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April Newsletter

Malden Public Schools District Newsletter April 9, 2026 Message from the Superintendent Dear Malden Public Schools Parents and Caregivers, Thank you for all you have done to help our students keep learning and engaged throughout the winter! With the arrival of spring, we are seeing the fruit of our collective efforts in classrooms across all of our schools. Please encourage your children to keep up the great work through the end of the year. Please remember that all of our schools will be closed for spring break from Monday, April 20 through Friday, April 24. I hope all of you have a refreshing vacation and return ready to finish the school year strong! As always, if there is any way we can better support your child's success or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school principal or reach out to the district office at (781) 397-6100. Have a great rest of the school year and go Malden! Sincerely, Timothy Sippel Ed.L.D. Superintendent of Schools   District Happenings Updated Last Days of School: The last day of school for PreK-8 students will be Tuesday, June 23.* This will be an early dismissal day with students and staff being released at 11:00 a.m. The last day of school for Malden High will be Monday, June 22. This will be an early dismissal day with students and staff being released at 11:00 a.m. The last day of school for graduating high school seniors is May 28. This is a full day of school. *Please note: Salemwood School's last day of classes is currently scheduled for June 24 to make up for the closure on October 15, 2025 due to a power outage. If the state approves a waiver of this requirement, Salemwood will also end on June 23. An update is expected soon. We have also revised the school year report card schedule to account for the missed days. This can be found below. NEW PreK-8 School Year Calendar Updated MHS Calendar Updated Report Card Schedule   MCAS Testing MCAS testing has begun! MCAS is a set of statewide tests that is required by law for students in grades 3-8 and grade 10. MCAS is an extremely important measure of students' achievement and their readiness for the future. Testing dates can be viewed on our new MCAS webpage: maldenps.org/mcas-testing. Dates vary by grade level and school, so be sure to pay attention if you have students in multiple schools and/or grades. Students will take tests in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math in grades 3-8 and 10. Students in grades 5 & 8 take an additional Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) exam. Students in 8th grade take the Civics exam as well. High School students also take the Biology exam. Please help your student succeed on these assessments by making sure they get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive on time or early to school on the day of the test. Thank you in advance for encouraging and helping your students do their best on MCAS!   English Curriculum Adoption for Grades 9 & 10 On Monday, April 6, the Malden School Committee officially adopted the Fishtank English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum for use in grade 9 & 10 ELA classes starting next fall. Thank you to all the educators, caregivers and students who provided input and feedback during the review and selection process. To learn more about the adoption process, you can watch this video.   Kindergarten Registration Now Open! Kindergarten registration has begun! Any child living in Malden who will be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2026 should register as soon as possible. Following registration, school assignments will be available to incoming kindergarteners in the spring.  Please note that 2026-2027 Early Learning Center (ELC) registration information will be announced next week. To learn about the registration process for all of our schools and the documents that are required, please visit maldenps.org/registration.   Summer MOST Programming Summer is coming! All families can now register for the MOST summer program. This program runs from June 29 - July 31 and is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Students are enrolled on a weekly basis with tuition of $275 per week per student (there is a 10% sibling discount). Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to complete your registration as soon as possible! For more information and to start registering, visit maldenps.org/students-families/out-of-school-time-programs.   Before/After School Programming for Next Year Malden Public Schools plans to run before and after school programming at all K-8 schools next year (please note that after school programming at Ferryway is run by the YWCA). For anyone who is interested in having one or more of their students participate in before or after school programming through the Malden Public Schools next school year, please complete this form to indicate your interest. We will be sure to send information about next year's program including how to register to anyone who completes this interest form. Completing this interest form is not the same as registering; you will still need to register your student(s) for programming when registration is available.   Community Resource Spotlight Each month we are highlighting a local Malden resource that can help students and families. This month we are spotlighting the Malden Community Events Calendar. MaldenEvents.com is a collaborative initiative led by Urban Media Arts (UMA) to create a centralized, up-to-date community calendar for Malden, Massachusetts. This platform aims to showcase the city's vibrant activities and position Malden as a dynamic destination for residents and visitors alike. Community members are encouraged to submit events that are open to the public and align with our mission of inclusivity and engagement.   Upcoming Important Dates Thursday, April 9: Quarter 3 grades close for grades 9-12 Friday, April 10: Quarter 3 grades close for grades K-8 April 20-24: No School- Spring Break Monday, April 27: Quarter 3 report cards available for grades 9-12 Tuesday, April 28: Quarter 3 report cards available for grades K-8 Tuesday, April 28: Grade 8 Caregiver MHS Information Night, 6:00 p.m., MHS Cafeteria Monday, May 4: School Committee Regular Meeting, 6:00 p.m., City Hall (City Council Chambers) Thursday, May 7: Postsecondary Planning Night (class of 2027) - virtual, link to be provided soon Thursday, May 28: Last Day of School for Graduating High School Seniors Sunday, June 7: Malden High School Graduation Monday, June 22: Last Day of School Grades 9-11 Tuesday, June 23: Last Day of School Grades PreK-8* (ELC, Beebe, Ferryway, Forestdale, and Linden) *Wednesday, June 24: Last Day of School for Salemwood School (pending waiver from the state) August 26: First Day of School for 2026-2027 School Year   Important Links Aspen Portal Meal Menus Malden Public Schools is on Social Media Facebook Instragram X

