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Superintendent's Update
February 16, 2024
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The communication below provides important information from the Public Schools of Brookline.
Translations and accessibility options are available at the top of the page.
- Simplified Chinese: 点击这里查看中文翻译.
- Traditional Chinese: 點擊這裡查看中文翻譯.
- French: Cliquez ici pour accéder aux options de traduction
- Haitian Creole: Klike la a pou tradiksyon kreyòl ayisyen an.
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- Japanese: ここをクリックして日本語の翻訳にアクセスしてください.
- Korean: 한국어 번역을 보시려면 여기를 클릭하십시오.
- Portuguese: Clique aqui para a tradução em português.
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- Vietnamese: Nhấn vào đây để truy cập bản dịch tiếng Việt.
On most Fridays during the school year, the Office of the Superintendent will send an update to the community highlighting some of the excellent work being done by our educators and school leaders. The update will also include important announcements from the district’s central office. These newsletters will be posted on the PSB website (www.brookline.k12.ma.us/supt-updates).
February Vacation
A gentle reminder that next week is February Vacation! Schools will be closed from Monday, February 19 to Friday, February 23. Students and staff will return to school on Monday, February 26.
District offices will be closed on Monday, February 19 in observance of Presidents Day.
We wish everyone a happy and relaxing vacation.
8th Grade to 9th Grade Transition
The Class of 2028 will enter Brookline High School in September 2024. The PSB and BHS are committed to facilitating a smooth transition for 8th graders into the 9th grade.
With this goal in mind, we have created a dedicated section for 8th grade to 9th grade transition on the district website. This section will serve as a repository for all information related to the transition, from course recommendation and selection, transition events, communications and more.
Runkle's Middle School Winter Dance
The Runkle PTO sponsored the school's second annual Middle School Winter Dance (for grades 6-8) on Wednesday, February 14. The students had a great time dancing to the music of DJ Mike Price.
A big thank you to all the parents who chaperoned, planned, decorated and cleaned up.
Runkle Field Trip to Wheelock Theatre
On Thursday, February 15, Runkle's first and second graders caught a show Mr. Popper's Penguins at the Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University, after having read the book and learned all about penguins.
The students rode the T to the theatre, accompanied by parent chaperones.
Spring Preschool Screening
The Brookline Early Education Program (BEEP) will conduct preschool screenings on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. This is a free and optional service for preschool-aged Brookline residents (ages 2.6 to 5 years old) who are not currently attending BEEP.
Screenings will take place by appointment only at 2 Clark Rd, Brookline, MA - 02445.
To schedule a screening appointment, please fill out the survey below, or contact Sarah Moynihan at (617)-713-5473 or sarah_moynihan@psbma.org.
A Message from Brookline Adult & Community Education (BA&CE)
Brookline Adult & Community Education (BA&CE) is thrilled to offer a week-long program for kids aged 5-12 from February 20 to 23.
Join us at the Roland Hayes School (formerly Heath School) for a week filled with fun, enriching, and entertaining activities. Choose between full or half-day sessions featuring acting, singing, dancing, arts and crafts, Shark Tank Jr., Lego Future House, and more. There is something for everyone.
Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to create lasting memories!
Inside the Art Room
This week's artwork comes to us from from Basha Goldstein-Weiss' Kindergarten classes at the Lincoln School
Snowfall can be so magical - when you wake up in the morning and the world has been transformed by a sparkling white blanket of snow. Students in Ms. Goldstein-Weiss' kindergarten classes had been looking forward to the snow so they could do some of their favorite snow day activities. Inspired by reading Ezra Jack Keats' classic The Snowy Day, students imagined what they would do once those frosty flakes finally began to fall. They started by tearing paper to make snowflakes, thinking about whether they wanted to create a hill to sled on or flat landscape to build upon. Students cut paper to add buildings and trees into the background. They used their fine motor skills to cut and layer small pieces of colored paper to create shapes for eyes mouths, hats, scarves, and mittens. They imagined themselves and how they would feel all dressed up and ready to play in the snow!
News from Around the World-Language-Department
Driscoll’s Lunar New Year Celebration
Student performances make the Lunar New Year Celebration a truly unique event each year at the Driscoll School, where students begin learning Chinese in kindergarten. Students move through the novice, or “word level,” stages of language development in grades K-5, and enter the intermediate, or “sentence level,” stages in grades 6-8.
With support from their World Language teachers, students from all grade levels recited poems, sang songs, made movies, or emceed at last week’s performances. They brought the whole school community together to celebrate culture and showcase their language journey in Chinese. Enjoy this closer look!
Staffing Updates
We're happy to share the Christina Pentikis has joined the PSB as Talent Acquisition Coordinator.
Christina brings 7 years of experience in talent acquisition. Her role will be to attract new talent and guide them through the interview and onboarding processes. Having recently transitioned from the private to the public sector, she is excited to apply her skills and knowledge to serve the Brookline community. She looks forward to making a positive impact in her new role, and continuing her commitment to fostering talent and growth within the public sector.
We're glad to announce that Melvin Merlos has joined the PSB as Employee Engagement Specialist.
Melvin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the human resources and talent acquisition space. In his role, he will be focused on creating a seamless onboarding experience, checking in at various points to identify areas to improve, supporting existing employees with lane changes, exit interviews and more.
We warmly welcome Christina and Melvin to the PSB, and wish them good luck in their roles.
Important Dates
February 19 to 23: February Vacation (schools closed)
Observances
Lent (February 14 to March 28)
Lent is a solemn 40-day season observed by Christians worldwide. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It is a period of preparation to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection at Easter. During this period, Christians read sacred scripture, give alms, and practice self-control through fasting. It is a time of introspection, repentance, and spiritual renewal.
Presidents Day (February 19)
Presidents Day, celebrated on the third Monday of February, honors the contributions and legacies of past US presidents. Originally established to commemorate George Washington's birthday, it now serves as a day to reflect on the leadership and impact of all presidents throughout American history. It's a time for citizens to appreciate the enduring influence of these leaders on the nation's development and democracy.
Community Events
Teen & Tween Crafternoon: Celebrate Black History
Celebrate Black History Month and explore the works of mixed-media artists Mickalene Thomas and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Create your own original collages inspired by these artists! The event is for tweens and teens in grades 5-12.
When: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 from 3pm to 4pm
Where: The Public Library of Brookline (Putterham location), 959 West Roxbury Parkway, Chestnut Hill
No registration required.
Finnegan Lecture Series – Jasmine Warga
The Finnegan Lecture Series at Lesley University is all set to host bestselling and award-winning author Jasmine Warga.
When: Thursday, March 7 from 7pm to 8pm
Where: Zoom
Brookline Teen Parklet Design Day
The Brookline Department of Public Works has partnered with the Planning Department and Maglin Furniture to host a design workshop for teenagers.
The teens will have the opportunity to come up with the design for a mini park, also known as a parklet, which will be built over spring.
When: Wednesday, March 13 from 3pm to 6pm
Where: Brookline Town Hall, 333 Washington Street
If you have questions, please contact parks@brooklinema.gov.