News FromThe Middle

It has been an exciting month at Medway Middle School! Students in grades 6–8 launched their first phenomenon-based OpenSciEd science units, and we are seeing their curiosity come to life as they ask questions, share ideas, and investigate real-world problems. We encourage you to ask your student what they are discovering in science!

We are excited to launch our Student Speaker Series later this month. Our first speaker, Anthony Valentine, is a nationally recognized youth motivational speaker. His assemblies and keynotes focus on the power of personal stories, overcoming failure, building community, and understanding how daily choices shape mental health and relationships. Mr. Valentine will address our students in two separate assemblies: one for grades 5 and 6 and another for grades 7 and 8. We look forward to his visit!

Additionally, our students participated in our annual bus evacuation drills this week. We were proud of how our students exhibited respect and responsibility during this brief demonstration and practice. Over the next few weeks, we will be reviewing several school safety procedures with students. This will include a review of our Anonymous Reporting System as well as our Shelter-in-Place and Lockdown protocols. We will support this review by sharing a school safety video that walks students through these procedures. The video was developed in collaboration with our School Resource Officers and helps reinforce the safety practices we use to keep our school community safe. Just like we do with fire drills, periodic reviews of expectations help ensure that students understand what to do in different situations and feel confident responding appropriately.

Finally, a reminder that Wednesday, October 21, is an early release day. Students will attend all scheduled classes on a shortened schedule. Lunch will be available, with limited grab-and-go options in the cafeteria before students return to their classrooms. Following student dismissal, teachers will participate in an afternoon of professional learning focused on strengthening instruction and supporting student success.

Please take a moment to read the following updates and reminders.

Please review the following information from our school photographer, Tim Rice:

If you’ve already received your school photos, you’re all set.

If you’re still looking, here are quick tips to locate the email sent Wednesday, 10/14 at 4:00 PM ET:

• Email Came From: Tim Rice Photo <info@timricephoto.com>

• Subject Line: Tim Rice Photo – School Photos for [Your Student’s Name]

Where to Look:

• Gmail users: Check the Promotions, Updates, or Other tabs, as well as Spam.

• Yahoo & AOL users: These services are known to send photo emails to Spam or Bulk Mail. Please look there first.

• Outlook / Hotmail / Live users: Check the Junk folder.

• All providers: Try searching your email for info@timricephoto.com or the subject line above.

Once Found:

• Mark the message as Not Spam (or Not Junk).

• Add info@timricephoto.com to your contacts so future emails go directly to your inbox.

Thanks for taking the time to double-check — I want to make sure no one misses their photos.

The Wellness Department is excited to offer two after-school doubles tournaments this fall! Students are invited to participate in a Tennis Doubles Round Robin on Tuesday, October 27, from 2:00–3:15 p.m. and a Pickleball Doubles Tournament on Thursday, October 29, from 2:00–3:15 p.m. Information and participation details are available on the Wellness Department’s Google Classroom pages. Students must be picked up by a parent or guardian at the conclusion of each event. We look forward to another year of fun, friendly competition!

What?: Decorate and/or carve an actual pumpkin OR draw (with a title) a decorated/carved pumpkin OR think outside the box!

When?: Final product brought to school on Friday 10/30 then PICK IT UP at the end of the school day on Friday 10/30 by 2:00 pm or it will be disposed of.
Who?: Everyone! - work individually, with a partner, or in a group of 3 - one entry per person
How?: Do it all at home and bring it in for all to enjoy.

Winners in the following categories:

• Spookiest
• Most creative
• Best alternative to a physical pumpkin (drawing, video, etc)
• Silliest
• Student favorite
• Favorite Teacher Pumpkin

Our student council invites all members of the Medway Middle School Community wear black or orange to school on Friday, October 30th. Please remember that costumes and face coverings are not to be worn to school.

School Wide Health Screening

As required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations, 105 CMR 200.00, we will conduct health screenings for all middle school students, as listed below, starting Monday, November 3rd. As always, you do have the option to “opt out” of screenings. If you intend to opt out of the screening(s), complete this form by October 19th.

Students with a current physical on file (within the past 13 months) with documented spinal/postural screening recorded or documentation of a scoliosis diagnosis, will be exempt from the spinal screening. Please notify the nurse if you have uploaded a physical examination report to Infinite Campus.

Grade 5: vision and spinal screening

Grade 6: spinal screening

Grade 7: vision, hearing, height, weight, and spinal screenings

Grade 8: spinal screening

Screening Information

It is hard to believe that we are just weeks away from the end of the first marking period. This is a good time for families to review student grades and check in with teachers if you have any questions. The last day of the first marking period is November 5th. At that time the Infinite Campus portal will be closed so that teachers can input report card grades. Please take a moment to review your child's grades before November 5th. Please reach out to your child's teacher should you have any questions. Note that report cards will be released in Infinite Campus at the end of the school day on November 16th.

Involvement in clubs and activities is an exciting element of being a Medway Middle School student. We have found that when students participate in school activities outside of the school day - sports, clubs, or other activities - their feelings of connection to the school increase.

Medway Middle School is proud to offer a diverse range of after-school clubs and activities for student participation. Please find a description of the clubs and Advisor names and contact information as well as details for meetings (times and days) are also included.

Medway Middle Schools Clubs and Activities Site

Our lost and found area is growing. If your child is missing items, please ask your child to look through our Lost and Found table.

Attention 5th and 6th grade families!

