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

3rd-6th Author Visit: Judd Winick (visit on February 6th)

Author of the HiLo series, Judd Winick, is coming to Hayes! 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.

K-5th Author Visit: Maureen & Ivy (visit on February 12th)

Author Maureen Harrington and her dog Ivy are coming to Hayes! A flyer will be coming home soon for you to order a PAWtographed copy of Ivy the Very Determined Dog and/or Ivy and her Rose Bud. Payment due by February 9th.

Last week, and with the help of our PTO, our paraprofessionals gathered to celebrate their incredible efforts here in our school. Our paraprofessionals are the quiet force that keeps our school running strong. Through patience, skill, and deep care for students, they build relationships, support learning, and step in wherever they’re needed – often without recognition. We are profoundly grateful for their dedication and the daily impact they have on our students, classrooms, and community.

Yesterday was halfway day here at school ... we've been at it for 90 days and that means only 90 days more until summer vacation! In our school, the halfway day is a perfect excuse to celebrate and recognize how far we’ve come and re-energize for the months ahead. It’s a moment to mark our collective and individual growth, efforts, and to remind ourselves that every day forward is another opportunity to learn, connect, and finish the year strong.

Next reason to celebrate? The 100th Day of School, coming very soon!

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• 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, 6:30-8:00pm
• Wednesday, February 4th: AAPI Affinity Group, 10:35-11:20am
• Wednesday, February 4th: Math League Competition, 2:30-3:30pm
• Wednesday, February 4th: Winter Orchestra Concert, 7:15-8:00pm
• Thursday, February 5th: 2nd Grade West African Drumming with Joh Camara, 8:15-9:15am
• Thursday, February 5th: Young Scholars, 2:30-3:30pm
• Thursday, February 5th: Science Fair Club, 2:30-3:30pm
• Thursday, February 5th: Grade 8 → Grade 9 Transition Event for Families and Students, 6:00-7:00pm
• 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), 9:00-10:00am
• Monday, February 9th: Model UN, 11:15-12:00pm
• Monday, February 9th: Rainbow Club: 5th Grade, 11:20-11:50am
• Tuesday, February 10th: Grade 4-5 Student Council, 8:00-8:40am
• Tuesday, February 10th: GSA, 10:35-11:12am
• Wednesday, February 11th: METCO Connections Breakfast, 7:35-7:55am
• Wednesday, February 11th: Grade 8 to BHS: Electives Presentation, 8:30-10:30am
• Wednesday, February 11th: Grade 8 Families: Overview of Special Education Services at BHS (parents/guardians only event), 6:00-7:00pm
• Wednesday, February 11th: Grade 8 families: Curriculum Night @ BHS (parents and guardians only event), 7:00-8:00pm
• Thursday, February 12th: Ivy the Dog and Maureen: Author Visit (K-5), 8:30-10:45am
• Thursday, February 12th: Young Scholars, 2:30-3:30pm
• Thursday, February 12th: Science Fair Club, 2:30-3:30pm
• Friday, February 13th: Yearbook, 8:00-8:30am
• Monday, February 16th- Friday, February 20th: School Closed: February Vacation
• Monday, February 23rd: Model UN, 11:15am-12:00pm
• Monday, February 23rd: Rainbow Club: 4th Grade, 11:20-11:50am
• Tuesday, February 24th: Grade 4-5 Student Council, 8:00-8:40am
• Tuesday, February 24th: GSA, 10:35-11:12am
• Wednesday, February 25th: AAPI Affinity Group, 10:35-11:20am
• Thursday, February 26th: Young Scholars, 2:30-3:30pm
• Thursday, February 26th: Science Fair Club, 2:30-3:30pm
• Thursday, February 26th: Grade 8 Families: Life at BHS (students, parents, and guardians), 6:30-8:00pm
• Friday, February 27th: PEP, 8:00-8:32am
• Saturday, February 28th: Science Fair, 9:00am-1:30pm

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

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

• Friday, February 27th: Ski and Snowboard Club, 1:55-10:05pm

Grade 1 students are studying animals, their unique attributes, and their habitats. One animal of particular interest has been the gecko. What a coincidence! We just happen to have a crested gecko right here at Hayes School.

Our school pet, Hawk the Crested Gecko, made a special visit to 1R and 1H; the students were able to see the adorable creature up close and personal, ask their many questions, while also sharing their vast knowledge.

Hawk was very pleased to get the attention he deserves!

If you visit the Main Office, be sure to say hello to Hawk AND read Grade 1's All About Geckos book, soon to be on display near his tank.

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

I am not a huge sports fan (even though my alma mater just won the college football championship –woot woot!), but I really love watching our basketball teams. The games are quick, sometime chaotic, and always passionate. I often wonder if any of the players are even breathing, they are just going so hard and doing their very best. Every point is a reason to celebrate.

While I am, again, not really a sports fan, I am a huge fan of school ... and a really big fan of kids. I believe that what I am seeing on the basketball court is what is happening in classrooms. Ample energy, some healthy chaos, lots of shots taken (some airballs, lots of 2s, and once in a while a three-pointer), and terrific coaching all along.

I am proud of our students who are doing their best, no matter the court they are playing on.

Have a great weekend ahead, everyone!

~ 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