Milton Public Schools: August 19, 2021

Press release from the Milton Public Schools:

Superintendent Jette

August 19, 2021

To: Parents/Guardians and StaffFrom: James F. JetteRe: Superintendent’s Weekly UpdateDate: August 19, 2021

FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

We are just two weeks from the beginning of the new school year and we are looking forward to a wonderful start to school for our MPS students, staff, and families. Our custodial staff has spent much of the summer readying our buildings for September and our Leadership Team has been preparing all summer for a successful return to school. Our many summer programs (ESY, Camp Cunningham, Universal Summer, Calculus Project, Summertime Stories, MHS Bridge, and MSE) have concluded or are wrapping up this week. It has been wonderful to have students and staff in our buildings all summer!

Last week I sent an update about the MPS mask policy for the start of the school year and you can read that letter here. To summarize, as we have no way to determine who is vaccinated in our community and a significant portion of MPS students are not yet eligible for the vaccine, MPS will require all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to our schools to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Universal indoor masking, along with several other mitigation measures (adherence to symptom screening protocols, physical distancing when possible, hand hygiene, enhanced cleaning procedures, air purifiers, and ventilation upgrades) will help us to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our schools, limit quarantines and keep our students learning in-person five days a week. The Milton Public Schools Face Covering Policy remains in place. The District will review the policy bi-monthly (every other month) at School Committee meetings with updates as to the current health data.

you can read that letter here. Milton Public Schools Face Covering Policy

The district has submitted an application for the testing initiative through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). We aren’t sure when we will hear if we have been approved for this program but we remain optimistic that we will be able to offer testing as part of our mitigation efforts this fall. Principals are re-assessing plans for breakfast, lunch, recess, mask breaks, chorus/band, and athletics and will share them with their school communities as they are finalized. As we know, September can be warm in our schools, and in addition to our hands free water fillers throughout the buildings, we will have extra water stations on hot days. All students are reminded to bring their personal refillable water bottle every day.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

I also want to call your attention to the recently released Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Position Statement on K-12 Curriculum and Critical Race Theory linked here. As I stated at the School Committee meeting on July 21, 2021 the Milton Public Schools have not implemented Critical Race Theory into our curriculum. Our goal is to be culturally responsive as we highlight the rich diversity in our country and history in all of our teachings.  

linked here.

As we look to the upcoming school year we will continue to focus on teaching and learning, educational equity, social emotional learning, and student and family engagement. I often hear that we should return to our “Pre-Covid-19 normal” but I disagree! We can and should strive to do better and as your Superintendent, in partnership with teachers, staff, students and families, I promise to continue to move the district forward as we pursue excellence for all in the Milton Public Schools. 

Please read on below for important upcoming dates, technology updates, new staff introductions, athletics details and more. I hope you enjoy these last weeks of summer. We look forward to welcoming our new employees on August 23, our teachers and staff on August 30, our students in grades 1-12 on September 1 and our Kindergarten and Preschool students on September 7. 

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

• Aug 19 Urinetown Screening at Pierce 
• Aug 25 School Committee Meeting 
• Aug 29 Covid Testing at DPW 
• Aug 30 Teachers Return 
• Aug 30 MHS New Student Orientation
• Aug 31 Pierce Grade 6 Family Night & Open House
• Sept 1 1st Day of School Grades 1-12 
• Sept 3 No School 
• Sept 6 No School Labor Day 
• Sept 7 1st Day of School Pre-K and K 
• Sept 8 School Committee Meeting 
• Sept 13 Applied Music Lesson Registration
• Sept 14 MHS Open House
• Sept 16 No School Yom Kippur 
• Sept 20 Pierce Open House (note new date)
• Sept 22 School Committee Meeting
• Sept 23 Tucker Open House
• Sept 23 Collicot Open House 
• Sept 30 Glover Open House
• Oct 5 Cunningham Open House
• Oct 6 School Committee Meeting

Please refer to the District-Wide Calendar of Events for times and details. The 21-22 School Year Calendar can be found here (Revised 2/24/21) Note: This calendar is intended as a guide ONLY. It may be necessary to change this schedule to better serve instructional purposes.

