Roland Hayes School
The Community Notes ~ January 12, 2023
We do not have school Monday; we take that day to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Here is a great piece on his life and work from NPR examining how this radical activist became a lauded peacemaker (link).
If you REALLY want to take a deep dive into Dr. King's personal life and his life's work, I am giving away a copy of this book: King: A Life by Jonathan Eig. If you'd like to be entered into a lottery to win this book, sign up here: lottery form
This portrait of Dr. King is by Brookline's own, artist John Wilson.
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Spotlight on Excellence
During the January 4th School Committee meeting, our Soap Box Derby Club was celebrated. I hope you will check out their presentation here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/fCOShlO1eoU?si=vTh-MJFodP2D3wcB&t=238
Thanks to our Educational Technology Specialist, Mr. Durant, for leading the group and this excellent presentation.
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Emergency Alerts and Protocols
It does happen that we have emergencies here at school that require first responders (police, ambulance, and fire). A majority of such instances are students and staff who require urgent medical attention. If your child is impacted, you will receive a call from the school as soon as possible to alert you to what is happening and make a plan for your full participation in supporting your child.
When we have such an emergency, we will most likely make a school-wide announcement asking that all classrooms stay in their classrooms so that we can ensure a private, controlled environment for the impacted. Within classrooms, it is business as usual. When the emergency is over we make another announcement letting folks know the coast is clear, everyone is safe, and that the building is open again. I do my best to use a calm, warm, affirming tone and thankful, calming words in all messaging.
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REMINDER - Drop off instructions for forgotten items
If you come to the school with an item that your student has forgotten, please make sure that you label it with your child’s name and homeroom and leave it on the white table in the vestibule in the lobby across from the main office.
We will then make sure your child gets the item. Do not call or text your child; do not deliver the item directly to the classroom. We are happy to help make the connection.
Change is happening and change is coming! Did you notice that our website is rebranded? And that the Parent Portal has our new school name, as does the district website? Paperwork to change our name at the State level has been submitted. Our digital footprint is indeed becoming more representative of who we are now.
We have also had contractors in and we are poised for complete the physical changes to the building, like our front of school name plates and a refurbishing/rebranding of the school gym. It is going to look amazing!
Soon we will offer families a chance to buy Roland Hayes spirit wear, so please look for that opportunity as we move closer to springtime.
Help Needed: Party Planning!
A new school name requires a celebration! If you are interested. in joining the School Renaming Party Planning committee, will you let us know by filling out this one question survey?
Link to survey: https://forms.gle/LYq8DY2QT8rkntNC6
We are still getting outside for recess across all grade levels. Our standard practice is: “Students should come prepared to participate in activities outside with varied weather. Layers, coats, hats, gloves etc.”
Please send your child to school dressed warmly, if possible. We recognize that some kids refuse to wear warmer clothes (see article below about teens wearing shorts all winter); some of us can use some help getting a warm winter coat.
Many middle school students arrive in school wearing shorts or without a coat. We tell our middle schoolers that recess is outside and that the expectation is that they are headed out – even in shorts.
If you need help getting some warm clothes, please let us know. Our Student Support team can and will help! link
This fascinating article from The Atlantic can shed some light on the age old question, "Why is my kid wearing shorts in winter?" Check it out here: link
If you can do one thing this weekend, please make time to label your child's winter coat. Our Lost and Found is already full of coats with no names. If we find items with names on them, we return these items to their owners. No label? Then it sits in a pile of stuff in our Lost and Found.
Since you are getting that sharpie out, will you go ahead and write your child's name on their lunch box, water bottle, and backpack?
We thank you very sincerely.
Our PTO's Website is here: https://www.heathpto.org/ We hope you will check it out for upcoming events, ways to support out school, and much more!
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On January 24th at 2:30 pm, we will be hosting the Hayes Winter Variety Show (Hayes Auditorium). The kids in K, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade are invited to show their talents (sing, play an instrument, dance...) and their families are also invited to come and see them and connect with our community. Please join us! We are still accepting new acts. Email anabelle.desangles@gmail.com if your child wants to participate. Coming to at least one rehearsal is required. They will take place on Jan 18 (2:30 pm) and Jan 19 (1:30 pm) at the Auditorium.
Calling all Hayes Scientists! The 5th annual Science Fair date will take place on Saturday, MARCH 2, 2024! And you don’t want to miss participating. Last year was amazing: If you are looking for a fun activity over the holiday break, how about some early prep for the Science Fair!?
The 3rd Science Fair Zoom workshop will be on Saturday Jan. 27, 2024 @ 9a. The workshop topic will be "Explore: Experimentation and Investigation" where you can:
- Discuss ideas, process, resources, and support - especially helpful for first-time scientists
- Speak to parent volunteers 1x1 about your project ideas and experimentation - we welcome both scientists and their supporters
- Join a middle-school breakout room - a dedicated session for 6-8th graders looking to get their projects "to the next level"
Check out these resources for ideas: the Hayes Science Fair dedicated site with various available sources like ScienceBuddies.com, Mr. Picard's Engineering at Home, and more
Let science begin! 5th annual Hayes Science Fair date: March 2, 2024
SAVE THE DATE! Roland Hayes School International Night is Friday, April 5th, 2024. There will be many forthcoming opportunities to volunteer for our beloved community event.
Monday, January 15th: School Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Wednesday, January 17th: Grades 6-8 GSA, 10:50-11:20am
Wednesday, January 17th: Model UN, 11:20am-12:05pm
Wednesday, January 17th: HASAP Winter 2024 semester begins
Thursday, January 18th: School Council Meeting, 8:15-9:45am
Thursday, January 18th: Young Scholars, 2:30-3:30pm
Friday, January 19th: Yearbook Club, 8:00-8:30am
Monday, January 22nd: Rainbow Club! Grade 4, 11:20-11:50am
Tuesday, January 23rd: AAPI Affinity Group, 10:50-11:20am
Wednesday, January 24th: Grades 6-8 GSA, 10:50-11:20am
Wednesday, January 24th: Model UN, 11:20am-12:05pm
Wednesday, January 24th: K-3 Variety Show, Auditorium, 2:30-5:00pm
Thursday, January 25th: Young Scholars, 2:30-3:30pm
Friday, January, 26th: PEP - Respect Activity, 8:05-8:30am
Friday, January, 26th: Term 2 Closes for Grades 6-8 Report Cards
Friday, January, 26th: Model UN Conference, 11:20-2:30pm
Friday, January, 26th: METCO Connections Cooking Workshop, Art Room, 1:40-3:00pm
Field Trips:
Tuesday, January 16th: 4BW Trip to Peabody Museum of Archeology, 8:05am-2:00pm
Wednesday, January 17th: 4O Trip to Peabody Museum of Archeology, 8:05am-2:00pm
Thursday, January 18th: 4B Trip to Peabody Museum of Archeology, 8:05am-2:00pm
Friday, January 19th: Ski and Snowboard Club, 1:50-10:00pm
Friday, January, 26th: Ski and Snowboard Club, 1:50-10:00pm
