Superintendent McKinney releases updates for week of May 11, 2023

This week’s highlights include Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, Beyond the Bell Summer Program, MPS Staff Updates, Superintendent Shoutout, Glover Kindergarten “Job Talks”, Pierce AMPlify Arts Fair Success and more.

From The Desk Of The Superintendent

This week is National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week and we have been celebrating in our schools! Thank you to our six PTOs for leading the way on staff appreciation with tokens of appreciation, fun raffles, food (and lots of it!), notes of gratitude, and more. A simple thank you and acknowledgment of the incredible work our teachers and staff do has huge value and we are thankful to all in our community who have stepped up this week to speak and show the gratitude we all feel for our MPS teachers and staff.

May 5 was Super Lunch Hero Day, and we owe a big thank you to our food service team for all their hard work to serve all Milton students healthy and nutritious food! May 10 was also School Nurses Day, and we are very grateful to our nurses who care for our students so well!

Each year, MHS Senior Class Student Government chooses a teacher to receive the Teacher Appreciation Award. The recipient officially receives the award on Senior Award Night where they will address the senior class. Congratulations to the very deserving Nancy Warn, who was just presented with the letter honoring her and inviting her to awards night on May 30. As you can see below in a brief section of the letter presented to her, Nancy has a deep connection with students.

“You were nominated because of your dedication to the students of Milton High School. You truly have created an inclusive and supportive environment. Your classroom is always full of energy as your students, former students, and even students whom you’ve never had visit regularly with big news or just to make conversation. You have connected with people from all over the school and make everyone feel heard, as we know you genuinely care about what everyone has to say.”

Over the last two weeks, I’ve attended Milton’s Annual Town Meeting to advocate for critical funding and space for our growing enrollment. I am happy to report that our school budget and articles for moving forward with a school-building project were supported and approved. We are grateful to the School Committee and our Assistant Superintendent for Business Dr. Glenn Pavlicek, for their work in presenting our budget at Town Meeting and for its subsequent approval.

On behalf of the district, I would also like to express our gratitude to the School Building Committee and Mr. Sean O’Rourke, all of whom have worked tirelessly to investigate available options to address our increasing enrollment and the need for a new school. This week’s vote at Town Meeting with regard to the land swap article will allow us to move forward with our hopes of building a new school for the students of Milton.

MPS Need To Know

Important Dates

• May 12 MHS Spring Semi
• May 17 Milton SEPAC Meeting
• May 18 MHS Spring Concert
• May 22 MHS Music Awards Dinner
• May 23 MHS Arts Show
• May 24 School Committee Meeting/School Choice
• May 25-27 Mamma Mia at MHS
• May 30 MHS Awards/Scholarship Night
• May 31 Boosters Varsity Celebration
• June 4 MHS Graduation
• June 7 Instrumental Music Lesson Night

The MPS Events Calendar can be found here, and the one-page 22-23 SY calendar can be found here.  The 23-24 SY calendar can be found here.

Residency Reestablishment

The Milton Public Schools Residency Policy linked here states that students who attend the Milton Public Schools and Out of District placements shall be required to re-establish residency prior to entering Grade six (6) and or Grade nine (9). Re-establishment of residency will take place from May 15- 31, 2023

On May 15, 2023, an email with “re-establishment” in the subject will be sent to all families who must re-establish residency. That Re-establishment of Residency letter is linked here. In addition, the MPS required residency documents can be found here.

School Committee

The next regular School Committee meeting will be on May 24, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Milton Access Studio, Rm 245 Milton High School. This meeting is also the Open Public Hearing for School Choice. All information about upcoming School Committee meetings can be found on the Town of Milton webpage. You can watch School Committee meetings live or on-demand on Milton Access Youtube online.

Beyond the Bell – Milton Summer Enrichment

This summer, there is a terrific opportunity for students, combining Beyond the Bell and Milton Summer Enrichment.

Beyond the Bell (BTB) is an academic opportunity offered throughout the district during the school year to provide targeted instruction to learners. Sign up for BTB and use this July to fine-tune skills learned this year.

