Roland Hayes School

September 13th, 2024

Our North Star

“When children and teachers feel engaged, safe, and supported we have room to grow and learn through collaboration and risk-taking with our peers.”

Previous "Community Notes" can be found here: https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/domain/718

The "Community Notes" is sent every other week. Thanks for reading!

We recognize and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, beginning this Sunday, September 15, 2024 through Tuesday, Oct 15, 2024!

Let's Start with Some Appreciation!

To begin, it has been wonderful to connect with so many families during our big back to school events, including the Back To School Social and the Staff Appreciation Luncheon. To our many volunteers, thank you for making it so easy to throw a great party! Special thanks to Barbara (Grade 1 parent), Robin (Grade 6 and 7 parent), and Anabelle (Grade K and 3 parent) for the heavy lift that ensured these events really help to connect us all.

Our school is a thriving, healthy community because of all we do together. Thank you for the many, many ways each of you gives each day to our community. It matters.

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Open House Events Begin Next Week

We are excited to have you in the school and see where your kids spend so much of their lives!

1. Please see the schedule below for when your child's Open House Event is next week.
2. Come to the front of school and enter through the front entrance; at 8:15 families will be able to walk to their child's classroom
3. Each classroom hosts their own Open House session

Because of scheduling, we are not able to have you meet our many, many Specialists at these events. We encourage you to learn more about some important members of our team here: Meet the Specialists!

We have spoken with all of our students, but it is critical that we are all on the same page when it comes to personal electronic devices (PEDs) in school. Here is our current policy:

Roland Hayes School Family Handbook (2019-Present) (page 19)

Our policies are regarding personal electronic devices firm, well-messaged, and enforced, and thus children comply. We, as the school, seem to carry a fairly powerful weight in the mind's of young people and most often the most gentle reminder ("Put your phone away, please.") garners immediate results (the phone vanishes).

That said, at 2:30 when the school day is over, the phones and smart watches magically reappear. On the playgrounds, in huddles of teens and pre-teens, and as children are walking side-by-side, the irresistible glow comes on and the common social currency amongst children can become what is on the device.

As a parent, I sympathize with you as to how best to create digital citizens, mange anxiety, and negotiate screen-time. It isn't easy. Our PTO is picking up the mantle to engage the community in ongoing conversations on how to navigate the digital world with your children. I hope you'll engage in the conversations and find them useful.

I must also state the following: there are times when digital conversations that happen outside of school hours negatively impact the academic and social experiences that happen during school hours. When staff learn of these negative impacts, we are beholden to investigate. As is typical, when we investigate behaviors that interfere with a student's opportunity to learn, we will reach out the families to discuss concerns, our next steps, and how to partner to ensure safety and comfort for all moving forward.

Pieces on instituting personal electronic devices bans in schools and managing cell phone use at home:

• We Need To Support School Bans On Phones (Even If Your Anxiety Won’t)

• How to implement a cellphone ban in schools

• Cell Phone Toolkit_Finalv3.pdf

• Social Media and Youth Mental Health | HHS.gov

Again, here is our current policy:

Roland Hayes School Family Handbook (2019-Present) (page 19)

If your child identifies as African American or Latinx, we would like to invite them to participate in Young Scholars, an after-school, affinity group for students in 3rd-8th grade. Run by teachers Karen Shashoua and Tatiana Beckwith, Young Scholars is an extension of the African American and Latine Scholars Program at Brookline High School (AALSP), a program that has been instrumental in creating and sustaining a culture of scholastic excellence amongst students of color.

The Hayes Young Scholars Program meets throughout the school year on Thursdays from 2:30-3:30pm. Special events or field trips may last until 4:00 or 4:30pm. Each week, students participate in a variety of activities, including teamwork puzzles or projects, group discussions about history and current events, and games or art projects. Guest speakers from the community share their stories and information about their careers or special interests. We also have amazing field trips!

Through the Young Scholars Program, Hayes students will have the opportunity to:

· develop scholarly habits and mindsets

· build a feeling of community with each other

· become role models and leaders in the Hayes community

· develop knowledge and pride in the history of people of color

This year our first meeting will be on Thursday, September 26th. Interested? Please fill out this permission slip.

Hi Hayes Families!

Field Day is an amazing day where all students and staff K-8 come together to connect, participate in team building activities, and celebrate our community! This year Field Day day will be on Tuesday, Sept 24 (rain date is Thursday, Sept 26th). If you are able to purchase anything below we would be so thankful. Please drop off items on the drop off table in the front of the school by the main office. Please label items "Field Day." If you could drop off any item purchased by Wednesday Sept 18th that would help us know if we have what we need in advance (rather than bringing it in on Field Day). Thank you for your kindness and support!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4AAEA82AA5FE3-51162596-field

Your Excited P.E. Teachers,

Kelly Stanton, Lauren Stewart, Bobby Uttaro

Check out our website for upcoming events, ways to support our school, and much more! https://heathpto.org

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The most recent Hayes PTO newsletter can be found here. The newsletters are beautifully crafted, giving you all you need to get involved and stay involved.

Do you need to sign up to have the newsletter delivered directly to your inbox? Please register here: https://www.hayespto.org/login-form?r=%2Fdirectory

The purpose of our Homework Club is to provide a supportive, focused and quiet setting in which a student can complete homework assignments, discuss homework with an adult, and plan ahead for upcoming assignments and projects.

We would like to offer your child the opportunity to join the after school Homework Club at Roland Hayes. The Homework Club will be available Monday and Wednesday afternoons, from 2:30 – 3:30, beginning September 23, 2024 and is offered to children in grades 4-8.

