In the Schools April 24

Fontbonne Hosts Argentine Students

Four students from Colegio Jesus Maria in Argentina have been visiting this month. Hosted by Fontbonne students, including Alyssa Melendez of Milton, the young women have been immersed in classes and activities for nearly three weeks. The students posed with their hosts, all juniors at Fontbonne Academy, in the Fontbonne Foyer.

Milton Academy Students Win Writing Honors

Three students earned medals in the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers competition. Senior Sarah Costello earned a gold medal in poetry. Junior Tina Cho won a gold medal in the short short story category, and fellow junior Hannah Grace won a silver medal in poetry. Sarah, Tina, Hannah, and their fellow student-artist honorees will be celebrated in a ceremony at Carnegie Hall in May. 

MPS Coordinated Program Review Yields Positive Results

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has conducted a coordinated program review of the Milton Public Schools. This audit, completed every six years, focuses on special education, English language education, civil rights, homeless students and Title One. The district received an excellent report on these programs, according to Superintendent Mary Gormley. 

“Six years ago, after a less-than-positive review, we began revamping these programs, and I am so pleased that our efforts have resulted in noted improvements in our latest Coordinated Program Review,” wrote Gormley in an email to parents, students and staff. “We still have some work to do, but I am very happy with the results of this report and the progress it shows.” 

The report is available online here.

School Choice Discouraged

Assistant Superintendent John Phelan and Milton parent Meg Kasuba presented information at the most recent School Committee meeting on behalf of the School Choice Committee. The committee was formed to explore the feasibility of the district taking part in the state’s School Choice program, in which students from other districts could attend the Milton Public Schools. The committee’s recommendation was that Milton should continue to opt out of the School Choice program because it would have a negative financial impact on the budget. Another reason given was that Milton’s enrollment has been steadily increasing and many classrooms are at a healthy capacity. Click here to view the entire presentation.  

Fundraising News

The Milton Foundation for Education “Big Backyard Bash” fundraiser on April 2 raised more than $150,000 for Milton Public Schools. In addition, the recent Faculty Talent Shows at raised nearly $13,000, which will go directly to fund athletics, clubs and activities at the school. 

Pierce’s Turrisi Named NEH Summer Scholar

social studies teacher Jonathan Turrisi has been accepted into the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Scholar Program for the second year in a row. Turrisi will attend California State University’s "Spanish and Mexican Influences on California" program during the first week of August. This program ties to the eighth grade world history curriculum, with its emphasis on colonial empires during the age of exploration and conquest, according to Superintendent Mary Gormley. Only forty teachers from across the country are selected to participate in each program. Congratulations!