It is hard to believe, but Monday marks a significant milestone in our academic journey – the 100th day of school! Time has truly flown by, filled with countless moments of growth, learning, and shared experiences. As we reflect on the journey thus far, we are thrilled to celebrate this special occasion with our students and all of you, our valued families and partners in education. The 100th day is not just a number; it represents a hundred opportunities for our students to explore, discover, and thrive.

Thank you for your continuous support, and let's make the 100th day a memorable and joyous occasion for our students! Our educators will lead students through multiple 100 Day activities and are welcome to wear a "100 Day" T-shirt. The 100th day is celebrated in many school across the county but has been a long standing McGovern tradition.

Have a great weekend!

Best,

Amy McDonald, Principal

February is celebrated as Black History Month, a time to honor and reflect on the contributions, achievements, and culture of African Americans throughout history. It also serves as a reminder to acknowledge the struggles and resilience of many individuals who have shaped and continue to influence society in profound ways.

World Hijab Day, observed on February 1st, aims to promote understanding and awareness of the hijab as a symbol of modesty and faith for Muslim women. It encourages people of all backgrounds to wear the hijab for a day to foster empathy, respect, and support for those who choose to wear it.

Groundhog Day is a traditional event celebrated on February 2nd, where a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil predicts the length of winter based on whether it sees its shadow or not. This year, the groundhog saw his shadow to indicate the prediction of 6 more weeks of winter.

February 12th is Makha Bucha, a significant Buddhist holiday to commemorate the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 monks to hear Buddha’s teachings. It is celebrated with rituals such as candlelit processions around temples, meditation, and making merit.

Tu b'shevat is a Jewish holiday observed the evening of February 12th. Known as "The New Year of Trees," this holiday celebrates nature through traditional practices of planting trees, eating fruits, and reflecting on the connection between people and the earth.

February 14th is Valentine's Day, a special day to celebrate love and to show affection for loved ones and friends. People often exchange cards, give flowers share treats, and take part in fun activities to spread kindness and happiness!

Nirvana Day, celebrated on February 15th, commemorates the day Buddha achieved Nirvana, the state of ultimate inner peace and liberation from suffering. Buddhists observe the day through reflection, meditation, and honoring the Buddha's teachings on overcoming life's challenges.

Presidents' Day is observed on Monday, February 17th to honor the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two influential U.S. presidents in our history. The holiday is often observed with ceremonies and parades, and serves as a time to reflect on the contributions of all U.S. presidents.

February 26th marks Maha Shivaratri, a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered a time to seek spiritual growth, devotion and blessings. It is a day celebrated with fasting, prayers, and night-long vigils.

The evening of February 28th marks the beginning of Ramadan, a spiritual month for Muslims where fasting from dawn to sunset serves to purify the body and soul, fostering self-discipline and empathy for the less fortunate.

We are excited to celebrate our 100th day of school on Monday, February 10th! A friendly reminder that we will not be dressing up as 100-year-olds this year, in an effort to show respect for our older community members. Instead, we encourage students to wear 100th day-themed t-shirts to celebrate the day!

A friendly reminder to make sure all of your child's snow gear and the bag they keep it in is labeled with their name. That way they don't accidentally get misplaced and the teacher can make sure it is being sent back home.

In order for students to use the playground when it is covered in snow they will need proper snow gear - boots, snow pants, winter jacket, etc. Please send in all snow gear with your child labeled in a bag. Any student without proper snow gear when there is snow on the playground will still be able to enjoy outdoor recess, but will be limited to the blacktop only. We do have some extra snow gear on hand just in case as well.

Student attendance letters will be mailed out soon as part of our ongoing effort to support student success. Public schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are required to notify families when a student's absences reach a certain threshold. These letters are informational and serve as a way to keep families informed.

It’s important to note that attendance letters include both excused and unexcused absences, as the state does not differentiate between the two in its reporting. Our goal in sharing this information is to raise awareness of attendance patterns and their impact on student learning.

Research consistently shows that regular school attendance is strongly linked to positive academic and social outcomes. Conversely, frequent absences—regardless of the reason—can create challenges for students in both their learning and social development.

That said, we understand that this season has brought its share of flu, pneumonia, and other illnesses. We know that families must make the best decisions for their children’s health, and we appreciate your efforts in balancing recovery with the importance of being present in school whenever possible.

If you have any questions about your child’s attendance or would like to discuss ways we can support their school engagement, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your partnership in helping all students thrive!

Please remember that approximately twice a month there are no preschool classes as it is an "Arena Day". This is when we complete assessments for students in an IEP evaluation cycle, hold IEP meetings, and/or conduct training. Upcoming Arena Days are:

• March 7
• March 21
• April 4
• May 2
• May 23
• June 6

Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is open now through until April 4, 2025! Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2025. Registration information will be available online, in the superintendent’s office, and at the McGovern School. We will send out a Sign-up Genius in March for kindergarten screening, which will take place in May.

Families will need to complete their online registration (OLR) for the 2025-2026 school year using the Infinite Campus Online Registration Portal. Instructions for completing the OLR can be found here: Online Registration Directions.

Also, we have opened registration for the Introduction to Kindergarten Summer Program if you would like your future kindergartener to get a first-look at what it is like to be a McGovern student. This summer program is just one of the many exciting events that takes place in preparation for the new school year. In the coming weeks, we will share “The Road to Kindergarten”, a flyer that outlines important events and milestones leading up to the first day of kindergarten.

We are excited to welcome the class of 2038! Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

The preschool lottery for community peers is now open. To find out more information about our Integrated Preschool and the Lottery Process, please click the link below. Please reach out to Sue Frederick at sfrederick@medwayschools.org, should you have any questions.

As has been previously communicated, we are well underway with the development of the FY26 Budget. Recently, the Medway School Committee met with the Medway Select Board and the Medway Finance Committee. Each year these three boards come together to discuss the needs of the school for the coming year. This was a very productive meeting with many community members attending to show their support for the Medway Public Schools. The meeting was live-streamed and recorded and can be found here.

At this meeting, there was broad agreement of the need for a significant increase in funding for the Medway Schools. It was recognized that the Massachusetts funding formula (Chapter 70) has been inadequate to provide the Medway Public Schools with the financial support that is necessary to ensure that all students have access to an excellent educational experience. We are fortunate to continue to have leaders of the Town and the broader community who recognize this need and identify ways to ensure that the financial needs are met. We are seeking a funding increase of $2.66 million dollars. This represents a significant increase in funding from previous years and is necessary to ensure continuation of programs and services for our students.

The Budget Development process is far from over and there will be many opportunities to learn more about the financial needs for the Medway Public Schools for FY26 and beyond. Upcoming meetings that will include a discussion of the FY26 Budget are as follows:

• February 27: FY26 Budget Presentation to the Medway School Committee, Medway Middle School, Presentation Room, 45 Holliston Street, 6:00 p.m.
• March 12: FY26 Preliminary Budget Presentation to the Medway Finance Committee, Location TBD, 7:00 p.m.
• March 13: Medway School Committee Discussion of the FY26 Preliminary Budget, Medway Middle School, Presentation Room, 45 Holliston Street, 6:00 p.m.
• March 27: Public Hearing on the FY26 Budget Request (Medway School Committee), Medway Middle School, Presentation Room, 45 Holliston Street, 6:00 p.m.
• April 3: Medway School Committee Vote on FY26 Budget Request, Medway Middle School, Presentation Room, 45 Holliston Street, 6:00 p.m.
• May 12: Final Approval of the FY26 Medway Public Schools Budget at the Medway Annual Town Meeting, Medway High School Auditorium, 88 Summer Street, 7:00 p.m.

