Superintendent's Weekly Memo - March 31

March 31, 2023

A Google Docs version of this memo is available.

Dear Medford Public Schools Community:

As we end this week, we do so once again, grieving for families of students and staff lost in a senseless shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee.  It is the 13th shooting at a school so far this year.  The Medford Public Schools stand in solidarity with the Covenant School community, always condemning all types of violence.  Schools should be a safe place for our students and families.  

Please know that our school community works tirelessly with the Medford Police Department and our School Counseling and Behavioral Health Department, to provide the safest possible schools for all of our students, teachers and staff.  We also continue to work with all of our elected officials to continue to support the Commonwealth’s strict gun laws.    

This afternoon, I was excited to be a member of the Celebrate Women Panel at Medford High School. With March being National Women’s History Month, our students were honored to hear from:  Chief Justice Kimberly Budd, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Tiffany Chan, CBS Boston 4 Reporter, Dr. Jamie Cheah, the Broad Institute, Commander Billie J. Farrell, U.S.S. Constitution, Lisa Flores, Director of Sales/Marketing, Columbus Hospitality Group, Dr. Aseema Mohanty, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Tufts University and small business owners:  Page Buldini and Kelly Rose Sarno.  The variety of occupations presented along with the great insights provided by all the speakers really energized our students.  It was great to be a part of this distinguished panel.   We are very thankful these accomplished women were willing to take time from their schedules to speak to our students.  Our goal with this program is to highlight the importance of the quote:  “If you can see her, you can be her!”

Medford’s principal search continues with search committees being organized and interviews being scheduled shortly.  My goal is to announce our new leaders by the end of May.  

Today’s Memo Includes

• Upcoming District Review Parent/Caregiver Focus Group
• Good News From Around the District
• Special Fundraisers
• Hiring New Staff
• Upcoming Events

Upcoming District Review Parent/Caregiver Focus Group

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is conducting a review of Medford Public Schools. The review is to provide guidance with managing our schools to improve student performance. We would like you to participate in a focus group to get your perspective on family involvement with Medford Public Schools. The meeting is virtual on Tuesday, April 4, from 6:00-7:00 pm. To register, please click here: HERE.  We have added a second focus group on Monday, April 3, from 4:30-5:30 pm.  Each link is set for the language of the memo.

Good News From Around the District!

Next week, spring sports begin their competition season.  The high school teams are Boys Baseball, Girls Softball, Boys and Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Outdoor Track, Boys Indoor Volleyball, and Boy and Girls Crew.  At the middle schools, it is Boys and Girls Flag Football and Boys and Girls Outdoor Track.  Go Mustangs!

Jayden Vil, a freshman violinist, participated in the Junior Districts Festival in March. What an honor this was for Jayden.  Keep up the great work!

The Andrews Middle School’s CCSR group sponsored, “Knocked Down Hunger” and collected over 300 boxes of cereal to donate to the Medford Family Network, and mini-food pantries around the community.  Our CCSR students are constantly working to help make Medford a better place for all.

Registration is now open for the always popular Summer Fun Camp, for Grades 1-5, which will be held at Missituk Elementary School!  Camp begins July 5, 2023, and weekly rates for this inclusive camp will be $200.  The application is available on our website at www.mps02155.org.  Any questions, please contact Medford Community Schools at (781) 393-2226.

Sunday, April 2nd is Autism Acceptance Day and we invite our Mustang families to come together to join us and pledge to #GoBlue to increase global understanding and acceptance of individuals with autism.  

The Mustang Marching Band will be traveling to Disney World over the April vacation!  What an awesome opportunity for these students!  For those who might also be traveling to Disney during spring break, put the Mustang Band on your calendar:  they’ll be performing on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 12:30 PM at Disney Springs!

Medford/Malden Public Schools held a successful Transition Fair this past Wednesday in the Medford High School Gymnasium. There were over 80 attendees, 32 exhibitors, and 2 well-attended, workshops. Parents, Educators, and students came from Medford and Malden as well as Lynn, Arlington, Beverly, Woburn, Winchester, Saugus, and Burlington.

Special Fundraisers!

