Happy Friday, MPS Family!
Hello and welcome to the first edition of Upcoming News & Events for this year! For those who are new to the UNE publication, we send this news piece every Friday to everyone in the MPS family so we are all ‘on the same page’ for the week ahead. You will find important news and information from the district, some ‘good to know’ tidbits, and lastly, some links for local ‘adventures’ and offerings you might consider attending or joining. We keep it short and sweet – so you can get through the clutter and move on with your day. So – let’s get started! Here’s what you need to know for the week ahead.
SCHEDULE
Monday, Sept. 5: Labor Day, Schools/Offices Closed
Tuesday, Sept. 6: Regular schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 7: Regular schedule
Thursday, Sept. 8: Regular schedule
Friday, Sept. 9: Regular schedule
NEWS
Dr. Cutaia’s Letter & Test/Mask/Go
On Monday, Dr. Cutaia sent out a letter to all families and staff with some Back to School info, most notably about how we will handle COVID-19 (and other illnesses) in our schools this year. The plan we will follow, in conjunction with the Milford Health Dept., is called Test/Mask/Go and we suggest you take a moment to read it carefully. In fact, it’s a good idea to print the Test/Mask/Go chart – and stick it on your fridge. This way, you will be able to reference each category quickly and correctly. Of course, you are welcome to send any questions you might have to your school nurse or office staffers. No question is too small – we’re here to help.
“Have You Heard?” MPS Communication Tips
Our district has long placed a great deal of emphasis on two way COMMUNICATION – whether that be emergency information, operational news, outreach to our constituents, or input from our community members. We use a variety of ways to connect with you – and would like to highlight a few of those methods today.
MPS App: call it ‘One Stop Shopping!’ Everything you need to know is in one place with the MPS App. School menus, calendar, live feed, staff contact info, and much more. Download the Milford Public Schools app for free on your phone from your App provider.
Mass Messaging Emails/Texts via Thrillshare: our digital mass messaging system and platform – Thrillshare – provides us with a powerful way to reach everyone in our community, quickly and easily. This system draws upon the information you’ve reviewed in your PowerSchool account (telephone, email addresses) and you will receive our messaging automatically – so there’s nothing for you to do but read the info that is sent to you!
Follow us on Social Media: Did you know we have official MPS accounts on Twitter and Instagram? For Twitter, follow us @MPSctnews – where you will see all the great things happening across the district! For Instagram, check us out @milfordct.ps to see more great things going on in the district!
MPS Website: whatever you’re looking for, we’d bet it can be found on the website! We suggest you take a few minutes this weekend to familiarize yourself with the components of our website and how to navigate them. Documents, letters, news, forms, live feed, calendars, Board-related information – it’s all there plus loads more. Check it out!
Student Swipe Cards – What are They For? How Does That Work?
Last year we implemented a student Swipe Card program that received great response and support by families and school staff members, alike, and it is back in operation this year. Here’s what it’s all about:
Basically, every student in the district, PK-12, is issued a personalized Swipe Card that will be used for bus attendance, borrowing media center materials, and for foodservice meals. Cards are affixed to a special breakaway lanyard and are specifically used for the purposes mentioned above.
For students who were issued their swipe cards last year, all they need to do is remember to bring them to school and use them every day for these purposes (parents: your help on this would be much appreciated!). Students new to the district this year have been receiving their new cards for the past few days at school. We still have a small number of cards to send out and we expect the entire project to be complete by the end of next week.
Lost Cards: If a swipe card has been lost, please advise your school secretary. A new card will be printed and sent to your child’s school.
If you have any questions, please contact your school secretary for guidance.
Foodservice News: New Trifold Brochure Unveiled
We are pleased to report a brand new MPS Foodservice Brochure, 2022-23 has been released and it contains all kinds of good information regarding the Foodservice program in our schools. The brochure addresses such topics as Meal Components, Pricing, Breakfast, Titan (the payment portal we use), and much more! Check it out.
Free & Reduced Price Meals Application: As you know, breakfast and lunch will be provided to students, once again, free of charge but for a limited time only. Once the grant funding connected to this option is depleted, families will still be able to apply to receive continued Free or Reduced Price meals by completing the Free/Reduced Price Meals Application. We strongly recommend you complete the form NOW so your child's meal service will not be interrupted. In addition, there are other benefits you can take advantage of by completing the form. The links to the form appear below.
2022-23 Free/Reduced Price Online Application
2022-23 Free/Reduced Price Meals Printable Application
Milford Public Library: Closed Saturday, Sept. 3rd
The Milford Public Library continues to provide an awesome experience for its patrons – and we are so fortunate to partner with one of the ‘crown jewels’ of Milford! Click here to see what’s in store at the Lib for the month of September. Please keep in mind, however, that the Library is closed tomorrow (Saturday, 9/3) in recognition of Labor Day.
Community-Related
The Milford Knights Travel Basketball Tryouts will be held soon! Please take a look at the information supplied by team organizers.
As we get ready for the upcoming long weekend and our celebration of Labor Day, we are reminded of the spirit of this holiday (codified in 1894 by President Grover Cleveland) officially recognizing the efforts and contributions of the American worker. Thank you – all – for your drive, support, and spirit that continues to make our city, our state, and our country a wonderful place to live. Have a great weekend.
- The Milford Public Schools