Tonight is Kindergarten Information Night, the 1st event in what we hope is a thirteen year journey with the class of 2035!  Kindergarten Information Night will be held virtually tonight (January 27) at 6:30 p.m., and the  Zoom link to attend can be found here.  Kindergarten pre-registration is open at this link and and details on Kindergarten registration, timeline, school assignment and more will be shared tonight. The presentation will be posted on our website tomorrow. We look forward to seeing our new Kindergarten parents and guardians tonight!

MHS Senior Tracy Le has asked me to share that tomorrow night, Friday, January 28, the Milton High School Asian Culture Club is hosting a Culture Fair for all in Milton. Come join members of Milton High School’s Asian Culture Club, Hispanic Culture Club, French Club, Genders & Sexualities Alliances, and more on Friday, January 28 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the Milton High School Library located at 25 Gile Road. Please note to enter through the Field House doors in the back of the school.

We hope to celebrate the diversity in our community through fun games, presentations on different aspects of cultures, and performances. From Hispanic cultural artifacts to chopstick competitions, students will provide an interactive way for visitors to experience a wide range of cultures. Games, presentations, and performances are kid-friendly for community members of all ages.

And for just this one night, Kwong Kow Chinese School brings traditional Lion Dancing to Milton High! With fun tricks, kids of all ages and adults alike can enjoy the entertainment of Lunar New Year all in Milton High’s library. All in Milton are invited to visit the fair and we hope to see you there.

Last week, we posted the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Curriculum position and all details on the search timeline can be found here.  The Search Committee is being assembled and will consist of MPS staff including Principals, Administrators and Teachers as well as representatives put forward from school and community organizations.

Next week, we are posting the Senior Director of Educational Equity with the new name, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This new title is consistent with the work outlined by the state and what we are doing in the Milton Public Schools. The search timeline will also be posted next week.

Finally, I am happy to share the success of our Pierce Middle School Music Students! Four of our Pierce students have been accepted to the MMEA Eastern District Junior Festival. A big congratulations to Sebastian Gobbi and Harper Zoll – Concert Band, Fedor Myshkin – Orchestra, and Jordan Munsey – Jazz Band. These students will be participating in the Eastern District Junior Festival later in March. Bravo!

School Committee 

The next regular Milton School Committee meeting is on February 2, 2022 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.

At last week’s School Committee meeting, the Equity Steering Committee gave a short background of the Committee’s work since being formed in July 2021. The presentation focused on the Steering Committee’s definition of Equity, which they are currently sharing with all stakeholders. A major recommendation from the Quality Review was that the district develop a common understanding and definition of Equity. We are seeking the community’s feedback on our definition to ensure the definition resonates for as many people as possible and are asking caregivers and community members to provide us with that feedback in a 2 question survey linked here. I know the initial deadline to complete the survey was articulated as February 4th however; if you have the time, we urge you to complete the two-question survey as soon as possible.  If you have not opened the survey, please know it should not take more than 5 minutes to complete the survey. Your feedback and immediate response is greatly appreciated and needed in order for us to continue with this very important work.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Jan 27 Kindergarten Information Night 6:30pm
• Jan 28 Asian Culture Club Culture Fair
• Feb 2 Early Release K-12
• Feb 2 Milton School Committee
• Feb 16 Milton School Committee
• Feb 17 Pierce Science Fair
• Feb 21-25 February Recess
• Mar 2 Milton School Committee
• Mar 3 Early Release K-12
• Mar 9 1st Grade Info Night

Please refer to the District-Wide Calendar of Events for times and details. The 21-22 School Year Calendar can be found here. (Updated 1/7/22)

The Preschool Pre-registration Link can be found here  and the deadline for Lottery is today, Thursday, January 27, 2022. All information on Preschool can be found on our website.

Health And Safety

Covid Testing Program: Information about the new COVID-19 testing program for all participating staff and students was sent out earlier this week and can be read at this link. This is an opt-in program that provides a free, weekly at home antigen test kit that will be sent home with your student.  Students who opt-in will receive a box with 2 test kits every other week in school and are asked to test once a week and report positive results only to their school nurse.

Over 1/3 of MPS staff have enrolled and they received their first box of test kits yesterday.  Student tests will be distributed next week and upon distribution, contact tracing at school will end per the program guidelines.  Staff and students may opt-in or out at any time.  Currently we have 25% of MPS students who have opted into this program.

Covid Reporting: For the time period of Thursday, Jan 20 – Wednesday, January 26, 2022, MPS reported the following information Covid positive numbers to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as requested.

• Collicot-21
• Cunningham-8
• Glover-20
• Tucker-4
• PMS-17
• MHS-14
• MPS -Staff – 15; Students – 84

Although the numbers appear to be high, they are trending in the right direction. We are seeing descending numbers in MPS, the Town of Milton and in the State! This trend is certainly good news as we look towards the spring.  All updated Covid guidelines and documents can be found on our website linked here. 

High School Happenings

MHS Librarian J Troy shares that Milton High School students and staff are joining together in a community knitting/crocheting project inspired by the folks at Warm Up America. Over 50 individuals have expressed interest in making 7in. x 9in. rectangles from medium weight, machine washable yarn. Once these pieces are collected they will be assembled into blankets and donated. MHS students/staff have the opportunity to meet up for knit/crochet sessions in the library after school, however, there is no in person commitment necessary. Community service hours are available for student efforts.