• BTB is held at Milton High School
• BTB is for rising grades 1-6
• BTB runs Wednesday, July 5 – Friday, July 28, Monday through Friday.
• BTB is at no cost to families.
• BTB is two hours of academic instruction with a focus on Language Arts and Math skills.
• For students in rising Grades 2 or 3 of French Immersion, their Language Arts and Math instruction at BTB will be in French.
• Choose 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. OR 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Even better – pair two hours of BTB (no fee) with two hours of MSE (fee associated with MSE) for a fantastic July of learning and fun!
• Spots in BTB are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up at this link now!

Is 4 hours of Milton Summer Enrichment (MSE) a better fit for your child? Great! MSE registration is OPEN at this link!

• MSE is for students in rising grades K-8
• MSE takes place at Milton High School
• MSE runs from July 5-28, five days a week, 8:00 p.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Classes include academic enrichment, arts and crafts, sports and outdoor fun, technology, and much more!

Please visit this link for the MSE 2023 Brochure to review course information, program details, and registration information. We are excited to offer some great new classes as well as popular MSE favorites. Please email [email protected] with any questions. We are looking forward to a fun and enriching summer!

MPS Staff Updates

Spring is typically a busy hiring time for schools, as staff retires, moves within the district, or pursues opportunities outside of MPS. While our principals will update school communities about school staff changes, I’ll update you in this space about district changes this spring. Today I am happy to share news of two exciting new staff members, one who has started this month and one who will join us on July 1. Please join me in welcoming our Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Danielle Wetmore who will begin July 1, 2023, and Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services Andrew (Andy) Cavanagh who began on May 1.

Andy Cavanagh has worked in special education for ten years, at the Ivy Street School (a special education residential and day high school for neurodivergent youth) for the last six years and at Newton North High School prior to his time at Ivy Street. He holds a BA from the University of Maryland College Park and a Masters in Special Education, Moderate Disabilities, Grades 5-12 from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Andy has impressive classroom and administration experience, and shares that he is looking forward to bringing his values of hard work, dedication, empathy and accountability for our students, and flexibility and a team mentality with my colleagues to his work at MPS. Andy started on May 1 and has hit the ground running at MPS.

Danielle Wetmore will begin work in Milton on July 1, 2023, after serving as the Administrator of Secondary Special Education in the Hingham Public Schools. Prior to Hingham, she worked as a teacher, coordinator, and director at the Walker School, a therapeutic residential and educational program. She holds a BS from Southern New Hampshire University and a M.Ed. from American International University. Danielle is a certified Administrator of Special Education by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Her theoretical knowledge, experience, work ethic, leadership, organization, communication, and time management skills as well as her deep understanding of children with disabilities make her a great fit as our new Director of Pupil Personnel Services.

MPS Intrumental Music Lessons

Save the date! The Instrumental Lesson Program Information Night will be held on Wednesday, June 7 at 6:00 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium. Those interested in beginning instrumental lessons will receive information on the program and students will have an opportunity to try various instruments and speak with high school students about their experience playing instruments. All details are here.

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. They need your help to make it happen! Day of volunteers are especially needed. Please see the Sign Up Genius linked here to volunteer for set up and/or to donate items or funds. Tickets are on sale at MHS, $10 per person. Thank you so much for your support of our students!

MHS 1:1 Chromebooks

We are happy to share with you that Milton High School will continue with our one-to-one Chromebook initiative (1:1) for all 9th and 10th grade students next year. All 9th and 10th graders will receive a school-issued Chromebook that they will take to and from school on a daily basis. 9th and 10th graders will not be allowed to bring their own device to school.

All details, including insurance information, can be found here. For more information regarding the MHS Chromebook program, please view the MPS Chromebook Care & Use Policy Guide & MHS 1:1 9th & 10th Grade Digital Learning Student & Family Manual.

MPS Good To Know

MHS Theatre – Mamma Mia

Mamma Mia at MHS, May 25-27, tickets on sale now at this link! Come see our talented MHS students in our spring production of Mamma Mia, the story of Sophie, a bride-to-be trying to find her real father, is told using hit songs by the popular 1970s group ABBA. Set on a colorful Greek Island, the plot serves as a background for a wealth of ABBA songs and a ton of fun!