Thursday, Apr 09 2026
March Newsletter

Malden Public Schools District Newsletter March 3, 2026 Change in the Last Day of School - Snow Days and Special Election Dear Malden Public Schools Community, Last night, the Malden School Committee voted to close all PreK-8 schools on March 31 for the special election. This decision was made to ensure the safety of the schools as they are used for voting and need to be open to the general public on this day. Malden High School will remain open March 31 as there are no polling places located at the high school. We have also had four snow days across the district which have pushed out the last day of school at all of our buildings. Updated Last Days of School: As of today, the last day of school for PreK-8 students will be Tuesday, June 23.* This will be an early dismissal day with students and staff being released at 11:00 a.m. As of today, the last day of school for Malden High will be Monday, June 22. This will be an early dismissal day with students and staff being released at 11:00 a.m. The last day of school for graduating seniors is still May 28. This is a full day of school. *Please note: Salemwood School must also make up a day for the October 15, 2025 closure due to a power outage, pending a potential waiver from the state. Without a waiver, Salemwood's last day of classes will be June 24. We will provide a final confirmation on the last day of school for each school by April vacation. We have also revised the school year report card schedule to account for the missed days. This can be found below. Sincerely, Timothy Sippel Ed.L.D. Superintendent of Schools NEW PreK-8 School Year Calendar Updated MHS Calendar Updated Report Card Schedule   District Happenings REMINDER: Black History Month Celebration Now March 10 The district's Black History Month Celebration has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 10 from 6-7:30 at the Ferryway School Gymnasium. Please join us at the event for: 🍕Free food! 📚Free books! ✨Amazing student performances! 👕And don't forget to pick up your free t-shirt if you previously registered before February 6 Will we see you there? Please complete this form to confirm your registration for the rescheduled event date. RSVP for the Celebration Now!   K-8 Winter Caregiver Conferences March 10: Ferryway School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 10: Salemwood School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 11: Forestdale School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 11: Linden School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 12: Beebe School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.   MCAS Testing MCAS testing starts this month! MCAS is a set of statewide tests that is required by law for students in grades 3-8 and grade 10. MCAS is an extremely important measure of students' achievement and their readiness for the future. Testing dates can be viewed on our new MCAS webpage: maldenps.org/students-families/mcas-testing. Dates vary by grade level and school, so be sure to pay attention if you have students in multiple schools and/or grades. Students will take tests in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math in grades 3-8 and 10. Students in grades 5 & 8 take an additional Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) exam. Students in 8th grade take the Civics exam as well. High School students also take the Biology exam. Please help your student succeed on these assessments by making sure they get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive on time or early to school on the day of the test. Thank you in advance for encouraging and helping your students do their best on MCAS!   Kindergarten Registration Now Open! Kindergarten registration has begun! Any child living in Malden who will be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2026 should register as soon as possible. Following registration, school assignments will be available to incoming kindergarteners in the spring.  There will be Kindergarten registration events held in March at the Early Learning Center (ELC) for caregivers of current ELC students who are eligible for Kindergarten. Be on the lookout for more information from the district about these registration events. To learn about the registration process and what documents you will need, please visit maldenps.org/registration.   Community Updates Prop 2½ Community Forums The City of Malden is hosting a series of community forums for residents to learn about the Proposition 2½ override ballot initiative that voters will decide on March 31, 2026. The next forum will be held at Beebe School this Thursday, March 5 at 6:00 p.m. To learn more about the Proposition 2½ Override you can visit: https://www.cityofmalden.org/.../Proposition-2-Override...   Community Resource Spotlight: Malden Teen Enrichment Center Each month we are highlighting a local Malden resource that can help students and families. This month we are spotlighting the Malden Teen Enrichment Center (MTEC).  The MTEC provides a "welcoming, structured, and safe environment for Malden teens to spend time with their friends, receive homework assistance, play games, take part in enriching activities, develop leadership skills, promote community service, and much more." The Center is located at 7 Washington St. in Malden and is open Monday through Friday, 2:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Learn more at cityofmalden.org/1059/Teen-Enrichment-Center. You can find more local resources at cityofmalden.org.   Upcoming Important Dates March: Kindergarten Registration for school year 2026-2027 open to all Malden residents Thursday, March 5: Prop 2 1/2 Override Community Forum at 6:00 p.m., Beebe School Auditorium Tuesday, March 10: Ferryway School Caregiver/Educator Conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 10: Salemwood School Caregiver/Educator Conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 10: District-wide Black History Month Celebration, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Ferryway School Gymnasium Wednesday, March 11: Forestdale School Caregiver/Educator Conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 11: Linden School Caregiver/Educator Conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12: Beebe School Caregiver/Educator Conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 16: Prop 2 1/2 Override Community Forum at 6:00 p.m., Ferryway School Auditorium Thursday, March 19: English Curriculum Adoption for Grades 9 & 10 Family Session #2, 6:30 p.m., virtual, please register here  Wednesday, March 25: Prop 2 1/2 Override Community Forum at 6:00 p.m., Linden School Auditorium Tuesday, March 31: PreK-8 Schools Closed - Malden City Special Election; Malden High remains open Friday, April 3: Early dismissal at 11:00 a.m. for all grades April 20-24: No School- April Vacation June 22: Last Day of School Grades 9-11 June 23: Last Day of School Grades PreK-8* August 26: First Day of School for 2026-2027 School Year   Important Links Aspen Portal Meal Menus Malden Public Schools is on Social Media Facebook Instragram X

