November 2nd E-Blast

From: Mary C. Gormley
To: Parents/Guardians and Staff
Re: E-blast Update
Date: November 2nd, 2017

FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

Members of the Pierce Middle School Student Council will lead a March for Peace on Friday, November 3rd at 2:45 pm. All are welcome to attend as students, staff and participants from the Milton Community process from Pierce to the Gazebo at Town Hall where these student leaders will share thoughts about peace in our local and worldwide community. We will also hear from some talented Pierce singers. The students meet weekly and conceived of the idea for the March for Peace with their advisors, Pierce Middle School writing teacher Mr. Dolan, 6th and 7th grade teacher Ms. Percuoco, and 8th grade history teacher, Mr. Smith. These advisors worked with members of the Student Council on the logistical planning as well as their goals for the March. The intent of the March is simple: to promote peace and spread a simple but powerful message of love and kindness. The March for Peace is non-political and non-denominational and our Pierce  Student Council hopes it will send a message of unity and peace in our community.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE UPDATE

There has not been a School Committee meeting since my last E-blast. The next meeting will be held on Thursday,  November 9th  at 7 pm in the Milton TV Access studio, Room 245, Milton High School. (Please note the change from the usual Wednesday date).

CURRICULUM NEWS

The following was submitted by Milton High School English Teacher Jason Coady:

More than 200 Milton High School sophomores were invited to hear Vietnam Veteran Tom Hannon speak at Milton High School on Thursday, October 26th.  Sophomore students in Mr. Coady,  Mr. Young, and Mr. Sanchez’s classes have been reading Tim O’Brien’s 1990 Vietnam War novel “The Things They Carried.”  Students have been discussing O’Brien’s ideas on how fiction, more than autobiography and memoir, can be a superior medium for conveying universal truths, especially in war narratives. They have also been considering the conflict of individual conscience versus the state as O’Brien writes about the controversy of the draft during the Vietnam era. This reading has been enhanced and enriched through viewing segments of Ken Burns’ PBS Vietnam War documentary dealing with the antiwar movement, and the soldier’s experience in Vietnam. The students’ personal discussion with Mr. Hannon, who served in Vietnam in the Spring of 1969 as a Hospital Corpsman attached to a Marine Unit before being injured, was both further enlightening and a chance for students to connect written history with a Vietnam Veteran who has dedicated his life to supporting veterans working as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at the Boston Vet Center, a PTSD treatment clinic of the Veteran’s Administration. In his capacity as a PNP Mr. Hannon serves both the physical and emotional scars many veterans face. Mr. Hannon shared his first impressions of Vietnam and answered many insightful questions from our students.  Especially in advance of Veteran’s Day, Milton Public Schools is grateful to Mr. Hannon both for his service to our country and his willingness to share his life experience with our students.

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The following was sent to us by Amy Tom, High School Science Department Head:

Milton High School Pre-K students participated in a series of “Mad  Scientist” experiments this week.  Our Pre-K students have been  studying the five senses and were asked to utilize these senses while rotating through various stations. The class ended with a chemical reaction experiment with students using their sense of sight and sound to conduct observations. 

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Thanks to a generous Milton Public Library donor, nine of our Milton High School students were able to attend the MPL Literary Gala this week. MHS teacher Stephen Collyer attended the event with the students and remarked “The students enjoyed the evening and expressed gracious appreciation for the experience. They got to share in their own community’s celebration of storytelling and witness the town’s support for the library’s expanding role as the community anchor of literacy.”

L-R Kennedi Van Allen,Ryan Au, Kelsey Foran,Kara Milliken, Zawadi Dore-Tyrell, Andrew Viveiros, Shoilee Banerjee,Alyssa Foster, Colin Fennessey, Stephen Collyer (Teacher)

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The following was sent to us by Milton High School Vice Principal Ben Kelly;

Milton High School Parents/Guardians: Please visit Parent/Teacher conference information and Conference Scheduling details to schedule your conference for November 8th. If you do not have availability to internet access you may call the main office at 617-696-4470 between the hours of 9-11am or 1-3 pm on school days.  

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All MCAS scores have been mailed home this week. If your child participated in MCAS and you have not received the letter by the end of the week, please contact your child’s principal.

