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Community Notes
September15th, 2023
Our North Star
“When children and teachers feel engaged, safe, and supported we have room to grow and learn through collaboration and risk-taking with our peers.”
Previous "Community Notes" can be found here: https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/domain/718
Dear Heath/Roland Hayes School Community
Today marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15th-October 15th
"Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402." (link)
Rosh Hashanah Begins Tonight
"Celebrating a new year ... is all about making changes. It’s a time for new beginnings, for wiping the slate clean and starting over from scratch. In that spirit, on Rosh Hashanah Jews say prayers and listen to readings that celebrate the creation of the world and of human life," writes David DeSteno in his New York Times OpEd this week. We hope that all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah have a joyful, connecting, and life-affirming new year! Shana Tova!
Whatever you do, consider making space in your conversations at home to recognize the world around us, honor our heritage languages and observances, understand the people who came before us and those we are neighbors with today, and to understand the history of our land, our borders, our migrations, and ourselves – we’ll all be better because you did.
Student Activities: 7-8 Volleyball and 5-8 Cross Country
Volleyball
Is your 7th or 8th grade student interested in joining volleyball? 🏆TRYOUTs ARE MONDAY!!!! 🏐 Here is the information you need:
Information Letter - https://docs.google.com/document/d/15rIDb4c7VidqiISfyouCwVwlRntdsQiWN9lf--Sfgb4/edit?usp=sharing
Schedule - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EPN2ieNg2P59FaA4ULiyuI_fptb5D0ZZ8VSzwZ5oWRk/edit
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Cross Country
How about our Grades 5-8 Cross Country team? This fall students in 5-8 can participate in intramural cross country, “XC”. Students train at practices over the next 6 weeks. The 1 mile race is at Larz Anderson Park on Friday, October 20th after school from 2-6pm. There is no fee for XC, students will need a signed permission slip. There will be no bus transportation. Parents are responsible for getting their child to/from the race. In the Spring, students can try out for track and field.
Mr. Ikonne is our coach. Please reach out to him at chima_ikonne@psbma.org to learn more, sign up, and find out the schedule.
Student Affinity Groups
We define affinity groups as “spaces where individuals who share a common identity can come together for collaboration and support. These commonalities are typically aspects that are unchangeable components of identity, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexuality, language, ability status, family structure, etc. Affinity groups are most often useful for identities who have been historically silenced or marginalized, as historic (and contemporary) oppression can result in feelings of isolation in typical workplace and educational environments. School-based affinity groups are often designated as “safe spaces” for folks to share how the affinity identity impacts their role in the educational setting, as well as working toward some common mission or goal along those lines. The absence of individuals who identify differently is often what creates this sense of safety for group members.”
We are proud to offer a range of affinity spaces for our students here. Learn more by viewing this slide deck, here:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12rKyjxgb3rh68kfMw-FxsWHZgwkZkjz9j3BfAvVpm3I/edit?usp=sharing
Young Scholars Begins Soon!
Want to know more about Scholars?
Then, click here: click!
Join Karen and Tatiana for a ZOOM meeting on Thursday, September 21,
from 6-6:30 p.m.
Ready to sign up your kid? Please use this form!
Open House Schedule
Here you will find our Open House schedule, a time for families to see the classrooms, hear about the year ahead, and connect with other families and the teaching teams. More details to come directly from teachers, but for now, mark your calendars!
Meet Our Specialists
During Open House visits you will have a chance to meet your child's teacher, but you won't be able to meet the many teachers in your child's life. This presentation should help you acclimate to the many folks who work directly and indirectly with our students each and every day.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OhEzh5hgITaKNAolmt5dXp8L6OZHjX8nHTJSKPKVMmY/edit?usp=sharing
School Renaming Efforts: Updates and Information
Yesterday, a community member who owned the house Roland Hayes had owned before her, at 58 Allerton Road, stopped by our school. She brought us this gorgeous portrait of Mr. Hayes and his family that we will eventually and proudly hang in our school. The connections to Mr. Hayes are deep and sweet in this town; more and more folks come to me with such dear stories of their time with him and it is always a pleasure to hear directly from those who knew him.
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This past Monday evening, the Town's Naming Committee met to review and discuss our name changing efforts. The Committee voted to support our efforts, which was such a great moment!
Reminder: We have also submitted our Warrant Article to the Town to "see if the Town will vote to change the name of the school located at 100 Eliot St, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 from the 'Heath School' to the 'Roland Hayes School.'" Town Meeting begins this fall and our petition will be heard then.
Each week, we report updates on the renaming process here. Past "Community Notes" newsletters can be found here:
https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/domain/718
The "School Name: History & Resources" website page is also updated regularly:
Seeking Volunteers: Girls On The Run
We are seeking teachers and parents to coach 1-2x week to create the first Heath/Hayes grade 3-5 Girls on the Run Team! This program has an incredibly positive impact on the girls and communities who participate in it, and I am hoping to get this going in our school with your help. Thank you to Dr. Sevelius and Mr. Patel for giving us the green light to get this going!
What is Girls on the Run?
A National non-profit organization designing programming that strengthens 3rd-8th grade girls social, emotional, physical and behavioral skills to successfully navigate life experiences. The program’s intentional curriculum places an emphasis on developing competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, and contribution in young girls through lessons that incorporate running and other physical activities. The life skills curriculum is delivered by caring and competent coaches who are trained to teach lessons. The program has been independently studied and has provided strong evidence that it is effective in meeting these goals.
