June 7th, 2018

From: Mary C. Gormley
To: Parents/Guardians and Staff
Re: Weekly Update
Date: June 7, 2018

FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

Valedictorian Domenic Jancaterino receives his diploma from Prinicpal Jette

It was a wonderful day in the Copeland Family Field House on Sunday as we celebrated the one hundred and forty-eighth Milton High School graduation and the accomplishments of our  261 Milton High School graduates. The field house was filled with MHS staff, family and friends and of course our graduates. It was a moving ceremony and our student speakers – Salutatorian Timothy Karoff,  Valedictorian Domenic Jancaterino and Class President MacKenzie Caputo – were outstanding. The MHS Band and Chorus Ensemble provided stirring music and the afternoon concluded with the Declaration of Graduation by Principal James Jette, a rousing cheer and an exuberant processional.

Thanks to Milton Wildcat News, you can watch the ceremony in its entirety here. The photos below can be enlarged to share our graduate’s future plans. Last week’s Milton Times contained a full color spread of our 2018 Senior Class and this week will feature many highlights from our graduation ceremony. I encourage you to pick up a copy to celebrate our graduates! 

 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE UPDATE

The School Committee invites all to please join them on Wednesday, June 13th at 7pm for a public forum to address increased student enrollment and space issues in the Milton Public Schools. The meeting will take place in the Milton Access TV Studio, Rm 245 in Milton High School. Please note that unlike “Citizens Speak,” this forum will allow the opportunity for an exchange between citizens and Milton School Committee members. If you wish to access background information regarding increasing enrollment, please view the presentation from The New England School Development Council (NESDEC). 

The School Committee has updated the 2018-19 school calendar which can be found here.

HIGH SCHOOL HAPPENINGS

MHS families, please take a moment to complete the Milton High School Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Declaration Survey. Next year, all MHS students will be asked to bring their own device, other than a smartphone, to school with them each day.  For students who will not be able to meet this request, a Chromebook will be loaned out to the student by Milton Public Schools for the school year. We ask that all families declare whether or not your student(s) will be able to meet this request to bring their own device next year.  If you currently have an 8th-11th grade student and have not completed the short BYOD declaration survey please do so as soon as possible.   

For more information regarding the BYOD Loan Agreement, BYOD Student & Family Manual, BYOD FAQs, the MPS Acceptable Use Policy, and Chromebook Care & Use Policy, please visit the following flyer and click on the thumbnails to view the information.

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For the first time, MHS seniors will have the opportunity to take the SATs at Milton High School on October 10th during the school day. This is a new opportunity offered by College Board for the upcoming school year. We are asking any seniors (current junior class) taking the SATs on October 10th to be at school at 7:30am for registration. Testing will begin promptly at 8am. Students will have the option of taking the SAT with or without essay and testing will end by 12:30pm. Once testing is concluded students will follow their regular school day schedule until dismissal. This is the same day our sophomores and juniors will be taking the PSATs, which will begin at 8am. Taking SATs on this day is not mandatory but we are hoping seniors will take advantage of this new school day testing option. You WILL NOT register for this School Day testing on the College Board website; you will register with UNIBANK through the MPS website. Go to the UNIBANK icon on the MPS homepage.

Registration is open now but will close on June 22nd as materials have to be ordered by June 25th.  Once registration is closed there will be no opportunity to register, so please sign up ASAP if you are a current junior and want to take the SAT on Wednesday, October 10th, 2018. Please email Karen Cahill with any questions.

MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

Congratulations to Anderson, Barron and Bridget!

The Middle School Science Fair took place at Worcester Technical High School this past Saturday and I am happy to report that Pierce sent two projects to the fair and both received First Place awards!  8th graders Barron Clancy and Anderson Korman went as a team with their project on Developing Better Ventilation Systems for Refugee Tents, and Bridget McCoy, a 7th grader, also went with a project on the Effects of Temperature on Yeast Activity.  This was Anderson and Barron’s second trip to State Science Fair and they received a 2nd place award last year while this was Bridget’s first time at the State Science Fair. All three students have been participants in the Pierce Science Fair since 6th grade and we could not be more proud of them. Our science fair participants learned a lot this year, and despite having a difficult Regionals experience, they persevered on to the State Fair and had the best year yet.  