UPCOMING MPS EVENTS

Milton High School proudly presents the musical PIPPIN on November 2nd at 7 pm and Nov 4th at 2 pm and 7 pm in the Charles C. Winchester Auditorium, Milton High School, 25 Gile Road.

With an infectiously unforgettable score from musical theatre giant Stephen Schwartz, Pippin is the story of the young Frankish prince, son of King Charlemagne, who seeks fulfillment in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power, but who ultimately finds happiness not in extraordinary endeavors, but in the un-extraordinary moments that happen every day. The show leads the viewer into introspection and is perhaps best enjoyed by a more mature audience who appreciates the experience of a deeper message. ​

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in the MHS main office, at the door or online. For more information call 617-696-4470.

GUIDANCE NEWS

The following was sent to us by Karen Cahill, Director of Guidance:

Join the Guidance Department for our annual College Information/Post Secondary Planning night on Wednesday, Dec 6th at 6pm at Milton High School. We will be discussing all of the topics that your child will need to know about to survive and thrive during the college admissions process. Informational sessions will be held for Financial Aid, Standardized Testing, supporting your senior throughout the year, NCAA requirements, overview of the college process, and Naviance. This workshop is open to all parents/guardians and students in any grade.

FOOD SERVICES

The following was sent to us by Jackie Morgan, Director of Food Services:

If your student has a life-threatening food allergy, it is important to build a team of key individuals at school who can help safely manage your child’s needs. Start by contacting your school nurse to discuss implementing an allergy action plan. The school nurse can work with parents and health care providers to develop a health care plan to meet the unique needs of each student. Continue reading…  

GRANT/FUNDRAISING NEWS

We are once again lucky to be partnering with the Milton Fruit Center for Schools Shopping Week November 6th-12th. All six Milton Public Schools will be benefiting from the Fruit Center’s generosity.  Here’s how you can participate:

Download a shopping voucher for your school below (you’ll need Adobe Reader). Print as many you’d like and share them with friends, family and neighbors.

Present your voucher when you make purchases at the Fruit Center Marketplace from Monday, November 6th through Sunday, November 12th. Shop as often as you’d like during that week. The Fruit Center Marketplace will donate 20% of the total purchases back to your school so stock up on your favorite Fruit Center items and help out your school!

Collicot    Cunningham     Glover     Tucker     Pierce Middle School     Milton High School

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The following was submitted by Teresa McDonald, Co-President of the MHS Key Club:

The Milton High School Key Club will be collecting candy for the troops from November 1st-7th. The candy will be sent to the Mashpee Fire Department and they will ship it overseas as a treat to our troops. Please drop off your extra Halloween candy in the Milton High School Main Office or in the Guidance Department. The Key Club and the troops thank you!

SPECIAL EDUCATION NEWS

Throughout the year, the Pupil Personnel Services Department sends emails regarding SEPAC news, events and district wide information. If you have not received these emails and would like to be on the email list, please contact Tracy Grandeau, the Administrator of Pupil Personnel Services at tgrandeau@miltonps.org.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

The following was sent to us by Milton High School senior Arielle Soloman:

On Wednesday October, 25th 10 students from Milton High School traveled to Scituate High School to learn about risk prevention and mental health knowledge in regards to depression and suicide. Questions such as “Does depression look different in children vs. adults?” and “How does depression look and feel in different ethnic groups?” were discussed. This day taught us how to be more knowledgeable when given a situation in regards to suicide and depression and how to best respond to a friend who is struggling. Continue reading… 

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The following was sent to us by Laurie Stillman, Director of Social Emotional Learning:

The Milton Public Library is sponsoring a free coffee, “Tips for Teen Parents” on Saturday, November 4th at 11 am with veteran educator Eliza Wagner.  Ms. Wagner will discuss the ups and downs of the middle and high school years and how to give your teen the tools necessary to succeed academically followed by an open question and answer session.

HEALTH NEWS

The following item was sent to us by Margaret Gibbons, Director of Nurses:

Milton School Nurses are planning the Annual Student FLU CLINIC for students AND parents on Tuesday, November 14th (Please note date change) at Pierce Middle School from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian as permission forms must be completed.  There is no cost for this flu shot, but please bring your insurance card. This flu clinic is a joint collaboration between the Milton School Nurses and the Milton Board of Health. We want to keep everyone healthy this flu season!

