News from the Middle

It’s hard to believe that we are already halfway through the month of October! We’ve accomplished quite a bit since the start of the school year, and we are proud of how quickly our students and staff have adapted to the new routines and structures of our school schedule. This month also marked the completion of our first round of student data cycles, allowing teachers to tailor instruction and provide targeted support to meet individual student needs during Mustang and Bonus Blocks, as well as throughout the school day.

In addition, our school community is gearing up for the Fall Play, with students and staff working hard behind the scenes to bring this year’s performance to life. We can’t wait to share this production with families next weekend!

As always, October is filled with energy, reflection, and growth as we continue to strengthen our programs, support student engagement, and build community. We are most excited to launch our Student Speaker Series at the end of the month. You can read more about this event below. Please take a moment to review the other important updates and upcoming events highlighted below, including details about Ski Club and the next Medway Education Parent Teacher Organization (MEPTO) meeting, which can be found in the MEPTO section of this communication.

Finally, on behalf of our faculty and staff, we extend warm wishes to all families celebrating Diwali. May this festival of light bring joy and togetherness to you and your loved ones.

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, will be celebrated on Monday, October 20, 2025. In the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, Diwali (or Deepavali) means “row of lamps.” During this holiday, families light lamps to symbolize that light triumphs over darkness and good prevails over evil. Diwali is also a time to celebrate new beginnings, joy, and togetherness.

If your child will be observing Diwali, please reach out to their homeroom teacher so that we can make any necessary accommodations and ensure your family’s celebration is honored and supported.

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 27th.

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

Please reach out to our school nurse Jennifer Goulet , at 508-533-4123 if you have any questions.

An Absolutely True Story (As Told by a Bunch of Lying Liars)

The MMS Department of Performing Arts is pleased to announce our fall play, An Absolutely True Story (As Told by a Bunch of Lying Liars).

Someone is in enormous trouble for breaking the priceless heirloom vase in the Peterson living room. But who? Someone is lying. Well, probably everyone is lying. Each suspect’s account is more outlandish than the last, from warring siblings Fred and Kelly, to their deeply weird friends Barney and Ava, to the family dog (according to the dog whisperer).

But the truth? The truth is slipperier than it seems… and it may involve more Nutella than you could possibly imagine. Or not. Who knows!

Performances will be held on Friday, October 24 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, October 25 at 2:00 PM in the Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now for $8 online or $10 at the door (cash only). More information and tickets are available at www.MMSPerformingArts.com.

We are excited to share that Dr. Mykee Fowlin will be visiting Medway Middle School on October 27th to present his powerful program, You Don’t Know Me Until You Know Me. Mykee will lead two assemblies, one for Grades 5 and 6 and another for Grades 7 and 8. His performance blends storytelling, psychology, and humor in a way that resonates deeply with students.

Mykee presented to our high school students last year and received wonderful feedback from both students and staff. His message inspired meaningful conversations about belonging and community, and we’re thrilled to bring this experience to our middle school students.

This program is a wonderful opportunity for students to come together, reflect, and connect as a school community. Mykee’s engaging style encourages students to see themselves and others in new ways, helping to build a stronger sense of belonging across our school. We’re excited to share this meaningful experience with all of our students.

The last day of the first marking period is November 6th. 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 6th. 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 Monday, November 17h.

Please note that Parent/Guardian-Teacher conferences will be held during the following times: Tuesday, November 18th from 6-8 pm and Wednesday, November 19th from 2-3:10 pm. Information about our conferences sign up will be shared soon.

What? Decorate and/or carve an actual pumpkin OR draw (with a title) a decorated/carved pumpkin OR make a spooky/fall scene

When? Final product brought to school on Friday 10/31 and dropped off in the cafeteria with Mrs. Kelley or Ms. Keenan

PICK IT UP at the end of the day on Friday 10/31 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

Winners in the following categories will win an award:
Spookiest
Most creative
Best drawing
Student favorite

Our student council invites all members of the Medway Middle School Community wear black or orange to school on Friday, October 31st. Please remember that costumes and face coverings are not to be worn to school.

On October 21st, Tri-County will be visiting Medway Middle School to present to our Grade 8 students with information about different career opportunities and to talk about their option to attend Tri-County. Students will learn about Tri-County and the application process. Additional information regarding Open House, as well as how to apply to Tri-County can be found above. If you have any questions about the process please contact your child's school counselor.

We have just completed our first data review cycle of the school year. Based on this work, adjustments will be made to the dedicated instructional period known as the Mustang Block. These changes will begin on Monday, October 20, 2025, and may result in your child having a different Mustang Block teacher.

During Mustang Block, students will have the opportunity to receive support services, work directly with their teacher for targeted instruction, participate in small group interventions, and access content reinforcement or extension.

Another data review cycle will occur in approximately 6-8 weeks, which will allow for additional Mustang Block adjustments to be made as students progress through their learning. We are excited to be able to implement this flexible scheduling opportunity and look forward to utilizing this time to best meet the needs of our students.

