Also consider trying weekly pick up. Weekly pick up is available at two different times on Wednesdays. Come to MHS 9:30-10:30 or 12:30-1:30 (please don’t arrive before 12:15 to allow for MHS pick up) to pick up 7 days of breakfast and lunches for your child.

We hope you and your student will take advantage of our lunch and breakfast options this fall! All details on pick up options can be found in this link.

HIGH SCHOOL HAPPENINGS 

We are lucky to still be hearing our talented MHS musicians in the halls of Milton High School! Pictured below  is one of the cohorts of the MHS Concert Band. As we have had to find creative ways to have all of our band members making music during synchronous, in-person learning time, the band has been rehearsing percussion ensemble music. This allows all students, whether they are in the hybrid or remote model, to participate in the music making process in a safe and socially distant way. Be on the lookout for some performance videos in the coming weeks!

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Our Woodshop students were hard at work this week in class. Woodshop introduces our students to the designing, planning and manufacturing of wood products. Students work on craftsmanship and safe working habits and procedures in the use of industrial-type machinery and power tools.

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We hope all MHS parents and guardians will join us for the MHS Open House tonight. All details can be found here. 

PIERCE PAGES 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and many of the Pierce staff and students showed off their pink last week. Some shared their personal reasons for wearing pink and supporting breast cancer awareness.

“I am wearing pink for my amazing mother who courageously battled breast cancer for over 20 years and for all of the beautiful and strong men and women who have fought this battle and continue to fight today.”
“I’m wearing pink in memory of all the courageous men and women who have had to suffer from this disease in hopes that there will soon be a cure.”
“I wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.”
“I wear pink for my close friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.”
“I’m wearing pink for my aunt and sister-in-law who lost their battle with breast cancer and for my cousin and my mother who continue to fight!”
“I wear it to make my future and the future of all others, healthier.”
“I wear pink to show support to all the brave men and women fighting this disease, and to honor those who lost their battle.”

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Pierce students in all three grades recently completed some ice breaker activities in their Health classes. Pierce is focused on making connections, building relationships, and bolstering SEL skills as we navigate this school year. Students created and presented All About Me slides that included 3 things they wanted us to know about them, including sharing their pronouns if they wished.

INSIDE OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Ms. Lennon’s Cunningham 3rd graders are learning to work together – in person and remotely. Students participated in a group read aloud and reviewed the unit reading skill: Plot. Students were paired up in break out rooms to decide what they would both write for the beginning, middle and end on the plot map. It was terrific to see these responsible and respectful 3rd graders navigating their breakout rooms in small groups.

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It’s All About Instruments in the Elementary Music Classrooms!

With elementary music being taught virtually currently, the elementary music staff is engaging students with ways in which they can create percussion instruments at home, made from everyday household items. Students are enjoying participating in the process of finding just the right items at home to create the perfect sound for each of their instruments, including drums, shakers and scrapers. The instruments are stored at the students’ home learning spaces and played during the weekly music class to enhance activities in rhythm, tone color, movement and the study of the science of sound. Students in grades 4 and 5 are also learning to identify orchestral instruments by sight and sound and many are beginning and continuing their private instrument lessons through the Applied Lesson Program!

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During our Fire Prevention Week, our Tucker preschoolers in Miss Nicole’s class participated in a fire truck project. Students followed step by step directions identifying the different shapes to make their own firetrucks! Our youngest students were very proud of their efforts!

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As a part of the Everyday Math Curriculum, Mrs. Curran’s Collicot 5th graders explored finding the volumes of different cylinders. Using individual materials, students constructed cylinders and made estimates of the volume. Next, students used unifix cubes to find the total volume of the different cylinders, Students also learned they can find the volume of a cylinder by multiplying the length, width and height.

MILTON FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION

The Milton Foundation for Education has supported the mission of the Milton Public Schools for over twenty years. In these challenging times, they have creatively rethought how to support our staff, students, and families and have several current initiatives that I share with you below.

The MFE’s Monster Dash, held in loving memory of Sam Cichello, is a staple of fall fun in the Town of Milton. Unfortunately, this year, we can’t hold the actual Monster Dash but the MFE has some fun planned for our students. This year, there will be two Monster Dash contests to celebrate the spirit of the Monster Dash.

• The MFE is pleased to announce a Monster Dash Costume Contest! They want to see you in your most creative, scary, or kooky costume ever.
• The annual Artwork Contest in on as usual!  Students can submit their drawings to be on our official Monster Dash T-shirts.

All information on both contests can be found in this link. Join us as we celebrate the spirit of the Monster Dash!

In addition, the MFE has created a new innovative grant process to help relieve the impact of the pandemic on MPS students and families. This year, grant ideas may be submitted not only by MPS teachers and programs, but also by students, parents, and other community members. The MFE is committed to helping Milton families through these unprecedented challenges in new and unique ways.

Applications are due October 30 at 5PM. Please find more information including the grant guidelines and application here.

SPECIAL EDUCATION 

Please see this latest update from Administrator for Pupil Personnel Services, Sue Maselli.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL HEALTH 

I have asked our district wide team of Adjustment Counselors to share mental health resources with you regularly. This installment is from MHS Adjustment Counselor Jennie Beliveau.

