Superintendent Jette releases updates for week of March 31, 2022
This week’s highlights include Aline’s Ramadan Message, Celebrating Women’s History Month, Elementary Digital Citizenship Team, Volunteer and Work Opportunities for HS Students, Speaker Jessica Lahey – April 7, and more.
From The Desk Of The SuperintendentFrom The Desk Of The Superintendent
This week I received an email from Collicot parent Serene Hamsho, sharing a video made by her kindergarten daughter Aline Al Assad. The holy month of Ramadan is approaching and with her mother’s editing help, Aline made a video sharing what Ramadan means to her. Over two billion Muslims in the US and around the world observe Ramadan, which this year begins the night of April 1st and ends on May 1st with Eid Al-Fitr festival celebration. During this time, adults and abled ones fast from sunrise to sunset. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is a season of reflection, prayer, charity, and community.Ms. Hamsho shared that Aline and her older sister Laya eagerly wait for the holy month to share more about their culture and identity with their friends. Aline’s message about Ramadan is aligned with our work around promoting a sense of belonging and acknowledging holidays that may not be a day off in MPS but are celebrated by families and MPS staff in our community. We encourage families to share about holidays they celebrate, please reach out to your principal and/or to me if you would like to do so. You don’t have to make a video (although you would be welcome to), a short paragraph or links to resources would also be a wonderful way to inform our community. Passover, Easter and Orthodox Easter are just around the corner and it would be great for our community to learn more about these holidays.
______
On Monday I was pleased to attend a workshop about Cyber Security, sponsored by State Senator Walter Timilty. I attended the workshop with Interim Town Administrator Annemarie Fagan, Select Board member Arthur Doyle, MPS Director of Technology Bob Pattinson and Town Technology Assistant Rob Mallet and together we learned about the resources and security assessments offered by the Massachusetts National Guard. In collaboration with the Town of Milton, we look forward to taking advantage of the services and support offered to enhance our cyber security at the Milton Public Schools.
Finally, thanks to Joe, James, Nolan, Henry and Theo for spending a few minutes with me Monday morning at Glover catching up and talking about March Madness. I enjoyed our chat and I hope you all enjoy some great Final Four basketball this weekend!
School Committee
The next School Committee meeting is Wednesday, April 6, 2022. As always, all information about attending School Committee meetings can be found on the Town of Milton webpage under School Committee. You can watch regular 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.
______
The Milton School Committee invites all to participate in the Open Public Hearing to discuss all matters relating to the proposed 2022-2023 Fiscal Budget.
- Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
- Via Zoom;Passcode: 168556; Webinar ID: 811 8269 8756
If you are unable to participate, please feel free to email comments/questions to the Milton School Committee at [email protected].
Important Upcoming Dates
- Apr 5 Spring Jazz Night
- Apr 6 Milton School Committee (Budget Hearing)
- Apr 7 Early Release Grades K-12 PD Day
- Apr 7 Milton ELPAC Meeting
- Apr 8 Wildcat Fun Night
- Apr 9 Milton Music Mattress Fundraiser
- Apr 12 MHS Cabaret
- Apr 15 Good Friday – No School
- Apr 18-22 April Recess
- Apr 26 Town Elections
- May 2-6 Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
The 2022-23 One Page School Year Calendar (Draft) linked here has been approved by the School Committee. Please note that 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 on current events. In addition, the 21-22 one page School Year Calendar can be found here. (Updated to reflect the February 4 snow day)
______
From The Milton Coalition: We are thrilled to have best-selling author Jessica Lahey speaking at Milton High School on Thurs. April 7, 7:00 p.m. If you can’t make the in-person event, you can now live-stream it from your laptop or phone. Register here and you will receive a link for the presentation.
If you would like to come to the in-person event, but need childcare, the young people of Milton Youth Advocates for Change will be providing childcare at the high school. Click here to find out more and to register. Books will be available in the lobby from The Frugal Bookstore. Frugal Bookstore Inc.
______
The Milton English Learners Parent Advisory Council (Milton ELPAC) will hold its next meeting on Thursday, April 7, at 8:00 p.m. on Zoom (at this link). On the agenda: summer classes for ELs and explanation of IEPs and 504 Plans. Hope to see you there!
______
Wildcat Fun Night! The MHS Softball Team is hosting a night of organized activities on April 8, 6:30-8:30pm for all Milton children grades K-5 in the MHS Fieldhouse. $10 per child, come join the fun! Raffles will be available and you can also support the team on their online store.
______
The Music Department’s Mattress Sale is just one week away, on April 9 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium!
The pandemic has had a major impact on fundraising the last 2 years, and we are counting on this event to fund music programming, scholarships, awards, festival fees and more! Even if you aren’t in the market at this time, PLEASE spread the word to friends, family, and neighbors. Students will earn money for each referral, and it all goes towards Milton Music Programming.
This is our 7th Mattress Fundraiser, and everyone has had great things to say about the prices and quality of the items. Demo mattresses will be available to test, and orders will be delivered right to your home. In addition, there will be Nest chairs, body massage products, pillows, weighted blankets, sheets and more.
These manufacturers will all be 30-50% off retail: Simmons, Therapedic, Comfortaire (Sleep Number), Wellsville Gel, Infinity Body Massage Products, CordaRoy Convertible chairs, NEST chairs, and footstools, BlanQuil Weighted Blankets, Malouf adjustable bases, PureCare sheets, protectors, and duvets.
______
Save the date for the Milton Foundation for Education Celebration on May 7 at 5:00 p.m.! Join the fun with the Kentucky Derby Squares Raffle, on sale now.
- Each square cost $25.
- Individuals can purchase as many squares as they wish.
- Individuals’ names are randomly assigned to squares when purchased.
- Horse numbers will be assigned to the grid randomly before the start of the race.
- The winner will receive $1000 when the board is full. If the board is not full it will become a 50/50 raffle.
How to buy a square: Fill out the Google Form linked here with your name, email, phone and number of squares requested. An email will be sent with details on how to pay and the squares will be assigned. Good luck and thank you for your support of the MFE!
Health And Safety
We will continue to provide a weekly summary of COVID cases affecting our schools as reported to DESE in the Superintendent’s blog. This week’s report was from 3/24-3/31 and MPS reported 5 staff and 28 students as COVID positive (PMS-2, MHS- 5, Cunn- 1, Col- 8, Glover-6, Tucker-6). For families or faculty/staff who wish to opt-in for rapid antigen testing kits, please submit this Opt-In Form for each student to your school nurse.
High School Happenings
Students in Ms. Redding’s chemistry classes are currently studying electron structure and the periodic table. In the pictures below, students are engaging in the flame test lab where they burn various chemicals in order to analyze the colors of the wavelengths of light produced.
______
There are some terrific part time job opportunities this spring and summer at MPS for students!
School year: Work after school at K-5 After School Enrichment!
- ASE is looking for Counselors 16 and up to join our team. We are looking for candidates that enjoy working with children, are responsible and are willing to learn and follow the program expectations. All details can be found here. Interested? Please Contact Angie Van Allen, CIT Coordinator at [email protected].
Summer: Work at MSE this summer!
- Spend July working as Red Shirt at MSE, all details are here. ALL applications are due by April 12th at 3 pm. Late applications will not be considered. Please note the following guidelines for qualification and process of acceptance as a Red Shirt Volunteer or Paid staff member. All guidelines and the link to apply are here. You must use your student email address to apply.
______
MHS volunteer opportunity: Brookwood Community Farm is getting the season started with some cleanup! 2-4 people are needed Saturday, April 2 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. to move 30 wooden pallets and do other chores to get the farm ready for planting. All interested students should send an email to [email protected] and get a confirmation email in return. More needs will be posted in the coming weeks including working at the Seedling Sale May 7 & 8. Please bring your volunteer sheets to be signed on the day of your volunteering. Thank you for volunteering at Brookwood Community Farm!
Pierce Pages
Throughout the month of March, connection time groups at Pierce participated in a door decorating contest to celebrate Women’s History Month. Throughout the month, students learned about Women’s History Month, conducted research on the accomplishments of women in history, science, sports, and pop culture, and then decorated classroom doors to show and celebrate what they learned.
Inside Our Elementary Schools
Join the Elementary Digital Citizenship Team: The saying goes that it takes a village to raise a child, but when that saying was first said, that village probably didn’t have WiFi. There’s also a good chance the people in that village weren’t too concerned with Instagram captions and when too much screen time is becoming a problem.
Milton Public Schools is looking to bring together elementary family members who are passionate about digital citizenship to discuss how we, the Milton community, can support each other to raise healthy digital citizens. Topics of discussion may include but will not be limited to: the pitfalls of social media, ways to monitor social media accounts and internet use at home, and identify strategies on how families can help raise healthy students who live in this constantly changing digital world.
If you are interested in joining the Elementary Digital Citizenship Team, please complete this short Google Form.
______
During Women’s History Month, Cunningham 5th graders researched women activists, learning about their lives, accomplishments, and challenges. Students made posters celebrating the activists’ lives, and they included biographical information, life lessons they learned, important quotes, and more. These projects prompted terrific discussions among our students generating more questions and research.
