Mustang Minute
Medway High School's Bi-Weekly Newsletter
June 11, 2023
Final Mustang Minute 2022-2023
Congratulations Class of 2023
We have reached the final week of the school year! We have reshared our final exam schedule below. Our schedule this week is for all half days. We hope that our students utilize the extra time to prepare for their exams and to finish the year strong. The information that we will learn from the finals will be helpful as we identify student strengths and their areas for growth next year.
We are also resharing our website that includes summer reading options and our Honors and AP assignments. The website also includes Math work for students moving up a level for next year. It’s important that students choose a summer reading book now because we are assigning educators to facilitate the book talks in the fall. We will assign a book to students who do not sign up and will notify via email.
Students will learn if they have been scheduled for an AP or H class with summer work by June 30.
Finally, we're sharing our College and Career Handbook organized by our School Counseling department. This has some great information and "to-do's" for each grade level as your prepping for next year and your post-secondary options.
We are working on finalizing student schedules for next year and will share out schedules for '23-'24 by mid-August. As is our practice, we will have an opportunity for families to review and request schedule adjustments if there are missing graduation requirements or missing courses connected to IEP needs. We build our schedule based on the requests and recommendations that were entered over the course of the spring. We will not be able to make changes to these requests for electives or levels, or honor requests for specific teachers. We'll send a mid-summer Mustang Minute to update you about the schedule release.
Thank you to all of our students for their efforts this year and to our families for your continued support. I hope you all enjoy the summer vacation! I look forward to our continued efforts to support student learning and well-being for the '23-'24 school year!
Best,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
Medway High School
Welcome New Assistant Principal, Mrs. Lori Stattenfield
We are pleased to announce that we have appointed Mrs. Lori Stattenfield as our new Assistant Principal, effective mid-July. Mrs. Stattenfield comes to us with an impressive background and a wealth of experience. For the past two years, she has served as the Assistant Principal at Tantasqua Regional High School in Sturbridge, MA. She has also had an impressive career spanning 25 years primarily as a Social Studies teacher, Department Head, before becoming AP.
Mrs. Stattenfield passion for education, dedication to student success, and her collaborative approach will undoubtedly contribute significantly to our school community. Her strong leadership skills and extensive experience will be valuable assets as we continue to strive for continuous improvement.
Welcome Mrs. Stattenfield!
Summer Reading/ AP & Honors Summer Work
Please check out our Summer Work website that includes information about Summer Reading, Honors and AP Summer Assignments, and work for students looking to move up a level in a Math course.
Medway High School is pleased to announce our 2023 summer reading program! This year's program will run differently than it has in the past: MHS teachers and staff have recommended titles and will be joining students for student-led discussions on the books. Students and families can find all the information they need at our new Summer Reading/AP&H Summer Work site.
Books are available for free at the Medway Public Library, through the MinuteMan Library Network, or through the free Libby reading app. Instructions for getting started with Libby are on the Summer Reading site. You will need a free public library card to read with Libby.
Students need to:
- Read through the book descriptions on our Library of Choices page.
- Choose a book and an alternate using our Choice Selection form.
- Read through the appropriate Reading Response form before reading their book. Please note: there is a nonfiction and a fiction form. Please be sure to print and complete the correct one. Printed copies are available in the school office.
- Read and enjoy your book, answering questions on the Reading Response form.
- Bring your Reading Response form to school for the discussion - date to be announced in the fall. It will take place during a FLEX block during one of the first few cycles of the year.
Thank you for your support!
Please direct questions to Dr. Murray johnmurray@medwayschools.org.
MHS College and Career Handbook
Transportation Registration for the 2023-24 School Year
As shared during the May 18 School Committee meeting, new for the 2023-24 school year, parents and guardians will need to register students who wish to be transported and who qualify for transportation per the district’s policy.
To qualify, students must live at or beyond the following home to school distances:
Kindergarten - All students except those living in immediate proximity to McGovern School
Grades 1 - 4 - Students who live more than 1 mile from their school
Grades 5 - 12 - Students who live more than 1.5 miles from their school
The transportation registration form allows up to 5 students in a family to be registered with one entry. All questions can be submitted via this Google form.
June 2, 2023
Bio MCAS
Book Awards and Underclass Awards
Final Exams 2023
Summer Street Times
Medway High School Literary Magazine
Check out the Spring edition of the MHS Literary Magazine. The MHS Writing Club is a club dedicated to student creativity.
We welcome all art forms, including poems, short stories, essays, and non-literary works such as paintings, drawings, photos, short films, music, and games.
Writing Club aims to share students' creative endeavors in all mediums!
https://mhstest.my.canva.site/medway-high-school-writing-club
Upcoming Events
June 4 Class of 2023 Graduation, 10-11:30-Hanlon Field Rain date will be June 5 @ 6PM
June 6 MCAS Science Session 1-Grade 9
June 6 Athletic Advisory Meeting
June 6 Flex Block - Underclassmen Awards/H1 - Grade 10 H2 - Grade 9
June 7 MCAS Science Session 2-Grade 9
June 7 Junior Book Awards, 6:30 MHS Auditorium
June 9 Review Day
June 12-16 Finals
May 29, 2023
Happy Memorial Day!
Senior Week 2023
Senior Week 2023
We have finally made it to Senior Week! All activities are listed on our Senior Class Website. This will be updated frequently. Congrats to our Seniors!
Standardized Testing Accomodation
If your child is on a 504 or IEP and receives accommodations at school, they may qualify for accommodations on standardized exams such as the PSAT, SAT, AP and the ACT. In order for your student to apply for accommodations on these exams, the request needs to be submitted directly to the College Board and ACT organizations for a decision to be made.
Please read the attached documents: Applying for Accommodations on Standardized Exams, which outlines the process in more detail and take note of the Deadline Calendar for SAT and ACT Accommodations Request. To submit a request, please sign the SAT Consent Form for Accommodations and return it to your child's school counselor. Please be aware of the deadlines to request accommodations per test date. Applying for accommodations is optional.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1y1Rvr-yQRgIWG_RY1MNgrrbSYz2AOquQo_9UE1R_YJI, https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ob194BJNbL6OyECdXH5pu1gaIY4aLvd9, https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Qet_vqIjazJ-BDafmYk7Ox1wB1JLxr5Lm0Xw-1f4f3Y
May 14, 2023
Happy Mother's Day!
On Friday, our AP testing concluded.Thank you to all of our AP Proctors and to our School Counseling secretary Jill Rondeau for all of the help to make sure the testing went as smooth as possibel.
This week, MCAS testing resumes for our 10th graders in Math.
Our last full school for Seniors is Friday and our Prom is on Friday night.
Next week, we'll begin our interview process for a new Assistant Principal at Medway High School. We'll put a call out for two student representatives and I've asked the MSPTO for two parent reps as well. We're hopeful to have a finalist day on May 26 and a recommendation to the superintendent by May 30th. It won't be easy to fill Mr. List's colorful shoes, but I'm confident that there are excellent candidates in the pool. Congrats again to Mr. List.
As the weather gets nicer, we also see some attendance and behavioral challenges creep in. We have 5 weeks left of school and I'm hopeful that every effort can be made to maintain our focus and energy to finish the year strong. There is still important learning occurring daily and final exams ahead of us. Let's hang in there!
Innovation Showcase
Math MCAS
A reminder that the MATH MCAS testing will take place on May 16th and 17th, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. As you know, this assessment is the state-mandated graduation requirement, it is imperative for students to be present for and on time on each of the testing days. If you are aware of a day that your child will not be present to take their MCAS please speak with Mr. List, if you have not done so already.
All MCAS tests will be computer-based. Please make sure your child brings their Chromebook fully charged. If your child does not use a school-issued Chromebook, one will be provided to them for testing. Students must use a school-issued device for the testing. On day 2 of testing, students are allowed to use a calculator. They may bring their own calculator or use the one that is provided on the testing site.
Students will report to school at the regularly scheduled time and proceed to their testing room. Student testing room assignments will be shared with students beginning tomorrow and posted in the main lobby. Please make sure that your child arrives at school with enough time to find their testing classroom in order to begin testing promptly at 8:04 am. We would like to remind you that good nutrition and plenty of sleep are important preparation for the MCAS.
Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Mr. List.
Half Day May 19th
PROM UPDATE
LOCATION: Tiffany Ballroom at Four Points Sheraton Norwood
DATE & time : May 19, 2023 6:30-10:30
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS: Please complete the attached form if you have dietary restrictions.
TABLES: Each table will consist of 10 students. Students have the option of providing the class advisors, Mr. Perry & Mrs. Hallett, a list of the 10 students at one table. We recommend ONE person from the group submit the written list of students complete with full names correctly spelt.
TRANSPORTATION:
Students are to report to the high school no later than 5:00 to check in. Students will board the busses by tables. There is a possibility that a table may be split between two buses.
Coach buses Leave Medway at 5:30 return between 11:00 & 11:30
NOTE: Those of you wearing new shoes or uncomfortable shoes REMEMBER to bring another pair of shoes. BAREFEET are not permitted at the venue!
Thank you MSPTO
MHS Art Walk and Pops Concert
Innovations Pathways- Introducing Alex Ferro
As you may know, Medway High School has been designated as an Innovation Pathways school by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the areas of Healthcare and Human Services and Information Technology. Students at MHS have the opportunity to complete a series of courses in each of these areas followed by a capstone course of a 100-hour internship. Each Innovation Pathway is supported by grant funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
We are excited to introduce Alex Ferrro as the new Innovation Pathways Coordinator. taught middle school math in Dorchester before moving to Holliston High School in 2022. After spending most of this school year with Holliston High School, Alex is excited to come on board as the Innovation Pathways and Internship Coordinator at Medway High School. Currently, Alex is working on making sure that any and all students have an opportunity to benefit from the IP program or an internship in the coming school year. Over the next few weeks, Alex hopes to lay the foundation for the Innovation Pathways program at MHS by meeting with students about entering the pathway program, setting up rising seniors with internship opportunities, and connecting with our students. His office is located in 206-1 (inside the Science Department work room). Students are welcome to reach out if interested in internship opportunities. They will also see emails and Flex sessions to explore internship opportunities.
NHS Trivia Night Monday 5/15 7-8:30PM, Medway HS Cafeteria
‘SUP Medway Coalition Encourages Celebrating Safely
As we look forward to end of year celebrations and summer, the 'SUP Medway (substance use prevention) coalition wants to see you all thrive through this season and the next. For those attending prom, check out these Prom Tips from other high schoolers on Instagram or on Facebook.
The minimum age for substances like alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana is set to 21 years old for a reason! Drugs including alcohol and nicotine can have both immediate and long term impacts on the young brain that is still developing up until around 25 years old. You have the choice to protect your brain, memory, safety, and future by having fun without alcohol and other drugs. It is never okay to buy or supply alcohol and other age-restricted products for anyone under the age 21, in fact it is against the law. Lastly, if you see anyone experiencing unconsciousness, slow/irregular breathing, cold/bluish skin, or uncontrollable vomiting, get emergency help by calling 911 right away. Have fun & celebrate safely.
SBIRT Program (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment)
Medway Public Schools are dedicated to student health and well-being. The SBIRT program provides important services to students and families. In March 2016, Governor Baker enacted legislation related to substance use, treatment, education, and prevention which outlines the requirements for public schools in the Commonwealth to engage in verbal substance use screening education. Every year, Medway Public Schools uses an interview-based screening for students in grades 7 and 10 called SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment). More about the SBIRT program may be found here or by visiting our website.
Student screening sessions will be brief (approximately 2-3 minutes) and conducted confidentially in a private, one-on-one session the week of May 30th for 10th grade and the week of June 5th for 7th grade. More details are provided in SBIRT Letter to Families - 22-23. As with any school screening, you have the right to opt your child out of this screening (see links to opt-out forms in the SBIRT Letter to Families above).
General Hygiene Product Drive
For your planning purposes...
May 7, 2023
MCAS
FYI- Math MCAS is coming up on May 16th and 17th for 10th grade students. The testing locations will be posted for students at the end of the week. Students are allowed to use a calculator for Session 2 on May 18. Students should plan to bring their own calculators as we have very few calculators to loan to students. Please see the list of acceptable calculators.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. This year, MHS joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Together, we hope to fight stigma, provide support, offer resources and educate students about mental health. Please join us in the lobby on Thursday 5/11/23 as we highlight the importance of Mental Health Awareness & Treatment!
MHS Art Walk
Please join us on Wednesday for our annual Art Walk. Our Visual Arts students have been working hard all year and are excited to put their finest work on display for our friends and family.
Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 06:00 PM
Medway High School, Summer Street, Medway, MA, USA
MHS Pops Concert
Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 07:00 PM
Medway High School, Summer Street, Medway, MA, USA
Junior Appointments with School Counselors
Congratulations! 2023 National Latin Exam Results
Latin I (Introduction to Latin)
Joyce Zheng Gold Summa Cum Laude
Claire Mullen Silver Maxima Cum Laude
Latin II (Beginning Latin)
Timothy Hurley Gold Summa Cum Laude
Willem Khoo Gold Summa Cum Laude
Jacob Suttill Magna Cum Laude
Arielle Keany Magna Cum Laude
Rosalie Benedetto Magna Cum Laude
Matthew Olynciw Cum Laude
Latin IV (Intermediate Latin Reading Comprehension)
Ella Barucci Cum Laude
Chromebook Info
88 Keys for Kids- Thank you!
88 Keys for Kids and Annual Campaign for the Medway Friends of the Performing Arts (MFPA) Successfully Completed
Thanks to the many individual and family donors and the Medway Foundation for Education who contributed to the 88 Keys for Kids and MFPA Annual Campaign, we were able to nearly meet our funding goal of $20,000 for the purchase of a performance piano for Medway High School. Donations from our community totaled $8,080.95, MFE donated $5000, and the MFE match campaign in April provided an additional $5000. The total campaign raised $18,080.95!
This campaign, in addition to funding that will be voted on during the May 8 Town Meeting as part of the Select Board’s efforts to support this work, will enable the Medway Public School’s performing arts department to secure all current requests for their program (piano, risers, and choral shells). Please plan to show your support of this additional funding at the May 8 Town Meeting. Thank you again for your generosity!
LIMITED YEARBOOKS FOR PURCHASE
MHS-JED Foundation
April 30, 2023
AP Updates
We are looking for student volunteers to walk AP Proctors to their classrooms the weeks of 5/1 - 5/5 and 5/8 - 5/12.
We need help every day at 7:30am and 11:30am.
We need 5 students on 5/2 and 5/9.
A google doc has been shared with the students.
If they did not receive the google doc and are interested in helping out, they can reach out to jrondeau@medwayschools.org.
Students taking AP exams the week of 5/1 - 5/5 should have received an email on Thursday morning including the following information about the Exam.
Name, Date, Time and Room Location
They also received the Important AP information listed below.
Another email will be sent out on 5/11 for students taking AP exams the week of 5/8 - 5/12.
AP Info
Important AP Information
1. Please review the day(s) and time(s) of exams in the chart below.
2. Students must arrive 15 minutes early for their exam.
3. It has been a past practice that students can come in late or leave early on days of their exams. Students who want to take advantage of this must-have their PARENT/GUARDIAN fill out the google form located HERE
4. Families will need to coordinate transportation accordingly as the exam times run outside of our normal school hours. For your reference, students need to arrive at 7:45 am for an 8:00 am exam and arrive at 11:45 for a 12:00pm exam. Standard time exams are between 2-and 3.5 hours long (extended time exams will take even longer). HERE you can find details about specific exams. You can click on the specific exam, then click on “go to course”, and then click on “about the exam”.
5. HERE is a list of things students should and should NOT bring on exam day.
6. HERE is a list of exams that use calculators and what types of calculators are allowed
Sing & Swing Night
Senior Updates
NOMINATIONS FOR MHS TEACHER OF THE YEAR
It is the responsibility of the senior class to nominate the candidates for teacher of the year. This can be any of the teachers from your past 4 years at Medway High School. Once nominations are received, the senior class officers and administration will review submissions and determine the MHS teacher of the year. Please click this link to make your nomination.
Is there an important message you would like to share with your fellow seniors? Was there a transformative experience at Medway High School that you would like to highlight? Was there a club or activity that enhanced your high school experience? Do you want to share why the musical, play, jazz band, ensemble, sports team, or other after-school program was so important to your success at Medway High School?
Then, We invite you to share your interest in speaking at class day by filling out this form. Any member of the senior class can apply to speak. Applying does not guarantee the opportunity to speak as we have a limited amount of spots available.
SENIOR INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE SENIOR WEBSITE
Please take some time to click through the senior website to make sure you are up to date on important information regarding senior exams, senior week, and graduation. You can access the site using this link.
Pics of the Week
April 23, 2023
I hope all of our students and families had a wonderful April vacation! We're entering the home stretch of the school year. There are numerous events and activities that will be happening over the next 8 weeks.We'll use this space to ensure that folks have as much information as possible leading up to each event. This is also an important time for students to remain committed to their studies and positive school habits. We'll also have final exams this year which will be an important culminating exercise for students. Unlike midterms, there will be two final exams per day and cover material learned over the second half of the school year. Please know that our teachers, counselors, and administrators are here to support your child to successfully complete the school year. I'm looking forward to an exciting spring and strong finish to the school year!
Panorama Survey
On Wednesday, April 26th, students will take the last of three Panorama surveys given throughout the year. The questions are the same on these surveys and ask students their thoughts and feelings about a variety of social and emotional learning (SEL) topics. The survey results are used to plan SEL programming and student supports. All student voices are important and we are looking forward to continuing to learn from, and respond to, our students' feedback.
More information about Panorama surveys is available at Panorama Student Survey. A copy of the survey will be available in the High School front office for viewing between 8:30 am and 1:30 pm starting Monday April 10th. Students who opted out for the Panorama surveys earlier in the year will continue to be for this administration. If you would like to opt-out your student, please contact Dave Elsner, Grade 5-12 School Counseling Coordinator at delsner@medwayschools.org by Wednesday, April 26th using the subject "Panorama Opt-Out".
Spring Job Fair
Due to the success of our Job Fair earlier this year, we are happy to be bringing it back to you again this week. Representatives from local businesses will be present in the main lobby during Flex block on Wednesday, April 26th to meet with students about employment opportunities. Students interested in participating will be called down to the Job Fair by floor during Flex block. All students will still sign up and report to a Flex block offering regardless of whether or not they choose to participate.
AP Testing
Important AP Information
1. Please review the day(s) and time(s) of exams in the chart below.
2. Students must arrive 15 minutes early for their exam.
3. It has been a past practice that students can come in late or leave early on days of their exams. Students who want to take advantage of this must-have their PARENT/GUARDIAN fill out the google form located HERE
4. Families will need to coordinate transportation accordingly as the exam times run outside of our normal school hours. For your reference, students need to arrive at 7:45 am for an 8:00 am exam and arrive at 11:45 for a 12:00pm exam. Standard time exams are between 2-and 3.5 hours long (extended time exams will take even longer). HERE you can find details about specific exams. You can click on the specific exam, then click on “go to course”, and then click on “about the exam”.
5. HERE is a list of things students should and should NOT bring on exam day.
6. HERE is a list of exams that use calculators and what types of calculators are allowed
*NEW information* Also, please know on the day of exams your child will need to sign off that they have received and agreed to the AP Exams Terms & Conditions which can be found HERE.
* Please have students double-check their days/times of exams. If students have any exams that may overlap due to scheduling and/or accommodations please have them contact Mrs. Rondeau directly at jrondeau@medwayschools.org. On days when students have 2 exams, they will be allowed time for a longer break to have lunch and reset.
Chemistry Field Trip- Guest Contributor Ella Vargas '24
Medway High School Students go on an Enlightening Field Trip
Water facilities show chemistry students real-life applications of their learning
MEDWAY, Mass. — Apr. 13, 2023 — During the week of April 10th, Medway High School juniors visited the Medway Wastewater Facility and the drinking water facility.
All Medway juniors take chemistry, in which they learn about drinking water through weekly milestones. These milestones are part of a newly adopted initiative at Medway High School known as project based learning (PBL). PBL allows students to learn through hands-on experiences, and often students will work on group projects instead of taking tests. In chemistry, PBL has consisted of understanding the importance of clean drinking water through the lens of the chemistry curriculum. Towards the end of this chemistry project, students analyzed the practices of Medway's water facilities. To assist with this learning, students went on a field trip where they could see firsthand what these facilities look like and what occurs at these places.
The field trip consisted of two locations, the first being the Medway Charles River Pollution Control Facility. Chief Operator Ms. Taglieri led students on a tour of the facility. Students were able to learn in depth about how wastewater is treated. Students followed the path of the water from its collection point to the place where it departs into the Charles River.
The next location that students visited was the DPW Drinking Water facility. Mr. Smith, the superintendent of water at the Department of Water Services (DPW), led students on a tour of the facility while discussing his responsibilities and the functions of the site. Students were able to observe SCADA, the computer system that ensures the quality of Medway's drinking water. He discussed the differences between tap water and bottled water—spoiler alert: they are essentially the same—and explained the treatment that Medway's water goes through to secure its safety for Medway's residents.
Overall, the field trip helped Medway chemistry students gain a deeper understanding of the processes that water goes through in order for it to be used safely by humans and other organisms. Students were able to take their knowledge of chemistry and see how it applies to real world applications.
Seniors- National Decision Day May 1st
Seniors- Two Yearbook Announcements
The voting for the dedication of the 2023 MHS Yearbook closes at the end of school tomorrow, Monday, April 24th. All nominees must be submitted through this form.
YEARBOOK SALES END THIS MONTH All Students - Yearbooks are on sale until the end of April! Please visit the Walsworth website to order: https://yearbookforever.com/ . Yearbooks start at $85. For more information, check out the MHS Yearbook website: https://sites.google.com/medwayschools.org/mhsyearbook/ordering-a-yearbook
If you are interested in having a name stamp on your yearbook, your purchase must be submitted BEFORE 11:59 pm on Saturday, April 29th. The order guide can be found here.
Please visit the MHS Yearbook website or stop by 010-2 with any questions.
April 9, 2023
THE MHS 40% CLUB PRESENTS - HAPPINESS WEEK!
Monday 4/10/23- Thursday 4/13/23
In an effort to increase hope and positivity across our school community, we have a number of activities planned for the week before vacation.
Monday 4/10/23 - Happiness Quotes / Messages in front of school (in sidewalk chalk)
Music in the Lobby during Arrival (7:40 am- 8:04 am)
40% club members greeting students with hand stamps
Lunch Block fundraiser - club members & staff will be selling smiley face pins & allowing students to send positive messages to staff or peers.
Tuesday 4/11/23 - Lunch Block fundraiser - club members & staff will be selling smiley face pins & allowing students to send positive messages to staff or peers.
Wednesday 4/12/23 - Therapy Dogs in the lobby during AM arrival (7:30-8:04)
Lunch Block fundraiser - club members & staff will be selling smiley face pins & allowing students to send positive messages to staff or peers.
Thursday 4/13/23 - 40% club members / advisors will deliver notes & pins on Thursday & Friday during the school day
Throughout the week, members of the 40% club & PC's will be in the lobby to greet students :)
Be sure to stop by the lobby between 7:30 and 8:00 AM any day next week.. you'll be happy you did :)
Holocaust Rememberance Event
On April 14th, in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day and in support of our instruction on genocide education, all juniors and those students enrolled in our Genocide and Persecution Studies courses will have an opportunity to take part in an in-school, virtual field trip in collaboration with the Center for Holocaust Education of the East Valley Jewish Cultural Council.
From 9-11 a.m., students will virtually engage with a live guide in Poland who will take them through an interactive tour of the Aushwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp in real-time. More about this experience can be found here. After a break for lunch, students will meet Bernard Offen who survived the Kraków Ghetto and several Nazi concentration camps including Aushwitz-Birkenau. He will be meeting us virtually from California and will spend an hour with students telling his story and answering their questions. You can find out more about his life story here.
We recognize that while this day will be emotionally engaging for our students, it may also be emotionally challenging. In-shool, our educators and support staff will be there to help students navigate the day’s events and we encourage you to continue these conversations with them at home. Here is an article from Psychology Today that you may find helpful in guiding a discussion with your student about their experience. If you have any concerns about your child’s participation please reach out to your child’s teacher.
We are enormously grateful for the generosity of the Medway Foundation for Education who funded this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students in its entirety.
Quarter 3 Report Cards Available 4/11 on Infinite Campus
SENIOR FINAL EXAM INFORMATION
SENIOR FINAL EXAM INFORMATION
Senior exams will take place from May 22nd - May 25th.
Exam Week Schedule
May 22nd
A - 8:04 - 9:34
B - 10:04 - 11:34
May 23rd
C - 8:04 - 9:34
D - 10:04 - 11:34
May 24th
E - 8:04 - 9:34
F - 10:04 - 11:34
May 25th
G - 8:04 - 9:34
Makeup - 10:04 - 11:34
*If students are presenting or taking an assessment before exam week for their final exam grade they do not need to come in for finals
Exam Location
After April vacation Mr. List will send out a Google Form asking you how many students you expect to take your exam. Based on that information I will determine a testing location. We will also be sure to have a location for students who have a small group or separate setting accommodation.
Exam Drop-off Information
- Please bring the exams, at least 24 hours before the exam date, to David List's office.
- In David List's office, there is a bin with folders that are labeled for each period.
- Exams should be placed in the folder for the period corresponding to when your class runs during a normally scheduled day.
- Please label each exam with the student's name.
- If there are any test accommodations or special instructions please include those on a cover sheet for each student.
Senior Exam Exemption Rules
To be eligible for exemption, a senior must maintain:
A grade of 87.0 or above for each of the first three quarters (year-long course) OR
A grade of 87.0 or above for quarter 3 (semester based) AND
A minimum fourth quarter average of 87.0 as well
YEARBOOK UPDATES
MICCA
The MHS Concert Band, Treble Choir and Concert Choir all had fantastic performances at this past weekend's MICCA Concert and Choral Festival. Please enjoy some media from the event.
Concert Choir Performance Recording
Treble Choir Performance Recording
Concert Band Performance Recording
School Counseling Updates
Reminder that the School Counselors will be hosting Individual Junior Appointments beginning on Monday, April 10th. Juniors should check their email for their meeting date and time.
Metro South/West Trade and Construction Expo
Panorama Survey
On Wednesday, April 26th, students will take the last of three Panorama surveys given throughout the year. The questions are the same on these surveys and ask students their thoughts and feelings about a variety of social and emotional learning (SEL) topics. The survey results are used to plan SEL programming and student supports. All student voices are important and we are looking forward to continuing to learn from, and respond to, our students' feedback.
More information about Panorama surveys is available at Panorama Student Survey. A copy of the survey will be available in the High School front office for viewing between 8:30 am and 1:30 pm starting Monday April 10th. Students who opted out for the Panorama surveys earlier in the year will continue to be for this administration. If you would like to opt-out your student, please contact Dave Elsner, Grade 5-12 School Counseling Coordinator at delsner@medwayschools.org by Wednesday, April 26th using the subject "Panorama Opt-Out".
Medway Police- Actors for Training Needed
The Medway Police Department is seeking volunteers to assist with training on April 19, 2023 (week of school vacation). We will be doing a police response drill and need students to help as role players. Having volunteers greatly enhances our training and we appreciate the help from members of the community.
It will be approximately a four hour commitment beginning at 9am. If you are available and interested, please contact: pmclaughlin@medwaypolice.com
Stoichiometry in Action!
Mass STEM Hub High School Award Winners
April 2, 2023
- Another thank you to our Medway Police for their support during the "swatting" incident last week.
- A thank you to our students and staff for how they managed the situation.
- We continue to review our practices and make the necessary updates when these situations occur.
- Please see our anonymous reporting form below. See something say something.
- We've seen a rise in the use of ChatGPT among our students. Staff have access to several detection tools. We will be following our academic integrity policy as a means to discourage use of this tool. Students have access to Paper.co if they need feedback before submitting written assignments.
- We see more new student drivers in the spring. This new volume creates more traffic in the morning for drop off and some chaos in the parking lot at the end of school.
- We appreciate your patience as the spring is incredibly busy with events. Please stay tuned to this page for updates.
Junior Post-Secondary Night
Thank you to everyone who attended the Junior Post-Secondary Night. We've shared a recording of the event for all and the link to the slides. Please reach out to your child's counselor with questions.
Passcode: 3#sa!8LD
College and Career Fair Recap
The School Counseling Department hosted the annual College and Career Fair on Friday. This was a great opportunity for our students to increase their awareness of the variety of post-graduate options available to them, as well as for the representatives to better know our school and students. Often the college admissions counselors who attend are the ones who review our student’s applications.
We had a tremendous turnout with over 65 college reps and reps from our armed forces in attendance. Students were well prepared with question sheets to ask the reps. There was something for everyone who attended. A special thank you to our school counselors for organizing the event. A special thank you to Jill Rondeau, our counseling secretary and to our custodian, Patrick Cole, for his help setting up the event. Below are links to the info we shared with students and the list of colleges in attendance.
Preparing for College Fairs, 36 Questions to Ask a College, and a list of colleges in attendance.
College Visits
Students, beginning in the spring of their Sophomore year, are encouraged to visit colleges and universities to explore avenues and areas of interest. In order for these absences to be excused, students must submit documentation by the college admissions office confirming the student’s participation. Please click this link to document your visit and excuse your absence.
Senior Scholarship Reminder
World Language Proficiency Testing
Our World Languages Department aims to help students become proficient in their language of study, following national standards. This year, students in grades 9-11 will take AAPPL (all languages) or ALIRA (Latin) proficiency assessments, which assess reading, writing, listening, and speaking in real-life situations. The feedback from these tests will support language acquisition and improve our program. The assessments will be given during language classes from April 3-14, 2023. Contact Dr. M with any questions.
AP PROCTORS NEEDED!
Students at Medway High School will be taking AP Exams beginning on Monday, May 1st and concluding on Friday, May 12th.
We are in need of several people to help proctor these exams.
Please see attached information and let me know if you have any questions.
Thank You!
Jill Rondeau
School Counseling Secretary
508-533-6643 Ext: 5018
508-533-3246/Fax Number
High School Award Winners
1st Place High School Biomedical Science Project- Medway High School-4 winners: Chandrika Rajkumar, Ellie McNeil, Kennedy Hamm, and Lauren LeClair have won 1st place in the MASS STEM Hub Industry Connect program for PBS this year! Connecting with industry professionals is a missing link to bringing learning alive to demonstrate how what is learned in the classroom is used to solve real world problems, additionally Mass STEM Hub provides skills-based internships. Each of these 4 winners will be offered a paid internship this spring/summer through the Work-Based Learning Alliance (WBLA)
Winning Submission Link: https://mshindustrychallenges.secure-platform.com/file/12232/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJtZWRpYUlkIjoxMjIzMiwiYWxsb3dOb3RTaWduZWRVcmwiOiJ
Medway THRIVE Parent/Caregiver Survey
THRIVE is a component of the Medway School’s Wellness Department that is committed to providing wellness-related parent/guardian enrichment opportunities. THRIVE is looking to better understand how parents/caregivers would like to consume enrichment opportunities and what topics they would like to learn more about next school year. Please share your thoughts by completing this two-three minute survey.
Online Tutoring / Homework Support Program!
Students still have access to Paper.co. for homework help. 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.
March 24, 2023
MCAS Information (Resharing)
MCAS season is upon us. As you know, this assessment is the state-mandated graduation requirement which is usually taken by students in grades 9 and 10. Please mark your calendars with the following dates as it is imperative for students to be present for each of the testing days. If you are aware of a date that your child will not be present to take their MCAS please speak with Mr. List as soon as possible.
MCAS 2023 Dates
English (ELA) - March 28 & 29 (Grade 10 Students)
Mathematics - May 16 & 17 (Grade 10 Students)
Introductory Biology - June 6 & 7 (Grade 9 Students)
All MCAS tests will be computer-based. Please make sure your child brings their Chromebook fully charged. If your child does not use a school-issued Chromebook, one will be provided to them for testing. If their Chromebook needs to be repaired please have them bring it to the IT department across from the cafeteria or the office as soon as possible. Students must use a school-issued device for the testing.
Students will report to school at the regularly scheduled time and proceed to their testing room. Student testing room assignments will be shared with students the week of testing and will also be posted in the lobby. Please make sure that your child arrives at school with enough time to find their testing classroom in order to begin testing promptly at 8:04 am. We would like to remind you that good nutrition and plenty of sleep are important preparation for the MCAS.
Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out.
Best,
David List
Driver's Ed Hours
Junior Post-Secondary Meeting
Join the MHS School Counselors to learn about the college and career supports available and how to navigate the Post-secondary process.
When: Mar 30, 2023 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Junior Post-Secondary Planning Night
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://medwayschools-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l0fo5LmURjyH4OdUv-AmlA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Thursday, Mar 30, 2023, 06:30 PM
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Band and Chorus to perform at MICCA
MICCA- The Medway High School Concert Band and Choirs will participate in the MICCA Concert and Choral Festival this weekend. The Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) is dedicated to the study and performance of instrumental and choral music in the public schools of Massachusetts. At this particular festival, ensembles perform three pieces of repertoire for three adjudicators, who score the ensembles against a rubric of standards. After the performance, the ensemble receives a private clinic with one of those adjudicators and then is awarded a medal of participation, merit, bronze, silver or gold.
Band
Friday March 31st
Hopkinton HS
Performance @ 4PM
Chorus
Sunday, April 2nd
Westborough HS
Performance @ 2PM & 3PM
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica/Spanish Honor Society
The following students were recently inducted to the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica/Spanish Honor Society. These students have shown and proven a deep interest in the Spanish language and culture by maintaining a 90 percent -weighted average in their study of this language. The Spanish Honor Society was founded by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese for the students of North American Secondary Schools; the Medway Chapter is currently advised by Dr. M.
President, Emma Reardon
Vice President, Palak Yadav Secretary, William George Treasurer, Sofia Mercier Historian, Nora Kempner
Timothy Stotz
Colin Roberts
Isamu Oldmixon
Julia Morcos
Isabelle Basso Christopher Tocci
Willem Dalton
Olivia Tocci
Samantha Fleming
Ella Vargas
Victoria Gonzalez
Jenna Westervelt
Annabelle HazellMarch 19, 2023
Junior Seminar Workshop
Peer Counselors '23-'24
https://drive.google.com/open?id=19SYuYst54Upl3WKA3PkaJwxH3BgY4Lsbybi4U0Bhj9c
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® is March 20-26
The 'SUP Medway drug prevention coalition provided facts that will be shared in school announcements and the SADD club created and hung posters.
Teenage brains are undergoing significant changes in structure, which can make them more sensitive to the harmful effects of alcohol. Alcohol can damage areas of the brain associated with learning and memory, so one way to help with your grades is to avoid alcohol. (source)
Teens who start drinking alcohol before 15 years old are 6 and half times more likely to develop alcohol use disorder later in life than those who waited until 21. There is a minimum drinking age for a reason. (Source: SAMHSA, 2017 NSDUH)
Using nicotine, an addictive chemical in many vapes, can harm the parts of the young adult brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. Quitting vapes is possible and most successful with support. Free quit resource brochure available in main office, nurses office, and counseling center. (source)
Don't deplete your dopamine! Nicotine found in many vapes can surge the body with too much of the feel good chemical, which over time can change the structure of your brain by creating additional dopamine receptor sites. This puts a person at increased risk of addiction not just for nicotine but other drugs as well. (source)
March 12, 2023
Challenge Day
Peter Pan
Course Selection Presentations
The School Counselors will be hosting a course selection presentation for all grades. Students will either be scheduled for H1 OR H2. Please check Infinite Campus to see when you are scheduled.
Juniors: March 1
Sophomores: March 6
Freshmen: March 9 and 14
Course Selections due on March 31st!
Students should be sure to bring any questions they have to these presentations. Additionally, if students would like an individual appointment with their school counselor regarding course selection, they may schedule an appointment from March 20th up until March 31st. Students should see Mrs. Rondeau to schedule this appointment.
RING DANCE March 17th
Dear parents and sophomore students of Medway High School,
Tickets for the Ring Dance will be going on sale starting Tuesday 3/7 in the lobby, before school.
Tickets cost 20 dollars.
Class dues will need to be paid in order to purchase a ticket.
Class dues can be paid in the lobby where Ring Dance tickets are being sold.
Freshman
$30
Sophomore
$35
Junior
$40
Senior
$45
Any questions regarding financial aid please reach out to Dr. Ocasio-Varela.
Sincerely, the Class Officers of 2025
MCAS
Spring 2023 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Schedule
Students in 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.
March 28, 2023
Medway High School
Grade 10
English Language Arts (Session 1)
March 29, 2023
Medway High School
Grade 10
English Language Arts (Session 2)
The Spring Coffee House will be Friday, March 24th. There is an informational meeting for anyone interested in performing on Wednesday, March 15th after school in Mr. Nassiff's room, 209-1.
Winter Sports Updates
The Medway Mustangs had a great winter season.
Our Girls Basketball team remains in the tournament having won their first game in the tournament against N. Reading. Unfortunately, they came up short against #1 St. Mary’s in Lynn on Friday.
Boys Basketball entered the Division 3 tournament as the #26. They played hard, but lost 53-87 last Friday.
Our Girls Co-op Hockey Team, the #16 seed hosted their first ever home tournament game that unfortunately ended in a 2-1 loss in 2OT.
Our Boys and Girls Indoor Track Teams had a fantastic winter season. Many new school records were set and our athletes performed very well at the TVL Showcase Meet as well as the Division 5 State Meet. There were so many top performances, but the highlight was Jaina Campbell earning a spot in the MIAA Meet of Champions event for the high jump!
Our Gymnastics Co-op Team finished the regular season with a perfect 7-0 record and finished in fourth place at the Sectional Meet. They qualified for the State Championship Meet and did an outstanding job! Congratulations to the team and coaches!
Our Winter Cheer Team has done very well in their competition season. They came in 2nd pace at Regionals last Sunday, March 5 at Whitman-Hanson High School.
Our Boys and Girls Swim and Dive team members (via Holliston HS) had a great season. The boys team finished as TVL Co-Champions and many of our swimmers qualified for the divisional state tournament. In addition, Devin Bird, Jon Bird and Michael Webb all qualified for the All-State Championship.
Both the Coed Alpine Ski Team and the Boys Hockey Team have concluded their seasons. Both teams were very young this past season and look to rebuild next season.
Spring Season High School Meet the Coach Night will be held on Tuesday at 6pm in the HS Auditorium. This is for all candidates of a high school team and at least one adult family member.
PROM UPDATE
The Junior/ Senior Prom is on Friday, May 19th at the Tiffany Ballroom at the Four Points Sheraton in Norwood. To attend prom all students and guests must have a ticket and be up to date on their class dues.
For juniors, dues must have been paid through junior year and for seniors, dues must be paid through senior year.
Freshman $30
Sophomore $35
Junior $40
Senior $45
If you are unsure please have your student contact a class advisor.
Tickets will go on sale Monday, March 20th, and be sold at an early bird price of $83.00 through Friday, March 24. tickets can be purchased with cash or a check made out to Medway High School. Beginning on Monday, March 27th, ticket prices will increase to $93.00.
All ticket purchases must take place BEFORE school and AFTER school in Mrs. Hallett’s room 214-1.
Medway High School requires that all students and guests take our bus to prom.
Prom Guests
If you plan to invite a guest to prom who does not attend Medway High School, they must be no older than 20 and they must also fill out a guest form that can be found here or picked up in the main office. The guest form must be completed and turned in prior to purchasing tickets.
Prom Dresses
If your student needs clothing for semi or formal dances, check out Jackie’s Boutique, located right inside of Milford High School!!! This program is available for any teen in need of a dress and accessories for semi and formal dances! These events can get very expensive and this program enables girls to have the dress, shoes, and accessories that they love. If interested, make an appointment, come on in and pick out your dream dress in our gorgeous boutique! https://www.milfordpublicschools.com/Page/6677
We just ask that you return the dress dry cleaned, or pay a $25 cleaning fee, so that another girl can enjoy wearing it.
This program is for any teen in need, you do not need to be a Milford resident to participate. Please reach out to make an appointment or for more information-sgray@milfordma.com.
Metro South/West Trade + Construction Expo
Mass Hire is hosting an exciting opportunity for our students to learn more about the trade and construction industries. This is a time to start exploring post-secondary options and to learn more from professionals in the fields. This event will be on Tuesday, April 6th. More details will be provided but the event runs from 9 am - 1 pm; transportation and lunch will be included. Due to space being limited, priority will go to juniors and seniors. Please fill out this form if you are interested in attending.
Click on the event's website for more information! If you are interested in how different components come together to make a building work, a job in construction could be right for you. Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, and many more trades – construction has it all!
The deadline to submit this form is Wednesday, March 15th.
Reminder- No School on March 17th for MPS Professional Development Day
March 5, 2023
This week's Newswatch
Course Selection Update
Juniors: March 1
Sophomores: March 6
Freshmen: March 9 and 14
Students should be sure to bring any questions they have to these presentations. Additionally, if students would like an individual appointment with their school counselor regarding course selection, they may schedule an appointment from March 20th up until March 31st. Students should see Mrs. Rondeau to schedule this appointment.
Program of Studies Webinar
Medway Foundation for Education: Trivia Bee
The Medway Foundation for Education (MFE) is pleased to host the annual MFE Trivia Bee. This event is a time honored tradition where colleagues, teachers, students, and friends compete to reveal Medway’s top trivia team! The event will take place on Tuesday, March 7 in the Burke-Memorial Elementary School Cafeteria from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The funding generated from participation supports the MFE’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the Medway Public Schools. Please consider participating! A registration form can be found here.
MHS Musical- Peter Pan
Griffin Electric Presentation
Griffin Electric will be hosting a presentation at Medway High School on Monday, March 20th during H block. Please complete the form below if you would like to attend to learn more about the opportunities that Griffin Electric can provide!
Tickets on sale soon for Ring Dance on 3/17 and Prom on 5/19!
Upcoming Events
March 7 MIAA Girls Basketball Sweet 16- Medway vs. N. Reading 6pm @Medway
March 7 MFE Trivia Bee
March 9 Challenge Day
March 10 Spring Musical 7PM Auditorium
March 11 Spring Musical 1PM & 7PM - Auditorium (2 shows)
March 17 Professional Development Day - No School
March 17 Sophomore Ring Dance, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., Cafeteria
March 21 National Spanish Honor Society Induction 3-6 MHS Auditorium
March 24 National Honor Society Coffee House, 6:30pm - 9pm Cafeteria
March 28 MCAS - ELA Session 1 Grade 10
March 29 MCAS ELA Session 2 Grade 10
March 30 Junior Parent Night Webinar, 6:30 - 7:30
March 31 MICCA Band Concert/Hopkinton High School, 4pm
March 31 Quarter 3 Ends and Grades Close
March 31 College Fair
March 31 Best Buddies Prom MMS 7-9PM
February 26, 2023
Course Scheduling 2023-2024
Check out our Welcome video below!
Incoming 9th Grade/ Program of Studies Webinar
Please register in advance.
https://medwayschools-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZnRXzttHSqOQxrdgEKm-6g
Monday, Feb 27, 2023, 06:00 PM
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Program of Studies Webinar, grades 9-11
Join Dr. Murray and the MHS administration team to learn about the course selection process for the 2023-2024 school year.
Please register in advance.
https://medwayschools-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uFtopdHRQRiU5YdQiY0f1g
Monday, Feb 27, 2023, 07:00 PM
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Challenge Day- March 9th!
Challenge Day will return to Medway High School on Thursday, March 9th. Challenge Day is a full- day interactive event designed to build connection and empathy, fulfilling the vision that every child should be able to live in a world where he or she feels safe, loved and celebrated. The goal for the day is for students to feel more connected and accepted by their peers, feel stronger socially and emotionally, and develop communication and resiliency skills.
Students still have time to sign up using the link below. Later this week, Assistant Principals and Counselors will make the final decisions for this year's group and permission slips will be sent out. This is the first time we've been able to have Challenge Day since 2020. Check out some pictures from that event below.For more information about Challenge Day visit www.challengeday.org.
College & Career Fair on Friday, March 31st
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February 12, 2023
We are in the midst of course level recommendations for next year. By the end of the week, teachers will have discussions with students about their level and enter their recommendations into Infinite Campus. At the end of this week, the Program of Studies will be published which includes elective options for next year. Upon our return from break, we'll host an info session for incoming 9th graders and current 9-11th grade students.
While we gear up for vacation, I want to encourage students to finish this week with strong. We have hit the first Infinite Campus grade check point for quarter 3. I anticipate that there will be assessments in multiple classes this week to further paint the picture of student progress this term. In past years, this has been the week that we've seen a dip in academic focus for students and some challenging behavior. Let's hang in there and work hard as we head into our break!
STEM FAIR- Hosted by WiStem Club
On Friday, February 17th, the WiSTEM club will be hosting STEM Day presentations at MHS during Flex block. We are excited to welcome professionals from a variety of STEM related fields to MHS to present information about their field and offer hands on opportunities. During this time, all students will have the opportunity to select two presentations to attend from a list of offerings. February 17th is a Day 6 and we will be following a modified schedule for the WiSTEM events.
MFPA Musical Bingo Night
The MFPA is hosting a Musical Bingo Night on February 16th at the Medway Middle School Cafeteria. This fun night is a family-friendly event that is open to all. Gather your friends and see how quickly you can identify great music. Doors open at 6:00 pm and music will start at 6:30 pm.
The fundraiser donation minimum is $5/person or $25/family. Registration is open until February 15th (or until spots run out).
We will accept cash, check or Venmo - MFPA Medway @Medwayfriendsofperformingarts
Venmo can be paid in advance upon confirmation of your registration.
All proceeds directly benefit the Medway Performing Arts Students!
Update from McGovern School
February 5, 2023
Update from Dr. Murray
This week we begin planning for next year's classes. Teachers will begin sharing their recommendations for level placement. On Thursday, I will present the Program of Studies to the school committee. After vacation, our Peer Counselors will meet with our 8th grade students to begin their transition to high school. We'll also have a Program of Studies Night for our current 9-11 grade students. Please stay tuned to the Mustang Minute for more information about course scheduling for next year. This is a very important process as our scheduling is depenedent on recommendations and the selections that students make over the next two months.
Thank you,
John Murray, Ed. D.
Principal
Celebrating Black History Month
Every February, we honor and recognize the contributions Black Americans have made to our country in the areas of civil rights, politics, industry, science, arts and culture, and more. Educators and students across the school have designed a variety of ways to recognize and celebrate Black History Month. Here are a few highlights: The Social Studies department has created a Histogram bulletin board near the main office highlighting prominent African Americans and their contributions throughout our history. Each week, via our morning announcements, students will highlight some of the individuals featured on the bulletin board beginning with Ms. Justina L. Ford! Our school librarian, Mrs.Stoval, has created a book display in the library featuring prominent African Americans authors. Our Fine Arts Department has created a display of prominent African American artists in the Art wing. As we progress through the remainder of the school year, we will continue to highlight National Heritage Months in an effort to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our school community.
Anti-Vaping Presention at Medway Middle and High Schools
On Tuesday, students in grades 5-12 participated in a drug/vaping prevention presentation co-sponsored by ‘SUP Medway drug prevention coalition and MSPTO. Tomas Barraza from VIVE18 shared an uplifting message of “Be, Do, and Have” encouraged students to reach their full potential while also ensuring they understand the facts and risks of vaping. A message with resources was sent home to parents after the event. Including:
How to Talk to Youth about Vaping/E-cigs
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yGLNIiRQcFoq6jVXwP6q9czPXeuOr8yZ/view?usp=sharing
Helping Your Teen Quit Vaping
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ZoZT517QxiLZD9J-50C1kXUgwa_Co3u/view?usp=sharing
A Parent's Role in Drug Prevention
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10dLA0xsTH0ssGtJlvrRDtcHnEd4j6VtV/view?usp=sharing
Junior Seminar
Signs of Suicide Prevention
SOS: Signs of Suicide Prevention training will be presented to Juniors in their English class between
February 6th & February 10th, 2023. If you do not want your child to participate or if you have any questions, please contact Debra Dodge, School Adjustment Counselor at ddodge@medwayschools.org
*If we do not hear from you by February 3rd, 2023, we will assume your child is participating.
As part of the training, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This training and questionnaire is meant to identify students who may be at risk for depression. It cannot diagnose depression.
Students will be informed that the questionnaire is confidential unless the student indicates they are experiencing significant symptoms of depression, is in danger of harming themselves or indicates suicide ideation. In this case, they will meet with an Adjustment Counselor and a Parent/Guardian will be contacted.
We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on the warning signs for youth suicide, resources, and a parent SOS video. The site also has a parent version of the questionnaire and tips on discussing the presentation with your child. We conduct this screen with Freshmen and Juniors annually. Of course, if you have mental health concerns about a Sophmore or Senior, please reach out to your child's school counselor.
Medway Public Schools App
We are thrilled to announce the new app for Medway Public Schools. It's everything Medway Public Schools, in your pocket! Watch the video here.
Scan the QR code to download the app
Save the Date- February 27, 2023
Program of Studies Night “Virtual”
Incoming 9th Graders 6PM - 6:45PM
Current 9-11th Graders 7pm - 7:30PM
Summer Job Opportuniites for Sophomores!
January 29, 2023
Anti-Vaping Presentations
Presentation to Grades 5th - 12th co-sponsored by 'SUP Medway and MSPTO
On January 31st both middle and high schools will receive an educational presentation for drug prevention, particularly focused on vaping and its connection to mental health and brain development. The presenter from Vive18 emphasizes to them that they have power in their ability to make choices for themselves and captures youth attention with personal story sharing and an interactive, educational game. The presenter actually created a 1 minute promo video to get everyone pumped for the presentation (below):
All-State Chorus Festival
Two MHS choir members were selected to participate in the annual Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Chorus Festival!
Andrew Bennett
Joey Gangitano
These students prepared a difficult piece for a live audition and now have the opportunity to participate in a festival with a full day of rehearsal, culminating in a performance with some of the best HS choir singers from around the state at Boston's Symphony Hall. Congratulations!
Scholastic Art Awards
Congratulations to Natalie Goodale (Silver Key) and Isabelle Basso (Honorable Mention) their artwork in the Scholastic Art Awards sponsored by the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University.
