RUSSELL SCHOOL FAMILY NEWSLETTER
August 1, 2022
October 9, 2023
Russell Office Number - 617.635.8803
WEEK 6 UPDATE
We hope everyone enjoyed the first long weekend of this school year!
Last Thursday we held our first PSC of the year: Election Night. Thank you to all the families who attended our first meeting, we apologize that the Vietnamese interpreter was not present. Thanks also to our partner: St. Stephen's Youth Programs for their participation in presenting the Parent Mentor Program.
Congratulations to the elected members of the SY 23-24 PSC leadership, we look forward to working with you. Our next meeting will be held on November 2nd under the direction of our new co-chairs John Smith and Veronica Torres. We still have vacant positions in the leadership, SPED PAC Rep (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) and 3 open positions for SSC Rep. Additional elections to fill those positions will be held at our next PSC meeting. Come and join us!
Did you know that the Pikmykid app offers a hands-free announcement option? Just go to the "Account" tab at the bottom of the application and activate the automatic announcement function. In order for it to work, make sure you have allowed your device to access the location services at all times. We have attached a pfd with information on how to access the handsfree announcing feature below.
Oct 9 - No School - Indigenous Peoples' Day
Oct 19 - School Site Council
Oct 25 - School Based Equity Round Table
Oct 25. - Family Coffee Hour
Oct 31 - Harvest Fest
Nov 2 - Parent Site Council
Nov 3 - Pep Rally
Nov 10 -No School - Veterans Day
Nov 16 - School Site Council
Nov 22 - Early Release @ 12:40pm
Nov 23-24 - No School - Thanksgiving
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.
PEP RALLY
Last Friday we had our October's Pep Rally: Hispanic Heritage Month. Our students had fun celebrating the Hispanic culture and playing games.
FAMILY COFFEE HOUR
Come join us for our first Coffee Hour of the year. Here we will informally share with other families and talk about engagement opportunities at our school. Please fill out the RSVP form on or before October 18 to get an idea of how many families will be attending. Breakfast will be provided. Come join us!
ONE BEAD
Hello Russell Families
I am Reynaldo Benzan-Martinez, a Program Director at One Bead. We're back this year at the Russell! -
One Bead is a non-profit that introduces students in grades 2-8 to leaders in the community. We are holding 30min interviews once a week on Zoom for your child to meet, Video Game Designers, Professional Chefs, Boston Celtics Vice president and Music Producers. All local leaders working in Massachusetts. If your child attends 3 of our virtual interviews, we will send home a $50 Gift Card in the mail.
If you're interested, click one of these links to sign an enrollment form: English | Spanish
Once the enrollment form is signed Reynaldo from One Bead will reach out if you have any questions.:"
Thanks!
See you soon!
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
Family engagement in schools contributes to positive student outcomes, including improved child and student achievement, decreased disciplinary issues, improved parent-teacher and teacher-student relationships, and improved school environment.
WE HAVE SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO JOIN US AS A TEAM:
1) PARENT SITE COUNCIL
We still have vacant positions in the SY 2023-2024 PSC Leadership: SPED PAC Rep (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) and 3 open positions for SSC Rep. Additional elections to fill those positions will be held at our next PSC meeting. Come and join us!
2) 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
3) Parent Mentor
Make a difference in your child’s school! Apply for the Parent Mentor Program
We are looking for 3 parents and caregivers interested in the Parent Mentor Program. This program will place you in a classroom in your child’s school for 2.5 hours a day to act as a mentor for our students.
Parent Mentors will receive a stipend of $17/hour for 12.5 hours a week.
4) 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.
5) 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.
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 ON BC 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
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:
Subscribe to a fixed home broadband internet connection for more reliable and consistent connectivity. Affordable Connectivity Program: Up to a $30/month discount on broadband internet services for eligible households. For additional information, call (877)-384-2575 or visit https://acpbenefit.org/. Comcast Internet Essentials: Low cost broadband internet ($9.95/month, free with Affordable Connectivity Program). For additional information, visit internetessentials.com.
REMINDER
DISMISSAL REMINDER
The Russell dismissal policy is that students have one mode of transportation home. Students are either a walker or a bus student. Students who are traditionally on a bus but will be picked up at dismissal should report to their bus room. The person picking them up should wait at the front of the school and retrieve them from the bus line. Students who are assigned to a bus should never be released with the walkers.
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.