Archived October 2023

Sign Up for Parent Teacher Conferences is Here!

Millis Middle School will be hosting parent/guardian conferences on three dates this year. Conferences can be done virtually through Google Meet, or in person, depending on parent/guardian preference. The dates and times for the conferences are as follows:

Thursday, November 2:

• Parent conferences from 6:00pm-8:00pm (regular school day for students)

Tuesday, November 7:

• Parent conferences from 12:00pm-2:30pm (1/2 day for students - classes end at 10:55am)

Wednesday, November 8:

• Parent conferences from 12:00pm-2:30pm (1/2 day for students - classes end at 10:55am)

Parents can sign up for appointment slots with their students' teachers by accessing the link below and selecting the appointment slots on the above days/times. You simply select the teachers you would like to set up conferences with by clicking on their appointment link in the Google Sheet below, and then scroll through their appointment calendars to choose an available time that works for you on either November 2, November 7, or November 8. Please indicate when you sign up for your appointment if you would like to meet in-person or virtually (which will be through Google Meet). There is a spot to indicate your preference when you sign up for the appointment. Please note that a Google Meet link will be generated and sent to you by default, regardless of your preference.

Appointment slots are 10 minutes long and it is important that parents/guardians are on time for their conferences, as once the 10 minute appointment is up, the teacher will be moving to their next virtual or in-person conference. Sixth grade parents, please see your additional email regarding grade six conferences.

As always, it is important that parents/guardians and teachers communicate about the academic, social and emotional well being and progress of individual students. We hope many of our caregivers/parents will be able to meet with their students' teachers. Please use the link below to set up your appointments. If for some reason you are having a difficult time selecting an appointment slot, please email the teacher directly to set up an appointment time (emails are listed on the appointment calendar).

LINK TO SIGN UP

Dear Millis Parents and Guardians,

On October 23rd, Millis Public Schools is delighted to invite all parents, guardians, and caregivers to a presentation covering topics such as online safety, social media usage, physical well-being, and strategies for navigating the digital world effectively. The presentation will also include detailed information about Qustodio, our comprehensive parental control and digital well-being solution. This resource is available to you at no cost and equips you with the necessary tools to ensure a safe and balanced screen time experience for children on all their devices.

More about Qustodio:

At Millis Public Schools we’re committed to providing a learning experience that allows your child to grow and flourish with technology.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with a student safety and digital wellbeing platform that protects the devices your child uses at school, ensuring they stay safe and secure.

If you haven’t done so already, you’re welcome to join us in this world of digital wellbeing by creating an account on the Qustodio Parents App. This will provide you with full visibility on how your child is using their school devices.

You can find guides, resources, and expert insights and information about the Qustodio Parental Control & Wellbeing App and a link to create your Qustodio account, on our Online Safety Hub: https://millisps.onlinesafetyhub.io/parent/home, or click the link above to get started with Qustodio.

• District Technology Parent Presentation, October 23rd

• Parent Teacher Conferences - November 2, 7 & 8th

• Early Release (10:55) - November 7th & 8th

• Veteran's Day - November 10th, No School

• Picture Retake Day - November 14
• Early Release (10:55) - November 22nd
• Thanksgiving Break - No School, November 23rd & November 24th

School pictures will be sent home this week with your students

Attention 7th and 8th graders!

Have you ever wanted to fix your own computer? For Andrew Butch's senior project, he is looking for students who are interested in joining an intro class on how to repair chromebooks in preparation for the High School S.H.O.P. program. The course will be three classes long and will go over the basics of troubleshooting, chromebook repair, parts replacement, and more! For those who are interested, see the form in your student email.

Please note that this class will take place after Winter Break. The dates and location are to be determined. For more information, read the description of the form, or email Andrew Butch at andbut24@millisschools.org.

All Millis Middle School families have been sent an email to update their emergency contact information. It is very important that all phone numbers and emails are up to date. This information is used for contacting you in the event of an emergency, attendance and other school related correspondence.

Unfortunately, if you have multiple students in the district you will need to update each student separately.

If you haven't done so, please update your student (s) information with the most current, accurate information in PowerSchool.

