June 1, 2023

To: Parents/Guardians and Staff
From: Interim Superintendent Garth McKinney
Re: Superintendent’s Weekly Update
Date: June 1, 2023

FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

My opening remarks are longer than usual this week, as there is so much to celebrate on this first day of June! 

Last week, 270 Pierce 8th graders and 21 staff members traveled to Washington, D.C. for a class trip. After several years of pandemic-related challenges, we were thrilled to be able to take our 8th graders back to DC!

After flying to Washington, students and staff enjoyed three amazing days that included visits to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, the White House, the Capitol Building, and Arlington National Cemetery. There were also stops at the Marine Corps Memorial, Natural History Museum, and American History Museum, as well as a dinner cruise on the Potomac River.

While visiting Arlington National Cemetery, four Pierce students – Chloe Bergeron, Teddy Hsu, Arianna Key, and Ben Neugebauer – had the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You can watch a video of the ceremony here. 

There are many members of our school community who deserve recognition for their support of this incredible experience. We owe a big thank you to Pierce History teacher Jake Smith whose leadership made this trip possible for our students, to Assistant Principal Janice Mazzola for her work in coordinating the trip details and itinerary and to Principal Bill Fish for his overall support of the trip. Thank you to our staff members who attended the trip – it would not be possible without your enthusiastic participation. Finally, thank you to the Pierce PTO and our entire community, who made donations to ensure that every 8th grade student who wanted to attend the trip was able to.

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Over four packed shows last weekend, MHS students dazzled the crowd with fun and energetic performances of Mamma Mia at Milton High School! Capped off by an audience dance and sing-along, the show was 2 hours of pure fun – and talent! We are so proud of our students in the cast and crew (listed here) and grateful to all who made this show possible. Thank you to the team behind MHS Theatre  – Stephen Markarian, Laura Markarian and Andrew Smith – as well as the Backstage Boosters who so ably support our student productions. We can’t wait to see what the ’23-24 school year brings for MHS Theatre!

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Last (but certainly not least!), this week has been a whirlwind of activities for our seniors, with MHS Scholarship Night (video linked here , list of recipients linked here)  the Boosters Varsity Celebration (video linked here), a day at the movies, the hypnotist show, taco and ice cream truck treats  and graduation rehearsals. We’ll cap the week with Senior Breakfast on Friday morning and on Sunday, June 4 at 2 pm, MHS will graduate the Class of 2023! We are so excited for this final celebration of this outstanding group of students and invite you to watch the festivities live on Milton Access TV at this link. We look forward to sharing the Graduation highlights with you next week. 

MPS NEED TO KNOW

IMPORTANT DATE

• June 1-3 Newsies, Jr. at Pierce
• June 4 MHS Graduation 
• June 6 Pierce Concert 
• June 7 Instrumental Music Lesson Night 
• June 7 School Committee Meeting 
• June 12 SEPAC Meeting 
• June 19 – Juneteenth – No School
• June 21 – Last Day of School, Early Dismissal 

The MPS Events Calendar can be found here, and the one-page 22-23 SY calendar can be found here.  The 23-24 SY calendar can be found here.

PIERCE PLAYERS

Pierce Players presents Newsies, Jr. from June 1-3 with shows at 7 pm and 2 pm. There are very limited tickets for Saturday’s show on sale at this link. The students in the cast and crew are doing a marvelous job with this show, and they are looking forward to a packed house! 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The next regular School Committee meeting will be on June 7, 2023 at 7pm in the Milton Access Studio, Rm 245 Milton High School. All information about upcoming School Committee meetings can be found on the Town of Milton webpage. You can watch School Committee meetings live or on demand on Milton Access Youtube online.

MILTON SUMMER ENRICHMENT 

MSE registration closes TOMORROW, Friday, June 2. Don’t miss out on four weeks of summer fun, sign up now at  this link! 

• MSE is for students in rising grades K-8
• MSE takes place at Milton High School
• MSE runs from July 5-28, five days a week, 8 am-12 pm.
• Classes include academic enrichment, arts and crafts, sports and outdoor fun, technology, and much more!

