To: Parents/Guardians and Staff
From: Interim Superintendent Garth McKinney
Re: Superintendent’s Weekly Update
Date: June 15, 2023
FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Good luck to MHS Baseball in the State Championship!
As you know, these last weeks of school are action packed, with everything from field trips, talent shows, and academic projects to MHS final assessments, service learning activities, and spirit weeks. In the midst of all this activity, Tucker welcomed their new Principal, Dr. William Carter, and Assistant Principal, Caroline Morton for a day at Tucker, we wished our new MPS retirees well, School Committee held their final meeting of the school year, our schools held their awards and moving up ceremonies, and field day fun was a staple. To add to the excitement, MHS Baseball has advanced to the State Finals for the second year in a row! Good luck to the Wildcats as they take on King Philip on Friday, June 16 at 7 pm at Polar Park, Worcester. Tickets are on sale here. Let’s go ‘Cats!
Last week we gathered at Milton High School to celebrate our 15 MPS staff members who are retiring at the end of this school year. I invite you to read more here about Bill Connors, Susan Gionfriddo, Bill Parsloe, Bill Ritchie, Angela Ryan, Jeff Stoodt, Scott Willams, Sally Rush, Elaine Coughlin, Christopher Clements, Dave Mazzulli, Debra Miller, Mercedes Gonzalez, Karen McGrath McKenzie and Kathy Mulligan (who retired late last year). Please join me in thanking these valued staff members for their service to the Milton Public Schools!
We have just two and a half days of school left for our students. As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, June 19, in honor of Juneteenth, and the last day of school is Wednesday, June 21, an Early Dismissal day. We look forward to officially welcoming Dr. Peter Burrows as Superintendent on July 1 and wish all in the Milton Public Schools a happy and healthy summer vacation!
IMPORTANT DATES
- June 19 – Juneteenth – No School
- June 21 – Last Day of School, Early Dismissal
The MPS Events Calendar can be found here, and the 23-24 SY calendar can be found here
MPS SUMMER
Milton High School: Looking for a good book for some summer reading? Check out the MHS suggested Summer Reading list here. All students enrolled in AP courses for the 2023-2024 school year met with teachers and have been told course expectations, including required summer work. Students enrolled in AP courses have joined course-specific Google classrooms to access required work to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year.
Pierce Middle School: Creating a school-wide culture of literacy continues to be a priority for the faculty, staff, and administration at Pierce Middle School. Summer is the perfect time to find books and texts to read for pleasure. The resources and lists below are meant to be a starting point to help you select books that match your interests and include a variety of titles across many genres, levels, lengths, and platforms. The goal of this summer’s reading assignment is to engage all students in meaningful literacy experiences while providing student choice. All details on Pierce Summer reading can be found here.
MPS Summer Reading: The Summer Reading 
Challenge is an on-your-own, do-it-anywhere, totally FREE reading program for kids in rising grades K-6. Participants read any books they want, track how many minutes they read, and enter their minutes read on our website. This year’s theme is Find Your Voice! All details are here and check out the summer reading video here – you’ll see many familiar faces! All details are here, and sign up at this link. Have questions? Please email struog@ocln.org or call the Milton Public Library’s Children’s Room at 617-898-4957. Happy reading!
Summertime Stories: The Milton 
Public Schools is partnering with the Milton Public Library and Milton Early Childhood Alliance to bring some exciting storytime programs for children up to 6 years old along with a caregiver. Miss Sara, from the Milton Public Library, will read stories, sing songs, and delight children at four sessions held around town.
- July 13 & August 10 at Cunningham Park (between the pool and the hall)
- July 27 & August 24 at the Tucker Back Playground
- All sessions will begin at 10am.
- Please bring a blanket to sit on.
- If it rains, we will move indoors to Cunningham Hall or the Tucker gymnasium.
Registration is not required, but we invite you to sign in upon arrival. Why not bring your soon-to-be Kindergartener and have them wear their yellow “I’m going to Kindergarten” t-shirt? It’s a great way for them to meet new friends who might be in 
their class in September!
Extended School Year: All ESY program information can be found on our 2023 ESY website. If your child receives services, please register them here. Once registered, you will receive more details about your child’s schedule. Please note that in order to attend ESY Services, your child’s IEP must be returned signed to your building’s Team Chair. Any questions or concerns regarding ESY should be emailed directly to esy@miltonps.org. We are looking forward to a terrific summer at ESY!
MASS TEEN WORK PERMIT INFO
If your child is planning to work this summer (or during the school year) they will likely need a Massachusetts Work Permit. The form has recently been updated and can be found here. Instructions for completing and submitting the form can also be found here.
