Superintendent's Weekly Memo - April 26, 2024

Dear Mustang Families, 

Welcome back from April vacation! I hope you enjoyed the amazing weather, especially if you made it to the Boston Marathon, Concord Green, Medford Square or Fenway Park for one of our region’s many exciting Patriots’ Day traditions.

In case you missed it during break, make sure to check out this great Boston 25 News feature on Brooks Elementary School 5th graders Savannah and Adam, who worked with the Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility (CCSR) to provide orange safety whistles to local postal workers. We’re so proud of Savannah and Adam for identifying a way to help the community and making their vision a reality.

Earlier this week, we celebrated Administrative Professionals Day. Across our schools, the dedicated administrative and executive assistants do so much work to keep our schools running. Thank you to our wonderful school secretaries, office assistants and all of the administrative professionals here at Medford Public Schools!

Read on for information about upcoming events and news in and around Medford Public Schools, including a still-growing list of summer educational, athletic and artistic activities available for students!

Today’s Memo includes:

• Looking Ahead to Arts Month
• MEEP Preschool Accepting Applications
• 2024 Summer Programs Open for Registration
• Driver Education Opportunity
• Job Openings in Medford Public Schools

Looking Ahead to Arts Month

May is Medford Public Schools Arts Month! We hope you will join us at these exciting events highlighting our talented artists, musicians and performers. From theatrical productions and musical concerts to art exhibitions, there is so much to do and see this month at all of our schools!

We are encouraging all community members and MPS students and staff to show your support for the Arts and your favorite artists, bands and musicians by wearing Art or Music Theme Tees on Fridays in May!

Want to skip the line? Pre-sale tickets for Spring Concerts and the Spring Musical will take place Monday and Tuesday (4/29 and 4/30) from 3:00pm -5:00pm in the Main Lobby of Medford High School. 

MEEP Preschool Accepting Applications

The Medford Early Education Program (MEEP) is an inclusive preschool program designed to serve students with and without disabilities. Applications are open for the 2024-2025 school year!

MEEP serves students ages 3 through 5 who are not yet eligible for kindergarten. There are up to 15 children in each class. Up to seven students in each class are students with disabilities, whose IEP Teams have placed them in that specific classroom. Up to eight students in each class are students without disabilities, who are placed through the application and lottery process.

For more information on the MEEP Program and the link to the online application including the available times and tuition costs, please visit the Medford Public Schools website.

2024 Summer Programs Open for Registration

The Medford Public Schools Performing Arts Department will once again offer a 2-week Jumpstart Music Campat Medford High School where students can get a jumpstart on their band and orchestra instruments! This program is ideal for beginner musicians and more experienced intermediate-level students. Camp will run during the weeks of August 5 and August 12 from 9:00am to 12:00pm, and is open to Medford Public School students entering grades 4-9. Students will present an End-of-Camp Showcase on August 16th at 11am, which is free and open to all family and friends! Get more information and sign up for Jumpstart Music Camp here!

Medford Community Schools is once again offering the popular Summer Fun Program for kids entering Grade 1through Grade 6. Students will participate in a wide variety of fun activities including sports, arts & crafts, movies, field trips, swimming, and more! Summer Fun holds 6 one-week-long sessions beginning July 1 and ending August 9. Complete your Summer Fun registration form today!

BAM! Summer Camps will offer weekly camp programs in June, July and August located at the Andrews Middle School for students in grades K to 8. Their programs blend sports, STEM and the arts. Program options and registration are available here, and Medford families can use code APR100 for $100 off if they register by May 5.

Young golf enthusiasts aged 6-18 can sign up for Youth on Course summer golf at Stoneham Oaks and Unicorn Golf Courses. After a $20 sign-up fee, golfers only pay $5 to play 9 holes. This program is a great way to get outside and develop skills over the summer. More information is available on the Mass Golf website. While you’re visiting Mass Golf, sign your student-athlete up for Mass Golf’s Student Member program. Student-athletes are now able to obtain a USGA GHIN Handicap Index directly through Mass Golf. 

Driver Education Opportunity

Hands-on crash prevention training is available for free to Medford High School students with a learner’s permit or driver’s license. Check out this video to get an idea of the program!

In Control Crash Prevention has partnered for years with MHS and Medford Police to offer driver safety and crash prevention training to novice drivers. Graduates have a much lower chance of crashing and qualify for auto insurance discounts up to 10%.

Visit DriveInControl.org/medfordhsmrs for more info and to register online today. Upcoming sessions in May and June are still accepting registrations!

Job Openings in Medford Public Schools

Come join our team! Medford Public Schools has a variety of job openings available now, including teachers, coaches, paraprofessionals, and a variety of other roles. Consider applying or forwarding a posting to a worthy candidate!

• Missituk Elementary School Principal 
• Director of Health Services
• Special Education Teacher – Grade 6 (McGlynn Middle School)
• Instructional Support Staff (Missituk Elementary – Full-Time Building Substitute)
• Special Education Teacher – Connections (Elementary)
• Daily Substitute (All Schools)
• Cafeteria Worker (All Schools)
• Classroom Paraprofessional (All Schools)

Upcoming Events

We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations for all school activities and events. Please contact your school’s 504 Coordinator or Assistant Principal to make an accommodation request. Requests should be submitted at least 5 days before the event. 

• April 27: Citywide Cleanup Day, 10:00am - 1:00pm
• April 27: National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, at Medford City Hall and Wegman’s 10:00am - 2:00pm
• April 27: Arab American Heritage Month - Traditional Dress Night and Contest at the Andrews Middle School, 3:00pm
• April 27 & 28: Tufts Community Sports Weekend
• April 29: Meeting of the Medford School Committee, 5:00pm at Medford City Hall and via Zoom
• April 30: Passover Ends
• May 1: Massachusetts Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day
• May 2: McGlynn Middle School 6th Grade Orientation and Welcome, 6:00pm
• May 6: Andrews Middle School 6th Grade Orientation and Welcome, 6:00pm
• May 6: Public Budget Hearing and Meeting of the Medford School Committee, 5:00pm at Medford City Hall and via Zoom
• May 8: Early Release Day for All Students (Middle Schools release at 11:30am, all other schools release at 12:00pm)
• May 9: Haitian Heritage Month - 1804 Documentary Film Screening and Discussion, 6:30 pm at Medford Public Library

Yours in Partnership for Children, 

Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent