Important Dates |
- 12/21&22 In-person for Th/Fri cohort, remote for M/T.
- 12/23 Final day to submit flu vaccine documentation
- 12/23 Last day of school before break
- 01/04 School resumes after break
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FROM THE BHS HEAD OF SCHOOL
12.20.20
Dear Brookline High School Parents, Guardians, and Caretakers,
It is hard to fathom a more needed Winter Break after a challenging, stressful fall. The good news is that BHS classes continue to roll, with high engagement, excellent attendance, and solid support despite educators working simultaneously to teach and reach both remote and in-person students. We have not chosen the easiest learning and teaching path, and it seems like the right one.
I am concerned that the recent uptick in COVID-19 positive cases impacts our in-person learning program, especially at 115 Greenough Street. We are seeing in-person classes with as few as one or two students, and even no in-person students. The good news is that our system is built to allow students and families to make decisions based on their individual health needs. However, it can be hard to motivate students to go to school in-person if their peers aren't present and/or if some of their classes at school are being taught remotely.
Please know we are looking at our program as we move toward midyear. This means looking at our supports for students whether they are learning remotely, in a hybrid model, or coming in four days a week. We also will look closely at the student surveys from the last week or so, in an attempt to hear what is working well for students and what needs work. Part of all this analysis and reflection will include looking at how we can encourage students to return to BHS for classes within a larger context of increasing COVID numbers.
I do need the help of parents and guardians in minimizing students' exposure over the Winter Break. It has been dispiriting to report on a number of positive cases since Thanksgiving, suggesting not everyone followed CDC, state, and local guidance around limiting travel and social gatherings. Please understand that individual and family decisions impact our entire school community. As parents, in particular, we need to understand the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding exposure whenever and wherever possible.
Most of all, I hope Winter Break offers the respite from school and regular life as much as it can. This will be the first holidays in my lifetime when I will not see my siblings or spend time with my larger family or my wife's family. I know that we are not alone in this, and that offers some comfort as we try and do our little part in a much larger picture.
I wish you all peace and joy, health, and wellness.
Thanks and take care,
Anthony
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HOLIDAY RAFFLE FOR BOSTON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Donate to help sick kids in the Boston area and for a chance to win a $50 CVS gift card! All donations stay local to fund critical treatments, healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care at Boston Children's Hospital. Make your tax-deductible charitable donation here! Minimum donation is $2.00. Donations are accepted through December 23rd.
This fundraiser is hosted by the BHS Dance Marathon Club, which fundraises for Boston Children’s Hospital.
THRIVES FOOD BAGS
Thrives Bags available for pickup on Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. Brookline Thrives will distribute bags to coincide with school meals distribution. No registration is required. Thrives bags will be available for pickup at the following locations and times:
BHA High St Vets 3:30-3:45pm
BHA 22 High St 3:50-4:15pm
BHA Egmont Vets 4:25-4:35pm
Baker School 5:00-6:00pm
Pierce School 5:00-6:00pm
Ridley School 5:00-6:00pm
BHS 5:00-6:00pm
We are looking for volunteers to help pack and distribute bags for the upcoming school break. Click here to learn more and sign up.
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SEASONAL FLU VACCINE: REQUIRED FOR ALL BY WEDNESDAY!
The seasonal flu vaccine is required by the MA Dept of Public Health for ALL students. BHS nurses must receive documentation of flu vaccine by Dec. 23, 2020. Send document to Megan Day by email (Megan_Day@psbma.org), fax (617-713-5153), or hard copy (c/o Megan Day, 115 Greenough St, Brookline, 02445).
AS COLLEGE STUDENTS RETURN HOME, BE MINDFUL OF GATHERINGS
As college students and young adults return home for the holidays, we may see an increase of teen/young adult parties and sports gatherings in Brookline. In light of ongoing health agency warnings reiterating the dangers of COVID spread via gatherings -- often in private homes and without masks and proper distancing – parents are urged to reinforce safety messages and set limits and expectations for family behavior. B-PEN offers some strategies for helping families through this. And for the latest parenting news and information, check out our facebook page.
