Superintendent McKinney releases updates for week of April 6, 2023

This week’s highlights include MFE Celebration Tickets on Sale Now, Milton SEPAC Candidate Forum Recording, Pierce Info Night for 5th Grade, The Calculus Project Info Night for 7th and 8th Grade, Congratulations to the Cast and Crew of “Badger”, and more.

From The Desk Of The Superintendent

The MFE invites the entire MPS community to join them for Celebration for Education on May 6 for a Kentucky Derby themed evening with betting, bourbon, and local band Twice-A-Day Ray! Tickets available now at this link! 

• This year’s Celebration is at The Beat (just renamed Southline), a brand new event space located in the former headquarters of the Boston Globe, just 6 miles away at 135 Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester.
• Early start at 5 so that you can watch the race live.
• Teacher of the Year winners from each of our six schools will be honored.
• Derby betting squares are available at this link.
• All your southern food favorites are on the menu.
• Derby attire is bright colors, and there will be a best hat and tie contest.
• Tickets available now at this link! 

Thanks to the MHS staff who organized and volunteered at the MHS Prom at Lake View Pavilion on Saturday night. Events like the prom would not be possible without the support of our dedicated MPS staff. Over 550 students attended this fabulous evening!

Passover began at sundown yesterday (April 5) and goes until sundown on April 13. While the date of Passover changes each year because the date is set not by the Gregorian calendar but by the lunar-based Hebrew calendar, it always occurs during the Hebrew month of Nisan. Passover commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt thousands of years ago. To learn more about Passover, please enjoy this clip from Collicot Parent and Adjustment Counselor, Mrs. McGrath. Chag Sameach to all who celebrate Passover.

There is no school tomorrow, Friday, April 7, to observe Good Friday. Good Friday is the day when Christians commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, which plays an important part in the Christian faith as it leads up to Easter. Easter is one of the principal holidays, or feasts, of Christianity. For many Christian churches, Easter is the joyful end to the Lenten season of fasting and penitence. To all who observe, we wish you a very Happy Easter.

There will be no blog post next week, the week leading up to April Break. As a reminder, there is no school from April 17-22 for April Break.

MPS Need To Know

Important Dates

• April 7 No School, Good Friday
• April 10 The Calculus Project Info Session
• April 10 Pierce Info Night
• April 11 MHS Jazz Night
• April 12 Milton School Committee
• April 17-21 April Break

The MPS Events Calendar can be found here, and the one-page 22-23 SY calendar can be found here.

The School Committee has approved a draft of the 23-24 SY calendar. This calendar is intended as a guide ONLY. It may be necessary to change this schedule to better serve instructional purposes.

Pierce Info Night

On Monday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m., we will host an informational session for grade 5 families in the Pierce Middle School auditorium. During this meeting, you will learn more about our school community, the grade 6 experience, and the structures and activities in place to nurture a smooth transition from elementary school to middle school. Students are welcome to attend this meeting.

The Calculus Project Info Session

An informational session about The Calculus Project, a program designed to increase enrollment and success of underrepresented groups, including Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, People of Color, and low-income students, in advanced math courses, will be held on Monday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the Milton High School Library for any parent or guardian of a 7th or 8th grader who would like to attend.

Milton SEPAC

The Milton SEPAC has asked us to share the following information.

Advocate, Educate, Participate,2023 Annual SEPAC SC Candidate Forum: We had close to seventy people and all four candidates in attendance at the School Committee Candidate Forum this week, and a wide variety of views and stories were shared. One question each of the candidates answered was on the proposed land swap and new middle school. This is the biggest issue facing our schools to date. Here is the text sent to each candidate ahead of time for a prepared response:  The proposed new middle school would also include specially designed classrooms that would meet the particular needs of pre-K special education students in Milton.  Since Milton Elementary Schools are now substantially above capacity (approximately 2000 pupils), how would a delay in constructing a new middle school at the location identified by the School Building Committee impact those students?

To view the recorded forum please visit this link or the home page of miltonsepac.org. The recording is posted in the middle of the page.

Superintendent Burrows Pre-entry Plan

Over the course of the next few months, before he officially begins on July 1, incoming Superintendent Peter Burrows will be spending periodic days in Milton to learn more about our schools and community. His priorities on these pre-entry visit days will be to spend time inside schools and meet people, support decision making around current and future needs in the district, and lay the groundwork for the start of the 23-24 academic year. His next visits are April 13 (Pierce) and 14 (MHS).  You can learn more about his pre-entry plan and schedule here.

