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!

Yom Kippur begins this evening ~ G’mar chatima tovah. May the days ahead be peaceful and the year ahead be sweet.

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Field Day Fun

Late in September, we had an incredible Field Day! Thanks to Ms. Stewart and Ms. Stanton! And THANK YOU to all the families who contributed donations of materials; all donations were well used, for sure. Check out pictures from the day, here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SEguIZpxMTTZrWjiWXXGBiZIh8J3Szvk/view?usp=sharing

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MCAS Data Released

If you are a family with a child in grades 4 – 8, you will soon receive your child's MCAS scores in the mail. The reports from DESE is extremely detailed and designed to be user friendly. If you have questions, please reach out and we can help decipher the data for you.

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Middle School Open House Slides

Thanks to the many families who joined us for our middle school open house. We are well aware that not all families can come to school events. Here are the slides from classroom presentations for you to review or view again.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JxiLNuXz0dTDok8pl33VZrD9v1Hckntg?usp=sharing

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And here is a picture of our Principal for the Day, the Hayes Hawk! He does more than just get the energy pumping, he also answers all of my emails!

What is the Rainbow Club?

The Rainbow Club is a safe and welcoming space for all students in grades 3-5. We use art, movement, stories and games to connect around, and explore identity, family and respect. We support LGBTQ+ families, students and allies.

Why did you start the Rainbow Club?

The Roland Hayes School has had a GSA since 2016. Middle School students approached their GSA leaders and the school administration to explain the positive impact the GSA was having on their lives and the school community. These students shared that they wished they’d had something similar when they were younger. School Administration shared this information with the school and 5 staff volunteered to facilitate the club. The club officially started in the winter of 2021.

When does the Rainbow Club meet?

The Rainbow Club meets during lunch, 11:20-11:50 a.m., on Mondays.

How often does the Rainbow Club meet?

Each grade is invited to attend the Rainbow Club approximately once a month. Grades 3-5 meet on a rotating basis; when students attend the Rainbow Club they are with their same-grade peers. This is an opt-in club that does not require prior registration; when the club meets students are welcome to stay in the cafeteria or attend the club.

Where does the Rainbow Club meet?

The Rainbow Club meets in the Multi Purpose Room (MPR); based on the club’s agenda, students occasionally go outside. Staff members meet interested students in the cafeteria and walk them to the MPR.

What happens during the Rainbow Club?

The activities at Rainbow Club are geared to meet students where they are. Staff engage students in read-alouds, small scale and larger scale art projects, movement, and much more. Staff invite students to consider how to be an ally and use skits to act out real-life situations that students may encounter.

Who facilitates the Rainbow Club?

Jennifer Baum, K-8 Occupational Therapist

Ellen Mills, K-8 English Language Learner Teacher

Alissa Ovadia, K-2 School Counselor

Lauren Stewart, K-8 Physical Education Teacher

School Counseling Interns, K-8

Below are a number of resources that guide our work. Please note that we are continuously updating this list. Please reach out to Rainbow Club leaders if you have any questions or are interested in learning more about the club. We are looking forward to partnering with our school community.

PFLAG: https://pflag.org/sites/default/files/BeYourself_2019_FINAL.pdf

PFLAG ​is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Founded in 1973, PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families.

Welcoming Schools: https://welcomingschools.org/

HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is a comprehensive bias-based bullying prevention program. The organization provides LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists and resources specifically designed for educators and youth-serving professionals. The program uses an intersectional, anti-racist lens dedicated to actionable policies and practices. They uplift school communities with critical tools to embrace family diversity, create LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students.

FAQs:

Where can I find a glossary to help give me words and meanings which will make conversations easier and more comfortable

What books can I read with my child to support them as they explore their sexual identity, gender identity, and their peers? The below book lists were created by experts in children's literature and LGBTQ+ rights

ADL

Brightly; raise kids who love to read

Family Equality

New York Times

Reading Rockets

PLAG

Monday! Brookline's Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration

Other upcoming offerings from Brookline's Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Relations are below:

• Feel like learning more about Indigenous American history? Join our 8th Book Club! Save the Date: Join the Indigenous Authors Book Club on Sunday November 10th at 4PM via Zoom! For this 8th meeting we will be reading By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle. Email ODEICR@brooklinema.gov to RSVP.
• 15th Annual Vigil Against Domestic Violence This vigil will be held on Thursday October 10, 2024 at 4:30PM. The location is The Garden of Remembrance in the rear of the Brookline Health Department (11 Pierce Street).
• Trauma Sensitive Yoga Class to be held on Thursday October 24, 2024 from 6:00PM - 7:30PM. This event will be open to anyone in the community. It will be held in the community room at the Brookline Police Department (350 Washington Street).

• A Diwali Double Feature!

  By WonderSpark Puppets and The Culture Tree. On October 27th and 27th join the Puppet Showplace Theater to celebrate this cherished Hindu holiday. This Diwali Double Feature features two stories that celebrate the victory of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance — with comedy and hand puppetry, of course!