We are excited to share that the 2025-2030 Medway Public Schools Strategic Plan is nearing completion. This plan will replace the current one and serve as a roadmap for the district over the next five years. It includes annual progress reviews and a formal evaluation at the three-year mark to allow for adjustments as needed.

We are grateful to the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, which has dedicated the past nine months to this effort. Their work involved analyzing data from multiple sources, including focus groups and surveys conducted last spring, to ensure the plan is responsive to both current and anticipated future needs of the Medway Schools.

The next step is presenting the draft plan to the Medway School Committee at its February 6 meeting, with a request for final approval on February 27. We look forward to sharing the draft plan with the community following the initial presentation.

Medway Friends of the Performing Arts with host Musical Bingo on Thursday, February 13 at the Medway Middle School Cafeteria. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and Musical Bingo will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. This fundraiser is one not to miss as there is fun for all ages. Mr. Doug Herbst will once again be our Musical Bingo caller. There will be incredible music, dancing, and raffle items.

Pre-registration is required and can be found below. There is a fee of $10/person or $50/family. Payment can be made after registering in advance via Venmo or cash/check at the door. Registration closes on February 10th or until spots are filled.

The Medway Foundation for Education (MFE) will hold its annual Trivia Bee on Wednesday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the Burke-Memorial cafeteria. Long-time hosts Bob and Dave Verdolino will provide musical clues to trivia questions across a broad range of topics. Register your team of six by emailing medwayfoundationforeducation@gmail.com. Corporate sponsorships are $300, and individual players are $25, or $150 per team. All proceeds support educational programs across the Medway school district.

Who's ready to Shuffle?! Join the MEPTO on Saturday, March 8th, 2025, for a fun-filled 5K (3.1 miles) course that winds through the beautiful back roads of Medway.

Get your running (or walking) shoes on because Early Bird Registration for the 14th Annual MEPTO Shamrock Shuffle is NOW OPEN! Don’t miss out, register early and save as prices go up after January 15th. Please sign up by clicking the link below, and let’s ShamROCK this race! This event is perfect for ALL ages and abilities, so bring the whole family. Plus, every step you take supports the creative arts programs in ALL Medway schools.

If you're heading to Mount Wachusett this season, use the code DON-MEDWAYPTO to donate $10 from each lift ticket or beginner package back to MEPTO. This can done online to book your lift ticket or beginner package for any day during the season, and on the payment screen there will be a section to the code in the promotion box. Be sure to update the cart.

It is a goal of our district to ensure the safety of your child. There may be occasions when deteriorating weather will mean that schools close due to unsafe conditions. When such occasions occur, the Superintendent will review anticipated road and sidewalk conditions, access to schools, projected weather forecasts, and consult with the police and public works departments in order to make a determination between approximately 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. if conditions will be safe for students to come to school.

The following plans will be in effect for inclement weather:

If the Superintendent has determined the conditions are unsafe, school will be canceled. The district will utilize the emergency notification system that will contact your home/cell phone and email using the information you have provided to your child’s school. The “no-school” announcement will also be shared on social media channels and carried on local television channels 4, 5, and 7.

All classes, school activities, before and after school programs, the Medway Extended Day program (MEDI), daycare program, adult education evening classes, and any school facilities use activities will be canceled. Transportation of students to out-of-district schools will also be canceled.

If the Superintendent has been notified that the public works department needs additional time to plow or sand the streets to ensure safety, then a determination for a one or two-hour delay may be made. As with no-school announcements, the delayed opening announcement will be made using the emergency notification system to home/cell phone and email and carried on local television channels.

Please keep in mind:

• Bus routes will begin by a one or two-hour delay, including all special education transportation for out-of-district schools.

• Do not send your child to school earlier than the delayed opening, as the school grounds may not be plowed and there will be no staff available to supervise early arrivals.

• PreK ½ day sessions will take place if a one hour delay is called, and will be canceled for a two hour delay.

• School lunch will be served at its regularly scheduled time.

• Schools will be dismissed at their regular times.