I cannot believe that a month of school has elapsed! I continue to be amazed by the resiliency of the students, families, and staff as we all continue to adjust to this school year. One conversation that has continually come up with many of the high school students that I work with is about creating a good schedule and consistent, positive habits. There is much more unstructured time available to them now and some are having a difficult time with time management. Here are a few tips that I have found to be helpful for them.
Create a schedule Write it down and follow it. Add everything to your schedule including wake times, meals, school work, exercise/sports/activities, and breaks.
Set a timer Sometimes sitting down for over an hour to get work done can be too much for students. Set a timer for 30 minutes, so when the timer goes off you allow yourself a 5 minute break and then go back to work for another 30 minutes.
Stack your habits When we are trying to create new healthy habits, it can be helpful to stack the habit on top of one you already do. For example, I brush my teeth every day. I have been wanting to write in my gratitude journal more often but never found the time to do it. So I stacked writing on top of brushing my teeth. Every morning it is now a habit and routine for me to brush my teeth and write in my gratitude journal to start my day.
Do you have any good tips that have helped your family adjust to this new schedule? Reach out to your school adjustment counselor to share!

Our Adjustment Counselors are available as resources for your family. Please reach out to your Principal or Adjustment Counselor for support at any time.

MPS School Adjustment Counselors:  Jennie Beliveau, Mary Bianca Mattocks, Kenneth Adelmann (Milton High School); Myriam Francoeur, Kara Sheridan, Kelly Dearing(Pierce); Heather Kantrowitz (Cunningham) Elizabeth Caruso (Collicot); Lisa Stahl (Tucker) Brian Powers, Christine Howley (Glover)

MPS FAMILY LIAISON

The Milton Public Schools is committed to being a resource for you. Whether you are unsure of how to connect with school staff or directly need a referral for services or supplies please don’t hesitate to reach out to Marti O’Keefe McKenna, MPS Family Outreach Liaison at 617-980-7343 or by email at [email protected]. All calls and emails are confidential.

All updates on Family Resources – food, heating assistance, health insurance, financial assistance, contacts – can be found at this link.

Rx Drug Take Back Day is October 24 from 10am-2pm. Misuse of drugs often starts with medication taken from homes. Keep your families and friends safe. Bring your unused or out-of-date prescription medications to the Milton Police Station to disposed of safely. Drive through, contactless drop off available on Saturday, October 24 from 10am – 2pm.

Rx Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the Milton Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and the Milton Police Department.

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Celebrate Halloween at Forbes House Museum, Saturday, October 24 , 5:30-7:00 pm

Calling all kids in grades K-5: You’re invited to wear your costumes and join the Halloween party at the Forbes House Museum! There will be ghost stories in the backyard and tricks and treats throughout the property.

New this year: Bring a Jack-O-Lantern to enter in our pumpkin carving contest. People’s-choice prizes will be awarded for the scariest, funniest and most creative pumpkins in categories separated by age. All ages are welcome to enter and participating in the contest only is free. Winners need not be present to claim their prize. Jack-O Lanterns may be picked up at the end of the evening or retrieved the next day.

Please visit this link for more information and to register for the event. All visitors to the property must wear masks and socially distance. Attendance is limited and advance registration is required. $10/child; $20/family max

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Mike’s 5k is going VIRTUAL! So gather your friends and family and get out there to walk or run to crush substance abuse. Run a 5k anywhere you’d like anytime from October 17 to October 25, 2020. Wear your mask and socially distance! After you register, we will send you a link to record your time. Register here and join Team MSAPC!   Bring your own mask and water.  You can also support Mike’s 5K here.   Or register and walk/run any time before Oct. 24^th, your own route and distance.  Thank you for your support!

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The Cardinal Cushing 5K RUN/WALK (formerly the Best Buddies 5k) has gone virtual!

• The where and what  are up to you!
• Complete your miles from November 18-21 then upload your results.
• Create a personal or team page then train and ask your friends and family to donate.
• Share photos  and videos on our Facebook event page.
• Register here.

Thanks for participating and supporting our very important cause!

SUPERINTENDENT SHOUTOUT 

The Pierce, Collicot, Cunningham, Glover and Tucker PTOs and the MHS PTSFO work continuously on behalf of our students and staff throughout every school year. We are so grateful for their ongoing efforts to enhance the school experience for the MPS community.

This year our 6 PTOs are collaborating on the MPS Apple Project & Protect the Paw Project in support of our students, teachers and staff.

Funds raised from the sale of these Rustic Marlin signs will be divided equally among the PTOs of ALL SIX schools, to enhance and elevate the opportunities and experiences of the MPS community during this unprecedented school year.

All are invited to purchase a sign (or two!) at this link and display it to show your support of our MPS community. These signs would be an excellent gift for friends and family, a nice remembrance for a special teacher or staff member, and are an easy way to show support for our schools and our MPS community.

Thank you to our PTOs for spearheading this project!

Thank you to my blog contributors this week: Kim Coughlin, Courtney Lennon, Nicole Davis,  Ellen Lohan, Jackie Morgan, Marti O’Keefe McKenna, Megan Pallai, Jennie Beliveau, April Allegrezza, Colleen Martin, Bernadette McEvoy, Janice Mazzola, Rebecca Damiani, and Erin Jaquette.

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: Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum & Human Resources, Dr. Karen Spaulding, (617) 696-5040 ext. 5582.