Milton Summer Enrichment

Summer fun at MSE is just around the corner! MSE is for students in rising grades K-8, takes place at Milton High School and runs from July 5-28, five days a week, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Classes include academic enrichment, arts and crafts, sports and outdoor fun, technology and much more! The MSE Brochure will be available April 12 and registration begins April 25 on Family ID. Save the date for a fantastic July at MSE!

MPS Good To Know

MPS Gives Back

Ramadan Food Drive: MPS supports the Ramadan Food Drive in partnership with Milton Muslim Neighbors and Milton Interfaith Clergy Association. Through Friday, April 21, bring your donation of dry goods and hygiene items to any of our schools.  Join your Muslim neighbor in this effort, as Ramadan is a very special time of year for Muslims to do good deeds. All details can be found here. 

Food Service

The School Meals for All program has been a lifeline for families that are struggling, now more than ever, to keep food on the table. The program has succeeded in increasing school lunch participation by an additional 80,000 kids each day and with the legislature’s support, House speaker Mariano claims there’s a possibility of making School Meals for All permanent.

At a recent public event, Speaker Mariano announced that the upcoming House budget proposal will ensure that School Meals for All is permanent for families in Massachusetts. While there are still many steps to ensure that this provision ultimately passes the budget process, this announcement from House leadership demonstrates a commitment to making food accessible for students. So let’s use this golden opportunity to show legislators how many of their constituents agree that School Meals for All needs to be permanent.

Please join us in thanking House Speaker Mariano and your Representative for announcing their support for making School Meals for All permanent. Follow this link to send a message of support.

MPS is always looking for energetic people to join our Food Service team as kitchen substitutes. If you want to work a part time schedule that complements your child’s school day, please call Natalia Perez at 617-898-1051. Kitchen subs earn $19.15 an hour and this is an on-call position – work when it makes sense for you. Please consider joining our team!

MPS Nice To Know

Superintendent Shoutout
Cast and Crew of Badger

• Congratulations to the cast and crew of “Badger” for representing MHS incredibly well at the METG State Finals this past weekend! A special shout out to our All-Star award winners for Excellence in Acting: Ronan O’Connor, Julia Mangum & Angel Leggett! And to the entire “Badger” company for being awarded the METG State Finals “Stage Manager’s Choice Award” out of all of the other participating schools. This is the first time that MHS Theatre has made it to the State Finals and it won’t be their last!

Future Problem Solvers

• We have learned that Jackson Lang (Collicot, L) and Freddy Mai (Glover, R)) have been awarded 1st and 3rd place, respectively, in the Future Problem Solvers competition! Jackson will be attending the International Conference, which will be held at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst from June 7-11. Congratulations, and good luck!

MHS Launches Into the Community

Students in the MHS Launch Program has been hard at work this school year, expanding on their vocational skills while spending time at several community partnership sites. We would like to thank Fitness Unlimited, Steel and Rye, Winter Valley, The Milton Public Library, MHS Food Services, Glover, Tucker and Sustainable Milton for working with our students! If you own a local business and would like MHS students to volunteer at your establishment to gain vocational training, please contact the Launch Program teacher, Christine Martinelli, at [email protected].

MPS 5-12 Band Concert

Do yourself a favor and check out this week’s fabulous 5-12 Band Concert. Our student musicians are amazing!

MPS Counselor Professional Development

MHS counselors recently attended two terrific PD opportunities. School Counselor Leonice Bernard and Director of School Counseling Barbara Meyer were on Parris Island this week at the Marine Corps Recruiting Station for the Educators Workshop.

MHS school counselor Lisa Spinelli and Pierce School Counselor Anita Walton attended the Massachusetts School Counselors’ Association conference this week at the Marriott in Newton. Professional development for counselors is not easy to find, and we are grateful to the Milton Public Schools for supporting our conference and PD attendance!

MHS Latin Club Classics Day

Students in the MHS Latin Club recently attended Classics Day at the College of the Holy Cross. Students competed in trivia, costume, and art competitions throughout the day. This year, Milton took home a second-place trophy in the costume and skit competition. The group enjoyed connecting with other high school and college students who share an interest in the Classics.

French Exchange Students at Collicot

Students from Annecy, France, in the US as part of an exchange with Fontbonne Academy, recently visited Collicot. Students were able to share similarities and differences between France and the US and Collicot 4th graders were able to show off their French skills.  Our guests commented on how impressed they were with our young French speakers. This year, we were happy to have former Collicot Cardinal, Caroline Duffy accompany the French exchange students during their visit to Collicot.

MHS Spring Semi – May 12

MHS Freshman and Sophomore Student Government is excited to be hosting the Spring Semi Dance for 9th and 10th graders on May 12. Details are below.

