Superintendent Jette releases updates for week of October 14, 2021
This week’s highlights include MFE Monter Dash – on Halloween!, MHS Homecoming Dance, Cunningham K Literacy, SEPAC Updates, Athletic Teams on a Roll!, and more.
From the Desk of the Superintendent:
I want to call your attention to several important items that are shared in more detail below. If these items apply to you, please scroll down and read more about each item.
Test and Stay: Currently 54% of MPS students have completed the Opt In form for Test and Stay and Symptomatic testing. If you have not yet opted in, please consider doing so now. All details can be found here and in Health and Safety below.
Proof of Vaccination: Please submit proof of student vaccination to your school nurse. It’s important for our school nurses to know who in our community is fully vaccinated as we navigate DESE and Commonwealth Covid guidelines. See Health and Safety below for all details on submitting proof.
Milton Glows Gold: We raised the money, now let’s log the miles! Let’s reach 15,690 miles – log your miles, gain activity points and win prizes! Start logging here and see Milton Glows Gold below for all details.
Homecoming 2021: If it’s fall, it’s time for the Homecoming Dance! We are thrilled to bring back Homecoming for our Juniors and Seniors this year, safely outside in the MHS courtyard. Tickets are only $10 to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment. MHS Student Government and Advisors are planning a fabulous night and parents/guardians (of students of all ages) are supporting their efforts after 18 long months of reduced social opportunities. Want to support our student’s efforts? All details are here.
Two MPS parents joined me for coffee in front of Milton High School on Wednesday. I enjoyed connecting with them in an unscripted and informal conversation about budget, enrollment, transportation, test and stay and what we are doing to support students this school year. I look forward to my next opportunity to meet with more of you in the coming months. In November we will try a virtual format to accommodate those who prefer virtual meetings.
School Committee
MPS Quality Review Report and Feedback: The overarching results of the MPS Quality review were presented by Cambridge Education on July 21, 2021 at a School Committee meeting. The final report dated June 2021 was shared with the district on Friday, September 10, 2021.
The Milton School Committee will be hosting two sessions where parents, guardians and community members can share feedback regarding the final report from Cambridge Education. These sessions will be held on October 28, 2021, (please note new date) one at 7:30 a.m. and the other at 6:30 p.m. More information regarding these sessions will be published as the date gets closer.
The regular Milton School Committee meeting is on October 20 at 7:00 p.m. All information about attending School Committee meetings can be found on the Town of Milton webpage under School Committee. 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.
Health And Safety
Proof of Vaccination: Having records of all vaccinated members of our community as well as understanding the number of students participating in the Optional Testing Program is essential.
In their most recent guidance, DESE announced an extension of the mask requirement through November 1, 2021 and more information about vaccination rates and mask wearing after November 1. You can read their full communication here.
If your student is fully vaccinated and you have not yet submitted proof of vaccination, we ask that you do so immediately!
- Email or fax a copy (a photo is fine) to your school nurse (MHS Nurse Andrea deManbey at [email protected] or Pierce Nurse Barbara Perry at [email protected])
- Mail a copy to the nurses’ office.
- Drop off a copy in the main office, Monday to Friday, during regular school hours.
- If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out directly to our Director of Nursing, Kim Coughlin, at [email protected] or 617-696-4470 x5517.
Thank you for your cooperation, which will aid us in fully understanding the vaccination status of our population.
Test and Stay: The Test and Stay program for individuals identified as close contacts while in school only and for those who develop symptoms while at school is up and running. Consent must be in place prior to testing. You cannot give verbal consent if the need arises for testing, you MUST have consented online previously.
Superintendent Jette’s September 9, 2021 letter about the Test and Stay Program can be found here. You must OPT IN to Test and Stay to participate. You can opt in at this link.
For the time period of Thursday, October 7 – Wednesday, October 13, MPS had 5 positive student cases, and 2 positive staff cases. All health and safety information can be found on our Health Services website.
High School Happenings
This week our MHS Reach students began growing produce in Grow Racks for the school cafeteria. We are growing two types of lettuce, kale and basil. Look for these delicous greens in our cafeteria soon!
Homecoming 2021 tickets are available every day this week at lunch. Tickets are $10. See your Student Government Rep with any questions.