Tuesday, Mar 03 2026
February Break Newsletter

Malden Public Schools February 17, 2026 Dear Malden Public Schools Parents and Caregivers, Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the district’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. A link to our district’s report card is available at https://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/2025/DistrictReportcard/01650000. The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more.  As a district, one of our core values is “Embrace Growth,” meaning that we believe that every member of our community - students, educators, and administration - has the capacity to learn and grow. This is the lens through which we examine our data. We use the data to provide opportunities for targeted intervention to support students in building their skills, and we have examined the data as a district to identify ways our systems can also improve.   Families can use the information on this report card to have meaningful conversations with us about what our district is doing well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the information to better understand how to support students and our schools. We see families, caregivers and community members as critical partners in the success of our students and schools, and we are grateful for your continued support. If you have questions about our district’s report card, would like to become involved in school improvement activities, or would like to request information about support for your student, please contact your school’s Principal. To see our district’s report card or each schools’ report cards, visit the links below: DISTRICT Beebe ELC Ferryway Forestdale Linden Malden High School Salemwood Go Malden! Sincerely, Timothy Sippel, Ed.L.D. Superintendent of Schools   NEXT WEEK: Black History Month Celebration Please join us for the Malden Public Schools' Black History Month Event on Wednesday, February 25! You will be able to see student performances and presentations, get free take-home gifts from participating organizations, and participate in fun activities. Here is the information: WHEN: Wednesday, February 25 6:00 - 7:30 PM WHERE:  Ferryway School Gymnasium 150 Cross St, Malden, MA 02148 WHO:  All PreK through Grade 12 students and their caregivers Register for the Event  REMINDER - Programming Review: Special Education Complete the parent survey linked here by Wednesday, February 25. Volunteer for a virtual focus group with other parents. Indicate your interest here by Wednesday, February 25.   REMINDER - Family Info Session #2: English Curriculum Adoption for Grades 9 & 10 We invite parents and caregivers to join us for a virtual meeting next month on Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. In this session we will share more information about the trialed lessons; additionally, families will have an opportunity to review additional sample units from the curricula using a DESE rubric, ask questions about the curricula, and share their perspectives. If you are able to attend this session, please register here and you will receive access to materials (in multiple languages) ahead of the session. If you are unable to attend the virtual caregiver session on March 19 and would still like to review the curriculum materials and provide input, please complete this form. In the near future, we will reach out to you with links to materials (in multiple languages) and a survey for you to complete to provide input about the curricula.   Kindergarten Registration It's almost time to register for Kindergarten! Malden Public Schools' Kindergarten registration for next school year (2026-2027) will open on March 1, 2026. Any child living in Malden who will be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2026 should register as soon as possible. Following registration, school assignments will be available to incoming kindergarteners in the spring.  There will be Kindergarten registration events held in March at the Early Learning Center (ELC) for caregivers of current ELC students who are eligible for Kindergarten. Be on the lookout for more information from the district about these registration events. To learn about the registration process and what documents you will need, please visit maldenps.org/registration.   Winter Caregiver Conferences March 10: Ferryway School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 10: Salemwood School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 11: Forestdale School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 11: Linden School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 12: Beebe School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb 17 2026
February Newsletter

