What an amazing community Medfield is! Thanks to the generous support of community members and businesses, MCPE funded almost $70,000 through 18 grants across all five of Medfield's public schools during the 2014-2015 school year. Our youngest students at Memorial and Wheelock sang and danced to the MCPE-funded Food Play Show earlier this year, while our juniors and seniors were inspired by Johnny Cupcake's presentation at the high school. MCPE funded several technology grants, including 28 Chromebooks and 10 Dash and Dot codeable robots at Blake, 16 Apple TVs at Memorial, and 25 iPads for students at both Wheelock and Dale Street Schools (co-funded by CSA). Thanks to MCPE funding, 17 staff members attended several professional development conferences throughout the year, French classes at the high school benefitted from a series of meetings with native French speakers, kindergartners received brand new leveled text books, and a student-inspired mural will be painted at Wheelock for students to enjoy for years to come. Our recently approved grants will provide an African drum kit and new course material for the sixth grade music curriculum as well as a cutting-edge "Makerspace" at the Blake library, where students can use games and devices to design, create and discover in the areas of science, math, art and more!

We would like to thank the inspiring group of women on the MCPE Board, as well as the community volunteers who helped make our events so successful. We would also like to thank Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Marsden who has been incredibly supportive of MPCE's mission to enrich our children's education. We hope to continue to make the success of our schools a community effort!

Thank you again for your support!

Megan Infantino & Kim Price

Co-Presidents, 2014-2015

MCPE Year in Review

MCPE Student Trivia Challenge

The first ever Student Trivia Challenge was held on November 10, 2014. Forty teams of middle school students, high school students and teachers from both schools came together to match wits. This event raised over $1,500 for future enrichment programs. Congratulations to the Blake winning team, The Squad (Michael Hawley, Michael O'Leary, Dylan Hogan and Alex Hissong), and the MHS victors, Vitamin B Gold (J.J. Fedak, Brandon Goldman, Dani Miano and Laura Tormey).

MCPE Community Trivia Night

On November 14, 2014, the 2nd annual MCPE Community Trivia Night was a sold-out success, raising over $11,300 for Medfield Public Schools. An enthusiastic group of 70 teams representing the schools and community turned out for a fun-filled evening. Congratulations to the winning teams, The Incumbents (Ken Brooke, Jeff Griffor, Gordon Johnson and Jim Maritan), The Fab 4 (Ben and Jennifer Keating, Jim and Kathy McDonald) and Age Before Beauty (John Nealon, Mike Rogan, Scott Sipple and Peter Constant).

MCPE Spelling Bee

On March 17, 2015, the 10th annual MCPE Spelling Bee was held at Medfield High School for students in grades 2-5. This year, 143 teams, consisting of up to three students per team, signed up to join in the fun. The Spelling Bee raised $5,021. The Wheelock winners were the 3rd grade team, The Brainy Bees (Richie Bradbury, Herrick Swirbalus and Axel Inozemcev). The Dale Street champions were members of the 4th grade team, Geography Bee (Colby Hatch, Tay Frankel and Jack O'Sullivan). Congratulations to all the winners!

MCPE Online Auction of Treasured Experiences

The MCPE Online Auction of Treasured Experiences was open from March 26-April 2 with over 100 one-of-a-kind items and experiences donated by teachers, staff and community members. With something of interest for all ages, the auction raised $11,388 and was a huge success!

David Ruggiero ("Mr. R") Wins the 2014-2015 Robert C. Maguire Global Perspectives in Education Award

The Robert C. Maguire Global Perspectives in Education Award is given to a Medfield School staff member whose efforts embody former Superintendent Bob Maguire's vision for further developing students' global understanding. The recipient is someone who inspires students to look beyond the town of Medfield and learn more about the global community. After reviewing the applications received from parents and colleagues, the award committee agreed that David Ruggiero (aka "Mr. R"), general music teacher at Memorial School, band teacher at Dale Street School and director of the Ngoma Dzakanaka Marimba Band, best exemplifies the characteristics of this award.

Mr. R wrote an MCPE grant many years ago to start the Ngoma Dzakanaka marimba bands (meaning "beautiful music"). The marimba is an instrument from Zimbabwe and he has been leading the marimba band since its inception in January 2011.

"The introduction of the marimba band has exposed our community beyond the usual confines of our music curriculum. By bringing music from Zimbabwe into the schools of Medfield, Mr. R has added a whole new dynamic and energy to student learning and to concerts....The marimba bands have helped with the Dale St. fundraising for Zimbabwe and, in so doing, students have seen the connection between their work in school and the music....Music is a powerful tool to build bridges with other cultures and he has shown us what is possible. By integrating something diverse and unique into our school communities, he serves as a role model for others." - The Brooke Family

Mr. R accepted the award at MCPE's Annual Meeting on May 27th.  

Mr. R with MCPE Co-Presidents Kim Price and Megan Infantino