DEARBORN STEM ACADEMY NEWS & NOTES
Week of June 8, 2020, Volume 2, No. 39
DETERMINED
I set and meet challenging goals. I hold high expectations for myself and my future. I never give up.
SELF-C0NFIDENT
ACCEPTING
Aspiring writer Leslie Dwight has her poem go viral...
What if 2020 is the year we’ve been waiting for?
A year so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw — that it finally forces us to grow.
A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us from our ignorant slumber.
A year we finally accept the need for change.. Declare change. Work for change. Become the change. A year we finally band together, instead of pushing each other further apart.
2020 isn’t cancelled, but rather
the most important year of them all.”
A message of hope from Myles Layne, DSA BAM Counselor
Good afternoon and happy Friday DSA team,
These have been stressful, painful, exhausting and anger filled couple of weeks, but yesterday some good community solidarity came from all of this. We held a Youth Summit where we connected with many community partners on a zoom call to initially discuss summer employment, but we felt compelled to discuss the most recent events. Scholars, community leaders, BAM Counselors, Mayor, and Superintendent all came together to support our young people. It was dynamic to see how scholars used the platform to be authentic, honest, and most importantly vulnerable as they connected to their emotions and how it resonates with what is going on. DSA was well represented during the summit by Farris Omar and Jeffrey Theragene, both scholars expressed feelings of happiness after the call knowing the mayor is behind the black community and that their voice and truth holds value.
We will continue to give our scholars a voice, advocate for them and do what ever we can during this difficult time. I hope you and your families continue to stay safe and healthy.
Best,
Myles
Important Updates!
- Thursday, June 11, 2020-seniors will do a drive by/walk by to pick up their cap and gown and graduation gift box! Seniors are scheduled at a specific time so as to honor social distancing. SENIORS CAN CONTACT MR. LIKOSKY OR MR. BROWN FOR MORE INFORMATION.
- Saturday, June 13, 2020, City of Boston's Virtual Graduation Ceremony for all 2020 graduates; 7:30 - 8:00 PM; TV Channel 5 and live streamed on www.WCVB.com
- Monday, June 22, 2020 is the last day of school for students in all other grades. This was the previously announced last day of school (day 181, due to the snow day on December 3, 2019).
Gift Boxes for seniors almost ready!
IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGY UPDATES:
CHROMEBOOKS AND CHARGERS
DEARBORN STEM ACADEMY STUDENTS SHOULD HOLD ON TO ANY CHROMEBOOK OR CHARGER GIVEN TO THEM DURING THIS CRISIS. YOU WILL BRING ALL TECHNOLOGY BACK TO THE SCHOOL WHEN WE RETURN.
UNTIL WE HEAR SOMETHING DIFFERENT STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED A HOTSPOT SHOULD CONTINUE TO USE IT.
EXCEPTION:
IF YOU ARE LEAVING THE DEARBORN (GOING TO ANOTHER BPS SCHOOL) OR THE BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS (GRADUATING OR MOVING) YOU MUST RETURN YOUR CHROMEBOOK AND CHARGER TO THE DEARBORN STEM ACADEMY ON JUNE 22ND, 2020. THE BUILDING WILL BE OPEN FROM 7:30 AM-3:30 PM. PLEASE WEAR A MASK AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING WHEN ENTERING THE SCHOOL.
RECAP: WHO SHOULD RETURN THEIR CHROMEBOOK AND CHARGER;
ANY STUDENT TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL
ANY STUDENT LEAVING BPS AND TRANSFERRING TO A SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF BPS
ANY STUDENT GRADUATING FROM DEARBORN STEM ACADEMY
if you fall into any of the three categories above YOU MUST RETURN YOUR CHROMEBOOK AND CHARGER TO THE DEARBORN STEM ACADEMY ON JUNE 22ND, 2020. THE BUILDING WILL BE OPEN FROM 7:30 AM-3:30 PM. PLEASE WEAR A MASK AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING WHEN ENTERING THE SCHOOL.
All other students will be expected to bring chromebook (s) and charger (s) back to school when we return.
Talking through tragedy, uncertainty, and life with students
We know that this tragedy and its aftermath have made a difficult period in all of our lives even more uncertain, and BPS is here for you. For resources for students and families, please visit bostonpublicschools.org or call the BPS Family Helpline at 617-635-8873. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, and support is available in 10 languages.
Resources for families and educators
Here are some resources for anyone who wants to talk about the recent events in our Country;
https://wakelet.com/wake/jQgcV5WAxM2HCS7uAJMJ2
More resources...
