Last week , Pierce eighth grade students traveled to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Dorchester to partake in a simulated US Senate session and a live floor debate about voting rights in the United States.
Upon arrival students entered the "Senate Chamber", a full-scale replica of the chamber in Washington DC. After introductions and an overview of the day's proceedings, students were separated into teams, met in smaller workspaces, and learned about some of the important issues our government is addressing today around voting rights, such as gerrymandering, voting by mail, required identification to vote, voting age, etc. Students then headed back to the Senate Chamber for a floor debate about the issue and eventually voted on whether to approve the voting bill before them. Many of our students stood during the debate to share ideas and opinions about voting in America.
Each eighth grade team had one day dedicated to their visit, with Pierce students visiting the Center on three different days, and we are grateful to the Kennedy Institute for this opportunity for our students.
Upon arrival students entered the "Senate Chamber", a full-scale replica of the chamber in Washington DC. After introductions and an overview of the day's proceedings, students were separated into teams, met in smaller workspaces, and learned about some of the important issues our government is addressing today around voting rights, such as gerrymandering, voting by mail, required identification to vote, voting age, etc. Students then headed back to the Senate Chamber for a floor debate about the issue and eventually voted on whether to approve the voting bill before them. Many of our students stood during the debate to share ideas and opinions about voting in America.
Each eighth grade team had one day dedicated to their visit, with Pierce students visiting the Center on three different days, and we are grateful to the Kennedy Institute for this opportunity for our students.
Pierce Debate Team
On November 1st, the Pierce Debate Team participated in the Lumos November Debate Tournament. Students debated whether or not the United Kingdom should rejoin the European Union. Students used the Public Forum debate format to discuss the positive and negative impacts of EU membership. Students Ryan Alee, Alexander Chan, Liam Coriolan, Nora Hadidi, Henry Hasha, Matthew Howard, Patrick Hron, James Huang, Annie Jenkins, Albie Klein, Eliot Levinson, George Mai, Freddy Mai, Josh Pincus, Naveesh Raghunath, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Benjamin Wollacott, Andrew Zheng, Kingsley Zhong, and Lucas Zou competed in this tournament. James Huang, Joshua Pincus, and Benjamin Rosenbaum received awards for delivering speeches in a clear, eloquent, and convincing manner. The Pierce Debate Team looks forward to competing again in December.
On November 1st, the Pierce Debate Team participated in the Lumos November Debate Tournament. Students debated whether or not the United Kingdom should rejoin the European Union. Students used the Public Forum debate format to discuss the positive and negative impacts of EU membership. Students Ryan Alee, Alexander Chan, Liam Coriolan, Nora Hadidi, Henry Hasha, Matthew Howard, Patrick Hron, James Huang, Annie Jenkins, Albie Klein, Eliot Levinson, George Mai, Freddy Mai, Josh Pincus, Naveesh Raghunath, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Benjamin Wollacott, Andrew Zheng, Kingsley Zhong, and Lucas Zou competed in this tournament. James Huang, Joshua Pincus, and Benjamin Rosenbaum received awards for delivering speeches in a clear, eloquent, and convincing manner. The Pierce Debate Team looks forward to competing again in December.
Hmmm, they swear it wasn't them but our Cunningham French teachers sure do looked pretty bejeweled!
Credit to Mme. Mushin for the creative Halloween costume idea!
Credit to Mme. Mushin for the creative Halloween costume idea!
Happy Halloween from Pierce! Wishing everyone a safe and candy filled night!
Congratulations to our Milton High School students who were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as Commended Students for participation in the PSAT/NMSQT!
August Alvarova, Griffin Angus, Eylon C, Ryan Denny, May Fundling, Luke Gimbrone-Naviloff, Ollie Jones, Elliot Leeman-Weil, Teagan Sweeney and Ethan Xie are among the select group of students commended throughout the nation for their exceptional academic promise. The National Merit program recognizes these students as having demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success. Congratulations to our talented and hardworking students!
August Alvarova, Griffin Angus, Eylon C, Ryan Denny, May Fundling, Luke Gimbrone-Naviloff, Ollie Jones, Elliot Leeman-Weil, Teagan Sweeney and Ethan Xie are among the select group of students commended throughout the nation for their exceptional academic promise. The National Merit program recognizes these students as having demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success. Congratulations to our talented and hardworking students!
The Tucker Garden is thriving!
Tucker Garden Club students have harvested more than 165 potatoes and more than 255 carrots in their all organic and compost rich school garden this week alone. These future expert gardeners are learning where their food comes from, trying new vegetables, and having a lot of fun playing in the dirt and looking for bugs.
