Teacher Appreciation Week & Upcoming Election Information

As we enter May, there are two important topics I’d like to highlight—both centered around supporting our amazing teachers and our schools.

First, it's Teacher Appreciation Week, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the incredible educators and staff who make our school community so special. This year’s theme is “Our Teachers are Wicked Oz-some,” and we have some fun things planned to show our appreciation. Whether it’s dressing in pink or green, donating items, or writing notes of thanks, there are many ways for families to get involved. Please see the details below and consider joining us in making this a memorable week for our teachers and staff!

Second, I want to stress how critical the upcoming school override votes are for the future of our schools. These measures directly impact funding for teachers, class sizes, programs, and essential services. If you value strong public education and want to continue supporting our students and staff, please make sure to vote YES at BOTH the Town Meeting on May 13th (7PM, Howe Manning) and Town Elections on May 20th. Every vote truly matters.

Thank you for being such a vital part of our school community. Let’s keep showing up for our teachers and our kids—this week and always. - Jackie, Middleton PTO President

Appreciation Week is May 5 – May 9! This year, we’re celebrating our Wicked Oz-some teachers and how they help our children soar, with a magical WICKED-themed celebration. Check out the Amazon Wishlist to see what we’re looking for — every contribution makes a difference! *We especially need coffee and soda donations for the end of the week*. 

And please celebrate our teachers every day of Teacher Appreciation week by participating in the theme days highlighted above. On Wednesday, May 7, you can use this form for inspiration or simply have your child write a note to their teacher! 

Learn about the MASCO Override before the meeting 

Please join us for our MPTO meeting this Wednesday May 7, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Howe-Manning Library! MASCO School Committee Member, Matt Alexander, will be presenting and available for questions about the MASCO Budget Override. 

The regular MPTO meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!

The Middleton PTO fully supports the Elementary School Override, which is essential to maintain level service in our elementary schools. This funding will help preserve current programs, retain dedicated staff, and ensure students continue to receive the high-quality education they deserve. Without it, there will be cuts that will directly impact class sizes, services and opportunities available to our children. 

We strongly encourage all families to vote YES at BOTH the Town Meeting on May 13 at 7 PM (Howe-Manning) AND the Town Election on May 20 (Fuller Meadow).  Approval at both events is required for the override to pass. Your participation is vital to keeping our schools strong, well-resourced, and able to meet the needs of all students. 

To help families attend, the MPTO has coordinated child care options for the night of the Town Meeting so that both parents/guardians can participate. Please click here for details: https://www.middletonmapto.com/schoolbudgetoverride

Because the MPTO is committed to supporting educational excellence across all grade levels, we also support a YES vote on the MASCO Override. 

We truly appreciate your ongoing dedication to our students, staff, and schools.

- The Middleton PTO Board

ADDITIONAL OVERRIDE INFO

The override must pass at both the Town Meeting on May 13 and at the Town Election on May 20, or Middleton Public Schools will lose the following:

• Three Classroom Teachers (3.0 FTE reduction)
• Two Special Education Teachers (1.70 FTE reduction)
• Reading Teacher (1.0 FTE reduction)
• Instrumental Music Program
• Asst. Principal (0.3 FTE reduction)
• Administrative Salaries
• Instructional Aides
• Overall Consumables

The budget override of $537,276 is equal to approximately $38 per quarter per household in Middleton. A $1 increase in public school spending increases housing values by $20, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. If you want more information or to get involved, sign up here.

Join the MPTO. Help make a difference in our school community.

The Middleton PTO is looking for passionate, dedicated volunteers to join our team! The mission of the MPTO is to foster a sense of support, pride, and enthusiasm for our children’s education through fundraising and family activities. Last year, we raised over $74,000 to fund field trips, in-school educational programs, teacher grants, community events, and more! We have several open positions and would love your help in making the next school year a success.

Open Positions:

- Curriculum Enrichment for Fuller Meadow – Help bring exciting learning experiences and programs to our students.

- Treasurer – Manage our budget and finances to support PTO initiatives.

- Fundraising – Organize creative fundraisers to provide resources for our school.

- Events – Plan fun school events that bring our community together.

- Teacher Appreciation – Show our amazing teachers how much we value them!

The following positions have interest from current board members but are still open for nominations:

- Curriculum Enrichment (Howe-Manning)

- Secretary

- Communications

- President

- Vice President

We are also looking for dedicated committee members to help us! Join us and be part of something great! 

Interested? Email mpto@middletonmapto.com or visit www.middletonmapto.com to learn more. The deadline to submit a Position Interest Form is Wednesday, May 7. Voting will take place on May 28 at the Fuller Meadow Library. 

To date, we’ve raised over $5,300 through these community fundraisers! A huge thank you to the businesses for their generous donations, and to all of you for your continued support of these events! 

• Have dinner at Blue Fin on May15 between 4 - 9 PM and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Middleton PTO. 
• Stop by Mutz Pizzeria on the last day of each month! The last Mutz fundraiser of the school year will be Saturday, May 31. A portion of the proceeds will be donated back to the MPTO!
• McDonald’s in Middleton will donate 20% of all mobile orders made through the app on the 1st Monday of every month back to the MPTO. The next Mobile Monday is on June 2nd. We’re loving it! 

The annual ice cream social will be held June 16 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. More details to come!

• 5th graders will visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and Bunker Hill on May 8.
• 1st grade field trip to the Franklin Park Zoo on May 15. 
• 4th graders will experience “Wing Masters, Birds of Prey” in-school program on May 16.
• 4th graders will visit the Massachusetts State House and the Swan Boats on May 21.
• All Howe-Manning students will be treated to artist Rob Surette’s in-school program on May 23.
• 6th graders will experience “Code and Circuit” in-school program on May 27.
• 4th graders will be treated to “Touch Tanks” in-school program on May 29.

If you are looking for a way to support your child’s teachers, you can purchase needed items from their teachers’ wish lists!

Your support of the Middleton PTO helps fund curriculum enrichment, teacher grants, and events for our elementary school community. Last year, the PTO funded 18 in-school programs, 11 field trips, and six teacher grants. For more information on how we raised and spent funds during the 2023-24 school year, please see the information below. Thank you for your support!

Don't forget to visit www.middletonmapto.com and register or update your existing information to stay updated on school happenings!

Middleton, MA 01949