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

Please remember: School is closed tomorrow for Eid al-Fatr observances. To those who celebrate, Eid Mubarak!

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International Night is just one week away, and we are so excited to celebrate together as a community! This is always such a special evening—an opportunity to share traditions, learn from one another, and enjoy the rich diversity that makes our school so unique. We are committed to making sure the event is joyful, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

As a reminder, International Night is a family event. Students should attend with a parent or supervising adult and should not be dropped off.

Thank you for your partnership in helping us create a warm, inclusive, and respectful environment. We can’t wait to spend an evening filled with learning, laughter, and meaningful cultural connections with all of 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!

OOPS! SAVE A DIFFERENT DATE!

Mayfair is Saturday, May 9th!

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

• March is Women's History Month
• April is Autism Acceptance Month
• Passover is the evening of Wed, Apr 1, 2026 – Thu, Apr 9, 2026

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• Friday, March 20th: School Closed: Eid al-Fitr (Category I Holiday)

• Monday, March 23rd: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm

• Tuesday, March 24th: Grade 4-5 Student Council, 8:00-8:40am

• Tuesday, March 24th: GSA, 10:35-11:12am

• Tuesday, March 24th: Resiliency Yoyo Assembly, Auditorium, 1:00-1:45pm

• Wednesday, March 25th: AAPI Affinity Group, 10:35-11:20am

• Thursday, March 26th: Young Scholars, 2:30-3:30pm

• Friday, March 27th: PEP, 8:00-8:32am

• Friday, March 27th: METCO Connections Event - Viking Sports in MPR, 1:40-3:00pm

• Friday, March 27th: International Night, 5:30-7:30pm

• Monday, March 30th: MCAS: Grade 5 ELA Part 1

• Monday, March 30th: DESE District Review School Visit, 8:00am-2:30pm

• Monday, March 30th: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm

• Monday, March 30th: Rainbow Club: 5th Grade, 11:20-11:50am

• Tuesday, March 31st: MCAS: Grade 5 ELA Part 2

• Tuesday, March 31st: GSA, 10:35-11:12am

• Wednesday, April 1st: METCO Connections Breakfast, 7:35-7:55am

• Wednesday, April 1st: MCAS: Grade 3 ELA Part 1

• Wednesday, April 1st: MCAS: Grade 4 ELA Part 1

• Wednesday, April 1st: Passover Day 1 (Category II Holiday)

• Wednesday, April 1st: Term 3: Portal Opens for Grades 6-8 Report Cards

• Thursday, April 2nd: MCAS: ELA Makeups

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

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

• Sunday, April 5th: Easter Sunday

• 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

• 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" Movie Showing, 5:30-7:00pm

Field Trips:

• Wednesday, March 25th: Grade 2 Trip to Boston Children’s Museum, 8:15am-12:30pm

• Thursday, March 26th: Grade 5 Trip to the Commonwealth Museum, 9:00am-2:00pm

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

Talking about puberty doesn’t have to be awkward — and most caregivers want a clear, confident way to approach it, but aren’t sure how. That’s exactly why I’m excited to invite you and your tween to Puberty & Consent Talks for Tweens and Caregivers at the Brookline Village Public Library on Sunday, March 29th, 2:00 – 4:30 PM.

This isn’t a lecture — it’s a lively, interactive workshop where tweens (ages ~8–12) and their caregivers learn together using humor, honesty, and practical activities that normalize these conversations. You’ll walk away with:

A shared language to talk about bodies, changes, and what’s normal
Tools to handle questions about puberty with confidence
Insight into consent and boundaries — in ways tweens understand
A chance to practice real conversations before your child hears it first from friends

Parents often tell me they want to be the trusted source of truth for their kids — but puberty can feel overwhelming to explain. This workshop gives you the tools to do it in a way that feels supportive, respectful, and empowering.

The program is FREE (generously sponsored by the Brookline Library Foundation), but registration is required — and space is limited. You can also check out more information in the flyer attached.

Register Here: https://brooklinelibrary.libcal.com/event/15543056

Thank you so much for sharing this with families in your classrooms — and if anyone has questions about what we’ll be covering, I’m always happy to answer them directly.

Warmly,
Ana Maria

Ana M. Ramos (she/her)

Bilingual Sexuality Educator & Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Trainer

Member of the Sex Education Alliance

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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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Girls on the Run (GOTR) is looking forward to another successful season here at Hayes! Girls on the Run "inspires participants of all abilities to recognize their individual strengths while building a sense of connection in a team setting. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development to enable participants to adapt to whatever comes their way. At the end of the season, the team completes a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion."

GOTR will start practices the week of March 30th on Tuesdays 2:30-4:00PM and Fridays 1:40-3:10PM.

Do you have a girl in grade 3-5? Then this might just be for you! Find out more below! And if you are interested in coaching, there is information about that opportunity blow, too ...

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

Brookline's Office of English Language Education invites all parents / caregivers of English learners to register for FREE English conversation classes! Would you like to improve your conversation skills? meet other international parents? Consider joining an English class!

This will be the 3rd and final session of FREE English classes for the '25-'26 school year. If you would like to register, please complete this form by

Sunday, March 8th.

The classes are "first come, first served" which means that we will enroll the first people to register and when the classes are full, we cannot register any more students.

Here is the link to register for the free English classes by Sunday, March 8th:

https://forms.gle/ugxiePvHxiAq7K7Y9

Who can participate: Any parent/caregiver of an English learner in the Brookline Schools

Cost: These classes are free!

Teacher: The classes will be taught by a very experienced English as a Second Language teacher

Where: On zoom (The zoom link will be sent before the first class)

How many students are in each class: Each class will be limited to 15 students

When: Classes will continue for 5 weeks, beginning the week of March 10th

Which level is right for me? This document can help you select the class that best fits your skills

How do I register? If you would like to register, please complete this form by Sunday, March 8th.

• English 1 (beginner) Tuesday and Friday mornings 9:30-10:20 AM
• English 2 (high beginner-low intermediate) Monday evenings 7:00-7:50 PM and Wednesday mornings 9:00-9:50 AM
• English 3 (high intermediate- advanced) Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 PM

Please contact Betsy Davis at betsy_davis@psbma.org with any questions.

As I shared in the last Community Notes, I attended the Innovative School Summit in Orlando late last week. If you’re interested, you can find my notes from several of the sessions here: link. I was especially engaged by sessions focused on literacy and brain development, and I was glad to deepen my thinking in those areas. I also made it a priority to learn more about the growing impact of AI tools on both students and our professional practice.

I’m grateful to the BEF for making it possible for me, along with three other staff members, to attend the conference.

I hope you all enjoy the long 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