If you have any questions or log in issues, please contact cliberty@millisschools.org.

We hope students are enjoying the benefits of using Chromebooks for their education. As we continue through the school year, it's essential to remember the importance of responsible technology usage. Responsible technology usage is not only about protecting your device but also about creating a positive digital environment for everyone in our school community.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind:

1. Respect Your Device: Treat your Chromebook with care. Avoid rough handling, spills, and using it on unstable surfaces. Remember, it's a valuable tool for your education.

2. Digital Etiquette: Be mindful of your online behavior. Always use appropriate language, show kindness, and respect others in your digital communications.

3. Protect Your Privacy: Safeguard your personal information. Don't share your passwords or personal details online, and be cautious about what you post or share on the internet.

4. Stay Focused: Use your Chromebook for educational purposes during class time. Avoid distractions from games, social media, or unrelated websites that can disrupt your learning.

5. Cyberbullying Awareness: Never engage in cyberbullying, and report it if you see it happening. Be a supportive and empathetic classmate online, just as you would in person.

6. Copyright and Fair Use: Respect copyright laws. When using online content, make sure you have the right to use it, and give credit to the original creators when necessary.

7. Digital Footprint: Remember that your online actions leave a digital trail. Your online presence can affect your future, so think twice before posting or sharing something.

8. Security Awareness: Stay vigilant about online security. Keep your device updated, use strong, unique passwords, and be cautious about downloading files or clicking on links from unknown sources.

9. Time Management: Strive for a healthy balance between screen time and other activities. Take breaks, get fresh air, and engage in physical activities for your well-being.

10. Ask for Help: If you ever encounter problems or have questions about responsible technology use, don't hesitate to ask a teacher, librarian, or a trusted adult for guidance.

Dear Parent or Guardian,

To make sure we give the best possible education and services to children in Millis, we want to learn about their attitudes and behaviors with regard to a variety of health issues. In order to accomplish this, students attending Millis Middle School are being asked to participate in a survey called the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey. Millis Middle School has been participating in this survey since 2006. The questions on the survey cover many topics including alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; violence and safety; nutrition and physical activity; online behaviors; and mental health. This project will help our district develop and enhance its health education and prevention programs. We will be giving this online survey to students in grades 6-8 on November 7, 2023.

The survey is anonymous, meaning your child will not be asked to provide their name, and no one will know how they respond. There will be no identifying information collected on the survey, and there will be no way to link your child’s responses to their identity.

Completing this survey is voluntary. Your child’s grades in school will not be affected by whether or not they participate. Your child can also decide not to take the survey or skip any question they don’t wish to answer.

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment is a Federal Law that requires us to notify you ahead of time about the survey, and give you the chance to look at it, so you can let us know if you don’t want your child to take part. If you want to see the survey before deciding, a copy will be available at the high school main office from November 1-6, 2023.

If you DO NOT want your child to take part in the survey, please email Kelly Rao at krao@millisschools.org by November 6, 2023.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kelly Rao, Director of Student Affairs, at krao@millisschools.org.

The holidays are coming, never too early to start thinking about purchasing gifts.

Click on the link HERE to order online.

Username: MILLIS and Password: ATHLETICS

Deadline for orders is November 1st.

We had a great turn out for today's student council elections. Each candidate wrote a thoughtful and compelling speech and delivered it in front of our whole student body. Speeches were thoughtful and heartfelt and we are very proud of these courageous students. Here are some of the amazing things students shared:

• I support others and I don't support negativity
• One of my ideas to not waste food or money and to help eliminate food waste in the cafeteria. For example, if you want milk but don't have money or you just need extra milk at home, I have an idea that will help.The cafeteria can have a bin or bucket with ice that you can put extra milks in that you don't want for others.
• A school pet, student freedom or basic things like less homework
• I will make it my job to make sure that news goes smoothly between the students and teachers. What happens when it doesn't flow as it should? People feel left out. Assumptions are made.
• It is scientifically proven that a movement break improves your productivity levels. So if you think about it, I'm doing the students, teachers and basically everyone a big help academically and mentally.
• I am a very dependable person. I appear calm and quiet but very analytic in my approach.
• I would like to be elected so more people in the LGBTQ community can have a voice
• I like to plan events, I like to talk and listen to people, and I would like to keep things happy for everyone
• I want to be part of planning activities like grade dances, spirit week, holidays and more
• we can promote recycling, reduce waste in the school, plant a school garden or organize a school clean up
• a 5K walk/run to help improve our fields
• I want to make our school a more fun and happier place where everyone feels safe
• I can get you more inclusive programs and events that make a positive impact school-wide