Please click here for more information and an application.

The Brookline Team center (BTC) is o excited to open their doors to all students in 6th-12th grade, 5 days a week! Enroll here: https://brooklineteencenter.org/about-us/

At PSB, all students are expected to:

• Attend school every day
• Arrive on time every day,
• Stay for the full school day
• Attend all scheduled classes

Helping students manage this commitment is one of the most powerful things we do as caregivers and educators.

Why are we focusing on attendance?

Many students have struggled with consistent attendance over the past several school years. We want to be proactive in helping your child attend school regularly, arrive on time, and stay for the entire day.

Why is disrupted attendance a problem?

Missing just two days of school each month, or 18 days over the school year, can cause students to fall behind academically and experience increased stress about attending school.

Why do students struggle to attend school consistently?

Students may struggle with attendance for many reasons, including stress about school activities or lack of confidence in their academic skills. When attendance issues arise, the school, student, and family need to work together to identify and address the specific underlying causes.

What will happen if my student struggles to attend school consistently?

If your child starts missing school regularly, someone from the school will reach out to discuss attendance and available support. In cases of prolonged attendance issues, we may work with you to arrange a home visit to better understand and address the challenges your child is experiencing.

What is PSB doing about school attendance?

PSB is committed to providing the support and resources needed for your child to be at school on time every day. Regular attendance is essential for your child’s academic and social-emotional development and success. Below, you will find the district’s attendance policies and tips to support strong attendance. If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance, please reach out to any adult at school. We are here to help!

District Policies for School Attendance

Attendance

In PSB, all students are expected to attend school every day and attend all scheduled classes.

On-time Start

All students are expected to arrive at school on time. The school day begins at 8:00 for students in K to 8 and 8:20 for students at BHS. If your child arrives at school after the scheduled start time or is unable to attend school, please call the school secretary as soon as possible. All students who arrive late must report to the main office.

Stay the Whole Day

All students are expected to be at school for the full day. If your child is unable to stay the full day, please call the school secretary as soon as possible. Please note that per MA state law, a student must be at school, at a school-related activity, or receiving academic instruction for at least half the school day to be counted as present.

Excused Absences

Schools are only allowed to excuse absences that are a result of:

• personal illness,
• significant life stressors (e.g., death of a family member),
• observing religious holidays,
• attending a medical appointment that cannot be made outside of school hours,
• participating in a legal proceeding,
• serving a suspension, or
• attending other educational opportunities that have been pre-approved by the school.

All other absences are required to be marked as unexcused.

5 Unexcused Absences

Caregivers are required to be notified when a student reaches 5 unexcused absences during a school year. If your child reaches 5 unexcused absences, a letter detailing these absences will be sent home and an educator will reach out to you to learn more about how the school can help support attendance.

Supporting Strong Attendance

Here are some suggestions that caregivers have found helpful in supporting children to attend school on time every day.

Sleep

Keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine (e.g., going to bed and waking up at the same time every day). Difficulties with sleep are the most common contributor to attendance problems.

Screen time

Turn off all electronics at bedtime. Have a family media plan, and make sure all screens are off before bedtime. Keeping screens outside of the bedroom can be helpful.

Advance planning. Avoid the morning rush! If possible, pack backpacks and prepare clothing in the evening.

Illnesses

If you are not sure when to keep your child home due to illness, please contact the school nurse.

Anxiety and fears. If your child is having a lot of anxiety or worries about school, reach out to your child’s teacher or school counselor. We have professionals who can help!

Vacation Time, Doctor’s Visits and Other Events

Avoid scheduling vacations and doctor’s appointments while school is in session.

Nothing to share this week. Look for more community-based opportunities in the fall!

Check out this new community resource!

"Welcome to Brookline Resource: An Informational Booklet for Immigrants, Refugees, and New Residents" – https://www.brooklinema.gov/3797/Welcome-to-Brookline-Resource

I would be remiss if I did not mark the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorism attacks. The attacks on that day continue to send ripples of shock through our lived experiences.

I was in class on Wednesday and observed our 6/7 Grade Social Studies teacher, Ms. Terry, lead a masterful conversation with students about what happened on 9/11 and the aftermath we still live with over two decades later. The conversation on 9/11 was brief, simply marking the moment, and the segue into the planned lesson on shared values, society, and civilization building was brilliant. Students were welcomed into a complex conversation that demonstrated the interconnectedness of us all, over time and leading to this very moment.

Be well,

~ Asa

This parcel of land that our school sits upon is a special and sacred place.

Before this place was a Town, before our school was here, before this neighborhood was called “The Settlement” or “Chestnut Hill,” and before this land was a farm, this land was held by the Massachusett, the people Indigenous to this place. The Massachusett were the caretakers of this site, living full lives, raising families, and burying their dead right here. We recognize and honor this history, and seek to create thoughtful land stewards and citizens for generations to come.

As a public school, our primary objective is to ensure access, membership, and participation of all community members in our care; with this land acknowledgment we state our willingness to work towards that vision where all feel a true and abiding sense of belonging.

Roland Hayes School

The Public Schools Of Brookline | A METCO Partnership School

Dr. Asa Sevelius, Ed.D. | Principal

Email: asa_sevelius@psbma.org

Pronouns: he/him

Mr. Kirtan Patel | Vice Principal

Email: kirtan_patel@psbma.org

Pronouns: he/him

Website: https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/Page/17
Location: 100 Eliot Street, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467
Phone: 617-879-4570