Superintendent's Weekly Memo - June 2

June 2, 2023

A Google Docs version of this memo is available.

Dear Mustang Families,

June is upon us. It brings with it so many wonderful and joyous occasions that can be celebrated with family and friends.  One of those big celebrations is Commencement for the Mustang Class of 2023 which is being held on Wednesday, June 7th at Hormel Stadium at 6:00 PM.  Prior to that, the Curtis Tufts High School’s Commencement will be held on Tuesday, June 6th at the Irish American Club in Malden at 11:00 AM.  Last night, the Senior Class danced the night away at their prom and earlier today at the Senior Breakfast they socialized and received their yearbooks.  The freshmen who started their high school careers during Covid are now spreading their wings and moving on to further their education and/or pursue their careers.

Additionally, the month of June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and our community has a number of events planned to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York.  We in the Medford Public Schools also will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and their fight for equal rights.  Yesterday, I was honored to be included in the LGBTQ+ Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall. Medford is an inclusive community that is welcoming to all!  Please go to the city’s website for a complete list of Pride events being held in Medford this month.

Today I joined Mayor Lungo-Koehn as she proclaimed Friday, as Wear Orange for National Gun Violence Awareness Day, to honor and remember the victims and survivors of gun violence.  Both the Mayor and I realize we must do more to help end this public health crisis.

Congratulations and welcome to Mustang Country, our new Roberts Elementary School Principal,  Ms. Michelle Crowell!  Ms. Crowell comes to us from the Wayland Public Schools where she serves as the Director of Teaching, Learning, Assessment, and English Learners.  She has previously worked for both the Fitchburg and Everett public school districts. Over the past 22 years, Ms. Crowell has served in the roles of assistant principal, curriculum director, and classroom teacher.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maine-Farmington, a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Cambridge College, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S) in School Leadership from American International College, and is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in Teaching and Learning from American International College.  During her interview process, Ms. Crowell consistently emphasized her deep commitment to ensuring an equitable, inclusive, and engaging education for every student.  We are excited for her to begin her duties at the Roberts on July 1, 2023. Please click here for a full press release concerning Ms.Crowell.

Today’s Memo includes:

• Good News Around the District
• Summer Camps & Athletic Clinic Options
• Upcoming Events

Good News Around the District

On Tuesday, the Medford High School World Language Department held a wonderful outdoor ceremony to present World Language National Exam Awards, as well as to induct students into the World Language Honor Society.  (42) students received National Exam Awards in French, Italian, and Spanish and (40) students were inducted into the Honor Society in the following languages:  French, Italian, and Spanish.  Congratulations to all of these outstanding students!

The Roberts Elementary School celebrated Memorial Day with an assembly and they were addressed by Colonel Robert Donaghue, (USMC, Retired) via video who shared his story of military service.  Staff and students also honored Mr. Connor who will be retiring after serving 19 years at the Roberts School.  We wish him all the best.  Also, the first graders completed their animal research with a mini showcase, creating dioramas to show the animal’s features and habitat.

At the Missituk Elementary School, there is excitement building as the bees are buzzing and the plants are growing at their pollinator garden.  Some of the second-grade classes visited the garden to learn more about the importance of pollinators and to explore the garden space.

At the Brooks Elementary School, the fourth and fifth grade CCSR students accomplished so very much this year!  They raised money for the American Cancer Society, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Legacy Rescue, the World Wildlife Foundation, and the Home for Little Wanderers, these students raised over $2,600 for these important non-profit organizations.  Additionally, they led the Korean War Veterans’ Headstone Cleaning Event, the Brooks Playground Clean U, and the installation of a new Compost Tumbler.  Great job to these up-and-coming Mustang leaders!

At the Andrews Middle School, students in 7B have been utilizing a small space to grow a Green Garden.  This garden has provided the students with lessons in food insecurity, climate zone issues, indigenous plants, pollination, water consumption issues, soil/water testing, vertical gardening, and how to grow healthy and nutritious foods at home.  They have learned to use their hands to create, work cooperatively, problem-solve, and be physically active.  A number of the students have said that they have benefited from this healthy outlet as a way to alleviate stress and they also realize that not all learning is done in the classroom.  

Summer Camps & Athletic Clinic Options!

1. The Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility (CCSR), a program in the Medford Public Schools, is offering high school students an opportunity to participate in a Summer Leadership Academy in July. The students will learn important leadership skills and strategies, such as teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, social responsibility, and project-based learning. The academy will be a hybrid learning format - two in-school meetings and an online component during each session. There are two sessions scheduled, July 10-21 and July 24-August 4. The academy is free for any Medford student entering grades 9-12 next school year.  For more information and registration, please contact the following: Simone Elias, Coordinator of the Summer Academy: selias@medford.k12.ma.us or Richard Trotta, Director of the CCSR:  rtrotta@medford.k12.ma.us.  For next school year please consider CCSR programming for your child. More information can be found using the QR code provided.
    
2. JumpStart Music Camp - MPS is offering our music camp for students in grades 4-8 during the last two weeks of August. Refer to this brochure and sign up if you are interested.
    
3. Summer Fun Camp - MPS is offering six weekly sessions starting the week of July 5th. $200 per week at the Missituk Elementary School.  No daily rates. Information and the registration form are available on the MPS website. For further information, please contact Medford Community Schools at rhunt@medford.k12.ma.us or at (781) 393-2226
    
4. Other - Please be advised that many of the Mustang High School Teams are hosting summer clinic opportunities over the course of the summer months including:  Boys Basketball, Soccer, Girls Lacrosse, Girls Basketball, Volleyball and Strength & Conditioning Camp.
    

Have a great weekend!

Yours in Partnership for Children,

Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent