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.”

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

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

To read past Community Notes, click here: link

Our Attendance Line --- 617-879-4540

Our DESE school profile is here: link

School is closed tomorrow for Good Friday observances, and Easter is Sunday. To those who celebrate, Happy Easter! Passover continues and to those who observe, chag pesach sameach!

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International Night: Thank you!

What an amazing time we had at this year's International Night — an evening full of energy, color, and nonstop fun! The school was buzzing as families shared incredible food, music, and traditions from around the world, and you could feel the excitement everywhere you turned. From Ukrainian egg dying, to the ever popular henna art, to gorgeous hand crafted displays, every part of the night reflected the pride and joy of our community. It was one of those evenings that leaves you smiling long after it ends. My own daughter, home from college, attended (despite it being her last night home); for her it is a 'must see" event.

A huge thanks to Lisa Yuen for her mighty efforts, along with 105 volunteers who made International Night the marquee event that it is. I am very proud to be a member of Hayes School, especially on nights like this one.

Thanks to Mimi and Wil M-L. for the awesome photos below!

From Laura Tanis, BEEP teacher:

"During the month of March, Pre-k embarked on a new thematic unit of study; 'Diversity, Justice, and Advocacy.' This Social Studies and Civics unit gives us the opportunity to celebrate our racial diversity, begin discussions about inequality and racism, and to learn about peaceful and powerful ways we can advocate for diversity, justice, and equality.

Last Thursday, we had a culminating activity to celebrate the peaceful acts of protest that we have been learning about from Martin Luther King Jr., Diane Nash, John Lewis, Rosa Parks, and Ruby Bridges. After a read-aloud with Mrs. Anderson of If You're Going to a March, we took to the hallways of our school with their Peace Posters to march in celebration of Peace, Love, Justice, and Inclusion. Pre-k students provided dictations for their posters and then decorated them with images of their choosing. We were cheered on by our middle school peers, who are also studying justice and human rights in their Social Studies classes!"

Did you apply to an independent school? If so, we know that decisions from Independent schools have been released. Please let us know your decisions as we are already beginning to manage enrollment needs and class placements for the upcoming school year. Thank you!

MCAS testing begins at the end of this month. The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is the state’s standardized assessment program that measures student progress toward the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. Find our calendar here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11gTCgZs3yQOhJV45shnUwg2ECWoeEBxjGLXs1dviAD4/edit?usp=sharing

Help keep the masterpieces coming - visit The Art Room Wishlist!

You’d be amazed how far a few Sharpies, scissors, and some clay can make our day! Thank you for your generosity and support!

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

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SCHOOLWIDE PEP ACTIVITY: Soup Mixes

Our PEP theme for this spring is Advocacy. Buddies have been reading books about how people can make a difference in their communities. At our next PEP meetings (on April 10th and May 1st), Mrs. Shashoua and Ms. Perkowski will lead buddy classes in making and donating homemade lentil soup mixes to support the Brookline Food Pantry.

Please help by contributing ingredients and other supplies that we'll need for the soup mixes - select the Sign-Up Genius for your child’s buddy group or contribute wherever supplies are most needed:

BEEP and 7th Grade Boet WIN

KC and 6th Grade O’Shea WIN

KBK and 6th Grade Mooradian WIN

1R and 5Perk

1H and 5H

2T and 7th Grade Hockensmith WIN

2S and 6th Grade Terry WIN

3A and 7th Grade Roz WIN

3F and 8th Grade Picard WIN

4B and 8th Grade Goldner WIN

4O and 8th Grade Cook WIN

Please bring your donation to the Main Office by Wednesday, April 8th. Thank you for helping our students to make a positive contribution to our community!

Any questions, please email theodora@hayespto.org.

OOPS! SAVE A DIFFERENT DATE!

Mayfair is Saturday, May 9th!

Same rides, games and excitement - just a week earlier!

• April is Autism Acceptance Month
• Passover is the evening of Wed, Apr 1, 2026 – Thu, Apr 9, 2026
• Good Friday is tomorrow, with Easter observances on Sunday.

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• Friday, April 3rd: School Closed: Good Friday (Category 1 Holiday)

• Sunday, April 5th: Easter (Category I Holiday)