We would also like to share these resources that might be helpful when talking with students about violent and traumatic events.
NASP: Talking To Children About Violence Tips for Parents & Teachers What
Role Can The Education Community Play to End Racism and Begin Healing
10 Children's Books That Help White Kids Understand What Children of Color Are Up Against
"Affirming Black Lives without Inducing Trauma" - Teaching Tolerance
CITY OF BOSTON RENTAL RELIEF FUND
RENTAL RELIEF FUND
UPDATE: The second round of funding will open on June 5 at 12 p.m. The pre-screening form will be open until June 19 at 12 p.m. We will conduct the lottery on June 22. All first round applicants will be automatically included in this second round.
The pre-screening form will be available in English, Español, Kriolu Kabuverdianu, Kreyòl ayisyen, Português, Tiếng Việt, and 中文. Call the Office of Housing Stability at 617-635-4200 to complete the pre-screening form in any of the languages listed above, or in français, русский, soomaali, or عربى.
PLEASE NOTE: A person’s immigration status is not asked during the Rental Relief Fund application process. Receiving funds does not impact other financial assistance that a person may be already receiving. Also, assistance from the fund does not affect immigration applications as a “public charge” ground of inadmissibility.
For more information click:
City of Boston Rental Relief Page, click here for more information.Ensuring Food Security
PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR EBT CARD...
P-EBT Cards
Beginning this month, every BPS family will receive financial assistance for food due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds are available under a new federal program called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT.
Families will receive $5.70 each eligible child each day for every day school is closed due to the pandemic, which comes to $28.50 a week.
Families that do not have an EBT card will receive a P-EBT card in the mail. Each enrolled BPS child in the household will receive a unique P-EBT card. If a family already has an EBT card, funds will be added to their account. The money can be used to buy food items at stores where SNAP benefits are accepted (look for signs that say, “We accept EBT here”). Email food@boston.gov for questions. The card is valid for one year.
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS MEASURING INTEREST IN FALL SPORTS
Football
Girls Soccer
Boys Soccer
Cross-Country (Citywide)
Girls Volleyball
Cheerleading
Not interested in Fall Athletics
CHECK OUT THE DAILY/WEEKLY SCHEDULE FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF!
https://www.bpe.org/dearborn-stem-academy/
EXPLORE THE SITE!
Citywide virtual graduation ceremony with Mayor Walsh and Superintendent Cassellius
As we close out this school year, we unfortunately will not be able to host graduation ceremonies to celebrate in person with all of you.
As we close out this school year, we want to honor our students and celebrate their remarkable accomplishments. Mayor Walsh and I are thrilled to host a virtual graduation ceremony with WCVB News Center 5. We hope you, as well as your friends and family from near and far, will join us to commemorate this major milestone in your lives.
Boston Public Schools Virtual Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2020
Featuring
Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, Former U.S. Secretary of Education John King, BPS valedictorians, and countless BPS graduating seniors.
Saturday, June 13, 2020
7:30 - 8:00 PM
TV Channel 5 and live streamed on www.WCVB.com
We are incredibly proud of our graduating seniors’ hard work, determination, and motivation that has brought them to this moment. We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish in the future.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brenda Cassellius
Superintendent
Ps...we'll recognize the 8th graders "Moving Up" to high school with some type of celebration as well.
OUR ATTENDANCE WILL LOOK DIFFERENT NOW. BE ONLINE. STAY IN TOUCH.
BPS Helpline at 617-635-8873
- For questions and information on resources available to BPS families during the school closure, call the BPS Helpline at 617-635-8873, Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm. Help is available in Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Let's communicate!
We will communicate by newsletter with you each week. It will be distributed at the beginning of each school week. The purpose of the newsletter is to inform Dearborn STEM Academy students, staff, and families as well as the greater Dearborn community.
If you would like to add something please submit the contents to the appropriate principal; Co-Principal Dana F. Brown, dbrown8@bostonpublicschools.org or Co-Principal Darlene Marcano, dmarcano@bostonpublicschools.org.
Stories, pictures, calendar reminders, club, activity, and classroom notes are all welcome.
Dana Brown
Darlene Marcano
STEM Fun!
Call, visit, message
Dana Brown, Co-Principal, dbrown8@bostonpublicschools.org
Website: www.dearbornstemacademy.org
Location: 36 Winthrop Street, Roxbury MA 02119
Phone: 617-635-8412
Twitter: @brownprincipal