TEC Internship & Career Exploration Program
January 22, 2023
We are also beginning our preparations for the '23-'24 school year. Over the next month, we will be sharing information with students and families about the course request process for next year. This week, we will hold an information session for students interested in taking an AP course next year. Over the coming weeks, our teachers will begin having conversations with students about their recommendation for level placement for next years offerings in Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies. The Program of Studies will be available on February 10. After February break, there will be a formal presentation of course offerings to students and families. We look forward to working with your child to support their progression through this process.
AP Info Session for '23-'24
There will be a meeting during Flex Block on January 26th for all students interested in taking an advanced placement course next year. This meeting will help students understand the course requirements and expectations when choosing to take an Advanced Placement course. Students in grades 9 and 10 will meet during the H1 and students in grade 11 will meet during H2.
PSAT Results Info Session
On Monday, January 23rd during H1 block, the School Counselors will be meeting with all sophomores on how to review and interpret scores. Free PSAT/SAT prep. resources will be discussed. Additionally, the School Counselors have already provided SAT and ACT resources to juniors during the Junior Seminar presentation.
Medway High School Senior Internship in Education Program
Medway High School seniors who are interested in the education field may participate in a paid internship program beginning this winter. The High School Senior Internship in Education Program (HSSIEP) is an initiative sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that provides seniors an experience in the field of education in hopes of encouraging future educators to enter the teaching profession.
Medway High School is partnering with schools across Medway including Medway Middle School, Burke-Memorial Elementary School, McGovern Elementary School, and Medway Daycare. Students will be individually assigned to a classroom during a time that best fits into their schedule. This could be during the school day if there is time available, after school, or during school breaks. Each intern will be assigned a supervising teacher. In addition to their supervising teacher, interns will receive training.
Seniors who are interested in participating should attend an information session on Thursday, January 26 during H1 in room 114-1. Please fill out the form using this link to participate in the meeting.
Panorama Survey
On Tuesday, January 31st, students will take the second of three Panorama surveys given throughout the year. The questions are the same on these surveys and ask students their thoughts and feelings about a variety of social and emotional learning (SEL) topics. The survey results are used to plan SEL programming and student supports. All student voices are important and we are looking forward to continuing to learn from, and respond to, our students' feedback.
More information about Panorama surveys is available at Panorama Student Survey. Students who would like to opt-opt out can complete the Panorama Survey - High School - Opt-Out by Friday 1/20/23. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Dave Elsner, Grade 5-12 School Counseling Coordinator at delsner@medwayschools.org
Massachusetts Student Government Day 2023
Massachusetts Student Government day returns in person for 2023. The goal of this event is to provide an immersive experience in the state legislative process by allowing students to engage with representatives and empowering them to voice their own informed views on current legislation. Students will assemble at the State House to replicate activities of the General Court (Massachusetts State Legislature) by debating and voting on legislation. The elected student from each school will be assigned a role as a senator, representative, or justice prior to the event. All students will hear from legislative leaders and have the opportunity to give testimony on two current bills before the General Court. Depending on their assigned role, students will then continue debating legislation or observe state government from the perspective of a Supreme Court justice. If you are interested, please email Mrs. Aldorisio (jaldorisio@medwayschools.org) in the main office. We will then conduct elections and announce a representative for MHS.
MSPTO Meeting 1/25 7pm (Virtual)
January 16, 2023
Midterms Continue
A World of Difference
Inspire. Lead. Transform.
Medway High School is reengaging its partnership with the Peer Leadership Program, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute. This is an opportunity for students in grades 9-11 to inspire others to challenge all forms of prejudice, including bullying and cyberbullying. This program will have an impact for all students to actively promote respect for cultural and other human differences and to build greater unity in our school community.
We are looking for 20-30 students (9-11th grades) who are willing to commit to this cause and become leaders in building unity in our community.
The Peer Training Program goals are to:
Explore the meaning of community and why it is essential for all to feel that they belong to the community.
Examine how some school community members could feel left out and identify ways to ally with those who feel left out.
Identify what members of the school community can do to actively promote a safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environment in which cultural, racial, and other social identities are respected and valued.
Responsibilities will include:
Peer Leaders will take a leading role in facilitating activities and conversations with their peers. The Peer Leaders will engage in a Peer Leader Training Program, which will occur during two school days. The training will focus on helping Peer Leaders develop their leadership potential and gain the skills to facilitate workshops for their peers. Peer Leaders will also attend meetings throughout the year. For more information, please reach out to Mrs. Drooker in Rm 008-1 and Mrs. Aldorisio in the Main Office. If you are interested, please .
Please click the link below and fill out the one question Google form if interested. Applications will close on 1/18.
Attention Seniors!
Yearbook Updates:
Yearbook sales are live! Visit yearbookforever.com to place your order. More information on how to purchase can be found on this page of the MHS Yearbook website.
Are you a parent of a senior or someone with a local business? Consider purchasing a Family or Business Ad in the yearbook! Purchase information is also available on the sale page of the Walsworth and MHS Yearbook sites. Purchases must be completed by January 20th.
SENIORS - All senior portraits and quotes must be uploaded by January 20th. All information can be found on the Senior Requirements tab of the website.
January 8, 2023
Midyear Exams
Click the Button Below to Visit Our Midyear Exam Site
REMINDER: T.H.R.I.V.E. Parent/Caretaker Webinar January 11
Student sleep has been shown to impact academics and athletics significantly. Join Dr. Owens to see what you can do as a parent to help support student sleep habits and routines. Dr. Owens is the Director for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Boston Children's Hospital and a Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. This event will be held on GoToWebinar, at 7:00 PM. Please register HERE.
Meningitis Immunizations- From Nurse DiSalvio
The MHS Health Department is reminding parents about the mandatory Meningitis vaccine requirement. If your child is Junior or a Senior, and if you have not already done so, please provide proof that your child has received the required Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY (formerly MCV4)). Students should have received their first dose of this vaccine around 12 years old, with the second dose > 8 weeks afterwards. But if they have not received a first dose, the student should get a dose on or after their 16th birthday.
Meningitis immunizations are also required for any students entering college.
Please call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6800 or your child’s health care provider if you need additional information.
Medications
For those students that require medications, including Epipens, during school hours, please provide the medication orders, and action plans (specific to severe allergies or asthma). Please note, medication orders are needed every new school year.
January 2, 2023
Happy New Year!
This week, we're also excited to welcome back a number of our alums to share their experiences with our current juniors and seniors during Flex block. We'll also have a forum at night on Wednesday. We hope this event becomes a new tradition in our school that will be so helpful for our students and families!
We're looking forward to a great start to 2023!
Best,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
Medway High School
Life after MHS- Jan 4th (Flex)
Life after MHS (Family Forum)
Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023, 06:30 PM
Medway High School, Summer Street, Medway, MA, USA
COVID-19 Reminders and Protocols
With the cold and flu season upon us, and the continuing challenges posed by COVID-19, it is important that we all stay vigilant in protecting the health of our schools. At-home testing is encouraged when your child or a family member has symptoms. Free at-home tests are available with most health insurance through CVS. If your child tests positive, please inform your child’s school nurse and follow COVID protocols around isolation and mask-wearing. We encourage you to keep your child home when exhibiting COVID and influenza symptoms and recommend mask-wearing when sick. For tips on effective mask-wearing and mask options, please click here.
Midyear Exams
College Application Status- Naviance
HOBY Award
PSAT Results
*NEW & FREE* National Honor Society SAT/ACT Tutoring Program
Parents, the National Honor Society announces the establishment of a new, FREE, SAT/ACT tutoring program run by our experienced members to help our future school test-takers! Many of our tutors are qualified (with SAT scores above 1400) and would love to assist the students in boosting their standardized test scores to increase their qualifications to find their perfect school. Increasing test scores will help students looking for more merit-based scholarships.
Tutoring will be done in school during study halls and flex blocks. We are working on setting up a tutor session at the Medway Public Library on Saturday mornings. If interested, please sign-up on the following form, and feel free to reach out to me at zliu@student.medwayschools.org if you have any questions!
Zhiwen Liu, NHS President
American Heritage Museum- Essay Contest
Career Training - FREE PCA certification
Career exploration is an important part of all student's education. Our School Counseling Department is coordinating with local partners for various career related experiences. Salmon Health is offering a FREE Personal Care Assistant (PCA ) training class December 28-30 at their location in Westborough. This certification can be used to work in the Medway assisted living facility. Additional free training classes for PCA, as well as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), will be available periodically. Volunteer opportunities also exist. Students interested in the healthcare field are encouraged to contact the Salmon Health Program coordinator, Courtney Sibinich. See FREE PCA Training for more details.
December 4, 2022
Best,
Dr. Murray
Infinite Campus Gradebook Update
Infinite Campus gradebooks are up to date and available for viewing. The gradebook will be updated at the end of the 3rd and 6th week of each quarter. Please note that large assignments such as essays, research papers, and projects take longer to grade with feedback. Please see the dates below for Q2 grading info/
Gradebook updates:
December 2nd and January 6
Midyear Exams- January 12- 23
Q2 grades close Januaty 24
SENIOR YEARBOOK REQUIREMENTS
School Counseling Updates
Juniors: On December 8th and December 13th, all juniors will meet with their School Counselor for Junior Seminar # 1 to discuss the college exploration and application process. Students should check Responsive Scheduler to see which day they have been assigned.
Sophomores: On November 30th and December 5th during H block, all sophomores will meet with their School Counselor to take the Achieve Works Personality Assessment in Naviance. Students will be able to identify their personality type and strengths and connect these to careers of interests. This information will assist students with their academic and college/career planning. Please review Responsive Scheduler to see which date you are assigned to.
Freshmen: On December 16th and December 21st, all freshmen will meet with their School Counselor to register for Naviance. Naviance is a college and career web based tool that assists students with post-secondary planning. Students will utilize Naviance throughout high school. During this workshop, freshmen will also be taking the Achieve Works Learning and Productivity Assessment to determine the type of environment preferred when learning and studying and preferred methods when learning new material. This assessment will help students understand how they can be most productive and develop study practices that work best for their learning style. Students should review Responsive Scheduler to see which day they are assigned.
MHS Science Olympiad
Medway High School Senior Destiny Ojukwu Recognized by Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents for Academic Excellence
Superintendent Armand Pires and Principal John Murray are pleased to announce that Medway High School senior Destiny Ojukwu has been presented with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Award of Academic Excellence.
Ojukwu was nominated by the faculty and staff at Medway High School and was presented with the award earlier this month. A news article can be found here.
Massachusetts Music Educators Central District Senior District Festival
Several students from MHS auditioned for the Massachusetts Music Educators Central District Senior District Festival (finally live and in person!) this past Saturday, and did a wonderful job preparing a solo piece of repertoire. 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 1/14.
Chorus
Andrew Bennett
Olivia Dwyer
Joey Gangitano
Nora Keavany
Maeve McKean
Andy Morris
Caleb Perkins
Matt Shawlis
Band
Abigail Brown
Kathryn Gage
WIlliam George
Alexandra Montana
Timothy Reda
Orchestra
Ava Fahey
Life after MHS Event
If you have a recent MHS alum (past 3 years) please share this link with them if they are interested in being part of the event.
Here are the details:
10:00 : Meet in the Library (Orientation, Reconnect with friends, and light snacks)
10:30-11:30: Meet with students in classrooms
11:30-12:00: Debrief and Thank you
Please contact me via email johnmurray@medwayschools.org if you have any questions.
MSPTO Pop-up Shop
November 20,2022
Happy Thanksgiving
Q1 Report Cards
Reports cards are now available on the Infinite Campus portal. Please log in to your account and click on the reports tab in the left-hand column. There will be a PDF with the report card for you to view. Please reach out to support@medwayschools.org if you have any questions about accessing your report card or your Infinite Campus account.
Quarter 1 grades provide just a snapshot of how your child is performing up to this point in the school year. This is a great time for students to reflect on what worked well or needs refinement as we move into the second quarter. Please make sure to reach out to your child's teachers, school counselor, or Assistant Principal if you have questions or if your child needs additional supports.
iDecide- Drug Education Program
Students will be participating in the iDecide Survey during H1 on Tuesday, Nov 22nd. Information about the program and the survey , along with an opt-out option, is available at the links below.
Pre-Thanksgiving 1/2 Day Workshops
We will once again be offering a multitude of half-day workshops led by our wonderful Medway High School staff on the 1/2 day prior to Thanksgiving. The sessions will be followed by a pep rally focused on fun and games for all. On Monday, students will have the opportunity to sign up. We will also have a Pep Rally on Hanlon Field to take us into the holiday.
Also on the half day we will be wearing our class colors. They are as follows:
Senior: black
Junior: blue
Sophomore: white
Freshman: red
Fuel Assistance Available
If you are a one-person household and make less than $40,951 per year or a two-person household and make less than $53,551 per year, you may qualify for home fuel assistance. A full eligibility and benefits chart can be found here. Medway Outreach Workers Marcia Lombardo and Kim Cookson are happy to help you apply for fuel assistance or answer any questions. They can be reached at 508 533 3210 or mlombardo@townofmedway.org. Please note if adults in your household are not U.S. citizens, but a child in the home is a citizen, you can still apply for fuel assistance.
Thank you MSPTO for our Faculty Soup Lunch!
November 13, 2022
Q1 Report Cards
Reports cards will be available on the Infinite Campus portal at the end of the school day on Thursday, November 17th. Students and families will recieve an email when grades are posted to log in to your account and click on the reports tab in the left-hand column. There will be a PDF with the report card for you to view. Please reach out to support@medwayschools.org if you have any questions about accessing your report card or your Infinite Campus account.
Quarter 1 grades provide just a snapshot of how your child is performing up to this point in the school year. This is a great time for students to reflect on what worked well or needs refinement as we move into the second quarter. Please make sure to reach out to your child's teachers, school counselor, or Assistant Principal if you have questions or if your child needs additional supports.
Peer Counseling Grade 9 Check-in
The Peer Counselings will be hosting an event for all freshmen during Flex block on Thursday, November 17th. Students can find the location for their meeting in Infinite Campus. The Peer Counselors are looking forward to reconnecting with their freshmen groups for check-in and fun activity!
Pre-Thanksgiving Workshops and Pep Rally
On the day before Thanksgiving, we will bring back our 1/2 day workshops and the Pep Rally. The Student Council and our staff have been developing a series of fun and interesting workshops for students to participate in on the day before break. This is a great opportunity to build community among students and staff. Our Pep Rally will cap the event and will be held on Hanlon Field. Stay tuned for workshop info, sign-up info, and class colors for the Pep Rally.
Signs of Suicide Program
Freshmen will receive the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program during their Wellness class this week. In this evidenced-based program, students will review the symptoms of depression, risk factors, and warning signs for suicide and where students go to get help and will complete a screening.
Signs of Suicide Program and participation Information
From Health Services
Freshman and Sophomore parents: As required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations, We will be conducting hearing, vision, height, and weight screenings for all 10th-grade students and postural screenings for all 9th-grade students during IPEC classes between 11/15- 11/18. Every effort will be made to protect student privacy. If your child does not meet the hearing and vision requirements, a letter suggesting further evaluation and follow-up with your provider will be sent home. The screening for scoliosis is mandated with the purpose of early detection of spinal problems. If your child has unusual findings, you will be notified. For 9th graders, leggings and sports bras are recommended for female students on the day of screening. This type of clothing permits more accurate observation of the back. As always, it is your right to “opt-out” of screenings by sending an email or letter asking to opt and providing a reason why to jdisalvio@medwayschools.org.
Sophomore Class of 2025: Class Ring/Jewelry Order Event
Ring information packets with individual finger sizers were distributed at the sophomore class meeting Tuesday, November 8th. Extra information packets are available in the Main Office and the Guidance Office. You can place your order in school on the above dates or online. All rings/jewelry will be delivered at the Sophomore Ring Dance in the Spring. Order your ring/jewelry by 11/27 and receive YOUR CHOICE of a FREE adidas Striker II Backpack, custom hoodie OR Cleer GOAL Wireless Earbuds- wireless charging case included! Not available with P-Rings. Three, four & six month Payment plans available. Visit www.jostens.com for more details. You can design & order your ring online @ www.jostens.com or print out your web quote and bring it to the order table at school.
2023 AFT Massachusetts Scholarship Program
Scholarship Applications are due by December 16, 2022. The scholarship exam will be given at high schools across Massachusetts between Monday, February 6, 2023 - Friday, February 10, 2023. Information regarding testing will be available at high school guidance counselors’ offices across the Commonwealth.
The attached flyer and link to the website will tell you more about the program including background information, link to the registration form, and a link to the study guide. https://aftmassachusetts.tiny.us/Scholarships2023
Upcoming Events
November 16 Sophomore Ring Night, 4:45 - 6:00 pm Library
November 17 School Council Meeting, 3 - 4 Library
November 17 Meet the Coach Night - winter sports, 6 pm auditorium
November 17 Report Cards posted on Infinite Campus
November 21 National Honor Society Induction 6:30 -8pm Auditorium
November 22 MHS Faculty Meeting 2:45pm
November 23 Half Day (Thanksgiving) Pep Rally (Responsive Schedule)
November 24-25 Thanksgiving Recess - No School
October 30, 2022
Special Schedule on 10/31 HEFCD
Senior Halloween Events
A few reminders about our Senior Halloween Event on Monday:
Costumes
- Costume may not be worn the whole day
- No face coverings
- No weapons or anything that may be mistaken for a weapon
- Must be school appropriate
- No reference to racism/discrimination, drugs, violence, etc., If the costume is not school-appropriate the student will be asked to change
Schedule
We will begin the day with Flex Block and follow with periods E, F, C, and D. We will require all students to change out of costumes prior to returning to class 2nd period.
H Block (Senior Parade)
8:04-8:40 - Breakfast in the cafeteria for all seniors (any teacher/staff who does not have any students is welcome to attend) (Senior attendance will be taken)
8:50 - The seniors will parade throughout the school.
Parade Route:
Lower Level Wing 1
Main Level Wing 1 and 2
Upper Level Wing 1 and 2
Lower Level Wing 1 to Wing 3 to Gym
8:55 - Seniors will be in the gym for a class picture
We will require all students to change out of costumes prior to returning to class 2nd period. If a student attends class still in costume, they will be asked to go to the office.
We hope that students and staff will enjoy this experience.
Freshmen Transition Meeting- Flex 10/31
Freshman Transition Goals
Discuss the transition to high school
GPA, transcript, course selection
Introduce students to a four-year plan
Introduce and identify freshman-year goals
Get involved, get to know your teachers, and learn how to ask questions/ask for help
Identify areas of extracurricular interest and be aware of leadership opportunities
Provide advice & tips for managing high school
Identify school counseling resources for students
School Counselors, School Adjustment Counselors, Learning Lab, NHS tutors, after-school homework club
Science Olympiad
Congratulations to Medway's Science Olympiad Team for competing in their first meet of the year. Congratulations to Katie Gage and Riley Ashok for winning a gold medal in Anatomy and Physiology, A gold was also won by Alex Montana and Ella Vargas competing in Green Generation. Silver medals were won by Christina Harrahy and Emma Reardon in the Write it do it event. Nora Sullivan and Palak Yadav also won silver in Green Generation. Great start to the year!
MHS Fall Play
MSPTO Newsletter
If you haven't signed up for the MSPTO newsletter, please visit mspto.org, then the “contact us” link and sign up!
Ski at Wachusett Mountain
The MSPTO is offering discounted passes to Wachusett Mountain to ski on Friday afternoons while the middle school ski club is skiing. This pass will allow you to ski on the afternoons/evenings of January 6, 13, 20, 27 and February 3, 10. To buy a pass visit https://www.wachusett.com/schoolgroups and enter the code MWMS. You will need to have your own transportation to and from the mountain. Please reach out to Tina Ouellette with any questions (ouellette310@msn.com).
Along with the Turkey Trot 5K race on Thanksgiving Day, there is also a food drive leading up to the race to benefit the Medway food pantries. The Medway Girl Scout Troop is organizing the food drive this year. A donation box will be placed at MHS for the first 2 weeks in November to have members of the school community drop off non perishable food items
Upcoming Events
October 31 Senior Breakfast/Parade
November 5 Fall Play 2PM and 7PM (2 Shows) -Auditorium
November 8 Quarter 1 Ends and Grades Close
November 11 Veterans Day (Observed) No School
November 15 National Spanish Honor Society Induction, 3:30 Auditorium
November 15 Meet the Coach Night (winter sports) 6-7:30pm
November 16 Quarter 1 Grades Posted
November 16 Sophomore Ring Night, 4:45 - 6:00 pm Library
November 17 School Council Meeting, 3 - 4 Library
November 19 Sr. District Auditions 8:30AM - 3:30PM Milford HS
November 21 National Honor Society Induction 6:30 -8pm Auditorium
November 23 Half Day (Thanksgiving) Pep Rally (Responsive Schedule)
October 23, 2022
This past week, we hosted our annual Parent-Teacher conferences. It was great to see so many families in our building this week. While this is the only scheduled time during the school year for parents to meet individually with their child's teachers, it's important to know that there are opportunities throughout the year for feedback about your child's progress in each of their classes. Infinite Campus and Google Classroom are great sources of information and are both updated regularly. You can also reach out to our teachers or school counselors via email when you have questions or concerns as well. We are happy to help.
AP Test Registration and Payment Deadline
AP courses provide great learning opportunities for various subjects as well as preparation for college academic expectations.
Registration and payment for exams happens early in the school year.
The deadline to complete registration for the exam and submit fees is Friday, October 28th.
To register, students MUST also “Join” their AP Class Section (different from Google Classroom) and select “YES” for taking the exam. Students received instructions and Join Codes from their classroom teachers. More information is at Joining Your AP Class.
More information is available at AP Exam Registration.
The fee is $97 for EACH AP exam. There is a $40 late fee per exam for payments after October 28th. There is also a $40 cancellation fee after Oct 28th, should you choose not to take an exam which has been ordered for you.
There are two options for payments:
1) Make checks payable to “Medway” and give them to Mrs. Rondeau, school counseling secretary. Use one check for all exams (1 exam $97, 2 exams $194, 3 exams $291, etc.). Students eligible for fee reductions should contact their school counselor. More information about eligibility for fee reductions is at Fee Reductions.
2) Pay via UNIpay by visiting https://unipaygold.unibank.com/default.aspx. *Remember it is $97 per exam.
All students taking an AP exam will prepare throughout the year. Teachers will be reviewing both test content and test strategy in class. Practice exam questions are available through the College Board at AP Exam Preparation.
AP exams will be given between May 1st and May 12th. The schedule is set by the College Board. The most up to date scheduling information is available at AP Test Dates. AP exams allow students to earn college credits (with a qualifying score). Students usually take an AP exam after completing an AP course; however, any student can take an AP exam. Additional information is at Taking AP Exams.
Students approved by the College Board for testing accommodations will receive them for AP exam(s). College Board requires a separate application which can take six to eight weeks for review and a decision. If you have an IEP or a 504 plan and have not received approval from the College Board for testing accommodations and you would like to submit an application, please notify Ms. Allison Jasmin, Services for Students with Disabilities Coordinator, at ajasmin@medwayschools.org
Senior Halloween Parade (Schedule Change 10/31)
On October 31st, the senior class will be participating in their annual Halloween costume breakfast and parade. We are moving Flex block to the first block of the day for this event. Students in grades 9-11 will have regular Flex options available. The seniors will meet in the cafeteria at 8:15 for a special breakfast and will then parade through the school in their costumes. Mr. List will send info to students with costume guidelines. Underclass students will be able to line the hallways and cheer on the seniors.
The schedule for the day will be: HEFCD
Learning Lab is Back!
MHS Job Fair- Wednesday, October 26th
iDecide- Drug Education Curriculum
International Travel Update: Costa Rica
October 16, 2022
On Tuesday evening this week, we will host our parent-teacher conferences. While many of the appointments are now full, there is still time to sign up for any remaining slots. Please check this link to see what appointments are available.
Our conferences are only 5 minutes long so it’s important to come in with some questions in mind. Having recently had this experience for my own children, it was helpful to identify the most important things that I needed to know about my child’s progress going into the meeting. I wanted to know where my child’s strengths and areas for growth are? Are they struggling with the workload? What are some things that are coming up in this class that I should have on my radar (projects, tests, etc.)? Do you have any concerns about their social-emotional well-being? I also have two totally different learners in my house and I made sure to take a few moments to explain what type of learner my child is. I hope that some of these tips are helpful for you as you navigate your meetings Tuesday night.
Remember, there are multiple ways to keep up with your child’s progress. Parents have access to assignment info on infinite campus and google classroom. Parents are also always encouraged to reach out to teachers and school counselors if your child is struggling academically or has a social-emotional need. We are always here to support your child in any way that we can.
Best,
John
School Picture Day Tomorrow!
October 7, 2022
PSAT Day Wednesday- Please click the link below for all the details!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
It is our pleasure to invite you to attend our Teacher Conferences, which have been scheduled for Tuesday, October 18th, from 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. Families may select a five-minute block of time for each teacher, during which individual progress, grades, successes, and challenges can be shared.
Scheduling conference appointments is a two-part process.
Step One
Register your student on the appointment scheduling site. This can be done beginning on Monday, October 3rd.
Step Two
Schedule the conference appointments. This can be done beginning on Monday, October 10th at 6:00 p.m.
Please be aware that both registration and scheduling will close at the end of the day on Sunday, October 16th.
The appointment scheduler can be found at http://medwayhs.schoolappointments.com/. When you arrive at that site, the following instructions will help you navigate the registration and scheduling process for your student(s):
School Appointments - Family Instructions
*Registration into the system must be completed anew each year and opens on Monday, October 1 at 6:00 p.m. Please be aware that this is just the registration and does not guarantee an appointment
1. Go to our school appointments website: http://medwayhs.schoolappointments.com/
2. Register for an account by clicking the "REGISTER" tab and filling in the form. Choose a user id and password for yourself and then click the "Register Now" button.
3. Add your children to the system by clicking the "Add a Student" button. Click the "Insert New" button to add more children.
On the dates of registration please continue with step 4 (October 10-16)
4. Click the "date" icon beside each child's name to schedule appointments. Select the staff you wish to book appointments with and click the "View Calendars" button. Use the "Ctrl" or "Command" key to select multiple staff to view at the same time.
5. Click on available time slots to book your appointments and then click the "Book Appointments" button to save your bookings.
If a time slot is not available, or you are unable to find a time that is mutually convenient, the system also has an option to request a phone call/email back; teachers will honor that request for a call/email back within a week’s time.
While you are at the high school for conferences, please consider stopping in room 119-2. The SUP & Safe Coalitions are partnering to bring "Hidden in Plain Site" to our building. It is open to all parents and guardians and will be open from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Please click here for more information.
We thank you for your involvement and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, October 18th from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Attendance Reminders
As we are nearing the mid-point of the quarter, we want to remind students and parents about the attendance policy. Over the next week, we will be sending out notices to families of students who have currently exceeded the number of unexcused absences for the quarter. We have listed the attendance policy below and the opportunities students have to earn back absences or appeal their attendance at the end of the quarter.
A student may potentially lose credit under the following circumstances:
- 4 or more unexcused absences in classes that meet 4 days during a 6-day cycle (3 days for seniors in last quarter)
- 2 or more unexcused absences in classes that meet 2 days during a 6-day cycle (2 days for seniors in last quarter)
For more detailed information regarding the attendance policy please consult the student handbook.
Students who have exceeded the attendance threshold in a quarter have two options to earn back credited days.
Attendance Buy-Back- Students who choose this pathway should obtain this form from the main office and follow the directions to meet the requirements. Students who successfully complete the requirements will earn one credited day back. This option is available up to one cycle before the end of the quarter.
Attendance appeals process. Students who have exceeded the credit attendance threshold at the end of the quarter may submit an appeal to have their credit restored. Please review the Attendance Appeals link for more information.
Individual attendance dates can be verified on Infinite Campus. Please note the difference between unexcused absences (A) and excused absences (AE) and unexcused dismissals (UD) and excused dismissals (ED). Unexcused absences (A) and unexcused dismissals (UD) count toward attendance totals for the possibility of credit loss. Excused absences (AE) and excused dismissals (ED) represent medical appointments, religious holidays, bereavement periods, and extenuating circumstances approved by the administration. All excused absences and excused dismissals do not count toward credit loss.
Updates from School Counseling
College Rep Visits
Make sure to sign up for College Rep visits! They will be held virtually and in-person through December. In most cases, this is the person who is reviewing your application!
To sign up:
1. Access this list on the Naviance home page and scroll down to: “What’s New”
2. Click on more info and sign up online
3. Directions emailed to you
Updated list of college visits found here: College Rep Visits
FAFSA
The FAFSA is now live! Here are some helpful resources to share with your parents/guardians:
2023-2024 FAFSA and CSS Profile Opened 10/1: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
Video: How to File the FAFSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAeAVGscEWU
Virtual FAFSA filing support: https://fafsact.org/
More FAFSA resources: https://thecollegefinanciallady.com/2022/09/27/fafsa-resources-2/
Great Advice for Parents:
https://publications.inceptia.org/view/108813868/?utm_source=Flyer&utm_medium=flyer&utm_campaign=Great+Advice+for+Parents+2022
Individual Senior Appointment with School Counselor
Starting October 3rd, Seniors may begin to schedule their individual senior appointment with their counselor. The purpose of this appointment is to discuss your post-high school plans and answer any specific questions you have that relate to the college application process.
Please make sure you have your Student Data Portfolio and Activity Resume completed prior to this appointment.
To schedule an appointment, students will need to email Mrs. Rondeau, the School Counseling Secretary, at jrondeau@medwayschools.org
Senior Boat Cruise
Peru Trip- February Vacation
Public Forum on Equity Assessment
We are writing to invite you to join us in person for a School Committee sponsored Community Forum where Medway Public Schools central office leaders will share the results and next steps associated with the Equity Assessment process that we engaged in last Spring, 2022, in partnership with SchoolWorks. The Community Forum will take place on Thursday, October 13, at 6:00 p.m., in the Medway High School Auditorium.
In preparation for the Community Forum, we are sharing the MPS Equity Assessment Final Report so that you have the opportunity to review in advance of the forum.
Following the presentation, community members will have an opportunity to ask questions. Questions that we are not able to respond to during the event will be followed up on after the event. The Community Forum will be broadcast live for community members who are not able to join us in person and the recording and responses to questions will be shared with the whole community following the event on October 13.
Picture Day is Coming!
Medway’s Native American History Event
Volunteer Opportunity!
Looking for a volunteer opportunity working with students in the areas of reading and/or writing?
Medway High School is seeking volunteers to provide additional support to students in grades 10-12 preparing for the ELA MCAS. It will be a very small group of students. We will provide practice test materials, bilingual dictionaries and glossaries, as well as classroom space at the high school for this work.
A volunteer is needed from 10:36-11:43 am on the following dates:
Thursday, October 13
Tuesday, October 18
Friday, October 21
Wednesday, October 26
Monday, October 31
Thursday, November 3
Tuesday, November 8
BREAK
Monday, December 5
Thursday, December 8
Tuesday, December 13
Friday, December 16
Wednesday, December 21
Wednesday, January 4
Monday, January 9
Thursday, January 12
Wednesday, January 18
Monday, January 23
Thursday, January 26
Tuesday, January 31
Tuesday, February 14
Friday, February 17
Wednesday, March 1
Monday, March 6
Please email your interest to bwright@medwayschools.org with any availability and/or requests you may have regarding this opportunity!
September 26, 2022
This week's Mustang Minute includes several updates about upcoming events. As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Spirit Week and Homecoming
Also the Homecoming Dance will be Oct. 1 from 7-9pm in the cafeteria. Tickets will be sold BEFORE school from 9/23-930 in the lobby. Tickets are $5 with at least 2 nonperishable items or $10 without. We look forward to seeing you there!
Panorama Survey
On Friday, September 30th, students will take the first of three Panorama surveys given througout the year. The survey asks students their thoughts and feelings about a variety of social and emotional learning topics. We use the survey results to plan programming and student supports. Last year, we learned that students have positive relationships with adults, but their grit and self-efficacy skills need additional support. All student voices are important and we are looking forward to continuing to learn from, and respond to, our students' feedback.
A copy of the survey for our school will be available in the High School front office for viewing between 8:30 am and 1:30 pm starting Tuesday, Sep 27th. For questions about the survey please contact Mr. Dave Elsner, Grade 5-12 School Counseling Coordinator.
PSAT- October 12
The PSAT/NMSQT will be given to sophomores and juniors on October 12th. The test is a practice for the SAT. Students taking the test also receive access to SAT practice materials through Khan Academy can receive information from colleges, and (for juniors) may qualify for scholarships based on test scores.
We intend to have all 10th + 11th grade students participate in the testing. The cost of the test is $18 per student. Checks can be made out to Medway High School and can be dropped off to Mrs. Rondeau in the Guidance office. Students eligible for reduced fees should see their school counselor regarding payment. Please see the attachment below for information and sign-up form.
We are inviting students in grade 12 to engage in Future Planning on October 12. Seniors are encouragded to use this day to visit local colleges and universities or explore career or militarty opportunities.
For grade 9, we are offering a field trip to UMass-Amherst to tour the campus, eat lunch in the dining halls, and meet with MHS Alums about the college experience. Field Trip permission forms will come out this week.
Infinite Campus Gradebook Updates
Our first grade portal update was on September 23rd. As this is very early in the school year, it's likely that there were limited graded assignments available for each class. Please refer to the gradebook throughout the year for updates on your child's performance each quarter. The gradebook will be updated at the end of the 3rd and 6th week of each quarter. Please note that large assignments such as essays, research papers, and projects take longer to grade with feedback. Please see the dates below for Q1 grading info/
Gradebook updates:
September 23 and October 14
Q1 grades close on November 8
Senior Post Secondary Planning Night
Please join Medway High School's Counselors to learn more about the college application process and procedures for senior year. This event is geared towards Seniors but all are welcome to join the webinar. This is a virtual event that will also be recorded and shared with the community.
Please register for Senior Post-Secondary Planning Night on Sep 27, 2022 6:30 PM EDT at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2904956325933049099
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
MHS Fitness Center is now open daily after school!
All students at Medway High School have access to the onsite state-of-the-art fitness center! The facility is monitored daily after school, 2:30-4:30, Monday through Thursday. Personal trainer, (and Medway resident), Dale Fingar guides and assists the students to ensure they are doing safe and effective workouts.
The center was dedicated in November 2019 and was made possible by donations from The Town of Medway and many organizations including: Medway Community Education, Medway Secondary PTO, Medway Lions Club, The Alex Handy Foundation and our athletic booster organizations and youth sports organizations.
Introducing our School Council Parent Members for '22-'23
Jill Antonellis
Maria Stotz
School Council meets on the third Thursday of every month from 3-4:00pm. These are open meetings and the agenda is posted at Town Hall. All are welcome to attend.
MSPTO Update
Welcome to the new school year! It’s great to be back! We need your support! Your donations ensure that MSPTO is able to continue supporting our students, parents, and teachers. We need everyone’s help in making the 2022/2023 school year a success. Any gift of any size is important and appreciated! Please realize that this is our ONLY fundraiser. We are happy to offer Venmo (@Medway_MSPTO) and PayPal (medwaymspto@outlook.com) as easy payment options. Thanks for supporting the MSPTO and Medway Public Schools. Please click this link to join the contact list: http://mspto.org/contact/
SAT Testing - Saturday October 1, 2022
Doors open for check-in at 7:30 AM. Admittance for testing ends at 8:00 AM.
Standard administration will end around 12:00 PM.
Students with the accommodation of time and one-half will end around 1:30 PM.
What you NEED to bring on Test Day
- Your up-to-date admission ticket. (You need to print this out)
- Acceptable photo ID (see below) ID documents must meet all of these requirements:
- Be a valid (unexpired) photo ID that is government-issued or issued by the school that you currently attend. School IDs from the prior school year are valid through the end of December of the current calendar year. (For example, school IDs from 2020-21 can be used through December 31, 2021.)
- Be an original, physical document (not photocopied or electronic).
- Bear your full, legal name exactly as it appears on your Admission Ticket, including the order of the names.
- Bear a recent recognizable photograph that clearly matches both your appearance on test day and the photo you provided when you registered.
- Be in good condition, with clearly legible English language text and a clearly visible photograph. Acceptable ID Examples -Government-issued driver's license or non-driver ID card -Official school-produced student ID card from the school you currently attend
-Government-issued passport or U.S. Global Entry identification card
-Government-issued military or national identification card
- SAT Student ID Form: must be prepared by the school you currently attend or a notary, if homeschooled (if needed, must be signed by Mrs. Rondeau in guidance. Ms Rondeau will not be available the morning of the SATs so please plan ahead if this form is needed)
Unacceptable ID Examples
-Any document that doesn’t meet the requirements
-Any document that’s worn, torn, scuffed, scarred or otherwise damaged
-Electronic document presented on a device
-Any document that appears tampered with or digitally altered
- Any document that bears a statement such as "not valid as identification" (**this includes Massachusetts permits**)
-Credit or debit card of any kind, even one with a photograph
-Birth certificate -Social Security card
-Employee ID card
-Missing Child ("ChildFind") ID card
-Any temporary ID card
*If you fail to comply with these identification requirements and policies, you may be dismissed from the test center. Your scores may be withheld or canceled. If you’re dismissed from the test center prior to completing the test because of invalid or unacceptable ID, or failure to comply with these ID requirements and policies, your test fees won’t be refunded.
Also bring a
-No. 2 pencils with erasers
-An approved calculator What is nice to bring on Test Day
-Extra batteries and backup equipment—you’ll have to ask for permission to access them. (They can’t be on your desk during the test.)
-A drink or snacks (for your break)
Keep in mind -No hoods or hats are to be worn
-The following devices and aids aren’t allowed in the test center: Mobile phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, or other wearable technology (simple digital non-smartwatches or analog watches are acceptable) -Audio players or recorders, tablets, laptops, notebooks, Bluetooth devices (such as wireless earbuds/headphones), or any other personal computing devices -Separate timers of any type -Cameras or any other photographic equipment -Pens, highlighters, or mechanical or colored pencils -Books or references of any kind except as approved as an English language learner support for in-school administrations -Compasses, rulers, protractors, or cutting devices -Papers of any kind, including scratch paper -Earplugs -Unacceptable calculators that have computer-style (QWERTY) keyboards, use paper tape, make noise, or use a power cords -Weapons or firearms *If your electronic device makes noise or you're seen using it at any time, including during breaks, you may be dismissed immediately, your scores can be canceled, and the device may be confiscated and its contents inspected.
See: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/what-to-bring-do/id-requirements
Meningitis Immunizations
The MHS Health Department is reminding parents about the mandatory Meningitis vaccine requirement. If your child is Junior or a Senior, and if you have not already done so, please provide proof that your child has received the required Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY (formerly MCV4)). Students should have received their first dose of this vaccine around 12 years old, with the second dose > 8 weeks afterwards. But if they have not received a first dose, the student should get a dose on or after their 16th birthday.
Please call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6800 or your child’s health care provider if you need additional information.
Medications
For those students that require medications during school hours, please provide the medication orders, and action plans(specific to severe allergies or asthma). Please note, medication orders are needed every new school year.
Physical exams - All new students to the district and 10th graders need to have a current physical on file (within the last 12 months) which are also required every school year.
You can request any form by contacting MHS nurse Janice DiSalvio at jdisalvio@medwayschools.org.
Upcoming Events
September 26 Rosh Hashanah - No School
September 27 Senior Post Secondary Meeting Night 6:30pm
October 1 SAT Testing
October 1 Homecoming Dance 7PM - 9PM - Cafeteria
October 5 Yom Kippur - No School
October 10 Columbus Day - No School
October 12 PSAT Grades 10 and 11
October 12 Senior College visit Day
October 15 Senior Boat Cruise, Boston
October 17 & 20 School Picture Day
October 18 Parent Teacher Conferences 6pm - 8pm (virtual option for parents)
September 18, 2022
Update from Dr. Murray
This week, we hosted our annual Back to School Night for MHS families. It was great to welcome families into our school to provide an overview of each of your child's courses and to meet the people who will be supporting our students this year. We received very positive feedback from multiple parents about the event. We take great pride in our school and appreciate the opportunity to highlight our outstanding educators and the learning opportunities available to our students. For those who were not able to attend, I’m sharing my opening presentation with parents as well as the slides we presented at the class assemblies.
I also wanted to take a moment to comment on the recent Boston Magazine annual rankings for public high schools in the greater Boston area. This is a topic that has come up a few times over the past few weeks and something that Dr. Pires commented on at a recent School Committee meeting. We were disappointed to see the recent Boston Magazine ranking of The Best Public High Schools in Greater Boston that resulted in the ranking moving from 47 to 96th. We have conducted a review of the methodology and data to determine the factors that impacted the change in ranking.
The Boston Magazine Ranking reviewed data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The methodology used data points including: MCAS results, SAT scores, AP success rates, class size, student teacher ratio, and percentage of exemplary teachers. These factors were then weighted and a composite score was created to allow for the ranking between schools.
A review of the data seems to indicate that non-outcome factors were weighted heavily in the ranking system. Specifically, the factors of class size, student teacher ratio, and percentage of exemplary teachers pulled the ranking lower in the overall system. A review of outcome measures (MCAS results, SAT scores, and AP success rate) shows that Medway is ranked higher than the overall placement of 96th. For example:
A couple of caveats with the data:
It should be noted that at Medway High School we have worked to ensure that all students have access to AP classes. We do require that any student who takes an AP class sit for the exam. These two factors related to AP are not the same in all schools and the methodology of this ranking did not include an AP participation rate as a factor. For instance, last year 54% of students in grade 10-12 participated in an AP course.
We also found a discrepency in the data connected to the educator evaluation data. Our review of the evaluations from the year that the data is based shows that all staff were evaluated.
This past spring, we were ranked #41 by U.S. News and World Report, on Niche we have an A rating, and on GreatSchools.org we are a Gold Medal school for College and Career Readiness. Rankings such as these and the Boston Magazine rankings can be a point of pride in communities, but do not share the whole story. Ultimately, the individual growth and experience of each of our students and families is most important to us. We are proud of the hard work of our educators and staff to ensure that we are meeting the ever-changing needs of all of our students.
Recent Presentations
September 11, 2022
Back to School Night- Tuesday
Back to School Night
MHS will host Back to School Night on September 13th from 6:00 pm-8:15 pm. This event is an opportunity for parents/guardians to follow their child's schedule and meet with each of their child's classes for 10 minutes. Teachers typically share a brief overview of their course and their expectations for student learning. Teachers also share other information like their method for communication, grading policy, and how to access Google Classroom. Teachers are always available to answer questions by email or phone call, however, this event is not intended to answer questions about individual students.
The event will begin with a presentation by Dr. Murray and the administrative staff in the auditorium at 6 pm. Students schedules will be available in the main lobby, however, we strongly encourage you to access the schedule via the Infinite Campus: Campus Parent Portal.
Also, each grade will be conducting a dues drive in the lobby. Our partners from the MSPTO and the MFE will also have a table in the lobby with information to share.
Boat Cruise Tickets
Senior Boat Cruise tickets will be on sale this week (09/12-09/16) before school in the foyer for $80.00 per person. The event is Saturday, October 15th from 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Please note that students must have their dues paid through senior year in order to purchase tickets. Dues for senior year are $45.00.
Senior Workshops
On Wednesday, September 21st and Tuesday, September 27th during H1 and H2 flex blocks, the School Counselors will review important college application processes and procedures.
Seniors, you will be assigned to your school counselor for this presentation during one of the above dates and times. Students should check their Infinite Campus to see which day they are scheduled
The School Counselors look forward to meeting with all of you soon!
Freshmen/Sophomore Opening Assembly
Our admin team met with the Freshman and Sophomores this week to our school norms and expectations. Feel free to review the slidedeck below. The Junior and Senior Assemblies will be this week during Flex.
Student Advisory Committee
MHS is seeking students to be a part of the Student Advisory Committee. The Committee will meet with a representative of the School Committee at least once every other month while school is in session with its student advisory committee, which is composed of five students elected by the high school student body. The chair of the student advisory committee shall be an ex-officio non voting member of the School Committee and will attend meetings throughout the school. If the student chair is not available to attend a meeting another student member can attend the meeting in their place. We will have a sign-up for interested students at the Clubs and Activities fair this week.
School Council Members Needed
We are looking for parents to join the School Council. School Council is a group of educators, students, parents, and community members who support the development of school programs and improvement plans, review policy, and play an advisory role to the principal. The School Council has been instrumental in bringing about many of the changes at MHS over the past several years. We meet on the last Thursday of every month from 3:00pm-4:00pm. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to me directly.
'Sup Coalition seeks Parent/Guardian Input
'SUP Medway, the community-wide youth drug prevention coalition, seeks parent/guardian input. Please complete this brief (~8 minute) survey for the chance to win a local gift card for your participation. All answers are anonymous. https://bit.ly/MedwaySurvey
September 5, 2022
I hope you all had an enjoyable Labor Day weekend! It was great to welcome all of our students back to Medway High School last week. We appreciate the tremendous amount of positive energy and enthusiasm they brought to our buidling over the first two days. The purpose of the first two days was for students to begin familiarizing themselves with their courses and the routines of school as well as to begin building connections with their teachers and classmates. Tomorrow, we begin with our regular schedule rotation. Over the next week, we'll review our Flex Block protocols and review our expectations for student behavior in grade level assemblies. We're so excited to get back to school in a normal environment for the first time in over two years!
Bell Schedule
Tuesday, September 6 is the first day of our rotation. Students will report to school and go to A block and follow a Day 1 schedule. We will continue through the rotation for the school year.
Highlights:
Same 6 day, 5 period per day structure
Lunch moved to 4th block (3 lunches)
Students remain in first block for Daily Announcements/Flex Signups
Announcements to come from TV studio more regularly
Opportunity for appropriate snack time with later lunch
More rotation based on feedback
H moves to 3rd block with opportunity to sign up for 2 Flex’s
Diagnostic Assessments
Grade 9+10- IXL - IXL provides students, educators, and families with an understanding of student strengths and areas of needed growth through a diagnostic that is facilitated online at the beginning of the school year. Once students answer a certain number of questions accurately (duration of initial diagnostic is student-dependent), IXL produces an overall performance/grade level equivalent score for each student in English/Language Arts and Mathematics and, further, provides a breakdown of student knowledge based on the various English/Language Arts and Mathematics domains. IXL is used as a supplement to other curriculum resources utilized in English/Language Arts and Mathematics courses.
Back to School Night
Back to School Night
MHS will host Back to School Night on September 13th from 6:00 pm-8:15 pm. This event is an opportunity for parents/guardians to follow their child's schedule and meet with each of their child's classes for 10 minutes. Teachers typically share a brief overview of their course and their expectations for student learning. Teachers also share other information like their method for communication, grading policy, and how to access Google Classroom. Teachers are always available to answer questions by email or phone call, however, this event is not intended to answer questions about individual students.
The event will begin with a presentation by Dr. Murray and the administrative staff in the auditorium at 6 pm.
Students schedules will be available in the main lobby, however, we strongly encourage you to access the schedule via the Infinite Campus: Campus Parent Portal.
Also, each grade will be conducting a dues drive in the lobby. Our partners from the MSPTO and the MFE will also have a table in the lobby with information to share.
Student-Parent Handbook
Please see the attached Student-Parent Handbook for 2022-2023. This includes all of the policies and procedures for our school. All students and families are required to acknowledge that they have read and understand the policies of Medway High School
Chromebook Policies, Care, and Insurance
Chromebook Insurance
For all Grade 5-12 families: Due to the high repair rate during the 2021-22 school year, the cost to insure devices has risen from $20 per year to $32. If you wish to purchase insurance, please visit the Insurance and Break/Fix website for more details, repair costs, and access to the insurance purchasing portal. We have secured one to four-year insurance options through Worth Ave Insurers. Please note that the insurance policy does not cover lost or stolen devices. The policy does not cover the charging unit. Charger replacement is available at $20 per charger through the Technology Department.
We encourage all families of students with district owned 1:1 devices to secure insurance and to also discuss the proper care of devices with their children. Stressing that these are school-owned, that families are responsible for the cost of repair, and that vandalism will not be tolerated are important. Damage inclusive of keys being pulled off the keyboard, carving into the device, disassembling, cutting cables, or personalization (stickers/writing), is not allowed. The cost of repairing the device is the family's responsibility, up to the full replacement value [$350] of the device. Any damage deemed as vandalism will not be tolerated and is subject to disciplinary actions including loss of device use and suspension.
Chromebook Pick-up
1:1 Chromebook Device Pickup
The Medway Technology Department would like to advise all 9th-grade families and families of new students that we we still have unclaimed Chromebooksi.In order to pick up a device, all students, families, and guardians must review the Policy, Care, and Insurance guide and must sign and complete the MPS 1:1 Consent Form.
Parents must sign the MPS 1:1 Consent Form for students to recieve their device. The devices are used daily so please make sure to review and sign as soon as possible.
Guardian and Student Information Review Process
MPS requests that all guardians complete the Online Registration process, better known as the “beginning of year packet”, within the Parent Portal. Please complete the application by September 30, 2022. Completing the online registration ensures we have the most accurate and up to date information for your child(ren) and helps us stay in touch with families. To access the Online Registration Process, please login to the Parent Portal via a computer. This is the URL address https://medwayma.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/medway.jsp then choose MORE > Online Registration from the left menu. Follow the prompts to review and confirm the information we have on file. Please note that it may be difficult to complete the forms via a smartphone. Guardians without a portal account can email parent@medwayschools.org for an activation code.
August 15, 2022
GREETINGS FROM DR. MURRAY
Dear Students and Families,
I hope that you and your family have been able to enjoy a restful and relaxing summer! After the past few years, it has been great to enjoy a sense of normalcy with family and friends. While we wish to savor every moment of the summer, we are rapidly approaching the start of school and are in the process of finalizing plans for Opening Day on Wednesday, August 31st. We look forward to having students back in our classrooms and our hallways filled with energy and enthusiasm for learning. On behalf of the administrators and staff at Medway High School, welcome to the 2022-2023 school year!
As you may know, there will be some new names and faces joining our staff this year. Both locally and nationally, schools have been working to address staffing challenges and Medway High School has not been immune to those challenges. We’ve worked hard this summer to recruit and hire new educators who connect with our core values and bring significant talents to our school. We’re fortunate that all of our new staff members are joining us with previous experience in schools. I hope you can join us in welcoming our new staff to Medway! We are still in the process of hiring for a Math Interventionist, Physical Education teacher, and a few Paraprofessionals and will continue our efforts to solidify those roles.