Thank you to Garden Club Advisors Mary Beth Callahan and Veronique Vendette for their dedication to the garden and their students!
Tucker Garden Club students have harvested more than 165 potatoes and more than 255 carrots in their all organic and compost rich school garden this week alone. These future expert gardeners are learning where their food comes from, trying new vegetables, and having a lot of fun playing in the dirt and looking for bugs.
Thank you to Garden Club Advisors Mary Beth Callahan and Veronique Vendette for their dedication to the garden and their students!
Yum! On the menu this week at the elementary schools and Pierce: "Delicata Smiles" sources locally from Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon, MA!
Did you know that Delicata Squash is a zero-waste veggie? The seeds and skin are both nutritious and delicious and this squash is rich in vitamin A which improves night vision and eye health.
Did you know that Delicata Squash is a zero-waste veggie? The seeds and skin are both nutritious and delicious and this squash is rich in vitamin A which improves night vision and eye health.
On October 23, the 8th grade Phoenix team headed to the Ted Kennedy Institute to participate in a simulated U.S. Senate session and a live floor debate on an actual piece of legislation pending before the Senate. Students considered the issue from multiple perspectives, shared their own ideas, and then cast their votes.
Pierce students in Sra. Avila's Spanish B class recently explored famous hispanics, then focused on Frida Kahlo and her very famous quote, "Feet, what do I need you for, when I have wings to fly." Each student then contributed to creating our community wings, which can be found outside their classroom. Pierce students and staff were invited to check them out, and "try" them on!
In Spanish C classes, students discussed Fernando Llort, a famous artist from El Salvador that helped create community and introduced art to a once struggling part of El Salvador that is now thriving with art. Each student created a doodle art, like Fernando, that represents them and their community. As you can see below, they are all colorful and unique!
In Spanish C classes, students discussed Fernando Llort, a famous artist from El Salvador that helped create community and introduced art to a once struggling part of El Salvador that is now thriving with art. Each student created a doodle art, like Fernando, that represents them and their community. As you can see below, they are all colorful and unique!
Thank you to all who participated in the MHS Boys Basketball Clinic Team Fundraiser last week. Coach Donovan and his players appreciate the support and hard work of all the attendees. Best of luck this season to all the youth players. The future looks bright for the Wildcat basketball programs!
Frozen Tickets - On Sale Now!
MHS Theatre is starting off the 2025-26 season with FROZEN on November 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. This show will likely sell out so be sure to get your tickets now.
Tickets are on sale now at this link (or link in bio): https://miltonhstheatre.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200503586
MHS Theatre is starting off the 2025-26 season with FROZEN on November 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. This show will likely sell out so be sure to get your tickets now.
Tickets are on sale now at this link (or link in bio): https://miltonhstheatre.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200503586
The MHS Outdoors Club recently held their first outing of the year, hiking to the summit of Great Blue Hill in Milton, where they visited the Blue Hill Observatory. Collecting data since 1885, it is the oldest continuously-operating weather observatory in the United States.
MHS AP Art Timed Drawing Exercise
This week Ms. Aloe's AP Art students engaged in a timed drawing exercise. They focused on drawing an object for 20 minutes, and then for each drawing the time was cut in half until they only had 4 seconds to complete their drawing. Each drawing had the same rules - you have to draw the whole object, you have to draw the whole time, the drawing must be done when the time is up!
Afterwards students reflected on the experience. They noticed that with each drawing they became more confident with their object. Often the 10 minute drawings looked as detailed as their 20 minute drawings, because they had already observed a lot of information. As their time got cut they had to make decisions on what was necessary to consider the object "whole". Some of the later drawings were not as accurate, but had incredible energy.
Beyond the drawings themselves students noticed the shift in energy as the time got shorter and shorter. In early drawings students were quiet and calm. Movements were slow, deliberate and small. Once the timer was set to less than a minute the energy was high, the movements were fast, and the lines were bold. We talked about the value of both sides of the spectrum. When we are in a slump timed drawings can help- either by slowing us down so we can lock in, or by re-energizing us.
Check out some of the student's work in the MHS lobby on display this week!
This week Ms. Aloe's AP Art students engaged in a timed drawing exercise. They focused on drawing an object for 20 minutes, and then for each drawing the time was cut in half until they only had 4 seconds to complete their drawing. Each drawing had the same rules - you have to draw the whole object, you have to draw the whole time, the drawing must be done when the time is up!
Afterwards students reflected on the experience. They noticed that with each drawing they became more confident with their object. Often the 10 minute drawings looked as detailed as their 20 minute drawings, because they had already observed a lot of information. As their time got cut they had to make decisions on what was necessary to consider the object "whole". Some of the later drawings were not as accurate, but had incredible energy.