Please refer to the District-Wide Calendar of Events for times and details. The 21-22 School Year Calendar can be found here 

All are invited to come and see Milton High School’s production of Urinetown onscreen — with an audience! Set in a world where every toilet is a pay toilet, Urinetown is a dark, funny musical that satirizes the legal system, capitalism, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics, and musical theatre itself. This production was filmed on the Milton High School stage back in June. 

All are invited to come and see Milton High School’s production of Urinetown onscreen — with an audience!

• When: Thursday, August 19th at 6:30 p.m.
• Where: Pierce Middle School auditorium
• Why: To support the MHS Theatre Dept. and watch our talented students!
• Tickets are $5, available at the door only (credit cards accepted).
• Masks required for all.

We hope you will come celebrate the talents of the cast and crew and meet the leaders of the theatre program; rising ninth graders interested in exploring theatre at the high school are encouraged to attend. All proceeds will benefit the Milton High School theatre program.Stay tuned until the end of the show to hear a big announcement regarding the Fall Musical.

On Sunday, August 29, the Town of Milton will host a free, drive-through COVID testing day, from 10am to 3pm, at the Department of Public Works (DPW) yard at 629 Randolph Avenue. All are welcome and no appointment is needed. 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The next regular School Committee meeting will be on August 25 , 2021 at 7pm. All information about upcoming School Committee meetings can be found on the Town of Milton webpage. You can watch School Committee meetings live on Milton Access TV online, live on Milton Access cable channels (Comcast 22, RCN 15) or watch on-demand in the days following the meeting.

Town of Milton webpage. Milton Access TV online on-demand HEALTH AND SAFETY

Up to date Physical Exams are required for entrance to MPS at any grade level, as well as for currently enrolled rising Kindergarten, 4th grade, 7th grade and 11th grade students.  Up to date immunizations are required for entry to MPS and to participate in all after school activities. Please forward this to your student’s school nurse.  Details on immunization requirements for School Entry can be found here.

HIGH SCHOOL HAPPENINGS

Milton High School is ready to welcome our incoming freshman – the Class of 2025! Please join us on Monday, August 30 from 3-5pm for orientation. MHS Student Leaders will be your hosts and will show you all that MHS has to offer. All new students (in any grade) are welcome to attend.

If you are a 10th-12th grade MHS student formerly in the full remote model, we would also love to see you on August 30. Our goal for you on this day is to show you around Milton High School and answer any questions you may have about Milton High School that will help you to feel comfortable returning to the building in a few weeks. We ask that you show up by 3pm to Brooks Field for a quick welcome message and to be grouped with Student Leaders who will show you around.  If you are coming, please complete this registration form. You will check in at Brooks Field but you will be having a tour by student leaders and may not need to be here for the entire orientation. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns prior to the orientation. The schedule for the day is as follows:

complete this registration form

• 2:30-3:00PM – Registration (Brooks Field Entrance, if rain, Field House Entrance)
• 3:00PM – 4:30PM-Welcome by Mrs. Cahill, introduction of the Student Leaders and MHS staff, group activities, tours of Milton High School grounds
• 4:30PM – Snacks in the Courtyard/Cafeteria, Activities Fair in Cafeteria
• 5:00PM – Orientation concludes & Chromebook pickup in Main Foyer

We look forward to seeing you on the 30th at Milton High School! 

More MHS information can be found on the following webpages: Milton High School Webpage; Milton High School Athletic Information; Milton High School Program of Studies; Milton High School Clubs and Activities; Milton High School Fine and Performing Arts

Milton High School Webpage; Milton High School Athletic Information; Milton High School Program of Studies; Milton High School Clubs and Activities; Milton High School Fine and Performing Arts PIERCE PAGES

Pierce Principal Dr. Bill Fish shares the Pierce updates below.

Team Assignments: Team assignments for the 2021-2022 school year will be emailed home the week of August 23.

Team Assignments:

New Families Night: On Tuesday, August 24, Pierce will host an orientation event for families of Pierce students who are new to the Milton Public Schools at 6:30 p.m. in the Pierce Middle School library.