Our families play a critical role as partners in the students’ journey and we strive to keep you informed in a variety of ways. Follow Medway High School updates on Twitter (@MedwayHighInfo) and on Instagram (@medwayhighschool) and look for biweekly email updates from me via the Mustang Minute. Also, please do not hesitate to reach out to teachers, counselors, or administrators with questions or concerns.
As part of our preparation, we wish to share some important updates with you (below) to help prepare you and your child(ren) for the start of school. We anticipate that more information and guidance will be coming soon to help inform the next steps for our school and district. In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy the rest of the summer and I look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
STUDENT SCHEDULES
Student schedules will be posted on the Infinite Campus portal on August 17th around 3pm. Students will receive an email when the schedules are released. Medway High School develops a school schedule based on course recommendations and student elective requests. This process began in the spring and included opportunities for students to override recommendations and request changes during their academic advising appointments. This process allows us to build classes that are balanced in size and meet the needs of all students. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate requests to change courses or levels at this point in the process. We are also unable to honor requests for teacher changes. Please click here to review that course scheduling process which was shared in the spring.
School Counselors will be available to review schedules that are missing academic courses, graduation requirements, or student services. Students may use this form to request such a review for the reasons above.
FRESHMAN ORIENTATION
We are excited to welcome the Class of 2026 to Medway High School! On Wednesday, August 24th, we are hosting our Freshman Orientation from 9:00am to 1:30 pm. You are invited to join us to learn more about our school, our culture, and beginning getting acclimated with high school.
Orientation will be a time for incoming freshmen to…
Learn tips for high school success and set goals for freshman year.
Learn about student organizations and school expectations.
Understand the schedule rotation and locate lockers and classrooms.
Receive a new Chromebook to be used at Medway High School
Participate in our Clubs and Activities Fair and meet student representatives.
Receive access and engage in activities on Naviance, our online college and career tool.
Enjoy lunch in our cafeteria courtesy of the Class of 2023. Lunch will consist of pizza, salad and fruit. If a student wishes to bring their own lunch, they may do so.
Our Peer Counselors, a group of upperclassmen who are trained to support students in their transition to high school will play a major role in our Freshman Orientation. Each Peer Counselor has been paired with a small group of freshmen. During the summer, the Peer Counselors will contact each student to introduce themselves and extend a personal invite to Freshman Orientation.
Parents are invited to arrive for the opening session with students at 9:00 am. Students will leave the opening session with Peer Counselors at 9:30am. Parents may remain until 10:00 am for questions and answers with administrators, or depart and return for student pick up at 1:30pm.
Students are asked to bring their backpack, notebook, and something to write with. They will receive their new chromebook and charger during the event.
We look forward to seeing you at Freshman Orientation. We strongly encourage all freshmen to attend though attendance is not mandatory. We wish you all a safe and enjoyable summer! Please reach out if you have any questions.
FALL ATHLETICS START DATES
Here is the tryout / practice schedule for the first week. Please check back to this document for any changes (which will be highlighted in yellow). This document is also pinned to the top of the athletics twitter page for quick reference.
Football and Cheer practice begins on August 19th
All other fall high school sports begin on August 22nd.
Interested in playing a sport in the fall? Visit this link for more info! Please contact AD Jeff Parcells (jparcells@medwayschools.org) with any questions.
Upcoming Dates
August
August 24 Freshman Orientation, 9am -1:30pm
August 31 First Day of Classes
September
September 2 No School
September 5 Labor Day - No School
September 13 MHS Back to School Night (Open House) 6:30pm - 8:30pm
September 21 Tri-M Induction Ceremony 7PM (Thayer House)
September 26 Rosh Hashanah - No School
September 29 Post-Secondary Night 6:30pm
June 20, 2022
Final Mustang Minute '21-'22
Below you will find our summer reading and summer work offerings. The website also includes Math work for students moving up a level for next year.
We're also sharing our bell schedule for next year which has some tweaks based on what we learned this year and how we can best support student learning.
Finally, we're sharing our College and Career Handbook organized by our School Counseling department. This has some great information and "to-do's" for each grade level as your prepping for next year and your post-secondary options.
Next year, we'll be returning to our normal operations. Over the past two years, we've relaxed our attendance policy to account for the level of COVID absences experienced by our students. While COVID has not completely gone away, we noticed a rise in non-COVID related absences that will need addressing. We'll also need to address issues of tardiness to school. We'll need the support of students and families to emphasize the importance being in school to maximize learning opportunities.
We are working on finalizing schedules for next year and will share out schedules for '22-'23 by mid-August. As is our practice, we will have an opportunity for families to review and request schedule adjustments if their are missing graduation requirements or missing courses connected to IEP needs. We build our schedule based on the requests and recommendations that were entered over the course of the spring. We will not be able to make changes to these requests or honor teacher requests. We'll send a mid-summer Mustang Minute to update you about the schedule release.
Thank you to all of our students for their efforts this year and to our families for your continued support over the course of the year. I hope you all enjoy the summer vacation! I look forward to our continued efforts to support student learning and well-being for the '22-'23 school year!
Best,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
Medway High School
This Week's Schedule
Summer Reading and Summer Assignments
MHS College and Career Handbook
Bell Schedule '22-'23
Highlights:
Same 6 day, 5 period per day structure
Lunch moved to 4th block (3 lunches)
Students remain in first block for Daily Announcements/Flex Signups
Announcements to come from TV studio more regularly
Opportunity for appropriate snack time with later lunch
More rotation based on feedback
H moves to 3rd block with opportunity to sign up for 2 Flex’s
Summer of Discovery
Have a great summer!
June 14, 2022
Home Stretch
This week, we're sharing the final exam schedule one more time. We also shared it with students in their email and asked teachers to review with their classes. We're also sharing the Summer Reading and Summer Assignments website. Finally, we share a link to graduation photos courtesy of Tim Rice Photo.
Have a great week!
Final Exams
Here is the final exam schedule for next week. Monday we will run all classes (A-G) as a Day 2 for studies and PE classes. I've attached the document to this email as well.
Here are a few important pieces of info:
- All exam days and the final day are 1/2 days.
- All students are expected to be in attendance for their final exams, even AP classes.
- Students do not need to report for study halls, Learning Centers, TEC online, or VHS periods.
- There will be a bus after final exams each day at 11:35 am (9:45am Friday).
- June 21st is a day to review the results of final exams.
- Lunch will be served on June 13th and June 21st
- Vacations are not an approved absence from Final Exams.
- Students who miss an exam for an approved reason should reach out to their teacher and Mr. List or Mr. Passeggio to reschedule
Class of '22 Graduation Photos
June 5, 2022
Thanks and have a great week!
John Murray
Principal
Medway High School
Underclass Awards and Junior Book Awards
Grade 8 Step Up Day: Monday, June 6, 2022
Grade 8 students from the Middle School will be visiting the High School for Grade 8 Step Up Day on Monday, June 6, 2022. This day is designed to introduce students to Medway High School and instill confidence prior to 9th Grade Orientation and their first official day as Medway High School students. This program is run by the Peer Counselors and student leaders from a variety of clubs and activities. An information session will inform students about the differences between middle school and high school, resources and supports available and provide portraits of multiple student experiences. Students will have the opportunity to tour the building and lunch will be provided.
Biology MCAS
Biology MCAS for 9th grade students is on Tuesday and Wednesday (June 7 and June 8). We’ll have testing locations hung up in the lobby for students.
May 30, 2022
Senior Week 2022
We have finally made it to Senior Week! All activities are listed on our Senior Class Website. This will be updated frequently.
Our senior week calendar is now live! Click here to access it on the Senior Class Website.
Please check Google Classroom (join code: xhbevu5) for a complete list of upcoming events, associated details, and end-of-year tasks. There are already several forms posted that need to be completed.
Equity Assessment
Grade 5-12 Students
We have a limited number of slots for middle and high school students to participate in Focus Groups. If you are interested in supporting your child(ren) to participate in a Student Focus Group, please have them complete THIS FORM. Similar to our Community Focus Groups, we may not be able to accommodate everyone’s interest and will confirm by the end of the day June 3, 2022. The Student Focus Groups will all meet in person.Attention Juniors!
Have you scheduled your Junior Appointment with your counselor yet? If not, please do so ASAP!
To schedule your Junior Appointment you must:
1. Complete the Student Data Portfolio & Parent/Guardian Brag Sheet (Located in Google classroom as an assignment)
*Needed for counselor letter of recommendation
2. Complete the Activity Resume (Located in Naviance~About Me Tab~My Stuff~Resume)
3. Once these documents are completed, email Mrs. Rondeau to schedule your appointment: jrondeau@medwayschools.org
Standardized Test Accomodations
If your child is on a 504 or IEP, they may qualify for accommodations on the PSAT, SAT, AP and ACT Exams. Please read the attached letter on how to apply: Applying for Accommodations for PSAT, SAT, AP and ACT Applying for Accommodations for PSAT, SAT, AP and ACT
Upcoming Events
May 30 No School - Memorial Day
May 31 Superlative Night - 6-8 pm
June 1 Graduation Rehearsal & BBQ- 10-2 pm, Hanlon Field
June 1 Senior Scholarship and Awards Night - 6-8 pm, Auditorium
June 2 Senior Field Trip to Six Flags
June 3 Senior Parade Through the Schools 8:30 - 10:30am
June 3 Class Day - 10:45-12:30 pm Hanlon Field
June 5 Graduation 10 am- 11:30am, Hanlon Field, Seniors arrive no later than
9:30AM - Rain Date: will be June 6th @ 6:00PM
June 6 Underclass Awards- Freshmen (Flex Block)
June 6 Gr. 8 Step Up Day
June 7 Athletic Advisory Meeting - 6-7:15 pm (virtual)
June 7 Gr. 9 Biology MCAS
June 8 Gr. 9 Biology MCAS
June 9 Underclass Awards- Sophomores (Flex Block)
June 9 School Council Meeting
June 9 Underclassmen Scholastic Awards Night 6:00 - 8:00 pm
June 13 Review Day (A-G)
June 14 Final Exams (A + B)
June 14 Faculty Meeting
June 15 Final Exams (C + D)
June 16 Final Exams (E + F)
June 17 Final Exams (G + Makeup)
June 16 School Committee Meeting
June 20 No School- Juneteenth Observance
June 21 Year Recap (A-G)
June 22 Last Day of School ½ Day
May 22, 2022
Last week was such a busy week at MHS! We had an outstanding Innovation Showcase on Tuesday, highlighting the work of our Project Lead the Way Capstone course along with projects from multiple Science classes, ELA 9, and AP Gov’t. We had two days of Math MCAS. We collaborated with the Medway Council on Aging for our Veteran’s Project Presentation. We had our Honors and Small Ensemble concert. We had a Spirit Week, which included our first ever “Anything but a backpack day”. We had our teacher luncheon on Thursday sponsored by the MSPTO and a half-day of activities on Friday. Did I mention the prom? On Friday, 336 MHS students attended the first prom in two years. There was also the MHS Alumni Banquet last night attended by many of our seniors.
The next few weeks at MHS will be busy and exciting as we celebrate the class of 2022. For our 9-12 students, we'll get back to a bit of normalcy in our classrooms with a focus on finishing the year strong and preparing for a fully normal '22-'23 school year. The fourth quarter is in full swing and students have projects, essays, and tests ahead of them leading up to Final Exams in mid-June. Please help us support students to remain engaged in the learning over the next 4 weeks. A strong finish will end the year on a great note and set the stage a great year next year!
Best,
John Murray
Principal
Medway High School Innovation Showcase
On Tuesday, Medway High School PLTW Capstone hosted an Innovation Showcase. Medway High School students shared a “pitch” of their project idea and then visitors and judges met with the groups to learn about the student learning and progress behind the projects that they pitched. In addition to school staff, judges from the One8 Foundation (MassSTEM Hub) and Constellation, were present to provide industry level feedback to the students.
Thank you to Jon Jasinski, Medway High School teacher, for his efforts to support this event. Thank you also to Joan Hallett, who has been supporting the project based learning implementation, who collected and shared some of the work from this year.
Medway High School Student Industry Connects
Our partnership with Project Lead the Way allows students to complete work that can be submitted to programs such as the Mass STEM Hub’s Student Industry Connects program. We are pleased to share that Medway High School students Ryan Zambrowski, Matthew Caputo and Annabelle Hazell received third place for their engineering project submission. You can view the project here.
Medway High School Veterans Project
This past Tuesday, Medway High School students presented their Veteran’s Day Project at the Medway Council on Aging. Five local veterans were interviewed by high school students and their stories were shared. Special thanks to Aubrie Rojee, high school history/social sciences teacher, for supporting our high school students through this special experience. Congratulations to high school students: Zachary Arnpriester, Sophia Barresi, Annabella Diamandis, Kirsten Downing, Katherine Evers, Julia Evers, Katie Gage, Jaeda Gorman, Elyse Hetzel, Olivia Keniry, Elizabeth Kenney, Maddie Marks, Maeve McKean, Mark Murphy, Colin Roberts, Addison Thompson, Erin Weafer, Madelyn White, Mason White, and Bianca Zufriategui.
MSPTO Teacher Luncheon
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
May 23-27 Senior Finals
May 30 No School - Memorial Day
May 31 Superlative Night - 6 pm Auditorium (Seniors only)
June 1 Graduation Rehearsal (10-2 pm) & BBQ, Hanlon Field
June 1 Senior Scholarship and Awards Night - 6pm, Auditorium
June 2 Senior Field Trip to Six Flags
June 3 Class Day - 1-2:30 pm Hanlon Field
June 5 Graduation 10am, Hanlon Field
Pics from the Week
May 13, 2022
Best,
Dr. Murray
MCAS THIS WEEK
A reminder that the MATH MCAS testing will take place on May 17th and 18th, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. As you know, this assessment is the state-mandated graduation requirement, it is imperative for students to be present for and on time on each of the testing days. If you are aware of a day that your child will not be present to take their MCAS please speak with Mr. List, if you have not done so already.
All MCAS tests will be computer-based. Please make sure your child brings their Chromebook fully charged. If your child does not use a school-issued Chromebook, one will be provided to them for testing. If their Chromebook needs to be repaired please have them bring it to the repair desk in the office opposite the cafeteria, Thursday during periods 4 or 5 or any period on Friday. Students must use a school-issued device for the testing. On day 2 of testing, students are allowed for students to use a calculator. They may bring their own calculator or use the one that is provided on the testing site.
Students will report to school at the regularly scheduled time and proceed to their testing room. Student testing room assignments will be shared with students beginning tomorrow and posted in the main lobby. Please make sure that your child arrives at school with enough time to find their testing classroom in order to begin testing promptly at 8:04 am. We would like to remind you that good nutrition and plenty of sleep are important preparation for the MCAS.
Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Mr. List.
Prom!
Prom is one week away! Here is a reminder of some important information:
Attendees should arrive at MHS at 4:15 p.m. for check-in and will return to the school at approximately 10:30 p.m. It is required that attendees ride the bus to and from Lake View Pavilion.
You must enter through the gymnasium doors for check-in and proceed down the hall towards the foyer. There will be a table for check-in at the end of the hall.
Be sure to know your bus number as you will be checking in by it. These were sent out in your email and are available in the main foyer.
Be sure to know your table number. It is important for you to sit at your assigned table because of food allergies and dietary restrictions.
There will be a beautiful patio overlooking the water at Lake View Pavilion. Please be aware that the patio will close at 9:30 p.m.
Students must attend school on the day of prom. It is a half-day.
North Field Parking
May 8, 2022
Happy Mother's Day!
Equity Assessment
Prom 2022!
Prom is two weeks away! Here is some important information as we look towards this exciting event:
Attendees should arrive at MHS at 4:15 p.m. for check-in and will return to the school at approximately 10:30 p.m. It is required that attendees ride the bus to and from Lake View Pavilion.
You must enter through the gymnasium doors for check-in and proceed down the hall towards the foyer.
Be sure to know your bus number as you will be checking in by it. These were sent out in your email and are available in the main foyer.
Be sure to know your table number. It is important individuals sit at their assigned table because of food allergies and dietary restrictions.
Students must attend school on the day of prom. It is a half-day.
Thank you to those who sent in pictures! We have way more than we could possibly show at the Prom and will not be accepting new submissions.
We are so excited to have our first prom in two years! Stay tuned for more information!
Midquarter Update
We are approaching the midpoint of quarter 4. All assignments for students will be up to date and available for viewing by the end of the school day on May 10th. Students should reach out directly to their teachers with any questions about their grades. Our school counselors are always available to help facilitate these conversations.
MCAS
FYI- Math MCAS is coming up on May 17th and 18th for 10th grade students. The testing locations will be posted for students at the end of the week. Students are allowed to use a calculator for Session 2 on May 18. Students should plan to bring their own calculators as we have very few calculators to loan to students. Please see the list of acceptable calculators.
SBIRT Program (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment)
Medway Public Schools are dedicated to student health and well-being. The SBIRT program provides important services to students and families. In March 2016, Governor Baker enacted legislation related to substance use, treatment, education, and prevention which outlines the requirements for public schools in the Commonwealth to engage in verbal substance use screening education. Every year, Medway Public Schools uses an interview-based screening for students in grades 7 and 10 called SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment). More about the SBIRT program may be found here or by visiting our website.
Student screening sessions will be brief (approximately 5-10 minutes) and conducted confidentially in a private, one-on-one session the week of May 23rd for 10th grade and the week of May 31st for 7th grade. More details are provided in SBIRT Program Information. As with any school screening, you have the right to opt your child out of this screening (see forms in the SBIRT Program Information letter above).
'SUP Medway
'SUP Medway community coalition is a new town-wide group with a mission to prevent youth from vaping, underage drinking, and drug use. Leaders of Medway want to engage and hear from teens directly. If you would like your voice heard about well-being concerns of Medway youth, have ideas for improving the local conditions, or if you want to learn more about prevention and public health, we highly encourage you to attend the coalition meeting virtually on May 12th, 12:30 - 1:30 pm (during flex block). Following the meeting there may be opportunities for leadership, community service, advocacy, and bolstering your resume. To get the meeting link or to learn more, email coalition coordinator, Stephanie Simeon, ssimeon@medwayschools.org.
MHS Film Club
Calling all filmmakers, MHS's new Film Club is now starting the script writing process of their upcoming student horror film. If you would like to write, film, act or more in this film, join Film Club. Meetings are on Wednesday's after school from 2:30-3:30 in Ms. Cecchi's room. If you do a sport you may get a pass. See Sophomores Natalie Goodale or Nina Vallante with any questions.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
May 10 Quarter 4 Mid-Quarter Update (Infinite Campus)
May 11 Art Walk + Pops Concert - 6:00pm
May 12 School Committee Meeting
May 13 Great East Music Festival Field Trip
May 17 Innovation Showcase
May 17 Gr. 10 Math MCAS
May 18 Gr. 10 Math MCAS
May 18 Honors & Small Ensemble Concert #2 - 6:30pm
May 19 School Committee Meeting
May 20 Early Release Day
May 20 Last Day of classes for Seniors
May 20 Prom 6PM - 10PM Lakeview Pavilion, Foxboro MA
May 21 Alumni Banquet- DoubleTree Hotel, Milford 5:00 PM
May 24-27 Senior Finals
May 30 No School - Memorial Day
May 31 Superlative Night - 6-9 pm
April 24, 2022
Welcome Back!
Best,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
MHS
Mock Crash
On Tuesday 4/26 during Flex Block, the junior and senior classes will view a mock accident simulation to highlight the issues of underage drinking and impaired driving. The Mock Accident is an exercise that some schools conduct to illustrate to students the immediate effects of a distracted-driving accident. We feel that this is especially important given the tragic losses experienced in nearby communities this year. This re-enactment will take place in the MHS parking lot. Our SADD club is hosting the event in partnership with school administrators, Medway Police, and Fire Departments. We realize that this can be a very powerful and emotionally moving experience. Students who do not feel willing or able to be a spectator will be given an opportunity to go to a Flex offering instead of the event. Following the demonstration, there will be an opportunity to debrief the experience. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Class of 2024 Ring Dance!
The Ring Dance is on Friday, April 29, 2022 from 6:30-9:30 PM in the MHS cafeteria. Tickets are $15 and will go on sale Monday, April 25th through Wednesday the 27th at lunch. Class dues for freshmen and sophomore years must be paid in full to purchase tickets. Students must arrive by 6:45 PM. Student athletes participating in a game or match that day will be allowed into the dance late. See Mr. Perry or Mrs. Hallett if you have questions.
MHS Students Travel to the U.K.!
AP Exams
Important AP Information
1. Please review the day(s) and time(s) of exams in the chart below.
2. Students must arrive 15 minutes early for their exam.
3. It has been a past practice that students can come in late or leave early on days of their exams. Students who want to take advantage of this must-have their PARENT/GUARDIAN fill out the google form located HERE
4. Families will need to coordinate transportation accordingly as the exam times run outside of our normal school hours. For your reference, students need to arrive at 7:45 am for an 8:00 am exam and arrive at 11:45 for a 12:00pm exam. Standard time exams are between 2-and 3.5 hours long (extended time exams will take even longer). HERE you can find details about specific exams. You can click on the specific exam, then click on “go to course”, and then click on “about the exam”.
5. HERE is a list of things students should and should NOT bring on exam day.
6. HERE is a list of exams that use calculators and what types of calculators are allowed
*NEW information* Also, please know on the day of exams your child will need to sign off that they have received and agreed to the AP Exams Terms & Conditions which can be found HERE.
* Please have students double-check their days/times of exams in the chart below. If students have any exams that may overlap due to scheduling and/or accommodations please have them contact Mr. Mazzola directly at amazzola@medwayschools.org. On days when students have 2 exams, they will be allowed time for a longer break to have lunch and reset.
School Counseling Appointments and Course Overrides
In case you missed it, we have extended the deadline for course overrides to this Friday. Course overrides are requested when a student wishes to take a course at a higher level than what is recommended. The link to the scheduling website is below. The course override form can be found on that page.
Attention Class of 2022
Senior Students & Families: We will be sharing detailed information regarding senior week, graduation, and other exciting end-of-year events via email this week. Students and families can also access our new Senior Class Website. This will be updated frequently. We hope it will be an all-encompassing resource for any end-of-year questions that may arise.
Senior Students: Our senior week calendar is now live! Click here to access it on the Senior Class Website. This week we will be selling tickets to Six Flags for $35 before school in the foyer. Tickets will increase to $40 when we return from break. Our trip will be on Thursday, June 2nd. Please check Google Classroom (join code: xhbevu5) for a complete list of upcoming events, associated details, and end-of-year tasks. There are already several forms posted that need to be completed.
Class of 2022 Lawn Signs
Thank you to the MSPTO for organizing and sponsoring this for our Seniors!
April 10, 2022
Q3 Report Cards
The MHS 40% Club Presents their annual - Happiness Week!
Monday 4/11/22- Thursday 4/14/22
In an effort to increase hope and positivity across our school community, we have a number of activities planned for the week before vacation.
Monday 4/11 Get into the Happiness Groove
Tuesday 4/12 What makes you happy?
Wednesday 4/13 THERAPY DOGS (outside before school)
Thursday 4/14 Mandalas for Mindfulness
Throughout the week, members of the 40% club & PC's will be in the lobby to greet students :)
Additionally, there will be opportunities to share thoughts of gratitude with staff / peers, self care via our friends from Therapy Dogs International, as well as some games and prizes. Be sure to stop by the lobby between 7:30 and 8:00 AM any day next week.. you'll be happy you did :)
Medway & Millis College & Career Fair Recap
The School Counseling Department hosted the annual College and Career Fair on Friday. This was a great opportunity for our students to increase their awareness of the variety of post-graduate options available to them, as well as for the representatives to better know our school and students. Often the college admissions counselors who attend are the ones who review our student’s applications.
We had a tremendous turnout with over 65 college reps and reps from our armed forces in attendance. Students were well prepared with question sheets to ask the reps. There was something for everyone who attended. A special thank you to our school counselors for organizing the event and to our custodian, Patrick Cole, for his help setting up the event. Below are links to the info we shared with students and the list of colleges in attendance.
Preparing for College Fairs, 36 Questions to Ask a College, and a list of colleges in attendance.
Spring Job-Fair 4/13
Due to the success of our Job Fair earlier this year, we are happy to be bringing it back to you again this week. Representatives from local businesses will be present in the main lobby during Flex block on Wednesday, April 13th to meet with students about employment opportunities. Participants include:
The Willows at Medway
Army Reserve
Butters House, LLC
The Sunshine Group
Shaw’s Supermarket
Middlesex Savings Bank
Muffin House Cafe
Medway Community Farm
Rocky's Ace Hardware
Spencer Technologies
Dunkin Donuts
Town of Medway Parks and Recreation
Medway Community Education Department
Galante’s Restaurant
Medway Fire Department
Medway Police Department
Supreme Pizza
Seniors of legal voting age will also have the opportunity to register to vote during this event.
Students interested in participating will be called down to the Job Fair by floor during Flex block. All students will still sign up and report to a Flex block offering regardless of whether or not they choose to participate.
MHS Book Club
Dear Medway High School families,
Thanks again for your support during the MHS Book Club B&N book fair last fall. We've received the second portion of our order (delayed due to supply chain issues). Students are enjoying the new books!
Reena Johnson, ELA faculty and Book Club Advisor
Tina Stoval, Library Media Specialist
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y-1DZNkhBXPqvCi3Z-84z0r9sJ_9WXzx/view?usp=drive_web
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y-1DZNkhBXPqvCi3Z-84z0r9sJ_9WXzx/view?usp=drive_web
Peer Counseling Applications
It is that time of year again when current sophomores and juniors are applying to become a Peer Counselor for the 2022-2023 school year. Peer Counselors serve as student leaders who hold a variety of responsibilities. PC's serve as role models for their peers, support the transition of middle school students to high school hosting a variety of transitional events throughout the year, provide support to new students entering Medway, help to promote a positive school culture, support the MEDI after school program and a variety of community service events, to name a few.
If you were not able to attend the informational meeting on March 29th, here is how you can apply to be a Peer Counselor for the 2022-2023 school year.
Please join the Peer Counseling Google classroom to review the application process and necessary requirements. Classroom code: t2zjzh4
The process has two parts: All documents are located under 'Classwork' in Google Classroom
1. Peer Counseling Application 2022-2023
2. Two faculty member recommendations (Send the Google form to TWO faculty members to complete)
The deadline to complete the written application, teacher recommendations and sign up for an in-person interview is Wednesday, April 13th by 2:30pm. No exceptions.
April 3, 2022
Course Selection Appointments
Senior Scholarships Reminder
This is a reminder that senior scholarship applications are due in two weeks to the Google Classroom. The list of outside scholarships is fully updated and available to you as well. Many of you have been asking about St. Joseph's, I just received them about 20 minutes ago and the application has been uploaded.
Reach out with any questions,
Mr. Borden
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wEGSY9sl1GBZV1Z7KNuSrshuxv5OUequpPFx4EsPdd4/edit?usp=drive_web
Medway & Millis College & Career Fair on Friday, April 8th
The School Counseling Department will be hosting our annual College and Career Fair. This provides an opportunity for our students to increase their awareness of the variety of post-graduate options available to them, as well as for the representatives to better know our school and students. Often the college admissions counselors who attend are the ones who review our student’s applications.
Students from Millis High School, whom we have partnered with on this event for many years, will be joining us for this fair.
Students will attend as follows:
Millis High School: 11:15 - 12:00
MHS Grade 11: 12:30 - 1:15
MHS Grade 10: 1:30 - 2:30
Grade 11
12:20 - All Juniors with the last name beginning with A - H will report to the Gym.
12:50 - All Juniors with the last name beginning with I - Z will report to the
Gym.
Grade 10
1:30 - All 10th Grade Students in the following classes.
Mr. Camire - SHOP
Ms. Chessie-Brodeur - PAINT& DRAW
Ms. Donovan - Learning Lab
Ms. Foucre - PRIN BIOMED SC / PRIN BIOMED SCI HON
Ms. Hallett - PHYSICS CP
Ms. Heller - INT.MATH10 CP ALG2/GEO
Mr. Janczura - VID TECH II CP
Ms. Nelson-Oneschuk - OVERTONES CHORUS CP /OVERTONES CHORUS HON
Mr. Perry - AP BIO
Mr. Petrarca - US HIST II CP
Mr. Rojee - US HIST I CP
Ms. Vaillancourt - Sports Mgt. online
2:00 - All 10th Grade Students in the following classes.
Ms. Avellino-Chan - LATIN I CP
Mr. Collins - Study Hall
Dr. Enzie - ENGLISH 10 CP
Ms. Tsao - MANDARIN III CP
Ms. Vaillancourt - Study Hall
Ms. Webster - BAND CP / BAND HON
Mrs. Rondeau will be emailing information to students to ensure they are prepared: Preparing for College Fairs, 36 Questions to Ask a College, and a list of colleges in attendance.
Student Arrival Reminders
Tardies
As we enter into quarter 4 and return to normalcy, we must continue to stress the importance of coming to school on time. We are aware of the traffic on Summer Street and anticipate that this will be a daily occurrence. Please make sure to give yourself plenty of time for student drop-off. We also ask that you take a moment to review the tardy policy in our student handbook.
Detentions
Students assigned a detention must serve that detention on the next available detention date. If a detention is not served, a student is not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities, including athletics, unless arrangements are made with the student's assistant principal.
Detentions take place in the school counseling suite on:
Mondays - 2:31-3:31
Wednesday - 2:31 - 3:31
Thursdays - 2:31 - 4:31
MHS Chorus and Band Earn High Honors at MICCA Festival
This past weekend, the Medway High School Concert Band and Choirs (the Overtones and the Undertones) participated in the MICCA Concert and Choral Festival. The Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) is dedicated to the study and performance of instrumental and choral music in the public schools of Massachusetts. At this particular festival, ensembles perform three pieces of repertoire for three adjudicators, who score the ensembles against a rubric of standards. After the performance, the ensemble receives a private clinic with one of those adjudicators and then is awarded a medal of participation, merit, bronze, silver or gold.
Medway High School Concert Band received a Bronze Medal, the Overtones received a Silver Medal and the Undertones received a Gold Medal.
Gold medal recipients are invited to perform at the MICCA Gold Medal Showcase, this year taking place on Sunday, April 10th at Symphony Hall in Boston. These performances are free and open to the public.
We are offering “fan seats” on our bus to Symphony Hall. These seats will be open to Medway Public Schools staff and students at no cost. Once we have the timing for our performance, we’ll share a sign-up form for those interested
Thank you for supporting our wonderful musicians in their endeavors this year, and we hope to see some of you at Symphony Hall!
Sincerely,
Ms. Nelson-O.
MHS Choir Director
Updates from MFPA
Annual Campaign
After a two year hold on our annual campaign, the MFPA is embarking once again on a month-long campaign to help us reach our funding goals for the 2022-2023 school year. $5 for Fortissimo is our way of saying that by giving a donation of $5, we can make a big impact collectively! Every donor that makes a donation until Friday April 8 will be entered into a drawing to win a Season Pass - (2) tickets for one show of each of the following; High School Play, High School Musical, and Middle School Musical for the 2022-2023 school year! The winner will be announced at the MFPA Family Concert April 10. For cash or check donations, utilize this form. There are collection boxes at the main office of each school to place the donations. The MFPA thanks you for your support as we continue our mission to foster and promote excellence in the performing arts programs in the Medway Public Schools.
Medway Family Concert 2022
The MFPA is so excited to bring back our Medway Family Concert after a year hiatus from the Pandemic. In partnership with Medway Marches, we are pleased to provide a free concert, open to all, on April 10 at 2:00 p.m. in the Medway High School auditorium. We will be listening to the Caribbean sounds of the PanNeubean Steel Band. Members of PanNeubean Steel Band have extensive resumes that include both national and international tours, music awards and recordings. They have worked alongside numerous popular artists in the music industry. With the help of these fine musicians, PanNeubean Steel strives to showcase the steelpan so that it may be heard in a variety of music genres and therefore secure its place as the latest and most versatile acoustic instrument. We hope your family will join us for a fun afternoon of music. Complimentary refreshments will be provided at the end of the performance.
Upcoming Events
April
April 4 Quarter 4 Begins
April 8 College Fair Gym (grades 10 and 11)10:30AM - 2:30 PM
April 8 NHS Coffee House - Cafeteria 6:30-9 pm
April 11 Quarter 3 Grades Posted
April 12 Athletic Advisory Meeting - 6-7:15 pm (virtual)
April 13 Flex Block (H) MHS Job Fair 12:12 - 1:19
April 15 No School - Good Friday
April 15-24 April vacation
April 29 Ring Dance (Sophs) MHS Cafe 6:30 pm -9 pm
March 20, 2022
- Congratulations to the cast and crew of the MHS musical Footloose! This was our first show in two years and it was amazing! It was so great for our kids to be able to have this experience again. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the show. Here is a link to photos from the show courtesy of Tim Rice Photo.
- Congrats to our Girl's Basketball team on a great season! You fought hard on Tuesday night and all season long. You made us proud! Congrats to all of our winter athletes on a successful season for the program. Thank you to our seniors as well.
- Monday night, we are hosting a preview concert in preparation for the MICCA performances for chorus and band next weekend. 7 pm in the auditorium
- Tuesday and Wednesday are ELA MCAS testing for 10th-grade students. All students and families received an email from Mr. List with details.
- Tuesday night is the Junior Post-Secondary Workshop for parents and students. That is a virtual event. This coincides with the workshops Juniors are participating in during the day. The sign-up link is below.
- Course scheduling for '22-'23 is underway. See our course scheduling website below.
- Q3 grades close on April 1st
- *NEW*Prom ticket sales have been extended for another week (3/21-3/25) and will be on sale before school in the cafe.
*NEW* The Spring Coffee House will be on Friday, April 8th. Anyone interested in performing should come to an informational meeting during Flex Block on Wednesday, March 23rd in Mr. Nassiff's room, 209-1. Sign up on Tuesday, or reserve a spot by contacting Mr. Nassiff at anassiff@medwayschools.org.
Thank you to the MSPTO for our "sneak attack" St. Patrick's Day breakfast! We appreciate all of your support and thoughtfulness!
Have a great week!
John Murray
Principal
March 13, 2022
Our student-athletes performed well on the track, on the ice, and on the basketball court. Our fans brought great energy to these events and were a great support! Congrats to al of our winter teams and athletes on a great season! This week, we have a Final Four Girls Basketball game on Tuesday night. Tickets will be available via GoFan. Come support our Girls as they march towards the state championship!
This weekend our school musical, Footloose hits the stage for 3 shows. This will be our first musical in two years! Our kids have been working on this show since December and are looking forward to finally cutting loose on stage. I hope you're able to join us for one of the shows.
Have a great week!
Best,
John Murray
Principal
Course Scheduling for 2022-2023
Prom Tickets
Attention Juniors & Seniors!
Prom Tickets will be on sale this week from Monday 3/14 - Friday 3/18, before school in the lobby. Ticket sales will end promptly at 8:00 AM each day. Prom will take place at Lakeview Pavilion in Foxborough on May 20th, 2022. Tickets prices are as follows:
If you have paid class dues by Friday, March 11th, tickets are $95
If dues are paid after 3/11, tickets are $105
Tickets for outside guests will be the same price as the ticket for the Medway student that is bringing them.
Juniors,
If you recently paid class dues online through Unipay please forward a copy of your online receipt to one of the class advisors (Mrs. Rojee or Mrs. Brodeur) as there is some lag time from the Unipay company."
JUNIOR POST-SECONDARY WORKSHOP INFORMATION
Starting in March the school counselors will host Junior Workshops to discuss the college application process. These workshops will be held during H Block from 12:12-1:19pm. Students should be checking their email to see what days/times they are assigned. The workshops are scheduled for the following dates:
Friday March 18th - Day 3
Wednesday March 23rd - Day 6
Wednesday April 13th - Day 3
Tuesday April 26th - Day 6
After the Junior Seminar Workshops, students will be meeting with their counselor for a one-on-one Junior Appointment to receive more guidance and support regarding their individual plans. In order to set up the Junior Appointment, students must complete their Resume on Naviance and the Student Data Portfolio in the School Counseling Class of 2023 Google Classroom.
JUNIOR POST-SECONDARY FAMILY NIGHT (VIRTUAL)
Come learn about the overview of the college application process
This will be held virtually on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:30pm
Sign-up using this GoToWebinar registration link
MHS Spring Musical: FOOTLOOSE THE MUSICAL
Everybody cut loose....
Musicals are back and we are super excited to promote the High School Musical production of Footloose the Musical. Tickets can be purchased for cash or check at the following locations.
Muffin House on 3/5 from 9am-12pm
Starbucks on 3/6 from 9am-12pm
Tickets can also be purchased at the door of each show, as well as at the high school during specified times. The schedule will be published soon and MFPA will share on our facebook page.
Medway & Millis College & Career Fair on Friday, April 8th
The School Counseling Department will be hosting our annual College and Career Fair on Friday, April 8th. This event provides an opportunity for our students to increase their awareness of the variety of post-graduate options available to them, as well as for the representatives to better know our school and students. Often the college admissions counselors who attend are the ones who review our student’s applications. This year, we have nearly 60 representatives joining us! Students from Millis High School, whom we have partnered with on this event for many years, will be joining us for this fair. We will share more info as we get closer to the event!
March 6, 2022
Best,
John Murray
Principal
Half- Day Info: March 11
On Friday, we take a pause from our regular schedule to offer students in all grades a morning of unique and interesting experiences. Here’s an outline of the morning below:
Financial Reality Fair- Grades 11 + 12
Medway High School is hosting a “financial reality” fair on March 11th, 2022. Students in grades 11 and 12 will spend the half-day role-playing and interacting with local community members in the gym. The students will be given jobs, a salary and then be asked to make decisions that balance financial responsibility and quality of life providing them with a unique experiential learning experience.
Grades 9 +10
Students in grades 9 and10 will have the opportunity to meet and learn from the Honorable Richard Eustis, First Justice of the Milford District Court. We’re thankful to have Judge Eustis share his knowledge and experiences with our students as part of Judiciary in Our Schools Month. Students will have an opportunity to meet with the Medway Master Plan Committee and share their feedback with the group as the town engages in it’s 2030 planning. Students in grade 10 will also have an opportunity to work with the school counselors on career interest exploration. Students in grade 9 will also have a review session for the Biology MCAS coming at the end of the school year.MIAA Tournament Games and Fan Expectations
This week we are hosting two MIAA tournament games; girls basketball on Tuesday at 5 PM and boys hockey on Wednesday at 8 PM (Pirelli Arena). Our teams are well supported as we tend to have a strong turnout at these events which is great! We love their energy and we want the students to have fun. We also want them to keep it positive, practice sportsmanship, and cheer on our Mustangs! We have had to address some poor student behavior in the stands recently though. Please take a minute to review our commitment to maintaining a positive atmosphere in the stands below. I will address this with students on Tuesday and Wednesday during announcements.
The following are areas of focus that are not appropriate behavior at school events. We will work to be consistent in our enforcement.
- Taunting of opposing players (no names, no numbers, no insults)
- Disrespectful behavior towards the referees or officials
- Swearing or vulgar language
Sport-specific Expectations
Basketball
No fans in the first row as it interferes with play
No food or beverage in the gym.
Hockey
Students must be in the bleachers. No students standing against the glass or banging on the glass
Athletic events are an extension of the school and there could be school-based consequences for misbehavior or if asked to leave a game. We appreciate your support as we move deeper in the tournament.
Performing Arts Updates
Congratulations to Olivia Dwyer and Lucas Farlow on a wonderful performance at Symphony Hall today as a member of the MMEA All-State Chorus! You have made Medway proud!
Congrats also to Victor Chaudoir (9) who has been accepted into the Junior Central Districts Music Festival for Jazz Drums!
Join us for the Festival Preview Concert on Monday, March 21st at 7 PM in the MHS Auditorium.
EF Health Sciences Trip to Great Britain/ Scotland Meeting
There will be a mandatory Zoom trip update meeting for all families involved in our April trip on Wednesday, March 9 @ 4:00pm. Parents and students should have received a link to join the meeting which was sent to the email address provided on the EF website or to students’ school email. If both parents and the student cannot make this meeting, please contact Ms. Foucré at mfoucre@medwayschools.org for more information.
February 27, 2022
Tomorrow, we return to school with masks no longer required for Medway students or staff. I'll begin the day with a zoom overview for students. There are a few caveats and MHS specific details that we'll share below. What I want to emphasize for students and staff is that deciding to wear a mask or not is a personal choice and we will respect each other's choices. This week will be exciting for some and could be challenging for others. My expectation is that we create an environment where students and staff feel safe and supported with their decision.
Finally, we extend our support to Ukrainian families in our community. We will help students process what they are seeing and put the events of the past week in a historical context.
Best,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
Mask Optional begins 2/28
As you know, beginning tomorrow, masks will no longer be required for students or staff at Medway High School. We will continue to strongly encourage all unvaccinated individuals to continue mask-wearing. There is some important district-wide and MHS specific information to share below:
District-wide
Mask wearing will continue to be required in school nurses’ offices.
Mask wearing will no longer be required on school buses.
Mask wearing following a required 5-day quarantine following a COVID positive diagnosis is still required.
MHS will continue with the mitigation strategies that we have used throughout the pandemic.
Ventilation systems will continue to be maintained with the highest level of filtration and air exchanges.
Symptomatic testing will still be available in all of our schools.
Weekly COVID PCR pooled testing will continue to be in place for the near future.
Families and staff may still opt into our bi-weekly rapid antigen home testing program. If you are interested in signing up for this program must opt-in by completing the Opt-in Form. The next test kit distribution will take place on Thursday, February 17.
MHS Specific Info
Students may enter the building before school beginning at 7:15 am. Teachers may meet with students before school for extra help or clubs.
The cafeteria has returned to the pre-pandemic table and chair set up. We have added some additional seating around the perimeter of the cafe to offer access for students who are not comfortable eating in the larger space.
Distancing in classrooms will not be required. Teachers can manage the organization of the classroom as they wish.
Masks will not be required at Medway-sponsored events such as athletic competitions, theatrical, musical, or other events that occur at Medway High School.
Events held outside of MHS will be subject to the rules specific to the district/school or site that hosts the event. We will work with students and families to ensure that the personal decision of families is supported within our school environment. Additionally, it is important to note that other mitigation strategies that we have in place will continue to be important.
Mask breaks should no longer be necessary for classes.
All clubs and activities may meet without COVID restrictions before or after school.
Scheduling Process (Grades 9-11)
The scheduling process for 2022-2023 has just begun. This week our Program of Studies was approved by the Medway School Committee. On March 4th, the school administration will present the scheduling process information to students in grades 9-11 at the beginning of Flex. We want to share this information with you so that you may engage with your child about their schedule for the next school year. Please use the links below to access information about the 22-23 school year scheduling process that will help guide these conversations.
2022-2023 Scheduling Process Letter
Upcoming Events
February 28 Program of Studies Night “Virtual”
Incoming 9th Graders 6PM - 6:45PM Current 9-11th Graders 7pm - 7:30PM
March 3 Mid Quarter Update
March 11 Early Release Day-Financial Literacy Fair 9:30-11:30
March 18 Spring Musical -Footloose 7:30 Auditorium
March 19 Spring Musical - Footloose 2:00 & 7:30 Shows Auditorium
March 22 & 23 ELA MCAS grade 10
February 13, 2022
I hope you all have a great week ahead and a restful February break!
Best,
John Murray
Principal
STEM DAY- Hosted by WiSTEM (2/17)
On Thursday, February 17th, the WiSTEM club will be hosting a number of speakers/presenters at MHS during Flex block. During this time, all students will have the opportunity to attend a keynote presentation in the auditorium and to select another presentation to attend from a list of offerings.
Keynote Presentation:
Hacking for Fun and for Profit (but without the profit) with MHS Alum, Ryan Cervantes
Ever wonder what it actually looks like to hack into a computer? Or what hackers can do after they get into your computer? During this presentation, we’ll do a live walkthrough of what it would look like to hack into a computer (in a controlled environment) and steal important information!
Come see DNA, RNA, and proteins light up and glow! with miniPCR bio
The central dogma of molecular biology - how genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein - is an extremely important idea in biology. Usually, this process is not visible to the eye but this workshop will allow you to set up biological reactions in little test tubes to see the transcription of RNA and translation of protein! Come join Dr. Ally Huang as she leads you through this fun hands-on experiment and explains how proteins are made from the instructions found in DNA. She will also discuss how she developed the technology behind the experiment during her PhD at MIT and how similar technology is being used to solve problems in medicine and research. Come on in, grab a micropipette, and learn more!
Breaking Glass- Thermal Shock Resistance of Various Glasses with Saint-Gobain
Join Susan Rozak, a ceramics engineer in a hands-on workshop that will demonstrate how different glasses react to drastic temperature changes. We will light different glass rods with the bunsen burner, then plunge them into ice water, demonstrating thermal shock resistance and thermal conductivity.
How to Build Your Perfect Cookie with the Framingham State Nutrition Club
Do you prefer cookies to be crispy, chewy, or cake-like? Join members of the Framingham State University Nutrition Club to learn about how to bake each type of cookie using food science! We will modify a snickerdoodles recipe and learn the basic science behind cookie ingredients. Students will also learn about the field of nutrition and dietetics as a STEM career path.
Programming with Micro:bits with Arm Micro:bit
Students will get an introduction to STEM education using programming concepts with the help of the mini Micro:bit programming and tools. A fun hands-on way to explore the potential of technology, and develop skills needed to turn ideas into inventions.
STEM Learning Through Play with Mass Audubon
We'll look at how nature-based concepts can be taught through active games and play. Whether you are 3 or 103, learning doesn't have to be static. Let’s get up and move, while also learning more about the world around us.
Studying and Researching as a STEM Student in College with Stonehill Chemistry students
Students will learn about the STEM experience in college with a panel of amazing and inspiring Stonehill college students, along with their professor of chemistry, Dr. Marilena Hall. See a presentation of photos and videos from college and learn about how to use your STEM education in the future. Then, have the opportunity to learn more about the college experience.
Navy Presentation with David Davis
Learn about medical and health science careers in the Navy.
Fingerprinting and Forensics with members of NHS and WiSTEM
Explore how scientists identify fingerprint types in an interactive workshop.
Cracking the Code: Exploring Illicit Drugs with Madison Oppenheim
Join an MHS alumna and pharmaceutical student at Northeastern, Madison Oppenheim, and explore the effects of illicit drugs. Learn the basic pharmacology and physiology behind numerous drugs of abuse including ecstasy, cocaine, THC, Xanax, and more!
Students will sign up for classroom presentations using the responsive scheduler on Tuesday, February 15th. All students will attend the keynote presentation in the auditorium at their designated time.
February 17th is Day 6 and we will be following a modified schedule for the WiSTEM events. See below
Junior and Senior Meetings- February 14th Flex Block
During Flex Block on February 14th, the juniors and seniors will be taking part in meetings with Mr. Borden and Mr. List. Seniors will report directly to the auditorium at the bell and juniors will report to their Flex Blocks. Seniors will spend the first 40 minutes of the meeting hearing from Mr. Borden about the Scholarship program for 2022, their class officers about senior events, and Mr. List will go over information regarding graduation events. At 12:50 pm the junior class will be invited to join the seniors in the auditorium. As part of the preparation for the financial literacy fair, the students are being asked to complete a 13 question pre-test. The data from the pre-test will be used to determine topics for speakers from the financial industry to address at the event.
Coming Soon! Financial Literacy Fair March 11
Research done by the state of Massachusetts has shown that many students are graduating not only without a solid background in how to budget their money but also not understanding how to begin to interact with the “real” world financially. Medway High School is hosting a “financial reality” fair on March 11th, 2022. Students in grades 11 and 12 will spend the half-day role-playing and interacting with local community members. The students will be given jobs, a salary and then be asked to make decisions that balance financial responsibility and quality of life providing them with a unique experiential learning experience.
We're always looking for more parents or community members to share their professional experiences with our students. Please reach out to Chris Borden if you are interested and available from 8:30-10:30 on March 11.
COVID Updates and Upcoming Changes
Contact Tracing: Updated DESE/DPH guidance permits districts the opportunity to stop contact tracing for potentially created in-school close contacts. We will discontinue contact tracing effective today, Friday, February 11.
Test and Stay: Updated DESE/DPH guidance also allows districts who participate in the DESE-sponsored COVID-19 testing program (pooled or at-home rapid testing) to discontinue offering Test and Stay. We will be eliminating Test and Stay effective today, February 11.
Continuation of weekly COVID-19 Pool Testing: At this time, weekly pooled testing will continue to be an option for students and staff. We anticipate that we will revisit this option as case counts continue to decline. As has been shared, the delayed results, combined with “false positive” pools that result because an individual was unknowingly positive, at some point in the past, creates additional testing strain. In addition, the readily available rapid tests, including those we are distributing, will replace the necessity of pooled testing.
At-home Rapid Antigen Tests: As we have previously communicated, we signed up for the new DESE/DPH program to receive and distribute at-home rapid antigen tests. Families interested in signing up for this program must opt-in by completing the Opt-in Form. Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 day should not participate in any type of COVID-19 testing, per DESE protocols. Every other Thursday, test kits consisting of two rapid antigen tests will be sent home with students who have opted into this program or parents can pick up their child’s test kits between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Medway Middle School, 45 Holliston Street Door #7. The next test kit distribution will take place on Thursday, February 17. In order to receive a test kit in this distribution, families must opt in by Monday, February 14. When you complete the opt-in form, please be sure to indicate if you would like kits sent home with your child or if you would prefer to pick them up.
Students are expected to administer the at-home test every Sunday. Positive results must be reported to the district by using this form or by emailing covid@medwayschools.org. Results are confidential.
Please see the links below for information on how to administer the at-home test. Further questions regarding the at-home rapid antigen test program can be directed to Joy Bush jbush@medwayschools.org.
Click here for a full “how to” written guide in various languages
Click here for a video of an individual self-testing
February 6, 2022
Well, last week was pretty exciting for me and for our school community thanks to some halftime shenanigans. I definitely was on the receiving end of more attention than I could ever have imagined. I am appreciative of all of the kind words and well wishes received from our students, community, friends and family, and from complete strangers. In nearly every message I received, there was some reference to the need for a positive story and many comments about the excitement of our students. As we continue to emerge from the latest COVID, I’m hopeful that we can build on the positivity that was felt in the building last week. The spring is usually an exciting time at MHS and we’re looking forward to what positive shenanigans are ahead for our students, staff, and our school.