Snack Shack is a cart filled with yummy snacks and drinks that kids can grab on their way to the buses and/or their afterschool programs. Items range from $.50 - $1.

We are once again offering the opportunity to ski/snowboard at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in Princeton, MA this winter. This ski club/fundraiser will run for six consecutive weeks on Friday afternoons beginning January 9, 2026!

The DEADLINE to register is December 12, 2025, but participation in this program (and rental equipment availability) is first-come, first-served and fills quickly, so please register ASAP!

The ski program itself is paid directly to Wachusett Mountain online. The minimum fee to Wachusett will be $195 ($225 after 12/1). You may add equipment rental fees and lessons. Equipment fittings will be done once we arrive the first night.

You must also submit a separate payment of $180 to MEPTO. This includes a luxury coach bus to and from the mountain. Chaperones will be riding the bus and be available at the mountain. The buses depart for Wachusett Mountain at the end of the school day on Friday and return back to the school at approximately 9:00 PM that night.

Step ONE: Go to wachusett.com/schoolgroups

Step TWO: Enter this code: MMSCH to access our program’s form

Step THREE: Fill out MEPTO Program Form and Submit Here : Payment Link

Detailed INSTRUCTION SHEET

Students are reminded to report concerning behavior to a trusted adult or to utilize the Anonymous Reporting System (ARS). Students can report concerns in the following ways. The ARS telephone hotline, mobile app or website is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

• Telling a trusted adult
• Using the Say Something Mobile App
• Calling the Say Something Hotline 1-844-572-9669
• Going to the Say Something website Sayseomething.net
• Texting Tip to 79775

Young Adult Permission Form

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. If you would like to view the Middle School library collection, you can access it via our Online Catalog. 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 24, 2025.

If we do not receive a form from you, we will assume that you grant your child permission to borrow YA books. These permission slips will be in effect for the 2025-2026 school year. If you would like to change your student’s permissions during the school year, please email Sean Sullivan at ssullivan@medwayschools.org.

The 2025 - 2026 school year is off to a great start for the Medway music and theatre programs! MFPA is working closely with our music teachers to support the wonderful programs being offered to our students.

The MFPA will host concession stand fundraisers for all plays and musicals. These fundraisers help us to fund over $10,000 in grants for the Medway School System performing arts programs annually.

We are seeking donations of water, candy, and snacks for our concessions stands. Boxes of candy can be purchased on Amazon or at BJs. Donations can be dropped off at 10 Diane Drive (in a bin on the front porch) or 37 Waterview Drive (in white cooler in front of garage). If you prefer, you can ship directly from Amazon to Betsy Keavany at 10 Diane Dr in Medway. Donations of water bottles can be left next to bin/cooler.

If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, you can do so through our Venmo account - MFPA Medway @Medwayfriendsofperformingarts - just put candy as the subject.

Also, if you would prefer, you can bring donations to the concession table prior to the Fall plays at the middle school or high school. The link to the SignUpGenius is below.

Thank you for your support of the Medway Friends of the Performing Arts.

Donation Link

Friday Night Done Right is a free monthly program for all Medway students and residents in grades 5-8. Our events take place one Friday out of each month, and the goal is to foster an environment where youth build friendships, connect with adult role models, and discover new interests with our rotating activities. We have had local partners facilitate exciting team building exercises, break dance lessons from dance groups, inflatable obstacle courses and more. This will be a great time to connect, grab refreshments and see what is ahead for our programs FNDR and HYPE (our middle school student group) in this upcoming school year. Youth attending FNDR are welcome to come too. Sign up for our November event here. For more information on our programs visit: Youth Programs - SUP Medway

Dr. Jill Walsh

Please put a hold on your calendar on Wednesday, December 3 from 5:30-7:00 p.m., so that you can join the parent speaker, Dr. Jill Walsh. Dr. Walsh is an educator and researcher at Boston University who specializes in youth digital technology use. We’ve invited her to Medway to share the latest information and strategies around digital well-being with parents so they can make proactive and informed decisions to benefit their children. For more information, please click here, and to register, please complete this form. School-age childcare will be provided. Also, be on the lookout for video messages that Dr. Walsh created for Medway parents that will be shared regularly in the months leading up to the event.

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 partners with Cartwheel to provide mental health support to students and families. Our partnership includes access to free family webinars that feature pediatric mental health experts. Please find the 2025-2026 webinar series calendar here.

For the last several years, Medway Schools have collaborated with the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth (MPY) to provide professional development for our staff. MPY now offers a library of 10-minute videos and handouts for parents. Over 24 offerings include tips for parents regarding school success, student mental health, and more. The library can be accessed for free by clicking 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 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.

October 20 - Diwali

October 21- Grade 8 Assembly - Tri County HS Visit

October 22- Early Release Day - Professional Development

October 24- Medway Middle School Play, 7pm

October 25- Medway Middle School Play 2pm

October 29th - Student Speaker Assemblies

November 4 - School Council

November 6- Term One Ends

November 11 - School Closed Veteran's Day