INSIDE OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Yup, thats’s a tick!

In recent weeks, The Friends of the Blue Hills teamed up with Milton Town Nurse Caroline Kinsella and our 4th grade Future Problem Solvers to help increase awareness of Lyme disease and how to prevent it.  Over 300 hundred of our 4th graders in all four schools participated in an interactive program to understand how deer populations and ticks affect our community. Students learned how deer populations degrade forest health and how unhealthy forests affect human health using Lyme disease as an example in their community. Finally, Ms Kinsella shared how to check for ticks and the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease.  

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The Tour of Milton is an exciting opportunity for 5th grade students to learn more about their community. Gwen Labbe, the Education Director from Milton Historical Society, provides teachers with a binder of articles and pictures to share with students before the trip, so they can build schema before they explore the designated stops on the tour.  Students travel by bus to The Forbes House, The Wakefield Estate, Milton Cemetery and The Suffolks Resolves House learning about the history of their community throughout the day.

BUS REGISTRATION

For the upcoming school year, we will be rolling over ridership from the previous year. If you currently have students registered for the bus, you will need only to send payment (for a paid bus ride) or an email indicating you want to renew your ride (for free rides). If you need to register a new student for the bus, details are here. Bus payment and registration (if needed) must be received by June 30th. Please refer to this link for all details and email Jane Barrett with questions. 

RESIDENCY REESTABLISHMENT

In the Spring of 2015, the Milton School Committee passed a Residency Policy that states “students who are enrolled in the Milton Public Schools shall be required to re-establish residency prior to entering grades six and nine as well as Milton Public School students who attend school out-of-town*.”

Families who have students in these categories are required to complete the form that will be mailed to their homes (form is also available here ) and provide all necessary documentation. This process, now in its 4th year, is one of the safeguards used by MPS to ensure that all students enrolled in our schools are residents of the town of Milton. Although the re-registration process may be an inconvenience for some families, we hope that residents understand that this is a valuable tool to protect taxpayers in the town of Milton. We work year-round on residency issues and this is simply one more method to assist us with ensuring residency compliance.

Ms. Sarina Burke, MPS Residency Coordinator, will be working morning and evening hours all summer to better meet the needs of parents/guardians schedules. The summer hours for reestablishment starting July 9th  are Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7 -10am and Tuesday evenings from 4-7pm or by appointment. Ms. Burke can be reached via email or at 617-696-4470 ext 5516. 

*This includes all students who attend Blue Hills Regional Technical School, Norfolk County Agricultural High School and Special Education out-of-district placements for students entering grades 6 and 9.

MPS GIVES BACK

Declan Shields Buzzed Off for Kids with Cancer!

Jackson (center) and Christopher (right) mid buzz!

As promised, 3 of our Collicot students look a little different this week as they Buzzed Off for Kids with Cancer over the weekend. Christopher Ennis, Declan Shields and Jackson Wagner all raised money by getting pledges to buzz their hair to support kids with cancer and last weekend at Gillette Stadium they delivered on their promise!  Gronk also got buzzed and you can see him (and Christopher at 33 seconds and Jackson at 55 seconds) in this news clip.  

UPCOMING MPS EVENTS

June 7, 8, 9   Pierce Players Performances
June 11  Grade 6 Spring Concert
June 13  Volunteer Event/School Committee Meeting
June 14  Grade 7&8 Spring Concert
June 18  Instrumental Lesson Information Night
June 22 Last day of school, Early Release at all schools

The Pierce Players will perform its production of Singin’ in the Rain Jr. for the Milton community on Thursday, June 7th and Friday, June 8th at 7PM  and Saturday, June 9th at 2 PM in the Pierce auditorium. Tickets are $10 and there are limited tickets available at the door for all three performances, 45 minutes before the show starts.  Find out more about the show here.  