WiSTEM STEM DAY
On Thursday, February 17th, the WiSTEM club will be hosting a number of speakers/presenters at MHS during Flex block. During this time, all students will have the opportunity to attend a keynote presentation in the auditorium and to select another presentation to attend from a list of offerings.
February 17th is a Day 6 and we will be following a modified schedule for the WiSTEM events:
SCHOOL COUNSELING UPDATES
Virtual Workshop College Acceptance & Financial Award Review
“How to make the best decision for you”
Upcoming workshop: College Financing series titled, “College Acceptance & Financial Award Review,” will be held on Thursday, February 17 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. via Zoom webinar. The workshop will be facilitated by Mass Bay Community College in partnership with the Village Bank. It is highly recommended that the young person attends with their parent/caregiver.
Pre-registration required, CLICK HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_quWo-lbIRHmei9nv71PR-g
PSAT Review and Upcoming Prep
School Counseling hosted a PSAT review this past week. View the powerpoint presentation HERE
School Counseling will also be offering informal SAT Prep using Khan Academy
This will take place during H block on the following dates:
Feb 1, 4, 9, 14, and 17
SAT/ACT test preparation
Dear 11th grade students and families,
Preparation for the SAT and/or ACT is an important part of many student’s post-secondary planning. Due to COVID, the way colleges are using the tests in admissions has been, and will continue to change, but they remain an element of admission in many cases. The best place to get updates is directly from the college admission’s website.
Juniors took the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in October. Scores have been available to students on their College Board accounts since December. All students who take the PSAT have access to detailed reports which provide an assessment of skills. These help students understand how to improve scores for the SAT. Students can get these reports on their College Board accounts at https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home.
There are a variety of ways to prepare for the SAT and/or the ACT, but what works best for test preparation will vary from student to student.
Juniors have been invited to a seminar given this week during H Block explaining test scores, how they can be used in admissions, and how to use Khan Academy to prepare for the SAT. The presentation is at PSAT 2022.
The College Board partnered with Khan Academy to provide online test prep videos and sample problems. Juniors can link their Khan Academy and College Board accounts to receive a free, personalized tutorial for preparing for the SAT. Students who take full advantage of this have significant increases in test scores. Juniors will have the opportunity to work with Khan Academy during H Block in the School Counseling Area on Feb 1, 4, 9, 14, and 17.
The College Board and ACT both provide free and fee-based test preparation at SAT Test Prep and ACT Test Prep.
Test preparation services such as Sylvan at www.educate.com, Kaplan at www.kaptest.com, and Princeton Review at www.princetonreview.com offer test prep classes and services.
The most important part of a student’s college application is the high school transcript. A student’s grades and the level of difficulty of classes are the primary things colleges evaluate. For some colleges standardized test scores are used for admissions decisions, invitations for Honors programs, and/or scholarships. For some colleges standardized test scores are optional or not required. A list of colleges with test optional admissions can be found at http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional.
As a general recommendation, juniors should take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring. Upcoming SAT test dates and registration deadlines are available at SAT Registration and for ACT at ACT Registration. Registration and payment must be done directly through the testing websites. Registration deadlines are approximately four weeks ahead of the test dates, but spots fill up quickly, so registering much earlier is suggested. Fee waivers and testing accommodations are available for students based on College Board or ACT criteria. Please contact your school counselor if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Dave Elsner
Grade 5-12 School Counseling Coordinator
Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Festival
It is my pleasure to announce the acceptance of two choir members into the annual Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Festival!
Olivia Dwyer
Lucas Farlow
These students prepared a difficult piece for a virtual video audition and now have the opportunity to participate in a LIVE festival with a full day of rehearsals, culminating in a performance with some of the best HS choir singers from around the state at Boston's Symphony Hall.
PERFORMING ARTS UPCOMING EVENTS
MMEA's 2022 All State Conference & Festival
Tuesday March 1 & Wednesday March 2, 2022:
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, MarlboroughHS/MS Combined Rehearsal
Thursday, March 3, 2022 [morning]MMEA All-State Concert
March 5, 2022: Symphony HallSpring Musical
Friday, March 18 @ 7:30PM & Saturday, March 19 @ 2PM, 7:30PMHS/MS Combined Rehearsal
Monday, March 21 [morning]Festival Preview Concert [featuring 8th grade band & chorus combined pieces]
Monday March 21, 2022 @ 7PM in HS Auditorium
Weekend Grocery Program
We are pleased to offer weekend groceries for interested MPS families. If you would like to order groceries on a weekly basis, please complete this Weekly Order Form. Grocery orders can be delivered (within Medway) or picked up from 3:15-4:15 PM on Thursday afternoons. Pick-up takes place at Medway Middle School (door 24 via Kelly St. entrance). If you have any questions, please reach out to groceries@medwayschools.org.
Winter Olympics- Medway Connection
Former Medway High student Zach Digregorio will make his Olympic debut in Doubles Luge on Wednesday. Let’s cheer on Zach with an Olympic-themed day on Wednesday. We’ll message this out to the students.
Upcoming Events
February 7 Best Buddies Basketball Bash 7:00 Gymnasium
February 7 Athletic Advisory Meeting - 6-7:15 pm (virtual)
February 17 Flex Block (H) WiSTEM Club Presentations Modified Schedule
C,B,H,G, E
February 17 School Council Meeting
February 21-25 No School - Winter Vacation
February 28 Program of Studies Night “Virtual”
- Incoming 9th Graders 6PM - 6:45PM
- Current 9-11th Graders 7pm - 7:30PM
March 11 Early Release Day- Financial Literacy Fair 9:30-11:30
March 18 Spring Musical -Footloose 7:30 Auditorium
March 19 Spring Musical - Footloose 2:00 & 7:30 Shows AuditoriumJanuary 23, 2022
We also had several challenges to contend with that will be with us for the foreseeable future. We recognized that students experienced some learning loss due to the pandemic that we've been addressing. We also recognized behavioral and maturity issues from the beginning of the year that we've addressed and seen improvements. We've also seen increases in mental health challenges connected to the pandemic that we continue to support through our school counselors, adjustment counselors, and wrap-around supports. We've been fortunate to have the support of all of our community stakeholders as we work to support students and staff through these challenges.
The latest COVID surge has made the past month particularly challenging but we're starting to see through to the other side. Our COVID positive numbers were down significantly compared to the previous week and hopefully, the next week continues in that direction. There's much to be optimistic about. Over the coming weeks, we'll be working to reengage our efforts to return to a more normal high school experience. We are on track to return to spectators at events, rehearsal for the school musical is in full swing, and planning for events such as the STEM Fair, Financial Literacy Fair, Ring Dance, etc. are all in progress. I'm certain that we'll continue to see new challenges arise but we're resilient as a school and we'll continue to rise to whatever challenge comes our way.
Best,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
End of Quarter 2/Start of Semester 2
End of Quarter 2
This is a reminder that Q2 grades close on Wednesday, January 26th.
Teachers have been asked to extend the quarter into the next week to accept work for students who have COVID-related absences.
If students need more time to make up assignments, please reach out to counselors and AP's to discuss Incompletes.
Report CArds will be posted on Thursday, February 3rd.
Make-up Work Policy
We’ve had some questions about the amount of time students are entitled to for make-up work for excused absences. Below is the language from our Student-Parent Handbook.
Time allowed to complete work is equal to the number of excused days absent. For extraordinary situations, teachers or administrators may grant additional time.
For example: Student has an excused absence on Monday and returns to school on Tuesday. The student then has until the end of the day Wednesday to pass in make-up work.
Semester 2
Semester 2 courses begin on Thursday (Day 3).
Students should report directly to their C block class.
Students will find new schedules on Infinite Campus.
Attention Juniors
Attention Juniors
School Counseling will be hosting a PSAT review for Juniors on the following dates in the auditorium:
1/24 - Last name - A - He
1/27 - Last name - Hi - Z
Students should bring their chromebooks to access their College Board accounts and PSAT information.
School Counseling will also be offering informal SAT Prep using Khan Academy
This will take place during H block on the following dates:
Feb 1, 4, 9, 14, and 17
Medway High School Senior Internship in Education Program
Medway High School seniors who are interested in the education field may participate in a paid internship program beginning this winter. The High School Senior Internship in Education Program (HSSIEP) is an initiative sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that provides seniors an experience in the field of education in hopes of encouraging future educators to enter the teaching profession.
Medway High School is partnering with schools across Medway including Medway Middle School, Burke-Memorial Elementary School, McGovern Elementary School, and Medway Daycare. Students will be individually assigned to a classroom during a time that best fits into their schedule. This could be during the school day if there is time available, after school, or during school breaks. Each intern will be assigned a supervising teacher. In addition to their supervising teacher, interns will receive training.
Seniors interested in more information should meet with Dr. Murray in 114-1 at the beginning of Flex on Monday, 1/24.
Update from Nurses Office
Parents , if your child is Junior or a Senior, and if you have not already done so, please provide proof that your child has received the required Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY (formerly MCV4)).
Students should have received their first dose of this vaccine at 12 years old, with the second dose > 8 weeks afterwards.
But if not, the student should get one dose of the vaccine on or after their 16th birthday.
If you want a medical or religious exemption, then please submit a letter explaining why.
A medical exemption also requires a doctor note explaining why they should be exempted.
Please call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6800 or your child’s health care provider if you need additional information..
40% Club
Join the 40% Club
What is the 40% club: The 40% club of Happiness & Joy is centered on positive psychology and increasing joy in our lives and the lives of others!
When do we meet: We will be meeting this Thursday, 1/13/22 @ 2:35 PM
Where do we meet: Mr. Hoek's Room- #214-2 (3rd floor)
Who should attend: All students are welcome, (even if you've never attended a meeting before )!
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to e-mail our advisors- Mrs. Dodge: ddodge@medwayschools.org
or Mr. Hoek: fhoek@medwayschools.org
January 9, 2022
Brief Mustang Minute
This was quite the week. In some respects, this snow day could not have come at a better time! We expected the Covid cases to spike after the holiday, and they certainly did. We believe that our enhanced mitigation protocols will keep students and staff as safe as possible while in school. Students who are out due to Covid protocols will need to stay in touch with teachers and utilize Google Classroom as much as possible if they are feeling well enough to do so. Once students return to school, they will need to work hard to make up the work they missed. We have staff in place to assist with this, and my expectation is that many students will utilize Flexblocks as well to get caught up academically. The term ends on January 26, so it is important to keep working hard.
In the meantime, please do everything possible to stay safe and healthy. We will work hard to maintain as normal a routine as we can, with a regular school day and after-school activities. For athletics, we will limit attendance at our home games to family members only for the next two weeks. This move is consistent with other TVL schools and most schools across the Commonwealth. Our hope is to weather this surge through January and hopefully, we'll be able to get back to more normalcy for February and beyond.
Thank you to all of our students and families for your support of our enhanced protocols this week. I'm very proud of how diligent our kids were with adhering to our enhanced covid protocols.
Quick Reminders
- Monday is a Day 4
- Flex will be on Wednesday this week
- No School on Monday, January 17th in honor of MLK Day
- No School on Tuesday, January 18th (district-wide PD Day)
January 2, 2022
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Our goals since the start of the school year have been:
Minimize exposure to the virus for students and staff in school.
Maximize the number of in-person learning days for every student
Educate students IN our schools every day, as close to a typical experience as possible
We believe that our vigilance in enforcing these protocols will allow us to continue to meet these goals.
I will hold a full-school zoom meeting tomorrow at the start of school to review our COVID safety protocols. I am sharing the slides with you below as this week's Mustang Minute. As we continue to weather this surge, we'll be in contact with students and families if additional changes are necessary. We thank you for your continued support!
Best,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
December 12, 2021
I hope you've all had an enjoyable weekend. We have a week and a half to go before the winter break and we're looking to finish strong. We've reached the mid-point of Q2. All grades will be up to date and available for viewing on Infinite Campus at the end of the day on Tuesday. There's still over a month to go before the next report card so there will be lots of opportunity for growth between now and then.
Last week, I asked for help with tardiness to school in the morning and we saw some improvement. This week, we're looking for some support with masks. We've seen an uptick in COVID cases in our school and community recently. We've been fortunate that the new cases are not the result of in-school transmission. However, as the prevalence of COVID in the community rises, we'll be looking to remain vigilant in the wearing of masks. Also related to masks, we're seeing some poor behavior with students snapping and breaking masks off each other's faces. We will be working on curbing this behavior. Also, we're cleaning up masks all over campus. We need to work together to keep our campus clean. Thanks for your help with these items.
On 12/23, we have a half-day. Our schedule for the morning will have all 7 classes and a concert courtesy of our band and chorus. This will be the last Mustang Minute before the break. Thank you to all of our students and families for your support over the last 12 months. I wish all of you the happiest of holidays. We're looking forward to an even brighter 2022.
Sincerely,
John Murray
Principal
Medway High School
School Counseling Update
The School Counselors will be hosting two career speakers during the month of December, Griffin Electric and the Medway Fire Department. Students were sent an email and a post to their Google classrooms to complete a Google form if they are interested in attending. The School Counselors will sign students up in Infinite Campus.
Date: Thursday, December 16, 2021
Time: H block (12:12-1:19pm)
Who: Griffin Electric
What: Learn how to become an electrician through Griffin Electric’s training program.
Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Time: H block (12:12-1:19pm)
Who: Medway Fire Department
What: Learn about the steps to become a firefighter and what training is involved.
Please fill out the google form below by Monday, December 13th.
Career Speakers during H Block
Class of 2023 Fundraisers
Join the Class of 2023 for a fundraiser at Supreme Pizza in Medway Commons on Thursday, December 16th! Order online, in-store, or by phone between 11:00 AM and 9:00 PM to participate. When ordering in-store or by phone, mention that you wish to participate in the fundraiser, and a portion of the proceeds will go directly to the Class of 2023. If you are ordering online, write “Class of 2023 Fundraiser” in the comments section to participate. We hope to see you there!
Class of 2023 Lanyard Fundraiser MHS lobby AM 12/13 -12/17
MFE HOLIDAY CARDS
Are you still looking for the perfect gift this holiday season for our fabulous Medway Schools Staff members? How about giving the gift of charity? When you choose to honor any MPS staff member through a donation to the MFE, they will receive a donation card AND a gift card to a local business like Medway Nutrition!
Go to www.mfeducation.org to order yours!
All orders must be placed by Friday, December 17th to ensure delivery of their honoree cards before the holiday break.
Student Vaccination Status Request- COVID and MENINGITIS
As you may be aware the CDC recently made available the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children age 5-11. As your elementary and middle school children become fully vaccinated we ask you to please share proof of their vaccination with our school nurses by completing this form: K-8 Vaccination Status Response. If your student attends Medway High School and we have previously reached out to you for proof of immunization and you have yet to respond, you may share their information through the use of this form: 9-12 Vaccination Status Response.
Parents, just a reminder about the Meningitis vaccine. We have approximately sixty 11th and 12th graders who still do not have their needed second dose of the Meningitis vaccine. Students will also need this vaccine if they plan to attend College. Please try to get your child's second Meningitis vaccine completed before the end of January. If you need to claim a religious or medical exemption, please email Janice DiSalvio RN at jdisalvio@medwayschools.org.
MHS Winter Art Show
December 5, 2021
Our Fine and Performing Arts takes center stage this week with our Winter Art Walk and Winter Concert on Wednesday. Our first live concert since December 2019!
We are quickly approaching the mid-quarter update on December 14. I anticipate students will have tests, quizzes, and projects due in each of their classes prior to the 14th and the next holiday break. It will be important for students to remain committed to their studies, miss as few days as possible, and come to school on time each day to get to the break on a high note.
Please make sure to reach out to your child's teachers, school counselor, or Assistant Principal if you have questions or if your child needs additional supports.
Thanks for your continued support!
COVID Update
As you know, the Medway School Committee voted to enact the mask exemption, for fully vaccinated students and staff, when five specific criteria are met. Please find below an update on our progress toward meeting the criteria. Please note that the sharp increase of COVID-19 cases has resulted in a higher Town of Medway positivity rate. At this time we are not meeting two of the five criteria.
No instances of in-school transmission at MHS
This criteria has been met
No identified clusters within in-school groups (classroom, activity)
This criteria has been met
School testing positivity rate of less than 3%
This criteria has been met
Town of Medway positivity rate of less than 2%
Criteria not met - rate is 3.15%
Weekly testing of at least 50% of students and staff
Criteria not met
Beginning December 9, testing will move to Thursdays during the lunch block for students. Since we have moved to four lunch periods, it should be much easier for students to participate in testing with minimal wait time and without any concern about being late to class.
We continue to strongly encourage all staff and students, regardless of vaccination status, to participate in the weekly COVID-19 safety checks. To participate in these testing options, please complete this consent form and select Medway as your district as well as the appropriate school for your student.
Tardy to School
Tardiness to school has been on the rise this year. Please be mindful of having students in school before 8:04. When students reach their tardy limits, they receive an email notification of their detention date and time which will also be shared with parents.
Detention will be held in the Guidance Suite and no phones are allowed during this time. Phones will be held at the Guidance desk until completion of detention time.
Students who are chronically late could lose senior privileges, club and activity privileges, or not be permitted to attend athletic practices. Please make every effort to be in school on time.
Medway High School Winter Concert & Art Show
December 8th is our Winter Art Show (6 pm in Lobby) and Winter Concert (7 pm in Auditorium). Come listen to our talented music students and enjoy the creative display of the art students!
Massachusetts Music Educators Central District Senior District Festival
Several students from MHS auditioned for the Massachusetts Music Educators Central District Senior District Festival via video this year and did a wonderful job preparing a solo piece of repertoire. The following students were accepted into the ensembles:
Chorus
Matt Bullard
Rebecca Chleboski
Liv Dwyer
Lucas Farlow
Sienna Flotta
Grace Gerard
Band
Abigail Brown
William George
England/Scotland Tour - April 2022
We have received preliminary approval for our Health Sciences tour of England and Scotland rescheduled from April 2021. We are hosting a virtual info session on Thursday at 6pm for those who have signed up for the trip and anyone interested in joining the trip. This meeting is important to attend since individual decisions are required before 12/24. Please see the info below to register for the meeting.
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Dec 9, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://medwayschools-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqf-GvpjMoHtEFWhVTwm3T4m_ASjvMRCq-
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Congrats MHS Science Olympiad
Our Science Olympiad students did a great job in their second meet this year competing against Olive Ames, Bridgewater Raynham and Milford High Schools.
Competing in Codebusters,, Ian Khoo, Willem Khoo, and Caleb Perkins won Gold medals. Silver was won by Gustavo Mercier, Maddie Gagnon, & Pedro Tose.
Competing in Remote Sensing, Silver medals were won by Riley Ashok & Alex Montana, with Katie Gage winning Bronze.
Competing in Astronomy, Rebecca Chleboski won a Silver medal with Nora Sullivan & Palak Yadov winning Bronze.
Competing in Wright Stuff, Chris Tomasetti and Logan Casasanta won Bronze.
Congratulations to all participants!
From Health Services
Freshman and Sophomore parents: As required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations, We will be conducting hearing, vision, height, and weight screenings for all 10th-grade students and postural screenings for all 9th-grade students during IPEC classes on 12/3, 12/7, 12/10, 12/14 and 12/17. Every effort will be made to protect student privacy. If your child does not meet the hearing and vision requirements, a letter suggesting further evaluation and follow-up with your provider will be sent home. The screening for scoliosis is mandated with the purpose of early detection of spinal problems. If your child has unusual findings, you will be notified. For 9th graders, leggings and sports bras are recommended for female students on the day of screening. This type of clothing permits more accurate observation of the back. As always, it is your right to “opt-out” of screenings by sending an email or letter asking to opt and providing a reason why to jdisalvio@medwayschools.org.
Medway Friends of the Performing Arts Updates
Need some treats for the holidays, make a visit to the MFPA Bake Sale/Cookie Walk! The holiday treats will be available for purchase throughout the evening. All proceeds go directly back to the Medway Performing Arts students, including lesson grants, scholarships, and enrichment activities for the music curriculum.
We are still looking for a few more bakers. Please email medwayfriendsofperformingarts@gmail.com by December 5th if you are interested. All baked good donations must be individually wrapped and dropped off at the high school lobby by 5 pm.
The MPFA is excited to announce the arrival of Medway Performing Arts gear! Use the link below to access the online ordering site for a variety of items including t-shirts, sweatshirts, blankets, and more. Time to show off some pride for the talented Medway students in Band, Chorus, and Drama.
A portion of all orders will directly benefit the MFPA to help us support the Performing Arts at all Medway Schools.
Attention Seniors! Do you want to design the yearbook cover?
Show off your artistic skills and submit your designs to Mrs. Brodeur by January 10th!
Designs can be:
Painted
Digital
Photography
Mixed media
Designs should be 9x12 is size FRONT AND BACK
Designs should include the words Medway High School and 2022
ALL DESIGNS, ART WORK MUST BE ORIGINAL, no stealing from the internet
November 21, 2021
Q1 Report Cards
Quarter 1 grades provide just a snapshot of how your child is performing up to this point in the school year. This is a great time for students to reflect on what worked well or needs refinement as we move into the second quarter. Please make sure to reach out to your child's teachers, school counselor, or Assistant Principal if you have questions or if your child needs additional supports.
Peer Counseling Grade 9 Check-in
The Peer Counselings will be hosting an event for all freshmen during the H flex block on Monday, November 22nd in the cafeteria. The Peer Counselors are looking forward to reconnecting with their freshmen groups for check-in and fun activity!
Important Message for Seniors
Q1 Grades:
Transcripts with Q1 grades will be sent automatically to the colleges/universities you have applied to. If you have not yet scheduled your Senior Appointment, please reach out to Mrs. Rondeau to do so! jrondeau@medwayschools.org
Sending of school documents:
Please know that when your application is submitted or your transcript is sent, it is not instantaneous like a text! These items must be downloaded by the college. There are numerous documents being sent; the application and test scores (STUDENT), teacher recommendations (TEACHER), counselor recommendation, school profile and transcript (SCHOOL COUNSELOR). These items will be sent at different times. Please do not panic if you receive an email indicating the college/university is missing materials for your application. You must call admissions in this instance and confirm. They can tell you if the documents are in the system, but not downloaded. If nothing has been received or downloaded, contact your school counselor.
Pre-Thanksgiving 1/2 Day Workshops
We will once again be offering a multitude of half-day workshops led by our wonderful Medway High School staff on the 1/2 day prior to Thanksgiving. The sessions will be followed by a pep rally focused on fun and games for all. On Monday, students will have the opportunity to sign up for sessions. To facilitate the signup Mr. List will Zoom live into classrooms at the start of 2nd period. He will walk students through how to sign up for each session.
Thanks to everyone for offering such a wide variety of interesting, fun, and engaging activities! A special thank you to Melissa Cecchi, StuCo, and David List for organizing the event!
1/2 Day Schedule
Pep Rally info
The Pep Rally will be outside on Hanlon Field. During the Pep Rally, there are going to be games with class competition. Below is a form to fill out if you are interested in participating in any of the activities. Please fill out the form by next Monday 11/22.
Also we will be wearing our class colors on Wednesday and they are as follows:
Freshman: red
Sophomore: blue
Junior: white
Senior: black
Thanks from the MHS Library
Dear Medway Families and the MHS Book Club,
Thank you for your generous support of our school library! We are thrilled with the number and variety of books donated by our Medway High School community. Your support will help us as we seek to foster or rekindle a love of reading in our students. And a special thanks to the Book Club! Without your promotion efforts, we wouldn't have these wonderful new books.
Reena Johnson, ELA Educator
Sarah McCann Vaillancourt, Library Paraprofessional
Tina Stoval, Library Media Specialist
Driving Hours Dismissals
Scenes from MHS this Week!
Thank you MSPTO for our Faculty Soup Lunch!
November 14, 2021
Roll Stangs!
John Murray
Principal
Fall Post-Season Athletic Update
A special congratulations to our Football and Cheer team and Girls Soccer team who fought hard in defeat this week. Thank you to our seniors on the Girl's soccer team for a great four years. Our Football team and Cheer squad will play again on Thanksgiving morning (10 am) vs. Millis on Hanlon Field.
Congrats to our Cross Country team for their strong performance at the Divisional Meet on Saturday and to Erin Shipos who qualified for the All-State Meet.
Stay tuned to AD Jeff Parcells' Twitter and Instagram (@medwayathletics) updates for additional information.
Class of 2025 Elections
Report Cards
This Week's Events
November 16 Winter Sports - Meet the Coach Night
November 17 Tri M Induction 6:30 pm Auditorium
November 17 Boys Soccer State Semifinal vs. Norwell
November 18 School Council Meeting
November 18 School Committee Meeting
November 19 Quarter 1 Grades Posted
November 19 Tri M Coffee House - 7pm -9pm Library
November 20 Fall Play 7PM - 9PM Auditorium
November 21 Fall Play 2PM - 4PM Auditorium
Girl's Volleyball TBD
Pre-Thanksgiving Workshops and Pep Rally
November 5, 2021
Mask Exemption Update
Earlier this week, I had an opportunity to address the high school community via zoom to review the Mask Exemption with students. We also hosted a webinar for families to review our plan for implementation and address any questions. As a reminder, we have met the 80% vaccination rate threshold to apply for the waiver. In addition, in order to implement the mask exemption, MHS must meet the following five additional criteria:
No instances of in-school transmission at MHS - criteria met
No identified clusters within in-school groups (classroom, activity) - criteria met
Town of Medway positivity rate of less than 2% - criteria met
Weekly testing of at least 50% of MHS students and staff - criteria not met
School testing weekly positivity rate of 3% or less - criteria met
While we saw an uptick in testing participation this week, we will not meet the criteria to implement the mask exemption for next week. We will test again on Tuesday and I will report back to students and families about the rate of participation. As a district, we are looking at additional testing options to make it easier for students to participate. This may include adding another day for those who miss testing on Tuesdays. I've included a link to the presentation that was shared with students and families this week. Feel free to review and reach out to me with any questions.
Updated Bell Schedule (4 Lunches)
On November 8th, we will move to 4 lunches.
All lunches will take place in the cafeteria or outside.
We plan to move out the individual desks and bring back the lunch tables.
We also plan to move as many study halls as possible out of the cafeteria and into classrooms.
The library will no longer be a lunch space. We can begin transitioning the space back to a more traditional library
Grades Close November 9th
Please make sure to monitor student work completion and assessment grades via Infinite Campus and Google Classroom. If you are not sure how your child is doing, please reach out to the teacher directly and make sure to cc: the guidance counselor. We have one FLEX this week on 11/8 before grades close for students to have access to teachers built into the day. Students should also check in with teachers about availability before and after school. Report Cards will be posted on November 19th
Fall Play- Movies through the Decade
Signs of Suicide Program
Freshmen will receive the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program during their Wellness class this month. In this evidenced-based program, students will review the symptoms of depression, risk factors, and warning signs for suicide and where students go to get help and will complete a screening.
MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey
Barnes & Noble Book Fair
Saturday & Sunday, November 13-14, Sat. 9am-9pm, Sun. 10am-7pm
Barnes & Noble Bellingham
270 Hartford Ave, Bellingham
Purchase anything at the store to help raise funds for our high school library!
Students will be performing on Saturday.
SPONSORED BY THE MHS BOOK CLUB
October 31, 2021
Mask Exemption Update
Mask Exemption Request to DESE (from Community Update)
Last week, the School Committee authorized the execution of a mask exemption request to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on behalf of Medway High School. As you are aware, Medway High School qualifies for this exemption request with a vaccination rate of over 80% among students, faculty, and staff. In addition to the required vaccination rate, in order to implement the mask exemption, MHS must meet the following five additional criteria:
No instances of in-school transmission at MHS - criteria met
No identified clusters within in-school groups (classroom, activity) - criteria met
Town of Medway positivity rate of less than 2% - criteria met
Weekly testing of at least 50% of MHS students and staff - criteria not met
School testing weekly positivity rate of 3% or less - criteria met
MHS currently meets four out of five of the approved criteria. We are pleased to report that there was an increase in testing participation at MHS this week. Additionally, we have received feedback from students and staff that the time of day may not be optimal in gaining participation. We will continue to review our practices and identify opportunities for improvement.
A few notes:
It is important to note that the execution of the mask exemption, for vaccinated students and staff, will not go into effect until all five criteria are met. We will not meet the original November 8th date to implement the exemption. The earliest this could happen would be November 15th.
Important points to highlight connected to the implementation of the mask exemption
Vaccinated students and staff will have the option to not wear a mask, but those who wish to continue to wear their mask will be encouraged to do so. Our messaging will promote a safe and inclusive environment for those who must continue to wear a mask and those who wish to continue wearing a mask. We will not tolerate bullying and harassment.
Unvaccinated students and staff will still have to mask.
**There will be a school-wide zoom meeting during announcements on Monday to share this news with students. **
Attention students taking an AP course
Optional MCAS testing for Grade 12
We are writing to share important information regarding the upcoming MCAS test administration at Medway High School. As you are aware, this assessment is the state-mandated graduation requirement. Due to the pandemic, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has updated their MCAS requirement information and has determined that students currently enrolled in grade 12 will no longer be required to take and pass the Math and ELA MCAS to graduate.
Although the current 12th grade students do not need to take the Math, ELA MCAS to graduate, the tests are still what is used to determine which students qualify for a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship.
As this is no longer a graduation requirement, yet still determines eligibility for the Adams Scholarship we ask that you let us know if you would like your child to participate in this year's MCAS testing by filing out this form.
Math Test - November 9th and 10th
ELA Test - November 16th and 17th
To learn more about the qualifications required to attain the Adams Scholarship, please click here.
To see a more detailed explanation of the updated MCAS graduation requirement for the class of 2022, please click here.
Science Olympiad
Medway Science Olympiad Club completed their first Meet on Monday, October 25th. Our students competed against Olive Ames, Bridgewater Raynham, and Milford High Schools, .
Congratulations to Katie Gage & Destiny Ojukwu for earning Gold medals and Maggie Gagnon & Rebecca Chleboski for earning silver in Cell Biology. Nora Sullivan & Carter Pomponio for earning Gold medals and Caleb Perkins & Zhiwen Loo for earning bronze in Green Generation. Alex Montana & Emma Reardon for earning silver medals in “Write it do it.”
Congratulations to all participants!
Medway Lions sponsored High School Student Speech Competition.
If you want to win some money or an award the Medway Lions Club sponsors a high school speech competition. It provides an opportunity for students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 to speak publicly and freely on a designated topic of general interest. This year’s question is ” Why is accountability important?”
The competition starts at the local club level and proceeds through several levels of competition ending with a statewide competition. In between there are zone, region, and district levels of competitions where the winner of each level has the opportunity to proceed to the next level.
There are prizes and/or awards for each contestant at every level of competition. The prizes at the State Competition are $1,500 to the winner and $500 to each runner up. Prizes at other levels of competition are at the discretion of the Clubs or District Governor.
If you are interested in competing see Mrs. Hallett room 214-1 or come to the Leos next meeting Wednesday, November 3rd BEFORE school at 7:30.
First contest is being held virtually on December 15th. All sign ups need to be completed by Monday November 15th.
Read more at the Lions Youth Speech Competition website https://lionsyouthspeech.org
October 24, 2021
Parent-Teacher Conference Feedback
Yearbook
The Yearbook is looking for student submitted photos of clubs, activities, and events this year. Any club that would like to have their group included in the Yearbook should take and submit photos to mbrodeur@medwayschools.org. Any seniors who took photos from the recent Boat Cruise should submit them to the same address for inclusion in the yearbook.
ATTN: AP Students
Registration and payment for exams happens early in the school year.
The deadline to complete registration for the exam and submit the fees is Friday, Nov 5th.
To register, students MUST also “Join” their AP Classroom Section (different from Google Classroom) and select “YES” for taking the exam. Your student received instructions and join codes from their classroom teacher.
More information is available at AP Exam Registration.
The fee is $96 for EACH AP exam. There is a $40 late fee per exam for payments after November 5th. There are two options for payments:
1) Make checks payable to “Medway” and give them to Mrs. Rondeau, school counseling secretary. Use one check for all exams (1 exam $96, 2 exams $192, 3 exams $288, etc.). Students eligible for fee reductions should contact their school counselor. More information about eligibility for fee reductions is at Fee Reductions.
2) Pay via UNIpay by visiting https://unipaygold.unibank.com/default.aspx. Search Medway Public Schools, Click “Student Activities” on the left hand menu, click “AP Exam Fees” and proceed with the payment process. *Remember it is $96 per exam
All students taking an AP exam will prepare throughout the year. Teachers will be reviewing both test content and test strategy in class. Practice exam questions are available through the College Board at AP Exam Preparation. AP exams will be given between May 2nd and May 13th. The schedule is set by the College Board. The most up to date information about AP Exams is available at AP Test Dates. AP exams allow students to earn college credits (with a qualifying score). Students usually take an AP exam after completing an AP course; however, any student can take an AP exam. Additional information is available at Taking AP Exams.
Students approved for College Board testing accommodations will receive them for the AP exam. If you have an IEP or a 504 plan and have not received approval from the College Board for testing accommodations, please notify Ms. Allison Jasmin at ajasmin@medwayschools.org if you would like to submit an application to the College Board.
T.H.R.I.V.E Event- Dr. Lisa Damour
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. and Medway SEPAC are excited to host a virtual parent event on November 3, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. Lisa Damour, Ph.D., the New York Times bestselling author of Untangled, returns with an urgently needed guide to the alarming increase in anxiety and stress experienced by girls from elementary school through college. Damour details the many facets of girls’ lives where tension takes hold and offers critical coping strategies that will help parents to reduce their daughters’ anxiety and address the toxic pressures to which our culture subjects girls and young women. To register for this event, please click here.
PLEASE CONFIRM INFINITE CAMPUS INFO
The Parent Portal within Infinite Campus, our student management system, is a vital resource to help families stay up to date on students’ assignments, grades, and contact information. If you are a family that does not have an account, please email parent@medwayschools.org and we will forward a personal activation code to create one. ALL families are asked to please complete the Online Registration [OLR] option, better known as the “beginning of year packet,” within the parent portal system. This process allows parents to see the information we have on file and make updates if needed. We also require review and sign-off of our Responsible Use Policy and Handbook as part of this process. If you haven't already, please complete this process by selecting MORE (on the left menu) then Online Registration from the menu options.
Absence Reporting in Infinite Campus
MSPTO Update
Welcome to the new school year! It’s great to be back! We need your support! Although school has looked vastly different from past years, what has not changed is the need for your support. Your donations ensure that MSPTO is able to continue supporting our students, parents, and teachers. We need everyone’s help in making the 2021/2022 school year a success. Any gift of any size is important and appreciated! Please realize that this is our ONLY fundraiser. We are happy to offer Venmo (@Medway_MSPTO) and PayPal (medwaymspto@outlook.com) as easy payment options. Thanks for supporting the MSPTO and Medway Public Schools. Our donation form can be found here.
We hope you will join us for our kick off MSPTO meeting on Wednesday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Medway Middle School library. This will be an in person meeting and we are excited to see everyone in person. Our 2021/2022 meetings will be a combination of in person and virtual. We are also excited to bring back our annual Pop-up Shop! We will host this on Tuesday, November 30 at Medway High School, followed by our November meeting. We look forward to seeing everyone! Mark your calendars! Our 2021/2022 Meeting schedule is below:
Wednesday, October 27 room 202 (MS)
Tuesday, November 30 room 202 (HS)
(7th Annual Pop-Up Shop is Back! @ 6:00PM, followed by meeting@ 7:30 @ Medway High School)
Wednesday, January 26, 2022 (Virtual)
Wednesday, April, 27, 2022 (MS)
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 (HS)
The MSPTO is currently seeking volunteers! We need volunteers for the Middle School snack shack, Middle & High School Ski clubs, and teacher appreciations. We are also currently seeking Executive Board Members for 2022/2023 year. Please feel free to contact one of our Board members if you are interested in volunteering or learning more about the MSPTO. We look forward to connecting with new volunteers!
Co-President/MSPTO
Kathy Campbell & Stacy Hanbury
Co-Vice President/MS
Laura Connolly & Beth Levasseur
Co-Vice President/HS
Carolynne Benedetto & Jodi Leary
Secretary
Susan Rozak
Treasurer
Beth McHallam
October 18, 2021
Parent-Teacher Conferences (Virtual)
It is our pleasure to invite you to attend our Parent-Teacher Virtual Conferences, which have been scheduled for Tuesday, October 19th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Parents/guardians may select a five-minute block of time for each teacher, during which individual progress, grades, successes, and challenges can be shared.
This year we will be using Zoom to host the conferences. Before the 19th, we will send out a reminder email that will include the Zoom link for each conference. The Zoom link will also be available on the website where you book the conferences.
Scheduling of appointments begins on Tuesday, October 12th at 6:30 pm. (Scheduling closes at noon on Tuesday, October 19th)
The appointment scheduler can be found at http://medwayhs.schoolappointments.com/. When you arrive at the site, the following instructions will help you register and schedule appointments for your student(s):
School Appointments - Parent Instructions
*Registration into the system must be completed anew each year and opens on Thursday, October 7th at 6:30 pm. Please be aware that this is just the registration and does not guarantee or schedule an appointment
1. Go to our school appointments website: http://medwayhs.schoolappointments.com/
2. Register for an account by clicking the "REGISTER" menu tab and filling in the online form. Choose a user id and password for yourself and then click the "Register Now" button.
3. Add your children into the system by clicking the "Add a Student" button. Click the "Insert New" button to add more children.
On the day of registration please continue with step 4 (10/12-10/18)
4. Click the "date" icon beside each child's name to schedule appointments. Select the staff you wish to book appointments with and the "View Calendars" button. Use the "Ctrl" or "Command" key to select multiple staff to view at the same time.
5. Click on available time slots to book your appointments and then click the "Book Appointments" button to save your bookings.
If a time slot is not available, or you are unable to find a mutually convenient time, the system has an option to request a phone call/email back; teachers will honor that request for a call/email back within a week.
We thank you for your involvement, and our teachers look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, October 19 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
School Counseling Updates
H BLOCK COLLEGE APPLICATION HELP SESSIONS:
Counselors will be offering college application help sessions during H block on 10/18 and 10/26. Seniors should plan to sign up for H block if application ass
VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIRS:
The New England Association for College Admission Counseling invites you to our Virtual Fall College Fairs!
During the following times, College Representatives will be available in their virtual booths. You’ll also have access to important documents, videos, and more!
Virtual LIVE Dates & Times-
October 21 from 6-8:00pm
Registration for the College Fair is required, but it is FREE! To register, please visit: https://neacac.swoogo.com/Registration. If you already registered for an in-person fair, please log into your account at https://neacac.swoogo.com/Registration and click on the red “modify” link to add the Virtual Fair to your registration.
Q1 Progress Reports
In danger of failing letters for Q1 are being mailed home this week. Parents and families should connect with teachers regarding specific questions for an individual class. Teacher conferences are an excellent way to communicate with teachers about academic performance and suggestions. If you have a broader concern about academic progress, school counselors are available.
Nurses Update
Parents, please provide new medication orders and allergy or asthma action plans for your child(ren) who need to have prescription medications during school, such as Epipens. Medication orders are only valid for one year.
Also, please check to see that you have provided an updated physical exam and immunizations. Students are required to be vaccinated for Polio,Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and for students 16 or over, Meningitis. This does not apply if there is documentation of a medical and/or religious exemption. A medical exemption requires a doctor’s note. The exemption is required every year.
Save the Date Parent Event- Lisa Damour: Under Pressure
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. and Medway SEPAC are excited to host a virtual parent event on Nov 3, 2021at 7:00 PM. Lisa Damour, Ph.D., the New York Times bestselling author of Untangled, returns with an urgently needed guide to the alarming increase in anxiety and stress experienced by girls from elementary school through college. Damour details the many facets of girls’ lives where tension takes hold and offers critical coping strategies that will help parents to reduce their daughters’ anxiety and address the toxic pressures to which our culture subjects girls and young women. To register please click here.
SENIOR BOAT CRUISE!
October 11, 2021
Principal's Message
If your child has struggled with making the transition back to school, we have a variety of supports available from Flex Block, to NHS tutors, to reaching out and connecting directly with the teacher or school counselor. We also recommend signing up for a parent-teacher conference. If your child is doing well, there are still important conversations to have about sustaining the momentum and continuing to practice the skills that have brought success thus far. The mid-cycle update is a snapshot of where your child is at the moment. There is still plenty of time and support to meet the academic outcomes they are hoping for.
Best,
John Murray
Principal
Parent Reminders
-Please remind students to bring everything they need into school with them at the start of the day. We are not able to escort students to their cars for a forgotten item. -We can NOT accept parent drop-offs or deliveries for Starbucks, Dunkin, Take-out, Door Dash etc. -COVID testing for students is on Tuesdays -Please remind students to clean up after themselves. We continue to find trash and discarded masks across campus. -Please remind students to scan in/out when entering/departing school
PSAT grade 10 + 11
Please read the important information below regarding the PSAT’s on Wednesday, October 13th.
When is the test? Wednesday, October 13th, 2021, beginning promptly at 8:04. More information about the PSAT is at: PSAT Information
All 10th and 11th grade students will be assigned to rooms and must take the test in the assigned room. Please arrive at school no later than 7:45 am on that morning.
Go to your assigned testing room when the bell rings.
If you arrive between 8:04 and 8:15 - Please report to the main office, then your assigned testing room.
If you arrive after 8:15, you will not be able to test. After reporting to the main office, you will be directed to another non-testing room.
An email will be sent out on Tuesday with room assignments.
What do I bring:
Two No. 2 pencils with erasers
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPens) are permitted without the need for accommodations. They must be placed in a clear bag and stored under the student’s desk during testing.
What is not allowed?
Any devices, including smartwatches, that can be used to record, transmit, receive or play back audio, photographic, text, or video content
Protractors, compasses, rulers
Highlighters, colored pens, colored pencils
Pamphlets or papers of any kind
Dictionaries or other books—there are no exceptions, even if English is not your first language
Food and drinks—including bottled water—unless approved by the College Board's Services for Students with Disabilities.
If you have not signed up for the test yet, please bring a check made out to Medway High School to Mrs. Rondeau in Guidance. All students are expected to participate in the test.
MHS PSAT Website
Flu Vaccine Clinic
A free flu vaccination clinic will be taking place Oct 14, 2021 from 3:00 PM-5:00 PM at Medway High School and Oct 20, 2021from 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM at Medway Senior Center. The clinic is open to all Medway residents, ages 3+. For more details please click here.
Ally Week
TADA will be hosting daily activities in the Foyer the week of 10/12 - 10/15, culminating in a Friday in the Foyer. Students will have the opportunity to participate in activities and learn how they can be an ally.
Senior Boat Cruise
Dear Class of 2022,
Based on our ticket sales, it appears that the majority of the class can join us for Boat Cruise on Saturday, October 16th. We are excited by this great turnout and are looking forward to the event. Below is a breakdown of the day. Please reach out as soon as possible if you have any questions.
4:00 - Students may begin to arrive at MHS
4:30 - Presentation of instructions, last call for restrooms
4:45 - Begin boarding buses
5:00 - Depart MHS
6:00 - Arrive at Spirit of Boston dock
7:00 - Boat departs from the harbor
10:00 - Boat arrives in harbor, reboard buses
10:15 - Last call, return trip to MHS
11:15 - Return to MHS, students depart property
FAQ’s
Masks - must be worn on the bus, while boarding/departing the boat, and while inside the boat. Students may remove masks if outside or while eating/drinking.
The cruise will occur rain or shine, as there are indoor and covered spaces. (Dress accordingly!)
Dinner will be served on the cruise. No outside food/drink allowed. Please reach out if you have additional allergy concerns.
Students are required to ride the bus to and from the cruise.
Students must have their own transportation home upon arrival back at MHS
Looking forward to setting sail with you all soon!
Picture Day
This summer, we engaged in a vetting process for potential school photographers for the high school. Over the past few years, we received feedback from families that our school photography vendor was not meeting the needs of our community, specifically in the area of customer service. Parents provided feedback which was helpful to the administration for this process.
We are pleased to share that we are moving forward with Legacy Studios. Legacy Studios serves many communities and universities throughout the Northeast. We have engaged in a one-year partnership with them with the hopes of continuing for years to come.
As you may know, school pictures serve as a school fundraiser. Our former provider also provided schools with a percentage of the sales. Proceeds from school picture fundraising with Legacy Studios will support pictures, yearbooks, and prom tickets for students in need.
Information about school picture packages will be sent to you via email soon and the picture dates are as follows:
Picture Day: October 19, 2021
Make-up Picture Day: December 1st, 2021
Information for those wishing to use Legacy Studios for senior portraits will be sent out separately.
We know that school pictures capture a special moment in time and we are excited to move forward with Legacy Studios.
533 Community Service Club
October 3, 2021
Principal Message
We're also seeing some challenges with reacclimating to normal school routines and some uncharacteristic behavior. The emergence of negative Tik Tok challenges and an uptick in vaping is particularly concerning. While I believe that the majority of our students are behaving appropriately, I bring this to your attention so that we can tackle the problem together. We will step up our efforts to address these issues across the school and include additional education regarding vaping. I'm hoping you can address these concerns with your students at home. I encourage students to share their concerns with any of the adults in the building.
Thank you,
John Murray
Principal
Homecoming
PSAT- October 13
The PSAT/NMSQT will be given to sophomores and juniors on October 13th. The test is a practice for the SAT. Students taking the test also receive access to SAT practice materials through Khan Academy can receive information from colleges, and (for juniors) may qualify for scholarships based on test scores.
Information about the test, including links to additional resources, as well as registration and fees have been passed out to students on September 15th and September 17th. The cost of the test is $18. Checks can be made out to Medway High School and can be dropped off to Mrs. Rondeau in the Guidance office. Students eligible for reduced fees should see their school counselor regarding payment.
October 13th is a Day 6 but we will have a special schedule for the day beginning with Flex Block (H). We will have special activities planned for grades 9 and 12 while 10 and 11 test.
Ally Week: 10/12 -10/15
TADA will be hosting daily activities in the Foyer the week of 10/12 - 10/15, culminating in a Friday in the Foyer. Students will have the opportunity to participate in activities and learn how they can be an ally.
COVID-19 Testing
We are encouraging all staff and students, regardless of their vaccination status, to participate in the weekly COVID-19 safety checks. To participate in these testing options, please complete this consent form and select Medway as your district as well as the appropriate school for your student.
Medway High School students should report to the gym lobby upon arrival Tuesday for testing.
Parent-Teacher Conferences- October 19 (Virtual)
Our Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place virtually on October 19th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to select a five-minute block of time with each teacher to discuss individual progress so far this year. The virtual meetings were well received last year due to their ease and efficiency. Later this week, we'll share registration information for conferences.
National Merit Commended Scholars
Congratulations to the following students for being awarded a National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation!
Rebecca Chleboski
Madeline Gagnon
Sarah McCarthy
Gustavo Mercier
Sean Parrinello
NHS In-School Tutoring
The National Honor Society in-school tutoring program is underway on Monday. Students who have studies can drop into work one-on-one with an NHS tutor. Mrs. Donovan will be able to keep track of attendance.
Post-Secondary Meeting Follow-up
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/7753209959811623952
INDIVIDUAL SENIOR APPOINTMENT WITH COUNSELOR
Starting October 1st, seniors may begin to schedule their individual senior appointment with their counselor.
To schedule an appointment students will need to email Mrs. Rondeau, the School Counseling Secretary at jrondeau@medwayschools.org.
Your appointments must be during your senior priv, a study hall, or an H block.
If you have an ED or EA deadline make sure to set up your senior appointment ASAP!
School Lunches
Per the USDA and DESE each school age child is allowed one free breakfast and one free lunch per day. ALL OTHER meals or additional items must be paid for by the student. In order to account for ala carte and second meal purchases, we will set up terminals where students can scan their individualized barcode which can be found in the Infinite Campus application.
If a student wishes to get a 2nd meal or get an ala carte item, it will be expected that they pay for these items. As this process is touchless students will not be able to pay for 2nd meals or ala carte items. Please make sure to load your child's lunch account if you suspect they may want to buy a 2nd lunch or ala carte items.
News from the MSPTO
*News from the MSPTO**
Welcome to the New School Year! It’s great to be back!
We need your support! Although school has looked vastly different from past years, what has not changed is the need for your support. Your donations ensure that MSPTO is able to continue supporting our students, parents, and teachers. We need everyone’s help in making the 2021/2022 school year a success. Any gift of any size is important and appreciated! Please realize that this is our ONLY fundraiser. We are happy to offer Venmo (@Medway_MSPTO) and PayPal (medwaymspto@outlook.com) as easy payment options. Thanks for supporting the MSPTO and Medway Public Schools
Our donation form can be found here: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnigJta8cq9n4iIBW1l-qc9PlTbj
*Special Raffle for HS Seniors* Enter to win the monthly VIP parking spot! Winners are drawn on the 1st of each month and will begin October 1st. This month's winner is Andrew Rozak
We hope you will join us for our kick off MSPTO meeting on Wednesday, October 27th at 7:00PM in the Middle School library. This will be an in person meeting and we are excited to see everyone in person. Our 2021/2022 meetings will be a combination of in person and virtual. We are also excited to bring back our annual Pop-up Shop! We will host this on Tuesday, November 30th at Medway High School, followed by our November meeting. We look forward to seeing everyone! Mark your calendars! Our 2021/2022 Meeting schedule is below:
Wednesday, October 27th 202 (MS)
Tuesday, November 30th 202 (HS)
(7th Annual Pop-Up Shop is Back! @ 6:00PM, followed by meeting@ 7:30)
Wednesday, January 26th 2022 (Virtual)
Wednesday, April, 27th 2021 (MS)
Wednesday, May 25th 2022 (HS)
- The MSPTO is currently seeking volunteers! We need volunteers for the Middle School snack shack, Middle & High School Ski clubs, teacher appreciations. We are also currently seeking Executive Board Members for 2022/2023 year. Please feel free to contact one of our Board members if you are interested in volunteering or learning more about the MSPTO. We look forward to connecting with new volunteers!
Co-President/MSPTO
Kathy Campbell & Stacy Hanbury
Campbellka66@outlook.com,stacyhansbury@gmail.com
Co-Vice President/MS
Laura Connolly & Beth Levasseur
leconnolly@gmail.com, mrsjleva@yahoo.com
Co-Vice President/HS
Carolynne Benedetto & Jodi Leary
carb424@yahoo.com, jleary1271@gmail.com
Secretary
Susan Rozak
Treasurer
Beth McHallam
- We were thrilled to help welcome back students and staff to the 2021/22 school year!! The MSPTO is happy to support our amazing teachers, staff and students!