Please visit the MSE 2023 Brochure to review course information, program details, and registration information. We are excited to offer some great new classes as well as popular MSE favorites. Please email mse@miltonps.org with any questions. We are looking forward to a fun and enriching summer! 

EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR

ESY Directors, Jonathan Redden, Bridget Renehan, and Melissa Craven share the following.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

MPS Director of Nursing Kim Coughlin shares the following in preparation for the 23-24 School Year

• All students should have up to date immunizations prior to attending school.
• All incoming 4th, 7th, and 11th grade students are required to submit a new physical exam with up to date immunizations.  
• 7th graders should have an updated Tdap and Meningococcal vaccine along with their physical exam that includes a vision screen and scoliosis screen.
• 11th graders should have an updated Meningococcal vaccine along with their physical exam.
• All updated physicals can be sent to healthforms@miltonps.org Subject line should include your student’s name and grade.

BUS REGISTRATION 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR

Registration for the Bus for the 23-34 school year is now open. All details can be found on the Transportation page of the website linked here. 

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS 23-34 SCHOOL YEAR 

All information about Community Schools Enrollment for the 23-24 school year can be found at this link. Rates, registration dates and program information for After School Enrichment (ASE) and Early School Arrival (ESAP) can be found here. 

MPS GOOD TO KNOW

MILTON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS – JOB OPENINGS

Community Schools had a wonderful group of MHS counselors this school year working at After School Enrichment (ASE). As many of them are seniors, they have multiple openings for next school year. MCS is beginning the hiring process now, as they are expecting full programs in the fall. Is your MHS student interested in working at ASE next school year? All details are here!

PARKS AND REC COMMUNITY SERVICE 

The Milton Parks and Recreation Department is holding community service sign ups in the MHS cafe on Wednesday, June 7 from 2:20- 3pm for all 2023 summer programs. If your son or daughter is unable to attend this meeting, please email the office at bdevore@townofmilton.org after June 7 to see if there are any available weeks left for community service. Space is limited, so students should attend this meeting if at all possible.

NURSING DEPARTMENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES 

There are several open positions in our nursing department for the 2023-2024 school year. We are currently hiring for daily substitute nurses and have 2 part time positions available. Please contact Director of Nursing Kim Coughlin for more information kacoughlin@miltonps.org

MPS NICE TO KNOW

PIERCE DEBATE TEAM

On May 20, the Pierce Debate Team participated in the May Lumos Invitational Debate Tournament. Students debated the benefits and harms of resource extraction and environmental protections in developing countries. Students used the Public Forum Debate format to discuss the positive and negative consequences of environmental interventions. Students Aster Caldwell, Alicia Chan, Siabh Chaplin, Lia Etheart, Ellis Lim, Ivy Muzquiz, Sadie Schweitzer, Nathaniel Stanesa, Alisa Villar, and Sofia Serpa competed in this tournament. Aster Caldwell, Alicia Chan, Siabh Chaplin, Ellis Lim, Ivy Muzquiz, Sadie Schweitzer, Nathaniel Stanesa, and Sofia Serpa received Speaker Awards for delivering speeches in a clear and eloquent manner. The Pierce Debate Team was thrilled to participate in our fifth and final tournament of the school year. We look forward to meeting and competing next school year!

GLOVER 3RD GRADE PERFORMANCE

Ms. Koita’s 3rd graders recently performed The Revolution, a play based on Reader’s Theater. Students work on the play for weeks, and perform it in front of family and friends. Students learn how the colonies were divided into three groups during the Revolution – the loyalists, the Patriots and those who remained neutral and it shows the point of view of each group. 

COLLICOT FUTURE PROBLEM SOLVERS

This week, current 5th grade Collicot Future Problem Solvers visited the 4th grade students to share information about FPS. During the visit, students learned about what it means to be a 5th grade Future Problem Solver, the process to apply, the commitment and the overall experience.  4th grade students will be applying for the grade 5 teams within the next two weeks and finalists will earn a spot on the team for next year.

MHS ART SHOW

This year’s Art Opening was on Tuesday, May 23 in the MHS library. If you were unable to attend and see the artwork in person from the MHS Art Show, this link will bring you to photographs of the celebratory event, the digital presentation of students’ artwork from the show and a sampling of art work from the school year. 

FAME MEETING 

Parents of musicians of all ages and grade levels are invited to the June 13 meeting of FAME: Friends and Advocates of Music Education. At this final meeting of the school year, we’ll be looking ahead to next year’s activities and talking about specific programs to support with this year’s generous donations. All are welcome June 13 at 7 pm in Room 133 of Milton High School (please enter through the Field House door at the back of MHS). Please email FAME with any questions at miltonfame@gmail.com.

MANCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS VISITS MPS

A delegation from Manchester (NH) Public Schools visited the Milton French Immersion classrooms this week. Manchester is considering establishing a French Immersion program in 2024. Manchester principals, district directors, coordinators and school committee members, and Marceau Crespo de Nogueira from the French Consulate’s office, toured Pierce, Tucker, Cunningham and Collicot with Zeina Hamada, Director of World Languages. The delegation then met with the French Consul and other immersion programs in MA (including Milton) at the Maison de France for a debrief.

Thank you to Gwenn Delourme, Eglantine Monsaigeon, Kevin Fender, Desiree Okoh, Laure Knobloch, Caroline Mortion, Nawar Muhsin, Fatima Bourass El Zein, Fatim Kramer, Alexandre Leite, Shelagh Frossard and Veronique Vendette for welcoming the delegation in their classrooms and answering questions. The delegation was also able to meet with Dr McKinney, Dr. Redden, Cat DesRoche, Kirsten Driscoll and Holly Concannon.

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!

The Milton Road Race is fast approaching on Tuesday, June 13! Sign up here to help support scholarships for graduating Milton seniors and grants to local nonprofit organizations. 

The Forbes House Museum is hosting a Seafarer’s Festival on Saturday, June 10 from 12 noon – 4 pm. Come hear songs of the USS Jamestown on her 1847 Voyage of Mercy, chanteys from 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. 

The Milton Early Childhood Associations Spring Newsletter filled with many free fun spring programs, parent information, and local resources can be found here!

Stories and Friends Meet Up: Summer is Coming! Join us for an adventure which will include fun activities, listening to stories, and making new friends! Create lady bugs and caterpillars, look for signs of summer with Ranger Dan, and much more! Saturday, June 10th at 10:30 AM at Houghton’s Pond. Please see the flyer for all details. In collaboration with MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation. Many thanks to our Kindergarten t-shirt sponsors for their generous support of this program!

Children’s Concert: Join us for some crazy fun on June 7th at 6:00 PM at our annual Children’s Concert on Milton’s town green! If your child received their yellow shirt at kindergarten screening, have them wear it to the Concert and make new friends. Feel free to bring a blanket and snacks, relax, and enjoy the fun.  Co-sponsored with Milton Parks and Recreation Dept.

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 closes 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.

• Kids in Grades K-5 are invited to come meet and read to a lovable (and a very good listener!) volunteer dog on Saturday, June 10 at 2:30 PM! Each child will have the opportunity to read to the dog in a private, 10 minute session to practice their reading aloud skills. Sign up today!
• Join the Children’s Room of the Milton Public Library and the Milton Public Schools as we kick off our annual Summer Reading Challenge: Find Your Voice on Wednesday, June 14, between 4-6 pm! At this outdoor event, registered summer readers entering grades K-6 in fall 2023 are invited to join us for popsicles and activities – like a chalk obstacle course, temporary tattoos, a new StoryWalk story, and a swag bag scavenger hunt! Get a headstart and sign up for Summer Reading today! 
• Stock up on your Summer Reads at the upcoming $10 Bag Sale dates: Saturday, June 3 open 10-2; Tuesday, June 6 open 10-2; Thursday, June 8 open 2-4

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.