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

Monday is MLK, Jr. Day and here in Brookline and Boston there are ways to celebrate, including:

• https://www.brooklinema.gov/465/MLK-Celebration-Committee
• https://www.meetboston.com/events/holidays/martin-luther-king-day/

Dr. King said: "Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education." His legacy certainly speaks to us in our daily work with students as we strive to contribute to the success and character of each of our students.

______________

From Our Librarian, Mrs. Anderson

Buy SIGNED Books for Judd Winick Author Visit (Grades 3-6)!

Author of the HiLo series, Judd Winick, is coming to Hayes for an author visit on February 6th! Families have the opportunity to order signed HiLo books and his new book The Mighty!

Purchase books through this link at the Brookline Booksmith. Books will be delivered to the school. Orders must be made by February 4.

Questions? Email Hayes Librarian Mrs. Anderson lindsay_anderson@psbma.org

---------------

The weather these last few weeks have produced some very icy sidewalks. On campus, we work closely with DPW to salt the property. DPW, however, does not service sidewalks in front of homes. Lots of kids and families are slipping on the way to school, falling down on untreated sidewalks on their way to school.

We recognize that perfectly de-iced sidewalks are difficult to achieve, but working together we can make sure our kids have a safer passage to school.

Our Winter Variety Show will now be in January. Details below. Please encourage your child to give it a try! All talents welcomed!

January 27th is International Holocaust Remembrance Day

• Monday, January 19th: School Closed: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

• Tuesday, January 20th: Grades 4-5 Student Council, 8:00-8:40am

• Tuesday, January 20th: GSA, 10:35-11:12am

• Tuesday, January 20th: Variety Show Rehearsals, Auditorium, 2:30-4:00pm

• Wednesday, January 21st: AAPI Affinity Group, 10:35-11:15am

• Wednesday, January 21st: Math Club (Grades 5-8): Rm 198, 2:40-3:30pm

• Thursday, January 22nd: Young Scholars, 2:35-3:35pm

• Friday, January 23rd: PEP, 8:00-8:32am

• Friday, January 23rd: METCO Connections Event: Ice Brown Dance Workshop in MPR, 1:40-3:00pm

• Saturday, January 24th: Science Fair Workshop (Zoom), 9am

• Monday, January 26th: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm

• Monday, January 26th: Rainbow Club For 3rd Grade, 11:20-11:50am

• Tuesday, January 27th: Grades 4-5 Student Council, 8:00-8:40am

• Tuesday, January 27th: GSA, 10:35-11:12am

• Tuesday, January 27th: Elementary Faculty Meeting, 2:45-3:45pm

• Wednesday, January 28th: Grade 6 Egypt Projects, Cafeteria, 1:45-2:30pm

• Thursday, January 29th: Winter Variety Show, Auditorium, 2:30-4:30pm

• Thursday, January 29th: Young Scholars, 2:35-3:35pm

• Friday, January 30th: Yearbook, 8:00-8:32am

• Friday, January 30th: METCO Connections Event- Ice Brown snow date

• Sunday, February 1st: Hayes Skate Day at Warriors Arena, 2:00-3:30pm

• Monday, February 2nd: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm

• Tuesday, February 3rd: Grades 4-5 Student Council, 8:00-8:40am

• Tuesday, February 3rd: GSA, 10:35-11:12am

• Tuesday, February 3rd: Winter Band Concert, Grades 5-8, FRR Multipurpose Room, 6:30pm

• Wednesday, February 4th: AAPI Affinity Group, 10:35-11:20am

• Wednesday, February 4th: Winter Orchestra Concert, Grades 4-8, FRR Multipurpose Room, 7:15pm

• Thursday, February 5th: Cycle 1: K-5 Progress Reports Published

• Thursday, February 5th: Term 2: Grades 6-8 Report Cards Published

• Thursday, February 5th: 2nd Grade West African Drumming with Joh Camara, 8:15-9:15am

• Thursday, February 5th: Young Scholars, 2:30-3:30pm

• Friday, February 6th: PEP, 8:00-8:32am

• Friday, February 6th: Judd Winick: Author Visit for 3rd-6th grade, 8:45-9:30am

• Friday, February 6th: METCO Connections Grades 6-8 Lunch Group w/ Ms. Terry and Ms. O’Shea, 10:50-11:25am

• Friday, February 6th: METCO Connections Event- Viking Sports in MPR, 1:40-3:00pm

• Saturday, February 7th: Science Fair Workshop (Zoom), 9:00am

Field Trips:

• Friday, January 23rd: Ski and Snowboard Club, 1:55-10:05pm

• Tuesday, January 27th: 4th Grade Trip to The Peabody Museum, 8:05am-1:30pm

• Friday, January 30th: Ski and Snowboard Club, 1:55-10:05pm

• Friday, February 6th: Ski and Snowboard Club, 1:55-10:05pm

From Mr. Goldner, Middle School Science Teacher:

Investigating Climate Change at a Salt Marsh

Back in October we took a field trip to the salt marsh at Great Esker Park in Weymouth. Along with three UMass scientists, we investigated different aspects of the marsh, but we were primarily there to collect samples of sediment. The sediment was analyzed back in the science lab to look for evidence of climate change. Indeed, after several weeks of careful observation, students were able to see the possible signal of sea level rise.