September 19, 2021
I'm sharing a brief Mustang Minute with you to share a reminder about the Back to School Night, some updates from our school counselors, and a new plan for addressing student pick-up in the afternoon.
I look forward to welcoming you back to MHS this week and providing an overview of our programs and practices for the '21-'22 school year. We'll have student reps from NHS and Peer Counselors on hand to assist you in finding your way around the building. As we've said before, we're trying to keep things as normal as possible. We're just wearing masks and distancing indoors. We'll have those same protocols in place for our parents on Tuesday night and we hope that you'll support our efforts.
Thank you,
John Murray
Principal
Back to School Night
MHS will host Back to School Night on September 21st from 6:00 pm-8:15 pm. This event is an opportunity for parents/guardians to follow their child's schedule and meet with each of their child's classes for 10 minutes. Teachers typically share a brief overview of their course and their expectations for student learning. Teachers also share other information like their method for communication, grading policy, and how to access Google Classroom. Teachers are always available to answer questions by email or phone call, however, this event is not intended to answer questions about individual students.
The event will begin with a presentation by Dr. Murray and the administrative staff in the auditorium at 6 pm.
This will be an in-person event with attendance limited to one parent/guardian per student and follow masking and distancing guidelines.
Students schedules will be available in the main lobby, however, we strongly encourage you to access the schedule via the Infinite Campus: Campus Parent Portal.
Also, each grade will be conducting a dues drive in the lobby. Our partners from the MSPTO and the MFE will also have a table in the lobby with information to share.
BTSN SCHEDULE
DAY 1 + B, G
Period A - 6:35 – 6:45
Period C 6:50 – 7:00
Period D - 7:05 – 7:15
Period E - 7:20 – 7:30
Period F - 7:35 – 7:45
Period B- 7:50 – 8:00 (First Block Day 2)
Period G - 8:05 – 8:15 (Last Block Day2)
Physical Education classes scheduled to meet in the gym will meet in Cafeteria.
Updates from School Counseling
NEACAC COLLEGE FAIR
Please save the date! Worcester State University is excited to host an in-person NEACAC college fair on Sunday, October 3, 2021, from 11 am to 1 pm in the Wellness Center, Competition Gymnasium. Over 100 colleges and universities will be in attendance.
This event is free and open to the public.
Ample parking is available on-site
Facial coverings are required to be worn at all times while indoors.
What: NEACAC College Fair
Where: Worcester State University, Wellness Center
486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA
When: Sunday, October 3, 2021 (11 am - 1 pm)
PSAT
The PSAT/NMSQT will be given to sophomores and juniors on October 13th. The test is a practice for the SAT. Students taking the test also receive access to SAT practice materials through Khan Academy can receive information from colleges, and (for juniors) may qualify for scholarships based on test scores.
Information about the test, including links to additional resources, as well as registration and fees have been passed out to students on September 15th and September 17th. Students eligible for reduced fees should see their school counselor regarding payment.
Students, you can pick up a Study Guide for the PSAT's in Guidance.
SENIOR WORKSHOPS
A reminder that the counselors will be meeting with all seniors on Tuesday, September 21st or Friday, September 24th from 12:12-1:19 pm during H block
Seniors will be assigned to their counselor for this presentation during one of the above dates and times. Students should check their Infinite Campus to see which day they are scheduled.
Counselors will review the college application process and procedures.
JOB FAIR
On Wednesday, we hosted a job fair for students. If your child missed out on the job fair or would like more information, please note that the School Counseling Office has copies of resources and applications for the many wonderful organizations that were in attendance.
Student Pick-up
533 Club Homeless Shelter Drive
The 533 Club is collecting items for the homeless shelter starting this Monday, September 20th. There will be bins in the main lobby outside of the office where donations can be dropped off.
The shelter is need of the following items:Laundry baskets
Plastic laundry baskets
Cloth laundry baskets
Bandaids (all sizes)
Antibacterial cream
Tweezers
Alcohol wipes
Instant ice packs
September 12, 2021
Best,
John Murray
Principal
Back to School Night
MHS will host Back to School Night on September 21st from 6:00pm-8:15pm. This event is an opportunity for parents/guardians to follow their child's schedule and meet with each of their child's classes for 10 minutes. Teachers typically share a brief overview of their course and their expectations for student learning. Teachers also share other information like their method for communication, grading policy, and how to access Google Classroom. Teachers are always available to answer questions by email or phone call , however, this event is not intended to answer questions about individual students.
The event will begin with a presentation by Dr. Murray and the administrative staff in the auditorium at 6pm.
This will be an in person event with attendance limited to one parent/guardian per student and follow masking and distancing guidelines.
BTSN SCHEDULE
DAY 1 + B, G
Period A - 6:35 – 6:45
Period C 6:50 – 7:00
Period D - 7:05 – 7:15
Period E - 7:20 – 7:30
Period F - 7:35 – 7:45
Period B- 7:50 – 8:00 (First Block Day 2)
Period G - 8:05 – 8:15 (Last Block Day2)
Physical Education classes scheduled to meet in the gym, will meet in Cafeteria.
We will follow up with information about how to access schedules.
School Council Members Needed
We are looking for parents to join the School Council. School Council is a group of educators, students, parents, and community members who support the development of school programs and improvement plans, review policy, and play an advisory role to the principal. The School Council has been instrumental in bringing about many of the changes at MHS over the past several years. We meet on the last Thursday of every month from 3:00pm-4:00pm. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to me directly.
Updates from School Counseling
Senior Workshops
Tuesday, September 21st and Friday Or September 24th from 12:12-1:19pm during H block
Seniors will be assigned to their counselor for this presentation during one of the above dates and times. Students should check their Infinite Campus to see which day they are scheduled.
Counselors will review the college application process and procedures.
Individual Senior Appointment with School Counselor
Starting October 1st, seniors may begin to schedule their individual senior appointment with their counselor.
To schedule an appointment students will need to email Mrs. Rondeau, the School Counseling Secretary at jrondeau@medwayschools.org.
All seniors should have completed their Student Data Portfolio (in ℅ 2022 School Counseling Google Classroom) and Activity Resume (in Naviance) prior to individual appointments with counselors.
Your appointments must be during your senior priv, a study hall, or an H block.
If you have an ED or EA deadline make sure to set up your senior appointment ASAP!
Virtual Senior Family Post Secondary Planning Night
Come learn about the college application process and procedures for senior year
This will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 28th at 6:30pm
GoToWebinar registration link to follow
College Financing with MEFA
The Massachusetts Education Financing Authority (MEFA) will only hosting virtual webinars
Please visit: https://www.mefa.org/events and and sign up for one or both of the suggested webinars:
College Financing
Understanding the FAFSA
Virtual College Representatives Connect with Medway High School
College representatives have been requesting visits to Medway High School. This will allow students to learn more about colleges they are interested in. Representatives will provide an overview of their college to students and answer questions.
These sessions will be held during H blocks in person or virtually.
Students must sign up in advance to meet with the representatives.
The list of visiting schools can be viewed on Naviance’s homepage under “What’s New” and continue with the registration process by clicking “Register” at the top right of the screen.
Students will receive a link to virtually join these sessions 15 minutes prior to the meeting or will be informed if the session is in person.
Standardized Testing Information
For registration and up to date information for the SAT please visit:
For registration and up to date information for the ACT please visit:
Standardized Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Students who are on a 504 or IEP plan may qualify for accommodations on the PSAT, SAT, AP Exams and ACT. For more information, please review the letter and deadlines below.
Job Fair- September 15
Representatives from local businesses will be present during Flex block on Wednesday, September 15th to meet with students about employment opportunities. Local businesses include:
The Willows at Medway
Shaw’s Supermarket
The Little Gym of Medway
The Adirondack Club
Walgreens
CVS Pharmacy
Papa Gino’s
Dunkin Donuts
Town of Medway Parks and Recreation
Medway Community Education Department
Galante’s Restaurant
Medway Fire Department
Medway Manor
Supreme Pizza
COVID-19 Updates
Student and Staff Testing Options
This school year we will again be conducting COVID-19 safety checks (formerly pool testing), for students and staff. We have partnered with CIC Health. To learn more about CIC Health, please visit their website. We saw great success with our testing program last year and are grateful for the opportunity to continue testing this year.
In addition to the weekly COVID-19 safety checks we will also conduct diagnostic testing. Diagnostic testing is a self-administered, anterior nares test, similar to weekly testing, that can be used within schools to test students if they are displaying symptoms during the school day or who are deemed a close contact. These results are available 15-20 minutes after testing. We are encouraging all staff and students, regardless of their vaccination status, to participate in the weekly COVID-19 safety checks.
COVID-19 Protocols
As we have shared, the updated COVID-19 protocols are different than last year, and are more confusing. We also know, as we experienced last year, there will continue to be changes to these protocols as we gain experience with the Delta variant of COVID-19. As these changes occur, we will communicate them as quickly as possible.
One recent change to the protocols relates to the determination of a COVID-19 positive individual’s quarantine timeline. The change that was approved by the Department of Public Health establishes the start of the quarantine timeline on the receipt of a positive COVID-19 test, not at symptom onset, as was the previous protocol.
Finally, we have developed flowcharts to assist in determining the protocols to follow for a positive individual, as well as, a close contact. The flowcharts can be found here.
Odds and Ends
- Early Dismissal? Enter it in Infinitie Campus, send in a note, or email Janet Suarez (jsuarez@medwayschools.org)
- Morning Drop-off- We are aware that there is traffic on Summer St. We anticipate that this will be a daily occurance. Please give yourself plenty of time in the morning for student drop-off. Our classes begin at 8:04am and we are holding students accountable for being tardy to school.
- Afternoon pick-up- Please try not to arrive to MHS for afternoon pickup before 2:25pm. The early arrivals are making it difficult for the buses to enter the high school from Summer St.
- Lockers- All 9th grade students have been assigned a locker. Lockers are available for grades 10-12 by request. Please fill out this form if you are interested in getting a locker.
Weekend Student Nutrition Program Interest Survey
During the 2021-2022 school year Medway Public Schools plans to support student nutrition by offering student-friendly food items and nutritional staples to all interested families. The intent of this survey is to gauge interest in our program and to gather feedback on how to best design it to meet student and family needs. We ask that all interested families please complete this survey by Friday, September 17. Thank you for your help!
August 29, 2021
Welcome Back!
I hope you have all had a restful and relaxing summer! We are excited about our return to school this coming Wednesday, September 1st. Our faculty and staff have been hard at work preparing their lessons and getting the building ready to welcome everyone back. As you are aware, we will have additional safety protocols in place including universal masking and distancing in classrooms and in eating spaces. While that might be disappointing to some, we are in a much better space than we were a year ago. Of utmost importance is that we are all together from day 1! We’ve also learned a lot about how to run a school in this environment. Other than masks and distancing, school will resemble what it looked like prior to the pandemic. Students will be able to engage in cooperative work, clubs and activities will run before and after school, traditions that we weren’t able to do will return, etc. We will also return to our protocols for daily attendance, monitoring tardiness to school, and our off and away cell phone policy. We’re looking to get back to as much normalcy as we can. As we return to school in this environment, I am hopeful that we will continue to have the support of the community in enforcing the COVID based protocols and our return to our typical expectations for students.
We will continue to use this space to share updates about school protocols and the happenings at MHS this year. Please feel free to reach out to any of our administrators directly if you have any questions or concerns.
We can’t wait to see our students next week!
Roll Stangs!
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
2021-2022 Back to School Webinar and Flow Charts
Thank you to those families who were able to join our 2021-2022 Back to School Webinar last evening. Please find a recording of the webinar, presentation slides, and responses to questions that were asked by attendees at the following links:
Webinar Recording: 2021-2022 MPS Return to School
2021-2022 MPS Return to School Webinar Presentation
Attendee Questions and Answers
We are also including the 2021-2022 Medway Public Schools Return to School Plan for your review. This plan will be updated as needed and as additional guidance from the state becomes available. We will continue to alert families to these changes.
Finally, the link below will bring you to flowcharts that more effectively describe the process to follow should if your child is symptomatic for COVID-19 or deemed a close contact.
First Two Days of School
Cellphones- "Off and Away"
Student-Parent Handbook
Social Media Platforms
Over the past few years, our administrators and teachers have increasingly used Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as communication tools. These platforms provide us with a great opportunity to share information with our community in short, informative snippets.
Please see below for the official social platforms for our school. We invite you to follow, share, and like all content shared within the district throughout the coming year.
Facebook:
Medway Public Schools @MedwayPublicSchools
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. @MedwayThrive
Twitter:
Medway Public Schools @MedwaySchools
Medway High School @MedwayHighInfo
Medway Athletics @MedwayAthletics
Medway Wellness @MPS_Wellness_
Instagram:
Medway Public Schools @MedwaySchools
Medway High School @MedwayHighSchool
Medway Athletics @MedwayAthletics
Summer 2021 Update
Greetings from Dr. Murray
Dear Students and Families,
I hope that you and your family have been able to enjoy a restful and relaxing summer! After the past year and a half, it has been great to enjoy a sense of normalcy with family and friends. While we wish to savor every moment of the summer, we are rapidly approaching the start of school and are in the process of finalizing plans for Opening Day on Wednesday, September 1st. We look forward to having students back in our classrooms and hallways filled with energy and enthusiasm for learning. On behalf of the administrators and staff at Medway High School, welcome to the 2021-2022 school year!
This year, our work will be guided by the Medway Public Schools 2019-2024 Strategic Plan: Excellence for All: A Medway Mindset. On day one and every day thereafter, it is our goal to improve learning for all by engaging students in active-continuous learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom. We are also committed to supporting the needs of all of our students by forming relationships built on trust and mutual respect that enhances our positive learning environment. Through these efforts, our students will be prepared and empowered to thrive at MHS and beyond.
Our families play a critical role as partners in the students’ journey and we strive to keep you informed in a variety of ways. Follow Medway High School updates on Twitter (@MedwayHighInfo) and look for biweekly email updates from me via the Mustang Minute. Also, please do not hesitate to reach out to teachers, counselors, or administrators with questions or concerns.
As part of our preparation, we wish to share some important updates with you (below) to help prepare you and your child(ren) for the start of school. Because there is so much to share, we’ll follow up again to offer an opportunity for parents and students to participate in a webinar closer to the opening of school. At this time, we do not have any updates to share with you about our COVID protocols. We anticipate that more information and guidance will be coming soon to help inform the next steps for our school and district. In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy the rest of the summer and I look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
Student Schedules
School Counselors will be available to review schedules that are missing acadmic courses, graduation requirements, or student services. Students may use this form to request such a review for the reasons above.
Freshman Orientation
We are excited to welcome the Class of 2025 to Medway High School! On Wednesday, August 25th, we are hosting our Freshman Orientation from 9:00am to 2:30 pm. You are invited to join us to learn more about our school, our culture, and beginning getting acclimated with high school.
Orientation will be a time for incoming freshmen to…
Learn tips for high school success and set goals for freshman year.
Learn about student organizations and school expectations.
Understand the schedule rotation and locate lockers and classrooms.
Participate in our Clubs and Activities Fair and meet student representatives.
Receive access and engage in activities on Naviance, our online college and career tool.
Enjoy lunch in our cafeteria courtesy of the Class of 2022. Lunch will consist of pizza, salad and fruit. If a student wishes to bring their own lunch, they may do so.
Our Peer Counselors, a group of upperclassmen who are trained to support students in their transition to high school will play a major role in our Freshman Orientation. Each Peer Counselor has been paired with a small group of freshmen. During the summer, the Peer Counselors will contact each student to introduce themselves and extend a personal invite to Freshman Orientation.
Parents are invited to arrive for the opening session with students at 9:00 am. Students will leave the opening session with Peer Counselors at 10:00am. Parents may remain until 10:25 am for questions and answers with administrators, or depart and return for student pick up at 2:30pm.
Students are asked to bring their backpack with a writing instrument, chromebook and charger. If your child is new to Medway or does not have their device from 8th grade, they will be able to pick up your device from the Medway High School Library at 10:30am.
We look forward to seeing you at Freshman Orientation. We strongly encourage all freshmen to attend though attendance is not mandatory. We wish you all a safe and enjoyable summer! Please reach out if you have any questions.
1:1 Chromebook Program
All incoming grade 9 students and returning 10-12 MHS students should bring to school the chromebooks that the school has been prevously issued to them for daily use. Students who are new to our district should access our Chromebook website to learn about our distribution and insurance process.
Fall Athletics Meeting and Start Dates
The Annual Athletic Meeting and Fall Season Meet the Coach Night will take place on Tuesday, August 17th at 6:00pm. The meetings wil be virtual and the links will be sent out by Mr. Parcells on Monday morning. This meeting is for all high school student-athletes and at least one parent/guardian (regardless of the season of play). Please contact AD Jeff Parcells (jparcells@medwayschools.org) with any questions.
Football and Cheer practice begins on August 20th
All other fall high school sports begin on August 23rd.
Interested in playing a sport in the fall? Visit this link for more info!
Upcoming Dates
August 17: Fall Sports - Meet the Coach Night - 6 pm
August 25: 9th Grade Orientation - 9:00-2:15
August 25: Clubs and Activities Fair- 11:00 -1:00 (Gym)
September 1: First Day of Classes
September 3: No School
September 6: No School - Labor Day
September 7: No School - Rosh Hashanah
March 28, 2021
TWO WEEKS TO GO!
I'm referring to the next two weeks as our Spring Training with April 12th as Opening Day. As we go through the next two weeks, our students will hear more reminders over the announcements, in the hallways, at lunch, and in their classes about following the protocols. We've been doing this all year, but there will be an added sense of urgency here. We need everyone's support here!
Thank you to all of the families who attended the Curriculum Night, MSPTO meeting, and my morning webinar. We know there's a lot going on and we appreciate all of your support and feedback. This is a reminder that there is no school on Friday. To our families who celebrate the holidays, Happy Passover and Happy Easter!
Best,
John
AP/MCAS Dates
Meal Access for Remote Learners
As we prepare for more students to make their full return to school, remote meal distribution will now take place on Thursday mornings from 7 am to 9 am. Beginning Thursday, April 1, 2021 students who have opted for remote learning may pick-up meals at Medway Middle School on Thursdays from 7 am to 9 am at the Door # 24 on the Kelly Street entrance side of the building. A week's worth of meals will be offered during this pick-up date each week. Please see the food services website for menus. https://medwayschools.nutrislice.com/ Please contact Shawn Fallon at sfallon@medwayschools.org if you have any questions or concerns.
The Pandemic Effect: Student Social and Emotional Challenges
Save the Date: Medway Thrive presents The Pandemic Effect: Student Social/Emotional Challenges on April 13 at 6:30 p.m. Join Dr. Elizabeth Englander for a FREE webinar about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on students’ social and emotional health. Event registration and information can be found here: https://bit.ly/3d3w8OY. Please note, Dr. Sherman will send an all-parent email a week before the presentation and another as a reminder the day of. We hope you can join us!
March 21, 2021
I hope you have all had an enjoyable weekend. Over the last week, I’ve had an opportunity to hear from many students, parents, and staff about our full in-person return. I’m happy to hear that so many are looking forward to our return and to the beginnings of a return to normalcy. Many of those I have spoken to have also shared concerns that people are starting to relax their practices around masking, social distancing, and gatherings. We are committed to opening school in the safest manner possible for all. Our community has supported us so well in these efforts all year and your vigilance is appreciated. In the three weeks leading up to the return, please continue to support us in this effort by continuing to stress the importance of mask wearing (over the mouth and nose), participating in our weekly COVID testing program, and limiting gatherings.
We also continue to plan supports for the mental health and social and emotional needs of students. We recognize that our return can bring about anxiety about being in full classroom spaces with larger groups of people or concerns about being with people they have not seen all year. We have also seen violence and hate in Atlanta this week against Asian Americans that has raised questions and concerns for many students. It’s important to reaffirm that our schools will not condone or tolerate acts of racism and must continue to be safe spaces for all students to learn. Our teachers and school counselors are prepared to support our students’ needs if they have concerns about events in our world or close to home.. Please feel free to reach out to them or to me with any questions or needed support
This week, our planning continues for the 2021-2022 school year. On Tuesday night, we will welcome incoming 9th grade students and families to join us for Curriculum Night. This will be followed by a Curriculum Night webinar for current 9-11 students. We will also share a website that offers students and families a more interactive way of engaging with our Program of Studies. By the end of the week, our teachers will have entered recommendations for course levels for next year and the process of requesting electives will begin.
Thanks again for all of your support as we continue to plan for what’s ahead of us in the short and long term.
Best,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
COVID-19 Testing for Students: It’s Not Too Late to Enroll Your Students
If you would like your child to participate in pool testing, we ask that you complete and return the attached Student COVID-19 Testing Consent Form as soon as possible. The form should be completed, signed (we can not accept an electronic signature), scanned, and returned to us via email to: testingconsent@medwayschools.org. If you have already submitted a consent form, you do not need to submit another form. The previously completed consent form is valid for the rest of the school year.
If you would like a paper copy of the consent form, you can pick one up at your child’s school.
Questions or concerns about the consent form or the testing program can be directed to Kylie O’Neill at koneill@medwayschools.org.
Also, please find the following informational resources that may be useful:
Explanatory Video on How to Scan and Email a Document
Recording of Medway Public School Webinar- January 27, 2021
Slideshow about Regular Student Testing Program from Webinar
Testing Partner Information - Concentric By Ginkgo
Ginkgo Webinar Registration Link
Additional Information from Concentric by Ginkgo
Half-Day Schedule Wednesday (All Students Remote)
Class Dues
Our class officers are sharing a friendly reminder to send in class dues for all grades if you haven't already. Class dues provide important funding for class events, and we thank you for your contributions. We're hopeful that we'll be able to offer more in-person activities as the weather improves and as gathering limits allow.
Freshman $30
Sophomore $35
Junior $40
Senior $45
Class dues can be paid single-year, multi-year, or all together for $150. Pay online through Unibank on the Medway Public Schools website (under Parents & Students, Unibank Online Payments) or by using the following link: https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactioninfo.aspx?TID=7272. Sophomores, if you are unsure if you have paid already, email Mrs. Brodeur at mbrodeur@medwayschools.org.
Voice of MHS
New Class of 2024 Officers!
Congratulations to your newly elected Freshman class officers!
President: Elizabeth Kenney
Treasurer: Ava Fahey
Secretary: Megan Keavany
March 14, 2021
Full, In-Person Return to School April 12th!
We are pleased to share that we are planning a full, in-person return to school for students in the hybrid model beginning on April 12th. The Virtual School will remain intact for students learning in the fully remote model. While there are a series of logistics that we are working on, in this full in-person model, students and faculty will still follow important safety protocols. All members of the school community will be required to wear masks, be socially distant, wash and sanitize their hands regularly, and stay home when sick or symptomatic. In addition, we will continue to implement cleaning protocols, effective ventilation, and other important mitigation strategies. However, physical distancing in most classrooms will now be at less than 6' to accommodate all of our students. Lunches will remain at 6' of social distancing.
Last Tuesday, the district shared a webinar with families in grades 6-12 that outlined the return and the metrics that we used to determine that now is the time for this return. I have shared the slides and recording below.
We are excited to welcome the students back in full next month. We also recognize that for some of our students and families, this shift can cause some discomfort. Over the days and weeks ahead, I will share more detailed plans about the reopening including updated safety protocols and an updated bell schedule. I will also have drop in time weekly for parents and host sessions during H block to hear student concerns about the return. We will also host a webinar for all students and families the week before the return like we did before the start of the school year.
Thank you for your patience and support throughout the year. We're looking forward to this next phase for our school and the prospect of brighter days ahead.
Best,
John
School Counseling Updates
SAT (May 8th, Medway High School)- We've increased our seat capacity for the May test at Medway High School. Please make sure to sign up as soon as possible.
Individual Junior Appointments:
Beginning March 22, 2021 through June
Students must complete:
Student Data Portfolio & Parent/Guardian Brag Sheet (located in ℅ 2022 School Counseling Google classroom). *Juniors were given this join code during school counselor presentations on March
Activity Resume (Naviance)
Once completed, students must email Mrs. Rondeau at jrondeau@medwayschools.org to request an appointment.
Counselors will review courses selected for senior year, testing plans, letters of recommendation, college major interest, colleges students are interested in, and create TO DO list for the summer
Junior Spring ‘To-Do’ Checklist:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11fZfAejwJaD9smmDLKImV-JqMf1AZM-1fWLTY3TIWT8/edit
Students and Parents: Please continue to review this resource below regarding ongoing virtual college fairs, webinars and other post-secondary planning resources:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iF_qiGC_h6uY1i8h0tAF-y_P300raBAQqdPBMt2UGTI/edit
College Essay Summer Workshop: https://www.medwayschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_547022/Image/Department/CommEd/summer%20insert%2021.pdf
Q3 Mid-Quarter Update
Week of Gratitude and Self-Care:
The month of March can be difficult both physically and emotionally for many. In an effort to rejuvenate our spirits, especially during this challenging year, the Peer Counselors along with the 40% Happiness Club and Student Council, will be hosting a 'Week of Gratitude and Self-Care' March 15th-19th. There will be music and surprise handouts in the lobby, a Muffin House gift card raffle, gratitude and self-care related activities during DSB Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, along with fun H block activities on Tuesday and Friday hosted by students and staff! We look forward to hosting this week filled with fun events for you all which we hope will give you a chance to relax, de-stress and most of all, have fun!
March 7, 2021
As a school system, we'll also have a chance to share with you Planning for a Full Return, an interactive webinar to be held on Tuesday, March 9 for Middle and High School Families starting at 6:00 p.m. During the webinar, we will share an update on our planning for a return to full, in-person learning for those students currently in the hybrid model. We will also collect parental feedback regarding concerns about the full return. This session is interactive and participant questions will be answered. Please find more information about the webinar, and the registration link, here and below. We hope you can join us!
This week's Mustang Minute includes detailed information about the course scheduling process for next year's classes. Please make a copy of the links so that you can refer back to them. This process was reviewed with all students (all cohorts and Virtual School students) last week. We will also host a Curriculum Night for parents and students currently in grades 9-11 on Tuesday, March 23rd at 7:15pm (immediately after the incoming 9th grade session beginning at 6:30pm). At that meeting we'll review the process, answer questions, and share a website with information from each department about their course offerings. We'll share a link as we get closer to the date.
Best,
John
Course Scheduling 2021-2022
The scheduling process for the 2021-2022 school year is underway! This week our Program of Studies was approved by the Medway School Committee and on March 2nd and 5th the school administration presented the scheduling process information to students in grades 9-11. Similar presentations will be scheduled for the 8th grade students at the middle school. Below are important links about the process, dates to follow, and the Program of Studies which outlines our course offerings. We hope this information will help guide the important conversations that will occur between students, parents, teachers and counselors over the coming weeks. We'll also share additional resources as the process continues including a breakdown of electives by grade level.
2021-2022 Scheduling Process Letter
2021-2022 Infinite Campus Scheduling Instructions
2021-2022 Medway High School Program of Studies
If you have any questions regarding course recommendations for next year, please reach out to your child's teacher. Should you have any questions about graduation requirements or the scheduling process please reach out to your child's school counselor.
School Pictures this week
School pictures will be on Tuesday, March 9th and Friday March 12th during H Block and Lunch. Students will be escorted to the auditorium with their teachers and all social distancing guidelines will be followed. Students who miss pictures in the morning will be able to have them taken during lunch. Seniors coming in after their Senior Priv will be asked to have their picture taken prior to going to class. Mr. List has also shared instructions with Virtual School students with their picture time via email.
Medway High School Math Team Accolades
Congratulations to the Medway High School Math Team, who are competing for their second year in the New England Online Math League.
With one more contest to go, they are three points away from being in the top-scoring high schools for New England.
The Math Team members are:
Simon Beyzerov
Rebecca Chlebboski
Ava Fahey
Katie Gage
Alex Montana
Destiney Ojukwu
Jess Signore
Nick Tomasetti
Lilly Woodard
Palak Yadav
Student Participation in Central District Massachusetts Music Educators Association
We are pleased to share and extend congratulations to the following Medway High School and Medway Middle School students who were accepted into the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Central Junior Districts Festival:
Medway High School
Jaina Campbell
Bella Diamandis
Sienna Flotta
Macie Hoben
Megan Keavany
Lily Mitchell
Alexandra Montana
News from our clubs: 533 Club
The 533 Community Service Club: Maisie Donohue, Elizabeth Downing, Katherine White, Kirsten Downing, Ellie Capalbo, and Veronica McAdams, made 6 warming hand tied fleece blankets and donated them to homeless shelters in Boston. They are collecting toilet paper and paper towels during the month of March and will be donating the items to the Medway Food Pantry located at Mahan Circle. Donations of the paper goods can be dropped off in a box located in the high school lobby.
Thank you for your support!
Technology Update
The IT department strongly encourages all to manage their technology devices as safely as possible. Supply chains for new devices and repair parts are stretched to the limit, with many devices and parts not available for the foreseeable future. This is causing prolonged repair times. Please take care of and speak to students and children in regards to taking care of the devices.
In addition to the above, as we approach the April and May MCAS testing season, the IT department requests that all students in need of device repair inform our department immediately. This will insure devices and students are prepared for the testing windows with a fully functioning device. Support can be reached by emailing support@medwayschools.org.
February 28, 2021
I hope all of our students and families are safe and well as we move into March. As we get closer to the one year anniversary of the school closure, I'm more optimistic about what lies ahead for our students and our school than I have been in the last year. The spread of COVID-19, while still a serious concern, continues to decline in our community and in the Commonwealth. Our staff COVID testing continues to show no new cases over multiple weeks and our second week of student COVID testing yielded no student cases. The pandemic is not over, however, we are able to begin conversations about what a return to school could look like. Over the next few weeks, students and families will hear from Dr. Pires and from me about the prospects for a full return for students in the hybrid model.
Best,
John Murray
Principal
IMPORTANT CALENDAR UPDATES
Change of March 10 Early Release Day to March 24
During the February 25 School Committee meeting, the early release day scheduled for March 10 was changed to March 24. There will be no early release day on Wednesday, March 10. The early release times for all schools for Wednesday, March 24 will be as follows:
Update on Full, In-person Learning Plans- March 9, 2021
Class of 2021 Graduation Date
At the February 25 School Committee meeting, the Committee approved the request of Dr. Murray and the Superintendent to change the Class of 2021 graduation date. The NEW Class of 2021 Graduation date is now Sunday, June 6, 2021. The last day of classes for seniors is now May 28, 2021.
Medway High School Program of Studies
During the February 25 School Committee meeting, Dr. Murray presented the 2021-2022 proposed Medway High School Program of Studies changes to the School Committee. The Committee will review these proposals and vote at the March 4 meeting. The presentation can be found here. If approved on March 4, the full Program of Studies will be made available on the MHS website.
Medway High School is planning to review the Program of Studies and the Course Request process with students and families on March 23rd via a webinar. We will host one session for current students and another for incoming 9th grade students and families. Please stay tuned for registration links.
MHS Student Testing Reminders:
If your student is signed up for pool testing and has senior privileges on their testing day, they must arrive at the high school by 9:45 in order to participate in testing. They will check-in at the office and be directed to the testing location. Cohort A/C students are tested on Tuesday and cohort B students are tested on Thursday.
2021 Medway High School National Merit Commended Students
Of the 1.5 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT® Selection Index scores qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program. We’re pleased to recognize the following students as Commended Students:
- Sujith Atluri
- Nicholas Zanella
Congratulations!
MHS Student Art Showcase
All-State Music Festival
MHS Selected as Finalist for GreatSchools.org College Success Gold Award 2021
We’re thrilled to be one of the 2,158 schools in 29 states across the country to be recognized with a College Success award. Schools that receive this distinction have demonstrated a successful track record of graduating students who later enroll in two- or four-year college, are ready for college-level coursework, and persist on to their second year. As a two time recipient (2019 & 2020), we have been entered as a finalist for a Gold Award. We'll keep you updated as we learn more!
Medway High School Selected Into PBLWorks First MA School Leader Cohort
We are pleased to share that Medway High School is one of 8 schools in the state that has been selected to participate in the PBL School Leader Networks through PBLWorks - Buck Institute of Education. We became aware of this opportunity over a year ago and engaged in learning and conversation with leadership at PBLWorks to explore what this opportunity could provide for the educators and students at MHS. Project based learning, by definition, is an opportunity for students to authentically demonstrate their learning through active engagement in meaningful and real world projects.
From the PBL Works website :
PBLWorks is proud to announce the launch of our PBL School Leader Networks. Beginning in California and Massachusetts, we intend to grow regional networks across the U.S. to support the rapidly rising interest in bringing high-quality PBL to all students.
Each network will bring together school leadership teams from across their region to learn with and from one another, solve common problems of practice, leverage the experiences of leaders in their area, and share what’s working and what’s not in a safe and collaborative space. PBLWorks will provide a blend of online and face-to-face professional development and virtual coaching to the school leadership teams, led by our experienced staff and National Faculty members. The program will also include school visits and collaboration among the network members.
February 21, 2021
In just a few weeks we will begin our planning for the 2021-2022 school year. On March 5th, the Program of Studies for next year's course will become available. Students and families will be able to plan out the courses they wish to take next year. Teachers and counselors will play a key role in recommending and advising students in this process as well. Please be on the lookout for scheduling timelines, Virtual Curriculum Night info, and the Program of Studies over the next two weeks!
Finally, we continue to work on ideas and plans for students to be more engaged in clubs, grade level activities, music, theatre, and athletics as we head into spring. Before break, I had the chance to meet with multiple student groups who presented exciting ideas for the spring. We're hopeful that as the weather improves, we'll be able to implement some of the plans our students and advisors are working on to offer some fun activities while complying with social distancing guidelines.
Have a great week!
Attendance on Remote Learning Days
School Counseling Updates
- FAFSA
- Virtual College Fairs
- Post-Secondary videos from the College Guidance Network
- Updates from six area colleges
- Gap year info
- Other Free Resources.
Please see the link below.
National Honor Society Tutoring
The National Honor Society is providing free, one-on-one, remote tutoring sessions to students at the high school in most subjects. Due to popular demand, the National Honor Society is also providing small study groups for the following subjects:
Math 9 CPII
Physics CPI and CPII
Chemistry CPII
To sign up for these opportunities, parents should contact their child's guidance counselor. Once a request is made, tutors can be assigned in as little as two weeks, depending on availability.
MHS Student Testing Reminders
If your student is signed up for pool testing and has senior privileges on their testing day, they must arrive at the high school by 9:45 in order to participate in testing. They will check-in at the office and be directed to the testing location. Cohort A/C students are tested on Tuesday and cohort B students are tested on Thursday.
Student COVID testing will resume this week on Tuesday, February 23rd, and Thursday, February 25th. If you would like your student to participate, please complete the consent form. The form should be completed, signed (we can not accept an electronic signature), scanned, and returned to us via email to: testingconsent@medwayschools.org. If you have previously completed a consent form, you do not need to resend a new one.
Panorama Survey (Social/Emotional Learning)
This week, during H Block, we’ll ask students to participate in the Winter version of the Panorama Survey. The feedback is helpful as the questions are the same as the questions from the fall. The questions fall into the following categories:
Teacher-Student Relationships
School Safety
Sense of Belonging
School Climate
The results give us an opportunity to understand the social and emotional well-being of our students and a chance to develop programming to support their needs.
Students may access the survey using the link below and entering the access code. https://surveys.panoramaed.com/medwayschools Access Code: 7953707989
Mental Health Focus Group- MHS Parents Needed
MHS has partnered with the Jed Foundation, a national nonprofit that seeks to help schools strengthen their mental health and suicide prevention programs and systems. Our partnership will last at least three years, during which the Jed Foundation will help us to assess our current mental health supports, create a strategic plan to strengthen our student offerings, and implement the action steps that have been identified. As part of the assessment phase, the Jed Foundation will be hosting a parent focus group to gather parent feedback about student mental health and our school’s practices. The focus group will be held on Tuesday, 2/23, from 7-8 pm via Zoom. To register, please click here.
Virtual Auditions- One Act Festival
https://sites.google.com/medwayschools.org/one-act-festival-auditions/
This Week's Schedule
February 7, 2021
We have reached the end of quarter 2 and semester 1. Tomorrow, most of our students will begin a new class. Students will receive a copy of their semester 2 schedule in their A block class tomorrow. For our 9th grade students, Peer Counselors will be visible throughout the school to help students navigate their new schedule.
This week, our teachers are finalizing their grades to submit at the end of the day on Friday. We recognize that while the term is officially closed, however there are students continuing to submit assignments due to absences or extenuating circumstances. This is also a great opportunity for students to reflect on their performance for the first half of the school year and make plans for what success will look like for the remainder of the year. Over the next month, students and families will begin to hear about course offerings for next year and an overview of the course request process. The Program of Studies will be released on March 5th.
This week we’ll also begin our student COVID testing program. Below, we have shared the consent forms with you. Students who turn in consent forms by the end of school on Monday will be included in this week’s testing. We will continue to accept consent forms for testing for the weeks and months ahead. Testing will occur on Tuesday for cohort A and C and Thursday for Cohort B. We are happy to make testing available to all of our students. This is another step on the road to a possible full return to school at some point this year.
Junior Workshops and Big Future Days!
Junior Workshops
Counselors will be meeting with juniors for their Junior Seminars that will take place on Tuesday, February 9th and Friday, February 12th during H block.
Junior College Planning Night which will be hosted virtually on Tuesday, March 16th at 6:30pm.
College Board is hosting their first-ever series of virtual college fairs called BigFuture™ Days!
We are encouraging sophomores and juniors to sign up for a chance to connect directly with college admissions representatives and current college students. Students will have a chance to explore colleges in a way that's not overwhelming, ask questions about topics they want to learn about, and take action on key college planning steps.
To learn more and sign up students can visit cb.org/bigfuturedays . This information has also been posted in the C/O 2022 and 2023 School Counseling Google classrooms along with virtual college fair tips and questions to ask at a college fair.
Save the Dates
You can attend any event and more than one. Explore your college options in each region!
BigFuture Days West + Southwest Saturday, February 6
BigFuture Days Southeast Tuesday, February 23
BigFuture Days Northeast Sunday, March 7
BigFuture Days Midwest Thursday, March 11
MHS Virtual Art Show
We are please to share our MHS Virtual Art Show with our community. Our students made some beautiful work this semester while navigating numerous COVID related challenges. Given the volume of the art produced by our students, we've broken down the show into two parts. Part 1 includes pieces from our introductory Foundations students along with work from our Painting and Drawing students. Part 2 includes the artwork of our upper level courses. Throughout the films, you will hear music selections from our MHS Band and Chorus groups along with narration from Ms. Noelle Jackson. Congratulations to teachers Ms. Jackson and Ms. Brodeur along with all of our Art students. We're so proud of all of you!
All-State Chorus
We're pleased to announce that Grace Gerard (grade 11) and Sophia Flotta (grade 12) were accepted into the Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Chorus this year after auditioning via video. Congratulations!
Congratulations MHS Math Team!
Medway's Math Team has completed 4 of 6 contests and is in second place for the public schools in Norfolk county! Medway's Simon Beyzerov is one of the top-scoring individuals for the entire New England Math League with a cumulative score of 21/24. Great job mathletes!
Volunteer Opportunity- Tri-Valley Inc.
Tri-Valley, Inc. supports elders (60 and up) and individuals with disabilities in the community in southern Worcester county. We are working on supporting elders with local volunteers in a safe manner. Currently we are seeking volunteers (ages 14 and up) to shovel for elders in Medway. I have attached our flyer. We have quite a few National Honor Society students that are volunteering for their community service hours. If you could share with your students and on the community news page, that would be great. Volunteers may sign up through our volunteer webpage www.trivalleyvolunteers.org.
February Vacation- Out-of-State/Country Travel for Families and Staff
Per the Governor of Massachusetts, effective August 1, 2020, any Massachusetts resident who travels outside of a lower-risk state for anything more than transitory travel, must follow the MA Travel Order in place with the following changes:
All personal travel by employees to any area that is not specifically exempt from the Governor’s executive order regarding travel must complete the Massachusetts Travel Form https://www.mass.gov/forms/massachusetts-travel-form and self‐quarantine for fourteen (14) days upon return to Massachusetts or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts.
A Message from the MSPTO
As our school community continues to navigate through the 2020/2021 school year, we remain hopeful that some of our year-end traditions will continue for our Senior class, 8th Grade students and our teachers appreciations.
The planning of these events is beginning and we are asking for you to share any ideas or suggestions you may have with us. To simplify the process, please send your ideas and suggestions to the MSPTO @ medwaysecpto@gmail.com The MSPTO will collect all suggestions and share them with the student councils and administration. We have received some great ideas already, so keep them coming! You can also join us at our next MSPTO meeting on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 @ 7:00PM
In order to continue all of our Medway traditions, we ask that you support the MSPTO! Our only fundraising effort is through family donations. Our donations remain quite low for the 2020/2021 year and we are asking that you consider making a donation so we can continue with all our programs. For your convenience, we now accept Venmo! Our Donation form can be found here: MSPTO Donation Form --2020-2021
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Here is more information on donating to the MSPTO:
Now accepting Venmo - @Medway_MSPTO and PayPal medwaymspto@outlook.com as easy payment options.
We promise to skip all the fundraisers and just ask you to give once a year as generously as you can to the MSPTO.
Click on the link below to donate. MSPTO is a 501c3 nonprofit organization listed as Medway Secondary PTO ~ Tax ID# and W-9 available upon request for corporate donations/matching gift.
Our form can be found here: MSPTO Donation Form --2020-2021
Thank you for supporting the MSPTO and Medway Public Schools
Save the Date- Picture Days March 1st & March 4th
PreSchool Lottery/Registration
Our preschool supports and educates three and four year old students who have been identified with a disability, along with a limited number of “community peers.” You can find out more information about our Integrated Preschool program, proposed costs, and additional lottery information in our Preschool Lottery and Registration Information document.
The preschool lottery, for community peers, will take place on Monday,
March 8, 2021from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM. In order to be considered for the lottery you need to complete either the online or paper Lottery Registration Form. Please click here for an online Lottery Registration Form. If completing the paper version (Page 6 of the "Preschool Lottery and Registration Information" Document), the lottery application should be returned to the McGovern School no later than March 5, 2021. We will notify families of lottery results by March 10, 2021. Finally, registration for students attending the Integrated Preschool must be completed by April 14, 2021.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school at
508-533-3243 or via email amcdonald@medwayschools.org. Finally, here is a quick overview of the registration process for community peers.
Kindergarten Registration
The district will open registration for incoming kindergarten students for the 2021-2022 school year on March 1, 2021.
Please share with your neighbors and friends that live in Medway and who have children that will be 5 years old by August 31st as they are eligible for kindergarten.
More information and timelines about the "Road to Kindergarten" will be shared in the next newsletter. Registration will take place electronically, and to help with your planning, the following documents are required for online registration:
Proof of Residency
Utility bill
Signed purchase and sale (occupancy must take place within sixty days)
Current tax bill
Birth Certificate (Children must be 5 by August 31, 2021)
Copy of most recent physical exam- should be within the last year
An immunization record from the physician
A copy of current 504/Individual Education Plan (IEP), if applicable
Legal court documentation of guardianship, if applicable. If divorced or separated, you will need to show legal or official court documentation indicating that you are the custodial parent and have physical custody of your child.
Free and reduced price school meals application, if applicable
Please note, all of the above must be submitted to complete the registration process: No child will be able to register without the documentation.
January 31, 2021
End of Quarter 2 and Beginning of Semester 2
The official close of the term is Friday, February 5th. Teachers have discretion to continue to accept work between the close of the term and the report card date. We are also aware that there was an uptick in absences connected to COVID-19 this quarter. If impacted students are unable to successfully complete the quarter, we have some flexibility to offer an Incomplete. Students and parents with questions about this should connect with teachers and school counselors.
Report Cards will be available on February 12, 2021
SEMESTER 2 (Quarter 3)
Semester 2 will begin on February 8th. Nearly every student will have at least one new class on their schedule as we move into the second semester. Please remind your child to review their schedule on Infinite Campus. As a reminder, we are unable to accommodate requests for changes in student schedules at this time.
Reminder: Remote Learning Guidelines (including Snow Days)
As a reminder, I am sharing our guidelines for students and families about our synchronous (virtual, live, scheduled) learning time for our students during their at home learning days. Connected with that, I want to ensure that we are ready IF we need to transition to a fully remote learning model or have a remote snow day as we see snow in the forecast.
IF we ever needed to transition to a fully remote schedule (including a remote snow day), we would follow our weekly schedule rotation and follow the times below for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Our Wednesday schedule would not change.
Please read the link for Remote Learning Guidelines for Families. Please reach back to the building principal with questions. You can find the form here: Remote Learning Family and Student Guidelines.
Attendance Reminder
A reminder to parents about attendance:
Please contact the main office at (508) 321-4729 or Loretta Benman at lbenman@medwayschools.org if your student is going to be absent.
Students are marked "absent" if they are not in the building on a day that they are scheduled to be in school. If a student is working remotely on a day that they are scheduled to be in the building, they will still be marked "absent". This is to help us with contact tracing and to know who is in the building. A doctor's note will make the absence "excused".
Travel Advisory
With the February break approaching, please be reminded of Governor Baker's Travel Order. All visitors entering Massachusetts are required to produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Massachusetts. If for some reason, you are unable to be tested prior to leaving the higher-risk state, you must arrange to be tested within 24 hours of your return to Massachusetts. Currently, the only lower-risk state is Hawaii. Please turn in any negative test results to your building’s School Nurse. While waiting for test results, your child must remain at home under quarantine and not return to school until a negative test can be produced or quarantine has been completed.
This Week's Schedule
Update from Dr. Pires about Student COVID testing
As you know, earlier this week we presented a webinar on a student regular COVID-19 testing program. The rollout of the program was delayed when the decision was made to take part in the new system that was being implemented by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as it was much more cost effective for us.
Details about the DESE-sponsored COVID-19 Testing Program can be found by reviewing the slideshow or video of the webinar held on Wednesday night. In addition, during the webinar participants were invited to ask questions. We have reviewed and answered those questions. Resources to learn more can be found here:
Slideshow about Regular Student Testing Program
As noted in the presentation, we are targeting a start of student testing during the week of February 8 for students in grades 5-12. Other grades are anticipated to begin in early March. In order for your child to participate in the regular testing program. We were excited to learn today that Concentric by Ginkgo will be our testing partner. You may recall that this company provided our first round of staff testing in November. We will send more information to you early next week regarding completing a consent form for your child to participate. Concentric by Ginkgo is offering parents the opportunity to participate in a webinar and ask questions. Please find the registration link here. There is also some additional helpful information from Concentric by Ginkgo that can be found here.
Class of '21
Seniors! I know this year has been really challenging for all of you and I wanted you to know that we are working on an exciting Spring for you. While we don't have all of the details yet, please know that we are working with your class officers and the MSPTO to put together ideas for when the weather improves and when the state allows us to gather. We already have plans for lawn signs and the board at Choate Park. We know we're going to have graduation and at least one other full grade event outside at the end of the year. We have other proposals coming to my desk in the next week. I also believe there is a class meeting on the horizon to share information about scholarships and awards. It's hard when you don't see the results of any of these efforts yet, but please know they are happening.
We are looking for your input on the Yearbook. We need responses to the questions in the form below. These personalized responses will be listed under your picture in the Yearbook. ALL RESPONSES WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND MUST BE SCHOOL APPROPRIATE. Due February 5th
Nurse's Update (Not Covid Related)
For all parents with students who have life-threatening allergies, please make sure to send in medical orders for your student's Epipen as well as an allergy action plan. If your child is carrying an Epipen and will not have one in the nurse's office we would like to know that, but they will still need the paperwork completed. Please contact Janice Disalvio at 508-533-6643 x 5008 with any questions
Navigating School During Uncertain Times
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E., in collaboration with Medfield Public Schools, hosted a webinar event on Tuesday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m. This virtual event, Navigating School During Uncertain Times, was facilitated by Stanford University’s, Challenge Success. The event was attended by approximately 50 families. If you missed the event and would like to watch a recording of the webinar please click here.
Valentine Flower Sale
Hail Hail the Valentine Flower Sale is on again this year!!! Don't miss out.
A Rose - $5.00
A Carnation - $3.00
A Note - FREE
We can deliver flowers and/or a personal note! Flowers will be sold this Thursday and
Friday continuing through the first week of February before school in the lobby.
Flowers and notes will be delivered on February 9th for Cohort A
February 12th for Cohort B.
Congratulations to our MHS Senior VIP Monthly Parking Spot winners for February!
Cohort A * Evan Casasanta
Cohort B * Eliza Rossi
Thank you for supporting the MSPTO!
Save the Date- Picture Days March 1st & March 4th
January 19, 2021
I hope that everyone enjoyed the long weekend! I apologize for getting these notes out on a Tuesday afternoon. As you will see in the biweekly COVID data table, we've seen a rise in COVID positive cases at Medway High School over the past week. Most of our new cases, along with the number of close contacts associated have been connected to winter athletics. We are happy to report that none of the cases to this point have caused serious illness.
I am looking for your support to stress the importance of continuing to follow COVID guidelines with your children. Our kids have been great for most of the year with following the masking, distancing, and one way hallways. Lately though, we’ve had to give a few more reminders to students to keep their mask on or above their nose, to keep their distance from one another, and to follow the arrows. All of these guidelines are there for their protection and for the protection of the adults.
We are also starting to hear more and more about students gathering outside of school which is concerning. I ask that you continue to speak with your children about not letting their guard down while we are in the midst of a surge. It's still so important for all of us to adhere to the masking and distancing guidelines both in and out of school to limit the potential for outbreaks that could result in the need to move to a remote learning model. There is light at the end of the tunnel if we can get through the next few months. I’m hopeful that we can have different conversations about pathways to a full return once we get through this surge. The efforts we put in to limiting the spread now, will pay off in just a few months.
Sincerely,
John
Synchronous Learning at Home
Attendance Reminder
A reminder to parents about attendance:
Please contact the main office at (508) 321-4729 or Loretta Benman at lbenman@medwayschools.org if your student is going to be absent.
