Superintendent's Weekly Memo - May 26

May 26, 2023

A Google Docs version of this memo is available.

Dear Mustang Families,

As we enter the Memorial Day weekend, I hope you will take a moment to remember the many members of our community who volunteered to serve our country since the American Revolution and made the ultimate sacrifice.  Medford has a number of monuments dedicated to our veterans and to those who did not return home.  As President Obama once said, “Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay.”  The City of Medford presents its Annual Memorial Day Service, Monday, May 29, 2023, at 10:00 AM, at Oak Grove Cemetery.  All are welcome to attend.

Congratulations and welcome to Mustang Country, our new Andrews Middle School Principal,  Ms. Jennifer Skane!  Ms. Skane comes to Medford after serving as an Assistant Principal at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School in Hawthorne. Massachusetts. She has over 27 years of educational experience as a teacher, guidance counselor, and assistant principal. Ms. Skane holds a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a master’s degree in School Counseling from Salem State University. She will begin her duties on July 1, 2023. For additional information on Ms. Skane see attached.

On behalf of Principal Fallon, I am pleased to announce the re-opening of the Mustang Mall, from Tuesday, May 30th until Tuesday, June 13th!  Stop by V-209 and grab some Mustang gear before school ends.  Hours for the store will be 8:45 AM - 2:30 PM.  Additionally, they are announcing the launch of the online store, which can be accessed at:  https://mustang-mall.square.site/.  Purchases made online have to be picked up at the store.  Any questions?  Please feel free to email Mr. Pella at dpella@medford.k12.ma.us. 

Today’s Memo includes:

• Good News Around the District
• JumpStart Music Camp & Summer Fun Camp
• Upcoming Events

Good News Around the District

Recently, Medford High School’s Model United Nations Club participated in a conference held at Northeastern University.  (13) Mustangs, who “represented” the countries of Colombia, China, Denmark, Eritrea, and Finland were able to discuss the important role of the youth populations in world peace-making efforts.  One of the Mustang delegates, Shayan Chowdury,  brought home the Best Position Paper Award!  Shayan wrote his paper on youth participating in peacemaking in China, the country he represented.  Mr. Brophy is the advisor for the UN Club.  Congratulations to all!

I want to thank Mr. Cremin and his students at the McGlynn Middle School and members of the Mustang Football Team along with Coach Curley, who volunteered their time to place American Flags on the veteran’s graves at Oak Grove Cemetery for Memorial Day.

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.

CORRECTION: There was an error in the memo on Friday.  The Missituk School is not hosting an event on Saturday, May 27 at the playground for incoming Kindergarten students.  We are sorry for any confusion.  There is an impromptu meet and greet at Cummings Playground for 4 PM.  

The Missituk Elementary School is hosting a special welcoming event this Saturday, May 27th at 4 PM in the playground for all incoming kindergarten students and their families, featuring Popsicles and Play.  All are welcome to attend!

Last evening was a busy one for the Medford Public Schools.  

• The Roberts Elementary School presented a fantastic and creative art show.  
• The Medford Family Network hosted its informative Parent Cafe.  
• The Andrews Middle School hosted its National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony.
• Medford High School’s M Club, (varsity letter club)  presented our student-athletes with trophies, scholarships, and athletic letters.

The Brooks Elementary School’s 5th-grade CCSR students, Annabelle Foster and Aya Sofia Vendro Yeager, hosted a successful bake sale that raised over $314.00 for The Home for Little Wanderers.  Last Saturday, at Playstead Park, they sold all sorts of pastries & beverages during the youth soccer games.  Great job Mustangs!

The Rockin Roberts PTO announced that the read-a-thon has concluded and I am so pleased to announce that their readers raised over $5,000 and logged approximately 38,000 minutes!  Congratulations to all of the student winners!

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.

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.  The Medford Summer Fun Camp brochure has additional information and the registration form.

For further information, please contact Medford Community Schools at rhunt@medford.k12.ma.us or at (781) 393-2226

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Yours in Partnership for Children,

Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent, Superintendent