New Families Night:

School Supplies: This list is meant to provide families with some direction around purchasing school supplies. Students are not required to buy supplies, but we realize that it can be helpful for families to have some guidance and suggestions.

School Supplies list

Chromebook Pick Up for Grade 6 Students: Sixth graders are invited to come to Pierce on Monday, August 30, to pick up their Chromebook. Many of our sixth grade teachers will help with distributing devices so that students will be able to meet some of our staff before the first day of school. In order to facilitate the pick up of devices, we will follow the schedule at right and in this link. Please note that team assignments will be shared with families next week.

Chromebook Pick Up for Grade 6 Students

Grade 6 Open House: All sixth grade families are invited to an open house at Pierce on August 31, 2021. At the open house, students and parents/guardians will meet their team teachers and participate in several small group activities facilitated by the sixth grade teachers. The event will be run as two sessions dividing students alphabetically by last name to make the groups smaller. Please note that the grade 6 open house will take the place of the open house that is typically held later in September and that the open house for grade 7 and grade 8 families will be held later in September. The schedule for the grade 6 open house can be found at right and in this link. 

Grade 6 Open House: 

IEP & 504 Information Session: Parents and guardians of students with IEP or 504 plans are invited to join Susan Maselli, MPS administrator for pupil personnel services, for an information session about special education and 504 support services at Pierce. This meeting will take place in the Pierce auditorium on August 31, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

IEP & 504 Information Session: INSIDE OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 

Please see below for key contact information and important dates at each of our elementary schools. 

GLOVERPrincipal Mrs. Karen McDavitt and Assistant Principal Ms. Melissa CravenAdministrative Assistant Ms. Deb WoodsGlover Webpage ; Glover Twitter account; Glover PTO FB Page; Glover PTO email contact ; Glover School Supply List 

GLOVER Principal Mrs. Karen McDavitt Assistant Principal Ms. Melissa Craven Ms. Deb Woods Glover Webpage ; Glover Twitter account; Glover PTO FB Page; Glover PTO email contact ; Glover School Supply List  Glover events:

Kindergarten students will have an orientation/screening event on September 1st or 2nd. Dates and times will be included in your child’s classroom assignment letter that you will receive in late August. 

The Glover Open House is on Thursday, September 30, 2021. 

COLLICOTPrincipal Mrs. Holly Concannon and Assistant Principal Ms. Ellen LohanAdministrative Assistant Ms. Joanne BarkerCollicot Webpage; Collicot PTO email ; Collicot PTO Facebook page

COLLICOT Principal Mrs. Holly Concannon Assistant Principal Ms. Ellen Lohan Administrative Assistant Ms. Joanne Barker Collicot Webpage; Collicot PTO email ; Collicot PTO Facebook page

Collicot events: The Collicot PTO will be hosting welcome events for Kindergarten and new 1st-5th grade families on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 2:00pm. Families will have a chance to meet school administration, have a tour of the school and an opportunity to ask questions of their tour guide. Principal Concannon will be sending out details in her newsletter next week.

Collicot events:

Kindergarten students will have an orientation/screening event on September 1st or 2nd. Dates and times will be included in your child’s classroom assignment letter that you will receive in late August.

On August 31st the whole school is welcome to join the Collicot community and the Administration from 3:00-4:00pm in the rear playground.

The Collicot Open House is on Thursday,  September 23, 2021.

CUNNINGHAMPrincipal Dr. Jon Redden and Assistant Principal Mrs. Bernadette Butler Administrative Assistant Ms. Erica Cadigan Cunningham Webpage ; Cunningham PTO email; Facebook Page; Cunningham School Twitter Cunningham School Instagram;Cunningham School Supply List

CUNNINGHAM Dr. Jon Redden Mrs. Bernadette Butler  Administrative Assistant Ms. Erica Cadigan  Cunningham Webpage ; Cunningham PTO email; Facebook Page; Cunningham School Twitter  Cunningham School Instagram; Cunningham School Supply List

Cunningham events: New families of students entering grades 1-5 are invited to meet school administrators, tour the school, and see their child’s classroom on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 5:30pm. Families should come to the main entrance. We look forward to officially welcoming you to the Cunningham School community.