Students are marked "absent" if they are not in the building on a day that they are scheduled to be in school. If a student is working remotely on a day that they are scheduled to be in the building, they will still be marked "absent". This is to help us with contact tracing and to know who is in the building. A doctor's note will make the absence "excused".
IMPORTANT FLU VACCINE UPDATE
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is removing the requirement for flu vaccination for attendance in childcare/preschool, primary, secondary and postsecondary education. Preliminary data show that this has been a mild flu season to date, presumably as people have received their seasonal flu vaccine and have been adhering to mask-wearing and social distancing due to COVID-19. Given the intensive Commonwealth-wide efforts regarding COVID-19 vaccination, DPH wants to alleviate the burden to obtain flu vaccination and focus on continuing our COVID -19 vaccination efforts.
DPH continues to strongly recommend that everyone age six months and older receive their seasonal flu vaccine each year.
The updated schedule can be found here.
T.H.R.I.V.E. Event
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. in collaboration with Medfield Public Schools will be holding a webinar event on January 26, at 7:00 pm. This virtual event, Navigating School During Uncertain Times, will be hosted by Stanford University’s Challenge Success. For more information and to register for the event please click here.
Happy New Year 2021!
Happy New Year! I hope all of our students and families enjoyed a safe and relaxing holiday break! We're looking forward to welcoming students back to MHS tomorrow and to taking on whatever challenges 2021 brings. I’m hopeful that as we move towards the spring, our testing programs and the deployment of a vaccine provides a realistic pathway towards regaining some sense of normalcy before the end of the school year.
We anticipate that the next few weeks will be challenging, however, as COVID-19 positive cases and close contacts are on the rise within the community. Last week, we continued to monitor positive cases in the community and will continue to monitor cases closely as we return. It continues to be important for all students and parents to monitor for symptoms and remain home if the student is not feeling well. In school, we will continue to be extra vigilant in following our COVID guidelines including mask wearing, hand hygiene, ventilation (classroom doors open and windows cracked), and physical distancing. Even after our break, I know we are all fatigued by COVID-19. If we can get through these next few months, I think brighter days are ahead! Here’s to a healthy and happy 2021 for all!
Updated COVID-19 Quarantine Guidelines
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently updated their close contact guidelines to align with MA DPH recommendations. The updated guidance reduces the quarantine period for asymptomatic individuals from 10-14 days to 7-10 days. We have updated our district flowchart to reflect this guidance, which can be found here.
If you traveled out of state during the holidays and did not have a COVID test within 72 hours of your return, per Massachusetts order, you child must quarantine and can not return to school. Students who traveled out of state must have a negative COVID test to return to school. Please inform Loretta Benman (lbenman@medwayschools.org) in the main office. Students may log in to their classes while they are out. Students will find the expectations for classes on their Google Classroom pages.
This week's schedule
Virtual School Families: Potential Mid-Year Learning Model Transition
Thank you to those families who joined us for our Virtual School webinar and to the nearly 140 families who completed the initial commitment survey. Based on the initial results, about 10% of our current Virtual School families are considering a transition to the hybrid or in person learning models beginning on February 1. We will be sending a final commitment survey to families following the new year and will require a 100% response rate by January 8, 2021. Thank you again for your continued partnership.
Class of 2021 Graduation Date
At their meeting on Thursday, December 3, the School Committee voted to approve June 13, 2021 as the graduation date for the class of 2021.
December 13, 2020
Good Evening MHS Students and Families,
We’re fast approaching the end of 2020 and the prospect of a far better 2021 is ahead of us. Before we get there, we’re looking forward to a strong close to the year with a full week of instruction this week followed by in-person learning for Cohort A on 12/21 and 12/22. Wednesday, December 23rd is a regular Wednesday schedule with synchronous remote learning ending at noon. With assessments coming up in most classes, it will be important for our students to remain as consistent as possible with their attendance both in-person and during at home learning days. If your child is going to be absent due to illness or a COVID related concern however, please share that info with our nurse or main office secretary so that we may set the student up with support in their absence. I wish you all a safe week and a Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating the holiday!
Best,
John
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
Congratulations to the following on their induction:
Sophie Brady
Caroline Calnan
Noelyn Campbell
Ellie Capalbo
Olivia Cardillo
Ella Cence
Rebecca Chleboski
Zachary Cioppa
Sophia Coletti
Maggie Connors
Megan D'Souza
Sarah DiBiasio
Kirsten Downing
Paige Dwyer
Allison Eddy
Lily Erving
Sydney Fleming
Madeline Gagnon
Connor Gilmore
Liam Harrigan
Michae lHevey
Jackson Huckins
Daniel Hudon
Margaret Labbe
Ryan Laidlaw
Anna Longval
Hannah Marsh
Sarah McCarthy
Gustavo Mercier
William Miller
Evan Monaghan
Sean Parrinello
Khushboo Patel
Sarah Pepin
Selena Phillips
Carter Pomponio
Jenna Rankin
Chloe Redfield
Margaret Regan
Maeve Richardson
Barbara Salgado
Jared Selby
Paige Sheehan
Erin Shipos
Gabrielle Smith
Jayline Steiding
Andie Taraborelli
Addison Thompson
Anna Tonelli
Adaeze Uzoegbu
Katherine Whyte
Mather Williamson
Brendan Woodring
Alaina Zambrowski
Here's a link to the video from the event.
Passcode: C7X58vB@
Travel Advisory
With the December break approaching, please be reminded of Governor Baker's Travel Order. All visitors entering Massachusetts are required to produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Massachusetts. If for some reason, you are unable to be tested prior to leaving the higher-risk state, you must arrange to be tested within 24 hours of your return to Massachusetts. Please turn in any negative test results to your building’s School Nurse. While waiting for test results, your child must remain at home under quarantine and not return to school until a negative test can be produced or quarantine has been completed.
Healthy Minds Survey
Medway High School is partnering with The Healthy Minds Network, a collaboration of universities surveying students across the country in order to guide schools in the creation of effective interventions to support student mental health.
The Healthy Minds Study for Secondary Schools (HMS2) is a research study of adolescent mental health and related topics that gathers information about student well-being through an anonymous online survey. Medway High School is participating, along with other secondary schools. Your student’s participation will help improve understanding of how schools can support student mental health more effectively. The survey typically takes about 25 minutes to complete. Your student’s responses will be kept confidential and secure, and will not be connected with their name, email, or any other information that identifies them.
The survey will be conducted on Tuesday, Dec 15th during H Block (cohort A) and Friday, December 18th during H Block (cohort B) and on Wednesday, Dec 16th during an extended homeroom for the Virtual School.
If you would like to view the survey ahead of time you must come to the school to view it. To keep the integrity of the survey it cannot be released. Please contact Mrs. Kathryn Cumming at kcumming@medwayschools.org to make an appointment to view.
If you would like further information about The Healthy Minds Study for Secondary Schools (HMS2) research study, please click on the link below.
https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5dRo4qzWXca2tff
If you want to opt your child out of taking the survey, please send their child's name to: hms2-coordination@umich.edu
Updates from the Music Department
Several students from MHS auditioned for the Massachusetts Music Educators Central District Senior District Festival via video this year, and did a wonderful job preparing a solo piece of repertoire. The following students were accepted into the chorus:
- Rebecca Chleboski
- Sophia Flotta
- Grace Gerard
- Joe Harrahy
- Charlotte Kealey
- Sarah McCarthy
- Jared Selby
Congratulations to the following students for their acceptance into the Tri-M Music Honor Society
- Julia Francis
- Maeve McKean
- Rebecca Chleboski
- Sophia Flotta
- Jared Selby
- Lile Simmons
- Olivia Basso
- Scotty O'Shea
- Gabby Smith
Congratulations to all!
Testing Updates- MCAS, PSAT, SAT
This Week's Schedule
December 6, 2020
We have also seen an increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 within our school community. While none of the recent cases were infectious while school was in session, it's important to continue our vigilance with following our school protocols and guidelines. We continue to see with proper masking, physical distancing, ventilation, and washing, we can maintain a school environment as safe as possible for students and staff. We continue to encourage our families and students to adhere closely to the established health and safety guidelines, as well as guidance from the state. As we enter a period of increased positive cases across Massachusetts, our ability to continue to keep our schools open rests on all members of our community.
Best,
John
Q1 Report Cards
IXL Update for Grade 9 and 10 Students
National Honor Society Induction- Tuesday December 8th
Tri-M Induction Ceremony
Healthy Minds Survey
Medway High School is partnering with The Healthy Minds Network, a collaboration of universities surveying students across the country in order to guide schools in the creation of effective interventions to support student mental health.
The Healthy Minds Study for Secondary Schools (HMS2) is a research study of adolescent mental health and related topics that gathers information about student well-being through an anonymous online survey. Medway High School is participating, along with other secondary schools. Your student’s participation will help improve understanding of how schools can support student mental health more effectively. The survey typically takes about 25 minutes to complete. Your student’s responses will be kept confidential and secure, and will not be connected with their name, email, or any other information that identifies them.
The survey will be conducted on Tuesday, Dec 15th during H Block (cohort A) and Friday, December 18th during H Block (cohort B) and on Wednesday, Dec 16th during an extended homeroom for the Virtual School.
If you would like to view the survey ahead of time you must come to the school to view it. To keep the integrity of the survey it cannot be released. Please contact Mrs. Kathryn Cumming at kcumming@medwayschools.org to make an appointment to view.
If you would like further information about The Healthy Minds Study for Secondary Schools (HMS2) research study, please click on the link below.
https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5dRo4qzWXca2tff
If you want to opt your child out of taking the survey, please send their child's name to: hms2-coordination@umich.edu
SADD Toy Drive
Congratulations to our MHS Senior VIP Monthly Parking Spot winners for DECEMBER!
Cohort A * Samuel Abraham
Cohort B * Zack Tarbox
November 21, 2020
Upcoming Dates
Half Day: November 25, 2020 @ Noon
End of Quarter 1: November 25, 2020 @ Noon
School Resumes: November 30, 2020
Report Cards: December 7, 2020 @ 6:00pm via Infinite Campus
*Off and Away for Cell Phones during instructional time and H block returns 11/30*
GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT TRAVEL
With the Thanksgiving and December breaks approaching, please be reminded of Governor Baker's Travel Order. All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet one of the state’s exemptions and have traveled to a high-risk state (or from international travel) are required to produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Massachusetts. If, for some reason, you are unable to be tested prior to leaving the higher-risk state, you must arrange to be tested within 24 hours of your return to Massachusetts. Please turn in any negative test results to your building’s School Nurse. While waiting for test results, your child must remain at home under quarantine and not return to school until a negative test can be produced or the 14-day quarantine has been completed.
Currently (11/21/20), there are 2 states which have been classified as lower-risk. All remaining states are higher-risk. The 2 lower-risk states are: Hawaii and Vermont. Please continue to check the following website for more information as changes frequently occur: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order#lower-risk-states-
Important MCAS Info: Class of '21, '22, '23
Updates from Student Council
Typically, the week before Thanksgiving, we are preparing for our spirit week, a Pep Rally, and Thanksgiving football. This year, we're working on a few items to share our gratitude to our friends and family and a scavenger hunt that can be played at home or in school this week.
Gratitude Padlet
Students, please take a moment to share with us something you are grateful for. It could be anything from family to even a thank you note to our teachers and faculty. The link for the padlet is here: https://padlet.com/mcecchi/szh73nx2a593die8
Scavenger Hunt
We are holding a scavenger hunt for all students. Using the app "Goose Chase" we will hold two scavenger hunts, one Cohort A/C and one for Cohort B/Virtual School, on Monday and Tuesday. Each grade has an email in their inbox from Melissa Cecchi with the passwords and detail. Student Council has prizes for the winners! Please join in the holiday fun.
‘SUP Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. Event
This past Wednesday, ‘S.U.P. Medway, a newly formed youth substance use prevention coalition who teamed up with Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. to host a community event: Planning for Prevention on November 18. During this 30-minute webinar, community members learned from Aubrey Ciol, Prevention Specialist, about how to engage with youth in discussions around substance use. Attendees also learned about how community coalitions have been shown to decrease youth substance use significantly and how they can join the ‘S.U.P. Coalition. To access a recording of the webinar, click here, and to sign-up to support the coalition, please complete this form. To learn more about the resource Aubrey mentioned in the webinar “Talk. They Hear You”, please click here.
ATTN: Sophomores: HOBY Candidate Information
The 2021 HOBY Conference will take place Virtually 5/1 - 5/2/2021
How can I apply to be considered an ambassador?
Please type an essay of no more than 500 words to the following prompt:
“Please describe the most rewarding and challenging aspect of being a leader in your school and community”
Please return your essay to Miss Gentile in the school counseling office or by email at cgentile@medwayschools.org by Wednesday December 2nd by 2:30pm. There will be a selection committee that makes their final decision.
Medway School Store
Our Athletic Department has set up a school store to purchase 'Medway Swag'. As today is the GRAND OPENING, we were able to get a 25% discount on most items by using the code GRANDOPENING20 when you check out. This code will work for about a month.
To visit the store, please go here: http://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/massachusetts/medway/medway-high-school
November 15, 2020
Parent-Teacher Conferences this Tuesday!
On Tuesday evening this week, we will host virtual parent-teacher conferences. While many of the appointments are now full, there is still time to sign up for any remaining slots. Please check this link, if you missed out on the sign-up for conferences. Parents should have received reminder emails with links to the meetings on Friday evening. Please reach out to David List with any questions about accessing your appointments.
Our conferences are only 5 minutes long so it’s important to come in with some questions in mind. Having recently had this experience for my own children, it was helpful to identify the most important things that I needed to know about my child’s progress going into the meeting. This seems obvious, but the virtual nature of the meeting and the need to hold tight to the five minute windows forced me to focus on a few items. I wanted to know where my child’s strengths and areas for growth are? Are they struggling with the workload? What are some things that are coming up in this class that I should have on my radar (projects, tests, etc.)? Do you have any concerns about their social-emotional well-being? I also have two totally different learners in my house and I made sure to take a few moments to explain what type of learner my child is. Since we’ve had fewer in-person class meetings this year, sharing this info with your child’s teacher will be valuable information if they are still just getting to know them. I hope that some of these tips are helpful for you as you navigate your meetings Tuesday night.
Remember, there are multiple ways to keep up with your child’s progress. Parents have access to assignment info on infinite campus and google classroom. Parents are also always encouraged to reach out to teachers and school counselors if your child is struggling academically or has a social-emotional need. We are always here to support your child in any way that we can.
Best,
John
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
Outstanding Alumni 2020
On November 10, we honored and recognized this year’s Outstanding Alumni recipient Michael Bhatia ‘95. Michael was nominated by members of the Medway High School Alumni Association and our student reps in February before the close of school due to the pandemic. The original plan was to present the award at the Alumni Dinner in May which wasn’t able to occur this year. We are pleased to be able to make the presentation this week with Michael’s family and the Alumni Association joining us virtually.
Michael was a 1995 graduate of Medway High School who went on to study International Relations at Brown University. He dedicated his life to humanitarian work and conflict resolution in war-torn countries. Michael was killed in Afghanistan in 2008 while embedded with the US Army Human Terrain Team #1 while attempting to initiate negotiations between local tribes. He is the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions for his work in Afghanistan including the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom.
A plaque in honor of Michael is on display in the Hall of Excellence joining past recipients, Colonel Michael Matondi, A WWII Veteran from Medway High School, and Harry Buzz Johnson. Please see the link below to view the dedication.
Counseling Update
Scholarships
· Monitor scholarships on Naviance by going to the “College Tab”, scroll down to Scholarships/Money; Click:
· Scholarship list
· National Scholarship Search
· Scholarship Match
· Scholarship Tips and Tricks and Scholarships 101 (Handouts located on Naviance homepage~Document Resources ~under 12th grade)
· Network for scholarships
· Medway High School Scholarship Procedure (application available in Spring)
Senior Appointments
· Any senior that has not set up their Senior Appointment yet, please email Mrs. Rondeau to do so. jrondeau@medwayschools.org
Panorama Surveys
We have sent surveys out to students and families to gather feedback about the start of the school year. The information we receive is helpful for us to make the necessary adjustments to our learning model going forward. If you have not completed the survey yet, please taken a moment to share your feedback with us. Parents/Guardians of students in grades PK-12 are asked to complete one survey per child. These surveys are a mix of free response and likert scale questions. Families can access the link to the survey here:
The link for the survey to be taken is: Fall 2020 Back to School Family Survey
If you end up on surveys.panoramaed.com/medwayschools accidentally, the access code to take the survey is medwayfamily2020.
Update from the Nurse
Reminder to turn in flu and immunizations verification due by Nov 30th. Please check the expiration dates on your EpiPens and be sure to supply nurse with EpiPens and associated Medication Authorization Forms.
‘S.U.P. Medway / T.H.R.I.V.E. Event: Preventing Teen Substance Use
‘S.U.P. Medway is a newly formed youth substance use prevention coalition who has teamed up with Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. to host a community event: Planning for Prevention. During this 30-minute webinar community members will learn from Aubrey Ciol, Prevention Specialist, about how to engage with youth in discussions around mental health and substance use. Attendees will also learn about how community coalitions have been shown to significantly decrease youth substance use and about how they can join the ‘S.U.P. Coalition. The event will take place on Wednesday, November, 18th from 7:00-7:30 pm. To register please click here.
This week's Rotation
Reminder: Yearly Student Information Update - Online Registration
We request that all families complete the beginning of year packet [Online Registration] in the parent portal to ensure we have the most up to date information for you and your child. To access OLR in the portal, login and choose MORE > Online Registration. Please follow the prompts to complete this information. If you are new to Medway or in need an access code to create an account, please email support@medwayschools.org.
November 9, 2020
Good morning and my apologies for the Monday Mustang Minute. It was truly a gift to have such a beautiful weekend and I hope you all had a chance to get outside and enjoy the sun. We are moving towards the final weeks of quarter 1 and the Thanksgiving break. This upcoming break can’t come soon enough for our students and staff. We went into this year with a lot of unknowns and a lot of new practices and procedures. Our kids and staff have been great about the day to day adjustments to learn and grow in the hybrid model. It’s taken some time for everyone to adjust to learning at home three days a week and learning at school two days a week. It’s taken time for students and staff to figure out how to manage the workload at home and in school.It’s taken some time for students to figure out how to use their time efficiently when at home and when they have designated time in school. Entering week 9, we’re starting to see some things click for students and staff and I believe that we’re starting to hit our groove. Many of our teachers are offering more synchronous interactions with students in the classroom and at home. Counselors are reaching out proactively to students and families who need support with learning in this model and we continue to identify more students who would benefit from joining Cohort C for more in-person support. Later today, you will have the opportunity to sign up for Parent-Teacher conferences next week (Tuesday, 11/17) and I’ll have office hours for parents Thursday morning at 8:30am. We’re thankful for your support as we continue to shift and adjust our practices to offer the best education possible in this hybrid environment.
Thanks,
John
Important Dismissal Changes
Beginning on Monday, we will be adjusting our staggered dismissal times and locations. Bus pickup will now be in front of the building in the visitor lot beginning at 2:25pm. After our first snow 10 days ago, we recognized that it will be safer for the buses to pick up out front vs. driving around back. We will then dismiss drivers and students being picked up at 2:31pm. All student pick-up will occur in the main circle. This shift will help us recoup some instructional time while still offering a safe and orderly pick-up for all.
A note about drop off in the morning: please pull all the way through the circle before dropping your child(ren) off. If you are several cars back, please wait til the cars in front of you leave before letting your child(ren) out. We’re hoping to avoid parents pulling out to drive around cars in front of them that are unloading. We’ve had a few near accidents. Thanks for your consideration.
Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences- 11/17
It is our pleasure to invite you to attend our Parent-Teacher Virtual Conferences, which have been scheduled for Tuesday, November 17th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. As we have done for past years, parents/guardians may select a five-minute block of time for each teacher, during which individual progress, grades, successes, and challenges can be shared.
This year we will be using Zoom to host the conferences. Prior to the 17th, we will send out a reminder email that will include the Zoom link for each conference. The Zoom link will also be available on the website where you book the conferences.
Scheduling of appointments begins on Monday, November 9 at 6:30pm. (Scheduling closes at 12:00pm on November 16)
The appointment scheduler can be found at http://medwayhs.schoolappointments.com/. When you arrive at the site, the following instructions will help you register and schedule appointments for your student(s):
School Appointments - Parent Instructions
*Registration into the system must be completed anew each year and opens on Thursday, November 5 at 6:30pm. Please be aware that this is just the registration and does not guarantee or schedule an appointment
1. Go to our school appointments website: http://medwayhs.schoolappointments.com/
2. Register for an account by clicking the "REGISTER" menu tab and filling in the online form. Choose a user id and password for yourself and then click the "Register Now" button.
3. Add your children into the system by clicking the "Add a Student" button. Click "Insert New" button to add more children.
On the day of registration please continue with step 4 (11/9-11/16)
4. Click the "date" icon beside each child's name to schedule appointments. Select the staff you wish to book appointments with and the "View Calendars" button. Use the "Ctrl" or "Command" key to select multiple staff to view at the same time.
5. Click on available time slots to book your appointments and then click the "Book Appointments" button to save your bookings.
If a time slot is not available, or you are unable to find a time that is mutually convenient, the system has an option to request a phone call/email back; teachers will honor that request for a call/email back within a week’s time.
We thank you for your involvement, and our teachers look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, November 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Best,
David List
Assistant Principal
Medway High School
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
This week on Tuesday and Friday, we will recognize our John and Abigail Adams recipients during H block. These are seniors who scored Advanced or Proficient on their ELA and Math MCAS exams and are in the top 25% of their class. Students who earn this scholarship will receive a scholarship that can be used for tuition at any of our state colleges or universities. We will share out a press release to congratulate our recipients.
Outstanding Alumni Award
On Tuesday, we will honor and recognize this year’s Outstanding Alumni recipient Michael Bhatia ‘95. Michael was nominated by members of the Medway High School Alumni Association and our student reps in February before the close of school due to the pandemic. The original plan was to present the award at the Alumni Dinner in May which wasn’t able to occur this year. We are pleased to be able to make the presentation this week with Michael’s family and the Alumni Association joining us virtually.
Michael was a 1995 graduate of Medway High School who went on to study International Relations at Brown University. He dedicated his life to humanitarian work and conflict resolution in war-torn countries. Michael was killed in Afghanistan in 2008 while embedded with the US Army Human Terrain Team #1 while attempting to initiate negotiations between local tribes. He is the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions for his work in Afghanistan including the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom.
A plaque in honor of Michael will be on display in the Hall of Excellence joining past recipients, Colonel Michael Matondi, All WWII Veterans from Medway High School, and Harry Buzz Johnson. Our ceremony will be filmed by Medway Cable and shared with the community later this week.
Yearbook 2021
We are sharing the link to the class of 2021 yearbook. Students, staff and family can use this link to order the yearbook, submit photos, and purchase ads. Please feel free to access this form to share any photos that we can add to this year's edition.
October 25, 2020
It’s hard to believe that we’re heading into the last week of October. We’ve been fortunate thus far to have great weather and students and teachers have taken advantage of the outdoors for lunch, mask breaks, and some classes. Our students and staff have done a great job of adhering to the safety guidelines and taking the steps necessary to keep our school community as safe as possible. With numbers rising in other communities and the colder weather heading our way, it will be important to maintain that level of vigilance with mask wearing, handwashing, and distancing in and out of school.
Following these guidelines allows us to continue to have in-person learning available for students and allows us to explore additional ways to return more students to school over the weeks ahead. In the last week, we’ve been able to offer a return to Cohort C for students with high needs in grade 9 and will be offering the same to students in grades 10-12 in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. We will continue to explore ways to offer additional in-person learning opportunities as there is space in our current model to do so. We appreciate your patience, support, and adherence to our guidelines as we work through this process.
In case you missed it, Sonja Metcalf, Assistant Principal at MHS and the Virtual School Administrator will be leaving our district later this week to return to teaching. I’d like to thank Sonja for her efforts and support to our students over the past year and wish her well. Brian Menna, the Assistant Principal at the elementary schools will support the Virtual School. Jeff Parcells, our Athletic Director, will step in to assume some additional responsibilities at MHS including supporting grade 9 students and overseeing clubs and activities. A thanks in advance to both Brian and Jeff for their help and support!
Have a great week!
John
Mid-quarter Update
On Wednesday, October 28, all graded assignments will be up to date and available for viewing on Infinite Campus. Families may also see assignments and receive weekly updates from Google Classroom if their children invite them to have access. This is a great tool for parents to check to see assignments turned in and assignments missing. Feel free to ask your child to add you to their Google Classroom. As always, if you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress, please reach out directly to the teacher first.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Our Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on Tuesday, November 17th from 6:00pm - 8:00 p.m. Though the conferences will be virtual, parents/guardians may select a five-minute block of time for each teacher, during which individual progress, grades, successes, and challenges can be shared. Scheduling of appointments begins on Monday, November 9 at 6:30pm. Scheduling closes at 12:00pm on November 16th. We will share the scheduler website with you during the next Mustang Minute.
Remote Learning Guidelines for Families
We have learned a great deal over the last 4+ weeks in school and continue to refine and grow our instructional practices.
As we work to bring more synchronous (virtual, live, scheduled) time to our students during their at home learning days and also continue to enhance our practices to ensure readiness SHOULD we need to transition to a fully remote learning model, we have crafted some "rules of engagement" to support students, their families, and our faculty and staff.
Please click the link below to read the Remote Learning Guidelines for Families . Once you have read the guidelines, please fill out the form to indicate that you have read and understand the terms. Please reach back to the building principal with questions.
School Counseling Update
ATTENTION SENIORS WITH NOVEMBER 1ST DEADLINES!
Students should be sure to reference the MHS College Application Procedures which can be found in C/O 2021 School Counseling Google Classroom and also located in Document Resources on the Home page of Naviance in 12th grade.
1. Add colleges to 'Colleges I'm Applying to List"
2. Be sure that your Common App account is matched with your Naviance account. Here is the link to the video of how to connect these accounts: https://www.screencast.com/t/gxEQkElyo1
3. If you have not already done so, request your teacher recommendations in Naviance.
Click on the COLLEGES tab in Naviance
Click on APPLY TO COLLEGE
Click on LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Click blue box ADD REQUEST
Select your teacher from the drop down box Indicate if you want your teachers letter to go to all colleges or click on specific colleges
Include a personal note with your earliest deadline!
Then click SUBMIT
3. Once you have submitted an application...CRITICAL! (#8 Step in MHS College Application Procedures Handout)
****Students MUST log-in to Naviance, click on the COLLEGE’S I’M APPLYING TO list and click the EDIT link to the RIGHT of the college YOU JUST APPLIED TO. Then, check the box that says I’VE SUBMITTED MY APPLICATION. Then click SAVE COLLEGE APPLICATION
● This updates your status that you have applied to ‘X’ college/university
● This step must be completed in order for your documents to be sent
If you do not complete these steps, your application will be late.
College Financing with MEFA
Given the circumstances of COVID and for safety measures the Family Financial Planning night will be online
The Massachusetts Education Financing Authority (MEFA) is hosting four webinars every day
Please visit: https://www.mefa.org/events and and sign up for one or both of the suggested webinars:
College Financing
College Financing, Understanding the FAFSA
Koplik Scholarship
If you qualified for this scholarship based on your MCAS results, you should have received a letter in the mail with information on how to apply and what additional tests scores required. The application can be found in Document Resources in Naviance and in the C/O 2021 School Counseling Google Classroom. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Harkins at aharkins@medwayschools.org.
VHS
Please make sure you are checking the Private Thread for messages from your teacher on a daily basis! This is how they reach out to you and the best way for you to ask them for help!! Term 1 ends November 10th so make sure you are caught up in your class and contact your teacher if you need any help!
Student Health and Wellness Update
Medway Public Schools COVID-19 Information Hub
To provide families with the latest information and resources related to COVID-19, we have created a COVID-19 information hub, which can be accessed here, and by visiting our district’s homepage. Please visit this site for information about school/community COVID-19 health data, positive test reporting, student protocols, and local testing sites.
Calls from the Nurse
We are looking for your help and support when your child stays home from school. If a parent leaves a child's name on the absentee line, the health office staff will follow up with a phone call and/or email to learn more about your child’s absence. In an effort to keep our school population safe and avoid transmission of the COVID virus, school nurses are required to contact the parent of every student who is called in sick this school year. We are able to help parents have an understanding if the child’s symptoms could be COVID related or not. Please help us by returning our calls and emails in a timely manner.
Flu Shots Required by December 31, 2020
The state of MA now requires that all students receive the influenza vaccination. Students will be expected to have received a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020, for the 2020-2021 influenza season, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided. This new flu immunization requirement to enter school in January is in addition to existing vaccine requirements for all students attending school in Massachusetts. Elementary and secondary students in districts and schools that are using a remote education model are not exempt.
Senior Class Halloween Dress-up
We are thankful to our Senior Class Officers for coming up with a way to maintain an MHS tradition for Halloween in a COVID-safe manner. Please see the letter below from the Senior Class Officers to their classmates:
Dear Parents and Students of the Class of 2021,
Given the high and rising numbers of COVID around us, the senior class officers have come up with a plan in lieu of the traditional parade that we believe is the best way to get the class involved and excited while keeping everyone safe.
The plan is to have 2 separate Senior Halloween Spirit Days where seniors will show up to school in their costumes like it’s a day out of spirit week.
For Cohort A: 10/27 and for Cohort B: 10/30
The costume and safety guidelines include
Costume MUST be worn the whole day
No face coverings other than a mask that would be worn on a regular day
No props
Must be school appropriate
No reference to racism/discrimination, drugs, violence, etc., If not school appropriate the student will be asked to change
We'll be having the officers taking pictures of all the students in costume throughout the day and compose a senior Halloween slide show to share with the class and families showcasing everyone. We thank you all for your support and patience through all of this. We know this isn't how we pictured our senior year, but we'll be working hard all year to make the most of this year regardless.
Free School Lunch and Breakfast For ALL STUDENTS for the Entire 2020/20201 School Year
The USDA recently announced that school breakfast and lunch would remain free for ALL students for the entirety of the 2020/2021 school year. We realize that parents and guardians are being asked to do many different things in support of their children this school year. We are pleased to be able to take one thing off of your plate by providing your student with breakfast and lunch.
Reminder- No School on November 3rd!
October 12, 2020
We are also beginning to identify available space in our building and students who would benefit most from a return to school in Cohort C (4 days/week). While there are logistical challenges to manage, we believe that it is important to return as many students as possible while maintaining our 6' distancing protocols. We will be sharing more details with families in the weeks to follow.
We recognize that our work this year is ever evolving and that a strong partnership between the home and schools will be more necessary than ever. I thank you for your continued support and look forward to "seeing you" sometime this week.
Best,
John
Back to School Night- This Thursday!
Our Back to School night is Thursday, October 15th from 6:00pm-8:00pm. This is a virtual event that will begin with welcome remarks from the principal and the administrative team as well as an overview of the evening. Beginning at 6:20 p.m., you will have the opportunity to follow your child's schedule by attending ten-minute virtual presentations from each of your child’s teachers. Each teacher will share a brief overview of their course along with their expectations. Because of time constraints, teachers will not be able to talk with you about individual students. Those meetings can be arranged by appointment or at Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences in November.
We will follow a Wednesday schedule for the event with all 7 classes meeting A-G. Family members will be able to enter each of the sessions via the link on the student’s Google Classroom page. Please ask your child to share a copy of their schedule and to be available to help you access each of their classes via Google Classroom. Only student accounts can access Google Classroom. I have shared the times for each block below. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Event Schedule
Opening Meeting with School Administrators 6:00pm- 6:15pm via Goto Webinar (Registration link)
A Block 6:20pm - 6:30pm via Google Classroom
B Block 6:35pm - 6:45pm via Google Classroom
C Block 6:50pm - 7:00pm via Google Classroom
D Block 7:05pm - 7:15pm via Google Classroom
E Block 7:20pm - 7:30pm via Google Classroom
F Block 7:35pm - 7:45pm via Google Classroom
G Block 7:50pm - 8:00pm via Google Classroom
This week's rotation
Clubs and Activities Fair
In School SAT- Seniors
We are offering a second round of in school SAT’s to Seniors on Wednesday, October 14th. Students who have signed up for the test have been notified and will be excused from remote class on Wednesday.
MHS Parent Coffee Hour
News from the MSPTO
News from the MSPTO:
Welcome to a new school year! Although vastly different from past years, what has not changed is the MSPTO’s need for your support. The Medway Secondary Parent Teacher Organization (MSPTO) is a 501c3 parent volunteer organization developed to help support all Medway students, parents, and teachers.
We are asking for your annual support so MSPTO can continue to support our schools as we navigate the new year. We need everyone’s help in making the MSPTO year a success. Any gift, of any size is important and appreciated!
We are happy to now offer PayPal & Venmo as easy payment options.
*Special Raffle for HS Seniors* Enter to win the Monthly VIP parking spot! Winners are drawn on the 1st of each month.
October 3, 2020
This week we were faced with our first positive COVID-19 case involving a member of the MHS community. As Dr. Pires and I shared in our letter to the community this week, we anticipated that at some point our school community would be faced with positive cases. It is still unsettling when it happens though. After completing our letters and contact tracing, our school counselors, administrators, nurse, and learning support team gathered Friday morning to map out a plan to support the impacted members of our community with any academic or mental health supports necessary. We also developed a plan to support concerned students and to share a video with students with an update about the situation. We will follow this internal process shall additional cases arise to ensure we’re providing as much support as possible for our community members.
It is important for our students, families and staff to remain vigilant in their mask wearing, physical distancing, and hand washing practices both in and out of school. Following the guidelines and protocols we have established is crucial to limiting the risk of being in close contact of someone with the virus. I am encouraged to see the vast majority of our students take the necessary steps to follow the protocols around distancing, masking, and hand washing. We can not be complacent though. Recently, I have to remind some to keep their mask above their noses, to not come together in small circles, or to not touch each other. This week’s news should be a reminder for all of us of the importance of following the school guidelines around masks, distancing, and hand washing. I ask that you reinforce this message with your students and thank you for your support!
This week's schedule rotation
Back to School Night
Our Back to School night is Thursday, October 15th from 6:00pm-8:00pm. This is a virtual event that will begin with welcome remarks from the principal and the administrative team as well as an overview of the evening. Beginning at 6:20 p.m., you will have the opportunity to follow your child's schedule by attending ten-minute virtual presentations from each of your child’s teachers. Each teacher will share a brief overview of their course along with their expectations. Because of time constraints, teachers will not be able to talk with you about individual students. Those meetings can be arranged by appointment or at Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences in November.
We will follow a Wednesday schedule for the event with all 7 classes meeting A-G. Family members will be able to enter each of the sessions via the link on the student’s Google Classroom page. Please ask your child to share a copy of their schedule and to be available to help you access each of their classes via Google Classroom. Only student accounts can access Google Classroom. I have shared the times for each block below. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Event Schedule
Opening Meeting with School Administrators 6:00pm- 6:15pm via Goto Webinar (Registration link)
A Block 6:20pm - 6:30pm via Google Classroom
B Block 6:35pm - 6:45pm via Google Classroom
C Block 6:50pm - 7:00pm via Google Classroom
D Block 7:05pm - 7:15pm via Google Classroom
E Block 7:20pm - 7:30pm via Google Classroom
F Block 7:35pm - 7:45pm via Google Classroom
G Block 7:50pm - 8:00pm via Google Classroom
Senior Postsecondary Night
Senior Postsecondary Planning Webinar
Slides
MHS Parent Coffee Hour
Flu Clinic
Medway Public Schools & CVS Pharmacy are offering a flu clinic on Wednesday,10/7 at Medway High School (ages 9+). No appt. necessary and open to the public! Show up any time between 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. Remember to bring your insurance card & wear a mask.
September 28, 2020
We're interested in hearing from you as well. I will host a Virtual Parent Coffee Hour on Thursday morning at 8:30am. Parents may register via this GotoWebinar registration link.
Please feel free to send questions ahead of time using this Google form.
Later this week, we'll have info for you about a Virtual Back to School Night that will be held mid-October.
I hope you have a great week ahead!
Best,
John
This week's Schedule Rotation
Spirit Week 2020!
This year’s spirit week will look a little different than in year’s past. Our Student Council is asking students to film themselves dancing to Dancing Queen in Flexblock on Tuesday and Friday. The videos will be turned into a full video that will be shared with students on Saturday night 10/3, which is the night of our originally scheduled Homecoming Dance. There will also be a padlet where those who are at home can upload pictures of their spirit. The most spirited of each grade will win a gift card. Students will receive information for how to participate on Tuesday. This is totally voluntary.
Each year during Spirit Week, we always have themed dress up days. Here are the themes for this year:
9/29: Medway Stands with suicide prevention month wear blue and purple
9/30: Background Wednesday (as we are all remote have a unique and school appropriate background
10/1: Media day
10/2: Football Friday
Virtual Senior Workshops
Counselors will review 'College Application Procedures' which includes steps on how to move colleges to the 'College's I'm Applying to List', steps on how to update Naviance once a student submits an application, linking Common App with Naviance, submitting standardized test scores and how to request teacher and counselor recommendations and the timeline for doing so.
Seniors should check their email for the link.
Senior Individual Guidance Appointments
Starting October 5th, seniors may begin to schedule appointments (virtually or in person) with their counselor
To schedule an appointment students will need to email Mrs. Rondeau, the School Counseling Secretary at jrondeau@medwayschools.org
All seniors should have completed their Student Data Portfolio and Resume on Naviance prior to individual appointments with counselors
Your appointments must be during your senior priv, a study hall, or on Wednesday afternoons during comprehensive wellness/core values block
Exploring COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Webinar
In an effort to continue to try and minimize risk within our school community, the Medway Public Schools has been exploring COVID-19 Surveillance Testing for students, faculty and staff. Pool testing would be conducted approximately every other week and continue throughout the duration of the 2020-2021 school year. The results we gain from testing will allow us to quickly identify positive cases within our school community and take action that is connected to each specific circumstance. The belief is that regular surveillance testing will allow our district to more quickly, and appropriately react and respond to situations.
The district has planned a webinar to share more information on this potential testing program, and to gauge community interest in moving forward. The webinar has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. The webinar requires pre-registration. You can register for the webinar here: Exploring COVID-19 Surveillance Testing in the Medway Public Schools. We hope that you are able to attend so that you can share feedback with us.
Student Self-Scheduling for Health Office Visits
Students may access the self-scheduling module via the Infinite Campus homepage.
Community Flu Clinic
Medway Public Schools is offering a flu vaccine clinic for our community. Please see details and registration link below. Unfortunately, CVS does not offer the flu vaccine for children under the age of 9. This will have to be scheduled with your pediatrician.
Clinic Date/Time: October 7, 2020, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Medway High School, 88 Summer Street
Clinic Registration Link to be shared TBD
September 20, 2020
Our Cohort A students did an excellent job of navigating Google Classroom for assignments, checking themselves in for attendance and persevering through the various zoom and meet links throughout the day. It wasn't perfect but we've already seen improvements from Wednesday to Friday. We have some kinks to work out on the tech end that we are aware of. We also need to clear up any confusion for you about when and if you need to access links for streaming. Not all classes are zooming students into all classes and some are only doing it for small chunks of time. Many classes have a series of videos and assignments on Google Classroom for students to progress through each period. Our teachers reported that there was strong engagement and effort from our cohort A students while working from home.
Tonight, students will receive an email from me with information for our Cohort A students who join us in person for the first time tomorrow. There is also an update for Cohort B to make sure to check their Google Classroom carefully for this week's assignments and if/when they should be available for a Zoom or Meet session.
We'll have a staggered arrival for the in-person cohorts and students will report directly to B block. They will receive paper copies of their schedules, a walking map of the building, and a Mustang mask. I will then virtually review several important changes for students and we'll be off and running! Students in Cohort B do not have to check in to DSB and can begin working on B block assignments at 8:34. Cohort B also does not have to sign up for Flex Block for Tuesday. That is independent work time for at home learners. You can reach out to teachers for extra help if needed.
Thanks for all of your support over the opening days! We look forward to having another first day of school tomorrow!
This week's Schedule Rotation
School Counseling Updates
Virtual Senior Family Post Secondary Planning Night
Come learn about the college application process and procedures for senior year
This will be held virtually on Wednesday, September 30th at 6:30pm
GoToWebinar registration link to follow
College Financing with MEFA
Given the circumstances of COVID and for safety measures the Family Financial Planning night will be online
The Massachusetts Education Financing Authority (MEFA) is hosting four webinars every day
Please visit: https://www.mefa.org/events and and sign up for one or both of the suggested webinars:
College Financing
College Financing, Understanding the FAFSA
Virtual Senior Workshops
Wednesday, September 30th from 1:35-2:31pm/ Comprehensive Wellness & Core Values Block
Counselors will review 'College Application Procedures' which includes steps on how to move colleges to the 'College's I'm Applying to List', steps on how to update Naviance once a student submits an application, linking Common App with Naviance, submitting standardized test scores and how to request teacher and counselor recommendations and the timeline for doing so
A link will be sent to your senior next week via email
Senior Individual Appointment to be schedule with Mrs. Rondeau
Starting October 5th, seniors may begin to schedule appointments (virtually or in person) with their counselor
To schedule an appointment students will need to email Mrs. Rondeau, the School Counseling Secretary at jrondeau@medwayschools.org
All seniors should have completed their Student Data Portfolio and Resume on Naviance prior to individual appointments with counselors
Your appointments must be during your senior priv, a study hall, or on Wednesday afternoons during comprehensive wellness/core values block
Virtual College Representatives Connect with Medway High School
These will be held Wednesday afternoons virtually during comprehensive wellness/core values blocks
College representatives have been requesting visits to Medway High School. This will allow students to learn more about colleges they are interested in
Typically, representatives will provide an overview of their college to students and answer student questions
Students must sign up in advance to meet with the representatives
The list of visiting schools can be viewed on Naviance’s homepage under “What’s New” and continue with the registration process by clicking “Register” at the top right of the screen.
Students will receive a link to virtually join these sessions 15 minutes prior to the meeting
We have asked the colleges to make sure that all security measures are put in place for their virtual meetings.
Senior student to-do
Complete Student Data Portfolio and Resume on Naviance
It is important that students take responsibility for identifying deadlines for applications and financial aid; as well as application requirements for each of the colleges they plan to apply to. Naviance can help with this!
Let teachers and your counselor know of your earliest deadline so your letter of recommendation is ready on time!It is customary for students to give teachers and counselors two weeks notice prior to needing the recommendation.
Make sure to apply for the FAFSA or CSS Profile for financial aid opportunities
Continue to explore colleges / reach out to admissions regarding ways to engage with them. Many colleges are offering virtual tours, webinars, and live Q&A sessions
Engage in virtual college fairs via https://www.nacacfairs.org/
Standardized Testing Information
For registration and up to date information for the SAT please visit:
For registration and up to date information for the ACT please visit:
AP Exams Information
Please make sure your student has joined the AP Classroom. Your student should have received instructions and and join codes from their classroom teacher
Payment information
Fee $95, per exam
If a student is on free or reduced lunch please see Ms. Gentile
Payments can be made via UNIpay by visiting https://unipaygold.unibank.com/default.aspx,
Search Medway Public Schools, Click “Student Activities” on the left hand menu, click “AP Exam Fees” and proceed with the payment process. *Remember it is $95 per exam
Please bring cash and check payments to Mrs. Rondeau, the school counseling secretary
Please have your student join their AP Classroom(s) and submit payments no later than Friday, October 9th
Standardized Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Students who are on a 504 or IEP plan may qualify for accommodations on the PSAT, SAT, AP Exams and ACT. For more information, please review the letter and deadlines below.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during the scheduling process this year. It is greatly appreciated every year, but even more so this year.
Students: If you have not returned all your books from last year, please return them to the book drop in front of the main office.
BACK TO SCHOOL WEBINAR
September 11, 2020
Dear Students and Families,
Over the past two weeks, we have welcomed our faculty and staff back to Medway High School to begin preparing in earnest for the start of the school year. We have reviewed numerous safety protocols and procedures to ensure that we are working with students in the safest way possible. We have engaged in a series of professional development opportunities to enhance our teaching and learning practices to support students in person and in an at home setting. We have begun to see students in the building with our peer counselors leading tours for our incoming freshman in a modified freshman orientation. It has been great to see familiar faces and engage in academic conversations once again. The work to get here has been exhaustive and all encompassing for all, however, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome students back to school on Wednesday, September, 16th
This will not be a normal school year. As you know, we have had to modify much of the way we do school in a relatively short amount of time to make our opening possible. We have modified our daily schedule, our student schedules, developed cohorts for student grouping, among many other new procedures which we will share with students below and over the first few meetings. Our goal from the beginning has been to return to school in the safest manner possible for students and staff according to the guidelines set forth by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Some of these adjustments require more effort and some come with disappointment. The flexibility and accommodations that we are accustomed to may not be possible in a variety of scenarios this year, however, we will continue to make adjustments as we learn and grow in this new environment.
I have appreciated the understanding and support from our students and families around the efforts that have gone into making the return to school possible. I will continue to ask for your grace and understanding in the days and weeks ahead. None of this is easy, but we know that our return to education for our students and families will be worth all of the steps needed to get here. I look forward to partnering with you in supporting your children's education this year.
Stay safe and be well,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
Medway High School
First Week Schedule
Wednesday, September 16
On Wednesday, September 16, the school year will begin for all Medway High School students remotely. Prior to Wednesday, all students will receive information from their teachers for how to access the Google Classroom for each course. Google Classroom will be the hub for all of our learning materials and links to access zoom or google meet sessions. Students should check their email regularly where they will receive their Google Classroom invitations or join codes. If you have any issues accessing your email or Google Classroom, please contact support@medwayschools.org. All of our student schedules are available on Infinite Campus. Please review your schedule and your Google Classroom pages for each course so you are aware of the sequence of courses on Wednesday and have the links ready to access to enter your sessions.
Wednesday sessions are inclusive of students in all cohorts. During the first session, your teacher will likely provide you with an overview of what the year will look like for that course, expectations for entering and engaging in the class during in-person sessions, and begin building connections and relationships with the students. Each session on Wednesday will be live online and students will be expected to have their cameras on for the 25 minute class session. Synchronous learning on Wednesday’s will begin at 8:04 and continue for all seven periods until 11:59. All students are expected to take a lunch break from 12:00-12:30 and then engage in two asynchronous learning sessions from 12:30-2:30.
Our first Wednesday afternoon sessions will be an opportunity for students to learn about our new in school practices and protocols to prepare them for their first day in the building.
Thursday, September 17 and Friday, September 18
What's DSB and Flex Block (H)?
Printable Schedule Rotation
MASKS
Chromebooks
Students are expected to bring their Chromebooks to school each day, fully charged. While most of the programs we will be using can be accessed on home computers, the school issued Chromebook should be the primary device used for all academics, both in school and at home. This will allow the district to push out new applications to all machines, run diagnostics and address technical issues that might arise. We have limited capacity to power devices in the classroom. The battery life for a district provided Chromebook is more than sufficient to last for the entire school day if fully charged.
Anyone in need of technical assistance or device repair is encouraged to visit our Technical Support site. Medway Technical Support can be reached via email at support@medwayschools.org or by phone at (508) 321-4799. Requests will be managed as quickly as possible.
School Supplies
Given the fact that half of our learners will be attending their classes online each day, our overall instructional approach for all students will feature a greater use of digital tools than the traditional classroom model. We will be using Google Classroom as our primary learning platform and the majority of materials will be made available for students electronically. Using these tools provide greater opportunities for students in school to safely collaborate with peers in class and at home. It also allows students who are absent for any reason to access the instructional materials. For some classes, such as art and music, students will be issued supplies that should be used in school and at home. We will have limited capacity to share materials, so it is important that each student have a sufficient supplies of pens and pencils. Most math classes will require a graphing calculator as well. We strongly encourage students to also supply their own wired headphones and dry erase markers. Other school supplies will be identified in the expectation sheets provided by the teachers. Please reach out to the main office if you require any assistance in acquiring school supplies.
Attention Seniors
- Privs will begin immediately if you have a Directed Study Block first block or last block
- Privs have been extended to include Flex Block on Tuesday and Friday when it falls first block or last block.
- There will be a Senior Parent Night on Wednesday 9/30 @ 6:30pm. This will be held virtually.
- We will host Virtual College Rep Visits during the Comprehensive Wellness/Core Values Blocks. There will be two time slots every Wednesday that students will sign up on for through Naviance.
More details to follow
August 29, 2020
I hope you are all enjoying the final days of summer! Opening day for our students is fast approaching and we’re hard at work finalizing all of the details to ensure that our opening is as safe and smooth as possible. On Monday, we welcome our faculty and staff back to the building. Over the next two weeks, our staff will be immersed in new protocols, safety procedures, and instructional methods in preparation for welcoming students back to school. As you already know, our first day back to school will be on September 16th which is a remote school day. Between September 8-11, we will have opportunities via webinar sessions for each cohort and their families to learn more about our return to school process and some of our new protocols for a safe return to school. In the meantime, you’ll receive your cohort information on Friday, August 28th and we’ll release student schedules on August 31st both at 4pm.
Please stay tuned as we continue to share updates over the days to come. We look forward to welcoming you back to school in two weeks!
Cohort Information
Our central office recently shared cohort information via email for the 2020-2021 school year. If you receive this communication and the details of the cohort placement are different than what you expected, please reach out to the building principal of your child(ren)’s school to seek clarity. We will not be able to honor requests to change students from Cohort A to Cohort B as these shifts will create imbalances elsewhere and the data that we have is also supporting our work to finalize transportation routes.
Class Schedules
Class schedules will be released on Monday at 4pm. Our schedules represent a combination of courses that students were recommended for along with electives that match the interests of our students. During the course request process, we asked students to request course alternate courses and engage in a placement review process if the course recommendation did not match the desired level of challenge that the student desired. Our administrators and counselors were able to meet the vast majority of requests and organize classes that have balance in class sizes throughout the school. This process was beneficial as we were faced with developing cohorts to accommodate students in classrooms with 6’ distance between desks and chairs. We are also fortunate that we’ve been able to maintain our vast core and elective offerings for our students during this difficult time.
The complexities of scheduling for the hybrid model along with our new daily schedule model for this year only (4 periods/day) have made it imperative for us to limit the number of directed study blocks built into student schedules. Most students will find that their schedules are more full than they are used to, especially grades 9 and 10 which are fully scheduled. We have built our daily schedule to ensure that all students have a directed support block with one of their teachers to begin each school day and a Flex Block to meet with an academic teacher of their choice on Tuesdays and Fridays.