Superintendent Shoutout

MHS’s school newspaper, The Elephant in the Room, recently won two awards from The New England Scholastic Press Association (NESPA). The awards were announced during NESPA’s spring conference at Boston University on May 5.

• The first award, awarded to the newspaper as a whole, was for “Superior Achievement in Scholastic Editing and Publishing.” Congratulations to the entire newspaper staff of Lillian MacLaughlin, Joe Kreugger, Griffin Angus, Charles Baltay, Lawson Beaudoin, Skyler Dasilva, Rory Martin, Emily Tobin, Javier Vargas, Leo Waldbaum, Melina Zullas, Nicholas Pulgini, Jackie Segall, Isabella Murphy, Sienna Angus (editor), Mia Gilmore (managing editor), and Isabelle Gobbi.
• Freshman Griffin Angus also received a “Special Achievement Award” in the category of “Personality Profile” for his article on head custodian Jason Scherer: “He Rides Motorcycles on Sunday and Manages on Monday” (Found on page 3 at this link).

Congratulations to the entire newspaper staff on this recognition!

MFE Celebration for Education

The MFE sends out a big thank you to the MPS community for coming out to Celebration for Education last weekend. The Kentucky Derby-themed event was both a lot of fun and a big success and all funds raised will support our teachers and all six of our schools through the next teacher grant cycle. We look forward to seeing our MPS teachers’ exciting and creative grant proposals!

MPS Nice To Know

Glover Kindergarten Job Talks

Glover kindergarteners recently concluded a Reach for Reading unit about Jobs. As a culminating activity, family members were invited into classrooms to talk to students about their jobs. Over 20 volunteers signed up to present informative and engaging “Job Talks” across 4 kindergarten classrooms. Students learned about a variety of jobs such as real estate developer, doctor, speech pathologist, canine officer, author, nurse, scientist, podcaster and much more. Family engagement has always been a priority in our kindergarten programs and these presentations proved to be a meaningful experience for both adults and students.

Pierce Amplify Arts Fair

The 1st annual Pierce AMPlify Arts Fair was an impressive and enjoyable showcase of student artwork, music performances, interactive, activities, raffles, giveaways, and concessions. Thank you to FAME for their support and a big shout out to our student volunteers and our dedicated Fine Arts faculty. We are already looking forward to next year!

MHS Spring Concert

The MHS Spring Concert is on Thursday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium. Please come and support our fabulous hard-working musicians in their final performance of the year. This is also our final performance for our graduating seniors, many of whom are featured in our Music department Senior Spotlight found here.

MPS Music News

Bravo to our MHS and Pierce Music students who participated in the Junior SEMSBA festival this past weekend! These students auditioned back in February and were accepted to participate in the Junior SEMSBA festival alongside students from 30 other communities in Southeastern Massachusetts. Milton High School was represented by Elliot Leeman-Weil, and Pierce was represented by Chloe Bergeron, Cecilia Campbell Stewart, Sebastian Gobbi, James Malec, Lacy O’Malley and Nate Turner. Congratulations to all for representing MPS Music so well!

Wildcat Marching Band News

The Wildcat Marching Band and Colorguard is gearing up for their 2023-24 season! The Wildcat Marching Band is an ensemble that performs at community events such as parades, ceremonies and football games throughout the year. If your student is entering grades 9-12 and would like to participate in the Marching Band and Colorguard please fill out this form.

MHS Athletics

MHS Athletic Director Ryan Madden shares the following. Save the dates below!

We are hosting a College Athletics Recruiting Night on Monday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Field House! Speakers include; Julie Ryan, Babson College Field Hockey Coach; Jason MacDonald, Navy Football Coach; Katie Conover, Stonehill Women’s Lacrosse Coach; Greg Sullivan, Boston College Baseball Coach; and Tara Watchorn, Stonehill College Women’s Hockey Coach. This is designed to be a panel for students to ask questions and hear from local college coaches about the recruiting process! Please pass this along to any Milton residents and students that would like to attend.