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to the library October 28-November 1, so look out for the flyer coming home soon! We highly encourage you to set up an e-wallet so your child doesn't have to carry cash (the fair accepts cash, cards, and ewallets).

1. To set up an ewallet for your child, head to the BOOK FAIR WEBSITE.

2. Kindly consider making a donation to the Hayes School ewallet. The funds are used to purchase items for students who otherwise would not be able to purchase anything. DONATE HERE (don't worry that it says "kindergarten" - it applies to all grades).

Students will attend Book Fair with their classes during the school day (homeroom teachers can communicate with you about what day that is). Families are welcome to shop after school 2:30-3:00 Monday-Thursday (the fair closes at 11:30 on Friday). There is also an option to purchase items online October 25-November 7 via the fair website.

Please note: Scholastic included two books on the flyer that are not available for purchase at the fair — The Mr. Beast book and New Girl (New Girl can be purchased online).

Thank you and see you at the fair!

Librarian

The Hayes School

Brookline, MA

@lindsayteaches

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1IORR3PVR6DMB?ref_=wl_share

Illness reduced our team size a bit, but four resilient Hayes students represented the school at the first Model UN debate of the year on Saturday. Maeve, Hudson, Daryn, and Lawrence showed up to Suffolk Law School in their debate finery and did excellent work. They won an award and we ran into some Hayes alumni - see the attached photos to find out who!

The biggest competition of the year is up next in November and it's a major undertaking. The kids, families and I all really appreciate your support!

What is Model UN? Learn more here: https://www.un.org/en/mun

Ms. Elyse Terry (she/her/hers)

6th & 7th Social Studies Teacher

Hayes School

For more PTO news and events, please visit our website:

https://www.hayespto.org/

Did you know we are also on Facebook?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hayesschoolpto

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"22 by 22": Hayes's FUN RUN

HELP US RAISE $22,000 BY OCTOBER 22nd!

PULSE CHECK

4 days into the official campaign, we are 35% there in meeting our goal! What a strong start - let's keep it going for the next 12 days!

WHAT ARE STUDENTS RUNNING FOR?

All funds received during this campaign will go to support student programming:

• music and visual arts events;
• literary initiatives;
• STEM instruction and supplies;
• field trips and classroom enhancements;
• PTO "staples" like the Science Fair and International Nights;
• any new projects our community needs!

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP:

Register your child(ren) to participate: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/hayespto/addme

Encourage friends & family to donate to your child's run: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/hayespto

Volunteer on the day; sign up here!

Watch for updates toward our goal, check class schedules track, and after-run entertainment: https://www.hayespto.org/funrun

October is Italian-American Heritage month; it's also LGBTQ+ History Month. And today is National Coming Out Day!

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• Saturday, October 12th: Yom Kippur (Category 1 Holiday)

• Monday, October 14th: School Closed: Indigenous Peoples' Day

• Tuesday, October 15th: GSA, 10:50-11:20am

• Wednesday, October 16th: Model UN, 11:20am-12:05pm

• Thursday, October 17th: Young Scholars, Room 209, 2:30-3:30pm

• Friday, October 18th: 6th grade "Identity Museum", 8:15-9:00am

• Friday, October 18th: Art Barn Performance, Grades 1-3, 8:30-9:15am

• Friday, October 18th: Art Barn Performance, Grades 4-6, 9:45-10:30am

• Monday, October 21st: Rainbow Club, Grade 5, 11:20-11:50am

• Tuesday, October 22nd: Fun Run!

• Tuesday, October 22nd: GSA, 10:50-11:20am

• Wednesday, October 23rd: RISE Open House, 8:15-9:30am

• Wednesday, October 23rd: Model UN, 11:20am-12:05pm

• Thursday, October 24th: AAPI Group (Library), 10:50-11:20am

• Friday, October 25th: Author Visit

• Friday, October 25th: PEP, 8:05-8:30am

• Monday, October 28th - Friday, November 1st: Fall Book Fair

• Monday, October 28th: Rainbow Club, Grade 4, 11:20-11:50am

• Tuesday, October 29th: GSA, 10:50-11:20am

• Wednesday, October 30th: Model UN, 11:20am-12:05pm

Field Trips:

• Thursday, October 17th: 2T - Trip to Fire Station #4, 9:45-10:35am

• Thursday, October 17th: 2S - Trip to Fire Station #4, 10:20-11:10am

• Thursday, October 24th: Grade 2 Trip to Waterworks Museum, 8:45am-12:00pm

The purpose of our Homework Club is to provide a supportive, focused and quiet setting in which a student can complete homework assignments, discuss homework with an adult, and plan ahead for upcoming assignments and projects.

We would like to offer your child the opportunity to join the after school Homework Club at Roland Hayes. The Homework Club will be available Monday and Wednesday afternoons, from 2:30 – 3:30, beginning September 23, 2024 and is offered to children in grades 4-8.

Please click here for more information and an application.

Enjoy the three-day weekend ahead, everyone!

Be good to yourself and to each other.

~ 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