Superintendent's Update
March 29, 2024
The communication below provides important information from the Public Schools of Brookline.
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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 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).
A Message from the Superintendent
Greetings PSB Community,
I write to inform you of the budget vote passed by the school committee and its implications for our school district. The school committee approved an FY25 Operating Budget of $136,638,226 that focuses on the following priorities: our strategic plan, high-quality teaching and learning, a foundation of equity, adequate time on learning and enhancing literacy for all. The FY25 budget affirms these commitments as well as engenders some additions: new K-8 ELA curriculum-launching K-2 next year, maintaining class sizes within guidelines, teaching positions added to BHS, staffing addition to athletics department, expanding BEEP to full day and piloting a new middle school Winthrop house at Driscoll.
In each budget prepared by the district, there are competing needs and a finite amount of resources to meet those needs. Given that our initial proposal exceeded the Town allocation, the administration was charged with bringing forth options to consider for reductions. Great thought was put into the deliberation that resulted in the prioritization of reductions to consider. After thorough consideration of our financial situation and the challenging economic climate, the adopted budget necessitated staff reductions which includes K-5 World Language, literacy coaches and positions within the Office of Teaching and Learning.
We understand that this news is concerning, disconcerting and represents a loss to our PSB identity; we are taking every possible step to mitigate the impact on our students, staff and school communities while maintaining the integrity of our educational programs.
As we move forward, we ask for your understanding, patience, and support during this challenging time. We are all in this together, and it is through our collective efforts and resilience that we will overcome these obstacles and continue to provide the high-quality education that our students deserve.
We will keep you informed and updated. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to the success of our students.
Sincerely,
Linus J. Guillory Jr., PhD
Superintendent of Schools
Congratulations Liza O'Connell
We would like to congratulate Elizabeth O'Connell for her appointment as the Deputy Superintendent of Student Services.
Liza has been serving as the Interim Deputy Superintendent of Student Services for the past year and a half. On Thursday, March 28, the School Committee voted unanimously in favor of her appointment for a term of three years.
Liza is a seasoned leader with experience in all aspects of special education and student services. Her depth of experience has contributed to effective long-range strategic planning that reflects high standards, academic achievement, social and emotional gains, and a solid sense of citizenship.
We wish Liza good luck in continuing her great work at the PSB.
Updated Guidance for Respiratory Viruses including COVID-19
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department for Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE) have updated their Guidelines for Respiratory Viruses including COVID-19, to align with the updated CDC guidance issued on March 1, 2024. The CDC and DESE no longer require a 5-day isolation upon testing positive for Covid-19.
New guidance for respiratory viruses including Covid-19
- Stay home and away from others, returning to normal activities only when symptoms are improving and the person has been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- Get tested for COVID-19 and flu. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting treatment if you test positive.
- Stay away from others in your household. Wear a mask when you have to be around them.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
- Clean high-touch surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.
You should stay home even if you don’t know what virus is making you sick.
Upon returning to normal activities, individuals are encouraged to take these additional measures for 5 days to prevent disease spread:
- enhancing hygiene practices,
- wearing a well-fitting mask,
- keeping a distance from others,
- increasing ventilation to clean air,
- utilizing indoor air filters
These measures are especially important to protect those most vulnerable, including people over age 65 and people who are immunocompromised.
- The full CDC respiratory virus guidance update can be found here.
- The MDPH updates can be found here.
- The full press release by the Brookline Department of Public Health can be found here.
- PSB guidelines on when to keep your child home can be found here.
Respiratory viruses remain a public health threat, but more than 98% of the U.S. population now has some protective immunity against Covid-19. Together, we can use a unified approach to protect ourselves and our community. Let’s work together to keep Brookline healthy.
Prevention steps and guidance include:
- Staying up to date with vaccination against flu, Covid-19, and RSV if eligible
- Everyone ages 5 years and older should get one dose of an updated Covid-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness.
- Covid-19 vaccines are still available at no cost to most people living in the U.S. through their private health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid plans. To find a Covid-19 vaccination site, visit: vaccines.gov
- The CDC’s Bridge Access Program provides no-cost Covid-19 vaccines to adults 18 years and older without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all Covid-19 vaccine costs. For more information visit: vaccines.gov
- People who are homebound are still eligible to receive an in-home Covid-19 vaccine through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in-home Covid-19 Vaccination Program. Call the in-home vaccination central intake line at (833)-983-0485 to schedule an appointment
- Free at-home Covid-19 tests are available at the Brookline Department of Public Health & Human Services and the Brookline Public Libraries (all branches) while supplies lasts.
- Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue and sanitizing or washing hands often with soap and water
- Improving air quality by opening windows, utilizing air purifiers, or gathering outdoors
- Staying home upon development of respiratory symptoms
Composting at Hayes
The Roland Hayes school has been working with the Brookline Department of Public Works to introduce composting during their lunches.
This began with students engaging in interactive video learning about how and why to compost, followed by a school-made compost game. Last week, composting was launched schoolwide, with student council reps volunteering to be compost monitors.
A big thank you to Mrs. Wheeler, Ms. Shashoua, Ms. Weatherseed (DPW), school custodian Mr. Manganiello and Mr. Patel for leading these efforts.
BHS Students Perform at the 2024 MMEA All State Music Festival
Congratulations to the following BHS students who performed at the Boston Symphony Hall on Saturday, March 23 at the 2024 MMEA All State Music Festival. The students auditioned and were chosen among the top musicians in the state.
- Henry Allen – Trombone
- Ronni Chang – Violin
- Antonia Duffield – Alto Voice
- Rebecca Gale – Soprano Voice
- Diane Kang – Cello
- Tony Lee – Clarinet
- Kianoush Rahimi – Bass Voice
- Elise Ruberg – Soprano Voice
- Sophia Shahrooz – Soprano Voice
- Noa Suk – Violin
- Justina Wang – Violin
BHS Camerata Choir Performs at the MMEA All-State Music Educators Conference
On Friday, March 22, the Brookline High School Camerata Choir, directed by Dr. Michael Driscoll, performed for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association's Annual All-State Conference in Worcester, MA. Over 700 music educators from Massachusetts and beyond participated in the conference. The Camerata Choir was the only choral ensemble invited to perform, and one of just four ensembles invited to perform at the conference. The ensembles submitted recordings in December, and were selected by a committee to perform.
Dr. Driscoll also gave a presentation to other music educators on the TAKADIMI rhythm system, a system of teaching rhythm that is used by PSB music educators.
Rising 9th Grade Wine & Cheese Social
The BHS Innovation Fund invites rising 9th grade parents/guardians to a free wine and cheese social on Thursday, April 4. This is an opportunity to meet current BHS faculty, network with other parents/guardians, and learn about the critical work of the BHS Innovation Fund.
This is an adult-only event for parents/guardians of students entering BHS next year.
School of the World's 2024 Summer Service Trips
School of the World's Student Service Program provides an inspiring service experience for high school students. While traveling to Guatemala, Panama, or Honduras, they will get to experience a new culture, make new friends, fulfill service hours and create lasting relationships with the kids in the community, all while supporting infrastructure growth by building a school and/or a playground!
Join STW at the Putterham Library Meeting Room (959 West Roxbury Parkway, Chestnut Hill), to learn about their 2024 summer service trips, on Monday, April 8 at 6.30pm. Folks will have the opportunity to hear from past Brookline student travelers about their experiences, and ask questions about our 2024 programs.
BA&CE's SmartSummer Theater Arts Program
Brookline Adult & Community Education SmartSummers Theater Arts Program and Theater Arts Jr. is open for registration! The program gives students an opportunity to engage in acting, music, art, and dance, and work together to create an original musical based on popular children's stories and movies.
We have three two-week sessions from July 8-August 16, for children of ages 5-13. Tuition assistance is available.
This summer, our shows are based on The Jungle Book, The Lion King, and Madagascar. Please email theaterartscamp@aol.com with any questions.
Inside the Art Room
This week's artwork comes to us from Ms. Basha Goldstein-Weiss' sixth-grade students at the Lincoln School
Portraits tell us so much more about a subject than just what they look like. Clothing, expression, environment, lighting, and brushstroke all reveal things about the sitter, and how the artist saw and understood that person's character and style. One of the most powerful tools the artist has to communicate things like character, energy, and personality is color.
The students in Ms. Goldstein-Weiss' sixth-grade classes used expressive and communicative color in two different ways in creating these self-portraits. After working with a permanent marker to suggest the contours of the head and face, they worked with various tones of color to model the forms of the face using highlights, mid-tones, and shadows. Some students used expressive color while others worked on creating subtle changes in a more observational color palette. In addition to painting the face, they used expressive color, design, and even some text in the background of these portraits. These wonderful portraits are a lively and expressive depiction of who these young people are at this important moment in their lives.
Important Dates
April 3: Parent-Teacher Conference (K-12 Early Dismissal at 12.40pm)
April 11: Parent-Teacher Conference (K-6 Early Dismissal at 12.40pm)
April 15-19: April Vacation (schools closed)
April 25: Parent-Teacher Conference (K-6 Early Dismissal at 12.40pm)
May 1: Parent-Teacher Conference (K-6 Early Dismissal at 12.40pm)
Observances
Good Friday (March 29)
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a day of reflection, reminding believers of the sacrifice made for humanity's redemption.
Easter (March 31)
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's a time of joy, symbolizing hope and the triumph of light over darkness.
International Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31)
International Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates the courage and resilience of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals worldwide, while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done towards inclusivity, equality, and respect for all gender identities.
World Autism Acceptance Day (April 2)
World Autism Acceptance Day is a global initiative dedicated to promoting understanding and inclusion of the autism spectrum. It's a reminder to embrace neurodiversity, foster acceptance, and create supportive environments where every person can thrive.
Community Events
Tweens & Teens Navigating Screens: Guidance for Parents on Adopting Healthy Approaches
Join the Brookline Parent Network (B-PEN) for an informative virtual presentation on raising tweens and teens in the digital age.
When: Tuesday, April 2 at 7pm
Where: Zoom
Masterworks Concert
Under the direction of Michael Driscoll and Nina Bishop, Brookline High School's Camerata Choir and Advanced Chamber Orchestra perform The Light Cavalry Overture and Part One of Haydn’s Creation. The performance will feature student soloists from the choir.
When: Wednesday, April 3, at 7.30pm
Where: Roberts/Dubbs Auditorium, Brookline High School
Tickets are $10 for adults, and free for PSB students and staff.
BHS Music Collective
Join us for the BHS Music Collective's spring concerts, featuring performing music from Mingus and Christene Jensen, and student arrangements of music from the artists John Pizzarelli, Laufey, The Ezra Collective, The Box Tops and more.
When: Thursday, April 4 and Friday, April 5 at 7.30pm
Where: Roberts/Dubbs Auditorium, Brookline High School
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for 8th graders and PSB staff.