A great job to all of those who participated and a HUGE thank you to to Mrs. Saccardo and Mrs. Botelho for all of their efforts to coordinate and inspire these wonderful candidates!

Even though we are just a little over one month into our school year, our Lost and Found department is growing rapidly. Please mention to your student to visit and take a look to see if anything belongs to them.

Dear Parents/Guardians of students in grades 7 & 8,

We have been asked to provide the names and addresses of Millis students to Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Ch.71, section 89 (603 CMR1.06 (4) (g) public schools can be asked to provide names and addresses of students residing in their town to a third party contracted by a regional charter school (in this case Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School).

If you do not wish for your child’s name and address to be sent to Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School, please let us know by contacting Susan Sarnie at ssarnie@millisschools.org or by phone at 508-906-3619 not later than 10/23/23.

Sincerely,

Robert Mullaney

Superintendent of Schools

Progress reports will be coming out in the next few weeks and accessible through PowerSchool.

MCAS test results from Spring 2023 have been mailed home. Students should receive their reports early next week.

The nurse will begin postural screening for grade 6 next week on 10/18 and 10/19. If you wish to opt out please email Lynn Molinari at lmolinari@millisschools.org.

October has rolled in and we couldn't be happier!

This week we enjoyed a wonderful book fair coordinated by our fabulous librarian, Mike Carter. Many students were able to visit and feed their love of reading. Thank you to Mr. Carter for all this wonderful effort and it's not too late to participate- please read on to find out how to access online orders.

Our eighth grade students are working on their understanding of figurative language and launching a new unit reading, Fever 1793. Eighth grade, English & Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Sharon Monaghan, coordinated a nature walk and photography field trip to capture autumnal images for lessons on figurative language at Tangerini's Farm on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Is there anything better than the sunshine and fresh air of a fall afternoon with a group of classmates and the option of ice cream? What a special experience! This is the heart of our Small School, Big Family- the passion and commitment of our educators, our beautiful surroundings with a neighborhood farm, and an engaged group of students. Thank you to everyone who made this a reality for our students!

In the next few weeks we will begin to prepare midterm progress reports that will be shared via PowerSchool. We will also be reaching out with logistical information about Parent-Teacher Conferences. Families will be able to sign up online to select teachers to connect with for ten minute conferences and will have the option for in-person or virtual visits. Stay tuned!

Thank you for your continued partnership and engagement with us here at Millis Middle School!

As we strive to create a productive and focused learning environment for our students, we kindly remind you of our school's "Off and Away" cell phone policy. Our policy is designed to help students stay engaged, minimize distractions, and foster a positive educational experience. Here's a quick recap:

1. **Off and Away**: Students are expected to turn off their cell phones and keep them out of sight during school hours, including breaks and lunchtime.

2. **No Texting During the Day**: We request that parents refrain from texting their children during the school day. This helps maintain the integrity of our learning environment.

**Penalties for Violations**:

**First Offense** Confiscation of the phone and it will be brought to the school office. Parents will be notified, and the phone can be retrieved after school.

**Second Offense** Parents must pick up the confiscated phone from the school office.

**Third Offense** Students must surrender their cell phone to the school office daily for a week. During this period, the phone will be returned to the student at the end of each school day.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us maintain a productive and distraction-free learning environment for all our students.