MPS INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS 
Come be a part of the Milton Instrumental Applied Lesson Program! Students entering 4th grade and above may participate in the ALP program. All information for the program can be found here: ALP At A Glance. If your student is interested in taking lessons, please fill out the form here: ALP Interest Form. After filling out the ALP Interest Form, an instructor will contact you at the end of August to set up lessons. Please reach out to program director Rebecca Damiani with any questions rdamiani@miltonps.org.
MILTON SEPAC
The Milton SEPAC shares the following. Your SEPAC has been busy this year! We wrapped up our final board meeting on Monday and are in the process of composing our Annual Report which will be posted on the Milton SEPAC website. If you haven’t already, please bookmark this site so you can stay tuned.
Goodbye and Thank You to Susan Maselli: We’d like to say goodbye and thank you to Susan Maselli for five years of tireless, dedicated work as Director of Pupil and Personnel Services. Through the years, Susan has maintained her presence at many SEPAC meetings and offered prescient guidance to SEPAC with regard to improving systemic communications by building relationships. Seeing us through the pandemic trauma, Susan has served in this role longer than any director in twenty years; we have learned a lot from her broad expertise and wish her strength, courage, and joyful connection on her journey ahead.
BUS REGISTRATION 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR 
Registration for the Bus for the 23-34 school year will close on June 21, 2023. All details can be found on the Transportation page of the website linked here.
MPS GOOD TO KNOW
MPS STAFF UPDATES
MHS Athletic Director: We would like to welcome Mike Bierwirth as the new Milton High School Athletic Director! Mr. Bierwirth starts July 1 and comes to us with several years of experience as Athletic Director in Lynnfield. Coaches from Lynnfield praised his work, sharing that he did a tremendous job leading the athletics program, was an advocate for student-athletes, and ensured all athletes had a positive athletic experience. Welcome to Milton, and Go Wildcats!
SUPERINTENDENT SHOUTOUT 
MHS rising Senior Karim Camara will have a busy and rewarding summer as he embarks on a program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) called MITES Semester. Karim applied and was accepted to the six month program that begins in late June and runs through December. The program welcomes rising seniors from all over the country and offers a wide range of courses, including thermodynamics, computer science, physics, and astrophysics. The program also offers students a chance to meet with professors and counselors for advice on applications, admissions and life as a college student. Karim will take classes in the program throughout the summer and follow that with weekend courses through December. Kudos to Karim as he challenges himself through this enriching educational program!
MPS NICE TO KNOW
PIERCE GEOGRAPHY BEE
Pierce 6th graders participated in a Geography Bee this week, with winner Aileen O’Connor taking the title of champion in an exciting tie-breaker round! Over the past few weeks, each class in the 6th grade competed in the Geography Bee, and one student from each class moved on to represent their peers during the grade-wide Bee. The entire 6th grade joined the finalists in the auditorium as fifteen students competed in the final rounds. In the end, after more than ten rounds of questions, Aileen won in a tie-breaker round against second-place finisher Isaac Eng. Each of our contestants proudly represented the 6th grade during this fun and challenging end-of-year event!
TUCKER PLANTS A TREE
On June 8, the Tucker School Community, with the help of the Milton Consolidated Facilities Department, planted and dedicated a new tree in the front of the school. In the Fall of 2022, the long-standing oak tree that served as a backdrop for the school and neighborhood needed to be removed. Though sad, the promise of planting a new tree to watch grow over the coming years became a reality last week! The members of the Grade 5 Committee worked with students to select a tree and a plaque that will stand long after their tenure at Tucker. Many members of the Tucker community joined as the tree was planted and dedicated with the words of Wangari Maathai,“When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and seeds of hope. We also secure the future for our children.”
PIERCE READING CHALLENGE
This year, 8th grade ELA teacher Zakia Jarrett challenged her students to read at least one million words independently. Students participated in the Race to One Million, tracking the number of words they read over the course of the school year. This week, Ms. Jarrrett hosted a “Millionaires Club” celebration for the students who met the goal. Thanks to Ms. Jarrett and the Pierce PTO, they enjoyed pizza and cupcakes and were treated to goodie bags and a pinata. We’re so proud of our “Millionaire” readers!
PIERCE SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT
As part of their Service Learning Project, a group of impressive 8th graders on the Orion and Phoenix teams came to Glover to meet with Glover’s soon-to-be 6th graders. Under the guidance of Mr. McElhinney, their project focused on helping relieve stress and giving advice as students transition to middle school. The 8th graders made a fantastic slide show and answered questions from the 5th graders. Current 8th grader, Ellie O’Connor, said it best: “We believe giving the students reassurance from someone who has gone through the same thing will give them an idea of what to expect.” And that is precisely what the 8th grader’s service project did; it reassured our students!
