Roland Hayes School

Our North Star

“When children and teachers feel engaged, safe, and supported we have room to grow and learn through collaboration and risk-taking with our peers.”

Previous "Community Notes" can be found here: https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/domain/718

The "Community Notes" is sent every other week. Thanks for reading!

Learn more about Roland Hayes here, from our own Young Scholars!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MyhdW04fd4

Another great week at Roland Hayes School. Our Cross Country runners compete today and the volleyball teams are playing their hearts out each week – our students are a joy to watch compete! There is so much happening here and in Brookline. Read on to learn more!

Field Day Recap

We had a terrific Field Day last week - collaborative sports, a dance party, and our new staff race!

Here are some links to give you and inside view on the festivities:

• Field Day Newsletter
• Staff Inflatables Race

Thanks to our amazing PE/Wellness crew - Ms. Stanton and Ms. Stewart - for managing this event and to all the families for their material support!

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Halloween Candy & Costumes

Halloween is almost here! So, here is my annual reminder about costumes and candy:

• Costumes and Candy It's almost that time! Halloween! Here at Hayes we don't have any specific plans to dress up and most people do not come to school in costume. If your child does want to dress up in school, we ask that costumes have NO masks, NO weapons, and NO gore/horror themes.
• Most importantly: please do not send candy into the school after Halloween. We have students with severe allergies in our classrooms and Halloween candy can trigger allergic reactions, bot mild and severe.

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Lost & Found

Our playground and school are littered with coats, hoodies, lunchboxes, and more .... all without a name attached. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE put your child's name in their items. Otherwise, they end up in the lost & found and eventually donated.

The Book Fair is coming 10/27-10/31!

The Scholastic Book Fair will be in the library 10/27-10/31. Look out for flyers coming home mid-October with previews of some of the exciting books in the fair!

Prepare for the Fair:

1. Set up your child's e-wallet: You can add digital cash to their e-wallet starting 10/3 so they don't have to carry cash to school.

2. Support students in need: Each year, we support a number of students in the school by purchasing their books for them or contributing when a child is a little short of what they need. Every penny gets spent and it makes a huge difference to our students! Please consider making a donation.

Thank you for your support!
Lindsay Anderson, Librarian

The Brookline Early Education Program will conduct preschool screenings on Thursday, November 20, 2025. This is a free and optional service for preschool aged Brookline Residents (ages 2.6 to 5 years old) who are not currently attending BEEP to screen for special education needs.

If interested in screening day, please fill out this survey or contact Sarah Moynihan at (617) 713-5473 or sarah_moynihan@psbma.org no later than 11/13/2025 to schedule a screening appointment time.

Screenings will take place by appointment only at 194 Grove St., Chestnut Hill.

Screening date: Tuesday November 20, 2025

For more PTO news and events, please visit: https://www.hayespto.org/newsletters/22351

Mark your calendars! Our annual Balloons over Broadway parade will be here before you know it! While the parade showcases the work of our Grade 4 students, all families are welcome to attend this pre-Thanksgiving event! It's basically our own Macy's Thanksgiving Parade right here in Chestnut Hill!

October is:

• October is Italian American Heritage Month and Filipino American History Month
• Diwali is Monday, October 20 – we send our wishes for wishes for joy, light, and prosperity!

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• Monday, October 20th: Diwali (Category II Holiday)

• Monday, October 20th: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm

• Tuesday, October 21st: GSA, 10:35-11:12am

• Wednesday, October 22nd: Math Club: Grades 5-8, 2:40-3:45pm

• Thursday, October 23rd: Young Scholars, 2:35-3:35pm

• Friday, October 24th: PEP, 8:05-8:32am

• Monday, October 27th - Friday, October 31st: Hayes Book Fair

• Monday, October 27th: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm

• Monday, October 27th: Rainbow Club, Grade 5, 11:20-11:50am

• Tuesday, October 28th: GSA, 10:35-11:12am

• Wednesday, October 29th: AAPI Affinity Group, 10:35-11:15am

• Wednesday, October 29th: Math Club: Grades 5-8, Rm 198, 2:40-3:45pm,

• Thursday, October 30th: Young Scholars, 2:35-3:35pm

• Friday, October 31st: Yearbook, 8:00am

• Monday, November 3rd: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm

• Monday, November 3rd: Rainbow Club, Grade 4, 11:20-11:50am

• Tuesday, November 4th: School Closed: Professional Development Day

• Wednesday, November 5th: Math Club (Grades 5-8): 2:40-3:45pm

• Thursday, November 6th: PreK-6 Early Dismissal at 12:40pm

• Friday, November 7th: Term 1 Closes for Grades 6-8 Report Cards

• Friday, November 7th: PEP, 8:05-8:32am

Field Trips:

• Thursday, October 30th: 2nd Grade Trip to the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum, 8:45am-12:00pm

The Academy of Physical and Social Development currently has openings in their weekly social skills group program, serving children and adolescents from age 5 through high school. If you think your child may benefit from their program, or if there is interest in learning more, please feel free to contact The Academy directly at JCapone@academynewton.com or by phone at 617-969-2200 x15.

