Superintendent's Friday Message
May 1, 2026
Dear MPS Community,
I want to start today's message by wishing our Principals a Happy School Principals’ Day! Throughout the year, our principals work collaboratively with our students, staff and caregivers to create welcoming school communities for all. Their impact is felt tremendously, and I thank them for their dedication and commitment to our district. With next week being staff appreciation week across the district, we are so thrilled to celebrate our Medford staff!
I also want to shoutout all our Middle School students who competed earlier this month in the Middle School Geography Bee. Congratulations to Grade 7 student Elliot Kaminsky (Andrews), Grade 8 student Stefano Lazzara (McGlynn), and Grade 7 student Jane Schwartz (AMS) for finishing in the top 3!
Sincerely,
Dr. Galusi
This past Monday, the Medford High School Building Committee met to discuss updated design options and revisions for the Space Summary. The updated 6 design options, which can be viewed here, incorporate feedback from the building committee, community members, and the project team. I want to give my sincere appreciation to the project team for listening to the community and creating these revised designs. These updated designs are now being shared with cost estimators for revised cost estimations.
During Monday's Meeting, the committee also voted to reduce aspects of the space summary. All items except numbers 3, 5, 6, and 14 were passed in Category A, and all Category B & C items were tabled for a later date. The Category A changes were proposed in collaboration with school department leaders, our central leadership team, our high school leadership team, and other community leaders. Specifically around proposal #2, I want to clarify that there will not be a reduction of six gender-neutral bathrooms in the proposed high school; rather the bathrooms will be spread thoughtfully throughout the building (as part of the building's overall grossing factor) and not be placed in specific programming locations.
On Monday, May 11, there will be Community Forum #4 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Medford High School. Community members will have the opportunity to speak to the project team about the updated design options and interact with design options similar to our in-person forum hosted in March. Because of the interactive nature of the forum, this meeting will not be recorded or available to be streamed.
To learn more about the project and see upcoming events, please visit https://medfordhsproject.com/. Additionally, community members can stay informed on the project by signing up for the project mailing list.
We will be hosting an Information Session about our 2026/27 MPS After School program on Tuesday, May 5 beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. The link for next week’s meeting can be found here. The meeting will be recorded.
During next week’s meeting, we will excitedly share the operational changes, program registration, and lottery process for the 2026/27 school year. Program capacity at all our schools will increase for next year. Capacity increase will vary by school, but we are thrilled to offer more opportunities for students and families.
Even though capacity will increase at all schools, we still expect there to be a waitlist at some given the high demand, resulting in a lottery taking place. Registration for the 2026/27 After School Lottery will open on Wednesday, May 6 and will close on Monday, May 18. As in past years, we will run a Lottery, scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, for new and waitlisted families who wish to join our MPS After School program. All families must register for the lottery beginning next, whether you are on the waitlist or not.
For more information about next week's after school information session and about the timeline for after school this spring, please click here to visit our website.
Medford Summer Fun
MAPS Summer Program
Summer Music Intensive
On Saturday, May 9, the Medford Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will host their disAbility Fair! The annual event, held in partnership with the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, brings our community together to celebrate disability, pride and culture. It will be held from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the McGlynn School.
The fair will feature an inclusive dance from Dance Latin Boston, a performance by DEAFinitely INC, vendors, and a decorating station for glasses, wheelchairs, and more! There will also be free ice cream provided the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services and Communitas.
Andrews Grade 6 Orientation & Open House
McGlynn Grade 6 Orientation & Open House
Electronics Recycling Fundraiser
Medford Annual Youth Summit
Beginning next Friday at the Arts Collaborative Medford, our Department of Fine Arts invites our Medford community to Origins: Where We Begin, a student showcase highlighting emerging artists in grades 9–12, AP art portfolios, and alumni work. The exhibit runs May 8–24 and will also feature student musical performances.
To celebrate the showcase, join us for the Opening Reception next Friday, May 8 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet student artists and experience their work firsthand. Any donations are appreciated.