______
In honor of Women’s History Month, Tucker 3rd grade teacher Mme. Vendette teamed up with Art teacher Ms. Gillooly to help their students highlight some amazing women both in history and today. 3rd grade students chose one amazing woman they wanted to learn more about. They did research on their chosen woman leader to prepare an oral biography presentation as part of their social studies class. In Art class, the students worked on painting large portraits of their person in order to celebrate them, and feature what they admire about them.They focused on proportion of the face, and mixing and blending skin colors.
______
Meet the Artist returns to Collicot School! Collicot students and staff are thrilled to welcome family volunteers back into the building. Meet the Artist has been a huge success in our classrooms. Families presented fabulously the first painter of the MTA program, Henri Matisse. Students enjoyed learning about the life of Henri Matisse and creating their own art work in his style.
______
Tucker preschoolers in Ms. Nicole Davis’ class recently read about Amelia Earhart and discussed what it means to be persistent and follow your dreams, even when people say you won’t be able to do it. Then they made airplanes to remember her story. They also learned about famous women with disabilities, like Dr. Temple Grandin. They practiced doing mazes, because that’s what her cow herding creations looked like. Finally, they learned a little more about autism, with Julia from Sesame Street.
______
This month Glover highlighted many amazing individuals through videos, lessons, read-alouds, and morning announcements. Students learned about Michelle Obama, Madeline Albright, Mahalia Jackson, Erin Jackson, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Misty Copeland, Venus and Serena Williams Ella Fitzgerald and many more.
Glover had students present to the school via the morning announcements about women’s rights (linked here) and used this brief video to kick it all off.
Milton Community Schools
Both April Vacation Camp and Camp Cunningham have reached capacity. MCS would like to thank everyone for their patience as we worked through registrations. We look forward to April Vacation and this summer!
We are happy to share that Milton ASE’s Ja Shin Do Karate program is back! Students engage in stretching, conditioning and defensive tactics as well as learn and practice the martial art of Ja Shin Do. The course develops the Five Ss of Ja Shin Do: Self Discipline, Self Respect, Self Esteem, Self Control, Self Confidence.
Food Service
Pierce students in the REACH class harvested arugula this week, and it was used for a beautiful salad offered on the fruit and vegetable cart. Our students growing their own food is a surefire way to increase their willingness to try new greens!
On the menu at MHS this week: Housemade chicken noodle soup served with a pulled pork sandwich. MHS cook, Alexandra DePina, made the delicious soup for our student.
SEPAC
The SEPAC invites all MPS parents and guardians to a forum with the candidates for Milton School Committee. An essential part of being an effective advocate is understanding the system and how policy is made and implemented. This is an opportunity to hear the candidates’ views on a range of issues that affect all children and families in the district.
The forum will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom at this link. We hope you can join us for what will be an informative evening. Please contact Jenny Sheehan, SEPAC co-chair, with any questions at [email protected].
Art And Music
Music In Our Schools Month hosted events that have taken place throughout this month in our schools and we have a few more on the horizon. Thank you for all the support and enthusiastic attendance that make our programs successful for our students!
- MPS Music Faculty attending All State Conference
- MHS Students participating in All State Festival
- Strings concert (Watch the video here)
- Band concert (Watch the video here)
- Chorus concert (Watch the video here)
- Students participating in SEMSBA
- Tri-M Instrument Drive – Ongoing
- Upcoming events – Jazz Night and FAME Mattress Fundraiser
______
Do you have instruments that are no longer used at your home? Please consider donating them to the Milton Music Department! MHS’s chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society is holding an instrument drive to collect new or used instruments for use within music programs across the district. We are especially interested in guitars, electric basses, hand drums/percussion instruments, and traditional band & orchestral instruments. Please only donate instruments that are in playable condition or reach out to Ms. Hanna ([email protected]) to discuss special situations. We are unfortunately not able to accept pianos.
If you have an instrument in playable condition that you’d like to donate, you may drop them off at the MHS main entrance on Saturday 4/9 – 12:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. (FAME Mattress Fundraiser). If you have any questions or need to arrange an alternate drop-off time, please reach out to Tri-M Faculty Advisor, Julia Hanna at [email protected].
Athletics
Spring Sports are now underway and you can find schedules at this link.
Community News
In advance of the upcoming town election on April 26, Milton Access Television is hosting Milton Speaks Candidates Forums. Please tune in (online or Comcast 8/RCN 3) or watch On Demand in the days after each event to stay informed about the candidates for each position.
- Monday, March 29 Board of Health and Board of Library Trustees (Watch On Demand)
- Monday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. Planning Board
- Monday April 11 at 7:00 p.m. School Committee
- Tuesday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m. Select Board
______
Pierce Debate Coach Colin Faherty shares this opportunity for 4th-10th grade students. This summer, Lumos Debate is offering courses in public speaking and debate in Milton. Students in grades four through ten can enroll in fun and educational programs with experienced counselors. Give your child the opportunity to meet new friends, develop critical thinking skills, and practice their public speaking in a fun, low-pressure learning environment!
