register and for more information.
Teaching and Learning Updates
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
Updates from Support Organizations
CHANGE OF DATE: SEPAC Meeting
The SEPAC meeting scheduled for February 7 has been changed to February 28.
T.H.R.I.V.E Event
On January 31, Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. co-hosted a virtual parent event with Medfield Public Schools. During the webinar, Dr. Devorah Heitner shared her strategies for parents of teens and tweens around navigating boundaries, identity, privacy, and reputation in their digital world. Dr. Heitner allowed for the webinar to be recorded and stored internally. If you would like access to the recording, please reach out to Dr. Dave Worthley, dworthley@email.medfield.net.
Medway Foundation for Education(MFE): SAVE THE DATES!
MFE is excited to announce that they are holding both the Trivia Bee and the Dodgeball tournament this year.
Join us to have fun, compete and raise funds to help MFE support our schools!
The Trivia Bee will be held on Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Burke-Memorial School. New teams are always welcome and the MFE looks forward to always welcoming back our tried and true past competitors! Minimum donation is $300 per table (6 players per table). Individuals and teams are invited to play AND we also are seeking sponsors for tables (to pay for teacher, student or other teams). To Register your team to compete in the MFE Trivia Bee OR to sponsor a table, please reach out to medwayfoundationforeducation@gmail.com.
DODGEBALL is back!! The tournament will be Saturday, March 23 at the Medway Middle School. More information will be shared soon. If you are interested in sponsoring the event, email MFEdodgeball@gmail.com. Team registration information will be out soon - check their Facebook, Instagram and website for updates
Medway Friends of the Performing Arts (MFPA) 2nd Annual Musical Bingo
Tomorrow, February 8 at the Medway Middle School Cafeteria; Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and Bingo starts promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Mr. Doug Herbst is our Musical Bingo DJ again this year! Bring your dancing shoes!
Registration has closed!
This is an all ages, family-friendly event. Space is limited, so register early. The last day to register was February 5.
There will be prizes, concessions for purchase, raffles, and lots of fun!
‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway’s youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. Medway youth will be able to indulge in endless fun such as lawn games, inflatable obstacle courses, arts and crafts, video games, sports, social time, and pizza for dinner. This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
This program will run on February 9, March 1, and April 26 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Medway High School Cafeteria.
The link to sign students up is: https://bit.ly/FridayNightDoneRightSignUp
We are also looking for adult chaperones from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on these dates. The link to volunteer as a chaperone is: https://bit.ly/SUPvolunteersignup
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10 p.m., and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, Gabby Giannelli, info@supmedway.com
To sign up click this link: https://bit.ly/MMShype
Shamrock Shuffle
Get ready to Shuffle! Please join Medway Elementary Parent Teacher Organization MEPTO for the 13th annual Shamrock Shuffle on Saturday, March 9, 2022 at the Medway High School. The 5K course winds through the scenic back roads of Medway and is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, including children and families. All proceeds from this event will be used to support the creative arts programs at both McGovern and Memorial Schools. Make sure you wear your green and show off your shamrock pride! Click here to register today!
Important Resources for Families
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Mental Health Resource for Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Parenting Solutions Library
For the last several years, Medway Schools have collaborated with the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth (MPY) to provide professional development for our staff. MPY now offers a library of 10-minute videos and handouts for parents. Over 24 offerings include tips for parents regarding school success, student mental health, and more. The library can be accessed for free by clicking here.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools:
Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School:
Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School:
Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary:
Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School:
Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education:
Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_
Superintendent's Update: January 24, 2024
Dear families,
We wanted to provide an update on the development of the 2024-2025 (FY25) district budget. As was communicated, we find ourselves in a challenging budget environment as we balance available funds with increased costs for nearly every area of our budget.
Our budget development process is a comprehensive and deliberate process that looks at our current programs and staffing and determines any additional needs we have as a district. We also review all current programs to ensure that they are meeting expectations and that staffing is appropriate to meet the needs of our students. This process has led to the identification that a significant gap exists between our budgetary needs and anticipated increased funding. As a result, we have recommended that the School Committee enact transportation fees to provide additional revenues to our district. This is only one of many strategies used to support the development of a responsible budget that meets the needs of all students.
As we continue the budget development process, we want to ensure that we offer the opportunity for the community to provide feedback, ask questions, and share recommendations for consideration as we move to finalize the proposed FY25 Budget. On Thursday, February 8, we will host a joint School Committee Public Forum and Superintendent Chat to hear from community members. The Forum will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room (door #7). We look forward to hearing your ideas and answering questions.
Please find below additional information about the budget development timeline, along with other important items.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration in ensuring the success of our students.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
District Information/Updates
Upcoming Early Release Days
There will be early release days on Wednesday, January 31 and February 7 in support of professional development time for educators and support staff. Dismissal times are as follows:
Medway Middle School: 11:02 a.m.
Burke-Memorial Elementary: 11:30 a.m.
Medway High School: 11:34 a.m.
McGovern Elementary: 12:00 p.m.
Spotlight on Excellence
In the last Community Update, we shared a new feature to highlight the great things going on in the Medway School. A Spotlight on Excellence will be shared monthly, and highlight via a brief video, a program, experience, or staff who make Medway special. Our first installment of Spotlight on Excellence was released and focused on the Innovation Pathway Program at Medway High School. Learn more about it here.
Kindergarten Registration Opens February 5, 2024!
Kindergarten registration will be opening on February 5 for the 2024-2025 school year. 2024-2025 school year kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2024. Registration information will be available online, in the superintendent’s office, and at the McGovern School. We will send more information out in the coming weeks for planning purposes, including Kindergarten Camp dates. We will publish additional information as it becomes available. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2037 to the Medway Public Schools!
Pre-School Lottery
The integrated preschool works to create an inclusive environment where all children may realize their full potential. The integrated program consists of students who require services due to their identified disabilities as well as community peers, who are not eligible for special education services and are not experiencing delays in their development. For families interested in having their child attend the Integrated Preschool program at McGovern School, the lottery for community peers will be opening up in February 2024. In a future community update we will provide links to the online lottery form and information about the process. For reference, you can review the preschool webpage found here for information on the previous years preschool lottery process.
Proposed Transportation Changes
On Thursday, January 11, the district held a webinar to discuss the changes proposed for the district’s transportation program for the 2024-2025 school year. Below please find the documents from that evening as well as follow-up questions and answers.
Transportation Proposed Changes Slideshow
Transportation Frequently Asked Questions
The School Committee is scheduled to discuss and vote on these changes at its February 1st meeting.
2024-2025 (FY25) Budget Development Update, Timeline and Events
To keep you informed and engaged in this important process, we are committed to sharing upcoming events and resources designed to foster a transparent and inclusive dialogue with our community. Below is a list of resources and events that will provide you with opportunities to remain connected and participate in the discussions surrounding our budget development:
December 19, 2023: The district held a webinar on the Fundamentals of School Finance. If you were unable to attend, the recording can be found here.
January 11, 2024: On Thursday, January 11, 2024 the district held a Transportation Webinar to share information and answer questions about the proposed changes for the 2024/2025 school year.
February 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., Charting the Course - District Improvement Update and Budget Overview Presented to the School Committee: Dr. Pires, Superintendent, and Ms. Abrams, Assistant Superintendent, will present Charting the Course: District Improvement Plan 2023-2024 Mid-year Update and FY25 Budget Overview to the School Committee. This presentation will highlight the priority areas to be addressed in the FY25 Recommended Superintendent’s Budget. The presentation will be shared with families following the presentation.
February 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., Joint School Committee Public Forum and Superintendent Chat: School Committee Public Forum and Superintendent Chat FY25 Budget Discussion and Community Input. 6:00 p.m., Medway Middle School Presentation Room
February 29, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., FY25 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget Presentation: Dr. Pires and Ms. Leonhardt, Director of Finance and Operations, will present the FY25 Recommended Superintendent's Budget to the School Committee.
March 14, 2024: Public Hearing on FY25 Budget: On Thursday, March 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room, community members are invited to share public comments regarding the proposed FY25 budget with the School Committee. This is the final opportunity for community feedback prior to the School Committee vote on the FY25 budget. Feedback shared at the hearing will be acknowledged and noted, but there will not be a dialogue during the Budget Hearing.
March 21, 2024: School Committee to Vote on FY25 Budget: At the March 21 School Committee meeting, the committee will vote to approve and forward the FY25 Medway Public Schools Budget to the Town of Medway to be included as part of the FY25 Town of Medway budget.
May 13, 2024: Annual Town Meeting: Community members are encouraged to attend Medway’s Town Meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., at Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, when residents will be asked to vote on the Town of Medway FY25 budget, which will be inclusive of the FY25 Medway Public School’s budget to be used for the 2024-2025 school year.
Family Engagement Survey
As part of our Equity Plan, we have completed a Family Engagement Survey. Thank you to the over 300 families who participated in the survey. The results are currently being analyzed. We will examine the findings reports within our building-based teams to create action steps. The report will also be used to create an infographic summarizing the results that will be shared with families.
2024-2025 School Calendar
During the January 18 School Committee meeting, the 2024-2025 school calendar and graduation date were approved. A copy of the approved FY24 school year calendar can be found here.
Athletics Financial Update and Working Group
At its January 18 meeting, the School Committee was provided an overview of the district’s athletics program. The discussion included the formation of an Athletics Working Group. The Working Group will be tasked with conducting a deeper review of the athletics program including: budgetary impact, user fees, offering of sports and levels of each, and long term sustainability. The Working Group will include school and district leaders, as well as representation from the Athletics Advisory Committee. It is anticipated that this work will begin this spring with findings presented to the Medway School Committee by next December. This will provide the School Committee with the ability to review recommendations and make changes, if necessary, as part of the 2025-2026 budget development process.
District Wide Vacancies and Openings
Medway Public Schools has been actively working to staff all district wide vacancies. If you or someone you know is interested in working for the Medway Schools, please find our vacant positions on School Spring and/or Indeed.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district. Click here to view recently published articles on our district website.
Teaching and Learning Updates
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
Technology Updates
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option.
Educational Technology Audit to Begin
The district is engaging in a Technology Landscape Analysis which will focus primarily on the educational technology within our district. This audit will provide us with valuable information to identify critical focus areas for hardware, software, security, and maintenance aimed to leverage technology as a supportive and safe instructional tool for our students. We hope to share the analysis when complete.
Grade 6-8 English/Language Arts Update
At the January 18 School Committee meeting, Assistant Superintendent Gabby Abrams and educator Jenna Keenan, shared an update of the Grade 6-8 Literacy Teaching and Learning Efforts. The presentation can be found here.
National Spanish Honor Society Induction
Congratulations to the newest members of Medway High School’s National Spanish Honor Society who were inducted earlier this week.