Hear how teacher volunteers have seen an impact on their students.
"We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running."
"We envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams."
Baker, FRR, Lawrence, Pierce, Lincoln all have a GOTR team and the Runkle Principal is trying to get one going as well.
We need a site liaison/contact at the school and 3-4 coaches (parents, teachers, community members) to get the team going.
What is the commitment for Girls on the Run Coaches?
- Lead small teams (8-20 girls) through powerful and engaging evidence-based lessons
- Not required to be runners or athletes
- Fully prepared and supported by a GOTR staff member
- Ideally available for practice 2x/week for 90-minutes for the 10-week season
- Build confidence, create healthy habits and social-emotional skills
- Attend in-person coach training dates
- Eligible educators can earn DESE approved PDP credits for each practice and training session
We hope to be able to get a stipend or grant for our volunteers coaches and are exploring this as well. Your time, talent and connection with the kids is valuable!
Girl Participation
There is a fee to participate in the program ($225) charged to families upon registration. This fee works on a sliding scale from $225 down to $35 based on self-reported income, and covers program cost, t-shirts, water bottles, and 5k race registration at the end of the season.
Please email Mr. Patel, parent Lara Mego @ lara.mego@gmail.com or GOTR contact Theresa Ferguson @ teresa.ferguson@girlsontherun.org
Let's do this!
Devastating Earthquake in Morocco
Mr. Goldner has a seismograph in his Science classroom; it registered the devastating M6.8 Quake that hit Morocco on Friday. Below is a screenshot.
Want to help? Some suggestions from the Washington Post: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which has a Morocco-based arm, is accepting donations for its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund. You can donate here. World Central Kitchen is using helicopters and 4x4 vehicles to reach hard-hit communities across the disaster area, providing sandwiches, fruit and water; donate here.
Birthday Announcements
We are starting a new tradition this year of announcing birthdays during morning announcements. Kids (and staff) will hear their names and then be able to be celebrated in class and come to the office for a birthday pencil and lots of cheers from the Main Office team.
We recognize that there may be reasons you do NOT want your child's birthday recognized. If you do not want your child's birthday announced, please let me know by sending an email to me directly at asa_sevelius@psbma.org
Opportunities in Our Community
From Brookline GreenSpace Alliance
Do you love Eliot Playground/Warren Field?
Most park friends groups are started by a small group of dedicated people in the neighborhood. Sometimes groups are started because they want to do something about the condition of their park, or there is a threat to the park of some kind. But park groups can also start as a way to celebrate the park. Holding an event that develops appreciation for our open space, planting bulbs or flowers, or utilizing the park as a way to develop closer ties in your neighborhood can be just as important. Over time, park friends groups become important allies for their parks, and can make the difference between parks that thrive, or parks that merely survive.
Did you know that the Brookline GreenSpace Alliance can help you form a friends group for our park? Please see the info below and consider joining these neighborhood initiatives!
A New Softball League is Forming!
Maybe you know a cool kid who is eager to give softball a try?
Upcoming Events
- Monday, September 18th: Grade 5 Open House, 8:15-9:00am
- Monday, September 18th: Rainbow Club - 5th Graders, MPR, 11:20-11:50am
- Tuesday, September 19th: Kindergarten Open House, 8:15-9:00am
- Wednesday, September 20th: Grade 1 Open House, 8:15-9:00am
- Wednesday, September 20th: Grades 6-8 GSA, 10:50-11:20am
- Thursday, September 21st: Grade 2 Open House, 8:15-9:00am
- Monday, September 25th: School Closed: Day of Low Attendance (Yom Kippur)
- Tuesday, September 26th: Grade 4 Open House, 8:15-9:00am
- Wednesday, September 27th: Heath Picture Day
- Wednesday, September 27th: Grades 6-8 GSA, 10:50-11:20am
- Thursday, September 28th: Grades 6-8 Open House, 8:15-9:15am
- Monday, October 2nd: Grade 3 Open House, 8:15-9:00am
- Monday, October 2nd: Rainbow Club - 4th Graders, MPR, 11:20-11:50am
- Tuesday, October 3rd: Field Day!
- Tuesday, October 3rd: PTO Community Meeting (via ZOOM), 6:00-7:00pm
- Wednesday, October 4th: Rain Date: Field Day
- Wednesday, October 4th: Grades 6-8 GSA, 10:50-11:20am
In Closing
Well, that was a lot. But we have lots and lots going on! Thank you for all you do to make this place so amazing.
Take it easy, folks!
~ Asa
Contact
Dr. Asa Sevelius, Ed.D. | Principal
Email: asa_sevelius@psbma.org
Pronouns: he/him
Mr. Kirtan Patel | Vice Principal
Email: kirtan_patel@psbma.org
Pronouns: he/him
Previous "Community Notes" can be found here: https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/domain/718
Website: https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/Page/17
Location: 100 Eliot Street, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467
Phone: 617-879-4570
Heath School
The Public Schools Of Brookline | A METCO Partnership School
Dr. Asa Sevelius, Principal & Mr. Kirtan Patel, Vice Principal