With student schedules set and cohorts established, we are able to support student learning with our cohort model that does not exceed any of our staff or classroom capabilities. As we laid out in the spring, we would not have a summer override process and will not be able to make any changes to courses this year. Please understand that changes to our schedule has a cascading impact throughout the district on everything from the number of students in electives all the way to the number of students on the bus. This is not the way we usually do business but it is what is necessary this year. Thank you in advance for your understanding and support with student schedules.
Freshman Orientation- Allison Jasmin
We’re excited to welcome our incoming 9th grade students to our orientation on either Wednesday, September 9th or Thursday, September 10th. Each Peer Counselor and their group of freshmen have been assigned a one-hour time slot. We ask that each incoming 9th grade student fill out the google form using their Medway school account to find their time and sign up to attend (Times and Sign-up Form). The time slots are spaced out every 15 minutes so that one Peer Counselor and their group of freshmen will be in the building at a time.
We ask that Freshmen are dropped off at the front of the building and meet their Peer Counselor outside. After all freshmen attending are accounted for, the PC's will proceed into the building and provide their group a tour of the building. Students will also have the opportunity to locate their classes along the tour. After the tour, the group will meet outside behind the cafeteria for Q&A. During this time, the Peer Counselors will reshare the link to the padlet that was created during Grade 8 Step Up Day. This will be their go-to for all things related to their transition to MHS. We ask that parents pick-up their child behind the cafeteria. As a reminder, all students must be masked and maintain their physical distance throughout the orientation. Please reach out to Allison Jasmin with any questions.
2020-2021 School Calendar
The School Committee approved the recommended, amended 2020-2021 School Calendar which can be found here. The calendar takes into account the additional 10 days of professional learning and planning days prior to the start of our student return which will be Wednesday, September 16. The two days at the end of the year are being held in abeyance in case we need them sometime during the year in support of a student learning model transition (i.e. move from hybrid to full remote, etc.)
Health and Safety Updates:
The District is moving forward with the purchase of air purifiers with HEPA filters for each classroom, teaching space, and office. These devices have the ability to sanitize the air, depending on size, every 15 minutes. We are hopeful we will receive delivery prior to the students starting school.
While this exceeds the recommendations provided by DESE, we believe that this is an essential purchase for a few reasons:
It adds another layer of protection for students, faculty and staff
It allows us to more effectively operate our ventilation system, while complying with guidance, as the weather shifts
Face Covering Policy
At the August 20, 2020, School Committee meeting, the committee approved the following policy regarding masks and face coverings. Please make sure to read and reach out to the school with any questions.
Chromebook Repair Services and Supports:
Anyone in need of technical assistance or device repair is encouraged to visit our Technical Support site. Medway Technical Support can be reached via email at support@medwayschools.org or by phone at (508) 321-4799. Requests will be managed as quickly as possible.
Free and Reduced School Meal Program
Every child needs a healthy, nutritious meal to learn. Medway Public Schools offers nutritious meals to children each school day, often at a free or reduced price for those who need it. Medway Public Schools participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program (NSLBP), a federally funded program that helps children receive free or reduced meals.
Click here for additional information and to find out if you qualify.
Fall Return to Sports-Jeff Parcells
Hello Mustang Nation!
I am writing to you today with some positive news pertaining to high school sports and the upcoming fall season. Last night, I presented an overview of our plan to safely return to athletics for the upcoming fall season to the Medway School Committee. The information highlights the plans by which Medway HS and the Tri-Valley League will be following for the upcoming season. A copy of the presentation slides can be found here.
Fall 2020
A major change for the upcoming fall is three of our typical fall season programs will be moved to a new season which will begin in late February; referred to by the MIAA as ‘Fall Season II or the Floating Season’. Those three programs are Football, Cheer and Volleyball. If you registered and paid for one of those programs, we will automatically move your registration and payment to the new ‘Fall Season II / Floating Season’. If you would like a refund, please contact me as soon as possible. The MIAA just released their ‘Sport Modifications’ to abide by the rules set forth by the EEA for the sports running this fall. Those documents can be found here.
Spectators (2020 only)
By a unanimous vote of the Tri-Valley League Principals, spectators will not be permitted at any TVL event this fall, including practice and tryout sessions. While likely unpopular, it is in line with capacity recommendations from the state and many leagues across the state are utilizing this model. All Medway athletic events held on Hanlon Field will be available to view via live-streaming on the NFHS Network. We are very thankful for the Medway Booster Club’s donation and their commitment to bring this capability to our campus. More information to follow pertaining to the live-streaming of our events.
Coaching out of Season
Out of season student-athletes/teams (Winter, Fall Season II, and Spring) are not permitted to participate in any sport-specific physical activity or practice sessions with their team or coaches. Off-season practice sessions are not allowed or sanctioned by Medway Public Schools or the Tri-Valley League. The Tri-Valley League Principals voted unanimously to keep MIAA Rule 40 (Coaching Out Of Season rule) in place for the entire 2020-2021 school year. We will allow our coaches who are currently out of season to meet with their team candidates but those meetings must be optional and limited in frequency. There cannot be any expectation that a student-athlete attend any meeting considered out of season based on the seasons listed in the slide presentation. If coaches plan on meeting with their team candidates, all school district rules pertaining to social distancing and face coverings must be adhered to. Virtual meetings are the preferred method at this time.
User Fees
Sport user fees will not be reduced as our costs for transportation, game management, staffing and PPE have increased. The online Unipay payment system is now available to accept payments for the Fall I Season. To register for a Fall Season I sport, please go here.
Four Season Student-Athletes (2020 only)
Please note the MIAA is allowing student-athletes to participate in four seasons this school year. This means that student-athletes who would normally participate in football, cheer or volleyball may elect to try out for another fall team that is running (cross country, field hockey, boys soccer, girls soccer or golf) and vice versa.
Office Hours
To help answer any questions you may have, I will conduct office hours on Monday to answer any questions pertaining to high school athletics. Student-athletes can register for the 3:00-3:30 p.m. session here. A second meeting to answer any question from parents/guardians is scheduled for 4:00-4:30 p.m. and you can register here.
Thank you for taking the time to read through all of the details and the slide presentation. I look forward to seeing all of you in the very near future. Wishing you a safe and healthy 2020-2021 school year! GO MUSTANGS!
Best,
Jeff Parcells, Athletic Director
August 16, 2020
This has been an incredibly important week for the Medway Public Schools. We hosted multiple informational webinars both with faculty as well as our community in order to inform everyone about our Return to School Plan. In addition, last night the district leadership team presented to the School Committee with our recommendation. The result of the meeting was the approval of the Hybrid model
We know that these are incredibly challenging times to plan for and that our plans can change in an instant based on state and local information. We also know that our plans include big picture planning and we still have many details to finalize.
I am appreciative to the leadership team, Medway High School task force, and all faculty and staff that we have engaged in conversations and suggestions about the fall return.
We have created a student centered, thoughtful, and aligned approach across all schools as well as consistency within the models. Ms. Luizzi and I have been working closely to align the secondary schools as well as Ms. McDonald and Mr. Kelly at the elementary level.
We learned a great deal from last year and are focused to work together as a school community to make this year an even more dynamic experience for our students. Finally, as you have heard in the webinars, we have centered our decision making process in our district core values.
Please see more information below to access webinar recordings. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out or Submit questions here. I will also host a live office hour meeting for parents on Tuesday, August 18 at noon. Please sign up here and a link will be sent at 10am on August 18th.
Best,
John Murray,
Principal
Return to School Webinar- District
On Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Dr. Pires and the leadership team shared our Return to School Plan via a webinar. If you were unable to attend the webinar, you can view the recording here. In addition, you can find a link to the slidedeck using this link:
COMMUNITY_ Recommendation_ Medway Public Schools Fall 2020 School Return Framework.pdfMHS Return to School Webinar
Medway High SchoolI hosted a "Return to School" webinar on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 as a follow up to the district level webinar. We reviewed our school’s plans for our return to school this fall. If you missed the webinar, you can find the recording here. In addition, the powerpoint slide deck can be found here.
Daily Schedule 2020-2021
Counselor Assignments 2020-2021
We are pleased to share the counseling assignments for 2020-2021. As you may be aware, Ms. Emily Reznick will be joining the staff at Medway Middle School and her caseload has been redistributed among the other counselors. For our rising seniors, please know that Ms. Reznick is still available to write your college recommendation and answer any questions that you may have pertaining to your post-secondary search process. Please reach out to Ms. Maura McCormack or your school counselor with any questions.
Class of 2024 (Grade 9):
Ms. Charlsey Gentile: A-G
Mrs. Amanda Harkins: H-M
Ms. Allison Jasmin: N-Z
Class of 2023 (Grade 10):
Mrs. Amanda Harkins: A-Bo & L-P
Ms. Allison Jasmin: Br-C & Q-Z
Ms. Charlsey Gentile: D-Di & Do-K
Class of 2022 (Grade 11):
Mrs. Amanda Harkins: A-Bo & L-P
Ms. Allison Jasmin: Br-Cl & Q-Z
Ms. Charlsey Gentile: Co-Di & Do-K
Class of 2021 (Grade 12):
Mrs. Amanda Harkins: A-Bo & L-P
Ms. Allison Jasmin: Br-C & Q-Z
Ms. Charlsey Gentile: D-Di & Do-K
Message from Dr. Pires
Please click here to read the latest Superintendent’s Update that was sent to the community on Friday (8/14/20).
Communication
If you are not receiving email communications from the district or the schools, we are here to help. Please email parent@medwayschools.org and a team will work to ensure that you are connected.
Important Dates
August 14th - Final “commitment” surveys sent to families regarding their plans for the Fall 2020 school return
August 17th- Virtual School Webinar, 3:00 pm
August 19th- Final Fall 2020 School Return surveys due (student learning model AND transportation surveys)
August 20th- School Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm
Early September, TBD: Student and Family Orientations
September 16th- 1st day of school
DESE Resources
Below you will find some links to resources from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We are called upon to use these resources when developing plans for the District.
DESE Initial Fall Reopening Guidance
DESE Fall 2020 Special Education Guidance
DESE Fall 2020 School Reopening Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
DESE Protocols for Responding to COVID19 Scenarios
DESE Return-to-School Working Group webpage
DESE Fall Reopening Transportation Guidance
DESE Fall Reopening Facilities and Operations' Guidance
DESE: Guidance for Courses Requiring Additional Safety Considerations for Fall 2020
Translation
Please click the following links for directions on how to translate the newsletter.
Here is the link for the master directions in English.
Here is the link for Spanish.
Here is the link for French.
Here is the link for Russian.
Here is the link for Arabic
Haga clic en los siguientes enlaces para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo traducir el boletín.
Aquí está el enlace para español.
Here is the link for Spanish.
Veuillez cliquer sur les liens suivants pour savoir comment traduire le bulletin d'information.
Voici le lien pour le français.
Here is the link for French.
Пожалуйста, нажмите следующие ссылки для получения инструкций о том, как перевести информационный бюллетень.
Вот ссылка на русский.
Here is the link for Russian.
August 9, 2020
Happy August!
Last week, we were thrilled to welcome back the Class of 2020 for an in-person graduation ceremony. It was great to see our graduates and their families as a group one last time to say a proper farewell. While our graduates have received a great deal of attention, we are also thinking about how to build connections and community for all of our students. We’re excited for our incoming twelfth graders to begin their senior year. While I’m sure this year’s activities will look and feel different, we’re committed to making the experience for the Class of 2021 special throughout the year. We’re also welcoming a new group of students in grade 9 and are looking forward to sharing details for what their welcome will look like and how to make our freshman feel at home at MHS.
We continue to meet as a district leadership team and with members of our high school staff to plan what the fall return will look like. Certainly there is a great deal of thought and detail that goes into planning for multiple scenarios. As Dr. Pires stated in his August 5th, communication, "We anticipate that we will migrate among and between each of the student learning models (full in-person, hybrid, and remote) during the 2020-2021 school year." While we prepare for all student learning models, our district will share information and updates during a district-wide webinar on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 5pm and via a live-streamed School Committee meeting this Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 5pm. We hope you will be able to join us to learn more about our reopening plans and to have questions answered.
Best,
John Murray
Principal
Medway High School
District Return to School Webinar
As Dr. Pries shared in his Superintendent’s Update on Wednesday, we invite the community to join us for a Return to School webinar on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 5:00PM. We will again use a webinar format to share our presentation. The event will also be recorded and shared with our community. Attendance requires registration. If you would like to attend, please Register here
Medway High School Return to School Presentation
Medway High School will host a community meeting on Wednesday, August 12th at 3pm. The purpose of this meeting will be to review the plan we presented at the Return to School Webinar on Tuesday, August 11th. During this session, we will provide additional details about the plan as it relates to MHS. We also plan to take questions from the community about specific aspects of our plan. In order to best prepare for this meeting, we are asking that families submit their questions after the August 11th meeting, but prior to our building based meeting. This will allow us to ensure we address your questions and concerns. Please submit questions here.
Upcoming Dates
Important Dates
August 11th - Community Return to School Webinar 5pm
August 12th- Medway High School Return to School Webinar 3pm
August 13th- Review of Fall 2020 School Return recommendation with the Medway Public Schools School Committee (for approval) - This will be a live streamed meeting- 5pm
August 14th - Final “commitment” surveys sent to families regarding their plans for the Fall 2020 school return
August 19th- Final Fall 2020 School Return surveys due
In case you missed it- July 29th Office Hours
June 12, 2020
Last Week of School
Thank you to all of our students and families for your care and support throughout this most challenging year! I look forward to supporting you and yours in whatever lies ahead!
Best,
John
Underclass Awards
Student Town Hall: Conversation about Race
As a follow up to the district-wide: A Community Conversation About Race, Medway High School and Medway Middle School will host a student town hall forum to discuss race in our schools.
We are pleased to welcome our long standing partners in this essential work, IDEAS’ allies (Initiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement for Students), to guide our students in learning and dialogue. We are pleased to host members of our grades 5-12 UNITY, TADA, World of Difference, Peer Counselor, Student Council, and 40% club who will participate in this program. Pre-registration is required and we ask that questions and comments be submitted ahead of time. The event will be Wednesday, June 17 at 4pm and will be recorded for those unable to join us. Registration and questions/comments will be mailed out on Monday. Log-in credentials will be sent to all registered participants just prior to the event.
2020-2021 Schedule Release
Freshman Pick-Up and Drop Off
Grade 9 students will come to the high school at their scheduled time to receive their locker contents in a bag “curbside”. They will then return their books in book bins labeled by department. We will publish a map that includes the pick up and drop off locations along with a plan for traffic. MHS staff will be on hand to manage the process. Below are the dates, and times by alphabet for each of the grades. Each grade will receive an email that includes a reminder of what to return.
Grade 9
June 17th, 11:30am - 1:30pm - Abbott - Carpenter
June 17th , 1:45pm - 3:45pm - Caton - Fowles
June 18th, 9:00am - 11:00am - Foy - Knowlton
June 18th, 11:15am - 1:15pm - Longval - Pobudziej
June 18th, 1:30pm - 3:30pm - Potnis - Zufriategui
Final Pick-up/ Drop off
This includes Lockers, Gym and Athletics
Refunds for Ring Dance and Prom
Q4 Grades/ Final Report Cards-6/22
June 1
Message from Dr. Murray
Dear MHS Students and Parents,
We are all saddened as we have watched events unfold on our national stage over the past few days regarding racism and inequality in America. We know that our children have witnessed the ongoing protests and unrest in the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which I’m sure has brought about questions and concerns in households across our community. Connected to these concerns is an external email received by members of our junior class at the end of last week from someone claiming to be part of our Medway High School community. In this communication, the author writes, in part, “As a student here at Medway high things haven't been always alright for me. Students are purposely being racist towards the people of color, and that is not right. So please if you are being racist towards someone, please stop it. Try to bring peace in our world today.” Though our security settings should have prevented this email from reaching an internal distribution list, it is important to acknowledge and address the frustration and sentiments expressed in the message with our students and families.
As principal of Medway High School, it brings me great pain to read a message from a student asking for acts of racism that they have experienced or witnessed to stop. To be clear, we will not tolerate or condone acts of racism in our school. I have reached out to the author and asked to have a conversation to learn more about their experiences, investigate their concerns, and to take the appropriate actions. I invite other students who may have similar sentiments or may have witnessed such acts to share their experiences with me. Every student in our high school community has a right to learn and engage in a safe environment free from racism and bias.
We recognize that our efforts to develop and maintain a culture of equity and empowerment for all is never finished and we continue to have work to do in this area. Our school community is committed to confronting issues of bigotry, hate, and injustice. We will continue our efforts to educate our MHS community to recognize these behaviors and provide additional support when confronted by these issues. We will also continue to engage in learning and partnership with professional organizations equipped to provide support in our work to build an environment that is free from hate. Finally, we will provide tools for parents to engage in conversations about race with your children. These conversations may be uncomfortable to engage in but are meaningful and important. We hope that you will remain committed to engaging in this essential work with us.
We value your partnership as we continue to build a school community in which all of our students feel safe and supported. Please feel free to reach out to our school leadership team or school counselors if you or your children have questions about the topics discussed here.
Sincerely,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
Medway High School
Junior Pick-up and Drop-off
Grade 11
June 4th, 11:30am - 1:30pm - Abbott - Capalbo
June 4th , 1:45pm - 3:45pm - Cardillo - Flood
June 5th, 9:00am - 11:00am - Flotta - MacLeod
June 5th, 11:15am - 1:15pm - Maddox - Pratt
June 5th, 1:30pm - 3:30pm - Proctor - Zanella
Cap and Gown Pick-up and Class Day- June 7th
Also, on Sunday evening, Medway Cable Access will broadcast Class Day. Class Day includes several student speeches, a class will, and our the naming of our scholarship and award recipients. The awards will be aired at 6:30pm on Medway Cable and streamed live via Medway Cable's Facebook page. More information will be included in our Thursday communication.
High School Science MCAS Decision Finalized
At their May 26, 2020 meeting, the members of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted and approved to modify the requirements for High School MCAS testing in Science and Technology/Engineering for students in the classes of 2021-2023 due to the COVID-19 emergency. The details of the meeting can be found here.
For students in the classes of 2021–2023, the competency determination in STE would be awarded upon demonstration that the student earned credit for a course in the relevant subject matter and demonstrated competency in one of the four tested disciplines (biology, chemistry, introductory physics, technology/engineering) during their high school career. The process and timeline for awarding the modified CD will be announced at a later date.
Students in the classes of 2021–2023 will still be able to qualify for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award, which currently require students to earn certain test scores in all three subject areas (ELA, mathematics, and science and technology/engineering). We are working with the Department of Higher Education to determine a fair approach to modifying the criteria for the scholarship programs and will announce those changes shortly.
Students in the class of 2024, who were in grade 8 this year and are entering grade 9 next year, will be expected to participate in STE testing in 2021 or 2022, according to their school or district plan for high school STE testing.
MHS School Counseling Update
Attention Seniors:
Scholarship Extension:
The DESE has extended the deadline for the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery with Distinction to June 30th (it had been May 1st).
Below please find a link for information about the scholarship:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X60kry2lkllpXaHbX2sooQAOqdI_bUQxkRVAqk3glmY/edit?usp=sharing
Senior Exit Surveys:
Seniors should have received information about filling out two senior exit surveys. This is just a reminder that the deadline to complete them is Friday, May 22nd. Students should log into their Naviance account to access both surveys.
Attention Juniors:
The Junior Post-Secondary Workshops have now been completed. School Counselors have started meeting with Juniors individually by appointment. Students should join the Class of 2021 School Counseling google classroom (the code was given out at the Junior Post-Secondary Workshop) to review the Junior Seminar #4 Power Point as well as other helpful handouts. Juniors should complete their student data portfolio and their activity resume in Naviance and once completed, email Mrs. Rondeau at jrondeau@medwayschools.org to set up their Junior appointment. If students have any questions about signing up, please email your school counselor.
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) Resources for HS Juniors
Below please find a link that MEFA has created with some helpful resources for high school Juniors. The link provides information about a timeline for the financial aid process, webinars offered by MEFA for the financial aid and college admissions processes, as well as Blog posts by MEFA representatives with information about applying to college.
https://image.s1.sfmc-content.com/lib/fefc16747c6004/m/3/18299d9f-4fc6-4b78-a90b-d35baff4c6a0.pdf
Additional Links from MEFA with information about expenses students may have when entering college for the first time:
Quick Memorial Day Update for May 25-May 29
This week's schedule
Senior Pick-up and Drop-off
Seniors will be able to pick-up and drop-off items at the scheduled times below this Thursday and Friday. Seniors will first drive to the Gymnasium entrance to pick up the contents of their locker/gym locker. Students should write their last name on a piece of paper and place it on their passenger window. An MHS staff member will place your belongings on the sidewalk near your car. Students should then drive around back to the cafeteria patio to return books by department and their chromebook. Please place your name in all of your books. At all times, students must wear a mask. Please reach out to Mr. List with any questions.
Grade 12
May 28th, 11:30am - 1:30pm - Abrams - Dennehy
May 28th , 1:45pm - 3:45pm - DeRosa - Higgins
May 29th, 9:00am - 11:00am - Hollis-Zicko - Morales
May 29th, 11:15am - 1:15pm - Moran - Schwab
May 29th, 1:30pm - 3:30pm - Shea - Woytaszek
Class Elections
- Tuesday 5/26 1:00 = Grade 9 Class Meeting
- Wednesday 5/27 1:00 = Grade 10 Class Meeting
- Thursday 5/28 1:00 = Grade 11 Class Meeting
All of the election results will be shared on Friday 5/29.
If you have any questions about class elections, please reach out to Ms. Metcalf.
ICYMI- Graduation Announcement
Term 3 Report Cards
Term 3 report cards will be shared via Infinite Campus on Wednesday, May 27.
May 19th Update
This week is bittersweet for all of us as our seniors officially finish their classes at MHS. This is not the ending that any of us imagined. We are so excited about the opportunities ahead of us to celebrate this class before they take the next important steps in their lives. It has taken us longer than we had hoped to solidify our plans. We sought feedback from students and families, received additional feedback and ideas along the way, and continued to hold back in hopes that we would get additional support and guidance in making a decision about graduation that is consistent with the wishes of our students. On Friday, Senior Class President Sam McKeown and I will share a video with our students and families that outlines our plan and date for graduation. We think folks will be happy with our plan and we look forward to sharing it with you!
In the meantime, we can announce that graduation will not be on June 7th. Instead, we are planning a drive-thru cap and gown pickup (with a faculty cheering section) and a virtual Class Day for June 7th. We’ll have more details to share about that event on Friday as well. Finally, our Senior Class Council is working on our annual Superlatives Event to be ready sometime mid-June.
More details to follow!
This week’s Mustang Minute also highlights information about our locker cleanout and our book return process for all grades. This process is challenging to plan logistically and signals to students that the end of the school year is near. I encourage you to continue to support your students in finishing the year strong as we still have four weeks to go. Our teacher, counselors, and AP will continue to support struggling students to ensure that they are successful by the end of the year.
Locker Cleanout and Return of MHS Resources
As senior classes end this week and our classes for grades 9-11 end shortly after, we have organized a system for students to obtain items from their lockers and return books and resources to the school. This process will be organized by grade level with specific times arranged alphabetically to ensure an orderly process that meets current social distancing guidelines. In short, students will come to the high school at their scheduled time to receive their locker contents in a bag “curbside”. They will then return their books in book bins labeled by department. We will publish a map that includes the pick up and drop off locations along with a plan for traffic. MHS staff will be on hand to manage the process. Below are the dates, and times by alphabet for each of the grades. Each grade will receive an email that includes a reminder of what to return.
Grade 12
May 28th, 11:30am - 1:30pm - Abrams - Dennehy
May 28th , 1:45pm - 3:45pm - DeRosa - Higgins
May 29th, 9:00am - 11:00am - Hollis-Zicko - Morales
May 29th, 11:15am - 1:15pm - Moran - Schwab
May 29th, 1:30pm - 3:30pm - Shea - Woytaszek
Grade 11
June 4th, 11:30am - 1:30pm - Abbott - Capalbo
June 4th , 1:45pm - 3:45pm - Cardillo - Flood
June 5th, 9:00am - 11:00am - Flotta - MacLeod
June 5th, 11:15am - 1:15pm - Maddox - Pratt
June 5th, 1:30pm - 3:30pm - Proctor - Zanella
Grade 10
June 11th, 11:30am - 1:30pm - Abrams - Day
June 11th , 1:45pm - 3:45pm - DiBiasio - Jorgensen
June 12th, 9:00am - 11:00am - Kewley - Nisbet
June 12th, 11:15am - 1:15pm - O'Connor - Sigrist
June 12th, 1:30pm - 3:30pm - Sioras - Wu
Grade 9
June 17th, 11:30am - 1:30pm - Abbott - Carpenter
June 17th , 1:45pm - 3:45pm - Caton - Fowles
June 18th, 9:00am - 11:00am - Foy - Knowlton
June 18th, 11:15am - 1:15pm - Longval - Pobudziej
June 18th, 1:30pm - 3:30pm - Potnis - Zufriategui
May Parent Wellness Newsletter: COVID-19 Edition
These last several months have certainly been a challenging time for families and have drastically changed most household dynamics. With that in mind, we have put together a second edition of a COVID-19 Wellness Newsletter, which can be accessed here.
May 10, 2020- Update
Happy Mother's Day
This week, I am sharing important information about our grading plan for the terms 3 and 4 and our grading calculation for the year. It took quite awhile to get this settled and available for our families. There were several shifts in our learning plans and changes made to our potential return dates until we learned that we would be out for the rest of the year. It was also important to me to get the pulse of what made sense from our students, teachers, and parents in determining the proper weighting of all of the grades.I ran the numbers through spreadsheets to make sure that students were not negatively impacted by the grading plan. I also compared what we were thinking in terms of grading with what our neighboring communities were planning for their grades to ensure that our grading was in line across the region. It took longer than I had hoped, but I am pleased to share grading information with you below. This plan gives students credit for all of the work that they completed for each of the three terms that we were in school and a Pass/Fail grade for term 4 that will help support the overall final calculations. This plan was accepted at school committee on Thursday evening. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
MHS Grading Plan
Term 3
Students will receive a numerical grade and report cards for Term 3
Third term was originally scheduled to run from January 29-April 2
Term 3 will retroactively run from January 29- March 13 (our last day in school)
Assignments given between March 13 and April 12 are part of the Alternative Enrichment Plan and will not receive grades towards Term 3 or towards the remote learning plan
We are offering students the opportunity to submit missing or incomplete term 3 assignments to be turned in through May 15 without penalty.
Most students will not need to submit any assignments to close out term 3.
Last week, teachers identified missing or incomplete assignments that can be submitted for credit from students who were unable to submit prior to March 13th due to absences or extenuating circumstances.
These late submissions can only improve Term 3 grades.
Term 3 grades will reflect only completed assignments for the term.
Term 3 report cards will be shared via Infinite Campus on Wednesday, May 27.
Term 3 grades will count for 18% of the overall grade
Term 4
Fourth Term began with remote learning on April 13.
Student progress will be reported for the Fourth Term as Pass/Fail.
Individual assignments will be assessed for completion, effort*, and understanding and recorded as credit or no credit . Written and/or oral feedback will also be provided to students on their assignments.
Students will earn a passing grade (P) for Fourth Term if they earn credit on 60% of assignments during the Remote Learning period (April 13-June 19).
It is our intention to support all students so that they meet the requiremnts to earn a P for quarter 4.
Term 4 will count for 12% of the overall grade.
Last day of classes and end of term 4 for Seniors is May 22
Term 4 ends for grades 9-11 on June 19
Term 4 report cards will be released on June 22.
Determination of Final Grades
For full-year courses, terms will be weighted in the following manner:
T1 30%
T2 30%
Midyear Exam 10%
T3 18%
T4 12%
Cumulative weighted GPA for the year will be calculated using the final grade average for full year and first semester classes.
Semester Two half-year courses will be graded as Pass/Fail for the semester and will not be calculated into the GPA.
End of Year Updates- Seniors
In the meantime, please know that the last day for Seniors is May 22nd. We will have Senior grades finalized by June 3rd and will know who our Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and top 10 students are.
At the end of this week, we will share plans for Seniors to return books, chromebooks, and pick up items from their lockers. If there are items that students need this week, please fill out this form.
AP Exams
Class Elections
We are pleased to share class election information with our grade 9-11 students. Our class elections will look different than previous years and it is important to review the steps below.
Friday 5/8: Class advisors will post the Intent to Run form in your Google Classroom
Monday 5/11: Intent to Run form is due to Ms. Cecchi.
No signatures are required this year.
Monday 5/18: All candidates will submit their election speech video to Ms. Cecchi.
Videos need to be school appropriate.
Ms. Cecchi and Administration will review all videos.
Videos should be 2-3 minutes in length. ( 3 minute MAX)
We will hold elections for each class via Google Meet during the week of May 25. Students will have the opportunity to view pre-recorded video speeches at the times below. Students may view the speeches via Google Meet's stream function with no chat function available. This will be the only opportunity to view the videos.
Tuesday 5/26 1:00 = Grade 9 Class Meeting
Wednesday 5/27 1:00 = Grade 10 Class Meeting
Thursday 5/28 1:00 = Grade 11 Class Meeting
Immediately following the class meeting, students will receive a link via email to vote. Voting will remain open for 2 hours.
All of the election results will be shared on Friday 5/29.
Prom and Ring Dance
Locker Request Form
If you require materials from your locker in order to complete your Remote Learning assignments, please fill out the Locker Request Form, which will be emailed to you this afternoon.
Once we receive your request, materials will be gathered from your locker and placed in a bag with your name on it.
You will then receive an email with your assigned day and time for curbside pick up at MHS.
No students will be allowed into the building.
Please follow all social distancing guidelines and wear a mask/face covering.
There will be additional opportunities to pick up materials and drop off school owned materials at a later date.
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. and SEPAC Event: Pandemic Parenting
Supporting Student Nutrition During School Closures
In order to ensure that students’ nutritional needs continue to be satisfied during this period of school closure, we are continuing to offer families the opportunity to have access to school meals and food to prepare meals at home. As a Medway family, you have the opportunity to access meals in three different ways:
Breakfast and lunch pick-up: A “grab and go” breakfast and lunch will be available for pick-up, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, outside of the Medway Middle School main entrance from 7:00-9:00 a.m. On Monday and Wednesday, students will be offered two days' worth of meals (two breakfast and two lunches) and on Friday students will be offered three days' worth of meals. Each meal will include an entree, side of fruit and/or vegetable, and milk. Parents and guardians are able to pull-up to the Medway Middle School front entrance and pick up their meals without having to leave their vehicle.
Weekly food pick-up: A week’s worth of food can be picked up at the Medway Village Church Food Pantry on Saturday mornings from 9:00-10:00 a.m. or by scheduling an appointment time with the Food Pantry Director. Food offerings will include “family size” portions of meal ingredients and kid-friendly single-serve meals.
Breakfast and lunch pick-up and weekly food pick-up: Medway families are more than welcome to participate in both of the above options in order to access daily prepared meals and larger sized ingredients each week.
To register for one or both food pick-up options please click here.
April 27th Update
We want our students to know that we miss them and that we will continue to work hard to make sure they continue to have access to high quality remote learning plans for the remainder of the year. This week, our district will send out a survey to students and parents to gather feedback about our remote learning plan thus far. Our goal is to identify areas of improvement as we continue learning in this model.
The close of school has brought several questions to the forefront that we hope to finalize answers to later this week. As you likely recall, the guidance from the state has recommended the use of pass/fail or credit/no credit for reporting of student learning during this time of closure. We are working to finalize our plans around "grading" for the year, calculating GPA, along with our expectations for virtual attendance during remote learning. We recognize the incredible challenges that families and students are experiencing during this time and are finalizing our plans to reflect sensitivity and understanding of these challenges.
Finally, it is important that we continue to enhance our connections with students during the closure. Last week, I sent a message to our seniors and asked for their feedback about senior events. This morning, I will send out messages to each of our grades. I will be working with the class advisors and grade-level class councils to identify their priority areas of concerns and begin developing plans to address them. For example, we know that the juniors have concerns about post-secondary planning and are wondering about the prom. We know that our sophomores and freshmen have many concerns as well and I look forward to hearing from them too. While the physical building is closed for the year, we will continue to identify ways to build community with and among our students.
Be safe and well,
John
School Counseling Update
Medway High School’s School Counseling Department is here to support you and your family during the COVID-19 crisis. We have been participating in local and national professional development webinars to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding the college admission and financial aid process. Below you will find some information regarding standardized testing, admissions, financial aid, as well as some online resources to help guide you through this process.
Our school counselors will be holding virtual Junior workshops for students at the beginning of May. They will then be scheduling individual follow up meetings with each junior on their caseload to help support their students through the process. Counselors are also available to meet with seniors as they are now receiving their financial aid award letters and are starting to make decisions about the Fall. If a senior has any questions regarding their post-secondary plans, they should email their school counselor so a virtual appointment can be scheduled.
Once our grading practice is updated, Medway High School will be updating our school profile to include an explanation of the school’s rationale behind grading during COVID 19.
Below please find some topics that were highlighted during all of our professional development webinars.
Current High School Seniors should remember:
To make decisions that are right for their family
Consider what is a good financial fit for their family
Transferring colleges is always an option
Current High School Juniors should remember:
Every school is coming up with their own grading criteria during this time and colleges know this.
To continue to do their research, colleges are trying to make as much information as they can virtual on their websites such as Open Houses, tours, alumni panels etc.
To reach out to the schools they are the most interested in, email the admission offices directly.
College Essays
If the Common App allows you to address your experience w/ COVID, use that section and then use the Writing section (College Essay) to answer it as you normally would.
College Visits in Fall
They plan on visiting schools in the fall, if they are not able to do so, then they will figure out a plan to speak with students virtually.
Application Deadlines
No decision has been made yet about moving the Early Action/ Decision deadlines back. Answers to the Early Action / Decision deadlines may be available in the summer. Colleges are still making decisions.
Reviewing transcripts with Pass/Fail grades
Colleges & Universities will continue to look at rigor and strength of the student’s program.
Consideration given to pass/fail grades--students will not be put at a disadvantage.
Many colleges will continue to honor AP credit.
Financial Aid:
Seniors Families with Change in Financial Status
If you have questions or need help advocating with your college’s financial aid office, please reach out to your school counselor.
Standardized Testing:
https://pages.collegeboard.org/sat-covid-19-updates
The Collegeboard has canceled the June 2020 test administration. For the most up-to-date information regarding testing, please click on the link above.
Some schools have made the decision to move to test optional for fall admissions due to the current pandemic however some colleges will still require submission of SAT and ACT (students will need to review specific college websites for this information)
Helpful Articles & Websites:
Webinar with College Admission Representatives on Thursday nights @ 7:00 pm ET for students and families:
MHS Senior Scholarship Deadline- May 1st
Accessing the Building
April 20th Update
I hope everyone had a nice long weekend! Last week, our students and teachers completed the first week in our new remote learning plan. We heard a number of positive reports from students, parents, and teachers about the improved structure and the ability to get back to some normalcy with learning. Our teachers reported that it was great to see and speak with their students. This is still new territory for us and we know that it is not perfect. We will continue to tweak some of our practices this week to keep improving. Our students are new at learning online as well so we’ll work with them to help them improve their ability to learn in a live remote atmosphere. We will also clarify our expectations for virtual attendance, credit/no credit assignments, and send a feedback form students about the remote learning experience. Overall, we've had a very positive start. THANK YOU!
There are several big picture questions that we will continue to be deliberate about coming to conclusions on such as grades for the year and the impact on G.P.A among others. We are gathering info from neighboring schools, the College Board, and area colleges and universities to help inform our decisions. We will pass some of that info on to you below. We will also host a Junior Parent Post Secondary Planning Forum via Zoom next Monday night at 7:00pm. We will address the common questions we are receiving along with questions you may have. I will be reaching out to our Juniors as well to schedule a class meeting with them.
This week we will have classes from Tuesday - Friday at each school in the district. Please review the schedule below. I emailed the schedule to students on Friday, but please feel free to remind them.
Be well and stay safe,
John
Spring MCAS Cancelled
We were notified that all Spring MCAS tests will be cancelled for this year. The full notification can be found here.
State Seal of Biliteracy
In response to the COVID-19 situation, ACTFL and Language Testing International (LTI) have made the Assessment of Performance Towards Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) and the ALIRA (Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment) available for remote administration. The AAPPL (for all languages) and the ALIRA (for Latin students) are the tests that need to be taken in order to qualify for the MA State Seal of Biliteracy. We will be communicating with the students that requested to test for the Seal of Biliteracy, and sharing with them the testing date, overall requirements and logistics. Students who are interested in obtaining the Seal of Biliteracy should contact Dr. Ocasio-Varela, World Languages Coordinator, at mocasio-varela@medwayschools.org. Students should communicate their intent to test for the MA State Seal of Biliteracy by April 14, 2020.
REMOTE LEARNING INFO- April 14
Dear Medway High School Families,
We hope this message continues to find your family safe and healthy during this time of so much uncertainty. While these recent weeks are unprecedented for all of us, we continue to be appreciative for your continued patience and support as we have worked to provide academical, social, and emotional support to your students.
Given the unprecedented changes in our daily routines and schedules, replicating our school day is just not possible as we all work to balance our families’ needs, home schooling, and in many cases, working from home. It is not possible to mirror the efforts of our teachers’ work with students to acquire skills and knowledge, as well as the personal connections that staff members and students have forged while at school each day. As I am sure you have read from Dr. Pires’ communications, we are now transitioning to providing students with remote learning opportunities where students can engage in both prior and new content that is essential for our students to be successful at the next grade level.
As a follow up to Dr. Pires’ message to our community, we hope to provide you with a high school focused follow-up to what remote learning will look like for our students.
Medway High School Remote Learning Schedule
Starting on Monday, April 13, all Medway Schools will begin using formal schedules unique to each building for remote learning. Whereas the current model of learning is “optional” for students, starting on Monday, April 13, student engagement and work completion will be required.
We have developed a schedule that we hope will provide both predictability and flexibility needed by each of us during this time. In some cases, many families have more than one child at home for whom you need to juggle lessons, activities, and meals while working from home as well. Similarly, our teachers are home juggling these same responsibilities. In developing this schedule, we attempted to not overwhelm, but to reestablish some of the structure and routine of our school day.
Your child’s schedule will include direct, virtual-in-person engagement and connection with each of their teachers in a modified way. Each of their courses will occur at a designated time, Monday through Thursday. We designed the schedule so that students will engage with their teachers in virtual in person classes and office hours each week on a regular basis. This schedule will allow students to meet with the classes on their schedule (A-G) at least twice a week for instruction and feedback.
Students are required to attend classes as listed on their schedule AND office hours each week. Teachers will be completing class attendance through Infinite Campus, and students will be expected to complete assignments from their teachers outside of the scheduled class time. If a student is not able to attend these remote classes due to illness, parents and guardians should report that absence to Mrs. Benman at lbenman@medwayschools.org.
Our Remote Learning Schedule (shown below) runs from 8:30 to 11:15 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Friday will be designated for students to complete assignments for the week and submit them via Google Classroom. Teachers will continue to be available by email and by appointment to provide support for students. When our educators are not providing direct instruction to students, they will be assessing and providing feedback on student work, collaborating with one another to develop new lessons and units, attending virtual meetings, and communicating with you.
As has been done over the past three weeks, teachers will continue to post their learning plans, activities, and assignments each Monday morning with the goal being for students to submit their work by the following Friday. Teachers will continue to use their Google Classrooms and email to answer questions and provide students with feedback throughout the week as well.
In starting this remote learning, teachers will help students with this transition as we reset our expectations and routines around transitioning to remote learning as they meet next Monday and Tuesday. This will include reviewing expectations around student attendance, student work, as well as reviewing our expectations around the use of virtual meeting platforms.
Grading
Unlike the past few weeks, students will now receive a grade and feedback on their submitted work. Teachers will utilize Google Classroom and Infinite Campus in assessing students’ progress and providing feedback. Students will earn a grade of “credit” or “no credit" for assignments. These grades will be compiled to determine a grade of "Pass/Fail" for the duration of the closure. There are still questions for us to answer in regards to determining credit for the year and impact on GPA. For now it is important for students and families to understand that students will be assessed on the completion of their assignments and that attendance is required.
Behavioral Expectations
The common sense practices that guide our efforts when we are physically together extend to this remote learning environment. Students will be provided with a set of expectations that they should adhere to throughout our remote learning experience. Most importantly, we want to ensure the online safety of our students and staff.
We ask that you take the time to review these guidelines with your student(s):
School rules always apply. Please show respect for all, always.
You may use headphones if you have them, but they are not required.
Keep your microphone muted unless you are speaking. Each student is in charge of their own microphone.
Use the comments area for messages that are on-topic for the discussion. Some teachers may decide to turn off this function.
Only share your screen when asked to do so by the teacher.
Take turns and do not interrupt others when speaking.
If you turn off your video during calls for privacy for your household, be sure that your profile picture is school appropriate.
Students are not allowed to change the background in the videoconference.
Students should not record or take pictures during a video conference session.
Students should not record or take pictures during a video conference session.
Massachusetts state law requires consent from all parties before recording in any way, this includes screenshots
Avoid multitasking: open only the tabs you need for your session
Don’t play games, watch videos or surf the web
Follow your teacher’s instructions for speaking, asking questions, and turning your microphone on or off.
Please be aware that you are video chatting into people’s homes and the teachers’ homes. Appropriate dress, drinks, behavior, decoration, etc. should be considered for all participants.
If a student is consistently disruptive or inappropriate and cannot be redirected by the teacher, a warning will be given to the student. If disruptive behavior continues, the student may be removed from the video session, and/or the session may be ended for all participants.
If this happens, the building Principal or Assistant Principal will be called to address the situation.
Parent Support
Parents and family members play an essential role as our partners. While we know that families understand the complexity of helping their child(ren) with remote learning, here are a few suggestions:
Help your child establish a daily routine and daily expectations, and an environment free from distractions and conducive to being productive.
Encourage your student to ask for help if they need any directions or questions read to them.
If students are confused about an assignment, please encourage them to reach out to the classroom teachers through Google Classroom or email.
If you or your student has questions or requires additional support, please reach out to their school counselor.
Although we recognize that the classroom has now made its way into your home, we understand that parents/guardians may observe online lessons but may do so only in a non-disruptive manner. This will allow for the focus of your student’s virtual sessions to be the interactions between students and staff.
Thank you! We'll Get Through This Together!!
We are Medway 2020
AP Forum
April 5th Update- Remote Learning Plan
We hope you have enjoyed the nice weather this weekend. I wanted to follow up to Dr. Pires' email from Friday with some high school specific information that will be helpful for students and parents this week. We anticipate this to be the final week of the optional Alternative Enrichment and Enhancement learning opportunities for students with a shift to a new Remote Learning plan beginning on Monday, April 13.
The Remote Learning Plan will highlight three important shifts:
Student work will be required, provided that we take into consideration equity issues and do not penalize students who are unable to gain access. Students will not be graded traditionally, but may receive credit/no credit for the completed work.
Students who qualify for specialized services will receive a form of service during this closure related to the Free and Public Education (FAPE) requirement. Services will NOT be the same as they would if schools were open, but instead services are intended to provide access to the general education curriculum, and provide direct and/or indirect support/service to students and/or their caregiver, using their current environment as a learning opportunity.
Students should be engaged in meaningful and productive learning for approximately half the length of a regular school day.
We anticipate sharing specifics of the Remote Learning Plan with families early to the middle of next week, so that everyone can prepare for the shift to Remote Learning on Monday, April 13. I anticipate hosting Q&A sessions for students and families once the plan is released. Stay tuned for more information.
This Week's Assignments- Due APRIL 9th
Teachers have posted assignments for this week on Google Classroom and on the MHS Enrichment and Enhancement page due on Thursday, April 9th. We are pleased by the number of students who remain engaged with their classes and assignments during this extended closure. Our goal is for 100% participation from all students via participation in office hours, email communitcation and work submission. We strongly encourage students and parents to continue to engage with a new set of assignments for this shortened week.
This week should be a sneak peak of what to expect for assignments as we transition to new content and work that counts for credit starting April 13th. If you have yet to participate, use this week to get familiar with learning remotely. Check in to your teacher’s office hours to learn more about their remote learning style or to say hello. We’re looking to stay connected with all of you! We know this isn’t easy, but the connections we maintain are what get us through these difficult times.
Senior Class Meeting
We invite all members of the Class of 2020 to attend a virtual class meeting with their Class Advisors and the Administration Team via Zoom at 12:00-1:00PM on Tuesday, April 7th. We want to check in and see how everyone is doing, and share any updates that we have about senior events, Scholarship and Awards, and the Yearbook. Please check your school email prior to the start of the meeting to access the Zoom link.
Advanced Placement Update and Meeting
There has been a great deal of uncertainty regarding what will happen with Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Dr. Murray and Mrs. Reznick will host an AP Forum for all students taking an AP course this year to share information and answer any questions students have. The College Board provided the following update:
AP Exams will be given from May 11–22. Students can choose to take exams at home or in schools, assuming we return to school on May 4th. Here is a link to the full testing schedule. Makeup test dates will be available for each subject from June 1–5. Each subject's exam will be taken on the same day at the same time, worldwide. For most subjects, the exams will be 45 minutes long, plus an additional 5 minutes for uploading. Students will need to access the online testing system 30 minutes early to get set up.
Most exams are designed to have one or two free-response questions, and each question will be timed separately. Students will need to write and submit their responses within the allotted time for each question. Students taking world language and culture exams will complete two spoken tasks consistent with free-response questions 3 and 4 on the current AP Exam. Written responses will not be required. We'll provide additional details in the coming weeks to help students prepare.
Certain courses—Art and Design: 2D; Art and Design: 3D; Computer Science Principles; Drawing; Research; and Seminar—will use portfolio submissions and will not have a separate online exam. All deadlines for these submissions have been extended to May 26, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET. Teachers and students may receive separate course-specific communications.
Colleges support this solution and are committed to ensuring that AP students receive the credit they have worked this year to earn. For decades, colleges have accepted a shortened AP Exam for college credit when groups of students have experienced emergencies.
If you are a student that needs accommodations and have gone through the process with your counselor to get extra time approved through CollegeBoard - you will be getting your accommodations on your exam. More to be released on this is an AP Exam Student Guide to be released at the end of April.
We recognize that the digital divide could prevent some low-income and rural students from participating. Working with partners, we're investing so these students have the tools and connectivity they need to review AP content online and take the exam. If your students need mobile tools or connectivity, you can contact us directly to let us know by April 24.
The College Board is offering free, virtual classes for Advanced Placement (AP) students in addition to at-home AP testing. Students and teachers can attend free, live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. These mobile-friendly classes will be recorded and available on-demand so teachers and students can access them any time and will focus on reviewing the skills and concepts from the first 75 percent of the course. There will also be some supplementary lessons covering the final 25 percent of the course.
The College Board will allow any student already registered for an exam to cancel free of charge.
The College Board has also added frequently asked questions to their website so you can find answers to important topics, including information for students with accommodations, details about exam fees and cancellations, credit and placement, calculator policies, and more. They'll continue to make updates on the site and share them with you through email, online educator communities, and social media.
MPS School Closure Website
Upcoming Dates
March 31- Update
Community Update - Remote Learning
We hope that everyone is well and safe during this extended closure. I'm sure we were all disappointed last week as Gov. Baker announced that we would remain closed until at least May 4th. We miss our students and are all hopeful that schools will reopen at that time! Currently, districts across the Commonwealth, like Medway, have provided rich, alternative enrichment or enhancement student learning plans that are recommended but not graded or required. With closures now extended into early May, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has provided new guidance to school districts to shift to a Remote Learning model. With this new guidance, our team along with various stakeholders are exploring an implementation plan for Remote Learning based on this new guidance. We believe we are well poised for this transition as we have most elements of the plan already in place. We are hopeful to have an update to families by the end of this week. The full guidelines from the DESE can be found: DESE Remote Learning Guidance.
In the meantime, please encourage your students to continue to engage in the assignments that our faculty has designed. This includes checking Google Classroom and email often for important updates. We will also send out information to students about small group and large group meetings designed to gather feedback about this experience academically and to check in on their well-being. We know this isn't easy for anyone involved. I have been impressed by the spirit in Medway over the past week though. Seeing families come together in this challenging time gives me assurance that this community will pull through this ordeal together.
Stay tuned for more info! Be safe!
John
Quarter 3 Update
Infinite Campus Contact Information
In order to facilitate communication with our students and families, our office staff is currently working to ensure that all of our student records are up to date and complete in Infinite Campus. Over the next few weeks, they will review all student entries in Infinite Campus and reach out via a phone call to verify and add contact information as needed. Please be aware that you may receive a phone call from one of our office staff members.
Senior Class Meeting
We invite all members of the Class of 2020 to attend a virtual class meeting with their Class Advisors and the Administration Team via Zoom at 12:00-1:00PM on Tuesday, April 7th. We want to check in and see how everyone is doing, and share any updates that we have about senior events, AP Courses, and the Yearbook. Please check your school email prior to the start of the meeting to access the Zoom link.
School Counseling Updates
SAT, ACT & Advance Placement (AP) Updates:
The May SAT has been canceled. Students who were registered for the March or May SAT will receive refunds. At this time, the June SAT is still available. The April ACT has been “rescheduled” for June. Students registered for April will be able to change their test date without a change fee or receive a full refund. Regarding AP Exams, from College Board: Information posted on the College Board website. College Admissions Information: Colleges have begun changing Deposit Deadlines beyond May 1 for admitted students. UMass Lowell, for example, has extended its deposit deadline to June 1. Please check EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL for any changes in deadlines and requirements. We will not be compiling a list as it would be vast and constantly changing. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has created a database to reflect the status of various colleges around the US. If you received the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery with Distinction please read the following information: Reminder of Initial Requirements: To initially qualify, a student must score Advanced on one Grade 10 MCAS assessment (either in Mathematics, English Language Arts, or Science) and either Advanced or Proficient on the other two. Students who have met this requirement will receive an eligibility letter from their high school during their junior year. Application: Students must complete and submit the application for the Koplik Certificate of Mastery with Distinction by May 1st of their senior year in high school. The application must be submitted to Mrs. Harkins, the high school‘s Koplik Coordinator and School Counselor for proper review, certification and submission to the ESE, in the Guidance Office. Standardized Test Requirement* (per Massachusetts 603 CMR 31.05(2)): Students have the choice of ONE of the following options: a. two Advanced Placement exams with scores of “3” or better, or b. two SAT Subject Tests (subjects and minimum required scores listed below), or c. one SAT Subject Test and one Advanced Placement exam, or d. one of the above mentioned tests/exams and one Other Academic Achievement You can find the current application for the class of 2020 in Naviance under Document Resources, in the 12th grade folder. Please email Amanda Harkins at aharkins@medwayschools.org with any questions.