When?  Friday, May 12, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Where? MHS Courtyard
What?   Music, Dancing, Yard Games, Pizza, Treats
Who?    MHS Freshmen and Sophomores in good standing are invited to attend
How?    With your help! Please see the Sign Up Genius linked here to volunteer for set up and/or to donate items or funds.

Tickets will be on sale the week of May 1st, $10 per person. Thank you so much for your support of our students!

Community News & Events

Please use the links below or visit the MPS Community News & Events page for information on these terrific community events and opportunities!

The Milton Parks Summer Program Brochure is linked here. Registration opens soon for spring programs, more info can be found here. Coming this spring – Babysitting Course; Spring Junior Golf; Spring Junior Tennis; Spring Indoor Basketball.

Saturday, April 22 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day! Bring your unused or expired prescription drugs to the Milton Police Department at 40 Highland St. between 10am and 2pm for easy, anonymous drop off. It is important to keep drugs out of the hands of those they were not prescribed for. Help us keep our community safe and dispose of these drugs safely on April 22nd.

Every three years, the Milton Coalition examines the status of Milton youth through surveys, interviews, and focus groups, with an emphasis on substance use. Join us as we share these results, compare them to our past evaluations, and discuss next steps. Masks are required. This meeting is open to the public and will be held on Thursday, April 27, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at BID Milton.

Light the Way, Milton’s first annual vigil to remember lives lost to overdose and substance use disorder, will be held on Sunday, April 30. 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Baron Hugo Gazebo in front of Town Hall, 525 Canton Ave.  A group of family members who have lost loved ones to overdose and substance use disorder have joined together with the Milton Coalition to help light the way towards healing, support, and awareness so that other families don’t have to experience similar pain.

The vigil will include speakers sharing their own personal stories, civic leaders, music, a reading of names, and a candlelight ceremony in honor of those who have died.  If you would like to participate in the vigil or would like to have a loved one honored, please visit www.milton-coalition.org and fill out the vigil participation form.  You can also email [email protected] for more information.

Fontbonne is excited to offer two sessions of Summer Theater for students in grades 3-9. Students participating in this one week or two-week summer program will have the opportunity to work together to learn and perform a musical theatre show. All details can be found here. Contact Fiona McDonald for more info at [email protected].

The Friends of the Milton Council on Aging invite you to Bring On The Spring Bling!  Come shop for nearly new, upscale jewelry, scarves and pocketbooks. All proceeds benefit COA transportation and programming.  Thursday, April 20, 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and Friday, April 21, 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. COA, 10 Walnut St, Milton.

Attention Wildcat Nation! Registration for the 2023 tackle football, cheer and flag football programs is now open – register here.

Milton Chess Club will be held at the Milton Public Library from April 25 – May 30. International Master David Vigorito has been teaching chess to Milton students for over 12 years. The spring session starts on Tuesday, April 25. There are two different levels with classes at 5:30 and 6:45. Details can be found here. Space is very limited! Questions: [email protected].

Forbes House Museum Author Talk and Book Signing with James Conroy, “Lincoln’s White House: The People’s House in Wartime” on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Forbes House Museum, 215 Adams Street. $10/person, FREE for members and High School students. Thank you to our sponsors Tom and Polly Martinson!

Neponset Rowing Club Spring 2023 Registration for the Competitive Juniors (HS) program is now open. Registration for the spring high school rowing season is open to MPS and all local high schools.  Please sign up here: 2023 Spring – Neponset Rowing Club: Competitive Juniors (HS) Registration.

Summer Art Camp at the Milton Art Center is open for registration. The camps will run for nine weeks from June 26-August 24. Each session has a different theme and children can sign up for half day or full day sessions. Visit the website to find out more and register.

Milton Field Hockey is open for registration for the Winter (K-8) and Spring (K-8) 2023 season and summer camp (up to age 18)! All details can be found here.

Milton Girls Softball encourages children in Kindergarten through Grade 8 to register for the 2023 Spring Season. All details can be found at www.miltonsoftball.com.

The Milton Public Library’s calendar of April programs for kids can be found here.

• Comic and Graphic Novel fans! Take part in this month’s Graphic Novel Book Club for Grades 3-5 on Wednesday, April 19 at 2:30 p.m. This month we are reading Lightfall: The Girl & the Galdurian by Tim Probert. Pick up a reserved copy in the MPL Children’s Room. Register today!
• Join Eshu Bumpus, an award-winning storyteller and accomplished jazz vocalist, as he welcomes families for an entertaining hour of storytelling on Thursday, April 20 at 2:30 p.m. Take a journey across Africa through a varof Africanrican and African-American folktales full of humor, music, and mystery. Sign your family up today!

To learn more and to register for programs for kids, teens, and adults, please visit the MPL website.

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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 Dr. Garth McKinney, (617) 696- 4808/4809.