The book collection at the Medway Middle School library contains a wide range of titles to accommodate individual student needs. The middle school library collection includes books that are categorized as Young Adult (YA) novels. YA novels are generally intended for readers 12 years and older. The reading level, subject matter, and story lines of YA literature are typically consistent with the age and experience of the main character (students like to read about children older than them) and Young Adult literature spans the spectrum of fiction genres. YA stories that focus on the specific challenges of youth are sometimes referred to as coming-of-age novels. YA novels in our collection are marked with a red YA sticker on the spine. The Medway Public Library uses a similar sticker. Please consider having conversations about books with your child/ren.

As a parent, you have the right to decide which books are appropriate for your child. If you DO NOT WANT your child to check out YA books, please complete the YA Permission Form .This form, if you choose to submit, is due Friday, October 16, 2026.

If we do not receive a form from you, we will assume that you grant your child permission to borrow YA books. Young Adult Form

These permission slips will be in effect for the 2026-2027 school year. If you would like to change your student’s permissions during the school year, please email Sean Sullivan at ssullivan@medwayschools.org@medwayschools.org.

We are committed to creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated effort to improve the overall safety and well-being of our students, educators, and administrators.

Doing this effectively requires a proactive approach with programs that equip students, parents, teachers, administrators, mental health, and local law enforcement to take meaningful action to protect our schools.

Our students are aware of the problems and struggles that their peers are facing on a day-to-day basis. We must empower them to know the signs of potential danger and give them the tools to help each other with the assistance of trained and caring adults. As you know, most conversations are taking place on social media; therefore, it is critical that we teach our students to look out for one another in text, video, and photos and act quickly to help a fellow student.

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System will continue this school year. To train students, our grade seven and eight students will be viewing a Say Something training video during the first two weeks in October. The video educates students on the prevalence of school shootings, the impact they can have by reporting concerns, and how to report a tip. Our grade five and six students will be trained using a video designed for students in grades 4-6 and contains developmentally appropriate language to help students understand the importance of reporting and how to report a tip. This training will also occur during the first week of October.

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System trains youth and adults to recognize warning signs -- especially within social media -- of individuals who may be in crisis and to tell a trusted adult directly or via the anonymous reporting system.

Specifically, the Say Something program educates participants to:

• Recognize the warning signs of someone who may be at risk of harming themselves or others.

• Take every warning sign and threat seriously; act immediately to get help by talking to a trusted adult OR reporting it through the telephone hotline, mobile app, or website that is available 24/7/365

• Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities, call-to-action weeks, and ongoing training.

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System program is provided at no cost by Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a national nonprofit organization. More than 21 million people have participated in their research-based “Know the Signs” programs that include Say Something. They have a proven track record of working effectively with kids, parents, and teachers to improve school safety and strengthen an inclusive school culture. The program is age-appropriate and evidence-informed. To date, the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System and other SHP prevention programs have stopped multiple school shootings, suicides, and gun threats, as well as reducing other acts of violence and victimization like bullying/ cyberbullying and helping thwart cutting, drug use, and more.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Principal Luizzi or your child's grade-level Assistant Principal.

The Medway Foundation for Education (MFE) is a non-profit organization charged with raising capital to fund innovative, educational projects throughout Medway’s public schools. Using the money generated from community events, contributions, and educational grants, MFE will allocate funds through a grant process to teacher-sponsored projects.

Visit our Facebook page to see some of our recent grants! If you want to support us you can send a donation through:

Venmo @MedwayFoundation last 4 digits are 8182.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, please contact one of our board members

at:medwayfoundationforeducation@gmail.com

Tara Ricciardelli: President

Kristen Walker: Vice President

Natalie Hachem: Vice President

Lisa Treacy: Treasurer

Christine Miller: Board Member

Jonathan Minnaert: Board Member

Please see the attached for information regarding the ongoing textile bins.

Please save the date for the following Friday Night Done Right events. These events promote free middle school fun with a focus on connection, growth and FUN! Admission to 4 events grants students eligibility to attend a special field trip in May!

LOCATION UPDATE: MEDWAY SEPAC TRUNK-OR-TREAT

Hello, everyone!

With rain in the forecast for Friday, we want to let you know that our Medway SEPAC Trunk or Treat is still happening! We’re simply moving the event indoors to McGovern School, where we’ll use the cafeteria and gym.

Everything else remains the same! We’re looking forward to a fun evening with all of you, rain or shine!

Sensory-Friendly Time: 4:30–5:00 PM

Trunk-or-Treat: 5:00–7:00 PM

Location: McGovern School — Cafeteria and Gym

Please spread the word so everyone knows about the location change!

We can’t wait to see all of our families for a fun-filled Halloween celebration! Thank you for your flexibility, and we look forward to celebrating with you!

See you Friday!

Medway Sepac Board

Co chairs Kerry McCarthy and Courtney Marshall

Security Tricia Gerard

The Medway Resource Hub, curated by Medway School’s Wraparound Team, provides direct links to community social, mental, and physical health supports for students and their families. If you have questions about specific resources, please reach out to your student’s school counselor.

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 mental health 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. 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

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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.

2026-2027 school year calendar

Report an Absence

Parent Portal

Resource Hub - Support Services Guide for Families

Say Something

October

21 - Early Release

23- Student Speaker Assemblies

23 - Radium Girls Evening Performance 7pm

24 - Radium Girls Saturday Matinee 2pm

27- After School Tennis Tournament 2:10-3:10 pm

29- After School Pickle Ball Tournament 2:10-3:10 pm

30- Black and Orange Day & Pumpkin Decorating Contest Day

November

11 - Veteran's Day - No School

18- Parent Teacher Conferences

25 - Early Release

26/27 - Thanksgiving Recess - No School