Malden Public Schools District Newsletter February 4, 2026 Message from the Superintendent Dear Malden Public Schools Parents and Caregivers, Happy February! I hope this message finds you well and staying warm as we move through the heart of the winter season. As we enter the second half of the school year, I am proud of the hard work, resilience, and growth our students continue to show in all our schools. On Thursday, report cards for Quarter 2 will be available for all students. To support the review of these report cards, we invite all caregivers to attend caregiver / educator conferences being held in schools over the next few weeks. These conferences offer opportunities for caregivers to meet with their student(s) teacher(s) to discuss their academic progress so far and strategies for continued growth throughout the school year. See the list below to find the date for your student's school: Thursday, February 5: Malden High School Caregiver/Educator conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - Friday, Feb. 13: Early Learning Center Caregiver/Educator Conferences 2:30-5:30 (please check with your classroom teacher about which specific days and times they will be available) March 10: Ferryway School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 10: Salemwood School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 11: Forestdale School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 11: Linden School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. March 12: Beebe School - 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. As always, if there is any way we can better support your child's success or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school principal or reach out to the district office at (781) 397-6100. Have a great rest of the school year and go Malden! Sincerely, Timothy Sippel, Ed.L.D. Superintendent of Schools   Commitment to All Students Malden Public Schools is committed to the safety and success of all our students, regardless of their immigration status. Every child in our city has the right to public education under federal and state law and we will continue to ensure that every one of them feels safe and supported as we prepare them for the future.   The Malden School Committee has also adopted a policy to ensure that our schools are safe places and free of disruptions that would be caused by the presence of various outside agencies, including those engaged in immigration law enforcement. If any agency requests to visit any of our schools, they will be promptly referred to my office so that their lawful purpose can be properly reviewed.   If you have specific questions about immigration matters that could affect your family or child, please consult the attached list of resources and support organizations.   District Happenings Black History Month Celebration Please join us for the Malden Public Schools' Black History Month Event on Wednesday, February 25! You will be able to see student performances and presentations, get free take-home gifts from participating organizations, and participate in fun activities. Register to attend by February 6 and you will receive a free t-shirt at the event! Here is the information: WHEN: Wednesday, February 25 6:00 - 7:30 PM WHERE:  Ferryway School Gymnasium 150 Cross St, Malden, MA 02148 WHO:  All PreK through Grade 12 students and their caregivers RSVP for the Event  School Year 2026-2027 Calendar The district-wide calendar for the next school year has been officially approved. Due to the late date of Labor Day and the 2026 primary election day, this calendar starts a week sooner than our school year's typically start. This still allows school to end around mid-June as usual. View the full calendar here.   Kindergarten Registration It's almost time to register for Kindergarten! Malden Public Schools' Kindergarten registration for next school year (2026-2027) will open on March 1, 2026. Any child living in Malden who will be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2026 should register as soon as possible. Following registration, school assignments will be available to incoming kindergarteners in the spring.  There will be Kindergarten registration events held in March at the Early Learning Center (ELC) for caregivers of current ELC students who are eligible for Kindergarten. Be on the lookout for more information from the district about these registration events. To learn about the registration process and what documents you will need, please visit maldenps.org/registration.   Alex Rock Named Permanent Principal Early Learning Center Mr. Alex Rock has been appointed as Principal of the Early Learning Center (ELC) after a competitive search and interview process that included teachers, caregivers, and staff from the school. Mr. Rock began his career as a high school science and math teacher in Chicago. After completing his master’s degree in education leadership at Columbia University, Mr. Rock served as a K-12 assistant principal and high school principal in Chicago. He was later a successful elementary school principal for several years with the Lawrence Public Schools (MA) before coming to Malden to serve as the ELC Interim Principal last July. During his time as Interim Principal, Mr. Rock has dedicated himself to ensuring students' success and building an even more collaborative culture in the school. He has also led the school in making important programmatic and instructional improvements. Mr. Rock has expressed his gratitude for the community of educators at the ELC and he is excited to continue leading the school in the years ahead.   MCAS Testing Coming Soon MCAS testing will start in all K-8 school and the high school in March. MCAS is a set of statewide tests that is required by law for students in grades 3-8 and grade 10. MCAS is an extremely important measure of students' achievement and their readiness for the future. Testing dates for each school can be found here. Dates vary by school and grade level. To set your student up for success on these tests, please make sure they get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive on time or early to school on the day of the test. We thank parents and caregivers in advance for encouraging and helping our students succeed on these tests!   Community Resource Spotlight: Malden Reads Malden Reads is a community reading program. Organized by community groups, city leaders, and residents, in collaboration with the Malden Public Library, the program invites the community of Malden to read the same book and participate in a series of events related to the book’s themes. The goals of the program are to promote literacy, a love of reading, an appreciation of city resources, and most of all, to build community in the city of Malden. This year’s book selection, Our Missing Hearts by bestselling author Celeste Ng, explores themes of love, resistance, and belonging. Malden Reads' Opening Celebration for this year's book will take place on Monday, February 9 at 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Malden Public Library. The kickoff event will bring together literature, history, art, and conversation through interactive activities and experiences for all ages.   Upcoming Important Dates Thursday, February 5: Quarter 2 report cards available Thursday, February 5: Malden High School Caregiver/Educator conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 - Friday, Feb. 13: Early Learning Center Caregiver/Educator Conferences 2:30-5:30 (please check with your classroom teacher about which specific days and times they will be available) Monday, February 9: Malden Reads Opening Celebration, 6:30-8:30 pm. at the Malden Public Library Tuesday, February 10: High School English Language Arts Curriculum Adoption Family Information Session #1, virtual (register here to receive the link), 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 16 - February 20: No School - February Break Wednesday, February 25: District-wide Black History Month Celebration, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Ferryway School Gymnasium Sunday, March 1: Kindergarten Registration for school year 2026-2027 opens to all Malden residents Monday, March 2: School Committee Regular Meeting, 6:00 p.m., City Hall (City Council Chambers) Tuesday, March 10: Ferryway School Caregiver/Educator Conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 10: Salemwood School Caregiver/Educator Conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 11: Forestdale School Caregiver/Educator Conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 11: Linden School Caregiver/Educator Conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12: Beebe School Caregiver/Educator Conferences from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 3: Early dismissal at 11:00 a.m. for all grades   Important Links Aspen Portal Calendars School Year Calendar 26-27 School Year Calendar Meal Menus Malden Public Schools is on Social Media Facebook Instragram X