We had a visit recently from students and an administrator from Tri-County Regional Vocational School come to share information with our eighth graders. They are hosting an open house on Saturday, November 4th from 10:00AM-2:00PM. Registration is required at Tri-county.us/openhouse

This first month of school has been focused on building relationships with our students and getting to know them as people. Feeling safe and supported is foundational to being able to learn and stretch into new topics and skills. In addition to our classroom teachers, related supports and paras, our two adjustment counselors have been working to get to know all of our students. Several of these conversations have happened in classrooms, hallways, the lunchroom and one on one. We want every student here to know that they have several adults who care about their well–being and sense of belonging. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if your child might need a check-in with a counselor to help solve a challenge in their path.

All Millis Middle School families have been sent an email to update their emergency contact information. It is very important that all phone numbers and emails are up to date. This information is used for contacting you in the event of an emergency, attendance and other school related correspondence.

Unfortunately, if you have multiple students in the district you will need to update each student separately.

If you have any questions or log in issues, please contact cliberty@millisschools.org.

• Millis SEPAC Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility Virtual Workshop, October 11, 6:30PM

• Millis Middle School School Council Meeting, Virtual, October 16, 3:30 PM

• Lisa D'Amour Presentation in Natick, October 18, 7:00 PM

• Mandatory Bus Evacuation Practice, October 19, 7:35 AM

• District Technology Parent Presentation, October 23rd

• Parent Teacher Conferences - November 2, 7 & 8th

• Picture Retake Day- November 14

Wednesday, 10/18 at 7 p.m.

Hosted by Spark Kindness

In person event (at Natick High School) with limited seating. Register early!

For parents/caregivers of adolescents (ages 10-25)

World renowned author/expert Dr. Lisa Damour (NYTimes, CBS This Morning) will discuss her new book - “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers” and offer the concrete, practical information parents/caregivers need to steady their teens through the journey into adulthood.

Being - and raising - a teenager has never been easy and it’s especially challenging now. In this talk, psychologist and best-selling author Lisa Damour, Ph.D., will offer practical strategies to help parents and caregivers understand their teenagers’ emotional lives, how to help teens manage their emotions and how to support them through this critical developmental stage. The program will address:

• What to expect in the normal course of adolescent emotional development and when it’s time to worry.

• Why teens (and adults) need to understand that mental health isn’t about “feeling good” but about having feelings that fit the moment.

• Strategies for supporting teens in managing their feelings.

• The best ways to stay connected to your tween/teen and how to provide the kind of relationship that adolescents need and want.

Parents may also continue to order online at www.coffeepond.com , the PDF with Online Ordering instructions is attached to this email.

Mailing Address:

Coffee Pond Photography

3 Speen Street, Suite 200

Framingham, MA 01701

The student portrait packages will be mailed to the school within 3-5 weeks after Picture Day. If parents have any questions regarding the portraits, payments or ordering images, please have them contact:

Customer Care

Lifeguards@coffeepond.com

508-907-6633 ext 0

800-632-2323 ext 0

This fall the nurse will begin state mandated screening for grades 6, 7 and 8. All students will be screened individually.

Vision and hearing screenings are conducted for grade 7 according to the guidelines provided by MDPH. A referral letter is sent home when the student does not meet the screening parameters recommending evaluation by a physician.

The purpose of the postural (scoliosis) screening is to find early signs of possible spinal problems in children grades 6, 7 and 8. If the nurse has any concerns she will notify you and recommend further evaluation.

Heights and weights are done on students in grades 7. Body Mass Index (BMI) and corresponding percentile is calculated and recorded following guidelines from the MDPH.

A student may be exempt from scoliosis screening, vision, hearing, and BMI screenings upon written request from the parent/ guardian. If you wish to opt out of this screening or if you have any questions please email Lynn Molinari at lmolinari@millisschools.org.

The nurse will start with the screening for Grade 7 on next Thursday, October 5th.

The book fair isn’t over yet! You can still support our library by shopping online until 10/12, including pre-ordering the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book expected to ship on or around October 24. Thank you for all your support, and an extra-special thank you to our book fair parent volunteers: Theresa Parise, VickieLynn Peck, Lauren Solomon, Mandy Gates, Stephanie Schneider, and Laurinda Michaud!