Katherine Anderson
Jason Bedard
Jaina Campbell
Mason Diaz
Shawn Frauton
Annabelle Gerber
Christina Harrahy
Nathaniel Hoffman
Ryan Hoye
Katherine Jordan
Olivia Klaus
Leah Lieberman
Theodore MacDonald
Sophia Magliaro
Katelyn Maniero
Zachary Nielsen
Matthew Parlon
Nicholas Pierangeli
Michelle Pishchik
Kevin Tarkowski
Michael Webb
Matthew Yuen
Updates from Support Organizations
Medway Middle School Performing Arts to Host 5th Annual Trivia Night
Join the Medway Performing Arts at their 5th Annual Trivia Night to sponsor the cast and crew of Frozen Jr. and the Medway Middle School Performing Arts Department. The event will take place tomorrow, Thursday, January 25, at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.) in the middle school cafeteria. For additional information as well as how to register, click here.
Medway Foundation for Education(MFE): SAVE THE DATES!
MFE is excited to announce that they are holding both the Trivia Bee and the Dodgeball tournament this year.
Join us to have fun, compete and raise funds to help MFE support our schools!
The Trivia Bee will be held on Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Burke-Memorial School. New teams are always welcome and the MFE looks forward to always welcoming back our tried and true past competitors! Minimum donation is $300 per table (6 players per table). Individuals and teams are invited to play AND we also are seeking sponsors for tables (to pay for teacher, student or other teams). To Register your team to compete in the MFE Trivia Bee OR to sponsor a table, please reach out to medwayfoundationforeducation@gmail.com.
DODGEBALL is back!! The tournament will be Saturday, March 23 at the Medway Middle School. More information will be shared soon. If you are interested in sponsoring the event, email MFEdodgeball@gmail.com. Team registration information will be out soon - check their Facebook, Instagram and website for updates.
Medway Friends of the Performing Arts (MFPA) 2nd Annual Musical Bingo
February 8 at the Medway Middle School Cafeteria; Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and Bingo starts promptly at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Doug Herbst is our Musical Bingo DJ again this year! Bring your dancing shoes!
Pre-registration is required and can be found here.
Fee is $10/person or $50/family
This is an all ages, family-friendly event. Space is limited, so register early. The last day to register is February 5, based on availability.
Payment can be made after registering in advance via Venmo or cash/check at the door.
There will be prizes, concessions for purchase, raffles, and lots of fun!
Medway Secondary Parent Teacher Organization (MSPTO): Nature's Classroom Fundraiser
MSPTO is supporting the Class of 2031's trip to Nature's Classroom by hosting a calendar raffle fundraiser with gift cards and cash prizes. Support our 5th graders by purchasing a calendar to win prizes! All proceeds will be used to help fund the trip for the entire class.
Winners will be pulled daily in February 2024 and contacted by phone or email.
To enter, fill out this form and Venmo @Christine-Lally-2. Last four digits for confirmation are 2373. Please include your name and Nature’s Classroom in the notes. You can also drop off a check made out to MSPTO to 127 Winthrop St. in Medway by January 26, $10 per entry. Thank you for your support!
‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway’s youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. Medway youth will be able to indulge in endless fun such as lawn games, inflatable obstacle courses, arts and crafts, video games, sports, social time, and pizza for dinner. This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
This program will run on January 26, February 9, and March 1 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Medway High School Cafeteria.
The link to sign students up is: https://bit.ly/FridayNightDoneRightSignUp
We are also looking for adult chaperones from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on these dates. The link to volunteer as a chaperone is: https://bit.ly/SUPvolunteersignup
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10 p.m., and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, Gabby Giannelli, info@supmedway.com
To sign up click this link: https://bit.ly/MMShype
Community Education
Our Winter Brochure offers many one night enrichment opportunities which are a perfect blend of socializing with friends and learning something new. For our younger participants, the brochure features an array of programs catering to preschoolers, youth, and teens, including February Vacation programs! Please use these links to register for youth and adult programs today!
Registration for the 2024 Summer Adventures Camp opens on Thursday, February 1, at 8:00 a.m. Important - the Medway Board of Health requires that families upload their child’s most recent Health Form and Immunization Record at the time of registration. Please note that Arbiter Registration allows families the ability to update their child’s registration with new information between February 1st and June 24th, the first day of camp.
Employment and Volunteer opportunities are available with Summer Adventures Camp! We are seeking Camp Counselors and Leaders-In-Training for this summer’s popular camp. Camp Counselor - if you are 16 years or older, enjoy working with children and appreciate a fun adventure, please register here to express your interest. A minimum commitment of four weeks is required for this paid position. Leader-In-Training (LIT) - if you are a student aged 14 or 15 with tons of energy and enthusiasm, plus the desire to gain experience, please register here to express your interest. A minimum of two weeks is required for this volunteer position. Completing the registration form does not guarantee a position with the camp. All registrants will be contacted in early April to discuss next steps, if applicable.
Important Resources for Families
Upcoming Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. Event- January 31- Register Below
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. is an arm of the MPS Wellness Department, whose mission is to bring wellness-related parent programming to Medway. On January 31, in partnership with Medfield Public Schools, T.H.R.I.V.E. is offering an opportunity for parents to engage with Dr. Devorah Heitner on how to support students growing up in the digital age. For more information and to register for the webinar, please click here.
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Mental Health Resource for Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools:
Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School:
Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School:
Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary:
Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School:
Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education:
Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_
Superintendent's Update: January 10, 2024
Dear Medway families,
Happy New Year! We hope that the recent winter break provided our students and families with time to recharge and reconnect. The second half of the school year always seems to accelerate at a brisk pace and we are excited to be turning the calendar to 2024 with you, in partnership.
There are great things going on throughout the Medway Schools. With the new year comes a new featured way to share exciting programs and experiences within our schools. Each month, we will highlight one Spotlight on Excellence, a video featuring one element of programming pride across our PK-12 district. This month, we are excited to highlight Medway High School’s Innovation Pathway Program in our first Spotlight on Excellence. The Innovation Pathway Program is an opportunity for students to gain specialty skills, competencies, and experiences in Healthcare and Social Assistance, Information Technology, or Engineering (with more Pathway Programs being explored for the future). In addition to their typical coursework, Pathway students engage in specific technical courses, advanced courses, and either a Capstone Course or an internship experience. Please take a moment to watch this brief video on Medway High School’s Innovation Pathways Program here.
Included below are many important updates and informational items.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
District Information/Updates
Upcoming Early Release and No School Days
No School: There will be no school on Monday, January 15 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
There will be early release days on Wednesday, January 31 and February 7 in support of professional development time for educators and support staff. Dismissal times are as follows:
Medway Middle School: 11:02 a.m.
Burke-Memorial Elementary: 11:30 a.m.
Medway High School: 11:34 a.m.
McGovern Elementary: 12:00 p.m.
FY25 Budget Development Update, Timeline and Events
We would like to provide you with a comprehensive update on the factors influencing the FY25 budget development process.
The FY25 budget is currently under development and we must navigate through increased costs in essential services such as personnel, utilities, transportation, and cleaning. These challenges are exacerbated by the prevailing high inflationary climate. Additionally, the evolving and multifaceted needs of our student population further contribute to the complexity of our budgetary considerations.
Compounding this situation is the classification of Medway Public Schools as a "minimum aid district" by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This designation results in relatively modest annual increases in state funding (typically $30-$60 per student). Consequently, the majority of additional funding crucial for our district's operations comes from a Town of Medway appropriation. We value the strong partnership with the Town and acknowledge the shared budgetary pressures faced by both the school district and the larger community.
In our commitment to maintaining high-quality programming and services that cater to the diverse needs of our students, we have embarked on a thorough review of growing needs, potential reductions, and plausible revenue sources. This process requires careful consideration and intense deliberation.
To keep you informed and engaged in this important process, we are committed to sharing upcoming events and resources designed to foster a transparent and inclusive dialogue with our community. Below is a list of resources and events that will provide you with opportunities to remain connected and participate in the discussions surrounding our budget development:
December 19, 2023: The district held a webinar on the Fundamentals of School Finance. If you were unable to attend, the recording can be found here.
January 11, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., FY25 Proposed Transportation Program Webinar: The district will host a webinar on the proposed changes to the Transportation Program. You can use this link to register. A recording of the webinar will be available after the event.
February 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., Charting the Course - District Improvement Update and Budget Overview Presented to the School Committee: At the scheduled Medway School Committee meeting, Dr. Pires, Superintendent, and Ms. Abrams, Assistant Superintendent, will present Charting the Course: District Improvement Plan 2023-2024 Mid-year Update and FY25 Budget Overview to the School Committee. This presentation will highlight the priority areas to be addressed in the FY25 Recommended Superintendent’s Budget. The presentation will be shared with families following the presentation.
February 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., Superintendent’s Chat: This event will provide an opportunity for community members to ask questions and share ideas about the planning around the FY25 budget.
February 29, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., FY25 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget Presentation: At the scheduled Medway School Committee meeting, Dr. Pires and Ms. Leonhardt, Director of Finance and Operations, will present the FY25 Recommended Superintendent's Budget to the School Committee. This presentation will include specific information about possible additions and/or reductions.
March (date TBD): Public Forum on the FY25 Budget: The School Committee and Dr. Pires will host a public forum for the community to participate in an interactive session about the FY25 budget.
March 2024 (date TBD): Public Hearing on FY25 Budget: The formal hearing on the proposed FY25 budget will take place. This event provides an opportunity for community members to share public comments regarding the proposed FY25 budget with the School Committee. This is the final opportunity for community feedback prior to the School Committee vote on the FY25 budget. Feedback shared at the hearing will be acknowledged and noted, but there will not be a dialogue during the Budget Hearing.
March 21, 2024: School Committee to Vote on FY25 Budget: At the March 21 School Committee meeting, the committee will vote to approve and forward the FY25 Medway Public Schools Budget to the Town of Medway to be included as part of the FY25 Town of Medway budget.
May 13, 2024: Annual Town Meeting: Community members are encouraged to attend Medway’s Town Meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., at Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, when residents will be asked to vote on the Town of Medway FY25 budget, which will be inclusive of the FY25 Medway Public School’s budget to be used for the 2024-2025 school year.
Life After MHS at Medway High School
We were pleased to see Medway High School host the second annual “Life After MHS” which is an event that featured recent graduates from Medway High School. Graduates spoke with Grade 11 and 12 students about life beyond the walls of 88 Summer Street highlighting college, work, life, and military experiences. Thank you to our recent graduates for returning home to share important lessons learned.
New McGovern Playground Equipment Ribbon Cutting
On Wednesday, January 3, McGovern Elementary School celebrated the recent installation of new playground equipment. The equipment, which includes a new stage, easels, sand boxes, mud kitchens and a pirate ship, was built by students and staff at Tri-County Regional Vocational High School thanks to funding that the McGovern School was granted through the Medway Foundation for Education. The Ribbon Cutting included the students and staff from Tri-County as well as school and district representatives from both Medway and Tri-County and the Medway Foundation for Education.
2022-2023 Medway Public Schools’ Annual Report and Next Strategic Planning Next Steps
We are pleased to share with you the 2022-2023 Annual Report connected with the 2019-2024 Excellence for All: A Medway Mindset, MPS’s 5 year strategic plan. This annual report contains both narrative and quantitative progress on the measures that have been identified as benchmarks and outcomes that we monitor as part of that plan. You can find the Annual Report here.
