Flag Status

I am asked, on occasion, why our flag is at half-staff, so I've located a widget that will indicate the flag's proper status, and reason for it being at half staff.

Dec 29, 2013
I just found an error in the widget script, and corrected it. I should work now.

Announcement at 9:30 am today

Attention teachers and students, please forgive this interruption. This is Dr. Dias. Over the past week, we have all tried to come to terms with the unthinkable act of violence that took place one week ago.  The governor has asked all schools in the Commonwealth to take a moment to reflect on the lives lost and stand in solidarity with the families and loved ones of the victims. I ask that you all rise for a moment of quiet reflection as we look forward to the day when these tragedies are absent from the world we know.

Thank you.

And on a personal note, I wish you all a safe, restful, and enjoyable vacation, Solstice, Christmas, Mohaarem, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, & New Years. 

I look forward to seeing you all back on January 2.

Big Y Fundraiser

If you normally shop at Big Y, you can help MHS without doing anything different!

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, neighbor or businessperson, there's an exciting new way to help Medway High obtain school supplies. The Big Y Education Express Program is designed to benefit our school – and you! Every time you shop, just look for items marked with the Education Express school bus logo. You'll save money on those items while you earn points for Medway High School – it's that easy. Please know that we do not receive any money through your participation. Your purchases earn us points that we can exchanged for educational supplies.

It's Easy and Free.
Sign Up Today!

The program is as simple as 1-2-3.

1. Join the program.
   Link your Express Savings Club^® or Silver Savings Club^® card to the school or your choice and start earning points by signing up online at bigy.com/educationexpress.com, at the cash register or fill out an enrollment form at the Customer Service Desk. We've already partially completed an enrollment form for Medway High, which can be opened and printed by clicking HERE or cutting and pasting this link into your browser: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0r34Gxbtj_7Ym5xY2VXM0NTS3c
2. Shop as you normal.
   Look for items throughout our stores marked with the Education Express school bus logo. Purchase these products to earn points for the school of your choice. You can even track your individual contribution by logging onto myBigY or Big Y's Facebook page. 
3. We redeem points for  educational supplies – FREE.

FYI- We do not receive any information from Big Y about shoppers, other than a monthly point total and number of participants. For example, I just got an email stating that we have 14 contributors for a total of 1,400 points. Thank you!

Thank you!

Dr. Dias

Quiet Day

I just want to follow up with you on how the day went, as I promised in yesterday's posting. School administrators met with department heads, and we spent extra time checking in with teachers and being visible in the building throughout the day. All department heads, and the two deans, report that yesterday appeared to be a typical day. I received a few positive comments from staff regarding the morning announcement (posted below), wherein I acknowledged the tragedy that occurred in Newtown, CT.

Tragedy in Schools

To help MHS parents and community know what is going on in school today, this is what I sent to to teachers before school. Also, I convened the MHS Crisis Team to review our procedures on keeping kids safe. Administration and department coordinators will be vigilant and visible today and in the days ahead. I am asking department coordinators to provide me with a 'pulse' of the school, and I will pass along their observations later today.


Good morning, everyone.

I am so incredibly saddened recognizing, that, as a school community, we grieve with the families and community of Newtown, Ct.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they continue to deal with this senseless tragedy.

On Friday, Dr. Evans sent a letter to families to assist them in dealing with this tragedy.  The letter is attached in case you did not see it. [if any parents did not receive the letter, please let me know- Dr. Dias]

This morning, during announcements, we will conduct a moment of silence to remember the victims of this shooting.  We will also remind students of the adults in the building they can seek out should they have questions or if they are struggling with the events on Friday. Please remember that when events like this occur, students may respond in a variety of ways.  We should do our best to offer them support as necessary, while engaging in as regular a school day as possible. The Social Studies Department is collaborating together to discuss this event as described below.

As recommended by the National Association of School Psychologists, we need to be mindful of the content of conversations that we have with each other in front of students, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.

Finally, events like this always remind us of the importance of school security.  Please continue to follow the established procedures and reacquaint yourself  our lock-down procedure.  In the coming days and weeks, we will review our security procedures to ensure that we are as safe as possible at Medway High School.

The information below is from the paper, A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope, released by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Tips for Parents and Teachers:
Whenever a national tragedy occurs, such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters, children, like many people, may be confused or frightened. Most likely they will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react.~ Parents and school personnel can help children cope first and foremost by establishing a sense of safety and security. As more information becomes available, adults can continue to help children work through their emotions and perhaps even use the process as a learning experience.
All Adults Should:

1. Model calm and control.~ Children take their emotional cues from the significant adults in their lives. Avoid appearing anxious or frightened.
2. Reassure children that they are safe~and (if true) so are the other important adults in their lives. Depending on the situation, point out factors that help insure their immediate safety and that of their community.
3. Remind them that trustworthy people are in charge.~ Explain that the government emergency workers, police, firefighters, doctors, and the military are helping people who are hurt and are working to ensure that no further tragedies occur.
4. Let children know that it is okay to feel upset.~ Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy like this occurs.~ Let children talk about their feelings and help put them into perspective.~ Even anger is okay, but children may need help and patience from adults to assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
5. Observe children’s emotional state.~ Depending on their age, children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of grief, anxiety or discomfort.~ Children will express their emotions differently. There is no right or wrong way to feel or express grief.~
6. Look for children at greater risk.~ Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others.~ Be particularly observant for those who may be at risk of suicide.~ Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned.
7. Tell children the truth. Don’t try to pretend the event has not occurred or that it is not serious.~ Children are smart.~ They will be more worried if they think you are too afraid to tell them what is happening.
8. Stick to the facts.~ Don’t embellish or speculate about what has happened and what might happen. Don’t dwell on the scale or scope of the tragedy, particularly with young children.
9. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.~Upper middle school and high school~students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence and threats to safety in schools and society.~ They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. They will be more committed to doing something to help the victims and affected community.~~For all children, encourage them to verbalize their thoughts and feelings. Be a good listener!
10. Monitor your own stress level.~~Don’t ignore your own feelings of anxiety, grief, and anger. Talking to friends, family members, religious leaders, and mental health counselors can help. It is okay to let your children know that you are sad, but that you believe things will get better. You will be better able to support your children if you can express your own emotions in a productive manner. Get appropriate sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

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School Announcement
This is Dr. Dias, your principal. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
[read pledge]
Please remain standing for a moment of silence to remember the victims of the tragedy that occurred on Friday in Newton, Ct.

Thank you, you may be seated.

Our thoughts are with the families and community of Newtown, Ct. as they deal with this unspeakable tragedy.  Many of us are, understandably, very sad about the events that took place.  If you are upset and need someone to talk to, please know that our guidance staff: Mrs. Pearl, Mrs. O'Byrne, Ms. Lisk, Mrs. Ford, Ms. Kitka, and Mrs. Cumming are here and available to speak with you.   

Please know that we have many procedures in place to keep the students and faculty of Medway High School safe.  If you have any concerns, please share them with one of your teachers, your guidance counselor, Mrs. Pearl, Mr. Rubin, or me.

Thank you.

Body Mass Index

From Mrs. Butler, our school nurse:
Schools in Massachusetts are mandated by the State to conduct Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings on students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10.  This screening will be done at the High School during the month of December.  After measuring your child’s height and weight, the BMI will be calculated and results sent to you in a confidential manner.  Parents/guardians may request in writing if they do not want their child to participate.  Please contact the school nurse to discuss this or any other issue.  Resources about healthy living are available on our school district web site
http://www.medwayschools.org/studentsparents/default.htm

I encourage everyone to visit the site.

Medway Home and School Fundraiser

Medway Secondary Home & School Association FALL FUNDRAISER

“CASH AND CARDS COUNTDOWN RAFFLE”

MSHSA is holding a raffle for its fall fundraiser.  Each student in the Middle and High Schools will receive 6 raffle calendars. For every 5 calendars sold, you receive one free.   Please make every effort to sell all five as this is a major fundraiser for MSHSA.  Proceeds will enable us to continue our wide variety of programs, and to ensure that events like Middle & High School Scholastic Awards, Scholarship Night, In-school programs, and After Prom don’t disappear.

•  Calendars cost $10.00 each and participants have 10 chances to win. 
• Checks are to be made payable to:  MSHSA
• Customers complete the bottom tear away section.  Submit this portion only. 
• The top is to remain with the calendar for your customer to keep.
• Return all slips and money to your school by December 7^th.  Each office will have a collection bin.
•  Names will be placed into a container and a winner will be drawn each of the 10 days of the raffle.
• Prizes will be mailed immediately to winners.
• Additional calendars may be obtained at the MSHSA website:  www.medwayshsa.org
• If you have any questions, please email us at MedwaySHSA@gmail.com

A $50.00 cash prize will be awarded to the student who sells the most calendars (ties settled by random drawing).  In addition, each student who sells all five assigned calendars will be entered into a random drawing for a $25.00 cash prize.

All calendar records and money MUST be returned to the High School Main Office by December 7^th as the drawings begin December 10^th.

Thank you for your support!  Best of luck to everyone!