Important Dates |
- 10/26 Hybrid Begins for 9th Graders
- 10/29 Virtual Back-to School Night 1
- 11/03 No School
- 11/05 Gap Year Presentation
- 11/06 Last Day of QTR 1
- 11/09 Target Date, Hybrid, Grades 10-12
- 11/11 No School
- 11/12 Virtual Back-to School Night 2
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FROM THE BHS HEAD OF SCHOOL
10.25.20
Dear Brookline High School Parents, Guardians, and Caretakers,
I hope this Sunday afternoon message finds you well and enjoying some rest and rejuvenation. As of late, work is such that there are few pockets of time for family or friends, exercise or enjoyment (beyond the joy of working for and with our students). It is a reminder to re-find those boundaries that promote self-care and healthy balances. I wish this for everyone, knowing how our kids are listening to and watching us.
Hybrid Launch: 9th Graders
Tomorrow (Monday 10/26), we begin our hybrid program at Old Lincoln School with the MT Cohort. Wednesday will continue to be all remote, thus supporting those short check-in blocks for all classes and all cohorts within classes (i.e., hybrids A and B, remote C).
Our tenth through twelfth program is scheduled to begin hybrid on Monday 11/9. Work on our 115 Greenough Street physical plant and health and safety signage, practices and protocols is ongoing.
Schedule Communications
Between beginning our ninth grade hybrid model and the upcoming holdays and days off (11/3 PD Day, 11/11 Veteran's Day, etc.), Hal Mason and/or I will begin sending Sunday evening communications to students via Aspen X2 and parents and guardians via BlackBoard. Hal also will send minor tweaks to our schedule based on some Wednesday dismissal time changes at the district level. Given we will move forward with remote Wednesdays our schedule changes to hybrid will involve only minor timing adjustments.
Back to School Night: Two for One
Several members of my extended family made fun of me for not knowing what BOGO means. Well, I'd like to think that our two part Back to School Night honors Buy One Get One as we will welcome everyone to the 20-21 school year first on Thursday 10/29 via WebEx and then again on Thursday 11/12 with teachers sending short videos that families can access when they are able to do so. While we love our in-person Back to School Night, such an event is impossible within our current public health context. And while I love the back and forth of this event and we could attempt it via Zoom, equity of access led us to re-imagine this event.
On Thursday 10/29 at 7pm. a team of school leaders, including me, will present to parents, guardians, and caretakers for an hour or so. We will send further details in the next couple days via BlackBoard. For now, please communicate questions and topics you'd like us to discuss. For now, we're planning to share health and safety practices and expectations, describe learning and teaching in a hybrid model, and generally inform and hopefully inspire you about our Brookline High School educational and student support program this year. We also will share information about parent and family engagement opportunities at BHS, including the BHS Innovation Fund, BEF, PTO, and School Council.
Thanks for your continued support of our students, teachers, and staff.
Enjoy your Sunday nights.
Anthony |
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RUN & SERVE ON THE BHS SCHOOL COUNCIL
Please consider running for a position on the School Council; it's an excellent opportunity to work with the high school administration, other parents, teachers and community members to be a part of and support school planning and goal setting for school improvements. The council meets once monthly, from 7:30-8:30 am, via Zoom.
For more information or to submit your one-paragraph statement of interest (telling us who you are and why you should be considered for the position of School Council) please email copresidents.bhs.pto@gmail.com by Oct. 28, 2020.
We will post your expression of interest to the parent community via email. School wide voting via Google Forms will be from Nov 2nd to 6th.
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THE TEEN CENTER IS RE-OPENING on 10/ 29
The Brookline Teen Center is re-opening on Oct. 29th with lots of new programs. Go here for more information.
HALLOWEEN FUN WITH THE BTC
On Thurs. Oct. 29 from 3:30 - 6:30 on the BTC parking lot. Join the Brookline Teen Center and local community organizations and businesses for a light hearted afternoon of safe family fun! Admission is free, RSVP's are required. Brookline families will be able to register their middle and high school children onsite for fall/winter programming. Festive costumes are welcome. For more information and to register, go here.
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BROOKLINE SCHOOL RE-OPENING INFO
Go here to find the latest information about the Public Schools of Brookline switch to hybrid and other related issues.
GAP YEAR (REMOTE) PRESENTATION
Taking a Gap Year: A (Remote) Presentation for BHS Students & Parents. Thurs. Nov. 5, 6:30 to 8:15 pm. For details and to register for this event, go here.
RECAP OF JUNIOR PARENT AND
CAREGIVER MEETING
A recording of the 10/8 Junior Class parent/caregiver meeting with the Deans and Guidance as well as slides from the presentation can be found here.
GUIDANCE INFORMATION
For information from guidance, go here. Individual student information can be viewed on the Aspen Portal.
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STRATEGIES TO AVOID TEEN PARTYING
It seems like every day the media reports news of large parties of unmasked kids, which can go on to become super-spreader events and force the cancellation of in-person learning. Socializing in person is so important for adolescent development, but teens’ brains are hard-wired for risk-taking, resulting in parties that defy guidelines for safe gatherings during the pandemic. B-PEN offers some strategies for helping teens through this. And for the latest parenting news and information, check out our facebook page.
BHS FAMILY DIRECTORY
BHS Family Directory has been updated! Please click here to access the directory in Membership Toolkit. Upon first use for this school year, you will need to verify your information and confirm which data you want to be available to others on the directory. Please use the same email account you used when filling out the registration survey with the town this year.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
The Brookline School Committee will meet on Thurs. Nov 5 at 6 pm. Agenda and Zoom link will be here.
VOLUNTEER FOR A BETTER BROOKLINE
A Better Brookline (ABB) is an organization advocating for city government by working to put a question on the May 2021 municipal election ballot (see abetterbrookline.org for more details). In order to get the question on the May ballot, we need 7,000 signatures by January. Please consider helping A Better Brookline table on election day.
We plan to be at all of the polling locations from 7AM to 8PM. All necessary materials will be provided, and there will be a short training prior to election day. Individuals who are directly affiliated with ABB will be overseeing the tables, and there will be designated ABB captains for each location. Your job would be easy; all you have to do is show up!
If you are a high school student, this would be a perfect opportunity for you to receive community service hours – ABB will sign off on any community service forms. Even if you are not a high school student, this is a great opportunity for you to engage with Brookline voters, advocate for an important issue, and be part of an initiative that will make a better Brookline for tomorrow. If you are interested, sign up at mobilize.us/abetterbrookline. Please help us spread the word. Thank you!
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BTC ARTS ACADEMY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS
Brookline Teen Center is starting its virtual Arts Academy for middle schoolers. For more information and to register, go here.
BROOKLINE FLU SHOT CLINICS
For information on the town's Flu Shot Clinics, please go here.
BROOKLINE ART CENTER HAPPENINGS
The Brookline Arts Center (BAC) is excited to provide a variety of creative opportunities and an outlet for arts education for all ages this fall! We have classes for ages 5-17 in painting, drawing, comics, sculpture, ceramics, ArtVentures and more. Our virtual programs run October-December. In addition to pre-scheduled classes, we offer Customized Group Classes & Private Lessons, which are a great option for school vacation days! Please contact our staff with any questions at office@brooklineartscenter.com. We are excited to continue connecting with our community through art! Register today.
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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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