We will be sharing information soon about our next strategic planning process as our current plan will be in its last year in 2024.
DRAFT 2024-2025 School Calendar Under Review
At the December 7, 2023, School Committee meeting, the committee reviewed the DRAFT 2024-2025 school year calendar. The DRAFT calendar can be found here. The School Committee will vote to approve the 2024-2025 school calendar at the January 18, 2024 meeting.
Congratulations to Girls Basketball Coach Iannone
Over the winter break, our girls basketball team traveled to North Attleboro and won giving Coach Joe Iannone his 200th career victory as the head girls basketball coach. Coach Iannnone was honored with a plaque and game ball on Wednesday, January 3 prior to the varsity game. Congratulations to Coach Iannone.
District Wide Vacancies and Openings
Medway’s HR Department, with the help of Administration, is working hard to ensure all of our schools are adequately staffed at all times to ensure the proper support of our students. We currently have the following vacancies throughout the district:
Daycare Teacher/Assistant Teacher
Maintenance Technician
Specialized Mini-Van Driver (7D License)
Instructional Paraprofessionals
Special Education-Evaluation Team Supervisor
Curriculum and Instructional Leader (Math & Science)
Music Teacher (0.7 FTE)
Long Term Substitute -PreK Teacher
Substitutes (both daily and long term)
As always, our job postings can be found on both School Spring and Indeed
Planning for Inclement Weather
It is the goal of the district to hold school whenever possible. Parents and students should plan accordingly and leave plenty of time on winter mornings to arrive at school safely. Please know that the final decision about a child attending school during a weather event always rests with individual families. There may be occasions when deteriorating weather will mean that schools close due to unsafe conditions.
The superintendent will review anticipated road and sidewalk conditions, access to schools, projected weather forecasts, and consult with the police and public works departments in order to make a determination between approximately 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. if conditions will be safe for students to come to school.
The following plans will be in effect for inclement weather:
No School Announcement
If the superintendent has determined the conditions are unsafe, school will be canceled. The district will utilize the emergency notification system that will contact your home/cell phone and email using the information you have provided to your child’s school. The “no-school” announcement will also be shared on social media channels and carried on local television channels 4, 5, and 7.
All classes, school activities, before and after school programs, the Medway Extended Day program (MEDI), daycare program, adult education evening classes, and any school facilities use activities will be canceled. Transportation of students to out-of-district schools will also be canceled.
One or Two-Hour Delayed Opening Announcement
If the superintendent has been notified that the public works department needs additional time to plow or sand the streets to ensure safety, then a determination for a one or two-hour delay may be made. As with no-school announcements, the delayed opening announcement will be made using the emergency notification system to home/cell phone and email and carried on local television channels.
Please keep in mind:
Bus routes will begin by a one or two-hour delay, including all special education transportation for out-of-district schools.
Do not send your child to school earlier than the delayed opening, as the school grounds may not be plowed and there will be no staff available to supervise early arrivals.
PreK ½ day sessions will take place if a one hour delay is called, and will be canceled for a two hour delay.
School lunch will be served at its regularly scheduled time.
Schools will be dismissed at their regular times.
Emergency Early Release Announcement
If a severe weather condition or other emergency develops during the school day, the district may release students before the typical end of the school day. Parents will be notified by home/cell phone and email and the announcement will be carried on local television channels, and displayed on the district website. As appropriate, the district will work with public safety officials to shelter students in the district if unable to send home.
Inclement Weather Bus Stops for Walkers
We understand that inclement weather days can present challenges when it comes to getting your child to school safely. Snow clearing responsibilities for our town begin with the main roads, followed by sidewalks around our schools. We recognize that this can be especially concerning for families whose children typically walk to and from school.
In the event that sidewalks are not passable and you are unable to find an alternative means of transportation for your child(ren) on these days, we are here to help. To assist us in providing a solution that ensures your child's safe travel to school, please complete the brief form linked here.
By completing this form, you'll enable us to notify you of the designated bus stop location where your child(ren) can board or exit the bus on such occasions. We have introduced this service to support safe transportation to school during inclement weather, and we appreciate your proactive participation.
It is important to note that these specialized bus stops will only be available to families who have signed up in advance. We will communicate additional information once the inclement weather bus stops have been established.
Additional Reminders for Parents
Be sure your child’s school has your updated contact information.
Have a family emergency plan in place so your child knows what to do if sent home for any of the reasons noted above.
If your child is regularly driven to school and you or they feel it is unsafe to drive during the inclement weather, please determine an alternative means of transportation to school.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district. The following articles were recently published on our district website which can be accessed here:
McGovern Elementary Unveils New Playground Equipment at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Medway High School Hosts Successful ‘Life After MHS’ Alumni Event
Two Medway Community Members Receive 2023 Light the Spark Award
Medway Athletic Department Recognizes Fall 2023 Team Achievements
Medway Athletic Department Recognizes 16 Student-Athletes of the Week for Fall Season
Teaching and Learning Updates
Grade 5-12 Online Tutoring / Homework Support Program Available
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
Technology Updates
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option.
Updates from Support Organizations
Medway Foundation for Education(MFE): SAVE THE DATES!
MFE is excited to announce that they are holding both the Trivia Bee and the Dodgeball tournament this year.
Join us to have fun, compete and raise funds to help MFE support our schools!
The Trivia Bee will be held on Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Burke-Memorial School. New teams are always welcome and the MFE looks forward to welcoming back our tried and true past competitors! Minimum donation is $300 per table (6 players per table). Individuals and teams are invited to play AND we also are seeking sponsors for tables (to pay for teacher, student or other teams). To Register your team to compete in the MFE Trivia Bee OR to sponsor a table, please reach out to medwayfoundationforeducation@gmail.com.
Medway Friends of the Performing Arts (MFPA) 2nd Annual Musical Bingo
February 8 at the Medway Middle School Cafeteria; Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and Bingo starts promptly at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Doug Herbst is our Musical Bingo DJ again this year! Bring your dancing shoes!
Pre-registration is required and can be found here.
Fee is $10/person or $50/family
This is an all ages, family-friendly event. Space is limited, so register early. The last day to register is February 5, based on availability.
Payment can be made after registering in advance via Venmo or cash/check at the door.
There will be prizes, concessions for purchase, raffles, and lots of fun!
Medway Middle School Performing Arts to Host 5th Annual Trivia Night
Join the Medway Performing Arts at their 5th Annual Trivia Night to sponsor the cast and crew of Frozen Jr. and the Medway Middle School Performing Arts Department. The event will take place on Thursday, January 25, at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.) in the middle school cafeteria. For additional information as well as how to register, click here.
SEPAC Meeting and Upcoming Events
On January 3, 2024 the SEPAC held their January meeting, with Michael McDonald from DESE attending to give an overview of the Tiered Focused Monitoring Process that Medway is currently involved in. Future events sponsored by the SEPAC, in collaboration with the Franklin SEPAC include a presentation on Managing Behavior Challenges on January 11 at 7:00 p.m. and a presentation on Neuropsychological Evaluations on February 8 at 7:00 p.m.. Both events will be virtual. The link to register for the Managing Behavior Challenges webinar can be found here and the link to the Neuropsychological Evaluations presentation can be found here.
Medway Secondary Parent Teacher Organization (MSPTO): Nature's Classroom Fundraiser
MSPTO is supporting the Class of 2031's trip to Nature's Classroom by hosting a calendar raffle fundraiser with gift card and cash prizes. Support our 5th graders by purchasing a calendar to win prizes! All proceeds will be used to help fund the trip for the entire class.
Winners will be pulled daily in February 2024 and contacted by phone or email.
To enter, fill out this form and venmo @Christine-Lally-2. Last four digits for confirmation are 2373. Please include your name and Nature’s Classroom in the notes. You can also drop off a check made out to MSPTO to 127 Winthrop St in Medway by January 26th.$10 per entry. Thank you for your support!
‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway’s youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. Medway youth will be able to indulge in endless fun such as lawn games, inflatable obstacle courses, arts and crafts, video games, sports, social time, and pizza for dinner. This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
This program will run on January 26, February 9, and March 1 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Medway High School Cafeteria.
The link to sign students up is : https://bit.ly/FridayNightDoneRightSignUp
We are also looking for adult chaperones from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on these dates. The link to volunteer as a chaperone is: https://bit.ly/SUPvolunteersignup
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10 p.m., and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, Gabby Giannelli, info@supmedway.com
To sign up click this link: https://bit.ly/MMShype
Community Education
Registration is open for the winter After School Enrichment programs for McGovern, Burke-Memorial and Middle School students. All classes begin the week of January 22. Families of registered students will receive an email with important reminders from Community Education prior to the start of the programs.
Registration for the 2024 Summer Adventures Camp opens on Thursday, February 1, at 8:00 a.m. Important - the Medway Board of Health requires families to upload their child’s most recent Health Form and Immunization Record at the time of registration. Please note that Arbiter Registration allows families the ability to update their child’s registration with updated information between February 1st and June 24th, the first day of camp.
Employment and Volunteer opportunities are available with Summer Adventures Camp! We are seeking Camp Counselors and Leaders-In-Training for this summer’s popular camp. Camp Counselor - if you are 16 years or older, enjoy working with children and appreciate a fun adventure, please register here to express your interest. A minimum commitment of four weeks is required for this paid position. Leader-In-Training (LIT) - if you are a student aged 14 or 15 with tons of energy and enthusiasm, plus the desire to gain experience, please register here to express your interest. A minimum of two weeks is required for this volunteer position. Completing the registration form does not guarantee a position with the camp. All registrants will be contacted in early April to discuss next steps, if applicable.
Important Resources for Families
Upcoming Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. Event- January 31- Register Below
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. is an arm of the MPS Wellness Department, whose mission is to bring wellness-related parent programming to Medway. On January 31, in partnership with Medfield Public Schools, T.H.R.I.V.E. is offering an opportunity for parents to engage with Dr. Devorah Heitner on how to support students growing up in the digital age. For more information and to register for the webinar, please click here.
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Mental Health Resource for Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools:
Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School:
Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School:
Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary:
Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School:
Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education:
Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_
Superintendent's Update: December 14, 2023
Dear Medway families,
This week, our school community was treated to an array of captivating musical performances, featuring the extraordinary talents of our middle school band, high school band, and high school choral groups. We were also treated to a visual art showcase featuring the work of our Medway High School students prior to the concert. We are looking forward to a concert by the middle school chorus next week. It has been wonderful to see our students' talents on stage as they entertained the community.
Also during the Medway High School concert on Wednesday, we had the honor of officially unveiling the new baby grand piano, risers, and choral shells, made possible through the visionary initiative of the Medway Friends of the Performing Arts, alongside generous support from the Town of Medway, Medway Foundation for Education, and numerous individual and organizational donors. We extend our deepest gratitude to each one of you for contributing to this endeavor and for introducing this outstanding musical instrument to our performing arts programming.
As we approach the end of the year, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our families and the broader community for your unwavering support and trust. Your partnership with us plays a pivotal role in ensuring that our schools effectively meet the diverse needs of all our students. Thank you for being an integral part of our educational journey.
Please take a moment to peruse the important updates and informational items provided below.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
District Information/Updates
Upcoming Early Release Day: December 22, 2023 followed by Winter Break
We will have an Early Release on Friday, December 22. The release times are as follows:
- Medway Middle School: 11:02 a.m.
- Burke-Memorial Elementary: 11:30 a.m.
- Medway High School: 11:34 a.m.
- McGovern Elementary: 12:00 p.m.
No School: There will be no school Monday, December 25, 2023 thru Monday, January 1, 2024.
We will return to school on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.2024-2025 (FY25) Budget Development
Transportation Recommendations: During the December 7 School Committee meeting, district leaders presented recommendations for continued improvements to our transportation (yellow buses) for the 2024-2025 school year. The recommendations presented to the School Committee included eligibility for free transportation, proposed cost for pay to ride, and route/stop options and late bus. The School Committee will vote on these recommendations at their next meeting on Thursday, January 18, 2024. The presentation that was shared with the School Committee can be found here: Transportation Program FY25 Recommendations
We want to offer the opportunity to present the potential changes to our community. We will host a webinar that will highlight this recommendation for the Community on January 11, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. and also share an FAQ document. This webinar is an important information sharing opportunity for district leaders, and perhaps, more importantly, an important support for families should the school committee vote to initiate the recommendations for transportation for the 2024-2025 school year. To register for the webinar, please use this link.
PLEASE JOIN US: Budget Fundamentals Webinar: On Tuesday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m. (NEW DATE). The community is invited to participate in a webinar where we will provide an overview of the district budget. Please note that due to the timing, this presentation will focus on school district finance fundamentals and not the specifics of the FY25 budget. To register for the webinar, please use this link.
Chapter 70 School Aid Presentation: During the December 7 School Committee meeting, Roger Hatch, retired Elementary and Secondary Education School Finance Director, shared a presentation with the Medway School Committee around overall school funding formulas and how the Medway Schools are funded. The presentation that was shared can be found here: Chapter 70 School Aid
PLEASE RESPOND: Family Engagement Survey: LAST CHANCE (Survey Closes on 12/15)
A few weeks ago, you received an email (or a letter was sent home) in regard to a Family Engagement Survey. This information is being collected as part of our continuing efforts to understand your experiences with school staff and other families at your child(ren)'s school(s). Your responses on this survey will help us develop a better understanding of your experiences and, in turn, allow us to work to establish practices to more meaningfully foster relationships between you, the teachers, the principal, and other families at your child(ren)'s school(s). If you haven’t yet, we ask that you please complete the survey by December 15, which is linked here.
2022-2023 Medway Public Schools’ Annual Report and Next Strategic Planning Next Steps
We are pleased to share with you the 2022-2023 Annual Report connected with the 2019-2024 Excellence for All: A Medway Mindset, MPS’s 5 year strategic plan. This annual report contains both narrative and quantitative progress on the measures that have been identified as benchmarks and outcomes that we monitor as part of that plan. You can find the Annual Report here.
We will be sharing information soon about our next strategic planning process as our current plan will be in its last year in 2024.
DRAFT 2024-2025 School Calendar Under Review
At the December 7 School Committee meeting, the committee reviewed the DRAFT 2024-2025 school year calendar. The DRAFT calendar can be found here. The School Committee will vote to approve the 2024-2025 school calendar at the January 18, 2024 meeting.
School Committee Office Hours
Melissa Greenfield and Lauren Nassiff will hold School Committee Office Hours on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., at the Muffin House in Medway. Stop in to discuss any school related matters.
Planning for Inclement Weather
It is the goal of the district to hold school whenever possible. Parents and students should plan accordingly and leave plenty of time on winter mornings to arrive at school safely. Please know that the final decision about a child attending school during a weather event always rests with individual families. There may be occasions when deteriorating weather will mean that schools close due to unsafe conditions.
The superintendent will review anticipated road and sidewalk conditions, access to schools, projected weather forecasts, and consult with the police and public works departments in order to make a determination between approximately 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. if conditions will be safe for students to come to school.
The following plans will be in effect for inclement weather:
No School Announcement
If the superintendent has determined the conditions are unsafe, school will be canceled. The district will utilize the emergency notification system that will contact your home/cell phone and email using the information you have provided to your child’s school. The “no-school” announcement will also be shared on social media channels and carried on local television channels 4, 5, and 7.
All classes, school activities, before and after school programs, the Medway Extended Day program (MEDI), daycare program, adult education evening classes, and any school facilities use activities will be canceled. Transportation of students to out-of-district schools will also be canceled.
One or Two-Hour Delayed Opening Announcement
If the superintendent has been notified that the public works department needs additional time to plow or sand the streets to ensure safety, then a determination for a one or two-hour delay may be made. As with no-school announcements, the delayed opening announcement will be made using the emergency notification system to home/cell phone and email and carried on local television channels.
Please keep in mind:
Bus routes will begin by a one or two-hour delay, including all special education transportation for out-of-district schools.
Do not send your child to school earlier than the delayed opening, as the school grounds may not be plowed and there will be no staff available to supervise early arrivals.
PreK ½ day sessions will take place if a one hour delay is called, and will be canceled for a two hour delay.
School lunch will be served at its regularly scheduled time.
Schools will be dismissed at their regular times.
Emergency Early Release Announcement
If a severe weather condition or other emergency develops during the school day, the district may release students before the typical end of the school day. Parents will be notified by home/cell phone and email and the announcement will be carried on local television channels, and displayed on the district website. As appropriate, the district will work with public safety officials to shelter students in the district if unable to send home.
Inclement Weather Bus Stops for Walkers
We understand that inclement weather days can present challenges when it comes to getting your child to school safely. Snow clearing responsibilities for our town begin with the main roads, followed by sidewalks around our schools. We recognize that this can be especially concerning for families whose children typically walk to and from school.
In the event that sidewalks are not passable and you are unable to find an alternative means of transportation for your child(ren) on these days, we are here to help. To assist us in providing a solution that ensures your child's safe travel to school, please complete the brief form linked here.
By completing this form, you'll enable us to notify you of the designated bus stop location where your child(ren) can board or exit the bus on such occasions. We have introduced this service to support safe transportation to school during inclement weather, and we appreciate your proactive participation.
It is important to note that these specialized bus stops will only be available to families who have signed up in advance. We will communicate additional information once the inclement weather bus stops have been established.
Additional Reminders for Parents
Be sure your child’s school has your updated contact information.
Have a family emergency plan in place so your child knows what to do if sent home for any of the reasons noted above.
If your child is regularly driven to school and you or they feel it is unsafe to drive during the inclement weather, please determine an alternative means of transportation to school.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district. Visit our news blog here!
Teaching and Learning Updates
Medway High School Shares Update on Innovation Pathways
During the December 7 School Committee Meeting, Dr. John Murray, principal, and Mr. Alex Ferro, Innovation Pathways Coordinator at Medway High School, shared highlights of this innovative and experiential program for students. Their presentation can be found here: Innovation Pathways
Grade 5-12 Online Tutoring / Homework Support Program Available
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
Student Celebrations
Superintendent Armand Pires and High School Principal John Murray are pleased to announce that Medway High School senior Alex Montana has been presented with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Award of Academic Excellence.
Alex was nominated by the faculty and staff at Medway High School and was presented with the award at the December 7 School Committee meeting.
Technology Updates
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option. If you wish to purchase the optional insurance policy, please visit the Worth Ave portal by clicking here before December 15th, 2023.
District Wide Vacancies and Openings
Medway’s HR Department, with the help of Administration, is working hard to ensure all of our schools are adequately staffed at all times to ensure the proper support of our students. We currently have the following vacancies throughout the district;
Daycare Teacher/Assistant Teacher
Maintenance Technician
Specialized Mini-Van Driver (7D License)
Instructional Paraprofessionals
Teacher - English Language Learner
Special Education-Evaluation Team Supervisor
Out of District Coordinator (0.5 FTE)
LTS-PreK Teacher
LTS-High School Guidance
Substitutes (both daily and long term)
As always, our job postings can be found on both School Spring and Indeed
Updates from Support Organizations
MSPTO Needs Bakers!
MSPTO is holding a bake sale fundraiser at Shaw’s on Sunday, December 17 from 10:00-2:00 p.m. and we need your help. Click here to sign up to contribute something delicious or help out at the table.
MSPTO Gift Wrapping Fundraiser
Please stop by this year's MSPTO Gift Wrapping Fundraiser on Monday, December 18 in the Medway High School lobby from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Bring your own wrapping paper, make your donation and they will take care of the rest!
News from the Medway Foundation for Education
Medway Foundation for Education! Thank You Card Fundraiser
Send gratitude to the incredible educators, administrators, and support staff of the Medway Public Schools in time for the holiday season or just beyond. Make a donation to the MFE in honor of a special Medway educator/staff member and we will send them a MFE holiday donation card on your behalf! We will also be giving each recipient a small Medway notepad as a gift.
How to donate/order? Easy - just send MFE a donation through Venmo @MedwayFoundation (last 4 digits are 8182)*. In the comment section, name the teacher(s)/staff member(s) you'd like to honor AND include the name you'd like us to use on the card! Suggested minimum donation of $5 per recipient.
Once your donation has been made, the donation card with your information will be delivered to the recipient's school on your behalf! All done for you!
*if you do not have Venmo, email us at medwayfoundationforeducation@gmail.com to order
SAVE THE DATE: MFE Trivia Bee
Back by popular demand, the MFE will be hosting its time honored night of trivia fun on Tuesday, February 27. Details to come but interested individuals should start hitting the books and pulling together your team for a fun night!
Medway Friends of Performing Arts (MFPA): Save the Date!
Back by popular demand, the MFPA Musical Bingo Night will be Thursday, February 8. Details for registration will be forthcoming. This is an all ages event and great for families and friends.
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10, and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, email Gabby Giannelli, at info@supmedway.com
To sign up click this link: https://bit.ly/MMShype
‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway is launching a new youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. Medway youth will be able to indulge in endless fun such as lawn games, inflatable obstacle courses, arts and crafts, video games, sports, social time, and pizza for dinner. This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
This program will run on December 15 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Medway High School Cafeteria.
The link to sign students up is : https://bit.ly/FridayNightDoneRightSignUp
We are also looking for adult chaperones from 5:30-8:30 pm on these dates. The link to volunteer as a chaperone is: https://bit.ly/SUPvolunteersignup
Community Education
We hope you have had a chance to peruse our Winter Brochure, which was recently delivered to Medway mailboxes. To make the most of the exciting program opportunities, we invite you to register for our diverse range of youth and adult programs through the links. Explore brand new and unique adult fitness programs designed to kick off the new year on a positive note, leaving you feeling great. Don't miss out on our one-night enrichment classes - a perfect blend of socializing with friends and learning something new. For our younger participants, the brochure features an array of programs for preschoolers, youth, and teens. The brochure is now accessible in 11 languages, and the Arbiter Registration site has translations available in seven languages.