Cunningham events:

Kindergarten students will have an orientation/screening event on September 1st or 2nd. Dates and times will be included in your child’s classroom assignment letter that you will receive in late August.

All Cunningham School students and their families are welcome to attend the annual Welcome Back event held on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 6:00pm. Please join Principal Dr. Redden and other administrators on the rear playground of the school. Come see old friends and meet some new ones.

The Cunningham Open House is on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.

TUCKERPrincipal  Dr. Elaine McNeil-Girmai and Assistant Principal Ms. Kristen DriscollAdministrative Assistant Mrs. Eileen KeaneyTucker School Supply lists; Tucker Webpage ; Tucker  PTO email contact; Tucker  PTO Facebook page; Tucker Elementary School Webpage

TUCKER Principal  Dr. Elaine McNeil-Girmai Assistant Principal Ms. Kristen Driscoll Administrative Assistant Mrs. Eileen Keaney Tucker School Supply lists; Tucker Webpage ; Tucker  PTO email contact; Tucker  PTO Facebook page; Tucker Elementary School Webpage

Tucker events: Families new to Tucker and those who were remote learners last year and/or didn’t have an opportunity to visit the school previously are invited to attend a welcome back event on Thursday, August 19, 2021 from 1:00-2:00 pm. or Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 5:30-6:30pm. The meeting location for these events is the back playground. Families will have an opportunity to meet administrators and tour the building.

Tucker events:

Incoming Preschool and Kindergarten students and their families are invited to visit the school and meet administrators and new friends on Thursday, August 19, 2021 from 10:45 – 11:30 am. (immediately following Summertime Stories at 10:00) or Tuesday, August 24, 2021 from 6:00-7:00pm. The welcome events will take place on the back playground and Kindergarten students are encouraged to wear their yellow “I’m Going to Kindergarten” t-shirt.

Kindergarten students will also have an orientation/screening event on September 1st or 2nd. Dates and times will be included in your child’s classroom assignment letter that you will receive in late August. 

The Tucker Open House is on Thursday, September 23, 2021.

DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION  NEW MPS STAFF  Barbara Meyer – Director of Guidance 6 – 12: Aneeka Cheema – Director of Fine & Performing Arts K-12: Kaitlin Gass – Pierce Assistant Principal: TECHNOLOGY Optional Chromebook Insurance:  Loan Agreement link Chromebook Loan Agreement:  Elementary; Pierce; MHS Rising 6th Graders: Rising 9th Graders:  Digital Citizenship:  Path to Raising a Digital Citizen Family Technology Support Help Center PlusPortal Google Clever Guardian Monitoring Who to Contact Student Technology Boot Camp Student Technology Boot Camp FOOD SERVICE Jackie Morgan MPS Food Service is hiring for all positions jmorgan@miltonps.org MILTON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Camp Cunningham Album ASE (After School Enrichment) The ESAP (Early School Arrival Program) msandoval@miltonps.org  The job description can be found at this link. MCS at this link.  ART AND MUSIC  Come Be a Part of the Milton Public Schools Instrumental Music Program!

• Applied Instrumental Lesson Registration for Beginners in Grades 4 and above
• Beginner Registration Night- Monday, Sep 13, 2021
• 7-8 pm at Milton High School

An overview of the program can be found here all details can be found here rdamiani@miltonps.org rdamiani@miltonps.org FAMILY RESOURCES mmckenna@miltonps.org All calls and emails are confidential. Family Resources – food, heating assistance, health insurance, financial assistance, contacts – can be found at this link. ATHLETICS AD Ryan Madden Click here for tryout times. Students are expected at ALL tryouts. physical Family ID here  All-Sport Parent Meeting Mask Mandate: COMMUNITY NEWS  Please click this link and  take a few minutes to tell us how you walk, bike, and roll through Milton. BLOG SUBSCRIPTION:  please enter your email here to subscribe

This press release was produced by the Milton Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.