Superintendent's Update

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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 students, educators and school leaders. The update will also include important announcements from the district’s central office.

These newsletters will also be posted on the PSB website.

We're delighted to share that three PSB schools were named among the top 10 middle schools in Massachusetts for 2025 by US News & World Report.

The John Pierce School was named the best middle school in Massachusetts, out of 487 middle schools that were ranked in the state.

The rankings are based on standardized tests administered by the state to assess student proficiency in mathematics and reading/language arts. Pierce was placed in the "Well Above Expectations" category in both Reading and Math Performance for grades 6 to 8. The school was ranked first in the state in Reading Proficiency, and seventh in Math Proficiency.

The Amos A. Lawrence School was placed 5th, while the William H. Lincoln School came in 10th among middle schools in Massachusetts. The Roland Hayes School was ranked 14th.

We are immensely grateful for the commitment and dedication that the leadership and staff put in at our schools every day, as well as for the unrelenting support that we receive from families. These rankings are a reflection of the collaborative efforts taken by everyone to make PSB a wholesome learning environment for our students. Let's keep up the good work!

Congratulations to the Florida Ruffin Ridley School, who were crowned winners of the PSB Grade 7/8 Volleyball Championship for school year 2024-25. FRR clinched the Championship after winning the finals in both the girls' and boys' categories on Wednesday, November 20.

The finals were held in a festive atmosphere at Brookline High School's Schluntz Gymnasium. Students, families, past and present staff members, and alums turned up to cheer their respective schools on. The girls' final took place between FRR and Hayes, with FRR winning the contest 2-0. In the boys' category, FRR triumphed over Lincoln 2-0.

Our young athletes put up a wonderful display of grit and teamwork throughout the tournament. All the teams involved should be proud of themselves.

Brookline’s youngest learners are ready to enter school! The PSB's Office of Registration and Enrollment (ORE) is holding a special virtual Information Session on Thursday, December 12 at 7pm, for families planning to register their children in Kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year. This event is designed to help guide families through each step of the kindergarten enrollment process and answer questions.

Kindergarten is an important milestone for everyone involved, and our staff is here to support families in this transition. The Office of Registration and Enrollment (ORE) is committed to ensuring that all families have a smooth and successful transition into their first day of kindergarten in Brookline. All families will have multiple opportunities to engage with our staff throughout the registration process, and are happy to support each family with any specific needs they may have.

This session is open to the general public. If you're a family with a student currently enrolled in BEEP, or that is currently receiving Special Education Services through BEEP, you should have received an invitation directly from the Office of Registration and Enrollment to a separate event designed specifically for your student .

The PSB's Annual Grade 5-8 Cross Country Meet took place at the Larz Anderson Park on Friday, October 18. Over 300 runners represented their schools and ran a 1-mile course.

Here's a look at some finish-line videos from the event, as well as pictures of our trophy-winners.

Finish-line Videos

We are excited to share that our curriculum adoption process is nearing completion. Last spring, we narrowed our options to ARC Core, EL Education, and Fishtank Learning. We have been conducting a more detailed review throughout the fall, and want to extend our thanks to all educators who have participated in the process by providing feedback.

In order to collect additional input, we will hold a community open house on Monday, November 25 from 5pm to 6pm at Brookline Town Hall, Room 111. No registration is required to attend.

The Office of Teaching and Learning invites PSB families to come learn about and review the materials for the three programs.

Did you know that you can forage for art supplies? As a part of an art and science collaboration, seventh-grade students at the Florida Ruffin Ridley School collected acorns from the red oak tree in front of the school. They then took them inside and boiled them down to create acorn ink.

In Ms. Em's art classes, students went back outside to use their acorn ink to draw objects in nature. They built on their understanding of how to model form and texture with value, to draw with layers of the semi-transparent ink they had created. In art, there is a long history of drawing "plein-air" , which means "in the open air". Complex natural forms and the changing light conditions challenge artists to slow down, be in the moment, and connect with the world around them. In our screen-focused society, opportunities to connect with the world can be few and far in between, but so rewarding when you find them!

November 27: Early Dismissal – PreK-8 at noon, BHS at 12:15pm

November 28-29: Thanksgiving Break – schools closed

December 23-January 1: Winter Break – schools closed

January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day – schools closed

January 29: Lunar New Year (Category I Holiday) – schools closed

Thanksgiving is a cherished American holiday that celebrates gratitude, family, and the harvest. It commemorates a feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag in 1621, symbolizing cooperation and appreciation for the season's bounty. It’s a time to gather with loved ones, share a festive meal, and reflect on life's blessings.

Join us for the Music Collective's Micsgiving open mic, with good food and even better music! You can play with your band or solo. We have drums and amps.

When: Friday, November 22 at 7pm

Where: Band Room (Room 120), Brookline High School

The open mics are fundraising events for The Music Collective's spring trip to the Netherlands. Entry fee is $5.

Experience an unforgettable evening at Brookline High School as the Brookline Performing Arts and Brookline Literacy Partnership proudly present Revisions – our student talent showcase. Prepare to be enchanted by dazzling dance routines, heartwarming voices, vibrant live bands, harmonious a cappella groups, and side-splitting comedy skits.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for BHS students, and free for K-8 students and PSB staff.

When: Saturday, December 7 at 3pm and 7pm

Where: 22 Tappan Theater, Brookline High School

Get Tickets