Good morning, Medford, Tuesday, June 9
We've switched it up and Nell and Chris are taking over the newsletter for a few days while Wendall is traveling!
Hey, Medford! It's Nell. I'm in charge of today's newsletter since Wendall is out visiting family.
And, yes, that means Chris and I are on duty for the rest of this week. We'll let you know when Wendall is back!
So, what's happening in Medford this week that I'm most excited about? Believe it or not, it's tomorrow night's Medford School Building Committee meeting because they are finally picking a single design for the new high school.
The meeting kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on both Zoom and in person at the high school library. Or, visit the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel and watch live.
Do I have a prediction about which option they might pick? None that I'm willing to share. But we'll make sure to get that news out to you as soon as we know!
A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Every Friday, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Suzanne Galusi sends out a message detailing all the goings on at Medford Public Schools. It's a great newsletter that parents can read it here every week or subscribe.
On June 5, Galusi shared this message about how the schools are celebrating Pride Month:
MPS is proud to celebrate Pride Month throughout the month of June. We are fortunate to live in a community where students, staff, city and community organizations can come together to uplift our LGBTQIA+ community and create intentional spaces of belonging, acceptance, and inclusion.
The celebrations began this past Wednesday with the city's annual Pride Flag Raising and Festival. Thank you Medford DEI Director Frances Nwajei for organizing such a thoughtful event, including inviting members of our school community to speak and engage with the public. Meanwhile, our MHS Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) organization raised the Pride Flag at the high school yesterday in beautiful sunny weather.
Next Wednesday, June 10, we will be having a districtwide pride spirit day supported by our school-based GSA and Rainbow Club organizations. Throughout the month of June, we celebrate the strength that comes from our school diversity and reaffirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive school community for all.
Happening in Medford today
If you have an event that you would like to have listed in our calendar, send the information to gottaknowmedford@gmail.com.
Senior Center Activities: MSCI Board Meeting, 10 a.m.; Knit & Crotchet, 10 a.m.; Navigators Game, 10:15 a.m.; Core & Balance, 10:30 a.m.; Food Pantry, 11 a.m.; NeighborHealth talk, 11 a.m.; Congregate Lunch; 12 p.m.; International Culture, 1 p.m.; and 3rd Party Electric Talk, 1:30 p.m.
Maternal Journaling Workshop: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free
Join Midwife, Artist and Mother Nerida Ackland in this 6-week creative art journaling group. Maternal Journal is a global movement providing a creative outlet for some of the new feelings and challenges experienced in pregnancy and new parenthood.
Explore identity and the transitions of this season. Create community and connect.
Take this time for yourself and discover the benefits of a simple creative practice. No experience necessary. Sketchbook provided, or bring your own. Non-crawling age infants welcome.
International Culture for Seniors, 1-2 p.m. Medford Senior Center 101 Riverside Ave., Medford, MA
Discover the world each week on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. through engaging talks on different countries and cultures, hosted by Ariane. This free program brings global perspectives right to the Senior Center.
Medford Public Library: Baby Lapsit, 9:30-10:30 a.m.; Skill Issues (for teens), 3:30-4:30 p.m.; Play Dough Club (ages 2-5). 3:30-4:30 p.m.; Fiber Craft Night. 6-8 p.m.; Medford Connects ESOL class, 6:30-8:15 p.m.; and Teen Movie Night - Bring Your Own Craft, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Baby Lapsit 9:30-10:30 a.m. AMYouth Services Programming Room, Medford Public Library, 111 High St.
Baby Lapsit is a 20-30 minute drop-in storytime that includes songs, bouncy rhymes, and gentle movement activities for our youngest set (babies ages 0-24 months). Lapsit is followed by a mini playgroup with baby appropriate toys, soft music in the background, and a great opportunity for babies to play and caregivers to meet and connect.
Questions? Contact Maddi: mranieri@minlib.net | 781-475-5734
No Registration Required
Medford Connects - Third Party Electric Suppliers Presentation 1:30 p.m., Medford Senior Center, 101 Riverside Ave.
The Medford Senior Center is holding an important and informative presentation from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office on third-party electricity suppliers.
Many of these companies advertise savings but can end up charging significantly higher rates than they would with their default utility provider, especially for seniors and residents on fixed incomes.
This session will explain how these suppliers operate, common warning signs to watch for, and how to protect yourself from misleading or predatory practices. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to make informed decisions about your energy service and avoid unnecessary costs.
Reserve your seat today: 781-396-6010.
Traffic Commission, 5 p.m.
City Council Committee of the Whole, 6 p.m.
Community Preservation Committee, 6:30-8 p.m.
City Council, 7 p.m.
Oak Grove Cemetery Commission, 7 p.m.
What's happening next door?
Medford residents can attend the following events right next door, whether it's in Winchester, Malden, Somerville or Arlington.
WINCHESTER: PRIDEfest & Pride Tea Dance
ARLINGTON: 'Roads of Fire' premiere
Thursday, June 11, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington
The Town of Arlington’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Arlington Human Rights Commission invite community members to attend the Boston premiere screening of “Roads of Fire.”
The screening will be followed by a question-and-answer session with filmmaker Nathaniel Lezra.
With unprecedented access to the global migration crisis, “Roads of Fire” weaves together three powerful and deeply personal narratives: a human smuggler guiding refugees through the treacherous Darién Gap, an asylum seeker rebuilding her life in New York City, and volunteers working on the frontlines of a mounting humanitarian emergency.
The film offers an unflinching and intimate look at the human cost of forced migration, while also highlighting the resilience, courage, and humanity of those navigating one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time.
This is a ticketed event; however, the Town of Arlington’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Arlington Human Rights Commission are offering 60 complimentary tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accessible seating is available for both paid and complimentary ticket holders.
CAMBRIDGE, MALDEN & READING: Juneteenth celebrations
Juneteenth Festival at Cambridge Commons (Harvard Sq - Cambridge), June 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
This family-friendly community gathering is an opportunity to honor Black freedom, history, resilience, and joy while bringing neighbors, families, organizers, and local residents together for a day of learning, celebration, and connection.
Throughout the event, attendees will be able to visit community tables, receive free Black books, and enjoy food and refreshments, including a lemonade stand, pizza for children, lawn games, and ice cream for all ages.
This year’s celebration will also feature a dedicated children’s play area and a special appearance by Professor Bugman, creating a welcoming and engaging environment for families. We will continue in the abolitionist tradition with a reading of Frederick Douglass’s historic speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”, presented with support from the Massachusetts Humanities Council.
Contact Stephanie at general@theblackresponsecambridge.com with any questions you may have about this event.
Save the Date!
Palm Press Bookstore presents ‘Morning Bus’ author Greg Miller
On Thursday, June 11, Palm Press Bookstore, 19 High St. will host “Morning Bus” author Greg Miller for a Q&A plus a book signing, from 5:30-8 p.m.
Inspired by the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, Greg Miller captures children waiting for the morning school bus in his Connecticut community.
These everyday moments — ordinary yet profound — become symbols of trust, innocence, and the silent anxiety carried by parents across the nation.
Through intimate portraits, Miller reflects on the unsettling reality that each goodbye at the bus stop is tinged with uncertainty.
His images, taken over a decade, underscore the cyclical nature of violence and the quiet resilience of childhood. “Morning Bus” is more than a photographic series; it is a deeply personal exploration of love, loss, and the fragile line between safety and tragedy in contemporary America.
In Case You Missed It
If you took any photos of your special student at the MHS graduation, we would love to share them. Just email us here at gottaknowmedford@gmail.com with the subject line Graduation.
Gotta Know Medford Staff
