Step 5
School Meetings
The guide below provides important information from the Public Schools of Brookline.
Translations and accessibility options are available at the top of the page.
- Simplified Chinese: 点击这里查看中文翻译.
- Traditional Chinese: 點擊這裡查看中文翻譯.
- French: Cliquez ici pour accéder aux options de traduction
- Haitian Creole: Klike la a pou tradiksyon kreyòl ayisyen an.
- Hebrew: אנא לחץ כאן לצפייה במסמך בעברית.
- Japanese: ここをクリックして日本語の翻訳にアクセスしてください.
- Korean: 한국어 번역을 보시려면 여기를 클릭하십시오.
- Portuguese: Clique aqui para a tradução em português.
- Russian: Нажмите здесь, чтобы получить доступ к русскому переводу.
- Spanish: Haga clic aquí para acceder a la traducción al español.
- Vietnamese: Nhấn vào đây để truy cập bản dịch tiếng Việt.
As part of the school assignment notification, you will receive a request to provide some information on your student.
This is intended to help your student’s classroom teacher and school counselor learn more about your student and prepare them for Kindergarten.
Any family that has specific questions or concerns regarding your child’s kindergarten transition may request to meet with the school counselor to discuss your child. If you would like to schedule a time, the Office of Registration & Enrollment will help you facilitate scheduling an appointment.
Beginning in the Spring, school staff may reach out to you with opportunities to learn about your child’s school and classroom. These events typically allow students to become more comfortable being a Kindergartener at their new school. This is also a chance for parent(s) and guardian(s) to meet the school’s leadership team and get a sense of what to expect in September.
Summer Meetings
Financial Assistance
The Public Schools of Brookline has a centralized application process to provide families with financial assistance for school-related fees. Eligibility for financial assistance will be renewed or updated through an annual application process. Financial assistance is available for curriculum-based field trip expenses, School Department Summer Programs, and other fees the school department may charge as a result of curriculum requirements. Financial assistance also includes any PSB student fees or charges for Athletics, Instrumental Music, and other program and field trip fees.
Free and Reduced School Meals
Children need healthy meals to learn. The Public Schools of Brookline offer healthy meals every school day. Your students may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals if your household’s income is within the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
Student Health and Nursing
Before your child begins school in September, the school nurse may contact you and:
- Arrange for any special health care needs or for the administration of any essential medications or procedures that are prescribed during the school day.
- Confirm that your child’s immunizations are complete and that they are clear to attend school.
- Request that you provide an updated physical exam report. This is most important for students whose annual pediatric visit occurs after registration.
If your child has specific health care needs, it is important that you meet with the school nurse before they begin attending school. If you need assistance in scheduling a meeting with the school nurse, the Office of Registration and Enrollment can help you arrange a meeting.
Changing your mind?
We understand that we are asking you to make important decisions about your child’s education amidst a period of uncertainty. Kindergarten is an important milestone for everyone involved, and our staff is here to support you and your family in this transition.
We strongly encourage all families who plan to start kindergarten in September to enroll. Should you elect to enroll your child in homeschooling, or another year of Preschool/Daycare, or your family’s circumstances change, our office will help coordinate the withdrawal process.
Homeschool
Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 76, Section 1, and the Charles Decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Public Schools of Brookline recognize and honor the right of parents or guardians to educate their children at home. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) also states that “each child must attend school beginning in September of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of six.”
Families living in Brookline who intend to homeschool children six years or older must register with the Public Schools of Brookline and establish a Home Education Plan with the district.