SEPAC/SPECIAL ED NEWS

If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), we need your input! Each year,  the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) surveys families of students with an IEP in selected school districts to determine how well your child’s school is communicating with you and promoting your engagement in  your child’s education. It’s your district’s turn this year. The web-based survey will be open from  October 1, 2017– June 30, 2018. You can complete the survey online or using a mobile device with this link: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3792854/Family-Engagement-Survey-2017-2018. Your participation in this survey will help your school district to improve family engagement for all students. Thank you for completing the survey.

MILTON SUMMER ENRICHMENT

It’s hard to believe but summer is fast approaching!  Thank you to all for your participation in registration for MSE 2018.  If you haven’t yet registered, visit our website for registration information. For those families who have registered, please join us on one of the following days to pick up your schedules, maps and Important Information Flier!
Monday, June 11th 5-7pm (MHS Main Entrance Lobby – front of school)
Saturday, June 16th 9-12pm (MHS Main Entrance Lobby – front of school)
If you have any questions, please email Bernadette Butler and Cat DesRoche.

FOOD SERVICE NEWS

There is a new “Sandwich King of MHS” and much to the chagrin of Mr. Kelly and Mr. Mack, it isn’t them! Congratulations to Mr. Jette on his win with his “Turkey Club Remix”.

MILTON MUSIC FEST AND FIREWORKS

The Milton Music Festival returns to Gov. Hutchinson’s Field a top of Milton Hill on Adams Street on June 23rd and 24th. On Saturday night, sit and enjoy the splendid view of Boston as our top-notch line up of musicians fill the airwaves with some of your favorite tunes. We will have nearly FIVE hours of nonstop music. This year we will have a “Little Bit of Country and a Little Bit of Rock and Roll”.  Be sure to wear your cowboy hats and boots! There will also be a large open air dance floor waiting for you.

The kids will enjoy the  HUGE sand box and ride our GIANT slide. Try your hand at corn hole and volleyball, and enjoy the Wahlburgers Truck, Montilio’s Pizza Cart and The OK Saloon’s  cold draft beer and wine as well as ice cream, fried dough and more!

When the sky darkens and the lights twinkle in the distance, right around 10pm, the fireworks will light up the night with the Boston skyline as your backdrop.  This celebration is always an evening to treasure. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs, blankets and bug spray!

The fun continues on Sunday with Celtic Sunday from 1-9 PM. Celtic Sunday 2018 will highlight many of Boston’s best Irish bands, musicians and vocalists. Each of them brings so much talent to the Boston Irish Music scene.  Our friends from M.J. O’Connor’s Irish Pub will be serving Guinness, Magners and other ice cold beer and wine. Grab your chair and sunscreen, there will be something for everyone, young and old. There will also be handicap parking available at the field on Sunday only. For more information on free parking, complimentary shuttle service and entertainment please visit MiltonMusicFest .

NEWS AROUND TOWN

Less than one week until race day! The 41st annual Milton Road Race, hosted and organized by the Milton Junior Woman’s Club,  is on Tuesday, June 12th. Online registration for the Milton Road Race will close on Monday the 11th at noon. For teams, a reminder that team registration can only be done online. If you have teammates who have not yet registered, encourage them to sign up soon!  Bag/number pickup and in-person registration will be available Monday night (4-7pm) and Tuesday after 3:30pm at Cunningham Hall. In-person registration is $35 for adults and $20 for youth. Please bring a check payable to MJWC. For those of you making a game day decision, look for the paper registration form on our FB page, which you can print, fill out and bring to registration. Also, if you have not yet done so —  “like” Milton Road Race on FaceBook for the most up to date race day info. Be sure to patronize our awesome sponsors and tell them The Milton Road Race sent you. Add picture

Head to the Eustis Estate for the Head to Toe Family Programs on Friday, June 15 and Saturday June 16, 10am – 2pm.  

This summer the Milton Art Center is offering nine weeks of summer classes with separate morning and afternoon summer art class sessions for children, ages 5-12, and Summer Studio for teens, 12-17, who enjoy bringing their ideas and stories to life.  New this summer are creative writing courses and figure drawing for adults. Each week something new to learn in drawing, painting, mixed media, sewing, clay, digital media, paper mache sculpture and more. Sign up now!

