Important Dates |
- 11/01 No School - Prof. Development Day
- 11/11 No School - Veterans Day
- 11/24 Noon Dismissal
- 11/25 & 26 No School - Thanksgiving Break
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Dear Brookline High School Parents, Guardians, and Caretakers,
Happy Sunday. I have a few pieces to offer here so will keep the greetings brief.
10/25-29: Week B
As I will remind students this evening it is Week B within our 10-day schedule, which means educator Collaboration Time on Tuesday and a later start (9:40am) for students. We believe students benefit from additional rest and/or time to complete work. This is also a crucial time for BHS staff to work together. Whether in curriculum teams, around a struggling student or group, about a new initiative, our teachers and staff utilize Collaboration Time to better teach and support students.
Professional Development Day: Monday 11/1
A week from tomorrow, on Monday 11/1, we have another important opportunity to work together as a BHS staff. I will write via BlackBoard before Professional Development Day to offer more details. For now, know the day will have three interrelated chunks:
- two hours in the morning to continue our work related to the whole school read of Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy. We move beyond the text discussions we had during staff opening days in late August to discuss our BHS roles and responsibilities and systems and structures. Former colleague Gene Thompson-Grove will help facilitate this section.
- three hours or so in the middle of the day within departments to tackle various elements of equity work, to refine curriculum and courses, and generally to figure out how educators can best adjust to the new normal of the 2021-22 school year.
- two hours at day's end reserved for staff to complete some mandatory trainings and/or to collaborate with others or work on their own.
HBCU Event at BHS
Thanks to the leadership of PSB METCO Director Keith Lezama and BHS METCO Coordinator Malcolm Cawthorne, this November the high school and district will host a series of events with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). For the first time in the 178 year history of BHS, at least eleven HBCUs will come to Brookline to hold information sessions, a college fair, and on-site admission interviews from Thursday 11/18 through Saturday 11/20. I am grateful to Dr. Lezama and Mr. Cawthorne for spearheading this inaugural event. Guidance Coordinator Darby Neff-Verre, College Counselor Lenny Libenzon, and many others have also lent their expertise and support. We are fortunate to have this opportunity for our students and to have METCO leaders who are developing critical partnerships to benefit our kids, our school, and our community.
Upcoming Message
I do owe parents, guardians, and caretakers a longer state-of-school BlackBoard message. While the kids are alright, as Roger Daltrey sang, this has been a challenging school year. We knew going into 2021-22 that we were in liminal space - hopefully out of the worst of the global pandemic but not fully emerged by any means. I'm taking some time tonight and tomorrow morning to craft an informative, supportive message for parents and guardians as we work together, Home and School, in support of our 2090 Brookline High students.
Anthony
Anthony Meyer
Head of School
Brookline High School
Pronouns: He/Him/His
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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 '23 and '25 PARENT REPS NEEDED FOR PTO
The BHS PTO is seeking an additional class representative for the Class of '23 and '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.
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SAGAMORE SEEKS PARENT & CAREGIVER 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 and 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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FRIENDS OF PERFORMING ARTS (FoPA)
Get the scoop on all the performing arts fun! Sign up for FoPA's new email list at http://eepurl.com/hKRVLr
Support the The Ninth Grade Play: attend the show or help at the box office! Advance online ticket purchase is highly recommended due to seating limitations. Details and link at brooklinefopa.org. Contact FoPA to volunteer, one hour at one showtime makes a big difference! Show dates: Oct 27, 28, 29, 30.
Save the Date for Underground Macbeth! Box office help also needed for on Nov 3, 4, 5, 6. Tickets on sale soon!
Volunteer with FoPA! We currently need parents who can help with: show or rehearsal photography, media/press publicity, and finance assistance working with our Treasurer. For more info or to sign up to help with any of there, please email fopa.bhs.pto@gmail.com. Thank you!
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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.
BHS-BRANDED MERCHANDISE
Show your school spirit with BHS branded merchandise! A variety of clothing styles are available at this link. Stickers and magnets (perfect for cars!) are available at in-person PTO-sponsored events. Keep your eyes open for future announcements about additional types of BHS merch.
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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.
GREENZINE BROOKLINE - CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
We are super excited to announce a call for submission for the next issue of GreenZine Brookline, Fall ’21. GreenZine Brookline is a space for student-published opinions, news articles and art on climate action and enviro/outdoor education across all the schools of Brookline, K-12. It's a place for young people to celebrate our green world.
We would love pictures, photography, editorials, news, interviews and more, all inspired by nature and climate concerns. Interested in writing or creating for us? Click the link below to fill out a submission form by November 5th!
GreenZine Brookline Submissions - Google Forms
Not sure what to write or create? Students (or their teachers, parents, caregivers) should contact us and our student editor will work with your student to develop a story. We are: greenzinebrookline@gmail.com
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AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS
The Town of Brookline and the Brookline Community Foundation (BCF) are 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 Thursday, October 21. Click here to learn more about this initiative, including links to register for community engagement events.
BROOKLINE PARENTS ORGANIZATION (BPO) EVENT - tonight
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
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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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