Are you a friend, family member or community member interested in participating? Are you an experienced knitter or looking to find a new hobby? Feel free to join our cause. Rectangles can be dropped off or mailed to Milton High School until March 1st. Patterns are available on the Warm Up America website and any questions can be sent to J Troy ([email protected]). The goal of this project is to foster creativity, build community and have fun!

Pierce Pages

A Lesson on Hate Speech: On Tuesday, grade 7 students participated in a lesson and activities that defined concepts around hate speech, including the history of harmful slurs. Students participated in guided discussions and also spent time creating videos, slideshows and posters that captured their takeaways and reflections. The lesson was based on a similar experience that the 8th graders participated in back in December. The lesson and activities were led and facilitated by team teachers, counselors, and curriculum leaders. Grade 6 students will participate in the lesson on February 2nd.

Inside Our Elementary Schools

Art teacher Laurel Bernini shares that 5th grade students from Collicot and Cunningham schools are completing a winter collage project with influence from American pop artist, Keith Haring. Students learned how Keith Haring began as a street artist known for his thick black outlines and cartoon-like stick figures. Students used this style to create a dynamic background and snow person. Afterwards, students made multiple cartoon stick figures in various poses to tell a narrative in their artwork. You can learn more about Keith Harding here. We love the different stories that each picture conveys!

______

This week Tucker 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders got to experience a virtual visit from Plimoth Plantation. They met a 17th-century Pilgrim and learned about their new life in a world unknown to them. The Museum teacher portrayed an actual resident of 17th-century Plymouth Colony, speaking with the regional dialect and wearing period-appropriate clothing. Using reproduction artifacts and the narrative through lines of risk, transformation and community, the visitor shared stories about the difficult decision to leave home, Mayflower’s transatlantic journey, the first winter and spring in Plymouth. It was an enjoyable experience for our upper grades who have not had a chance to visit Plimoth Plantation on our typical in person field trip. We are grateful to have the opportunity to bring these presentations to life in a virtual format.

Milton Community Schools

Our next Early Release Day is on Wednesday, February 2nd and parents/guardians should email Milton Community Schools at [email protected] by Friday 1/28 to register for early release day programming. February Vacation Camp has reached capacity and you can register for the waitlist here. Check out some MCS fun below!

Family Resources

The Milton Community Food Pantry wants families to know that in addition to the regular monthly free vouchers for milk and eggs from the Milton Food Mart, and bags of groceries, they have also recently approved the distribution of $25 grocery gift cards each month to help families to buy additional fresh fruits and vegetables. Please help spread the word to any individual or family that needs assistance stretching their budget. The Milton Community Food Pantry located in the Parkway Methodist Church, 158 Blue Hills Parkway is open every other Saturday from 9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Please visit their website for all details.

MPS knows that families may sometimes need resources for their children and family beyond the classroom.  In addition to the Family Resource Newsletter  please visit Milton Public School Resource Guide.  If you need additional assistance 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.

MPS Job Opportunities

Substitute Teaching: On call daily substitute teachers are needed for all levels and the rate is $90 per day. We welcome all qualified applicants and encourage you to apply at the Apply for a Job at MPS link found on the front of the MPS website.  Substitute teachers must have experience and enjoy working with children, the minimum requirement is a Bachelors degree for Substitute Teacher and an Associates degree for a Substitute Paraprofessional. Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States is required. If you have any questions about the requirements, and how they pertain to you, please email MPS Human Resources Specialist Laurie Dunn at [email protected]. In addition, all current posted jobs within MPS are posted on our website. 

Food Service Substitutes: Help us feed our future! MPS is looking for food service substitutes to join our wonderful team at the Milton School Food Service Program.
Why join our team? NO nights, weekends or holidays! And – it’s fun!

Substitutes are needed in various shifts to work around your schedule with wages beginning at $17.28 per hour. Contact Food Service Director, Jackie Morgan, at [email protected] for more information.

Our Food Service Facebook and Instagram page is worth the follow if you’re interested in what is being served to you/ your children. We post pictures of our meals, menu items, updates, and all things food related at Milton School Food Services ! Give us a follow on Facebook and Instagram and keep your eyes peeled on Instagram for information on our upcoming raffle of booster swag for our followers.

SEPAC 

PARTICIPATE: The “New Insights on Tourette Syndrome” workshop received an overwhelmingly positive response in interest – over one hundred folks registered.  Thank you to Susan Maselli for her collaboration with SEPAC to bring this important informational workshop to our district.

ADVOCATE: This year the SEPAC board is focused on building relationships with each school principal as we continue to work towards fulfilling the MPS core values.  As a group, we look at the big picture of our school system and determine strategies of effective advocacy. Please reach out to your school rep with concerns and questions, and consider attending our next board meeting on February 17. We welcome new voices and ideas.

EDUCATE: Check out the newly-updated Resources page on our SEPAC website.  We hope it has a lot of good information, resources, and tools for parents and families.  Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any feedback.

Athletics

Our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be taking over the Girls Basketball Game on Friday night. The Girls take on Brookline and the student-run committee will have raffles, prizes, half-time contests and more. Be sure to come support the Wildcats on the 28th! 6:30 p.m. tip.

Boosters Membership Reminder: Join the Boosters at this link today!  All details on the Boosters can be found on their website linked here.

Boosters Meeting: Tues, Feb 1 at 7:00 p.m.: Join us for our bimonthly open Boosters meeting. All members are welcome. Very exciting this month: we will be voting on HUGE investments for all the teams at the high school. Enter through the Field House doors behind Milton High School.

Save your cans! The MHS Girls Soccer Team will be hosting a Cans for Cats fundraiser on Saturday, February 5th from 9 a.m.  to noon at Milton High School.