Superintendent's Weekly Memo - May 18, 2024

Dear Mustang Families,

After a deliberative process spanning the past several months, the Medford School Committee will take a vote on the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 25) budget on Monday, May 20. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Medford Public Schools community for providing feedback to the administration and School Committee as we developed our proposals for the FY 25 MPS Operating Budget. After the committee deliberates, they will take a vote to approve the presented budget or provide an alternate budget for the council to consider. 

The discussions, questions and comments in our meetings on January 31, March 13, April 3 and 24, 2024 were critical to informing our decision-making in the development of the FY 25 budgetary recommendations. The budget proposal before the Medford School Committee on Monday is the school district’s compromise between what we see as the needed resources to optimize student success and the financial realities that Medford is currently facing.

I know that many people in our community have been talking about the impacts of this budget on our Arts programming, and I would like to take this opportunity to clarify some of the specific changes we’re expecting to make next year. We’ll be combining two administrator roles, Coordinator of Music and Performing Arts and Coordinator of Visual and Fine Arts, into one department administrator– Director of Arts. This structure was in place in Medford in years past, and it reflects our district’s focus on ensuring that any budget cuts are applied proportionately between classroom educators, school administrators and other employee groups. 

Other Arts offerings and programs for students will continue to be fully funded, with the exception of the elimination of one (currently vacant) teacher position at the High School, where student enrollment was too low in the courses covered by the position to justify hiring a new full-time teacher. Extracurriculars like the Medford High School Drama Club, Mustang Marching Band and Color/Winter Guard will continue to operate with the enthusiastic support of the district.

If you would like to attend the School Committee meeting on Monday, it will begin at 5 p.m. at Medford City Hall and via Zoom. The budget portion of the meeting is estimated to begin around 6:30 p.m. after presentations and student recognition. 

Today’s Memo includes:

• Medford High Robotics Team Wins New England Regional Competition
• 10 Medford Student-Athletes Qualify for Track Nationals
• 2024 Summer Programs Open for Registration
• Driver Education Opportunity
• Job Openings in Medford Public Schools

Medford High Robotics Team Wins New England Regional Competition

The MVTHS Robotics Team (Sunk Robotics) narrowly defeated Phillips Exeter Academy (Murex Robotics) (445 points to 437 points) to win the MATE ROV New England Regionals last Saturday. Another local rival, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, came in third. 

This is our robotics team's third straight regional win. The judges said the top two teams this year represented thehighest level of competition they have seen in twenty years of running this event. This was our team's highest score in a regional event and put them in good stead to do very well at the MATE ROV World Championships at East Tennessee State University in Kingsport, Tennessee next month.

10 Medford Student-Athletes Qualify for Track Nationals

Ten members of the MHS Track team have qualified for the Nike Outdoor Nationals 2024! Even better, they qualified in Relay events, demonstrating their impressive teamwork. It’s possible that our Track athletes may qualify in individual events over the next week. 

The athletes who have qualified are: 

Sprint Medley Relay AND 4x400 Boys: Will Kelley, JT Mastrocola, Sasha Silvia, Jacob Steckerl, Adam Lewis

Sprint Medley Relay Girls: Norah Berson, Savanna Nash, Ella Melchionno, Magdelawit Takele, Emma Beardsley

The Nike Nationals are in Eugene, Oregon ("Track Town", site of the NCAA National Championships and the US Olympic Trials) on June 12-14– just a month away– so we are fundraising to help them travel. Please check out how you can support the runners!

2024 Summer Programs Open for Registration

The Medford Public Schools Performing Arts Department will once again offer a 2-week Jumpstart Music Camp at 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 5and August 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and is open to Medford Public School students entering grades 4-9. Students will present an End-of-Camp Showcase on August 16th at 11 a.m., which is free and open to all family and friends! Get more information and sign up for Jumpstart Music Camp here!

The Medford Public Schools Fine Department of Arts will launch the first annual Summer Art Studios opportunity for our students! This wonderful opportunity is grant-funded and will be free of charge for our students. Three tracks will be available (Grades 1-3, Grades 4-8, and Grades 9-12) for the Summer Art Studios in July. Further details regarding timeline and location will be communicated soon. 

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!

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.

Driver Education / Crash Prevention Training 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 see the program in action!

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 on May 23, May 29, June 4 and June 10 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!

• NEW – Summer School Coordinator
• NEW – Summer Fun Camp Assistant Director
• NEW – Summer Camp Counselor
• 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)
• Communications Director
• 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. 

• May 18: Haitian Heritage Month - Create Your Own Haitian Art at Medford Family Network, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• May 18: Haitian Flag Day Celebration with speakers, food, music, and children’s games/activities at the Andrews Middle School, 3 - 5 p.m.
• May 19: Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle at DCR Blessing of the Bay Boathouse, 32 Shore Drive, Somerville, MA 02145 (Register here!)
• May 20: Regular Meeting of the Medford School Committee (Including Budget Approval Vote), 5 p.m. at Medford City Hall and via Zoom
• May 20: McGlynn Middle School Art and Music Celebration, 5 - 7 p.m.
• May 27: Memorial Day – No School 
• May 29: Medford Black Health Series #4: “Asthma among Black children and climate justice”, 5 - 7 p.m. at Medford Public Library
• May 31: Medford Pride Flag Raising and Festival, 4 - 7:30 p.m. at Medford City Hall
• May 31 and June 1: Grease: the Musical presented by the Medford Middle School Drama Club, 7 p.m. at the McGlynn Middle School Auditorium

Yours in Partnership for Children, 

Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent