Superintendent's Weekly Memo - August 31, 2023

Aug 31 2023 6:30 PM

Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent

A Google docs version of this memo is also available.

Dear Mustang Families,

Welcome back! We’re so excited to see students back in our classrooms, playgrounds, and athletic fields. Over these first days, our students in Grades 1-12 navigated fire drills, discovered the routes to new classrooms, and got to know new teachers and classmates.

As a reminder, school is closed for the four-day Labor Day Weekend: no school on Friday, September 1 and Monday, September 4. We’re ready and eager to welcome back Medford Early Education Program (MEEP) students for their first day of school on Tuesday, September 5 and Kindergarten students for their first day of school on Wednesday, September 6.

Elementary families using the yellow school buses should be aware that all students in Grades K-2 will receive a red bus tag that indicates their student’s initials, bus number and destination stop. This system helps us ensure that our youngest bus passengers reach their intended stop.

Today’s Memo includes:

September Breakfast and Lunch Menus
PSAT Opt-In for 10th Grade Students
School Nurse & Health Reminders
Medford Public Schools Mobile App
For Teachers and Staff: Disability Awareness Workshop
Generous School Supply Donations from Essendant
Job Openings in Medford Public Schools

September Breakfast and Lunch Menus

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 breakfast and lunch menus for the upcoming month by clicking here.

PSAT Opt-In for 10th Grade Students

The Medford Public Schools will be offering the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) once again this year. Students who are in grade 10 are eligible to take this exam by signing up by September 1, 2023. There is no cost to the student. The PSAT/NMSQT is aligned to the SAT and provides a low stakes environment for students to practice. This preliminary test provides students scores that are a good predictor of how they would perform without preparation. These scores then allow a student to focus on certain areas of study prior to taking the SAT, which many colleges consider for acceptance. Typically, this exam takes around three hours to complete using standard time allotted. Please note that all students in grade eleven take the PSAT as part of their school experience.

If you would like your Grade 10 student to take the PSAT, please complete the opt-in form by September 1, 2023.

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.

School Nurse & Health Reminders

Medications in School:

In accordance with Massachusetts law and the Department of Public Health, the following guidelines must be upheld regarding medications in schools:

Students are not allowed to carry their own medications to school, unless for emergency purposes and the school nurse is aware (EpiPens, inhalers). This includes over-the-counter medications such as Lactaid, Tylenol, Motrin, cough drops, etc.
Medications need to be brought to the school nurse by an adult. Students cannot bring their own medications to the school nurse for administration.
All medications brought to the nurse need to be accompanied by a doctor's order form and a parent/guardian authorization form. The school nurse cannot administer medications without both of these forms on file in the nursing office.
Medications should be provided to the school nurse in the original bottle. The prescription label needs to be readable with the student’s name and the specifics of the medication included. Over-the-counter medication should be in the original manufacturer's bottle.

Immunizations:

If you have been notified by the school nurse that your child is missing required school immunizations, the date for exclusion from school is: 12/1/2023. If you need help getting immunizations, please contact your school nurse.

Updating the School Nurse About Injuries:

Any injuries sustained over the summer or at home that may impact your child’s school day or participation in recess/physical education classes should be reported to the school nurse. Students requiring mobility devices (crutches, wheelchairs) need to provide a doctor's note for use in school.

For Teachers and Staff: Disability Awareness Workshop

All staff and administrators are invited to attend a professional development workshop on Disability Awareness in the Classroom starting on September 12. Interested educators can register on the Professional Development website.

Generous School Supply Donations from Essendant

Thank you to the Essendant Charitable Foundation for their generous donation of 250 backpacks full of school supplies! Earlier this month, Members Plus Credit Union also donated fully-stocked backpacks for our students. If your student needs school supplies, please contact your building principal to inquire about these supplies.

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!

September 1: No School
September 4: No School, Labor Day
September 5: Kindergarten Mini Day– at each elementary school starting at 9:00am
September 5: First Day of Medford Early Education Program (MEEP)
September 6: First Day of Kindergarten Classes
September 6: MHS Meet the Principals Night
September 9: Brazilian Flag Day, Andrews Middle School at 10:00am
September 22 & 23: Run Medford (Kids’ Races on 9/22 at Hormel Stadium)

Happy Labor Day!

Yours in Partnership for Children,

Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent

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