Jessica Capone, M.A., LMHC

Chief Operating Officer | The Academy of Physical and Social Development

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FREE Parent Workshops: Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY)

Marijuana Prevention: Understanding Risks, Building Resilience

October 22nd, 2025

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM over Zoom (registration below)

This presentation is designed to educate parents on the risks and consequences associated with marijuana use, particularly during adolescence. Through a combination of current research, real-life stories, and interactive discussion, participants will explore the effects of marijuana on the brain, academic performance, mental health, and decision-making. The presentation also addresses myths and misconceptions, peer pressure, and the impact of legalization on youth. Students will gain practical strategies for making healthy choices, resisting pressure, and supporting friends who may be struggling. Empowering and age-appropriate, this session encourages critical thinking and personal responsibility while promoting a drug-free lifestyle.

About the Speaker

Cory Mashburn, M.Ed., has over 20 years expertise in the field of prevention services and more than 25 years’ experience working with youth and people with disabilities. He has overseen the planning and implementation of prevention programs within communities and schools in the New England Region, including substance use and abuse, bullying, cyber safety, and human rights. In addition, Cory has developed multiple health and wellness curricula in schools across the state of Massachusetts. He holds master’s degrees in educational leadership, project management and criminal justice, in addition to his bachelor’s degree in recreational management. As the father of two young children, he understands the importance of equipping youth, their parents, and their communities with the knowledge and skills to enable young people to become the best version of themselves.

Registration

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/uX4j6ODTQ4OM7WSZWgPwqw

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From the Brookline Teen Center

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Cartwheel Teletherapy Services

Cartwheel partners with schools to provide a evidence-based telehealth services for students, families, and school staff through 11 teletherapy, psychiatry, family therapy, parent guidance, and staff therapy. Learn more at: www.cartwheel.org/families.

View the full webinar calendar here.

This week, a Diwali message from Mr. Patel, our Vice Principal:

Happy Diwali and New Year! Each year, when I celebrate Diwali, I am reminded of the smell of firecrackers and the taste of sweet treats. As a child, Diwali meant bowing down to our elders and then eagerly looking up, hoping they would hand me an envelope filled with money. It was always a bit awkward when I waited too long, anticipating a gift from distant relatives!

It wasn't until I volunteered in high school, helping to organize a Diwali celebration for kids in Chicago, that I began to understand the deeper meanings of the festival. Diwali isn’t just a one-day event but a multi-day celebration that many use to usher in the New Year, reflect on the past, overcome personal flaws, and celebrate the victory of good over evil. As I think about my own children, I consider how to instill these lessons not just during Diwali but throughout the entire year. This is the true spirit of celebrating Diwali.

This year, Diwali falls on Monday, October 20th and the New Year on Wednesday, October 22. I will be at our local Hindu mandir in Lowell for the New Year. We welcome all guests to experience the festivities, the colors, and even taste the mountain of food...all free from 11am-6pm.

~ Kirtan

This parcel of land that our school sits upon is a special and sacred place.

Before this place was a Town, before our school was here, before this neighborhood was called “The Settlement” or “Chestnut Hill,” and before this land was a farm, this land was held by the Massachusett, the people Indigenous to this place. The Massachusett were the caretakers of this site, living full lives, raising families, and burying their dead right here. We recognize and honor this history, and seek to create thoughtful land stewards and citizens for generations to come.

As a public school, our primary objective is to ensure access, membership, and participation of all community members in our care; with this land acknowledgment we state our willingness to work towards that vision where all feel a true and abiding sense of belonging.

Roland Hayes School

The Public Schools Of Brookline | A METCO Partnership School

Dr. Asa Sevelius, Ed.D. | Principal

Email: asa_sevelius@psbma.org

Pronouns: he/him

Mr. Kirtan Patel | Vice Principal

Email: kirtan_patel@psbma.org

Pronouns: he/him

Website: https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/Page/17
Location: 100 Eliot Street, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467
Phone: 617-879-4570