-
- L-R Pierce 8th graders Gael Romero Pons, Ashlynn O’Neil, Avery O’Neil, Julia Mayer, Andrew Balestra, Sara Callahan, Annabel Gale, Maya Mitchell, Ellie O’Connor, Mr. McElhinney
-
- Glover Asst Principal Ms. Craven is a former student of Mr. McElhinney!
MHS THEATRE ALUMNI
MHS Theatre Alumni are together again in the Boxcar Stage Company (our MHS Theatre Directors) production of Into the Woods! This incredible musical featuring MHS alums Ava DeLeo, Anna Hoey, Alisa Lorden, Vanessa Lorden, Luke Palmer, Anna Radley, and Gabe Winkler is not to be missed! Current MHS rising seniors Owen Creamer and Roman Padera are also featured! Performances will take place at the Milton High School Auditorium on June 23 and 24 at 7pm and June 25 at 2pm. Boxcar Stage Company Tickets (dancestudio-pro.com) can be purchased here.
CUNNINGHAM COUGAR CHRONICLE
Cunningham 5th graders invite you to read the 4th and final installment of the Cougar Chronicle at this link. Thanks to the team for chronicling the Cunningham happenings all year!
MHS ATHLETICS
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Please use the links below or visit the MPS Community News & Events page for information on these terrific community events and opportunities!
Milton Music Fest and Fireworks will be back again Saturday, June 25th, with Celtic Sunday on June 26th on Hutchinson Field, overlooking the Boston skyline.
- Festivities will begin at 5 Saturday, and we will again have an enormous sandbox,the ever-popular giant water slide and a smaller water slide for children. (Don’t forget your bathing suits and towels!) Try your skill on our new ROCK WALL. We also have corn hole, and brand new for 2023, Axe Throwing (age restricted).
- Friday music will kick off with the truly exceptional band “The Typhoon Generals.” This is a performance you don’t want to miss. Also featured this year, longtime Boston/South Shore artists, “Fat City Band”. For five decades they have brought their Rock, Blues, Jazz and New Orleans R&B to listeners. The evening’s festivities will conclude with perhaps the most spectacular fireworks you may have ever seen!!
- Celtic Sunday runs from 1:30- 9pm with many familiar and beloved Irish bands: The Fenian Sons, Erin’s Melody, Curragh’s Fancy, Strawberry Hill band, The Dooley Brothers as well as other featured Irish musicians. As an added treat, we will also feature a second performance on the main stage by The Typhoon Generals direct from Ireland.
- Food trucks will be on site both days. No outside adult beverages are permitted on the field. We will have awesome food and drink, including homemade lobster rolls, Cheesy Chicks food truck, fresh kettle corn, ice cream and more. Our Beer Garden will be stocked with cold draft beer , homemade Sangria and Wine. There will also be ice cream, fried dough and much more for sale at the field.
- Free parking is available both days at Laboure and Fontbonne, with shuttle buses bringing you to the field. Check out our website WeareMilton.org for the most up-to date information. We hope to see you there!
Juneteenth Community Celebration, Saturday, June 17, 2-5pm at the Eustis Estate, 1424 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA 02186. Celebrate freedom and community this Juneteenth at the Eustis Estate. Enjoy live music from the Boston Public Quartet, Branches Steel Pan Orchestra, Brother Dennis and his singers, DJ George, Rhythm Rider Dancers, and members of the Milton High School Chorus. Come together and lift every voice in song and dance throughout the day. Explore family-friendly activities on the beautiful grounds and inside the museum. Pack up some food and bring it along, sample some delicious goods from Sweet Teez Bakery, or purchase food from Fresh Food Generation of Dorchester. Tickets are free; donations are encouraged. Rain or Shine!
This event is held in collaboration with Church of Holy Spirit, Mattapan and Courageous Conversations Towards Racial Justice Milton. Generous support provided by Eastern Bank, Milton Cultural Council, First Congregational Church Milton, Church of our Saviour Milton, and Music Performance Trust Fund and Wegmans.
Milton Chess Club will be held at First Parish Milton, 535 Canton Avenue from August 21-25, 2023, 9am-12pm. International Master David Vigorito has been teaching chess to Milton students for over 12 years. Full details can be found here. Space is very limited! Questions: dvigorito@msn.com.