If a severe weather condition or other emergency develops during the school day, the district may release students before the typical end of the school day. Parents will be notified by home/cell phone and email and the announcement will be carried on local television channels, and displayed on the district website. As appropriate, the district will work with public safety officials to shelter students in the district if unable to send home.

1. Be sure your child’s school has your updated contact information.
2. Have a family emergency plan in place so your child knows what to do if sent home for any of the reasons noted above. If your child is regularly driven to school and you or they feel it is unsafe to drive during the inclement weather, please determine an alternative means of transportation to school.

In prior years the District provided the opportunity for families to sign up to be notified when their child could use the bus during inclement weather, and when sidewalks were not plowed. With the change of transportation practices, including an opportunity for all students to participate, and the daily ridership on buses, this is no longer an option. We ask that families plan accordingly.

As a reminder to all families, when picking up your child, you will need to bring your license or identification with you to the main office. Not only is this for safety reasons, but we also have new staff in the front office. Please understand that you will be asked to retrieve your ID from your car if you forget to bring it in. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Children need healthy meals to learn. Medway Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day. As you may know, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through the recent passage of the state budget, will again allow local districts to provide breakfast and lunch for all students at no cost.

However, families who submit an application for free or reduced lunch which is approved based on income guidelines may qualify for discounts on specified school fees, including but not limited to athletic fees, transportation fees, and preschool tuition. A district cover letter, the application and instructions can be found here.

A copy of the approved 2024-2025 school year calendar can be found here.

Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:

1. Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
2. 2. Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.

English

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Portuguese

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Spanish

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Arabic

لفتح النشرة الإخبارية SMORE، انقر على الرابط أعلاه. وبعد ذلك، لترجمة نشرة SMORE الإخبارية، انقر فوق الزر "ترجمة" الموجود أعلى الصفحة. استخدم القائمة المنسدلة لاختيار لغتك. سيتم بعد ذلك ترجمة النشرة الإخبارية.

Haitian Creole

Pou ouvri bilten SMORE a, klike sou lyen anlè a. Lè sa a, pou tradui bilten SMORE a, klike sou bouton "Tradwi" ki anlè paj la. Sèvi ak meni ki dewoule a pou chwazi lang ou. Lè sa a, y ap tradui bilten an.

Medway Public Schools believes it is important that families and the broader community are provided with information about the important work going on in our schools. There is a great deal of communication that happens in the district. You can expect the following:

• Community Update from the Superintendent, monthly
• McGovern News from me, bi-weekly
• Teacher newsletters, bi-weekly

All community updates and the McGovern News will be emailed and can also be found on the district and school websites or through our Medway Public Schools app which can be accessed through the QR Code below. Teachers will email their newsletters directly to their class.

McGovern Elementary School:

Twitter: @McGovernElem

Facebook: @mcgovernelem

Instagram: @mcgovernelem

Monday, February 10: 100th Day of School!

Thursday, February 13: Musical Bingo at Medway Middle School Cafe, 6:30 pm

Friday, February 14: Theme Day: Wear Red & Pink

Monday, Feb. 17 - Friday, Feb. 21: Winter Vacation – No School

Wednesday, February 27: MFE Trivia Bee at Burke-Memorial Cafe, 7 pm

Friday, March 7: Arena Day (No Preschool)

Monday, Mar. 17 - Friday, Mar. 21: Scholastic Book Fair (held during Library time)

Friday, March 21: Arena Day (No Preschool)

Monday, March 31: MEPTO Meeting, 6:30-7:30 pm

Friday, April 4: Arena Day (No Preschool)

Tuesday, April 15: Welcome to Kindergarten Information Night, 6-7 pm

Wednesday, April 16: McGovern Night of the Arts

Kindergarten, 5-6:15 pm

1st Grade, 6:25-7:35 pm

Friday, April 18: No School (Good Friday)

Monday, Apr. 21 - Friday, Apr. 25: April Vacation - No School