Wednesday, Feb 04 2026
January Newsletter

Malden Public Schools January Newsletter January 8, 2026 Message from the Superintendent Dear Malden Public Schools Community, Happy New Year! As we return from winter break and begin the second half of the school year, I hope you and your family enjoyed time to rest, reconnect, and recharge. January is a natural moment for reflection and renewed commitment, and across our schools we are focused on providing a safe, supportive environment where every student can learn, grow, and thrive. In the weeks ahead, our teams will be reviewing student progress, celebrating growth, planning interventions, and making sure each learner has the resources they need to finish the year strong. Your partnership—as families, staff, and community members—remains essential to this work, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us every day. As always, if there is any way we can better support your child's success or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school principal or reach out to the district office at (781) 397-6100. Thank you for your continued support, and I send you my best wishes for a healthy, joyful, and successful start to the new year. Have a great January and Go Malden! Sincerely, Timothy Sippel, Ed.L.D. Superintendent of Schools   District Happenings LAST CHANCE: Parent / Caregiver Annual Survey Please do not forget to respond to our annual Parent and Caregiver Survey. Click the button below to provide input on: District-wide communications School-specific learning environments and student experience Responses are due by 10 p.m. tomorrow, January 9, 2026. Take the Parent/Caregiver Survey   Malden Public Schools invites all PreK-8 students and families to our annual STEM Night! This year's STEM night will be held at Ferryway School from 5:30 - 7:00 on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Children will be able to play STEM games and attend a presentation from Animal Adventures while caregivers can learn about their child's math education and ways to support math at home. Pizza will be provided. Please RSVP to join us for Family STEM night. RSVP for STEM Night   District-wide Black History Month Celebration Malden Public Schools is planning a community event for Black History Month. As part of this event, we will be featuring students, student work and performance, community organizations, and a keynote speaker. We will share more information soon! Save the Date: Wednesday, February 25 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Ferryway School Gymnasium Get involved: Interested in volunteering for the event? Complete this form!   ACCESS Testing for Multilingual Learners Throughout January and February, Multilingual Learners will be taking part in ACCESS Testing. This test is a state-required test, similar to MCAS, for English language learners. The test measures their academic English language skills. The results of this test allow us to provide the right level of English language support services to your student going forward.   During this testing time, as always, it is critical that your student be present and on time for school. Establishing timely attendance as part of a routine will allow students to perform their best in school and on these tests.  You previously received your student’s ACCESS testing schedule in an email on January 5. Please refer to this schedule to make sure your student is at school on time on testing days.   January SEPAC Events The Malden Special Education Parent Advisory Council is hosting two events in January. On Thursday, January 15 from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Linden School and on Zoom. Phoebe Goodman, Pathways to Friendship Facilitator from the Arc of Massachusetts will be presenting in person and her co-presenter Jonathan Spiller will be on Zoom. Interpreters will be in-person. Learn more about Pathways to Friendship here: https://thearcofmass.org/friendship/ Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83613189530?pwd=64h2yPC6ebYbpYyhMWQbxIVFYPjHEa.1 On Thursday, January 29 we will be holding SEPAC elections at City Hall and on Teams from 6:30-7:30. Please email your nomination to SEPACMalden@gmail.com. Learn more about each role here: https://www.maldenps.org/district-information/departments/student-services-office/special-education/malden-sepac/malden-sepac-by-laws     Community Resource Spotlight Each month we are highlighting a local Malden resource that can help students and families. This month we are spotlighting the Malden Recreation Department. The Recreation Department provides safe, quality and affordable programs for residents of all ages, cultures and abilities. A wide variety of fun and exciting activities are offered that promote a more active and healthier lifestyle. Staff members are qualified professionals and volunteers that are dedicated to serving Malden's diverse community with excellence and pride. Explore the recreation activities available or sign up for an activity online. Information is also available by following the Malden Recreation Department on Facebook.   Upcoming Important Dates Monday, January 12: No School - Professional Development Day Monday, January 12: School Committee Regular Meeting, 6:00 p.m., City Hall (City Council Chambers) Wednesday, January 14: MHS Input Session for grades 6-12 parents and caregivers from 6:30- - 8:00 p.m. in the Gallery at Malden High School Thursday, January 15: SEPAC January meeting from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Linden or on Zoom. Monday, January 19: No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Thursday, January 22: District-wide STEM Night from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Ferryway School Cafeteria Thursday, January 22: MHS Input Session for grades 6-12 parents and caregivers from 6:30- - 8:00 p.m. in the Gallery at Malden High School Friday, January 23: Quarter 2 Ends Thursday, January 29th: SEPAC Elections from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Malden City Hall Tuesday, February 3: Quarter 2 Report Cards Available Monday, February 16 - February 20: No School - February Break Wednesday, February 25: District-wide Black History Month Celebration, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Ferryway School Gymnasium   Important Links Aspen Portal Calendars School Year Calendar Report Card Calendar Meal Menus Malden Public Schools is on Social Media Facebook Instragram X