• Monday, April 6th: MCAS: 6th-8th ELA Part 1

• Monday, April 6th: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm

• Monday, April 6th: Rainbow Club: 4th Grade, 11:20-11:50am

• Tuesday, April 7th: MCAS: ELA Makeups

• Tuesday, April 7th: Grade 4-5 Student Council, 8:00-8:40am

• Tuesday, April 7th: GSA, 10:35-11:12am

• Tuesday, April 7th: Evacuation Drill, 1:00pm

• Wednesday, April 8th: MCAS: 6th-8th ELA Makeups

• Wednesday, April 8th: AAPI Affinity Group, 10:35-11:20am

• Wednesday, April 8th: PreK-8 Early Dismissal at 12:40pm

• Wednesday, April 8th: Term 3 Closes for Grades 6-8 Report Cards

• Thursday, April 9th: MCAS: Grade 3 ELA Part 2

• Thursday, April 9th: MCAS: Grade 4 ELA Part 2

• Thursday, April 9th: Young Scholars, 2:30-3:30pm

• Friday, April 10th: MCAS: ELA Makeups

• Friday, April 10th: PEP, 8:00-8:32am

• Friday, April 10th: Screenagers, 5:30-7:00pm

• Monday, April 13th: MCAS: 6th-8th ELA Part 2

• Monday, April 13th: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm

• Monday, April 13th: Rainbow Club: 3rd Grade, 11:20-11:50am

• Tuesday, April 14th: MCAS: ELA Makeups

• Tuesday, April 14th: Grade 4-5 Student Council, 8:00-8:40am

• Wednesday, April 15th: MCAS: ELA Makeups

• Thursday, April 16th: MCAS: 7th-8th ELA Makeups

• Thursday, April 16th: PreK-6 Early Dismissal at 12:40pm

• Thursday, April 16th: Term 3: Grades 6-8 Report Cards Published

• Thursday, April 16th: Evening Conferences, 2:15-6:00pm

• Friday, April 17th: MCAS: ELA Makeups

• Friday, April 17th: Yearbook, 8:00-8:30 am

• Friday, April 17th: METCO Connections Grades 3-5 Lunch Group w/Mr. Chaet, 11:20-11:50am

• Monday, April 20th - Friday, April 24th: School Closed: April Vacation

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

• Tuesday, April 28th: Grade 4-5 Student Council, 8:00-8:40am

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

• Wednesday, April 29th: MCAS: Grade 5 STE Part 1

• Wednesday, April 29th: MCAS: Grade 8 STE Part 1

• Wednesday, April 29th: AAPI Affinity Group, 10:35-11:20am

• Wednesday, April 29th: PreK-6 Early Dismissal at 12:40pm

• Thursday, April 30th: MCAS: Grade 5 STE Part 2

• Thursday, April 30th: MCAS: Grade 8 STE Part 2

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

• Friday, May 1st: MCAS: STE Makeups

• Friday, May 1st: PEP, 8:00-8:32am

• Friday, May 1st: METCO Connections Grades 6-8 Lunch Group w/ Ms. Terry and Ms. O'Shea, 10:50-11:25am

Field Trips:

• Friday, April 10th: METCO Connections Field Trip - Boston Nature Center, 1:40-4:00pm

• Tuesday, April 14th: Grade 5 Trip to the Museum of Science, 8:15am - 2:15pm

• Friday, May 1st: Grade 7 Trip to Hammond Pond, 8:15am-1:30pm

From Mr. Goldner's Grade 8 Science Class:

I wanted to share with you some wonderful work done by your children around scaling the Solar System. It's always a challenge to find a way to properly scale the planets of the Solar System, if you want to have the same scale for size and distance. But your students were successful! And they made some very fun videos to document their learning and to help communicate the science with others.

Check out their work in this folder. Enjoy!

Best,

Mr. Goldner, Science Teacher

Mass Partnership for Youth (MYP) Parent Workshop, Clearing the Air: Vaping Prevention for Youth, on April 8, 2026 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.

Clearing the Air: Vaping Prevention for Youth

This presentation is designed to educate students on the dangers and realities of vaping. Participants will learn about the health risks associated with e-cigarettes, how vaping is marketed to youth, and the impact nicotine can have on developing brains. Through real-life stories, current data, and interactive discussions, students will gain the tools to critically evaluate vaping culture and resist peer pressure. The session also highlights strategies for making healthy choices and provides resources for those seeking help to quit. Ideal for middle and high school audiences, this presentation promotes awareness, empowerment, and prevention.

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/eps_bHi_TrCLRTg-cNyzPg

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The Girls in Gear team have a very specific mission: "At Girls in Gear, we teach life skills through bike skills - using bikes to help girls grow into the biggest, boldest, and brightest versions of themselves. We envision a world where every girl moves through life with confidence, courage, and joy - on and off her bike. We envision a world where every girl moves through life with confidence, courage, and joy - on and off her bike."

GIC will provide bicycles and helmets to whomever is in need of one, so we can also add some messaging that states, please connect with Ana Maria Ramos if you'd like help sourcing a bicycle or helmet for your child to participate. Ana maria is at anaramosacevedo@gmail.com.

Registration is $250 per student. Please contact me if this is of interest and you'll need financial aid to participate.

Signup link: pinwheel.us/r/Ekelsad

I'll leave you this week with a word from poet Wendell Berry:

The sounds of engines leave the air.
The Sunday morning silence comes
at last. At last I know the presence
of the world made without hands,
the creatures that have come to be
out of their absence. Calls
of flicker and jay fill the clear
air. Titmice and chickadees feed
among the green and the dying leaves.
Gratitude for the gifts of all the living
and the unliving, gratitude which is
the greatest gift, quietest of all,
passes to me through the trees.

I hope you all have a wonderful 3-day weekend ahead!

~ Asa

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