 

Town Rain Barrel program – SUSTAINABLE MILTON  is encouraging residents to save rainwater by offering The Great American Rain Barrel at 40% Off retail!  All details can be found here. 

ART AND MUSIC NEWS  

Our 7th and 8th grade students had a wonderful showing at this year’s Great East Festival! Congratulations to all, performances can be viewed below.

Great East Pierce MS Band 7 & 8 GOLD!
Great East Pierce MS Cambiata Chorus 7 & 8 GOLD!
Great East Pierce MS Treble Chorus 7 & 8 PLATINUM!
Great East Pierce MS Strings 7 & 8 PLATINUM!

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There will be an “Instrumental Petting Zoo” for 3rd- 5th grade students and their families on Monday, June 18th at 6:30pm in the MHS Auditorium. If your student is entering 4th grade or above and is interested in learning a musical instrument, come to this informational session at MHS. You will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the instrumental lesson program and your student will have the opportunity to try instruments at our “Instrument Petting Zoo” and meet students who have taken lessons in the program. Contact Lesson Program Directors Rebecca Damiani or Gary Good with any questions.

ATHLETICS

Girls Lacrosse and Boys Tennis had their season cut short after 1st round losses to Old Rochester and Hanover, respectively.  They each had great seasons! Baseball and Softball both play tonight in the first round of the tournament. Baseball travels to Dartmouth for a 4:30pm game, while Softball travels to North Quincy for a 6:00pm game.  Rugby will host Marshfield on Friday, at 5:00pm in the state quarterfinals! Good luck to all!

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Milton High School is pleased to announce that on Tuesday, June 12th at 6:30pm, the Athletic Department will be hosting John Whitesides from the National Guard and the Boston Bruins Organization, as part of the BFIT Performance Series. Following the presentation, to which all grades/parents are invited,  all incoming freshmen students and parents should stay for a brief presentation on Milton High School Athletics. All details can be found here

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There will be a Cans for Cats and Car Wash combo on Saturday June 9th from 9-12pm at Cunningham (note the venue change for Cans for Cats just for this month). MHS Track teams will benefit. Cross two things off your list at once!

Athletic updates and schedules can be found on our website.

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 accomplishments below:

Students:  I would like to recognize our 261 Milton High School 2018 graduates, every one of whom will bring their special talents with them as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. We know these young people are the future leaders of both our local and global communities and it has been a privilege to have them as a part of the Milton Public Schools community.  

Staff: Last night we honored our recent retirees from the Milton Public Schools at a reception at Milton High School. These long time educators have taught many of your children throughout the years and I hope you will join me in wishing them a well deserved happy retirement. Thank you and congratulations to Ellen Brusard, Elizabeth Carrigan, Pamela Dorsey, Susan Doyle, Mary Duggan, Annie Dutton, Debra Fidrocki, Lorraine Lawson-Henry, Diane Jackson, Judith Lemelman, Anna McReynolds, Ann Marie Noonan, Mary Foy Rooney and Nancy Trifone-Seales. You can read a bit about our retirees in the pictures below, which can be enlarged by clicking on them. To our retireees – your contributions to the Milton Public Schools will not soon be forgotten.

Volunteers: Phew! Graduation season has come and gone and it just would not be possible without the hard work and commitment of the dozens of volunteers who contribute to the end of the year festivities. A heartfelt thanks to the Boosters, FAME, the All Night Party Committee and the MHS PTSFO. The many end of year events that make May and June special for our seniors and high school students would not be possible without your creativity, “get it done” attitude and willingness to engage in these valuable end of year rituals.

Thank you to my blog contributors this week: Charlene Roche, Christie Chiappetta, Karyn Viveiros, Sean Lopresti, AJ Melanson, Karen Cahill, Jane Barrett, Sarina Burke, Justine Novak, Jen Grubler, Holly Concannon, Jon Redden, Sara MacNeil, Noel Vigue, Amy Gale, Nancy Warn, Jackie Morgan, Ryan Madden, Elaine McNeil-Girmai, Cat DesRoche, James Jette, Amy Gale, Rebecca Damiani, Dawn Sykes and Bernadette Butler. 

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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