Beyond the drawings themselves students noticed the shift in energy as the time got shorter and shorter. In early drawings students were quiet and calm. Movements were slow, deliberate and small. Once the timer was set to less than a minute the energy was high, the movements were fast, and the lines were bold. We talked about the value of both sides of the spectrum. When we are in a slump timed drawings can help- either by slowing us down so we can lock in, or by re-energizing us.
Check out some of the student's work in the MHS lobby on display this week!
MHS Athletic Fundraisers and Activities
Our MHS athletes are busy this month holding fun (and fundraising) community activities for youth. These opportunities are shared in our elementary and Pierce newsletters and you can check them out below.
🏃🏻♂️Kids Trail Run at Cunningham Park for Cross Country
🏒Street Hockey Tournament for MHS Hockey
🏀MHS Basketball Youth Clinic for MHS Basketball (Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdV1NiGbPN2mz4dfhQS-k2yI52rby6XhMSHQdHSt2X8M5pV_A/viewform)
Families of students interested in the 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. in May 2026 are invited to attend an informational meeting on October 15th at 6:00 p.m. in the Pierce auditorium. If your 8th grader is interested in attending the trip, please click HERE. On this site, you can let us know whether or not you are able to attend the meeting on October 15th. This will also get your name on our tour company's list, so you will be included in future emails about the trip.
Congratulations to MHS student Aaliah Liriano, who was the recipient of the distinguished Latino Excellence on the Hill 2025 Award!
This award is an honor bestowed upon individuals making transformative contributions to the Latino community in Massachusetts. She was nominated by State Representative Chynah Tyler, who recognized Aaliah’s impactful work during her recent internship at the Massachusetts State House, where she demonstrated remarkable dedication and leadership. DuringHispanic Heritage Month, Aaliah’s achievement stands as a shining example of the strength, talent, and positive impact of the Latino community within and beyond the classroom.
This award is an honor bestowed upon individuals making transformative contributions to the Latino community in Massachusetts. She was nominated by State Representative Chynah Tyler, who recognized Aaliah’s impactful work during her recent internship at the Massachusetts State House, where she demonstrated remarkable dedication and leadership. DuringHispanic Heritage Month, Aaliah’s achievement stands as a shining example of the strength, talent, and positive impact of the Latino community within and beyond the classroom.
The New First View 1.0 Parent App has been updated by First Student and is currently accurate. Please see below for instructions on downloading the NEW app.
Download the FirstView 1.0 app from the app store. If you have the previous app, you need to download the new version.
Enter the district code – R7W5M, Student first and last name, School & Bus Route (1A, 2A etc)
FirstView GPS: Parent Registration Guide: Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Yellow Bus Home-to-School to find additional resources (https://firststudentinc.com/wp-content/uploads/FirstView-GPS-Tracking-Parent-Registration-Guide.pdf)
Please note that when there is a substitute bus, the tracking does not work.
Download the FirstView 1.0 app from the app store. If you have the previous app, you need to download the new version.
Enter the district code – R7W5M, Student first and last name, School & Bus Route (1A, 2A etc)
FirstView GPS: Parent Registration Guide: Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Yellow Bus Home-to-School to find additional resources (https://firststudentinc.com/wp-content/uploads/FirstView-GPS-Tracking-Parent-Registration-Guide.pdf)
Please note that when there is a substitute bus, the tracking does not work.
Mrs. Spitz' 3rd grade Collicot students have been working on their "Giraffes Can't Dance" artwork during Art class with Mrs. Bernini.
Recent focus has been on completing their backgrounds and exploring sgraffito. Sgraffito is an art technique that involves scratching through the top layer of one color to reveal an underlying layer of another color. Students were making their mark to create a grassy foreground filled with tall blades of grass, leaves, flowers, and insects.
Recent focus has been on completing their backgrounds and exploring sgraffito. Sgraffito is an art technique that involves scratching through the top layer of one color to reveal an underlying layer of another color. Students were making their mark to create a grassy foreground filled with tall blades of grass, leaves, flowers, and insects.
Mrs. Gillooly's Tucker Art room was full of color last week with these 1st graders and their Van Gogh inspired sunflowers!
Milton is holding several Flu Clinics this month.
All information on the town wide clinics can be found here: https://5il.co/3qr2h
All information on the student specific clinic can be found here: https://5il.co/3qr2g
All information on the town wide clinics can be found here: https://5il.co/3qr2h
All information on the student specific clinic can be found here: https://5il.co/3qr2g