Lumos teaches debate through fun games and activities that students love. And the instructors are friendly, warm, and great at making public speaking exciting! Choose your dates and register now at LumosDebate.com.
______
There is a Girls STEM Summit In October 2022 for students in grades 8-12. Students will meet female STEM experts; attend stimulating career track sessions, hear an inspirational keynote speech by a female leader in a STEM field, be exposed to STEM industries and career options by joining four featured career tracks and hear best practices for applying to colleges with STEM degree programs. All details on the summit can be found here.
______
On May 14 at 10 am, the Glover PTO invites the entire Milton community to a new road race, Katie’s Grace+Grit 5K.
Katie Crowell was a dedicated member of our Milton community who gave 100% of herself in service to others. She was an advocate, a runner, a volunteer, a fundraiser, a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. This amazing woman was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in 2015 while 32 weeks pregnant.
Katie’s impact surrounds us all—in her beautiful children, in her advocacy, in the lives of other patients who have gained strength from her, in the innovative research that is currently happening thanks in part to the money that she raised. Her impact and contributions will continue to inspire an untold number of future runners. Please join us in a very special 5k so we may honor Katie and continue raising funds to support cancer charities. Come show us your Grace + GRIT! All details and registration info can be found at this link.
______
Milton Parks and Recreation has a new program registration platform and all Spring and Summer program registration will take place on our new platform, Civic Rec. Setting up an account only takes a few minutes so don’t delay. Set up your new account at this link.
______
Chess-a-palooza will take place on Saturday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m. Please join us for a fun and friendly chess tournament with International Master David Vigorito. Four round Swiss-style tournament – every player plays all four rounds. Players of all abilities are welcome. All details can be found on www.chesskid.com. Full rules and regulations and registration can be found here.
______
MHS Student Reilly Bergin is running a Socks and Underwear Drive to benefit Cradles to Crayons. All details of this great community drive are below.
- When: Monday, April 4th thru Friday, April 8th
- Where: Lobby of the Milton Public Library
- Who: You! Together we can help others in our community.
- What: NEW underwear and socks- sizes newborn to youth
large (10-12) - Why: To help clothing insecure children across our home state of Massachusetts!
______
Challenger Baseball is back! The Challenger Division is a division of Little League of America that enables boys and girls with physical and mental challenges, aged 5-18 , or up to age 22 (if still enrolled in high school), to enjoy the game of baseball along with the millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide. Challenger is open to all Milton Residents. Registration and details can be found at this link.
______
There is a community opportunity at the Boston Comics In Color Festival on April 23 that features one of our very own talented fifth graders! Tucker student Nile is being featured this year and Nile was also previously the youngest-ever exhibitor at the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo. Additionally, the Tucker artist in residence last year LJ Baptiste is being featured. You can learn more about Nile, LJ and other artists on the festival website linked here.
______
Townwide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan: Public Meeting on April 7: The Town of Milton is working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to a develop a town-wide plan that will lead to a safe, efficient, connected network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Making sure students and their families can safely walk, ride, and roll to school is an important part of the plan, so we hope you can attend a virtual public meeting on Thursday, April 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please register at this link. Please contact Tim Czerwienski, Director of Planning and Community Development, if you have any questions.
______
In the Blue Hills, Brookwood Community Farm has farm shares (CSA) available. Accessible shares of fresh produce can be obtained in a few different ways.
- Discounted/funded shares
- SNAP/HIP shares
- Volunteer on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons, late May through mid November and go home with that week’s share of produce.
For more information on please send an email to [email protected].
______
The Milton Public Library’s calendar of April programs for kids can be found here.
Put on your PJs, grab your favorite stuffed animal, and join us for a Zoom Bedtime Concert with special guest performer Elijah T. Grasshopper & Friends on Wednesday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m.! For ages 2-8. Sign up today at this link.
Reserve a table today for our Book Tasting in the Storyhour Room on Saturday, April 9th at 2:30 p.m.! Browse a menu of carefully selected reading material, order some deliciously fun books to sample, and hopefully take home a doggy bag of your next favorite read! For ages 6+, fun for the whole family. Book your timed reservation here.
Sign up today for these programs on the library website. To learn more and to register for all programs for kids, teens, and adults, please visit the MPL website.
______
Blog Subscription: If you do not receive the Superintendent’s Weekly Update and would like to, please enter your email here to subscribe to this one weekly email.
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.
Be the first to comment on "Superintendent Jette releases updates for week of March 31, 2022"