At the end of this important investigation, I had students share their experiences and explain their thinking through short video presentations. I encourage you to watch your child’s video - and those of other students - at this link: tinyurl.com/saltmarsh26

Different from other projects we’ve done in science, this was an investigation into real science data - where the answers were not known in advance! The students had to wrestle with the many constraints and uncertainties that exist in authentic science investigations. I am incredibly impressed at the persistence, focus and generally hard work that the students put into this entire project!

Climate Data Art Project

We recently completed a very creative project in which students did a deep dive into data related to indicators of climate change. Each team of students developed an art piece to help educate the public about the data they had studied. This project was inspired by the work of scientist and artist Jill Pelto. Ms. Pelto joined us via Zoom to discuss her work, her process and her life. She joined us a week later to give students feedback on their artistic ideas. The students’ artwork is currently on display in the Teen Room in the Main Branch of the Brookline Public Library. I encourage you to go check that out. I have also put all the artwork, along with student screencasts about this project, at this website: tinyurl.com/climatedataart26.

________________________

Grade 7 Boott Cotton Mills Museum Field Trip

Seventh graders visited the Boott Cotton Mills ("Lower Mills") Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts, where they explored the city’s industrial history and learned how the textile mills shaped the lives of workers and families. The students have been reading the book "Uprising" in ELA classes, learning about the hardships endured by children during the industrial revolution, so our own local mill was a perfect field trip to expand their learning. Through interactive exhibits and guided discussions, students deepened their understanding of immigration, labor, and technological innovation. The trip brought classroom learning to life and offered valuable context for their study of American industrialization.

The BTC is very excited to finally be able to offer rides back to the Hayes School in the evening for any students who need it. After speaking with a few Hayes families and teachers, the BTC learned this was one of the obstacles to Hayes students using the BTC.

As a reminder, we have financial assistance to anyone who needs it, and they can try the BTC a few times with no membership.

For more information, feel free to email Kasey at kboston@brooklineteencenter.org or Stephon at slilly@brooklineteencenter.org.

A highlight of the school year is our Mayfair, a huge carnival on campus each spring. Currently, we do not have any volunteers for the mayfair committee.

Without volunteers Mayfair cannot happen. So, please, think about it and reach out to our PTO co-presidents (lisa@hayespto.org and theodora@hayespto.org) for more information.

iGen's Battle to be Mentally Healthy in a Digital Era – February 11, 2026 @ 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Explore digital wellness from a student perspective as a young scholar and psychology researcher at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will bring to life the story, science, and voice of Generation Z in a digital era. This workshop involves an interactive, collaborative style of learning that involves elements of Keegan's personal advocacy journey, an in-depth summary of how the brain reacts to social media, and how the social media algorithm is wired to engage attention. Keegan will highlight the importance of human connection in a growing digital era, and how parents and educators can promote a healthy tech/life balance.

About the speaker

Keegan Lee is the author of 60 Days of Disconnect: A Personal Perspective of How Social Media Affects Mental Health. Her work lies at the dynamic intersection of technology, psychology, and sociology, with a particular focus on how digital environments shape human connection, identity, and behavior—both online and offline.

As one of People Magazine's "Girls Changing the World" in 2024, Keegan is widely recognized for her contributions to the fields of cyberpsychology and digital well-being and has spoken internationally at events such as Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal and The United Nations Youth Economic Forum.

She teaches Social Entrepreneurship at the Leysin American School in Switzerland and is pursuing a dual degree in Psychology and English with a concentration in Medicine and Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Keegan continues to investigate the evolving relationship between technology and society, advocating for a more intentional and ethical digital future.

Registration

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZusqJ4aNTAuiXM9rzrnEFQ

------------------------------

For twenty years, Hidden Brookline: slavery & freedom has been bringing some of the town’s dark history of slavery—and inspiring stories of resistance—out of the archives and into the public.

We have now captured a key portion of that story in a 10-minute video that invites everyone to journey into our town’s past. You can watch it on our home page https://hiddenbrookline.weebly.com or on YouTube.

We produced our documentary with the professionals at Brookline Interactive Group, plus Malcolm Cawthorne as co-narrator, Colin Stokes as collaborator and the Brookline Community Foundation as funder. We intentionally scripted it to appeal to all ages from ten to ninety. Who wouldn’t enjoy history told through narrative, along with powerful stories?!

May this new year bring a bounty of justice and kindness,

Dr. Barbara Brown, founder and chair of Hidden Brookline

https://hiddenbrookline.weebly.com/

----------------------------

My name is Neva Taylor and I am an English teacher at BHS and also the cheerleading head coach! This is my second year coaching; this year I am re-launching our middle school clinic programming. The team and I are so excited to be able to spread "cheer" (pun intended) with the middle school Brookline community, while also hopefully preparing students how might want to join the team once they arrive at our high school. We are hosting two clinics this year, one for 9th graders, and one for 6/7th graders in January.

Sign-Up Link: https://forms.gle/1fypePbjCZz8UmNN6

Winter is with us, for sure, and this can be a great time to revisit this classic of American poetry, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost.

~ 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