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

Our Science Fair was, once again, a smashing success. From extracting fruit DNA to determining the efficacy of sunscreen, the range and depth of the products on display was astounding, showcasing the depth of inquiry, creativity, and analytical thinking our students bring to their work. Projects reflected rigorous experimentation and thoughtful problem-solving, with students confidently explaining their hypotheses, methodologies, and conclusions to peers, families, and judges. The event was a powerful reminder of what happens when curiosity is nurtured and young scientists are given the space to investigate meaningful questions.

So many people make this one of our school's tentpole events – the organizers, the judges, the teachers, our PTO, and the many, many students and families who brought ideas to life. Thank 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

Last spring, 400 Hayes parents and other area residents signed a petition to improve traffic safety in the neighborhood. Our voices were heard! Please come to a presentation by Hayes parent Brad Verter and Brookline Transportation Board member Richard Murphy on the evolving plan, which includes speed calming measures, improved drop-off and pick-up zones, new crosswalks, and expanded parking facilities for staff, visitors, and accessible vehicles.

Your feedback and suggestions will be most welcome.

When? Thursday, March 12, at 7:00 pm in the Hayes auditorium and on Zoom. Here is the zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86518660252?pwd=MX3DQAtJ5M55Y6QYzfLV5Ywa0c89PU.1

...to this ...

OOPS! SAVE A DIFFERENT DATE!

Mayfair is Saturday, May 9th!

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

• Ramadan began the Evening of Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026 and goes through Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 - Ramadan Kareem!
• March is Women's History Month

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• Monday, March 9th: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm

• Monday, March 9th: Rainbow Club: 4th Grade, 11:20-11:50am

• Tuesday, March 10th: Grade 4-5 Student Council, 8:00-8:40am

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

• Wednesday, March 11th: METCO Connections Breakfast, 7:35-7:55am

• Thursday, March 12th: Term 3: Grades 6-8 IPR Published

• Thursday, March 12th: 2nd Grade Taiko Drumming, Cafeteria, 7:30-10:00am

• Thursday, March 12th: Young Scholars, 2:30-3:30pm

• Thursday, March 12th: Grade 8 Families: Intro to Athletics @ BHS (students, parents, and guardians)

• Friday, March 13th: PEP, 8:00-8:32am

• Friday, March 13th: Pablo Cartaya Author Visit Presentation for Grades 5-8, 9:40-10:30am

• Monday, March 16th: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm

• Monday, March 16th: Rainbow Club: 3rd Grade, 11:20-11:50am

• Tuesday, March 17th: Grade 4-5 Student Council, 8:00-8:40am

• Tuesday, March 17th: GSA, 10:35-11:12am

• Thursday, March 19th: Young Scholars, 2:30-3:30pm

• 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

• 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

Field Trips:

• Tuesday, March 10th: Grade 4 Trip to the Peabody Museum, 8:05am - 1:30pm

• Monday, March 16th: AAPI & Science Fair Club Trip to Coolidge Corner Theater, 9:45am-2:00pm

• 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

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

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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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.

Next Thursday and Friday I will be attending the Innovative Schools Summit in Orlando with several Hayes staff members, thanks to generosity of the the Brookline Education Foundation (BEF).

There I will attend sessions on vocabulary acquisition, executive functioning, systems for enhancing student accountability, the neuroscience of reading, accelerating math achievement, and more. I am thankful for this opportunity and am hopeful for a hearty dose of sunshine, as well.

I'll share my big take-aways with you all in the next Community Notes.

Until then, be well.

~ 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