Thursday, Jan 08 2026
Winter Break Newsletter

Malden Public Schools Winter Break Newsletter December 22, 2025 Message from the Superintendent Dear Malden Public Schools Parents and Caregivers, Thank you all for a great 2025 in the Malden Public Schools! I want to remind you that this Tuesday, December 23 will be an early dismissal day with students getting out at 11:00 a.m.  Schools will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, January 2, 2026. All schools will reopen on Monday, January 5! As always, if there is any way we can better support your child's success or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school principal or reach out to the district office at (781) 397-6100. Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and Go Malden! Sincerely, Timothy Sippel, Ed.L.D. Superintendent of Schools   District Happenings Parent / Caregiver Annual Survey Please do not forget to respond to our annual Parent and Caregiver Survey. Click the button below to provide input on: District-wide communications School-specific learning environments and student experience Responses are due by 10 p.m. on January 9, 2026. Take the Parent/Caregiver Survey   Malden Public Schools invites all PreK-8 students and families to our annual STEM Night! This year's STEM night will be held at Ferryway School from 5:30 - 7:00 on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Children will be able to play STEM games and attend a presentation from Animal Adventures while caregivers can learn about their child's math education and ways to support math at home. Pizza will be provided. Please RSVP to join us for Family STEM night. RSVP for STEM Night   ACCESS Testing for Multilingual Learners As soon as students return from break, Multilingual Learners will be taking part in ACCESS Testing. This test is a state-required test, similar to MCAS, for English language learners. The test measures their academic English language skills. The results of this test allow us to provide the right level of English language support services to your student going forward.   During this testing time, as always, it is critical that your student be present and on time for school. Establishing timely attendance as part of a routine will allow students to perform their best in school and on these tests.  You previously received your student’s ACCESS testing schedule in an email on December 16. Please refer to this schedule to make sure your student is at school on time on testing days.   Competency Determination Policy The Malden School Committee recently adopted revisions to our district’s Competency Determination policy to meet new state requirements. The district’s Competency Determination Policy, along with Malden’s local graduation requirements, determine whether a student has met the criteria to earn a diploma from Malden High School. As you may recall, earlier this year we solicited your input on potential changes to Malden’s Competency Determination Policy. Thank you to you all who responded-- your feedback was important to the revision of this policy. The revised policy gradually phases in changes to the graduation requirements for students currently enrolled at Malden High. Students in the Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 will be expected to meet competency determination requirements nearly identical to those established in February 2025. Students should already be familiar with these requirements and should contact their school counselor regarding any questions. Significant changes to the competency determination and graduation requirements will take effect in school-year 2027-2028 for students currently in eighth grade (and going forward). Students in these grades will have to demonstrate mastery of tenth grade subject areas through assessments or portfolios in addition to earning a passing grade in these courses. More information about these assessments and portfolios will be shared soon. If you want to learn more about the revised policy or read it in full (multiple languages are available) please visit our Malden Public Schools Graduation Requirements webpage.   Upcoming Important Dates Tuesday, December 23: Early dismissal at 11:00 a.m.  Wednesday, December 24-January 2: No School - Winter Break Monday, January 5 - February 28: ACCESS Testing Window for Multilingual Learners Monday, January 5: City Council and School Committee Inauguration, 6:00 p.m., Malden High School (Jenkins Auditorium) Monday, January 12: No School - Professional Development Day Monday, January 12: School Committee Regular Meeting, 6:00 p.m., City Hall (City Council Chambers) Monday, January 19: No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Thursday, January 22: District-wide STEM Night from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Ferryway School Cafeteria Friday, January 23: Quarter 2 Ends Tuesday, February 3: Quarter 2 Report Cards Available Monday, February 16 - February 20: No School - February Break Wednesday, February 25: District-wide Black History Month Celebration, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Ferryway School Gymnasium   Important Links Aspen Portal Calendars School Year Calendar Report Card Calendar Meal Menus Malden Public Schools is on Social Media Facebook Instragram X