Reading Frederick Douglass Together, Tuesday, June 27, 6:30 pm at Forbes House Museum lawn, 215 Adams Street. 
The Forbes House Museum and Courageous Conversations Toward Racial Justice are again partnering on a community reading of Frederick Douglass’s speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Visit our website here to sign up to be a reader and learn more about this special event. Added this year – an opening performance by the Boston Public Quartet. Plus, the museum will be open starting at 6:00 pm for those who want to view the museum’s temporary exhibit “Frederick Douglass: Advocate for Equality” which follows his life from 1818-1895.
Beantown Rebels is a youth sports organization dedicated to providing a safe and fun environment for young athletes. They are offering Youth Fall Flag Football with a Dorchester/Boston location. All details are here.
Milton Youth Soccer is a volunteer-led, non-profit community soccer program for youth players in Milton to learn the skills of soccer, enjoy the commitment and camaraderie of a team, and develop a love of the sport. Registration is now open for our Fall 2023 programs: PreK (ages 3-5 years old), K2+ Town League (kindergarten thru 3rd grade), Travel League (grades 3-8) and TOPSoccer League (players with special needs ages 5-20). Please visit our Milton Soccer website to register or use this direct link. The deadline to register is June 24th (on June 25th waitlist and late fees apply). You must register on time to guarantee a spot in our Travel League. Any questions, reach out to info@miltonmasoccer.org.
Attention Wildcat Nation! Registration for the 2023 tackle football, cheer and flag football programs is now open – register here.We have two different closing dates, one for cheer and one for tackle. Cheer closed on May 31, and Tackle closes on June 21. Flag is on a rolling registration.
Summer Art Camp at the Milton Art Center is open for registration. The camps will run for nine weeks from June 26-August 24. Each session has a different theme and children can sign up for half day or full day sessions. Visit the website to find out more and register.
Milton Field Hockey is open for registration for the Spring (K-8) 2023 season and summer camp (up to age 18)! All details can be found here.
The Milton Public Library’s June calendar can be found here. Plan ahead and take a look at the July calendar here.
- Join Ms. Tory and Tyler every Friday this summer for Crafternoons! Kids ages 10-14 can sign up for a fun and relaxing afternoon of crafting starting on June 23 at 2:30 PM here!
- Are you not yet signed up for Summer Reading? Register and log your minutes today at miltonlibrary.beanstack.org!
- The Milton Teen Program is looking for high school volunteers! If you’re interested in helping our Children’s Department with some awesome programming this summer and earning service hours along the way, sign up here!
To learn more and to register for programs for kids, teens, and adults, please visit the MPL website.
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 a 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 and Human Resources Dr. Garth McKinney, (617) 696- 4808/4809.
Attention Wildcat Nation! Registration for the 2023 tackle football, cheer and flag football programs is now open – 
the clipper era, and ballads of navigation under sail. There will be artisans sharing work inspired by the sea, soap scrimshaw making, and lots more! Sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Eastern Bank. 
kindergarteners and preschoolers. Our elementary gymnasiums have been bustling with kindergarten and preschool screening at Cunningham, Glover, and Collicot while Tucker will welcome their newest students in early June. At these screenings, MPS staff connect with incoming families in a variety of ways. Caregivers are asked to complete a Developmental Questionnaire and through fun stations and activities, our teachers learn more about how motor and language skills are developing. The school nurse is on hand to answer any questions about health needs, while MPS staff answer general parent/guardian questions. While our goal for screening is to have a fun experience for families and a chance for us to get to know the children, if you ask a future kindergartener what they think the purpose of screening is, they would most likely tell you it is to get their famous yellow “I’m Going to Kindergarten” t-shirt! If you need additional information about kindergarten and preschool please reach out to our Family Outreach Liaison, 
achieved fantastic results on the National Latin and National Pegasus Mythology Exams again this year! 
artist in residence last week. Feda Eid is a Lebanese-American visual artist whose work explores the expression of heritage, tradition, identity, and the often tense but beautiful space between what is said, what is felt, and what is lost in translation. She captures these emotions through her bold use of color, textiles, adornment, and pop culture linking the past and present. As the daughter of Lebanese immigrants who fled the country’s civil war in 1982, Feda is guided by her family’s journey and her own childhood growing up as a Muslim in the US. Students worked on a school wide tapestry, “Rooted Hands”, and explored the unique things that make us who we are.
