page background

Superintendent's Update

February 4, 2022

Superintendent'sUpdateFebruary 4, 2022
zoom_out_map

Happy snow day! After sending out last night’s message, I got a wonderful email this morning from Gabriel, a Ridley student in Ms. Chasse’s Kindergarten class. Gabriel listened to my voice message several times last night was very curious to know who I was, so we spent some time on Zoom this morning to properly introduce myself and my role in calling snow days.


Thank you so much to Gabriel and his family for reaching out, and I’m glad I could help make this morning a highlight of your day!

February is Black History Month

As with previous occasions of celebrating our respect for human difference, we are excited to honor February as Black History Month. Originally beginning in 1926 as “Negro History Week” by historian Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976. PSB has often used this month to honor the achievements and history of African-Americans - and also as a reminder to continually elevate and integrate said history into all areas of our instruction throughout the year. We are grateful that the Hidden Brookline committee has supported us in this work, most recently in the renaming of the then-Edward Devotion School into the Florida Ruffin Ridley School in 2019. As such, I encourage you to engage our students and educators in this dialogue over the next few weeks and beyond.
open_in_new zoom_out_map

Brookline Educators for Educational Diversity (BEED) Recruiting Event

In partnership with the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Educational Equity has launched this stipended district-wide educator task force to help align and organize diversity hiring, onboarding, and retention efforts across all levels of PSB. This work requires re-evaluating and revising current practices around recruitment and selection while also taking steps to create a more belonging culture through ongoing cultural proficiency work across the district.


BEED would like to share with the community that they will be hosting an Educators of Color Networking and Recruiting Event at the Golden Temple Restaurant in Brookline next Wednesday, February 9, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. This is the first of many opportunities this year to familiarize prospective candidates with our school system. It promises to be a powerful opportunity to connect and share who we are. RSVP for the event here!

We want to thank our community for their support in launching the at-home COVID-19 testing program that began last week. We have received over 4,300 responses from students and staff committing to weekly testing, and we appreciate your enthusiasm in keeping our community safe and healthy.


Participating students and staff are advised to perform their test on Tuesday evening once a week and report positive results by Wednesday morning. If you test positive, you must report your result and absence through this form here (www.brookline.k12.ma.us/hometestreport). You do not need to report any negative tests.


Students who opt-in to this program will begin receiving tests next Monday, February 7. Pre-K to 8th Grade students will receive kits from their homeroom teacher. Test kits will be delivered directly to classrooms every Monday. BHS students will receive their test kits at lunch periods directly from MCG volunteers. You only need to complete the form once. If you did not opt-in to testing last week, you can opt-in by completing this form here (www.brookline.k12.ma.us/hometestoptin). Please sign up by Sunday evening to be eligible to receive a kit on Monday.


If your student(s) is absent on a Monday or did not pick up their test kits, please ask your student(s) homeroom teacher to send your test kit home the following day or as soon as you return to school. High school students can check-in directly with the school nurse to pick up their test kits.


This week, we turn the spotlight on our Early Education classrooms! For the 2021-22 school year, the BEEP program was awarded a multi-year DESE Pyramid Model Grant that promotes healthy social-emotional learning for our youngest learners. One example includes incorporating zones of regulation, a color-coded system to help students identify their feelings and level of alertness throughout the school day. The Pyramid Model has been incredibly helpful for our district as we regain our footing from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are very grateful to BEEP Principal Dr. Regina Watts and her team for supporting this important work. Check out the full presentation of the Spotlight on Excellence here.

zoom_out_map

RESCHEDULED: Upcoming BHS Performing Arts Events

In our January 21 update, we announced the latest production from the BHS Performing Arts Department, Legally Blonde. Due to the recent inclement weather, today’s performance has been tentatively rescheduled to Sunday, February 6. Please visit brooklinefopa.org for the latest updates, and to purchase tickets for this amazing singing/dancing-filled musical!
Event Information

REMINDER: Virtual Event: Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health

The Public Schools of Brookline is offering a virtual event for parents and guardians of PreK-12 youth on Monday, February 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. In this event, parents/guardians and educators will learn individual and group strategies to optimize students' use of social media, and how they foster a culture of peer comparison within our community. Special thanks to the Massachusetts Youth Partnership (MPY) and Brookline Education Foundation (BEF) for supporting this important event. Click here to register!

When?

Monday, Feb 7, 2022, 05:30 PM

zoom_out_map

Community Updates

  • Annual Essay Contest from Brookline Asian American Family Network: Every year, the group invites all high school students in Brookline to submit an essay contest answering “What It Means to be An Asian American.” ​ The BAAFN Steering Committee is seeking submissions to be submitted by Monday, February 28. More information can be found here.