Important Dates |
- 11/01 No School - Prof. Development Day
- 11/11 No School - Veterans Day
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Dear Brookline High School Parents, Guardians, and Caretakers,
I hope you all had nice weekends. Huge thanks to the PTO for generously providing breakfast to BHS teachers on Friday morning after educators worked hard on writing Interim Progress Reports which we published that afternoon. We appreciate the PTO and the additional love on a mid-October Friday.
We're now firmly in the second half of first quarter. In the next couple days I will write and send via BlackBoard a longer reflection on our year thus far and on the students at the center of our work together. For now, I hope you have reviewed your students IPR with them, discussing their efforts thus far as well as what changes they might make and where they most need help. This is one of those key times in the year when we determine the distance at which to parent and support our kids - based on their performance and what they are telling us, either explicitly or with their behavior.
I'm grateful to our teachers for their excellent work on progress reports and in general. Expertly caring for and challenging students while providing access to additional assistance is hard any year and seems especially so in this liminal space we are occupying thus far in 2021-22. We're fortunate to have kind, caring, and diligent educators surrounding the youth.
More soon,
Anthony
Anthony Meyer
Head of School
Brookline High School
Pronouns: He/Him/His
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TEACHER APPRECIATION - THANK YOU!
Huge thanks to Karyn Wang for organizing and overseeing the Staff Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 15, and to all the parents who donated food, volunteered, and contributed in other ways. There was a lot of food and many happy staff members, who sincerely appreciate this annual acknowledgement of their work with our students. Karyn has been organizing the event for several years, and has been resourceful, good-natured, and just plain hard-working in pulling off an appreciation breakfast that was lovely, sincere, and safe. Thank you, Karyn and other contributors!
BHS PTO ANNUAL APPEAL
The PTO annual appeal is underway. PTO relies on donations from families like yours to fund our support of programming, resources, and teacher grants with direct impact on the learning and experiences of BHS students. If you've already donated this year, thank you. If not, please take a minute to donate now at this link or by sending a check to BHS PTO, 115 Greenough Street, 02445.
CLASS OF '25 PARENT REP NEEDED FOR PTO
The BHS PTO is seeking an additional class representative for the Class of '25. Class reps sit on the PTO executive board and serve through the graduation of the class. Each class has three reps, so duties are shared and collaborative. If you are interested in being considered or want more information, please email copresidents.bhs.pto@gmail.com with the grades and schools of your children (including younger children).
SAGAMORE SEEKS PARENT INPUT
The Sagamore, Brookline High's independent student-run newspaper, is seeking parents to interview for an article on the parent perspective on the transition back to in-person learning. If you are willing to be interviewed, please complete this form a reporter from the Sagamore will contact you.
DONATE TEST PREP BOOKS
The BHS Library would like your gently-used test prep books (SAT, TOEFL, ACT, AP, etc.). The Library will make them available to the next-in-line test takers. Have your student drop the test prep books in the donation box in the BHS Library. Thanks!
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OCTOBER DRIVE-THROUGH FOOD DRIVE
This initiative directly helps BHS families who face the challenge of food insecurity.
Date: Saturday, October 23, 2021
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00pm for food drop off
Location: BHS - In front of the main entrance -115 Greenough St
Details: Just drive down Greenough street and set your items on the sidewalk or pop the trunk and we will get everything out of your car for you. So quick and so easy!
Heres a list of Items to Bring. We will need paper bags and boxes for deliveries too!
If you can't make it but still want to donate, you can drop food off all this week. Please contact joslyn_vendola@psbma.org for details. Please also email here if you are interested in volunteering to help sort and divide up food.
NEW PARENT REPRESENTATIVES TO SCHOOL COUNCIL
Congratulations and thanks to Annapurna Poduri and Leigha Cuniberti, the new parent representatives to the BHS School Council, the advisory body to Anthony Meyer on the School Improvement Plan. Because there were two candidate submissions for two open spots, we did not need to hold an election. Please see below for more information about Ann and Leigha.
School Council, will hold its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 7:30am in Mr. Meyer's office. School Council meetings are open meetings.
Annapurna Poduri: As the mother of twin BHS 9th graders, I'm honored to serve on the BHS School Council. The first child of immigrants to the US, I grew up in Brighton, outside Rochester, NY; my public school education was the foundation of the rest of my education and career. In Brookline, our family has appreciated the community created by the schools that have welcomed us, as well as many cross-Brookline initiatives fostering our children to be citizens of larger communities. From 2016-2021, as an elected member of the Heath School Site Council, I engaged with school leaders, teachers, School Committee members, and the PTO. As a woman of color, physician-scientist, champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and grateful Brookline parent, I pledge to bring all of our families’ voices to shape our children’s BHS experience.
Leigha Cuniberti: I’m the parent of a BHS freshman and a Runkle sixth grader. As a new member of the BHS community, I’m eager to get involved. Whether it’s my kids’ school, my temple, or my town, I feel most fulfilled when I’m actively engage. Some of my school volunteer work includes co-chairing the Runkle Virtual Book Fair and co-chairing the Runkle Community Service Team. I also sat on the Runkle School Council from 2017-2019 and it was one of my favorite volunteer experiences. COVID has left me feeling a bit disconnected from the school community and I’m excited about the prospect of getting involved again.
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B-PEN ( Brookline Parent Education Network)
Returning to school amidst this year’s unsettled climate can put quite a strain on family life as everyone juggles needs and expectations. B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network, an outreach organization of Brookline Public Health and BHS) wants to help. While each child’s school is your best choice for academic issues, B-PEN can help with developmental and wellness needs. We want to know your top concerns -- what expert advice, resources, tips, and presentations might make your life a little easier? Please let us know via ParentNetwork115@gmail.com. And follow us on Facebook for the latest news and info on parenting concerns, from common developmental milestones to substance use.
SEPAC MEETING - tonight
The next SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) meeting will be held on Sunday, October 17 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM via Zoom. Agenda and link to join will be posted on our website at www.brooklinesepac.org and on the Town Wide Calendar. The meeting will include a presentation by Engaging Minds titled "Back to School Post-COVID; Executive Functioning Strategies for Successful Students" and will include tips on how to write Executive Functioning goals for IEPs.
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WINTER SPORTS REGISTRATION
BHS Winter Sports registration is now open at this link. Practices and tryouts for winter sports begin on Monday, November 29th. A reminder to athletes and families that physicals must be within 13 months current and the best method for expediting athlete clearance is to upload a copy of the physical exam form in the "Participant Information" section of the FamilyID registration. Payment will not be due until rosters are settled. There is no online payment option at this time.
FRIENDS OF PERFORMING ARTS (FoPA)
BHS Friends of Performing Arts (FoPA) holds its monthly meeting on Tuesday 10/19 at 7pm on Zoom. RSVP appreciated (but not required). Zoom link: https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/91294744472 Come learn about our exciting new projects and how your time and skills can benefit the students of BHS.
Save the Dates for the Freshman Play! BHS ninth graders return to the Black Box stage on October 27, 28, 29, and 30 performing Almost Treasure Island. Learn more about this all-ages show on the FoPA website. You can support the cast and FoPA by volunteering to work the box office, donating a dinner for the kids, arranging to take photos, and more. Contact us at fopa.bhs.pto@gmail.com to help! Ticket info will be posted soon on brooklinefopa.org.
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INNOVATION FUND EVENT
Meet, Mingle, and Discover More about BHS - The BHS Innovation Fund Invites You to the 9th/10th Grade Parent Wine & Cheese Social. Wednesday October 20, 2021, 5:30-7:30pm at the Hemlock Grill/Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course, 1281 West Roxbury Parkway in Chestnut Hill. Hear from Head of School Anthony Meyer and faculty members, and meet Innovation Fund volunteers and fellow parents. Learn about the Fund's critical work and how you can get involved. This free event will be hybrid indoor/outdoor with masks required inside. Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Register today! Space is limited.
ADDITIONAL SCHOOL FUNDING - PUBLIC INPUT NEEDED
The School Committee will be meeting on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 6:00 PM (remote).
The Public Schools of Brookline received additional funding for the 2021-22 school year through the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III fund, a plan designed to support the safe reopening and sustaining safe operations of schools while meeting students' academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We invite students, families, educators, staff, and community members to discuss and share how PSB should invest these federal relief funds at a virtual public hearing on Thursday, October 21, during the School Committee meeting. Information on how ESSER III funds can be use will be published on the PSB website. If you would like to speak at this hearing, or provide written comments to be shared with the school committee, please contact school_committee@psbma.org.
This will be a remote meeting. Brookline Interactive Group (BIG) will broadcast live out to the cable channels and online via live stream at www.brooklineinteractive.org/live BIG’s cable channels will replay the meeting and post the meeting recording at http://www.brooklineinteractive.org for viewing after the meeting. Meeting Documents are available on the PSB Website. https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/Page/2087 . The agenda can be found at this link.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS
The Town of Brookline and the Brookline Community Foundation (BCF) is launching a community-wide engagement process to inform potential ways the town may use the $43 million it has received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Four virtual community engagement sessions will be held beginning next Thursday, October 24. Click here to learn more about this initiative, including links to register for future community engagement events.
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LOCAL COVID AND FLU VACCINE CLINICS
Weekly Moderna COVID Vaccine Clinic - Thursdays - Brookline Health Dept
Thursdays, 1 - 4pm (also available by appointment)
Brookline now has *weekly* Moderna COVID vaccine clinics on Thursdays, 1pm - 4pm at 11 Pierce St! Whether you still need that second shot, or still need your first shot, or aren't quite sure about getting it, this is your chance. You can also request an appointment for another day or time if you aren't free on Thursday afternoons! To schedule an appointment, call Public Health Nurse Elizabeth Bennett at 617-730-2320.
Free Flu Shot Clinic - Sunday the 24th at Brookline High School, 9am - 3pm
Please register in advance here or by calling 617-730-2641. Note: you may be able to receive your flu shot earlier through your primary care provider or a local pharmacy (CVS and Walgreens offer free flu shots with more insurance).
BROOKLINE PARENTS ORGANIZATION (BPO) EVENT
A Conversation for Parents/Caregivers with Brookline School Committee Members.
Please join us on Oct 24 from 7-8.30pm for a conversation with several of our Brookline School Committee members around educational goals, priorities and experiences. WHAT is their vision for post-pandemic Brookline education? HOW can stakeholders participate in the process to ensure our students remain at the forefront? This is an opportunity to dialogue with our elected school committee officials in an informal (virtual) setting and help shape the inputs and experiences that inform their decisions. Join us for as little or as long as possible. Questions and conversation encouraged. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bpoforoctober2021.
For more information or for questions, please email the BPO at info@brooklineparents.org
'300 YEARS OF BROOKLINE' PRESENTATION
League of Women Voters of Brookline will present '300 Years of Brookline: Farmland to Urban Suburb' on Wednesday, October 20th, at 7:00 pm. Open Meeting ONLINE
In this presentation, Ken Liss, President of the Brookline Historical Society and longtime Brookline historian and preservationist Greer Hardwicke will offer a broad view of 300+ years of the town’s government and how the past can inform and guide us as we discuss and determine new directions in the years ahead. Contact Ernie Frey at ErnestAFrey@comcast.net to register, with Opening Meeting in the subject line. The event will be recorded and available online at the Brookline Interactive Group.
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Sports and Extracurricular Events
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Find more info on Fall sports schedules HERE.
Find more info on the Performing Arts at BHS 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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