Inside Our Elementary Schools
Cunningham Kindergarten students have been hard at work participating in ABC Bootcamp, a 26-day, rigorous introduction to all 26 letters and sounds of the alphabet. During whole group instruction, students help to create an ABC Circle chart, by brainstorming words that begin with the letter of the day. Students then engage in interactive ABC Centers, which include making a letter of the day crown, practicing forming the uppercase and lowercase letter, drawing a picture of something that begins with the letter of the day and completing a sound hunt worksheet. The Kindergarten students have been having fun learning all of their letters and sounds!
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Mme. Stallions 2nd grade Glover students listened carefully to one of the bullying lessons that Mrs. McDavitt shared last week. They understood how important it is to use self-talk if they feel that they are being put down by bullies. Students then read the book: “Ce Chenapan de Fred” that tells the story of a boy named Fred who uses mean language to talk to two of his peers. After discussing the book with their teacher, students were asked to find all the positive messages they can tell themselves to build themselves up if a bully tries to put them down. They came up with positive messages such as: I am capable, I am brave. I can do it. I can do big things. I am worthy. I am confident. I am strong. I am loved, etc. Then they worked with partners to fill up a thought bubble.
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Some of our MHS freshmen volunteered at Cunningham for their day of service this week. MHS students helped in classrooms with one on one support, small group projects, assisting teachers with classroom organization, enjoyed recess with students and more. Thanks to students Ryan Ashburn, Jacob Melanson, Emily Drane, Jacque Timmins, Isabel Kaya, Lila Hunt, Christian Gray, Simon Kosiba, James Goodman, Danilo Silva, Gustavo Costa Paz and Annie Boles who supported teachers Mrs. McKay, Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Zukowski, Ms. Staker, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Walsh, Madame Morton, Madame Segall, Ms. Macomber, Ms. McClain and Ms. Smith
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SEPAC
Thank you to Cunningham School Rep Johanna McCarthy for updating our website Milton SEPAC Here you can find our full (and evolving) 2021-2022 events and calendar, as well as appropriate board member contacts, district contacts & information, and family resources. Moving forward, our website along with weekly newsletters, will be the way to stay in the know. We welcome Secretary Joan Rush and Collicot Rep Tracy Menoza. Thank you for your service.
Your IEP and 504 should feel like living, breathing documents with which you regularly consult and commune! Many people don’t understand how important it is to be regularly checking in and modifying this document. Our next basic rights workshop is coming right up on Tuesday, October 19. Register Here for access online. Especially as we come through this pandemic, it’s important to stay clear on our rights and procedural safeguards.
The next SEPAC board meeting will be held on November 16. This year we will commence with holding elections at this board meeting, so look for nominations and ballots coming soon.
School and Out of District Reps: School reps have begun building important relationships with school principals at MHS, Pierce, Cunningham, and Collicot. We are still looking for a parent to serve at Tucker and Glover as well as a rep for out of district placements. The commitment is approximately 3-4 hours per month and involves attending a monthly board meeting and meeting with your school principal monthly to review district standardized questions. If interested, please email one of our chairs: Jennie Mulqueen or Jenny Sheehan.
Milton Foundation For Education
The Monster Dash 5k, Fun Run & community event falls on Halloween this year! Join us on Sunday, October 31, at Cunningham Hall. Register now!
The MFE has been organizing the Monster Dash for over 20 years. It is a beloved community event that memorializes Sam Cichello, a Tucker Student who died in a tragic playground accident. Sam loved science so the Monster Dash funds raised go toward science in all 6 Milton public schools. Save the date and start planning your costumes!
Milton Glows Gold
Log your miles now! Easy instructions are here and each Sunday there will be a raffle prizes. All who log at least 50 activity points will be included! Win a tote of toys from Toy Box, a $40 Playa Bowls gift card or a $50 amazon gift card!
Joining your local road races is a great way to get activity points. Mike’s 5k is this Saturday and don’t forget to join the Monster Dash which is on the last day to earn points- October 31st!’
Athletics
Our teams have had some great results lately!
- Field Hockey beat Weymouth 5-0!
- Ben Catudal finished 1st overall in the Bay State Conference Championships!
- Volleyball beat Braintree in their “Volley for the Cure” match on Tuesday, supporting the fight against Cancer.