Monday, Dec 22 2025
December Newsletter

Malden Public Schools District Newsletter December 4, 2025 Message from the Superintendent Dear Malden Public Schools Parents and Caregivers, One of our core values is to "Embrace Growth." We believe that everyone of our students has the ability to grow and develop-- to "get smarter!"-- through continued learning and practice. This value follows what is known as a "Growth Mindset." While educators instill this mindset in students during the school day, we encourage parents and caregivers to support it outside of school. Embracing a growth mindset at home could look like: Telling your student it's okay to be wrong Encouraging problem-solving Teaching perseverance in overcoming challenges Showing your student that mistakes can help their brain grow A growth mindset will help your student believe that their abilities will grow over time and inspire a greater love of learning. As always, if there is any way we can better support your child's success or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school principal or reach out to the district office at (781) 397-6100. Have a great December and go Malden! Sincerely, Timothy Sippel, Ed.L.D. Superintendent of Schools   District Happenings Winter Survey Coming Soon Every December, we survey parents and caregivers to help us plan for district-wide improvements for the next year. This year's survey will launch on December 15 and must be completed by January 9. More details will be sent directly to families on December 15. When do we have snow days? It's December and snow is in the forecast again. Here is a refresher on Malden's snow day decision process. Malden Public Schools believes that our students are best served academically and socially by being in school. However, our top priority is always the safety of our students and staff. When winter storms are forecast, the district leadership closely monitors conditions and consults with City Hall and the Department of Public Works to determine whether canceling school is necessary to ensure everyone's safety. Closing school is a last resort, but when a decision is made to cancel school, the district will make an official announcement and circulate it as widely as possible. Families, students and staff should always assume that school will be open unless they receive a message from the Mayor and/or the Superintendent announcing the closing of school. Please remember, any day that is cancelled due to inclement weather has to made up as an additional school day at the end of the school year in June. Follow Malden Public Schools on Social Media Interested in what's happening in classrooms across the district? Want reminders of important events? Just want to see students having fun learning? Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X! Follow us on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Follow us on X!   Community Resource Spotlight: Malden Connect Sign up to receive important notifications from the City of Malden and stay up to date on essential services, important notifications and emergencies. Whether it's important notifications, trash and recycling reminders, winter weather and parking alerts, or website updates, there are four notification systems you can sign-up to get the information that matters most to you—delivered via phone, text, or email. Don't miss out—stay informed, stay connected! Sign Up for Malden Connect   Upcoming Important Dates Friday, December 5: Annual Gingerbread Cookie Decorating & Craft Fair at Forestdale School from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 7: Winter Wonderland Crafts Fair at Salemwood School Field House from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Joint fundraiser for PTOs at ELC, Linden and Salemwood) Monday, December 8: School Committee Regular Meeting, 6:00 p.m., City Hall (City Council Chambers) Tuesday, December 16: Quarter 2 Progress Reports Available Tuesday, December 23: Early Dismissal at 11:00 a.m. for all students K-12, no afternoon program at the ELC December 24-January 2: No School - Winter Break January 5 - February 28: ACCESS Testing Window for Multilingual Learners January 5: City Council and School Committee Inauguration, 6:00 p.m., Malden High School (Jenkins Auditorium) January 12: No School - Professional Development Day January 12: School Committee Regular Meeting, 6:00 p.m., City Hall (City Council Chambers) January 19: No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 22: District-wide STEM Night from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.; location TBA January 23: Quarter 2 Ends February 3: Quarter 2 Report Cards Available   Important Links Aspen Portal Calendars School Year Calendar Report Card Calendar Meal Menus Malden Public Schools is on Social Media Facebook Instragram X

Thursday, Dec 04 2025
Thanksgiving Break

Malden Public Schools November 24, 2025 Thanksgiving Holiday Dear Malden Public Schools Community, This Thanksgiving holiday week, I want to thank you for everything you do to make the Malden Public Schools a special place for our students! You are appreciated!!! Reminder: Classes will not be in session on Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28. Our schools will reopen on Monday, December 1! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! As we enter the winter, student attendance is more important than ever. The next few months will feature lots of learning, fun events, and field trips in addition to important state assessments. To get the most out of all of these opportunities, students need to be in school on time, every day. During this break, we encourage families to plan with their child to have the best attendance possible for the rest of the year. This plan can include: Committing to a school day routine (including getting a good night’s sleep everyday) Developing back-up plans for getting to school Talking to your student about the importance of being in school every day We wish everyone a restful break and look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday, December 1, 2025!  Go Malden! Timothy Sippel, Ed.L.D. Superintendent of Schools