Please consider supporting Millis Boy Scout Troop 15 as they collect new and gently used winter clothing for the homeless in Boston. Hats, gloves, mitts, scarves, sweaters and winter coats in adult sizes will be accepted. Donations bins are located in the high school and the Millis Public library until Oct 26, or you can send directly to the scouts through the Amazon wish list indicated on the flyer.

We certainly understand the concerns many of you have regarding your child's use of cell phones, group texts, and social media. As school administrators, we value the importance of maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment within the school premises, and we believe teaching responsible digital citizenship is a shared responsibility between the school and parents. We appreciate your communication with us to ensure we are in the loop, and we encourage you to reach out to each other to share expectations within the Millis parent community.

We strongly encourage you to take an active role in monitoring your child’s digital behavior. Remind them to think critically about the content they share and the people they interact with on these platforms. Please monitor your child's text messages and online interactions, not as an invasion of privacy but as a means to ensure their safety in an increasingly connected world. Together, we can work toward fostering a generation of responsible and digitally literate individuals. Thank you for your partnership and collaboration on these matters.

Take care,

Ana Hurley & Kelly Rao

Please click on this link to fill out the Millis Middle School Core Values Survey

Please fill out the Millis Middle School Open House Feedback Survey by clicking on this link.https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMx1wHrjoMKWPJ4DMHZzpJwWBKUJWlKev0gfEFHU6G61N7Jg/viewform

We would like to make you aware of a social media challenge called the “One Chip Challenge”. This trend challenges kids to eat a Paqui brand chip which contains very high levels of capsaicin. Capsaicin can cause esophageal damage, heart problems, and restrict breathing at the levels found in the chip. Several days ago a high school student in Worcester participated in this challenge and unfortunately lost his life a few hours later (cause of death is under investigation). Paqui has since pulled this product from store shelves.

Please talk with your children about social media and these challenges in particular. Social media sites such as TikTok target children and encourage risky and sometimes dangerous behavior.

Here is a recent article about several students in a nearby community middle school who attempted this trending challenge this week.

Please take some time to read and review our 2023-2024 Millis Middle School Handbook.

Both parents and students must sign off on this important information. Please do so below:

As we move through the year we will take time during Our School Assembly to celebrate student achievements, showcase talents and honor growth. We want to publicly praise and celebrate our student and staff achievements to build up our community’s sense of positivity and a growth mindset. We hope to share the mic with our wonderful students and staff to include additional voices into our celebrations each month.

• Students are NOT allowed to access other buses than the one they are registered for and the only exception is the late bus which is a single bus serving all students needing a ride home.

• Our cafeteria offers a gluten free pizza, gluten free chicken tenders, a variety of salads, and they can make any sandwich or burger on gluten free bread.

• SchoolBucks is the platform to provide funds for a la carte options from the cafeteria.

• Cross Country is the athletic offering for grade 6 during the fall then indoor and outdoor track & field for the winter and spring season.

Join us in building a vibrant Middle-High School Home-School Association! We are looking for parents of 6-12th graders to volunteer their skills and time for teacher appreciation, winter gratitude, outdoor planters, food for parent teacher conferences, and possible fundraising opportunities. A Home-School Association enriches the lives of our children and creates lasting connections among families! Ready to make a difference? Let's do this! Contact Mrs. Rao for more information: krao@millisschools.org

A Message from the School Health office for students entering Grade 7

An updated physical should be provided at the start of the school year. If your child is due for one in the fall you can just email me and let me know. The following vaccines are also required:

• 2 doses of the MMR vaccine
• 3 doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine
• 1 dose of Tdap - required for grade 7-(given at 11 or 12 year visit)
• 2 Varicella Vaccines- A reliable history of chickenpox or laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable.
• 1 dose of MenACWY (menactra) for all students (a meningococcal conjugate vaccine).

Please send in documentation of the most recent physical exam including the immunizations to the School Nurse. See below for the most recent immunization update requirements.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations

Wishing you all a happy and healthy summer!

Thank you so much,

Lynn Molinari RN, MSN

When report cards become available each term, they will be now be accessed through PowerSchool. More information will be sent out as we approach term dates regarding how to access grades and comments. Please know we are always here to help, and can provide a paper copy if needed from our Main Office.