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SENIOR YEARBOOK AND PORTRAIT INFORMATION
Seniors should submit a portrait, baby picture, quote, and activities by Jan. 31, 2021, in this google form. Remember to submit a selfie so we can create a senior class group picture. For important dates and links to yearbook resources for ordering books, learning about senior portrait expectations, buying recognition ads, getting involved with yearbook staff, and more, please check out this informational video or slideshow.
Seniors can schedule a photoshoot with Prestige Portraits here or email brooklinelens@gmail.com to set up an appointment with a student photographer. If you have any questions, please contact lori_lynn@psbma.org.
THANK-YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE BHS DRIVE -THROUGH FOOD DRIVE.
Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the BHS community, 46 families in our community received traditional Thanksgiving turkeys with all the trimmings. In addition, over several Sundays, families were able to pick up needed groceries.
A big shout-out to to ExCEL Math and Lead Teacher, Joslyn Vendola, who organized the Drive Through Food Drives. Numerous students, staff, parents, and community volunteers helped, including: Officer Kaitlin Conneely, Officer Megan Keaveney, Jennifer Jaruse, Paula Shea, Amanda Lehman, Alex Hyman, Laura Honeywood and family, Jen and Lucy Breneisen, Lindsay Davis, Lexy Bader, Amy Bayer, Astrid Allen, Marta Fuertes, and Brian Poon.
PARENT UPDATE: STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH STRESS, SCREEN TIME, & SOCIAL ISOLATION
Online and hybrid learning has created a whole new set of concerns for BHS parents, including mental health, increased screen time, and pandemic anxiety and safety. A recent zoom forum initiated by B-PEN, BHS student Peer Leaders, and the Sophomore PTO addressed these social/emotional family challenges and brainstormed strategies to keep our families balanced and safe. Check out the Parent Update on “Our New Online World.”
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9th GRADE PARENT MEETINGS
We hope you found the Nov. 17th PTO meeting with Deans Uttaro, Thomas, and Kobus helpful. If you weren't able to join us for the meeting, the slides are here.
Our next Class of '24 PTO meeting with the deans will be in January. Watch your email for an announcement of the date.
If you have not been receiving emails from the PTO for the Class of 2024, please keep reading. To make sure that you receive announcements of future meetings and other information for the class of 2024, please opt in to receive communications from the BHS PTO at this link. Be sure to check the box to receive information for students graduating in 2024 and to put our email address: ptoclassreps2024@gmail.com in your contact list so the messages don't go to your spam or promotions folder. Here is the sign-up link.
CRM DATABASE CONSULTANT NEEDED.
The BHS Innovation Fund is hiring a Part-Time Development Management Consultant to assist in the migration to a new CRM, manage the database, and support our fundraising efforts to develop reporting, processes, and best practices going forward. Ideal candidate would have experience with fundraising and NXT/Razors Edge, be detail oriented, and experienced in advising strategies to support fundraising goals. If you are interested, please contact Maureen Fallon at fallon_maureen@yahoo.com.
GUIDANCE INFORMATION
For information from guidance, go here. Individual student information can be viewed on the Aspen Portal. 2nd Quarter progress reports have been posted on the portal.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
The Brookline School Committee has been re-scheduled to Thurs. Jan. 7, 2021 at 6 pm. Agenda and Zoom link will be here.
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EXPERT PANEL: COVID-19 IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH
The consequences of remote schooling for children’s well-being, the impacts of this summer’s civil unrest on BIPOC communities and the shortage of mental health care providers available to help those impacted by the pandemic. At The Brookline Center's annual Edna Stein Society gathering, a panel of experts reflected on these and other topics. Their insights and remarks continue to resonate as COVID-19 case numbers are again on the rise.
You can catch the highlight reel, featuring panelists Dr. Kali Cyrus (Johns Hopkins), Dr. Melinda Macht-Greenberg (Tufts University), and Dr. Lakshman here.
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Sports and Extracurricular Events
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| FALL SPORTS: Find the schedule and up-to-date news 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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