PHA Family Newsletter

Angela F. Allen Ph.D.
Head of School / CEO

• December 23, 2025: PHA Early Release
• December 23, 2025-Friday, January 5, 2026: Schools Closed for Winter Vacation
• January 5, 2026: Schools Closed for Teacher Professional Day
• January 6, 2026: Schools Reopen After Winter Vacation
• January 15, 2026: Thursday Thrive Dinner 5:30-7:00 pm (Webster)
• January 19, 2026: Schools Closed for Martin Luther King Jr Day
• February 16, 2026: Schools Closed for President's Day
• February 16, 2026-February 20, 2026: Schools Closed for February Vacation

Mercedes Escorihuela, PHA's Spanish Lead Family Engagement Liaison, was recently interviewed by El Planeta newspaper discussing the school's project-based learning program and the family liaisons' work with non-English speaking families.

Tuition-free Prospect Hill Academy Charter School continues to stand out as a school that not only teaches but also connects deeply with its community. Mercedes Escorihuela, Spanish-speaking family link, shared with El Planeta how her role is key to ensuring that Latin families feel heard and accompanied within the school.

We are a team of three people dedicated to serving Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole speaking communities. This figure does not exist in every school, and for us it is a priority," Mercedes said.

Read the full article here.

On December 11th, the Early Childhood Campus held a fun Hour of Code in celebration of Computer Science Education Week! Our students and family members enjoyed learning about coding and playing with robots together, including BeeBots, Sphero, Kibo, LEGO WeDo Robotics, and Root. Some of our high school students also joined in on the fun, volunteering to help out at the various stations. Check out some photos of the action!

On December 8th, the 5th Grade enjoyed a field trip to Harvard's Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. In Social Studies, the students have been using primary and secondary sources to investigate life in the early colonies - including interactions between colonists and Indigenous people. This trip allowed them to use their "Meet the Artifact" tools to learn about Indigenous peoples in other areas of North America.

Recently, a group of PHA high school students had the amazing opportunity to participate in a "Day in the Life Experience" at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Commented Chesney, a junior, "We toured the facility and learned more about the lives of a variety of healthcare professionals, from dietitians to CRNAs. We learned about the different parts and roles in a hospital and got to participate in hands-on learning, such as utilizing different assisted breathing devices on dummy patients."

Most of the students who participated in this experience are also members of the Pathways to Medicine Club at the high school. Said Chesney, "The Pathways to Medicine Club is built on providing opportunities and experiences to the youth at PHA. The club encompasses all parts of Biomedical studies, from Hospital work to lab and research work. With a focus on ensuring that all students at PHA receive proper biomedical education and opportunities, the Pathways to Medicine Club strives to inspire, support, and prepare the next generation of life science professionals."

Thank you to Boston Children’s Hospital for fostering the next generation of medical care professionals!

Thrive Thursday Dinners! Enjoy a free, delicious, hot dinner together!

Guidelines for Keeping Your Child Home

(Please remember to call the absence line at 617.284.7890 if your child will be absent.)

Your child should remain at home if:

• Fever above 100 degrees. Please do not give your child fever medication before sending them to school.

• Repeated vomiting within 24 hours prior to the start of the school day

• More than one incident of diarrhea within 12 hours prior to the start of the school day

• They have a contagious illness such as the flu, COVID-19, strep throat, chicken pox, RSV, Norovirus, etc

• A new, unexplained rash of unknown origin

• Difficulty breathing/asthma symptoms unrelieved by prescribed treatment

• Pink eye with itching/drainage from the eye. Please call your healthcare provider.

They may return to school:

• AFTER antibiotic treatment for 24 hours, if determined necessary by their PCP

• AFTER symptoms have improved and they are without fever for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or other medications used to reduce fever

*Children with mild cough/ cold symptoms will be asked to wear a mask to prevent the spread of illness in school.

*Prolonged absences may require a physician's note for attendance purposes.

Thank you for your attention to this very important matter.

Gabby Mendez, Lead School Nurse

********************************************************************

The PHA Nurse Team

Gaby Mendez(MS/HS) 617.284.7908

gmendez@phacs.org

Courtney Farber (UE) 617-684-8508

cfarber@phacs.org (UE) 617.684.8508

Ernsy Alabre(EC) 617.284.7808

ealabre@phacs.org

Nurse fax: 857.575.1274

Somerville Media Center offers a number of developmentally-appropriate youth programming for youth of all ages, including targeted intensive workshops, strategic community partnerships with youth-serving agencies, teen internships, movie nights, field trips, and more. We are only limited by the imagination of the kids we serve. Come check us out at our new location at 29 Properzi Way!

The STEM+M Connect program is particularly targeted to students who are passionate about science and health/medicine, and who have not participated in similar programs or opportunities. Students who will be first-generation college students and/or who come from low-income backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. The four-week program (June 29-July 24) offers a full scholarship to one of two Tufts Pre-College programs: Mini Med School or Lab Science Investigations, as well as $2175 compensation for students. Students will be paired with a Tufts undergraduate STEM mentor. We look for mature, responsible students who are passionate about a future in STEM/health/medicine, and academically prepared to participate in this rigorous program. Interested students must attend an info session, more info in the flyer attached!

iFp; We’re now recruiting high-achieving students to join our community of socially conscious innovators. Students with interests in 2D visual design, video storytelling, or coding are encouraged to apply to our paid internship program. Our Spring term starts January 26, 2026. Registration is now open until slots are filled.

The Mugar Family Fireworks

Boston Common

7:00 PM

Following the First Night Parade, enjoy a glittering fireworks display over Boston Common.

Presented by The Mugar Foundation

Check out the 15 Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids December 2025 according to Mommy Poppins

Community Kangaroo Calendar of Kids’ Events Near Medford, Malden & Everett

Community Kangaroo Calendar of Kids’ Events Near Cambridge, Somerville & Charlestown