Important Dates |
- 03/24 Mental Health in the Time of COVID
- 03/31 Innovation Fund Gala-Rama
- 04/02 No School
- 04/06 Jon Mattleman Presentation
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FROM THE BHS HEAD OF SCHOOL
03.21.21
Dear Brookline High School Parents, Guardians, and Caretakers,
I have a few pieces for this Week’s Blast as much is happening in our school and well beyond.
Advisory Lesson: Friday 3/19
I am grateful to Miles Leong, Class of 2018, for the incredible work he and many others have done to create the curriculum on anti-Asian and anti-Asian American discrimination that we began to use on Friday 3/19. Deep thanks also goes out to Elena Stotts-Lee, Class of 2017, and her “Asian Voices at BHS” APAC video from Asking for Courage a few years back, that was also a part of the presentation. Furthermore, we appreciate the contributions of the Brookline Asian American Family Network (BAAFN) and to our advisory co-coordinators for their support of this initiative.
This curriculum is vital given the increase in discrimination and violence toward people of Asian descent since the beginning of the Coronavirus last year. While there appear to be various motivations of the shooter in last week’s killings in greater Atlanta, no one can deny that eight women died: six Asian-American women and two white women. Our advisory lesson on Friday shined a light on increasing harassment, discrimination, and hate crimes targeting people of Asian descent. The lesson also lifted up the voices of many BHS students speaking about their own experiences at the high school and beyond.
Our current students, including my own ninth grade Hub students, were struck by the power of Friday’s lesson. Truth is, they want to hear more from people around their age with an evolving understanding of how racism and other forms of hatred (anti-Semitism, misogyny, Islamaphobia, transphobia) are often linked and need firm, consistent, and unified responses from all in our community. We often do this well at BHS, but we also endeavor to do more. In this way, we too as a school community are evolving, working to be our best selves especially in the face of intolerance and fear of difference.
Celebrating the Class of 2021
Two of my senior deans and I had a very productive conversation with our PTO co-presidents and leaders on Friday regarding planning for events celebrating the Class of 2021. I recognize that some parents and guardians are concerned about lack of concrete plans. Please know Hal and I are in touch with Erin Gallentine of DPW and Alexandra Veccio of Parks and Open Space. They are very much working with us to support potential commencement events in Brookline, knowing that we cannot hold them on Cypress Field given the project starting shortly. As you likely know, Commonwealth and DESE guidance has evolved on such gatherings and will continue to do so. We will have multiple possibilities to explore - similar to how we approached last year’s pandemic spring.
This week, BHS administrators will send out a more detailed update on plans in the work, including how parents and guardians can support these efforts. I am excited for this and know we will find several powerful ways to celebrate the Class of 2021 as they finish their time at BHS.
Innovation Fund Virtual Gala-rama
On Wednesday 3/31, the Brookline High School Innovation Fund will hold its first virtual Gala-rama. Historically, BHS and district parents, educators, and leaders gather to celebrate the work of the Fund in creating and supporting innovative courses, curricula, and programs. In short, the Innovation Fund has spent over $6 million over the last twenty years and helped us develop more than 30 courses, curricula, and support programs.
As the leader of BHS, I rely on the Fund to support my teachers to pursue powerful ideas that benefit students. This also helps me recruit and retain excellent faculty: that’s some of the most important work I do in this role. Please attend the virtual Gala-rama and support the Brookline High School Innovation Fund. By helping the Fund, you are investing in all of our students: now in 2021 and for many years to come.
Thanks and take care,
Anthony
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RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE APPI COMMUNITY
The rising number of incidents of violence against the AAPI community reminds us all that we need to be active bystanders and supporters. The Brookline Asian American Family Network (BAAFN, offers a information and resources for everyone. Please go here, for COVID-19 specific information.
CANCELED: MONDAY & FRIDAY EARLY RELEASE
The early release days on Mondays and Fridays (3/29, 4/12, 4/30, 5/10, 5/12,6/07,6/11) have been canceled. These dates are not full-days.
BHS INNOVATION FUND HOSTS GALA-RAMA (GOES VIRTUAL!)
Wed. 3/31 at 7:30pm
Gala-Rama (Goes Virtual!) is just around the corner... get your tickets today for our fun, 30-minute online event featuring BHS leadership, teachers, parents and students! Celebrate what makes BHS great and hear how you can be part of helping the BHS Innovation Fund continue to build a culture of innovation that positively impacts our entire school community. Please register now or learn more at https://bhsinnovationfund.org/galarama-goes-virtual/. Thank you!