Monday, Nov 24 2025
Tragic News

Malden Public Schools November 12, 2025 Dear Malden Public Schools Community, It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Malden High School fourth-year student G'Kiyah Lewis. G'Kiyah was the victim of a senseless act of gun violence that took place in Boston in early October. After a valiant struggle, she finally succumbed to her injuries this past Friday, November 7. Principal Mastrangelo shared this tragic news with the Malden High community this past weekend. Any loss of life is heartbreaking; it is especially so for a young woman with so much of her life yet to be lived. The entire Malden Public Schools community extends its love and condolences to G'Kiyah's family. The high school administration has been in ongoing communication with the family since the incident happened. Support is being provided to students and staff who have been impacted by this tragedy. The Malden School Committee also observed a moment of silence in her honor during its meeting on Monday night. We will share a follow-up communication with additional information regarding services for G'Kiyah in accordance with the family's wishes. Thank you for your support of all our students. Please keep G'Kiyah's family in your thoughts and prayers, and reach out to my office if you have any questions. Sincerely, Timothy Sippel Ed.L.D. Superintendent of Schools

Wednesday, Nov 12 2025
November Newsletter

Malden Public Schools District Newsletter November 6, 2025 Message from the Superintendent Dear Malden Public Schools Parents and Caregivers, We are officially one-fourth of the way through the school year; can you believe it? I am thankful for a great start to the school year and I am proud of the accomplishments our students and educators have made so far. Next week, report cards for Quarter 1 will be available for all students in grades 1-12. To support the review of these report cards, we invite all caregivers to attend caregiver / educator conferences being held in schools over the next two weeks. These conferences offer opportunities for caregivers to meet with their student(s) teacher(s) to discuss their academic progress so far and strategies for continued growth throughout the school year. All conferences this month are being held from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. See the list below to find the date for your student's school: November 13 - Malden High School November 18 - Beebe and Salemwood Schools November 19 - Forestdale and Linden Schools November 20 - Ferryway School As always, if there is any way we can better support your child's success or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school principal or reach out to the district office at (781) 397-6100. Have a great November and go Malden! Sincerely, Timothy Sippel, Ed.L.D. Superintendent of Schools   District Happenings Commitment to All Students Malden Public Schools are committed to the safety and success of all our students, regardless of their immigration status. Every child in our city has the right to public education under federal and state law and we will continue to ensure that every one of them feels safe and supported as we prepare them for the future.   The Malden School Committee has also adopted a policy to ensure that our schools are safe places and free of disruptions that would be caused by the presence of various outside agencies, including those engaged in immigration law enforcement. If any agency requests to visit any of our schools, they will be promptly referred to my office so that their lawful purpose can be properly reviewed.   If you have specific questions about immigration matters that could affect your family or child, please consult the attached list of resources and support organizations. Aspen Update Coming Soon! Malden Public Schools is in the process of adopting a new version of Aspen for parents and caregivers. The new version of our student information family portal will be more user-friendly for caregivers registering new students, checking student attendance, and viewing academic progress. We expect to launch this updated version of Aspen in early January, and will provide more information on the update in the coming weeks. Literacy Interventions Are Underway Beginning in October, Malden Public Schools launched a daily Literacy Intervention Block in grades K through 8. This block is an important part of our commitment to meeting the individual literacy needs of every learner. During the Intervention Block, students may use a variety of tools to supplement teacher instruction. A list of Intervention Block tools and corresponding descriptions can be found on our website: maldenps.org/district-information/departments/teaching-and-learning/english-language-arts/literacy-intervention-tools. This past Tuesday, K-4 teachers from all schools participated in professional development learning around one of these tools, Project Read. Tuesday's learning focused on how teachers can best use Project Read to supplement their instruction. Teachers are able to use Project read to get instant data about concepts each student is struggling with, allowing them to target those skills for additional support in class.   Community Resource Spotlight Last week, we shared a compilation of community food resources available to Malden families. That list can be found below. Additionally, several of our schools are currently hosting food drives. Please look for communications from your school's principal about what and how to donate. All donations from school food drives will be distributed through Bread of Life. Community Food Resources   Upcoming Important Dates November 10: School Committee Regular Meeting, 6:00 p.m., City Hall (City Council Chambers) November 11: No School - Veterans Day November 12: Report Cards Distributed Grades K-12 November 13: Malden High School Educator / Caregiver Conferences from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. November 18: Beebe Educator / Caregiver Conferences from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. November 18: Salemwood Educator / Caregiver Conferences from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. November 19: Forestdale Educator / Caregiver Conferences from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. November 19: Linden Educator / Caregiver Conferences from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. November 20: Ferryway Educator / Caregiver Conferences from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. November 21 & 22: Malden High School Play Production of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief in Jenkins Auditorium November 26-28: No School - Thanksgiving Break December 3: ELPAC December 8: School Committee Regular Meeting, 6:00 p.m., City Hall (City Council Chambers) December 23: Early Dismissal at 11:00 a.m. for all students K-12, no afternoon program at the ELC December 24-January 2: No School - Winter Break   Important Links Aspen Portal Calendars School Year Calendar Report Card Calendar Meal Menus Malden Public Schools is on Social Media Facebook Instragram X

Thursday, Nov 06 2025