AP Information and Resources
On March 20, 2020, the College Board issued AP Updates for Schools Impacted by Coronavirus In summary the College Board wrote:
Traditional face-to-face exam administrations will not take place. Students will take a 45-minute online free-response exam at home.
Some students may want to take the exam sooner rather than later, while the content is still fresh. Other students may want more time to practice. For each AP subject, there will be 2 different testing dates.
To be fair to all students, some of whom have lost more instructional time than others, the exam will only include topics and skills most AP teachers and students have already covered in class by early March.
Students will be able to take these streamlined exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. Taking a photo of handwritten work will also be an option.
On March 25, 2020, the College Board issued news and updates about free, virtual Advanced Placement classes. In summary the College Board wrote:
The College Board is offering free, virtual classes for Advanced Placement (AP) students in addition to at-home AP testing.
Students and teachers can attend free, live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. These mobile-friendly classes will be recorded and available on-demand so teachers and students can access them any time and will focus on reviewing the skills and concepts from the first 75 percent of the course. There will also be some supplementary lessons covering the final 25 percent of the course.
If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to our AP Coordinator, Mrs. Emily Reznick, at ereznick@medwayschools.org
MHS Scholarship Program - Class of 2020
Understanding and Comparing Financial Aid Awards
This past fall, financial aid expert Steve Wynne met with parents and shared his Paying for College presentation. The event was well attended and well received. Mr. Wynne graciously offered to host a presentation on Understanding and Comparing Financial Aid at MHS this month that, unfortunately, we have to cancel. However, Mr. Wynne has kindly made this content available digitally to inform and help parents navigate this important process. The program description is below and the presentation is available via this link.
Financial aid Awards arrive with, or soon after, students receive college acceptances. But comparing Awards can be a challenge. They all look different, with unique layouts, content, and use of terminology. How can a family decide what school has given a student the best aid package?
Noted financial aid expert Steve Wynne can help. He has created an overview of the Award process, with a guide to your financial aid options, and tips on comparing Awards. This overview is a great tool to better understand what each Award letter offers so when choosing a college, students and families can make the most favorable financial decision.
Understanding and Comparing Aid Awards Topics:
- Status to date, where you are in the Paying for College life cycle
- Awards, and the types of aid awarded
- Comparing awards for positive outcomes
Junior Post-Secondary Planning
- Completing their Resume and Student Data Portfolio (These MUST be done)
- Continuing to explore career options and review results from “Do What You Are” (completed sophomore year)
- Exploring best fit colleges through the Naviance College Search Tool
- Curating a list of target, reach, and safety schools based of Naviance scattergrams / knowledge of GPA, Standardized Test Scores, and selectivity of each school
- Also we encourage you to explore virtual college tours via:
Specific school’s website offerings
March 23- Update
We hope our students and families have had a safe and enjoyable week! This week, our faculty and staff have been hard at work developing learning plans for each of their classes, reaching out to their students, and virtually meeting with one another colleagues to develop guidelines for alternative enrichment opportunities. It is no small feat and I am so thankful to our staff for their efforts. It's so important to us that we provide students with opportunities to remain connected to learning and connected to each other. While it is impossible to replicate the teaching and learning while we are together at Medway High School, we strongly encourage all students and families to fully engage in the learning activities that you will find in your Google Classrooms. We also encourage you to take advantage of the Office Hours that all of our staff are making available to you. Please reach out to any of our teachers, staff, or administrators with any questions and we'll be happy to support you!
Below you will find additional information about the student learning plans we have developed and other important updates.
Best,
John
Enrichment and Enhancement Experiences Beginning Monday March 23rd
By Monday, March 23, all students will receive, through email or Google Classroom, outreach from their teachers. We have also created a central site for all of our School Closure Resources and Supports which will include alternative enhancement student learning plans each week. This site can be accessed through our website, www.medwayschools.org under the Welcome message on the main page or through this link.
Student Learning Expectations
Student work will not be graded during this time. We strongly encourage all students to responsibly engage in work setup by their teacher. We hope that students will continue to think about curriculum in each subject area.. This work is not about grades, but an opportunity to engage in curriculum in a different way and receive teacher feedback.
Student Guidelines
In an effort to simplify the process, the following guidelines are in place for all enrichment and enhancement experiences:
Every course will have enrichment and enhancement experiences.
All students will be enrolled into a Google Classroom for the courses that they are enrolled in. Most courses are already utilizing a Google Classroom.
All enrichment and enhancement plans will be posted on Google Classroom for students to complete for the week.
All assignments will be submitted for teacher feedback through Google Classroom.
Virtual Office Hours
Teachers will share individual availability at this link and on Google Classroom.
Administration Office Hours
A Medway High School administrator is available to meet virtually with students and/or parents for at least an hour a day and anytime via email. These are drop in meetings to answer questions or provide any support. Please click on the hours hours below to access the link to the office hours that best meet your needs.
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
David List
Assistant Principal (10+12)
Sonja Metcalf
Assistant Principal (9+11)
Christine Noonan
Evaluation Team Specialist
Tuesday 1:00- 2:00pm
School Counselors Office Hours and Resources
Our school counselors are available to provide a variety of support to our students while school is not in session. We look forward to maintaining our connections with students and continuing the support systems that we typically have in place. We are developing a schedule to reach out to all of our students and share resources/strategies with students and families. We also intend to continue academic advising with students and offer our post-secondary planning support. Please reach out via our office hours or via email.
Emily Reznick
Mon-Fri 10:00-11:00 AM
Charlsey Gentile
Monday 8:00-9:00 AM
Tues-Fri - 9:00-10:00 AM
Amanda Harkins
Mon-Fri 9:00-10:00 AM
Allison Jasmin
Monday - 11AM-12PM
Tues - Fri - 10-11AM
Maura McCormack
Mon-Fri 8:30-9:30AM
Kathy Cumming
Mon-Fri 10:00-11:00AM
Andi Weiss
Chris Massey
Mon-Fri 11AM - 1:00 PM
Debra Dodge
Mon-Fri 11:00AM-12:00PM
Virtual Learning Lab
COVID-19 Update- March 17
As Superintendent Pires indicated in his March 16th communication to families, we are all experiencing challenging and unusual times. I hope that you and your family are well and continue to practice social distancing and other safety recommendations that have been and will continue to be shared with us. A list of these recommendations can be found here
As we all learn how to adjust our daily lives over the next few weeks, it is clear that we will all benefit from creating routines. Developing routines and expectations for these new days together can provide a sense of stability and comfort in these trying times. I'm sure by now you and your families have established some effective routines that include many of the following activities:
Academics
Leisure Activities
Independent Reading
Quiet Time
Exercise
Meals
Family Time
Electronics
- Bed Time
We are happy to share additional information with families about the learning opportunities available for students while school is closed. Students will need the support of their families to incorporate these learning opportunities into their daily plans that we know will engage them and challenge them in meaningful ways. Later this week, we will follow up with additional guidance and opportunities for students to check-in with their teachers and their counselors. We intend to do everything we can to keep students connected to our school. We appreciate your support in those efforts.
We will continue to use this space to share updates and announcements about learning opportunities and new information as we receive it. Please review the announcements listed below. They contain information about at home learning opportunities for students and updates from the Superintendent's recent communication. We recognize that parents and students will have many questions that require follow up. Do not hesitate to reach out via email to me, Sonja Metcalf (grades 9+11) and David List (10+12) if you have questions or concerns. Stay well and know that my thoughts are with you all.
John Murray
At Home Learning This Week
Our educators are developing learning plans this week for students to begin working on starting Monday, March 23. In the meantime, students are encouraged to complete any work that is in progress, assigned last week, or already posted on Google Classroom. Students may also consider completing any outstanding work from Quarter 3. Additionally, this Padlet has several educational options and resources for high school students to explore and stay engaged throughout this week.
Enrichment and Enhancement Experiences Beginning Monday March 23rd
As mentioned in Dr. Pires’ email, educators across the district are engaging in conversations with colleagues to develop teacher-facilitated enriching and engaging learning plans. These plans will begin Monday, March 23 and can be found in each of your course pages on Google Classroom.
Teachers are using these guiding questions to create their plans. We hope that you will think about these questions as well while engaged in the learning.
What learning experiences can we engage in with students that allow them to think critically about something they have already learned? How can we deepen or extend this learning?
How can students become more fluent in their language, reading, and mathematics learning in a way that is engaging and consistent with their known routines?
How can we help students further their engagement in daily life habits in support of emotional wellness, healthy eating, and physical activity?
What opportunities can be created for students to connect with peers and adults during their time away from school?
How can we ensure our students are engaged creatively through continued explorations in the fine and performing arts?
How can we engage in an opportunity to provide feedback to students on their thinking, writing, speaking, etc. without the pressure of grades?
Student Learning Expectations
Student work will not be graded during this time. We strongly encourage all students to responsibly engage in work setup by their teacher. We hope that students will continue to think about curriculum in each subject area.. This work is not about grades, but an opportunity to engage in curriculum in a different way and receive teacher feedback.
Student Guidelines
In an effort to simplify the process, the following guidelines are in place for all enrichment and enhancement experiences:
Every course will have enrichment and enhancement experiences.
All students will be enrolled into a Google Classroom for the courses that they are enrolled in. Most courses are already utilizing a Google Classroom.
All enrichment and enhancement plans will be posted on Google Classroom for students to complete for the week.
All assignments will be submitted for teacher feedback through Google Classroom.
We intend to build in structures for students to check-in with their teachers and school counselors over the weeks ahead. We'll follow up with availability later this week.
Student Services
Medway’s Office of Student Services is working with school principals to support the enriched learning that is being offered to all students. As plans at the state and federal level are formulated, we will provide you with the most up to date information that we have.
Those guidelines may be found in this document issued by the Office of Special Education Programming: OSEP Guidance issued March 2020. At this time, the district’s guidelines may be found here.
Access to Technology
If your household does not have access to wifi AND/OR if you have one or more child in your household who will require access to a chromebook and power cord that you do not have available to them during this school closure, please complete this FORM by Wednesday, March 18. We will follow up with you at the phone number/email address that you indicate with a time to pick-up the resources that you need. All pick-ups will take place at Medway Middle School located at 45 Holliston Street.
In addition, families may benefit from knowing that Comcast has made their Internet Essentials product free during this current situation. More information can be found here.
Medication Pick-up/Return to Families- EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ONLY
School nurses will be present to distribute student medications to parents at the Medway Middle School front drop off lane from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Please fill out the google form found here no later than Tuesday, March 17, 2020, so that we may ready your medication for you.
NOTE: Only parents can be given student controlled substances. Students ages 12 and above can be given insulin, EpiPens, and inhalers (only). Due to the need to practice social distancing, staff, students and families should plan on a focused retrieval of their medication with minimal personal contact with each other. We will ask that parents leave their car and approach the table located outside the middle school doors and we will have the medication bagged and ready for you at that time. Kindly keep 6 feet of distance between you and other parents. Please be sure to have your identification and a pen to sign for the pick-up. We will ask that McGovern/Burke-Memorial families pick up at : 9:30 a.m-10:30 a.m and middle school and high school families pick up at: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. THE DATE FOR PICK-UP IS Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
Support of the Greater Community
Through a rich partnership with the Medway Village Church Food Pantry, and our Wellness and Food Service Departments, we will be ensuring that our families are supported with meals during this challenging time. Families in need of support are asked to review the following options and sign-up for a choice that best matches their need
Daily breakfast and lunch pick-up: A “grab and go” breakfast and lunch will be available for pick-up, once a day, at the same time, outside of the Medway Middle School main entrance from 7:00-9:00 a.m. These meals will include an entree, side of fruit and/or vegetable, and milk. Parents and guardians will be able to pull-up to the Medway Middle School front entrance and pick up their meals without having to leave their vehicle.
Weekly food pick-up: A week’s worth of food can be picked up at the Medway Village Church Food Pantry on Saturday mornings from 9:00-10:00 a.m. or by scheduling an appointment time with the Food Pantry Director. Food offerings will include “family size” portions of meal ingredients and kid-friendly single-serve meals.
Both daily and weekly food pick-up: Medway families are more than welcome to participate in both of the above options in order to access daily prepared meals and larger sized ingredients each week.
March 9, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE
At Medway High School, we have stepped up our cleaning and sanitizing efforts to ensure that all "high touch" areas are wiped down frequently to help prevent the spread of any germs. We have also installed additional wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the building and will add several additional units over the next few days. We will also work with our teachers and wellness staff to encourage additional hand washing with students and add additional signage as an encouragement.
We take the care and safety of your children seriously. We will follow up as a school or district if the guidelines around supporting our school community change.
Tournament Updates
Congrats to our Girls Basketball team for winning the Central Mass sectional championship. Their next game is the State Semifinals on Wednesday at 5:30 at Western New England University in Springfield.
Congrats to our Cheerleaders who won the Division 3 Regional Championship and will compete at the State Championship on Sunday at Worcester State University (Time TBD)
Financial Literacy Fair and Early Dismissal Friday
On Friday, March 13th, we will host our first Financial Literacy Fair for grades 11 and 12. The fair is a simulation of students’ lives at age 25. Students have been assigned an occupation, company, degree, salary, and credit score based on a career interest survey and credit quiz taken prior to the fair.
Here is the schedule for the event:
Grade 11
8:04-8:15 - Homeroom: students will receive an information packet for financial literacy fair.
8:20 - 10:10 - Financial Literacy Fair
10:15 - 11:30 - Post Secondary Planning with Counselors in Cafeteria
Grade 12
8:04-8:15 - Homeroom: students will receive an information packet for financial literacy fair.
8:20-9:45 - Mandatory graduation and senior planning meeting in the cafeteria.
9:50-11:30 - Financial Literacy Fair
What happens at a Financial Literacy Fair?
Students will approach a series of informational booths where volunteers will advise students on various financial decisions. Each booth will have one or more posters that outline the choices students have to make. Students will record their choices and payments for each booth on their budget sheets.
Each student will have a personalized budget sheet with their unique information.
At the end of the simulation, students will review the amount of money they have remaining in their checking account, the amount they have saved in their savings account, and how much money they put on their credit card. They will also review their quality of life.
We're excited to give our students this opportunity to experience some of the real world decisions they will face over the next few years.
Students in grades 9 and 10 will attend classes for the morning. We will run periods A, B, and C.
School Counseling Updates
Alumni Panel
On March 13th from 10:15-11:30 am, the School Counseling Department invited back alumni from, both public and private colleges to speak with our current juniors about the differences between high school and college. Panelists will reflect on what the college process was like for them while offering advice to our current juniors. Students will be given the opportunity to ask the panel questions.
School Counseling Workshops:
School counselors have conducted their third out of four classroom workshops for the 10th and 11th grade students. Grade 9 workshops are currently planned once academic advising is complete.
The workshop topics included:
Grade 10: Reality Check & College Fair Preparation
Grade 11: College Searches & Tours
Academic Advising- March 2-13
Each student will have an individual academic advising session with their school counselor after the elective requests and course recommendations are in Infinite Campus. These short meetings will ensure that all students are fully scheduled for courses, are meeting all graduation requirements, and are appropriately challenged.
Understanding & Comparing Financial Aid Award Letters Presentation:
On Tuesday, March 31st, Steven Wynne, a financial aid strategy expert, will lead a presentation, discussion and Q&A to help senior parents Understand and Compare financial aid award letters. The presentation will be held in the Medway High School Library at 6:30pm.
Junior Post-Secondary Planning Night:
Tuesday, April 7th, the School Counseling Department will be presenting a "Junior Post-Secondary Planning" night. The night will give an overview of the post-secondary planning process for Juniors. Representatives from both two-year and four-year colleges will be in attendance. The event will be held in the Medway High School Auditorium at 6:30pm.
Career & College Fair:
The Medway High School School Counseling Department is hosting a Career and College Fair on Thursday, April 9, 2020 in the gymnasium at Medway High School, from 8:00-11:15 a.m. We have sponsored our Career and College Fair for over 10 years now. While this event is primarily targeted towards our sophomores and juniors, any member of our school community will have the opportunity to meet with college representatives as well as local trades and businesses to learn more about their institutions and/or companies.
MHS Musical- Anything Goes
Medway High School is proud to present Anything Goes on March 13th and 14th for 3 shows. Come see our outstanding cast of 75 students perform in what is sure to be the hit of the season! Please see the link below to purchase tickets online. Look for info in the next edition for students and parents to purchase in person tickets. Hope to see you there!
This year the in-school sales for students are as follows:
Wednesday, March 11th &
Thursday, March 12th
11:15am-1pm (Cafeteria)
and
Friday, March 13th
7:40am-8am (MHS Foyer)
Medway Wellness Update- T.H.R.I.V.E.
T.H.R.I.V.E. is sponsoring its second annual Medway Community Book Read. This year’s book is The Yes Brain, which received the most votes by Medway parents. The book read is taking place from March 1- April 1 and will conclude with two opportunities to take part in a parent lead book discussion group. Books can be picked at numerous local businesses including, T.C. Scoops, Muffin House, Starbucks, The Little Gym, and many more. An audio and e-book version of The Yes Brain can be accessed through the Medway Public Library. For more information about the book read and to register for a discussion group please click here.
February 24, 2020
Leaping into March
Over the next few weeks, our students will be performing in athletic tournaments, on stage in our musical, and our Sophomores will have their Ring Dance. It's an exciting time to be at MHS!
2020-2021 Course Request Process Update
Special Note to our 8th grade parents
8th grade students should choose:
- One language
- Three electives
- One Alternate
Students will automatically be enrolled in IPEC 9 so please do not worry about entering that.
Medway High School 2018-2019 DESE Report Card
School Counseling Updates
Academic Advising- March 2-13
Each student will have an individual academic advising session with their school counselor after the elective requests and course recommendations are in Infinite Campus. These short meetings will ensure that all students are fully scheduled for courses, are meeting all graduation requirements, and are appropriately challenged.
On Tuesday, March 31st, Steven Wynne, a financial aid strategy expert, will lead a presentation, discussion and Q&A to help senior parents Understand and Compare financial aid award letters. The presentation will be held in the Medway High School Auditorium at 6:30pm.
Tuesday, April 7th, the School Counseling Department will be presenting a "Junior Post-Secondary Planning" night. The night will give an overview of the post-secondary planning process for Juniors. Representatives from both two-year and four-year colleges will be in attendance. The event will be held in the Medway High School Auditorium at 6:30pm.
The Medway High School School Counseling Department is hosting a Career and College Fair on Thursday, April 9, 2020 in the gymnasium at Medway High School, from 8:00-11:15 a.m. We have sponsored our Career and College Fair for over 10 years now. While this event is primarily targeted towards our sophomores and juniors, any member of our school community will have the opportunity to meet with college representatives as well as local trades and businesses to learn more about their institutions and/or companies.
Mustang Nation Newsletter
Ring Dance- Starry Night!
February 8, 2020
Program of Studies 2020-2021
Program of Studies/Curriculum Night for Students and Families- February 10
On February 10th, we are inviting all incoming 9th grade students and current 9th-11th grade students to join us for our first Curriculum Fair.
The event will begin at 5:45 p.m. with a meet and greet in the lobby with the high school administration. Light refreshments will be served. This will be followed at 6:00 p.m. by a presentation in the auditorium about the transition from middle school to high school and the course request process. Students and families will then have the opportunity to move about the high school "fair style" from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. to meet with educators from each department who will provide course information and answer any questions you have about the courses we offer.
We are offering a similar program for our current 9th-11th grade that begins at 6:30 in the auditorium with an overview of our program of studies and the course request process. Students and families will then have the opportunity to move about the high school "fair style" from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. to meet with educators from each department who will provide course information and answer any questions you have about the courses we offer.
We believe that this is a great opportunity for students and families to speak directly to educators as they are making decisions about the courses that they wish to take next year and over their MHS career. We hope you will be able to join us!
Schedule
Current Grade 8
Light Refreshments- 5:45 p.m. (Lobby)
9th grade Overview- 6:00 p.m. (Auditorium)
Curriculum Fair - 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Gym)
Current Grades 9-11
Program of Studies/ Course Request Overview- 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Auditorium)
Curriculum Fair - 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Gym)
FLEX Advisory Thursday
Seniors will report to the auditorium to learn about our local scholarship program. All other students will report to their homeroom to review the 2020-2021 Program of Studies, elective requests, and course request timeline.
STEM Fair this Friday!
The Annual MHS STEM Fair will take place on Friday, 2/14. Students will attend F period (first block), then will be dismissed to the fair schedule below. This year, all students will attend two workshops and an assembly. A normal class schedule will resume after long block, starting with B period.
STEM Fair Workshop Sign-up
Visit this website for details on the workshops being offered.
Grades 9 and 12:
In Responsive Scheduling, students should select the workshop of their choice for Workshop 1. YOU MUST SIGN-UP FOR A WORKSHOP LABELED 9/12. If you sign-up for the wrong grade level, you will be reassigned to an available workshop. Workshop 2 will be automatically assigned for you.
Grades 10 and 11:
In Responsive Scheduling, students should select the workshop of their choice for Workshop 1. YOU MUST SIGN-UP FOR A WORKSHOP LABELED 10/11. If you sign-up for the wrong grade level, you will be reassigned to an available workshop. Workshop 2 will be automatically assigned for you.
STEM Fair Schedule:
FRESHMEN & SENIORS:
9:03-10:06 - Keynote Presentation A (Assembly in Auditorium)
10:09-10:39 - Workshop 1 (See Responsive Scheduling-Infinite Campus)
10:42-11:12 - Workshop 2 (Follow your teacher from Workshop 1)
Freshmen and Seniors will first report to the auditorium for an assembly. After the assembly, students should report to Workshop 1. At the end of this workshop, the teacher will lead students to Workshop 2 (this workshop has been assigned to the teacher and students).
SOPHOMORES & JUNIORS:
9:03-9:33 - Workshop 1 (See Responsive Scheduling-Infinite Campus)
9:36-10:06 - Workshop 2 (Follow your teacher from Workshop 1)
10:09-11:12 - Keynote Presentation B (Assembly in Auditorium)
Sophomores and Juniors will first report to Workshop 1. After this workshop, the teacher will lead students to Workshop 2 (this workshop has been assigned to the teacher and students). After Workshop 2, students will report to the auditorium for an assembly.
February Wellness Newsletter
Medway Special Education Parent Advisory Council
Medway Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) has the following upcoming meetings and events:
- meeting on February 12, 2020 at 6:30pm at the Medway HIgh School Library
- 504 presentation conducted by the Federation of Children With special Needs (FCSN) on March 11, 2020 at 6:30pm at the Millis High/Middle School Library
- meeting on April 8, 2020 at 6:30pm at the Medway Middle School, Presentation Room 7
MFE Trivia Bee!
February 2, 2020
The planning for 2020-2021 is about to begin as well. Over the next two weeks, teachers and students will engage in conversations about level placements for next years courses, our program of studies will be released, and shortly after vacation, students will select their electives. As important as it is to reflect on this year's performance, it will be equally important for students and families to carefully plan out a course of study for next year. Our hope through the process is that students are able to combine their interests and the appropriate level of challenge into a balanced course load.
2020-2021 Scheduling Process
On Thursday, January 23rd, the Program of Studies was presented to the School Committee and a final approval is anticipated on February 6th. The next step in the process is for teachers and students to engage in conversations regarding recommendations for next year’s courses. With the shift from MMS to Infinite Campus, it is important that we outline the step-by-step process. There are five major steps involved in the Scheduling Process.
I. Course Recommendations (entered by teachers)
II. Placement Review Process (initiated by the student)
III. Elective Request Process including AP electives (entered by students)
IV. Academic Advising (with School Counselors)
V. Building the Master Schedule
As this is our first year working with this process, we ask for your patience and feedback so that we can improve the process going forward.
Please click the button below to access the full explanation of the Course Scheduling Process
School Counseling Updates
Junior Workshops- February 2-14
Over the next two weeks, our school counselors will be holding classroom workshops with the juniors. The following topics will be covered during the workshops:
College exploration
College characteristics
Campus visits and college fairs
Conducting a college search in Naviance and SuperMatch
Finding appropriate schools: reach, target and safety
Scattergrams
Academic Advising- March 2-13
Each student will have an individual academic advising session with their school counselor after the elective requests and course recommendations are in Infinite Campus. These short meetings will ensure that all students are fully scheduled for courses, are meeting all graduation requirements, and are appropriately challenged.
On Tuesday, March 31st, Steven Wynne, a financial aid strategy expert, will lead a presentation, discussion and Q&A to help senior parents Understand and Compare financial aid award letters. The presentation will be held in the Medway High School Auditorium at 6:30pm.
Tuesday, April 7th, The School Counseling Department will be presenting a "Junior Post-Secondary Planning" night. The night will give an overview of the post-secondary planning process for Juniors. Representatives from both two-year and four-year colleges will be in attendance. The event will be held in the Medway High School Auditorium at 6:30pm.
The Medway High School School Counseling Department is hosting a Career and College Fair on Thursday, April 9, 2020 in the gymnasium at Medway High School, from 8:00-11:15 a.m. We have sponsored our Career and College Fair for over 10 years now. While this event is primarily targeted towards our sophomores and juniors, any member of our school community will have the opportunity to meet with college representatives as well as local trades and businesses to learn more about their institutions and/or companies.
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. Community Book Read Vote
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. will be facilitating its second annual community book read through the month of March. We have narrowed the list of potential books to a list of 6 and we’d like you to help us decide which book to select. Please cast your vote for the book you are most interested in by February 14, 2020, by clicking here.
MFE Trivia BEE!
Medway Foundation for Education (MFE) is hosting the annual Trivia Bee contest on Wednesday February 26th from 7-9 pm at the Burke/Memorial School Cafeteria. This is a unique trivia contest that features a DJ who uses music to help provide hints on each question. You will find Medway teachers, students, parents and alumni competing for the Trivia Bee Trophy. Last year a team of MHS teachers sponsored by local law firm Kenney & Kenney won the trophy for the third year in a row, so if you are good at trivia, let’s give them some competition! MFE is still looking for teams. Please visit www.MFEducation.org for details on registering your team or if you are interested in sponsoring a team of teachers or students. Alternatively, you can email MFE President Brian Gray (bgray_123@yahoo.com) or MFE Secretary Aimee Selby (aimeeselby30@gmail.com).
January 26, 2020
Midterms Continue
Our mid-year exams continue tomorrow with exams C+D. School will begin at 8:15 on exam days and students will be dismissed from school at 11:30 Monday and Tuesday and 9:45 on Wednesday. This will allow students ample time to prepare for their next exams and give teachers time to grade and give feedback on the exams. Below is the schedule of exams for the next three days.
Exam Schedule
January 27, 2020 Period C (8:15-9:45) and Period D (10:00-11:30)
January 28, 2020 Period E (8:15-9:45) and Period F (10:00-11:30)
January 29, 2020 Period G (8:15-9:45) and Makeup Exams: (10:00-11:30)
*Make-up exams are available to students who missed the exam due to an excused absence or other extenuating circumstances. Students should see their Dean if they know that they are going to miss an exam and need to schedule a make-up.
Buses for 1/27 and 1/28, will pickup students at 11:35 am.
Buses for 1/29 will pickup students at 9:50 am.
It's important for all students to take care of themselves during midterm exams. In an effort to promote keeping a healthy body and mind during exam week, the Peer Counselors will be hosting the following activities:
Friday-1/24: A visit from the therapy dogs.
Monday-1/27: The first 100 students to school will receive a stress ball.
Tuesday-1/28: Peer Counselors will host morning greetings and pass out positive and inspirational quotes.
Wednesday-1/29: Music in the lobby before exams.
January 26, 2020
Semester 2- Thursday!
Semester 2 begins on Thursday. Students will report to Homeroom to receive a new copy of their schedule which will have some new semester courses. Students should follow their new schedules and connect with their counselor during a study, at lunch, or via email if there is a conflict.
Students will also take part in two surveys. One survey is to gather feedback from students about the school culture and climate. The other is a homework survey. The results of both surveys will gives us information that will be helpful to see what's working well and some areas of growth in both areas. I look forward to sharing the results with students, faculty, and families.
Here's the schedule for the day:
Peer Counselors Meeting with Grade 8!
Report Cards available February 6, 2020
January 13, 2020
Reminder- Midyear Exams
Each year at the end of semester 1, students in all grades take part in mid-year exams as an opportunity to demonstrate their accumulation of knowledge and learning over the first half of the school year. Unlike tests given on regular school days, mid-years are designed to be more in- depth and address a wider range of topics which necessitates more time for preparation and more time in class to complete. With that in mind, the school has organized four school days as half-days with two tests scheduled each day for students. School will begin at 8:15 on exam days and students will be dismissed from school at 11:30 each day. This will allow students ample time to prepare for their next exams and give teachers time to grade and give feedback on the exams.
We know that preparing for longer exams can cause additional stress and anxiety for students. In the days leading up to mid-years, teachers will work closely with students to review for the exams and offer strategies for students to be successful. Our School Counselors are also available to meet with students or provide support around exams. Beginning next week, our student Peer Counselors will have a daily tip or morning event to help students prepare or keep their spirit up through the exam season. There is a tremendous amount of support available for students to access around exams. Please encourage your children make use of all of these opportunities. Here's the schedule:
Review Days Schedule
Semester II Courses
Nearly all students are enrolled in at least one semester-long course that ends on January 23rd. For most students, these would include classes such as Physical Education, Art, or an elective course. All of our Seniors are in semester-long English courses that are an important component of our graduation requirements. Beginning on January 30th, students will begin new courses to replace the courses recently completed. We will start that day in Homeroom to deliver new schedules to students. Students may also access their schedules on the Infinite Campus portal. Finally, if students have a Directed Study and are interested in adding a semester course, we do have some space available. Please contact your School Counselor for more info.
January 3, 2020
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Welcome back and happy 2020!! I hope all of our students and families had a wonderful break! The new year brings about an opportunity to reflect upon the year that just ended and look ahead to the possibilities that await us. We are approaching the end of semester 1 and soon our students will have the opportunity to reflect and share what they've learned over the first half of the school year during their mid-year exams. After mid-year exams, semester 2 will begin and many students will have schedules that include new half year courses in a variety of subjects. The bulk of this Mustang Minute will present you with all of the details about mid-year exams and semester 2 info. As always though, feel free to reach out to anyone here with any questions or concerns.
Best,
John J. Murray, Ed.D.
Principal
*Make-up exams are available to students who missed the exam due to an excused absence or other extenuating circumstances. Students should see their Assistant Principal if they know that they are going to miss an exam and need to schedule a make-up.
Buses for 1/24, 1/27, 1/28, will pickup students at 11:35 am.
Buses for 1/29 will pickup students at 9:50 am.
January Wellness Newsletter
In this month’s edition of the Medway Wellness Newsletter, you will find information about the MHS healthy vending, eating healthy on a budget, Rachel’s Challenge, and more.
Upcoming Events
January 7, 2020
MFPA Meeting, Alumni Conference Room, Medway High School, 7:30 p.m.
January 8, 2020
MHS Winter Chamber Concert, Auditorium, Medway High School, 6:00 p.m.
January 9, 2020
School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m.
January 13, 2020
T.H.R.I.V.E. Event: Vaping and Hidden in Plain Site, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 6:30 p.m.
January 14, 2020
Senator Spilka hosts Social Emotional Learning Event, Strategies for Student Stress, Warren Conference Center, 529 Chestnut Street, Ashland
January 17, 2020
SEPAC Board Meeting, September 19, 2019, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 6:45m p.m.
January 20, 2020
No School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 21, 2020
No School: Professional Development Day
January 22, 2020
Medway High School Challenge Day Medway High School
January 23, 2020
School Committee Meeting, Presentation Room, Medway Middle School, 7:00 p.m.
December 15, 2019
Holidays upon us!
I hope everyone has had an enjoyable weekend! We have a full week coming up and everyone is working hard to finish the calendar year on a high note. Please enjoy the updates below and feel free to reach out with any questions. This will be the last Mustang Minute of 2019. Thank you to all of our families and friends for your continued support throughout the year. I wish you all a joyous holiday season and a happy new year!
MidQuarter Grade Update- Infinite Campus
This past Friday marked the midpoint of quarter 2. Assignments are up to date and available for viewing on Infinite Campus. Please reach out to your child's teacher with any question or concern.
Midyear Exams
FlexAdvisory on Thursday!
Our next Flexadvisory is on Thursday. We will ask the students to choose what flex session they wish to attend Tuesday during morning announcements. This is a great opportunity for students to get extra help during the school day.
One option of note: Come begin a multi-week course on Financial Literacy during FlexAdvisory with Mr. Borden.
School Counseling Updates
College Scholarships
College Scholarships
Since September, the Medway School Counselors have been meeting with Seniors for individual senior appointments to discuss post secondary plans. As part of these meetings the counselors have provided resources for students to apply for scholarships.
Local scholarships are continuously coming into the Counseling office. Please check Naviance on a weekly basis for new scholarships that may be added.
Please reference the MHS Scholarship Tips and Tricks document (MHS Scholarship Tips and Tricks) for more information.
DAR Scholarship
The Massachusetts Daughters of the American Revolution, Inc. are offering a scholarship to local graduating seniors. Here are the requirements:
Must be a Massachusetts resident
Member of the senior class of a secondary school in Massachusetts
Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Must be accepted or planning on attending an institution of higher learning
Application must be filled out completely.
Here is the application: DAR 2020 Scholarship Application
You can also get a hard copy of the application from Mr. Borden in 112-1, any questions can be addressed to him or to Jean Silva at jeansi@comcast.net or Cheryl Cody at clccc64@gmail.com
The deadline for applications is February 10th, 2020
The Leadership Intensive
Led by Ashley Olafsen, the Leadership Intensive is a 12 session program for high school students that focuses on topics such as body image, self esteem, mental health and relationships.
The program will cost $125.00 and be held Tuesdays evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 at Medway High School.
Spots are limited ( The Leadership Institute flyer ) , to learn more and register, please visit https://www.ashleyolafsen.com/the-leadership-intensive
Project AMP
Medway Public Schools is proud to offer a brief mentorship intervention called Project AMP.
In Project AMP youth participants are paired with young adult mentors who bring a wide range of skills and experiences including recovery from drugs and alcohol abuse. Mentors meet one-on-one with participants over four sessions. Project AMP is not counseling or a medical or behavioral health treatment, it’s a participant lead program to support youth for whom few prevention and early intervention resources are available. Please see flyer for more information (Project AMP). If you are interested in connecting your child with this resource, please contact your child’s school counselor.
Collegiate Summer Programs
UMass Summer Programs has put together an exciting lineup of pre-college programs for the Summer of 2020, please click on the link below for more information:
https://www.umass.edu/summer/programs/academic-programs.
In addition to their popular returning programs such as the McCormack Sport Leadership Academy, Summer Engineering Institute, Summer Design Academy, and many others, they have announced the following new programs!
New Programs for Summer 2020
Introduction to Programming in Processing
Foundations of Music Theory
Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation
Foundations of Data Science
Architectural & Landscape Watercolor Rendering
Economics of Hunger
UMass Summer Pre-College programs are residential, academic programs for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. With courses taught by UMass Amherst faculty and graduate students, award-winning dining, modern residence halls, and fun co-curriculars, our programs offer hands-on experience in college coursework and college life.
Applications open late December!
School Counseling Workshops
School Counselors have been going into classrooms of each grade level to deliver Guidance lessons.
So far, Counselors have covered the following topics with each grade level:
Grade 9 -Registered for Naviance
Completed the learning style inventoryStudents began to complete their activity resume that they will continue to update
Grade 10 - Do What You Are survey with Naviance (this provides an in depth overview of the student personality and matches them with careers of interest based on the survey results)
PSAT Results workshop will be conducted in January
Grade 11 - Activity resume and student data portfolio (used for counselor letter or recommendation)
PSAT Results workshop will be conducted in January
Grade 12 - College application process 101
Follow up on common app and scholarship research
From MHS Daily Announcements
*Sharing updates that have been emailed to students throughout the week*
Donate your gently used winter coats now through January. Drop off boxes are in the main lobby. Help us help kids and win a school prize!
The RAK winners for this month are: Dom Firnges, Charlotte Kealey, Alex Spezzano, Ryan Davin and Muhammad Akar. Please see Ms. Jasmin in the School Counseling Office to pick up your Muffin House gift cards. Congratulations to all!
Interested in poetry and/or performing? Medway Community Ed is offering Poetry Out Loud, a Nationally Recognized Poetry Performing Competition. It will take place at the school level. If you win you can move onto the regional level, state level, and NATIONAL level! The dates to practice and participate will be on Mondays from 2:35-3:35 pm on the following dates: 1/6, 1/13, 1/27, 2/3*Competition Date
Please see Ms Gentile if interested, you will need to register through FamilyID.
We will have a Best Buddies' Holiday Party on 12/19 in the Cafeteria. Please bring a $5 gift to exchange, if you want! See you at 2:30!
SENIORS:
December 18th This will be your LAST opportunity to sit with PRESTIGE for a spot in the yearbook. You must sit for this session in order to have a spot in the YEARBOOK. See the list on times outside room 020-3.
Musical auditions are quickly approaching! Head to the MHS Performing Arts website to register for auditions and to print out audition music! https://medwayhspa.wixsite.com/mhsperformingarts/musical-call-board
Design the cover of the 2020 yearbook open to all grades. All artwork must be original, can be drawn, painted, graphic design, photography. No smaller than 14x14 and must include Medway High School 2020 and be school appropriate.
Submissions are due January 17th no late submissions will be accepted
December 3, 2019
Snowday Edition
I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday with family friends! I wanted to take a few moments on this snowday to preview the events we have for December. There are only 13 days of school left in 2019 before our extended holiday break. There's so much to do before we get there! I hope you are able to attend one of our events and that your holiday season is filled with joy!
MEDcamp 2019
MSPTO Pop-Up
For additional information about the MSPTO, please click the button below.
FlexAdvisory on Thursday!
Q2 Mid-quarter Grade Update- December 13
We are nearing the midpoint of quarter 2. On December 13th, grades for quarter 2 assignments will be up to date and available for viewing on the Infinite Campus portal. We will send out a reminder when they are ready for viewing.
Tri-M Coffeehouse
MHS Art Walk and Winter Concert
December Wellness Update
In this month’s edition of the Medway Wellness Newsletter, you will find information about the McGovern Breakfast Program, helping your child find a “good fit” college, the upcoming T.H.R.I.V.E. event on vaping, and more.
Upcoming Events
November 23, 2019
What a week!
National Honor Society
Student Recognition Breakfast
Veterans Project
Medway High Schools Music Achievement
Girls Soccer- MIAA Team Sportsmanship Award!
November 16, 2019
Report Cards- Q1
Quarter 1 grades provide just a snapshot of how your child is performing up to this point in the school year. An early look at our results indicate that many of our students had an outstanding quarter. This is a great time for students to reflect on what worked well or needs refinement as we move into the second quarter. Please make sure to reach out your child's teachers, school counselor, or Assistant Principal if you have questions or if your child needs additional supports.
MEDcamp Half-Day Workshops
MHS Fitness Center
Fall Sports Update- Go Mustangs!
Boys Soccer defeated Norton on Saturday and have advanced to the Division 3 state semifinals Tuesday night against Bedford. The game will be played at Manning Field in Lynn at 7pm.
Girls Soccer defeated Milford, Old Rochester and Dartmouth to advance to the Division 3 South Finals. They fought hard but lost to Holliston on Sunday. Congrats on a great season!
Cheer took 1st place in the TVL Championship and then went on to win the Wachusett Invitational last Sunday. They will finished in 5th place at the Cheer Regionals yesterday at Plymouth North High School. Time TBA.
Football defeated Norwell Friday night 28-21.
National Honor Society Induction
Veterans Project
Turkey Trot
October 31, 2019
Fall update
Somehow we have reached the end of the first quarter of the school year. Over the past two weeks, our students have participated in the PSAT, engaged in post-secondary planning with their counselors, and had time to build community with their classmates.
We had a great turnout at our Parent-Teacher conferences last week. It was a pleasure to connect with parents and hear about our student's experience thus far this year. A five minute conversation with the teachers provides only a snapshot of your child's progress. I encourage you to continue checking the portal for updates and asking your children to see what's going on in their Google Classroom.
On the field, our Boys Soccer and Volleyball teams won the TVL Small and will enter tournament play. Our Girls Soccer Team will also enter the tournament and are awaiting their seeding and opponent. Win or lose, all of our teams should be congratulated for great seasons! I'm most proud of the support our students show one another at all of the games. We are also thankful to our parents and booster groups who support each of the programs.
Continue reading for info about upcoming tournament games and info about our Fall Play, Scared Silly which I’m excited to see this weekend!
End of Q1
Our first quarter officially ends on Tuesday, November 5th. Students should have a good sense of where they stand academically this quarter but if they have any questions they should make connections with their teachers for more information. Some students have difficulty in engaging in that conversation with their teachers. Our school counselors can help students with strategies for how to advocate for themselves. There shouldn't be surprises at the end of the quarter. Report cards will be available on the Infinite Campus portal on November 13th at the end of the day. We will send an email to let families know they are posted. We hope that everyone ends the quarter on a high note!
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards: Students in grades 9-12 who have participated in community service over the past year may be considered by filling out the online application at http://spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit, and submitted to Mrs. Rondeau in the School Counseling Office by November 5, 2019. Our school will select one top youth volunteer for state-level honors. Our school’s honoree, will receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award if the minimum number of volunteer hours qualify, and will become eligible to win an unrestricted award of $1,000 or more, and an all-expense- paid trip with a parent or guardian to Washington, DC next spring for special recognition. Medway students have received state-level honors and President’s Volunteer Service Awards!
Coat Drive
November wellness update
In this month’s edition of the Medway Wellness Newsletter, you will find information about mental health stigma at MHS, McGovern’s Weekly Walk to School, how to support child decision making, and more.
Next Two Weeks
November 5 Flu Clinic 3-5 PM
November 6-7 MCAS ELA Retest
November 7 Flex Advisory Block
November TBD IPEC Leader Field Trip
November 8 TADA Dance 7-10 PM
November 11 No School - Veterans Day
November 13 Report Cards
November 13-14 MCAS Math Retest
Senior Halloween Parade
October 14, 2019
PSAT- This Wednesday!
Wednesday, October 16th will be a busy, activity- packed day at Medway High School!
While grade 10 & 11 students are taking the PSAT, activities have been planned for grades 9 & 12.
Reminder- No morning Senior Priv on October 16th.
All students should review the PSAT Schedule and information related to their grade below.
Grade 10 & 11
Grades 10 and 11 will report to assigned rooms for PSAT at 8:04. The test will begin right away. Room assignments will be posted in the lobby on Tuesday. Bring two #2 pencils and calculator! Test day checklist
Our expectation is that all 10th and 11th grade students participate in the test.The PSAT provides students with a diagnostic snapshot of their current skills and their areas of growth for college and career readiness. If you have not confirmed participation and would still like to take the test, please email Mrs. Rondeau (jrondeau@medwayschools.org) before school on Wednesday 10/16. We have a test for every student!
The afternoon schedule for grades 10 & 11 includes:
Lunch
School Culture and Climate Survey (baseline data)
Film- Screenagers Next Chapter: Empowering Youth with Stress Resilience
F Block
Grades 9 & 12
While grades 10 and 11 are testing, grades 9 and 12 will participate in a morning of activities. The morning schedule for grade 9 includes:
Meetings with School Counselors to get an overview of their high school years.
Film- Screenagers Next Chapter: Empowering Youth with Stress Resilience
Mini-IPEC day in the gym with the Physical Education staff
School Culture and Climate Survey (baseline data)
Class Election (Speeches and Voting)
Class photo on Hanlon Field
In the afternoon, grade 9 students will attend classes for E and F blocks.
The morning will look similar for grade 12 and includes:
Meetings with School Counselors for post-secondary planning
Film- Screenagers Next Chapter: Empowering Youth with Stress Resilience
School Culture and Climate Survey (baseline data)
Class meeting and ‘2 0’ class photo on Hanlon Field
Parent-Teacher Conferences
It is our pleasure to invite you to attend our Parent-Teacher Conferences, which have been scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. As we have done for the past couple of years, parents/guardians may select a five-minute block of time for each teacher, during which individual progress, grades, successes, and challenges can be shared.
Scheduling of appointments begins on Wednesday, October 15 at 6:30pm. (Scheduling closes at 12:00pm on October, 21)
The appointment scheduler can be found at http://medwayhs.schoolappointments.com/. When you arrive at the site, the following instructions will help you register and schedule appointments for your student(s):
School Appointments - Parent Instructions
*Registration into the system must be completed anew each year and is now open. Please be aware that this is just the registration and does not guarantee or schedule an appointment
1. Go to our school appointments web site: http://medwayhs.schoolappointments.com/
2. Register for an account by clicking the "REGISTER" menu tab and filling in the online form. Choose a user id and password for yourself and then click the "Register Now" button.
3. Add your children into the system by clicking the "Add a Student" button. Click "Insert New" button to add more children.
Once appointment scheduling is open (Oct 15) please continue with step 4
4. Click the "date" icon beside each child's name to schedule appointments. Select the staff you wish to book appointments with and the "View Calendars" button. Use the "Ctrl" or "Command" key to select multiple staff to view at the same time.
5. Click on available time slots to book your appointments and then click the "Book Appointments" button to save your bookings.
If a time slot is not available, or you are unable to find a time that is mutually convenient, the system has an option to request a phone call/email back; teachers will honor that request for a call/email back within a week’s time.
We thank you for your involvement, and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, October 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Paying for College Event- Monday October 21, 2019
Regardless of your family income, having the right information on college financing can help you save money. Join us for a special event with financial aid strategy expert Steve Wynne who will lead a presentation, discussion, and Q&A to help simplify paying for college, including:
- how to successfully navigate the process of paying for college
- insights into available financial aid options and working with financial aid offices
- short term/long term strategies for loan repayment
WHEN: Monday October 21, 2019 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
WHERE: Medway High School Auditorium, 88 Summer Street, Medway, MA
Join us to learn what you need to know to pay less.
This event is sponsored by Medway High School Counseling in coordination with Medway Foundation for Education (MFE) and Richardson Financial Services.
October 5, 2019
FlexAdvisory- Thursday, October 10th
Students will have time on Tuesday morning to make their selection in Infinite Campus. All sessions are limited and every student is expected to make a choice and attend their selection.
Grade 9 Parent Evening- The High School Years
To assist with the transition to high school, parents of Grade 9 students are invited to attend The High School Years on Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 6:30 p.m - 7:30p.m. In addition to mirroring information that will be provided during the year to students in classroom guidance lessons, including Naviance, and timelines and requirements for the high school years; parents will also learn about the adolescent brain and tips for navigating the adolescent years. Please mark your calendars!
New Library Pass System - LibraryTrac
As you’re aware, we implemented a paper pass system at the start of this year in hopes of providing some structure to the way students access the library from study halls. After evaluating this system during the first month of school, and based on feedback from staff and students, we have made an adjustment to our pass system. Starting on Monday, 10/7/19, we will utilize LibraryTrac as an online sign up system in place of the paper passes. Students will be able to sign up for the library online rather than having to pick up a paper pass each morning. We believe this will allow us to provide equitable access to the library for all students.
The link to the LibraryTrac is tiny.cc/MedwayStudy
Once students access this site, they can choose the day and period they wish to attend and sign up. Signups are available one day in advance of the study. Students will still need to go to their study hall first for attendance.
Students will also find QR codes such as this one, where they can access the sign up site.
This screencastify contains instructions for students for your reference. Students should check in with our Librarian, Mrs. Klemm, with any questions or issues accessing the site.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
It is our pleasure to invite you to attend our Parent-Teacher Conferences, which have been scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. As we have done for the past couple of years, parents/guardians may select a five-minute block of time for each teacher, during which individual progress, grades, successes, and challenges can be shared.
Scheduling of appointments begins on Wednesday, October 15 at 6:30pm. (Scheduling closes at 12:00pm on October, 21)
The appointment scheduler can be found at http://medwayhs.schoolappointments.com/. When you arrive at the site, the following instructions will help you register and schedule appointments for your student(s):
School Appointments - Parent Instructions
*Registration into the system must be completed anew each year and is now open. Please be aware that this is just the registration and does not guarantee or schedule an appointment
1. Go to our school appointments web site: http://medwayhs.schoolappointments.com/
2. Register for an account by clicking the "REGISTER" menu tab and filling in the online form. Choose a user id and password for yourself and then click the "Register Now" button.
3. Add your children into the system by clicking the "Add a Student" button. Click "Insert New" button to add more children.
Once appointment scheduling is open (Oct 15) please continue with step 4
4. Click the "date" icon beside each child's name to schedule appointments. Select the staff you wish to book appointments with and the "View Calendars" button. Use the "Ctrl" or "Command" key to select multiple staff to view at the same time.
5. Click on available time slots to book your appointments and then click the "Book Appointments" button to save your bookings.
If a time slot is not available, or you are unable to find a time that is mutually convenient, the system has an option to request a phone call/email back; teachers will honor that request for a call/email back within a week’s time.
We thank you for your involvement, and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, October 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
October Parent Wellness Newsletter
PSAT- October 16th
Reminder to grade 10-11 students. If you have not signed up yet for the PSAT, you may still fill out the registration form below and turn in a check for $17 to Mrs. Rondeau in Guidance. We anticipate all students in both grades will want to participate in the exam.
PSAT Registration 2019 PSAT/NMSQT Student GuideSeptember 21, 2019
We've got Spirit!
Spirit Week
StuCo has planned different dress up days to celebrate Spirit Week and Homecoming! Each grade is competing with Muffin House gift cards available for the most spirited 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grader
The themes are:
Monday -Media/Meme Day Tuesday - USA Day Wednesday - class colors: Seniors-black, Juniors - red, Sophomores- White, Freshman - blue. Teachers - pink Thursday - Tourist day Friday - Fancy Friday (Picture Day) We encourage all to get involved!