Bridgewater State University, for the New England Association for College Admissions Counselors College Fair (NEACAC). 117 Colleges and Universities from across the Northeast, and a few from Canada and southern states, set up tables in the Tinsley Athletic Center to showcase the opportunities at their institutions. MHS students who attended received coaching about how to make the best use of their time at the fair, including a list of the colleges in attendance and a list of good questions to ask the college representatives. After ninety minutes at the fair, students went on a sixty minute campus tour before boarding the buses back to Milton High. Thank you the NEACAC for funding the buses for this trip.
Framingham today to finish their season. It looks like the Girls will just miss out on the tournament but the Boys are a lock. They are hoping for a good result tonight to secure the highest seed possible. As it stands, they are #23, sitting just below .500.
for the Division III Championships. Good luck to our students who are participating! Tyler Lum, Lucy Asanza, Chase Nixon, Elana Pukel, Anika Williamson, Zakai Perkins, Liam Faherty, Miles Fergus, Moses Mann, Colin Truong, Kai Quinones, Lydia Turner, Sadie Ruth, Alec Carew, Megan Carew, Gretel Schewe, Garet Glenn, Mia Jilani, Katie O’Toole, Marilyn Roche, Sarah Grace Chave, Lauren Cooper, Julie Affanato, and Luka Juric.
7 pm with special guests: J.Courtney Sullivan, NY Times bestselling author; Sally Lawler, Library staff member shares Best Picks for Summer Reading; and Milton resident Mimi Graham shows us how to create the perfect mocktails for summer entertaining. 
Registration is not required, however we will ask you to sign in on arrival. Many thanks to our Kindergarten T-shirt sponsors for their generous support of this program!
Appreciation Week and we have been celebrating in our schools! Thank you to our six PTOs for leading the way on staff appreciation with tokens of appreciation, fun raffles, food (and lots of it!), notes of gratitude and more. A simple thank you and acknowledgment of the incredible work our teachers and staff do has huge value and we are thankful to all in our community who have stepped up this week to speak and show the gratitude we all feel for our MPS teachers and staff.
receives the award on Senior Award Night where they will address the senior class. Congratulations to the very deserving Nancy Warn, who was just presented with the letter honoring her and inviting her to awards night on May 30. As you can see below in a brief section of the letter presented to her, Nancy has a deep connection with students. 
these terrific community events and opportunities!
Celebration for Education! Join the fun on May 6 for a Kentucky Derby themed evening with betting, bourbon, and local band Twice-A-Day Ray. 
time to say thank you to your child’s Principal. Principals have complicated jobs, serving students, staff, and families, managing budgets and buildings, coordinating curriculum, and much more. While we will celebrate all staff next week, during MPS Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week (May 8-12), I want to give a special thanks to Karen Cahill, Bill Fish, Jon Redden, Karen McDavitt, Cat DesRoche, and Holly Concannon for the excellence each of them brings to their school. We are grateful for all they do as the leaders of their school communities.
Congratulations to MHS students Donna Gauvin, Shanti Bosque-Hamilton, Lia Duran, Layla Raymond, Kyle Denny, and Nathan Auguste, who recently took 1st place overall in the 12th Annual Tenacity Challenge! The Tenacity Challenge is an annual academic scholarship competition for teams of Latinx and African-American students from urban and suburban high schools across Massachusetts. The competition consists of four events: History Argument, Math Quiz Bowl, Literature Analysis, and Art. The MHS team – The POC Powerhouse – won 1st place in the Math Quiz Bowl, 2nd place in both the Art and Literature competition, and placed top 5 in the History Argument. With the highest points overall, Team POC Powerhouse took 1st place in the competition!
community to join them for Celebration for Education on May 6 for a Kentucky Derby themed evening with betting, bourbon, and local band Twice-A-Day Ray! 
April is Jazz Appreciation Month! In the spirit of sharing, Parkway United Methodist Church invites the entire Milton community to a free concert celebrating South African Jazz on Saturday April 29. Details at left. 
TONIGHT: Every three years, the Milton Coalition examines the status of Milton youth through surveys, interviews, and focus groups, with an emphasis on substance use. Join us as we share these results, compare them to our past evaluations, and discuss next steps. Masks are required. This meeting is open to the public and will be held on Thursday, April 27, 6:30-8 pm at BID Milton. 
remember lives lost to overdose and substance use disorder, will be held on Sunday, April 30. 6:30 – 7:30pm at the Baron Hugo Gazebo in front of Town Hall, 525 Canton Ave. A group of family members who have lost loved ones to overdose and substance use disorder have joined together with the Milton Coalition to help light the way towards healing, support, and awareness so that other families don’t have to experience similar pain. 
Attention Wildcat Nation! Registration for the 2023 tackle football, cheer and flag football programs is now open – 