Thursday, April 6, 2023: Harlem Wizards: MHS Gym | 7 pm (Doors open at 6 pm)
Our elementary teachers & staff will play in a basketball game against the Wizards.  There will be comedy, slam dunks, audience participation, giveaways, and more. Additionally, the PTOs will be hosting a concession stand.  It is such a fun way to raise money!  Get your tickets now!  It was a sell-out in 2019!  This fundraiser benefits all of the elementary school PTOs. Tickets are $20 p.p and can be obtained here:  https://pretix.eu/harlemwizards

Saturday, April 8th: Electronics Recycling Fundraiser Behind McGlynn Middle School |10am - 1pm
As you do your spring cleaning, we invite you to bring your old electronic and electrical gadgets to be recycled! Proceeds raised go to support the McGlynn Middle School and The Andrews Middle School PTOs. Accepted Items $5.00 per item. (Premium items between $15 and $45 per item). Cannot accept items that contain fluids!

Saturday, April 15 & Sunday, April 16, 2023: 10th & final Krystle Campbell Memorial Softball 10th Tournament:
Columbus Park - with special guests for the ceremonial 1st pitch on Saturday at 9:30 am! Please come and support the Mustang Girls' Softball Team!  This is the (10th) year that Arlington Catholic High School, Billerica High School, Swampscott High School, and Medford have met and competed in memory of fallen student and former softball player Krystle Campbell who was killed in the Boston Marathon Bombings in April 2013. Special guests for the ceremonial 1st pitch, Saturday at 9:30 am!  The Softball Team is actively seeking sponsors, as well as donations of raffle prizes for the tournament.  To purchase a special commemorative tournament tee-shirt ($20 for the tee shirt and $35 for a crew neck) or make a raffle donation, please email mhsvarsitysoftball22@gmail.com

Hiring New Staff!

Paraprofessionals, Substitutes, Cafeteria Staff, Before and After Care Staff, and Building Monitors
The Medford Public Schools has vacancies for a number of positions.  We are actively seeking candidates to apply for positions within our schools. We are also seeking additional building monitors.  Please click here for our current postings.

This Week’s Upcoming Events!

Friday, March 31

• MHS Senior Class Panera Fundraiser - 499 Riverside Avenue - all-day
• Fun Night at McGlynn Middle School | 5-7 pm
• Musical Bingo hosted by Senior Class Parents:  Medford Elks Hall | 7 pm
• Spotlight presents Beauty & the Beast (Enchanted Cast): Caron Theater | 7 pm

Saturday, April 1

• April Fools Day
• Help Create the Rainbow Mosaic, with artist Susan Altman (for children ages 5 and up): MFN Family Center | 9 am - 12 noon
• Mayor’s Easter Egg Hunt: Wright’s Pond | 11 am - SOLD OUT!
• Spotlight presents Beauty & the Beast (Enchanted Cast): Caron Theater, MHS | 2 pm
• Mustang Winter Color Guard Competes in Championship Finals: Salem High School | 2 pm
• Trivia Night hosted by Medford Public Library - $25 p.p/Cash bar (21+ only) | 7 pm
• Spotlight presents Beauty & the Beast (Village Cast): Caron Theater, MHS | 7 pm

Sunday, April 2

• World Autism Acceptance Day

Monday, April 3

• Hockey Clinic - LoConte Rink - for grades 6-8) | 3 pm - FREE
• School Committee of the Whole - Budget Hearing: Medford City Hall | 4:30 - 6 pm
• Regular School Committee Meeting: Medford City Hall | 6 pm

Tuesday, April 4

• Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day
• Mass. DESE District Review - Virtual Parent/Caregiver focus group | 6-7 pm
• Roberts Elementary PTO Meeting | 6:30 pm

Wednesday, April 5

• Passover! (Begins at sundown)

Thursday, April 6

• National Library Day
• Harlem Wizards (Elementary PTO Fundraiser): MHS Gym | 7 pm

Friday, April 7

• - Good Friday - NO SCHOOL!
• - World Health Day

Saturday, April 8

• Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day: Medford DPW Yard | 9 am-1 pm
• Electronics Recycling: (Andrews & McGlynn PTO’s fundraiser): McGlynn School | 10 am - 1 pm

Sunday, April 9

• Easter

Monday, April 10

• School Committee Meeting: Medford City Hall | 6 pm

 

Yours in Partnership for Children,

Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent of Schools