NEWS AROUND TOWN

Please click on any link below for more nformation:

What’s happening for teens at the Milton Public Library?

What’s happening for kids at the Milton Public Library?

BID Milton Concussion seminar for young athletes and their parents on 11/14.

Commission on Disability needs volunteers to serve as Commissioners.

ATHLETICS

The following item was sent to us by Athletic Director Ryan Madden:

Our Girls Volleyball Team will play at Pembroke High School on Friday, November 3rd  at 6 pm in the first round of the D2 South Sectional Tournament. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 for adults and $2 for students.

Our Girls Soccer Team will play at Duxbury High School on Saturday, November 4th  at 5 pm in the preliminary round of the D2 South Sectional Tournament.

Our Football Team will play Silver Lake here at Milton High School on Friday November 3rd at 7 pm in the second round of the D4 South Sectional Tournament.

Our Swim Team will participate in the Bay State League Swim Meet at Wellesley College on Sunday November 5th  at 9:30am.

Our Cheer Team finished 2nd out of the Coed Cheer Teams in last night’s Bay State League Conference Championships.  They have also qualified for states!

Registration is now open for Winter Athletics.  You can visit Registration for more information and steps on how to register.  

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Got Cans? The Rugby Team  will be hosting a Cans for Cats event on Saturday, November 4th from 9 am- 12 pm ONLY. Drop off location is down near the wood shed/dumpster/in back near the Field house area and not the front of the school. Please note that cans dropped off before 9:00 am and after 12:00 pm  unfortunately often end up  as trash and do not benefit the hosting team. Please drop of only between 9:00 am -12 PM. The Rugby Team thanks you for your support and cooperation!

AMBASSADOR PAGE

As part of our E-blast, we highlight students, teachers and members of the community whose hard work deserves recognition.  Please read about some of their outstanding accomplishments below:

Students:  I would like to recognize Glover 3rd and 5th graders, Zach and Matt Morin. Last year they were inspired by an article read in school and launched a plan to increase Autism awareness at Glover. They met with Principal McDavitt, reached out to AANE (Autism/Asperger Network), communicated school wide with a message that has focused on appreciating differences and worked with a team to create a fundraising program tied to fitness at Glover. Last week, all 586 Glover students learned how to do a plank in gym class and did an official plank to raise Autism/Asperger Awareness and. After planking, each got a bracelet honoring their plank for Autism. They are still accepting donations We are so proud of Zach and Matt and thank them for bringing this wonderful opportunity to all Glover students. 

Staff:  Please join me in congratulating Elementary Librarian Lori Henry on a well deserved upcoming retirement. Mrs Henry has been a valued member of the Milton Public Schools for almost 20 years and will be missed by students and staff alike. Cunningham Principal Jon Redden has worked with Mrs Henry for 6 years and writes “Mrs. Henry has always tried to instill a love of reading in every student and fostering this at an early age promotes lifelong readers and learners. When students returned to school after summer break, Mrs. Henry always asked them about the books they read while sharing interesting new books she found for them and her passion for books of all genres has carried over into our classrooms. In addition, Mrs. Henry’s work as the 5th grade Future Problem Solver coach has been phenomenal. Our teams were always prepared to compete at the highest level and multiple teams have qualified for the State Bowl each of the past four years. She also lead our 2016 team to the International Competition in Michigan!  It has been a pleasure working with Mrs. Henry and I wish her the very best in retirement.”

Volunteers: Please join me in thanking the Fruit Center Marketplace for their generosity to the Milton Public Schools over the years. The Fruit Center has been a long time supporter of our schools and through their School Fundraiser Week alone they have donated over $35,000 to the Milton Public Schools. We are grateful for their considerable ongoing support and pleased to have them as a vibrant part of our Milton community.

The Milton Public School system does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, gender identity, transgender status, gender transitioning, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its programs, activities or operations. These include, but are not limited to, admissions, equal access to programs and activities, employment, provision of and access to programs and services, as well as selection of volunteers, vendors and employers recruiting at the Milton Public Schools.  We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, students, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors.  The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:  Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Human Resources, 617-696-4812.

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