RUSSELL SCHOOL FAMILY NEWSLETTER
August 1, 2022
November 12, 2023
Russell Office Number - 617.635.8803
WEEK 11 UPDATE
We hope you all had a happy long weekend!
School Site Council:
Come and join us this Thursday November 16 at our monthly SSC meeting via Zoom under the direction of our head scholar Mr. Ciesla. Your opinion is valued, make your voice heard.
JUST A FEW REMINDERS:
- NO PICK UP AFTER 2:00PM: Early dismissal will not be accommodated during the last block of the day. No student will be dismissed after 2:00pm.
- DISMISSAL TIME IS 3:10PM
- NO OUTSIDE FOOD: The Russell policy states that families are not permitted to send in outside food to be shared with the class. This is due to a number of students having food allergies, sensitivities and dietary restrictions. Parents are welcome to celebrate student birthdays and holidays with non-edible goodies.
Nov 16 - School Site Council- 7-8 PM Zoom
Nov 22 - Early Release @ 12:40pm
Nov 23-24 - No School - Thanksgiving
Nov 28 - Retake Picture Day @School Auditorium
PICKMYKID
In our ongoing efforts to enhance your children’s safety, we have decided to begin using the PikMyKid Dismissal Application. Throughout the country, it has been proven to simplify dismissal, reduce traffic congestion, and most importantly, improve overall safety. The unique features of PikMyKid allow you, as parents, to easily change pick up modes, quickly delegate to an alternate individual for pickup, change to an ‘After School’ program, and even schedule for future pickup mode, pickup individual, and after school programs. This app allows you to be in full control of your child’s dismissal and it gives us, the school, complete information regarding dismissal and the ability to acknowledge every change and to instantly check your child’s dismissal status should you have a question. We are very excited about this addition and know you will be too. Check your emails over the next week for additional information and we will be on our way to a safer, quicker, and more efficient dismissal process. To Learn a little more on your own, please check out the following link that will show you a few of the PikMyKid features.
***Please download the app even if you child is a bus student.
BPS WORKSHOP
1) METRO HOUSING
Metro Housing is hosting an in person housing clinic for families on Friday November 17th. Topics include, affordable housing application assistance as well as support around housing search, and tenant rights. Registration is required, please see the flyer attached( in both English and Spanish)
Green Space Financial Literacy workshops are held on the 2nd Wednesday and 3rd Tuesdays of every month (with the exception of November and December).
Also, please be advised that due to the nature of the learning, admittance to workshops will only be granted within the first 5 minutes of the start time.
CREDIT:
You are invited to a Zoom Workshop: Demystifying Credit.
When: November 08, 2023 05:00-6:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Some things covered in the workshop:
- Understanding credit score is and how it is calculated
- Learn how to access your credit report
- Learn about (free) tools for managing credit
- Strategies for how to establish (good) or improve credit
BUDGETING:
You are invited to a Zoom Workshop: How Do I Stretch My Pay? Workshop Event
When: November 14, 2023 05:00 -6:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
- How to Develop a Practice Spending Plan
- Strategies for making choices based on priorities
- Learn how to prioritize spending
- Techniques for supporting long term success
Have a wonderful weekend!
Gabriella
Gabriella Cruz
Project Manager
Department of Opportunity Youth| Boston Public Schools
443 Warren Street, Dorchester MA, 02121
gcruz@bostonpublicschools.org | c. 857-544-4686
BPS SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY
In addition to meeting academic requirements, students must meet state laws and BPS requirements for school attendance. Excellent attendance and school success go hand in hand. The more often a student is absent—even if the absence is unavoidable—the harder it is for the student to keep up with the class. Students with good attendance are more likely to show proficiency in MCAS than those with poor attendance. Parents play an essential role in ensuring that their child attends school consistently and on time every day.
In order to excuse your children, BPS requires a note from parents with date, name of the student, reason for absence and parent signature. If the student is out for more than 3 consecutive days, a doctor's note is required. The documents must be provided within seven days of the absence.
First Absence
Teacher contacts parent via Talking Point: Instruct parents to fill out Google Form or send written note with date, reason, parent 's phone number and signature within 7 days of absence.
Second Absence
Attendance team will send home letter before third absence
Third Unexcused Absence
Attendance team will send home letter before fourth absence
Teacher must refer student to MTSS
Parent is invited to meeting with the MTSS team
Attendance team starts Attendance Intervention Plan (AIP)
Fourth Unexcused Absence
Parent will meet with School Leader
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
The American Psychological Association study showed that not only does parental involvement lead to improved academic outcomes, but it also has a positive impact on students' social and emotional skills and decreases instances of delinquency.
WE HAVE SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO JOIN US AS A TEAM:
1) Volunteer Parent Ambassador:
As a school, we are actively trying to increase family engagement in our school. We need your help in building strong partnerships between home and school! We are looking to recruit family members who can help us communicate to other Russell families by being Classroom Family Champion / Ambassadors. The roles and responsibilities of the position will include the following:
- Calling families in your class for zoom meeting and in person meetings
- Reminding families in your class of important dates
- Informing families of upcoming events and programs
2) School Spirit Team
We are recruiting family members to join our School Spirit Team. Spirit Team members will help us create and organize different school activities such as October Fest, Field Day and Multicultural Night among others.
3) Catie's Closet Champion Volunteer
We are looking for one of our parent/caregiver to become a Catie's Closet Champion.
Responsibilities include:
- Maintain a clean and organized closet
- Assist in replenishing items and identifying closet needs
- Communicate with Catie’s Closet staff and school personnel
- Perform a mid-year and end-of-school-year assessment
Please contact Ms. Sharon for more information or if you wish to volunteer.
LIBRARY CONNECTIONS
THE WEEK OF NOV 13, 2023
This week we are going to the zoo:
SAN DIEGO ZOO
https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS
TUTORING AND HOMEWORK HELP
1) FREE ONLINE TUTORING AND MENTORING SUPPORT FOR BPS STUDENTS!
Boston Partners in Education matches BPS students with experienced mentors to help improve academics and confidence.
Any BPS student in grades 2-12 is eligible to be matched with a mentor through our Independent Learning Support program in any school subject. Mentors meet with students online, for one hour a week, to help with classwork and homework. To learn more about the Independent Learning Support program or to sign your student up for the 2022-23 school year, visit: bit.ly/IndependentLearningSupport
2) FREE TUTORING ONLINE OR AT THE BOSTON COLLEGE CAMPUS
Does your child need a FREE tutor?
- Your child is tutored by a BC student
, Tutoring session is 1 or 1.5 hour session, 1 day per week - On BC campus or over Zoom
- You pick the day and time!
- Grades 1-12, all subjects
Priority is given to families who live/work or attend school in Allston Brighton.
Visit the Boston College Neighborhood Center website to fill out an application form today!
www.bc.edu/neighborhood or call 617-552-0445
3) HELP WITH HOMEWORK
Need Help with you Homework?
Visit a neighborhood library and get homework help from a Boston teacher!
4:00-6:00 PM. *Except as noted.
RESOURCES CORNER
FOOD RESOURCES:
INTERNET OPTIONS: