Skip To Main Content

Superintendent's Weekly Memo - August 25

RSS Feeds Subscribe to Alerts
Superintendent's Weekly Memo - August 25
Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent

A Google Docs version of this memo is available.

Dear Mustang Families,

School officially starts next week and I don’t know where the time has gone. I warmly greet you during these final days of summer vacation and do hope you have all enjoyed a fun, restful and memorable summer. 

With school starting next week, I gently encourage all caregivers to restart a “school sleep schedule” this weekend to make it easier for your child to wake up early for school. Wednesday, August 30 is the First Day of School for students in Grades 1-12 and Post-Graduates. Kindergarten begins on Wednesday, September 6. Arrival and dismissal times for each school are listed below:

We are so excited to see you on the first day. If you have any questions about the start of school, you can always contact your child’s school or the main district office.

Today’s Memo includes:

  • School Bus Update

  • Free Meals for All Students

  • Medford Public Schools Mobile App

  • Good News Around the District

  • Job Openings in Medford Public Schools

School Bus Update

Medford Public Schools provides free yellow bus transportation for students in grades K-5 living beyond a 1-mile radius and students in grades 6-8 beyond a 2-mile radius of their school. As we approach the start of school, we have observed an increased number of families signing up for transportation who are not eligible because of the distance between their home and the school. We ask for your cooperation to make sure the guidelines are followed by all families so that we can prevent overcrowding on our buses.

You may also be aware schools around the country are facing challenges with school transportation (National Public Radio: “Why are so many school districts struggling to find good bus drivers?”). We are in constant contact with our bus provider, Eastern Bus, and they have let us know that they are still filling bus driver roles for the coming school year. We expect that all driver openings will be filled by the start of school, but we request your patience and attention in case we need to make any last-minute updates to bus schedules or availability.

Free Meals for All Students

Breakfast and lunch are now free for all Medford Public Schools students, thanks to funding in the budget recently signed by Governor Maura Healey. Check out the menu for the upcoming month by clicking here.

While school meals are free, account funds can be used to purchase second meals and a la carte items (such as snacks or drinks). There is a new online payment system for school meals - SchoolCafe! Sign up for an account at family.schoolcafe.com, or download the app. 

The SchoolCafe Family Hub allows parents to add money to their children’s account using a credit or debit card. Once an account is established, parents can fund their children’s accounts online via their secure website; check student balances; and transfer balances between children within the same account. 

Account balances from MySchoolBucks, our old system, have been transferred to SchoolCafe.

Payments may still be made via check (preferred) or cash submitted to cafeteria personnel in your child's individual school building. Please email meals@medford.k12.ma.us for questions concerning the School Nutrition Program. 

Medford Public Schools Mobile App

We remind you to check out the new Medford Public Schools mobile app, which will help students and families stay up to date with news updates, lunch menus, the school calendar and more. Download the mobile application today from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Good News Around the District

Jumpstart Music Camp - End of Camp Showcase

Elementary, Middle and High School students all performed today at the End of Camp Showcase at Medford High! Keep an eye on our school district’s Facebook page in the coming days for photos from the event.

Successful New Staff Induction Week

All eight Medford public schools welcomed new teachers and staff to our buildings and community this week for professional development, tours, classroom preparations and more! We’re so excited to welcome over 50 new staff to the Medford Public Schools community this school year.

Job Openings in Medford Public Schools

Come work with us! Medford Public Schools has a variety of job openings available now, including teachers, coaches, paraprofessionals and a variety of other roles. Consider applying today!

UPCOMING EVENTS!

  • August 28, First Day of School for Staff

  • August 30: First Day of School for Students! (Grades 1-12 and Post-Graduates)

  • September 1: No School

  • September 4: No School, Labor Day

  • September 5: Kindergarten Mini Day– at each elementary school starting at 9:00am

  • September 6: First Day of Kindergarten Classes

  • September 6: MHS Meet the Principals Night

Stay dry this weekend!

Yours in Partnership for Children,

Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent

 

Recent News

RSS Feeds Subscribe to Alerts