Important Resources for Families
Upcoming Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. Event- January 31- Register Here
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. is an arm of the MPS Wellness Department, whose mission is to bring wellness-related parent programming to Medway. On January 31, in partnership with Medfield Public Schools, T.H.R.I.V.E. is offering an opportunity for parents to engage with Dr. Devorah Heitner on how to support students growing up in the digital age. For more information and to register for the webinar, please click here.
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Mental Health Resource for Families Over the Winter Break:
The holiday season is a time for togetherness and joy, but it can sometimes bring unwelcome guests, like stress and grief. Some of us may be experiencing the holidays without a loved one. Some of us may be balancing endless to-do lists from shopping to entertaining. While we each celebrate this season’s joys, it’s important to stay mindful, acknowledge our feelings, and reach out for help if needed. If you do need help please consider using Care Solace.
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools:
Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School:
Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School:
Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary:
Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School:
Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education:
Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_
Superintendent's Update: November 29, 2023
Dear Medway families,
We hope that you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving. As we prepare to turn the calendars to December, we have been busy beginning the budget planning process for the 2024-2025 school year. As we have shared in the past, a confluence of factors have put significant pressure on the district's budget. Inflationary pressure and increased costs of nearly all goods and services as well as increased needs of our student population have created challenges in ensuring that we are meeting the needs of all of our students.
To support our commitment to providing a high-quality education and ensuring we are meeting the needs of all students, we are carefully evaluating our budget priorities and opportunities to enhance funding. This process will take several months. We are committed to ensuring transparency throughout this process. Please find below upcoming events connected with the FY25 budget development process.
Also, we are excited to share that this Superintendent’s Update represents the first of our new format. We have compiled all district communications from the 2023-2024 school year in one streamlined format. Should you want to review items from past communications, please scroll down.
Please find important updates below.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
District Information/Updates
Early Elementary Release Day
There will be an Elementary Early Release Day on Wednesday, December 13. The release times are as follows:
- Burke-Memorial Elementary: 11:30 a.m.
- McGovern Elementary: 12:00 p.m.
2024-2025 (FY25) Budget Development
Transportation Recommendations: On Thursday, December 7 at the School Committee meeting, district leaders will present an update on the improvements made in student transportation (yellow buses). This presentation will include recommendations to the School Committee for future changes including adopting a user fee for use of transportation. The presentation will be shared with the community following this meeting.
Budget Fundamentals Webinar: On Thursday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m. the community is invited to participate in a webinar where we will provide an overview of the district budget. Please note that due to the timing, this presentation will focus on school district finance fundamentals and not the specifics of the FY25 budget. To register for the webinar, please use this link.
Future presentations focusing on the FY25 budget will be announced.
PLEASE RESPOND: Family Engagement Survey
Two weeks ago, you received an email (or a letter was sent home) in regards to a Family Engagement Survey. This information is being collected as part of our continuing efforts to understand your experiences with school staff and other families at your child(ren)'s school(s). Your responses on this survey will help us develop a better understanding of your experiences and, in turn, allow us to work to establish practices to more meaningfully foster relationships between you, the teachers, the principal, and other families at your child(ren)'s school(s). If you haven’t yet, we ask that you please complete the survey, by December 15, which is linked here.
Grade 5-12 Online Tutoring / Homework Support Program Available
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
Daily Substitutes Needed
One of our top priorities within the HR Department is to ensure our students are supported at all times. As the winter months quickly approach we are expecting to see the levels of staff absences increase due to sickness and virus. One item we are actively working on is growing our substitute pool. We ask that if there are any candidates within our community who feel they may be a qualified substitute to reach out to our HR Department at hr@medwayschools.org.
Planning for Inclement Weather
It is the goal of the district to hold school whenever possible. Parents and students should plan accordingly and leave plenty of time on winter mornings to arrive to school safely. Please know that the final decision about a child attending school during a weather event always rests with individual families. There may be occasions when deteriorating weather will mean that schools close due to unsafe conditions.
The superintendent will review anticipated road and sidewalk conditions, access to schools, projected weather forecasts, and consult with the police and public works departments in order to make a determination between approximately 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. if conditions will be safe for students to come to school.
The following plans will be in effect for inclement weather:
No School Announcement
If the superintendent has determined the conditions are unsafe, school will be canceled. The district will utilize the emergency notification system that will contact your home/cell phone and email using the information you have provided to your child’s school. The “no-school” announcement will also be shared on social media channels and carried on local television channels 4, 5, and 7.
All classes, school activities, before and after school programs, the Medway Extended Day program (MEDI), daycare program, adult education evening classes, and any school facilities use activities will be canceled. Transportation of students to out-of-district schools will also be canceled.
One or Two-Hour Delayed Opening Announcement
If the superintendent has been notified that the public works department needs additional time to plow or sand the streets to ensure safety, then a determination for a one or two-hour delay may be made. As with no-school announcements, the delayed opening announcement will be made using the emergency notification system to home/cell phone and email and carried on local television channels.
Please keep in mind:
Bus routes will begin by a one or two-hour delay, including all special education transportation for out-of-district schools.
Do not send your child to school earlier than the delayed opening, as the school grounds may not be plowed and there will be no staff available to supervise early arrivals.
PreK ½ day sessions will take place if a one hour delay is called, and will be canceled for a two hour delay.
School lunch will be served at its regularly scheduled time.
Schools will be dismissed at their regular times.
Emergency Early Release Announcement
If a severe weather condition or other emergency develops during the school day, the district may release students before the typical end of the school day. Parents will be notified by home/cell phone and email and the announcement will be carried on local television channels, and displayed on the district website. As appropriate, the district will work with public safety officials to shelter students in the district if unable to send home.
Inclement Weather Bus Stops for Walkers
We understand that inclement weather days can present challenges when it comes to getting your child to school safely. Snow clearing responsibilities for our town begin with the main roads, followed by sidewalks around our schools. We recognize that this can be especially concerning for families whose children typically walk to and from school.
In the event that sidewalks are not passable and you are unable to find an alternative means of transportation for your child(ren) on these days, we are here to help. To assist us in providing a solution that ensures your child's safe travel to school, please complete the brief form linked here.
By completing this form, you'll enable us to notify you of the designated bus stop location where your child(ren) can board or exit the bus on such occasions. We have introduced this service to support safe transportation to school during inclement weather, and we appreciate your proactive participation.
It is important to note that these specialized bus stops will only be available to families who have signed up in advance. We will communicate additional information once the inclement weather bus stops have been established.
Additional Reminders for Parents
Be sure your child’s school has your updated contact information.
Have a family emergency plan in place so your child knows what to do if sent home for any of the reasons noted above.
If your child is regularly driven to school and you or they feel it is unsafe to drive during the inclement weather, please determine an alternative means of transportation to school.
Technology Update
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School (45 Holliston St.) IT Office, Door 8 or to your child’s school main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district.
40 Students from Medway High School Class of 2024 Receive John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
Medway High School Named to Advanced Placement School Honor Roll
District Wide Vacancies and Openings
Medway’s HR Department, with the help of Administration, is working hard to ensure all of our schools are adequately staffed at all times to ensure the proper support of our students. We currently have the following vacancies throughout the district;
Daycare Teacher/Assistant Teacher
Maintenance Technician
Specialized Mini-Van Driver (7D License)
Instructional Paraprofessionals
Teacher - English Language Learner
Substitutes (both daily and long term)
Our job postings can be found on both our School Spring and Indeed
Student Celebrations
Central District Auditions
Congratulations to the over 25 students from MHS auditioned for the Massachusetts Music Educators Senior Central District Festival after preparing a solo piece of repertoire, scales and sight-reading skills. The students listed below were accepted into the ensembles and will be rehearsing with the other schools’ accepted students under the direction of top-notch conductors, culminating in a performance at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Saturday, January 13.
Chorus: Charlie Bennett, Parley Bradosky, Aidan Christie, Amelia Dahlheimer, Bella Diamandis, Allyson Fagan, Meghan Kealey, Nora Keavany, Caitlin MacNeil, Andy Morris, Timmy Reda, Matt Shawlis
Band: Victor Chaudoir, Charlotte George
Orchestra: Abigail Brown, William George
Cheerleading State Championship
Congratulations to the Cheer Team for their 3rd place win at the State Championship! They had a fantastic season as TVL Champions, Regional Champions, 6 competition wins and now 3rd in the state!
Medway High School National Honor Society Induction
On Monday, November 20, 41 students were inducted into the National Honor Society at Medway High School. We wish to extend our congratulations to these students and their families for this noteworthy honor. A list of those students can be found below:
Jules Antonino, Zachary Arnpriester, Riley Ashok, Addison Barresi, Jason Bedard, Victor Chaudoir, Camden Condlin, Leah Crespi, Annabelle Gerber, Colin Grimes, Christina Harrahy, Annabelle Hazell, Sophie Heiden, Ella Hsieh, Kyle Hultstrom, Arielle Keaney, Nora Keavany, Jeffrey Kelly, Willem Khoo, Olivia Klaus, Leah Lieberman, Theodore MacDonald, Sophia Magliaro, Katelyn Maniero, Caleb Martin, Kevin McMahon, Olivia Melanson, Sofia Mercier, Mathew Montana, Ashton Monteiro, Zachary Nielsen, Garret O'Mara, Shae O'Neill, Michelle Pishchik, Eshaan Potnis, Chandrika Rajkumar, Sanjitha Satish Prabhu, AnnMaria Schmitt, Gavin Shipos, Jenna Westervelt, Matt Wilde
Updates from Support Organizations
Please Join Us TONIGHT! MSPTO Annual Pop-Up Shop
The annual Pop-Up Shop hosted by the Medway Secondary Parent Teacher Organization (MSPTO) will take place from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Medway High School TONIGHT. This annual event is a great way to check some unique gifts off the list for the upcoming holiday season and features local artisans throughout the area. We hope to see you there.
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10 p.m., and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, Gabby Giannelli, info@supmedway.com
To sign up click this link: https://bit.ly/MMShype
‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway is launching a new youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. Medway youth will be able to indulge in endless fun such as lawn games, inflatable obstacle courses, arts and crafts, video games, sports, social time, and pizza for dinner. This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
This program will run on December 15 from 6-8 p.m. in the Medway High School Cafeteria.
The link to sign students up is : https://bit.ly/FridayNightDoneRightSignUp
We are also looking for adult chaperones from 5:30-8:30 pm on these dates. The link to volunteer as a chaperone is: https://bit.ly/SUPvolunteersignup
Community Education
4th Grade Musical Instruments Lessons
We are pleased to share information regarding a new After School Enrichment program for grade 4 students. Students will have the opportunity to learn basic knowledge of a musical instrument - flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone - in a small group setting. The after school program, beginning the week of January 22, 2024, will offer a specific instrument on a different day of the week. The fee-based program will run for 14 sessions, 2:45-3:45 p.m. Additional information will be communicated to 4th grade students’ families in December, which will also include instrument rental options.
Important Resources for Families
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Care Solace: New Mental Health Care Coordination Service for Medway Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools:
Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School:
Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School:
Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary:
Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School:
Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education:
Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_
Superintendent's Update: November 15, 2023
Dear Medway families,
As we approach the upcoming Thanksgiving break which also aligns with the start of the second quarter of the 2023-2024 school year, we continue to feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude for the work taking place within our classrooms, throughout the school district, and for our continuously growing partnerships with families. We understand well the necessity of these partnerships and encourage families to remain committed to what we all understand to be incredibly complex work. In partnership, we ask that families continue to ensure that your children are in school, on time, everyday possible. Establishing consistent schedules and routines for students to read, do homework, engage in healthy physical and social activities, and providing opportunities for students to connect within the community of Medway are all also important to their healthy development.
Please find several updates and informational items from the district below.
With gratitude,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
District Information/Updates
Be sure to click 'View in Browser' to view entire update as well as past updates.
No School and Early Release Reminders
There will be a half day for all schools on Wednesday, November 22. The release times are as follows:
Medway Middle School: 11:02 a.m.
Burke-Memorial Elementary: 11:30 a.m.
Medway High School: 11:34 a.m.
McGovern Elementary: 12:00 p.m.
There will be no school Thursday, November 23 - Friday, November 24 for Thanksgiving break.
2023-2024 School Calendar
The approved calendar for the 2023-2024 school year can be found here.
PLEASE RESPOND: Family Engagement Survey
Last week, you received an email (or a letter was sent home) in regards to a Family Engagement Survey. This information is being collected as part of our continuing efforts to understand your experiences with school staff and other families at your child(ren)'s school(s). Your responses on this survey will help us develop a better understanding of your experiences and, in turn, allow us to work to establish practices to more meaningfully foster relationships between you, the teachers, the principal, and other families at your child(ren)'s school(s). If you haven’t yet, we ask that you please complete the survey, which is linked here.
Medway Fall Meeting
Thank you to the voters of Medway for your support and participation during the November 13 Fall Town Meeting. A summary of the warrant approvals directly connected to the schools can be found below:
Purchase of two mini-vans to be used for specialized transportation
Approval to fund Memorial Roof Evaluation and Replacement Design Plans
Authorization to enter into a Power Purchase Agreement which is a key step to consider installation of solar panels on the roof of McGovern Elementary School
Reimbursement for the McGovern Elementary School Asbestos Abatement project completed this summer
Acceptance of the Medway High School road as a public way, which will support access to state funding to assist in funding the replacement of the culvert and headwall that requires replacement
Aggregate Spring 2023 MCAS Results Shared; Upcoming Discussion of Students With Special Needs Planned
District administrators shared an overview of the Spring 2023 MCAS results at a School Committee meeting in early November. The presentation can be viewed here.
There will be an upcoming meeting to discuss MCAS results for students with disabilities as part of a State of Student Services meeting that will occur on December 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. More information will be shared soon.
Grade 5-12 Online Tutoring / Homework Support Program Available
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or Medway High School can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
Multilingual Community Volunteers Sought to Support School District Practices
The Medway Schools are looking for community members with multilingual backgrounds and assets to support our work on a few projects aimed at better supporting our multilingual and emergent multilingual families. Please reach out to Gabby Abrams, Assistant Superintendent at gabrams@medwayschools.org if you have a little time to give and are fluent in both English and Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, or Arabic.
Daily Substitutes Needed
One of our top priorities within the HR Department is to ensure our students are supported at all times. As the winter months quickly approach we are expecting to see the levels of staff absences increase due to sickness and virus. One item we are actively working on is growing our substitute pool. We ask that if there are any candidates within our community who feel they may be a qualified substitute to reach out to our HR Department at hr@medwayschools.org
Medway Public School Welcomes New Position: Wrap Around Community Mentor
Over two years ago Medway adopted a Wrap Around Mental Health Services Model. This model has allowed a district social worker to work with families in need of support outside of the school setting. Recently, through the use of grant funds, we were able to expand the wrap-around team by hiring a therapeutic mentor. This mentor will be able to work with students involved in the wrap-around program on developing social and emotional learning skills during and after the school day.
Medway High School Hosts Central District Auditions
Medway High School is honored to be hosting the Central Districts Massachusetts Music Educators Association's (CD-MMEA) Senior Festival Auditions on Saturday, November 18. The CD-MMEA, a branch of the Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association, is committed to nurturing comprehensive and high-quality music education for all students. Their mission involves advocating for music education, fostering professional development, and encouraging lifelong learning in the musical domain. Through a myriad of activities like festivals, clinics, and related events, the CD-MMEA promotes music excellence among the 120 schools within the Central District.
Medway High School is thrilled to open its doors to showcase its exceptional facilities, including a newly acquired piano, as it hosts this event, supporting the growth of musical talent in the region.
Bus Routes
Thank you to all who participated in the district’s new transportation registration process. While routes, stops and bus pass distribution continue to be tweaked, the district already sees increased overall management of its transportation program. Important: Only those students who are eligible and have registered for transportation should be on the buses from/to home and school. To register for bus transportation, please click here. An online Google form has been set up for question submission.
Planning for Inclement Weather
It is the goal of the district to hold school whenever possible. Parents and students should plan accordingly and leave plenty of time on winter mornings to arrive at school safely. Please know that the final decision about a child attending school during a weather event always rests with individual families. There may be occasions when deteriorating weather will mean that schools close due to unsafe conditions.
The superintendent will review anticipated road and sidewalk conditions, access to schools, projected weather forecasts, and consult with the police and public works departments in order to make a determination between approximately 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. if conditions will be safe for students to come to school.
The following plans will be in effect for inclement weather:
No School Announcement
If the superintendent has determined the conditions are unsafe, school will be canceled. The district will utilize the emergency notification system that will contact your home/cell phone and email using the information you have provided to your child’s school. The “no-school” announcement will also be shared on social media channels and carried on local television channels 4, 5, and 7.
All classes, school activities, before and after school programs, the Medway Extended Day program (MEDI), daycare program, adult education evening classes, and any school facilities use activities will be canceled. Transportation of students to out-of-district schools will also be canceled.
One or Two-Hour Delayed Opening Announcement
If the superintendent has been notified that the public works department needs additional time to plow or sand the streets to ensure safety, then a determination for a one or two-hour delay may be made. As with no-school announcements, the delayed opening announcement will be made using the emergency notification system to home/cell phone and email and carried on local television channels.
Please keep in mind:
Bus routes will begin by a one or two-hour delay, including all special education transportation for out-of-district schools.
Do not send your child to school earlier than the delayed opening, as the school grounds may not be plowed and there will be no staff available to supervise early arrivals.
PreK ½ day sessions will take place if a one hour delay is called, and will be canceled for a two hour delay.
School lunch will be served at its regularly scheduled time.
Schools will be dismissed at their regular times.
Emergency Early Release Announcement
If a severe weather condition or other emergency develops during the school day, the district may release students before the typical end of the school day. Parents will be notified by home/cell phone and email and the announcement will be carried on local television channels, and displayed on the district website. As appropriate, the district will work with public safety officials to shelter students in the district if unable to send home.
Inclement Weather Bus Stops for Walkers
We understand that inclement weather days can present challenges when it comes to getting your child to school safely. Snow clearing responsibilities for our town begin with the main roads, followed by sidewalks around our schools. We recognize that this can be especially concerning for families whose children typically walk to and from school.
In the event that sidewalks are not passable and you are unable to find an alternative means of transportation for your child(ren) on these days, we are here to help. To assist us in providing a solution that ensures your child's safe travel to school, please complete the brief form linked here.
By completing this form, you'll enable us to notify you of the designated bus stop location where your child(ren) can board or exit the bus on such occasions. We have introduced this service to support safe transportation to school during inclement weather, and we appreciate your proactive participation.
It is important to note that these specialized bus stops will only be available to families who have signed up in advance. We will communicate additional information once the inclement weather bus stops have been established.
Additional Reminders for Parents
Be sure your child’s school has your updated contact information.
Have a family emergency plan in place so your child knows what to do if sent home for any of the reasons noted above.
If your child is regularly driven to school and you or they feel it is unsafe to drive during the inclement weather, please determine an alternative means of transportation to school.
School Meals Remain Free for ALL/ Free and Reduced Lunch Form Completion Still Requested
Children need healthy meals to learn. Medway Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day. As you may know, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through the recent passage of the state budget, will again allow local districts to provide breakfast and lunch for all students at no cost.
Families are still encouraged to submit an application for free and reduced price school meals. If your family qualifies, your student may be eligible for reduced fees such as athletics, field trips, AP testing, and Community Education programs, as well as reduced preschool tuition.
Technology Updates
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School (45 Holliston St.) IT Office, Door 8 or to your child’s school main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option.
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district.
Three Medway High School Seniors Commended by National Merit Scholarship Program
Two Medway High School Seniors Receive Award for Academic Growth and Student Leadership
Student Celebrations
Congratulations to seniors, Reuben Simon and Elizabeth Kenney, who were recognized for their outstanding achievements during the November 2 School Committee meeting. Reuben and Elizabeth were presented with the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) Student Award for Academic Growth and Student Leadership in Learning.
Congratulations to the Medway High School Theater Program and all who participated in the performances of Clue! High School Edition.
Congratulations to our Fall Athletic teams for their regular and postseason efforts.
Fall Sports: Postseason Competition
The MIAA tournament season continues and the following teams made the postseason for their respective teams:
Varsity Field Hockey: qualified for the MIAA Division III State Tournament as the #15 seed. They hosted #18 Dedham on Friday, November 3, but were defeated 0-1.
Varsity Girls Soccer: qualified for the MIAA Division III State Tournament as the #18 seed. They traveled to #15 Norton on Saturday, November 4, but suffered a 0-2 loss.
Varsity Boys Soccer: qualified for the MIAA Division III State Tournament as the #19 seed. They traveled to #14 St. Mary's of Lynn on Saturday, November 4, but were defeated 1-2.
Varsity Boys and Girls Cross Country: both teams qualified and competed at the MIAA Division III State Divisional Races on Saturday, November 11. No one moved on to the State Championship.
Varsity Cheer: Competed at MSSA Division III Cheer Regionals after winning the TVL Championship on November 12 and won South Sectionals. They will compete in the State Championship Sunday, November 17 at Worcester State University.
Updates from Support Organizations
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10, and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, Gabby Giannelli, info@supmedway.com
To sign up click this link: https://bit.ly/MMShype
SEPAC: Training for Families from Engaging Minds: Executive Functioning
The Medway SEPAC will be sponsoring a presentation in collaboration with the Franklin SEPAC from Engaging Minds. The virtual training will be entitled “Executive Function Strategies for Creating Successful Students” and will occur on November 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. To register for this virtual event, please click this link Engaging Minds.