The Booster’s Varsity Athletic Celebration is Wednesday, May 31st at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium! All student-athletes that have received at least one Varsity Letter are invited to attend. If you have not received an invite, you will soon.

The Booster’s Club and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee have worked to create a Coach-of-the-Year Award for the 2022-23 School Year. We ask that all student-athletes vote for a Coach that is deserving of this Award using the form linked here. Only students can vote. The Booster’s Club will review nominations and make their selection, to be presented at the Banquet.

I look forward to celebrating the successes and accomplishments of every student-athlete and team on the 31st!

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!

Join the Milton community on Friday, May 12 for “Let’s Celebrate our Kevin” at Florian Hall at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit scholarships for MPS students who want to learn a trade. All details can be found here.

MHS music students, Bella Fiske and Claudia O’ Neill will be playing music at the Pancake Brunch fundraiser by Milton Rotary to benefit Milton Coalition on Mother’s Day, May 14, 11:00 a.m. to noon at East Congregational Church. Please stop by to support our students, our community partner and enjoy some pancakes!

On Saturday, May 13, from 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., three Milton historic sites will open their doors to engage the public in an immersive exploration of local history titled “Local Voices.” 

• Eustis Estate, 1424 Canton Avenue, Milton, Mass.
• Forbes House Museum, 215 Adams St, Milton, MA
• Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum, 1465 Brush Hill Rd, Milton, MA

Each site will feature a Story Walk as well as activities for the whole family. This collaborative project will highlight individuals who not only played a significant role in shaping the history of each particular site, but also the larger Milton community. The Milton Public Library will have Reading Dogs, trained therapy dogs who love to listen to young readers, at each of the historic sites from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. For more details on the activities at each location, click here. Member $15; Nonmember $20; Children under 18 Free.

Advance tickets are recommended. Children under 18 are free though require a ticket. Ticket includes admission to all three sites during the event. For more information, please call (617) 994-6600.

The 2nd Annual Grace+Grit 5K will be held on Saturday, May 20, at the Glover School. The race is held in honor of Glover’s past PTO president and an amazing member of the community. Visit GraceGrit5K.racewire.com for additional information.

The Milton Road Race is fast approaching, on Tuesday, June 13! Sign up here to help support scholarships for graduating Milton seniors and grants to local nonprofit organizations.

The Milton Early Childhood Associations Spring Newsletter filled with many free fun spring programs, parent information, and local resources can be found here!

Stories and Friends Meet Up – Signs of Spring: Join MECA for a spring adventure which will include enjoying fun spring activities, listening to stories, and making new friends!
Create a bird’s nest, measure yourself against the wingspan of various birds, make beautiful butterfly wings, and more. This program will be held on Saturday, May 20th at 10:30 a.m. and is for children 2 1/2 to 6 years old with their parent/guardian. We’ll meet at Discovery Schoolhouse, 101 Blue Hills Parkway in Milton. Program will be co-facilitated by
an experienced Teacher Naturalist with over 30 years of early childhood experience. Registration is not required; however, we will ask you to sign in on arrival. Many thanks to our Kindergarten T-shirt sponsor for their generous support of this program!

Attention Wildcat Nation! Registration for the 2023 tackle football, cheer and flag football programs is now open – register here. We have two different closing dates, one for cheer and one for tackle. Cheer closes on May 31 and Tackle closes on June 21. Flag is on a rolling 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.

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

• Peep! Peep! The Story Hour Room is now the new home to baby chicks. Come by anytime that we are open to meet our little chick friends: Beakle, Chickerella, Minerva, Buddy Jr., Artemis Fowl, and Chirpy Jackson!
• Reading Dogs (Grades K-5) is going on the road! Join the Milton Public Library and our wonderful volunteer reading dogs at Historic New England’s Local Voices event: Sharing Enriching Stories Through Milton’s Historic Sites on Saturday, May 13 from 2:00 p.m-3:00 p.m. Visit and read to a lovable volunteer dog at each of the three locations: the Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum, the Forbes House Museum, or Historic New England’s Eustis Estate. Registration for Reading Dogs on the Road! is not required.

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.