PIERCE MIDDLE SCHOOL

• April 1st – Budget information session (8:30 a.m. – Cunningham/Collicot library)
  

• April 1st – Budget information session (6:00 p.m., virtual)

• April 1st – Diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging meeting (6:30 p.m., virtual)

• April 4th – PTO meeting (8:00 a.m., Pierce conference room)

• April 7th – Budget information session (6:30 p.m. – MHS library)

• April 8th – Site council meeting (7:00 a.m., virtual)

• April 8th – ELA MCAS (Grades 6, 7 & 8)

• April 9th – ELA MCAS (Grades 6, 7 & 8)

• April 16th – Amplify Arts showcase (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Pierce cafeteria)

• April 18th – No school (Good Friday)

• April 21st-April 25th – April vacation

• MPS FY26 Budget Update and Info Sessions
• Unannounced lockdown drill
• World Down Syndrome Day
• Clothing Drive
• Harlem Wizards - Thank you!
• Pierce Track & Field
  
• Pierce & MHS Jazz Night
• Health Room Annual Screenings & Opt Out
• A Note from the Nurse
• WPI Event on April 12th
  
• Yearbook Sales
  
• Spring MCAS Dates
• Attendance Matters
  

• Milton Summer Enrichment
  
• Grease Tickets on Sale Now!
  
• Forbes House Lincoln Contest
• MPS Virtual Backpack
  

• Student Absence Reporting Form
• Helpful Contacts
• Schedule and Calendar Links
• Important Links

Please see Superintendent Burrow's March 28, 2025 budget update at this link. All updated budget information can be found on the MPS Budget Information page linked here.

Join MPS leaders to learn about the budget process and proposal for FY26. These one-hour sessions will provide a brief overview and the chance to ask clarifying questions about what is included in next year's budget proposal, how it was built, and how the override would support our schools, along with all town departments. These forums are open to all MPS community members and are not school specific, so please attend the one that works for your schedule. We do not have the logistical capacity to record the in person meetings but the zoom meeting will be recorded and posted on the budget page. Please join us for a brief presentation and question and answer session on the following days:

As is our usual practice, each school will hold an unannounced lockdown drill before the end of the school year. Upon hearing the lockdown announcement, students and staff use the knowledge gained during previous training and drills and enter into lockdown. Milton Police are on the scene and quickly assess the building, preparing feedback for each school. The entire drill takes under 30 minutes, and while the drill is unannounced, students and staff are aware the event is a drill shortly after the lockdown announcement.

While we all wish these drills were unnecessary, we have to work within the current reality facing schools today and prepare for these unlikely but potential events. As always, we appreciate our ongoing partnership with Milton Police and Fire and the support of MPS parents and guardians.

Members of the Pierce Pals Club created beautiful and unique socks and hung them around our school to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st.

Milton is hosting a clothing drive in support of Cradles to Crayons. The clothing drive is being organized by 8th grader Alyssa Zullas, Milton’s Project 351 ambassador. Cradles to Crayons is a nonprofit organization that collects everyday essentials for local children who are facing homelessness and/or economic challenges.

Clothing bins will be placed outside the main lobby near the front office. Sizes for newborns to 12 years of age are needed. Gently used shirts, pants, shorts, shoes, etc will be gratefully accepted (please no clothes in poor condition or with tears or rips). Every donation is important and will make an impact in someone's life, and thank you in advance.

Thank you to all who supported MHS Student Government and their Harlem Wizards fundraising event! The event was wildly successful with over 1000 people attending and cheering on our MPS staff as they took on the Wizards. A special thank you to Team Wildcat (Ryan Kirkpatrick, Jake Smith, Catherine Maliel , Christina Lombardo, Meredith Mcgrory, Alex Beauzile, Tara Kostek, Isaiah Fortes, Paul Cunningham, Kristen Fraine , Lucius Firmin, Jackson Tolliver, Nary Peou, Caroline Morton, Dillon Lawlor, Jonathan Redden and Cullen McMurray) for their enthusiasm in helping the students raise money and the attendees have a fabulous time!

The Pierce track and field team will begin its season the week of April 7th. Track and field is open to all Pierce students. Click here for more information regarding registration and schedules shared by coach John O’Leary. Mr. O’Leary can be reached at joleary@miltonps.org.

All are welcome to attend the Pierce Middle School and Milton High School Jazz Night on Tuesday, April 1st, at 6:30 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium.

Annual screenings for students in grades 6, 7 and 8 will take place soon. This information was shared with families earlier in the school year but all of the details, including instructions for opting out, can be found here.

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL:In order to be able to control communicable diseases in school, it is important to keep your student home when sick. This not only benefits your student but other children and staff in the classroom. Use the guidelines listed below should your student become sick, and do not hesitate to seek the advice of your healthcare provider.