‘SUP Medway Full Coalition Meeting
On Wednesday, November 8, ‘SUP Medway hosted a bi-monthly full coalition meeting. This meeting was held over Zoom and was headlined by guest speaker Brian Crockett. Brian, a local addiction therapist, presented “The Seeds of Addiction.” During his presentation, he highlighted the significance of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and their known impact on substance use. ‘SUP will meet again as an entire coalition in early 2024.
‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway is launching a new youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. Medway youth will be able to indulge in endless fun such as lawn games, inflatable obstacle courses, arts and crafts, video games, sports, social time, and pizza for dinner. This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
This program will run on December 15 from 6-8 p.m. in the Medway High School Cafeteria.
The link to sign students up is : https://bit.ly/FridayNightDoneRightSignUp
We are also looking for adult chaperones from 5:30-8:30 pm on these dates. The link to volunteer as a chaperone is: https://bit.ly/SUPvolunteersignup
The Medway Turkey Trot
Join The Medway Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 23 at 7:30 a.m. for this year's 5K Road Race at Medway High School! All proceeds from this race support the Medway High School Athletic Department purchases of uniforms and athletic equipment. Click here for additional information and registration.
Community Education
It is not too late to register for several informative and enjoyable programs this December! Gather with your friends during the holiday season to learn new skills that you will be able to share with family members for years to come - Gingerbread House Decorating on December 7, Cookie Decorating on December 14, and Holiday Boxwood Trees on December 14. To view program details, please see our Fall Brochure or visit our website.
Our Winter 2024 Brochure is expected to be in Medway mailboxes in early December - get ready to start off your new year by joining a stimulating fitness program or an engaging one-night enrichment program! We are always looking for exciting new classes to offer the greater community. If you have a skill or interest that you would like to share with the community, please reach out to Suzanne Bonfilio at sbonfilio@medwayschools.org.
Thank you to all the families whose children are attending an After School Enrichment program this fall. Please visit our website to view many photos of students participating in a variety of activities. Our winter programs for students in grades K-8 are expected to begin the week of January 22, 2024 - please stay tuned for more information.
Important Resources for Families
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Care Solace: New Mental Health Care Coordination Service for Medway Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools:
Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School:
Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School:
Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary:
Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School:
Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education:
Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_
Superintendent's Update: Novemeber 1, 2023
Dear Medway families,
As we enter the month of November, a typically bustling time for our community and families, we wish to underscore the significance of daily student attendance. In the wake of the pandemic, daily attendance rates in Medway, across the Commonwealth and the nation have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, and this has had a profound impact on our students' academic, social, and emotional development. While we understand and support the need for students to stay home when they are unwell, it is essential that they be present in school every possible day, as it is crucial to their overall success.
We believe that families play an important role in ensuring regular student attendance, and we kindly request your partnership in this endeavor. Your collaboration with us is instrumental in helping our students thrive both academically and personally.
Should extraordinary circumstances arise, making it challenging for your child to attend school on time and/or regularly, we encourage you to reach out to our school administrative and support teams. We are here to provide the necessary assistance and support to overcome any challenges your family may be facing.
Thank you for your unwavering attention and cooperation. Together, we can create a positive and nurturing environment for our students to grow and excel.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
No School Reminder
A reminder that there will be no school on Friday, November 10, 2023 in observance of Veteran’s Day.
2023-2024 School Calendar
The approved calendar for the 2023-2024 school year can be found here.
District Information/Updates
Medway Public Schools in the News
We are pleased to share press releases and published news about events and accomplishments throughout the district. You can find a link for these releases here.
Multilingual Community Volunteers Sought to Support School District Practices
The Medway Schools are looking for community members with multilingual backgrounds and assets to support our work on a few projects aimed at better supporting our multilingual and emergent multilingual families. Please reach out to Gabby Abrams, Assistant Superintendent at gabrams@medwayschools.org if you have a little time to give and are fluent in both English and Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, or Arabic.
Daily Substitutes Needed
One of our top priorities within the HR Department is to ensure our students are supported at all times. As the winter months quickly approach we are expecting to see the levels of staff absences increase due to sickness and virus. One item we are actively working on is growing our substitute pool. We ask that if there are any candidates within our community who feel they may be a qualified substitute to reach out to our HR Department at hr@medwayschools.org
Medway High School Performs Clue!
Medway Friends of the Performing Arts and Medway High School present a musical presentation of Clue. Performances are scheduled on November 4 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm. Purchase your tickets here.
Fall Sports Enter Into Postseason Competition
It was another exciting fall athletic season for our Mustangs. The MIAA tournament season gets underway on Friday for our teams. Unfortunately, Volleyball and Football did not qualify for the MIAA tournaments but the following teams made the postseason for their respective teams:
- Varsity Coed Golf: qualified for the MIAA Division II Sectional Championship which was played at Maplegate Country club on October 24.
- Varsity Field Hockey: qualified for the MIAA Division III State Tournament as the #15 seed. They will host #18 Dedham on Friday, November 3 at 3:30 p.m.
- Varsity Girls Soccer: qualified for the MIAA Division III State Tournament as the #18 seed. They will travel to #15 Norton on Saturday, November 4 at 12:00 p.m.
- Varsity Boys Soccer: qualified for the MIAA Division III State Tournament as the #19 seed. They will travel to #14 St. Mary's of Lynn on Saturday, November 4 at 1:30 p.m.
- Varsity Boys and Girls Cross Country: both teams qualified for the MIAA Division III State Divisional Races. They will travel to Northfield Mountain on Saturday, November 11 where the boys will race at 11:00 a.m. and the girls will follow at 11:45 a.m.
- Varsity Cheer: qualified for the MSSA Division III Cheer Regionals after winning the TVL Championship. They will compete at Regionals on November 12 at Franklin HS.
In addition, our sub-varsity and middle school teams performed well over this past fall season.
How to talk with Children About the Traumatic Events Happening in Israel and Gaza
Burke-Memorial Plaque Ceremony
Congratulations to community members Paul Yorkis, Susan Dietrich, Chris McKnerney and Alyssa Bruderek who were honored as part of the Burke-Memorial Plaque Ceremony for their recognized contributions to the community of Medway.
Bus Routes
Planning for Inclement Weather
It is the goal of the district to hold school whenever possible. Parents and students should plan accordingly and leave plenty of time on winter mornings to arrive at school safely. Please know that the final decision about a child attending school during a weather event always rests with individual families. There may be occasions when deteriorating weather will mean that schools close due to unsafe conditions.
The superintendent will review anticipated road and sidewalk conditions, access to schools, projected weather forecasts, and consult with the police and public works departments in order to make a determination between approximately 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. if conditions will be safe for students to come to school.
The following plans will be in effect for inclement weather:
No School Announcement
If the superintendent has determined the conditions are unsafe, school will be canceled. The district will utilize the emergency notification system that will contact your home/cell phone and email using the information you have provided to your child’s school. The “no-school” announcement will also be shared on social media channels and carried on local television channels 4, 5, and 7.
All classes, school activities, before and after school programs, the Medway Extended Day program (MEDI), daycare program, adult education evening classes, and any school facilities use activities will be canceled. Transportation of students to out-of-district schools will also be canceled.
One or Two-Hour Delayed Opening Announcement
If the superintendent has been notified that the public works department needs additional time to plow or sand the streets to ensure safety, then a determination for a one or two-hour delay may be made. As with no-school announcements, the delayed opening announcement will be made using the emergency notification system to home/cell phone and email and carried on local television channels.
Please keep in mind:
Bus routes will begin by a one or two-hour delay, including all special education transportation for out-of-district schools.
Do not send your child to school earlier than the delayed opening, as the school grounds may not be plowed and there will be no staff available to supervise early arrivals.
PreK ½ day sessions will take place if a one hour delay is called, and will be canceled for a two hour delay.
School lunch will be served at its regularly scheduled time.
Schools will be dismissed at their regular times.
Emergency Early Release Announcement
If a severe weather condition or other emergency develops during the school day, the district may release students before the typical end of the school day. Parents will be notified by home/cell phone and email and the announcement will be carried on local television channels, and displayed on the district website. As appropriate, the district will work with public safety officials to shelter students in the district if unable to send home.
Inclement Weather Bus Stops for Walkers
We understand that inclement weather days can present challenges when it comes to getting your child to school safely. Snow clearing responsibilities for our town begin with the main roads, followed by sidewalks around our schools. We recognize that this can be especially concerning for families whose children typically walk to and from school.
In the event that sidewalks are not passable and you are unable to find an alternative means of transportation for your child(ren) on these days, we are here to help. To assist us in providing a solution that ensures your child's safe travel to school, please complete the brief form linked here.
By completing this form, you'll enable us to notify you of the designated bus stop location where your child(ren) can board or exit the bus on such occasions. We have introduced this service to support safe transportation to school during inclement weather, and we appreciate your proactive participation.
It is important to note that these specialized bus stops will only be available to families who have signed up in advance. We will communicate additional information once the inclement weather bus stops have been established.
Additional Reminders for Parents
Be sure your child’s school has your updated contact information.
Have a family emergency plan in place so your child knows what to do if sent home for any of the reasons noted above.
If your child is regularly driven to school and you or they feel it is unsafe to drive during the inclement weather, please determine an alternative means of transportation to school.
School Meals Remain Free for ALL/ Free and Reduced Lunch Form Completion Still Requested
Children need healthy meals to learn. Medway Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day. As you may know, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through the recent passage of the state budget, will again allow local districts to provide breakfast and lunch for all students at no cost.
Families are still encouraged to submit an application for free and reduced price school meals. If your family qualifies, your student may be eligible for reduced fees such as athletics, field trips, AP testing, and Community Education programs, as well as reduced preschool tuition.
Technology Updates- Optional Student Chromebook Insurance
We kindly emphasize to families the importance of taking proper care of all school-issued devices, as it is their responsibility both physically and financially. Repairs for these devices can be costly, with expenses ranging from $10 to $350, depending on the required repairs. To provide some peace of mind and help offset unexpected repair costs, we are delighted to offer an optional insurance policy through Worth Ave Insurers for families.
If you are interested in purchasing insurance for your student's school-issued device, we encourage families with students in 5th through 12th grade only to visit the online portal between August 1 and September 15, 2023. You will have the flexibility to select policies that cover periods from one to four years, at a reasonable cost ranging from $33 to $119. Ensuring your child's device is protected under this insurance will provide added security and support throughout their academic journey.
Chromebook Repair and Invoicing: Devices in need of repair can be dropped off at the Medway Middle School (45 Holliston St.) IT Office, Door 8 or to your child’s school main office. Devices covered under the optional insurance policy will be sent out for repair at no charge to the family and uninsured devices will be repaired in-house and an invoice for parts will be mailed to the family. Invoices are due within thirty days and any outstanding charges can be found in the Parent Portal under the Fees menu option.