- Cross Country had their Senior Meet yesterday against Newton North and Weymouth, with the boys picking up their first win over Weymouth!
- Girls Soccer beat Braintree 1-0 after earning their first win of the season 3-1 over Martha’s Vineyard.
- The Swim Team has yet to lose and are looking forward to States!
- The Football Team looks to make it 4 in a row against Needham at home tomorrow night.
- The Boys Soccer Team is currently in the Top 32 Teams in Division II, as they look to secure a tournament berth.
MHS Varsity Football is back home tomorrow night vs Weymouth with a 6 pm kick off!
The Blue Hill Parkway entrance will be closed at 5:15 p.m. All traffic will be directed right immediately upon entering via Canton Ave.
We will start admitting spectators at 5:15 p.m. Tickets are $5/adults. Students are free. No re-entry, so no need to rip tickets. There are no bags or pets allowed. We will stop selling tickets at halftime – around 7:00 p.m. The Booster Snack Shack will be open and the Band will perform the National Anthem!
Registration for Swing 4 Sports closes soon! Foursomes are almost filled so reserve your tee time today. Join us October 18 at Granite Links in support of Milton Boosters and its plans to build a safer, ADA compliant Press Box. Register at this link.
Community News
The Milton Public Library offers fun and free programs for kids almost every day of the week! Join us this Saturday 10/16 at 2:30 p.m. for some spooky, laugh-out-loud Halloween fun on Zoom with balloon artist Jungle Jim! This program is for ages 4-11, register here.
Their October calendar can be found here. To learn more and to register for programs, please visit the MPL website.
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Town of Milton news and activities!
- Milton Parks and Rec Snowball League opens for registration on October 20 at 12 noon. All details are here.
- The Town is offering a Flu Clinic on October 27. Help keep our community healthy and get your flu shot!
- The Milton Halloween Stroll is on Saturday, October 30 in East Milton Square.
- Click on any picture before for more information.
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Come support the Milton High School Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams at our Kids Trail Run at Cunningham Park on Sunday, October 24. There are different races for students in K-8th grades and it is a great opportunity to experience cross country. Registration is $10/person and starts at 10:00 a.m. on race day. We hope to see you there!
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The Milton Coalition: The Milton Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is now The Milton Coalition: Addressing Substance Use and Promoting Mental Health! Find information about all of the events below on our website.
Join Team Milton Coalition on Saturday, October 16 10:00 a.m. at the Collicot and Cunningham Schools on Edge Hill Rd for Mike’s 5K to Crush Substance Abuse. We are proud to work with Mike’s 5K to end the stigma of Substance Use Disorder and to build friendship and community among people who have been impacted by this disease.
On Friday, October 22, The Milton Coalition is offering a free training on Youth Mental Health First Aid. This 6 hour course is for people who work with or live with 12 – 18 year olds. Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan that includes initial help to young people showing signs of mental illness or crisis and how to connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care. Consider using corporate paid time off if available for this volunteer opportunity. Free lunch and snacks will
be provided. Register online here.
Saturday, October 23 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The Milton Coalition, along with the Milton Police Department, will be hosting a drug collection site at 40 Highland St. Milton. Studies showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Clean out your house of unused or expired pills. You can bring them to the police department on Saturday the 23rd, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. or use the kiosk in the police department lobby, available every day.
Superintendent Shoutout
Congratulations to Dan on your recent award and thank you for your dedication to our school, families and community. Photo credit: Ellen Rogers Photography
Congratulations to Dan Kerrigan, co-owner of Steel and Rye who is the recipient of the Forbes House Museum’s first Civic Leadership Award!
The Forbes House created this award to “recognize individuals who combine entrepreneurial spirit with community engagement in creative and meaningful ways.” Throughout the pandemic Dan continually demonstrated those attributes, being a huge friend and supporter to MPS and many of our students and their families. His commitment to our school community was evident each night throughout the pandemic. He and his staff prepared fresh meals that were delivered to three families who were facing food insecurity. On Thanksgiving Day, Dan once again thought of MPS and our students and prepared 25 Thanksgiving dinners with all the fixings. MPS is a grateful recipient of Dan’s entrepreneurial spirit and community engagement.
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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 Janet Sheehan, (617) 696- 4808/4809.
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