Please register here or learn more here. Thank you.
Resources to Support the AAPI community
The rising number of incidents of violence against the AAPI community reminds us all that we need to be active bystanders and supporters. The Brookline Asian American Family Network (BAAFN, https://baafn.weebly.com/) offers a information and resources for everyone. Please access https://baafn.weebly.com/resources-during-covid-19.html for COVID-19 specific information.
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MENTAL HEALTH IN THE TIME OF COVID
March 24 at 7:30pm: Mental Health in the Time of COVID.
For most of us, this past year has been the most challenging in memory. While a lot of attention has been paid to the impact of the pandemic on children, adults are suffering as well, feeling overwhelmed, depressed, distracted, afraid, angry. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in mental health issues and substance use. On March 24 at 7 p.m., the Brookline Department of Public Health and the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health are coming together to present a zoom forum to discuss strategies and resources for adults in our community. Moderated by WBUR CommonHealth host Carey Goldberg, speakers will give an overview of needs and resources, followed by a Q&A. Please join us – let’s do this together! Click here to register for this free webinar.
DRIVE THROUGH FOOD DRIVE--ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
Drive Through Food Drive's one year anniversary is on Sat. March 27 from
9:00 am - 12:00 pm for food drop off in front of the BHS main entrance on 115 Greenough St.
For items needed go here.
STUDENT POOLED COVID TESTING
BHS pooled COVID testing has been extended until May 7th. If your student is interested in participating in pooled COVID testing at BHS, please register here.
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LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL WITH JON MATTLEMAN
SAVE THE DATE! On Tues., April 6 @ 7 p.m., Jon Mattleman will present Light at the End of the Tunnel: Strategies and Resources for the Transitions. A special parent presentation on how we can manage anxiety, optimize resilience, and keep our families in balance as COVID restrictions relax, kids go back to school, and we resume some level of normalcy. Bringing 35 years of experience as a therapist, he uses insight, warmth, and humor to share practical tools, tips, techniques, and resources to help guide us through challenging transitions to new situations. Specific details on this virtual presentation to follow.
STEP UP FOR STEPS TO SUCCESS!
On April 14, via email, Steps to Success will kick-off its Step Up Celebration with student videos, guest speaker remarks, and our annual raffle (with a twist!). For more information go here.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING SPECIAL EDUCATION
Wendy Ryder, Director of Special Education at the High School, will be taking a temporary leave of absence. We wish Wendy well and are ready to welcome her back when she returns. In the meantime, please see below for the appropriate contacts should you have any questions.
For transition to 9th grade and 9th grade inquiries, please contact Jed Miller at jed_miller@psbma.org.
For 10th-12th grade inquiries, please contact April Zyirek at april_zyirek@psbma.org.
Responses to IEPs and any other IEP-related inquiries can be directed to, please contact our secretary, Lorraine Hughes, lorraine_hughes@psbma.org.
GUIDANCE INFORMATION
For information from guidance, go here. Individual student information can be viewed on the Aspen Portal.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
The Brookline School Committee will meet Thurs March 25 at 6 pm. Agenda and Zoom link will be here. There will be a public hearing on proposal to increase in-person learning.
ACT UP & VOTE SCREENING
The Brookline Public Library will host Act Up & Vote! Virtual Screening and Talkback on Mon. Apr. 5 at 7p.m. For more information and to register, go here.
CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Celebrate Women's History Month this March by testing your knowledge on Women's History, researching and reading up on information that is new to you, and sharing this quiz with others! Take the quiz here. Your name will be entered to win a Raffle prize at the end of the year if you score a 10/10!
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BROOKLINE THRIVES BENEFIT
Stop & Shop on Harvard Street has selected Brookline Thrives as the beneficiary of their new Bloomin' 4 Good program to help combat hunger in our communities. Now through the month of March, every purchase of a $9.99 of a Bloomin' 4 Good floral bouquet, Stop&Shop donates $1 to Brookline Thrives. Brookline Thrives, a program of the Brookline Food Pantry, provides free weekend food for students and families in the Public Schools of Brookline. Currently, Thrives feeds over 500 children every weekend during the school year. For the month of March, please purchase your flowers at Stop & Shop on Harvard Street. Look for the red Bloomin' 4 Good sticker.
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Sports and Extracurricular Events
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| WINTER SPORTS have returned! Schedules can be found here. |
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Support BHS
The Brookline High School Parent Teacher Organization is committed to supporting important communications between school and home. It sponsors a variety of events each year designed to show support of the school and to keep parents informed about how to help their children make the most of the BHS experience.
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