Teaching and Learning Within the Medway Public Schools
School Committee Information
Grade 5-12 Online Tutoring / Homework Support Program Available
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or High Schools can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
2023 Advanced Placement School Honor Roll Recognition
Medway High School Receives Project Lead the Way Participation Award
Congratulations to Medway High School for being the recipient of the Project Lead the Way Participation Award. The participation awards recognize schools that reach the PLTW participation goals for MA, at the high school level that is 15-25% student participation. Medway High School also received the Student Work Award for participating in the Applied Learning Showcase, which encouraged students to show off their work and get feedback from industry professionals.
Wellness Advisory Meeting
The Wellness Advisory Committee, a team made up of parents, students, school committee members, community leaders, and school staff, held its first meeting of the year on October 23. The Committee’s goal is to maintain the school Wellness Policy and to explore student wellness concerns. The Committee continued to explore the issue of student sleep and started to investigate school start times and their impact on student wellbeing. The Committee brainstormed questions to use in a survey of districts that have adjusted school start times in order to help Medway better understand the impact of this decision. The Committee will meet again in February to review survey results.
Central Districts Massachusetts Music Educators Association Auditions
Medway High School is honored to be hosting the Central Districts Massachusetts Music Educators Association's Senior Festival Auditions on Saturday, November 18. The CD-MMEA, a branch of the Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association, is committed to nurturing comprehensive and high-quality music education for all students. Their mission involves advocating for music education, fostering professional development, and encouraging lifelong learning in the musical domain. Through a myriad of activities like festivals, clinics, and related events, the CD-MMEA promotes music excellence among the 120 schools within the Central District. This tradition has deep roots, dating back to 1955, and this year, Medway High School is thrilled to open its doors to showcase its exceptional facilities, including a newly acquired piano, as it hosts this critical event, supporting the growth of musical talent in the region.
Congratulations! Medway Middle School Performing Arts Department
Congratulations to the Middle School Performing Arts Department for 2 outstanding performances of TRAP! over the weekend.
Updates from Support Organizations
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10, and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, Gabby Giannelli, info@supmedway.com
To sign up click this link: https://bit.ly/MMShype
SEPAC: Training for Families from Engaging Minds: Executive Functioning
The Medway SEPAC will be sponsoring a presentation in collaboration with the Franklin SEPAC from Engaging Minds. The virtual training will be entitled “Executive Function Strategies for Creating Successful Students” and will occur on November 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. To register for this virtual event, please click this link Engaging Minds. A flier for this event can be found here.
IMPORTANT: DATE CHANGE! ‘SUP Medway: Friday Night Done Right
'SUP Medway is launching a new youth drop-in program in collaboration with Medway's Community Education, Parks and Recreation, MSPTO, and Medway Public Schools called: Friday Night Done Right! Friday Night Done Right creates a FREE & SAFE environment where young minds thrive. Medway youth will be able to indulge in endless fun such as lawn games, inflatable obstacle courses, arts and crafts, video games, sports, social time, and pizza for dinner. This program was created to provide our youth with protective factors that keep them safe in drug-free spaces.
This program will run on November 9 (due to the holiday on Friday!), and December 15 from 6-8 pm in the Medway High School Cafeteria.
The link to sign students up is : https://bit.ly/FridayNightDoneRightSignUp
We are also looking for adult chaperones from 5:30-8:30 pm on these dates:
The link to volunteer as a chaperone is: https://bit.ly/SUPvolunteersignup
Community Education Fall Brochure and Fall Support and Enrichment Programs
Community Education is pleased to offer many informative and enjoyable one-night programs during the months of November and December - Messages from Spirit on November 9, Shopping Small for Wine on November 9, Sketch Night on November 13, Floral Autumn Centerpiece on November 15, First Aid/CPR on November 16, Paint Night on November 20, Gingerbread House Decorating on December 7, Cookie Decorating on December 14, and Holiday Boxwood Trees on December 14. To view program details, please visit our Fall Brochure or our website.
Important Resources for Families
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Care Solace: New Mental Health Care Coordination Service for Medway Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools:
Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School:
Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School:
Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary:
Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School:
Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education:
Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_
Superintendent's Update: October 18, 2023
Dear Medway families,
We hope that this communication finds you well. As we approach the mid-point of October, we wanted to take a moment to recognize that October is National Principals Month. We would like to publicly thank and share our appreciation of our Medway Public Schools’ principals. Thanks to John Murray, Medway High School; Amanda Luizzi, Medway Middle School; John Kelley, Burke-Memorial Elementary School; and Amy McDonald, McGovern Elementary School for their commitment to the students of Medway and leadership within our schools.
Please find several updates and informational items below.
Be well,
Armand Pires, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Medway Public Schools QR Code for App
2023-2024 School Calendar
The approved calendar for the 2023-2024 school year can be found here.
Teaching and Learning Within the Medway Public Schools
School Committee Information
During the October 12 School Committee meeting, district administrators highlighted additional funding for which the Medway Public Schools had been granted during the 2023-2024 calendar years to date. The efforts to apply and follow-up on outside competitive funding opportunities have enabled improvements and innovations not otherwise possible. A summary of this funding can be found here.
2023 MCAS Student Results Mailed
Families of students in grades 3-10 during the 2022-2023 school year should have received reports on their child(ren)’s progress in the mail. These results are an important, but only one, measure of student progress in English language arts, mathematics, and science, technology, and engineering.
Paper.co: Grade 5-12 Online Tutoring Resource
We continue to have an excellent resource for all students in grades 5-12 through Paper.co. Any student at Medway Middle or Medway High can use this resource to get additional academic support, any time of day.
Paper is a secure, online tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether students are stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions to their essays, there will always be experts available online to assist students in over 200 subjects and more than 4 languages.
Paper tutors have been specially trained to conduct expert, academic support in a secure, chat-based platform. With a commitment to helping students learn, they’ll never give students answers, but rather interact with them in an encouraging tone to lead them forward.
Students are encouraged to use it as much as they need, whenever they need. Our teachers also have accounts and will be able to review all student activity to see what they’re working on and provide more targeted instruction as needed.
DESE Updated Health and Physical Education Curriculum Frameworks
For the first time in over 20 years, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has updated its Health and Physical Education Standards. Our Wellness Department has identified a three-year plan to move towards full adoption of the new standards. This plan has three distinct phases: understand, update, and teach:
2023/24 school year- understand the new standards, identify gaps that exist within our wellness and social and emotional learning curricula, and begin a professional learning plan to address any professional knowledge gaps that exist
2024/25- update wellness and social and emotional learning curricula to ensure that all standards are addressed
- 2024/26- begin to teach the updated curricula
Updates / Important Information Items
Bus Routes
Thank you to all who participated in the district’s new transportation registration process. While routes, stops and bus pass distribution continue to be tweaked, the district already sees increased overall management of its transportation program. Important: Only those students who are eligible and have registered for transportation should be on the buses from/to home and school. To register for bus transportation, please click here. An online Google form has been set up for question submission.
School Meals Remain Free for ALL/ Free and Reduced Lunch Form Completion Still Requested
Children need healthy meals to learn. Medway Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day. As you may know, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through the recent passage of the state budget, will again allow local districts to provide breakfast and lunch for all students at no cost.
Families are still encouraged to submit an application for free and reduced price school meals. If your family qualifies, your student may be eligible for reduced fees such as athletics, field trips, AP testing, and Community Education programs, as well as reduced preschool tuition.
Updates from Support Organizations
Community Education Fall Brochure and Fall Support and Enrichment Programs
Our Fall Brochure offers numerous programs for all ages. It is not too late to register for a one-night enrichment program or multiple-night fitness classes! Gather your friends and plan a well-deserved evening out!
Session 1 of the W.I.N. (What I Need) Support Programs began the week of October 3 at all district schools. Up to 210 students will receive additional academic, organizational and/or homework support.
Registration for Fall After School enrichment programs for students in kindergarten through grade 8 opened on Thursday, October 5, at 6:00 p.m. To register, please visit our website and select the school your child attends.
T.H.R.I.V.E. Parent and Guardian Event- speaker Andrea Delucia: Finding Harmony at Home
Please join us tonight, Wednesday October 18, for an event for Medway parents and guardians. Andrea Delucia, the author of How Do I Deal with My Emotions, will present Finding Harmony at Home: Family Wellness and Stress Relief. After this event, parents and guardians will leave with practical techniques to decrease family stress and increase family well-being. The event will take place in the Medway Middle School Presentation Room at 7:00 p.m.
HYPE at Medway Middle School
HYPE is a new after school student group at Medway Middle School that stands for Healthy Youth Empowerment. The goal of this extracurricular activity is to help build youth leaders who are empowered to advocate on issues of health and wellness and encourage healthy choices among their peers. After school meetings will include nutritious snacks, games, discussions, and project time for students to develop creative ways to share health tips throughout the school.
The group will meet once a week on Tuesdays after school until 3:10, and a late bus will be available for transportation home. While regular attendance is highly encouraged, all participation is voluntary. This group is made possible with the collaborative partnership of Medway Middle School and ‘SUP Medway, a youth drug prevention coalition. For any questions, Gabby Giannelli, info@supmedway.com
To sign up click this link: https://bit.ly/MMShype
MSPTO Meeting
The first MSPTO meeting of the new school year will take place on Wednesday, October 25 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Medway Middle School library. We will be joined by Middle School Principal, Ms. Luizzi and High School Principal, Dr. Murray, who will provide school updates. We will also be joined by Assistant Principals, Mrs. Stattenfield and Mr. King for this meeting. If you have a student in grades 5-12, we hope you will join us.
Important Resources for Families
Free English Classes for Adults
Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System Launched
In partnership with Sandy Hook’s Promise and the Medway Police Department, Medway High and Medway Middle School have launched the Say Something Reporting System. This anonymous reporting system allows students and parents to share concerning information such as concerns about self-harm, violence, and bullying, among others. Reports are triaged by a 24/7 response team and are shared with Medway EMS dispatch and school administrators. Students were trained at both schools on how to use the system, and links to the reporting system have been loaded to student Chromebooks and added to both school websites. We believe the addition of this system provides another layer of safety and support for our students.
Care Solace: New Mental Health Care Coordination Service for Medway Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based mental health providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Follow the Medway Public Schools on Social Media
Medway Public Schools:
Twitter: @MedwaySchools Facebook: @medwayps Instagram: @Medwayschools
Medway High School:
Twitter: @MedwayHighInfo Facebook: @medwayhighschool Instagram: @medwayhighschool
Medway Middle School:
Twitter: @Medwaymiddle Facebook: @medwaymiddleschool Instagram: @medwaymiddle31
Burke-Memorial Elementary:
Twitter: @BurkeMemorial Facebook: @burkememorial Instagram: @burkememorialelem
McGovern Elementary School:
Twitter: @McGovernElem Facebook: @mcgovernelem Instagram: @mcgovernelem
Medway Community Education:
Twitter: @medwayce Facebook: @medwayce Instagram: @medwaycommunityed
Medway Athletics: Twitter: @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness: Twitter: @MPS_Wellness_