Check your student every morning before sending them to school for any of the following influenza-like symptoms. If you are unsure of any symptoms, contact your school nurse for further guidance before sending your student to school.

• Fever of 100 F or above

• Headaches

• Sore Throat

• Chills

• Cough

• Tiredness

• Achy Body

• Vomiting and/or Diarrhea

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY STUDENT HAS ANY OF THESE SIGNS?
If your student has any of these symptoms when it is time for school, it is best that they stay home. NOTE: If your student has BOTH a fever of 100° F or more AND a sore throat or cough, it may be the flu. Report these symptoms immediately to your healthcare provider.

WHEN CAN MY STUDENT RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER AN ILLNESS?
Generally, your student may return to school when they are symptom free and it has been 24 hours since the last instance of fever or vomiting/ diarrhea. However, there may be times when it is necessary for your student to see your health care provider before returning to school.

WHAT IF MY STUDENT HAS SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE FLU?
If your child has been diagnosed with a different disease such as strep throat, bronchitis, etc., follow your health care provider's recommendation, when to return to school along with Dr. note.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is hosting an event for middle school girls who have a passion for math. The event will take place on April 12th at WPI. Details can be found here.

The 2024-2025 Pierce Yearbook is now on sale. Yearbooks typically sell out, so be sure to reserve your copy now. Buy your Pierce Middle School yearbook here.

The spring MCAS dates are below:

• April 8 and 9 - ELA (day 1 and 2)

• May 15 and 16 - STE G8 (day 1 and 2)

• May 19 and 20 - Math (day 3 and 4)

• June 2 and 3 - Civics (day 5 and 6)

Each day that students are in school counts. While we understand that there are extenuating circumstances and illnesses that occasionally prevent children from attending school, it is extremely important that we build a partnership with our families that encourages regular and consistent school attendance. Please take a moment to review this important excerpt from the Student Handbook regarding student absences and excusals.

Please note: absences are excused only for the following reasons-

1. Illness or quarantine;

2. Bereavement or serious illness in family;

3. Weather so inclement as to endanger the health of the child; or

4. For observance of major religious holidays.

Absences for travel, sports commitments, and appointments that could otherwise be scheduled outside of the school day are not excused absences. The state tracks chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of the school year) and this year, families can expect to receive regular communication and requests for meetings with families if children demonstrate a pattern of absenteeism. We are here to partner with families in any way possible to ensure students regularly attend school.

MSE registration will open on Monday, March 17th at noon. Check out all the fun (and details) on our MSE 2025 At a Glance brochure linked here.

We hope you'll join us for some fun and interesting classes, including:

• Ooey Gooey Sticky
• Hip Hop Dance
• Cook, Create, Celebrate
• Galaxy Gurus
• and much more!

Grease is the word! Tickets for MHS Theatre's Spring production of GREASE are ON SALE NOW! Grab your seats at this link before they’re gone. This will sell out! Performances as follows:

• Friday May 2nd at 7PM
• Saturday May 3rd at 2PM & 7PM
• Sunday May 4th at 2PM

The Forbes House Lincoln Contest is open! More information and guidelines for submission can be found here.

• Grades 6-8, Slide Presentation: Describe how the railroads operated in the North and South leading up to the Civil War, and how they affected the outcome of the Civil War. Then address these questions: Why was Lincoln so committed to the idea of a transcontinental railroad? How did it relate to his vision for the country?

Families are asked to complete this form to communicate information about their student’s attendance. The form can be used to report student absences, tardies and dismissals.

Ms. Janice Mazzola, Assistant Principal, jmazzola@miltonps.org

Dr. Matthew Maré, Assistant Principal, mmare@miltonps.org

Mrs. Erica Benjamin, Grade 6 School Counselor, ebenjamin@miltonps.org

Mrs. Erin Jaquette, Grade 7 School Counselor, ejaquette@miltonps.org

Mrs. Lisa Veldran, Grade 8 School Counselor, lveldran@miltonps.org

Mrs. Lynne Henry, School Adjustment Counselor, lhenry@miltonps.org

Mrs. Kara Sheridan, School Adjustment Counselor, ksheridan@miltonps.org

Ms. Amanda Gray, Special Education Team Chair, agray@miltonps.org

Dr. Seth Harmon, Special Education Team Chair, sharmon@miltonps.org

Mrs. Brittany Williams, 504 Coordinator, bwilliams@miltonps.org

Mrs. Sandra Wyse, Administrative Assistant, swyse@miltonps.org

Mrs. Kristen Lesser, Administrative Assistant, klesser@miltonps.org

Email: wfish@miltonps.org
Website: https://www.miltonps.org/pierce/
Location: 451 Central Avenue, Milton, MA, USA
Phone: (617)696-4568