BBRSD District-Wide Weekly Update
June 11, 2021
This is our final weekly newsletter of the school year. Please be on the lookout for the newsletter to start up again on September 3.
Superintendent's Office
My final newsletter of the school year is dedicated to the staff in the Berlin-Boylston Regional School District. To all of you, I send my heartfelt thanks for doing all that you could to teach our students from the spring of last year to the spring of this year, from your homes, from your classrooms, from laptops too worn from overuse. In this past year, you have risen to meet expectations never required of teachers in any graduate course you have taken, student teaching experience, or even educator evaluation goals.
Next year, (hopefully), we’re going to look back on all of this and chalk it up to a very strange year, and yet, we’re also going to remember that we went through it together - you, your colleagues, your administrators, even your families, and friends who held you together when you couldn’t do one more Zoom/Google Meet meeting. I can’t imagine, even from where I sit in this position, what your experience was truly like.
I think that through it all, we’ve become even better, stronger, and, as I spoke about at the Tahanto graduation, resilient. Bring it on - there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish because we know we have, and we’ve done it together.
Thank you for your trust in me, for working with the administrative team to figure things out each step of the way, and for respectfully contributing your thoughts and opinions to help guide our decision-making.
It’s difficult for the public to understand what this experience was like for the world of educators. We all know, on a very human level, how devastating the pandemic has been. For educators, however, the idea of “putting learning on hold” is not in our wheelhouse. It simply isn’t. It’s what we do and it’s a responsibility we take very seriously. We’ll have work to do next year as we pick up the pieces and create the spaces necessary to rebuild our capacity to meet the needs of our students emotionally, academically, and socially. And while we’re doing this, we’ll be healing ourselves.
I wish you a restful summer. Find ways to enjoy the very short time when you can begin to rejuvenate and make peace with all that has happened. Come back in late August with a smile on your face, and a resolve that the year ahead won’t be stolen from our children or from us. We have work to do, and we’ll do it like we have this past year - together.
To view pictures from last Sunday's graduation ceremony, please click HERE. Many thanks to The Item, Jan Gottesman, and Ken Cleveland for sharing their photos.
With gratitude,
Jeff
Business Office
School Lunch
Thank you for participating in our lunch program this year. We are anticipating new guidance from DESE over the summer months, so stay tuned for updated information on our lunch procedures for next year. So far, we do know that lunch will be FREE through the 2021-2022 school year. 😊
We wish you a happy and healthy summer vacation!
Summer Food Assistance Resources:
Local Food Pantry Information
https://www.bbrsd.org/Page/1722
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program Flyer- English
https://www.bbrsd.org/Page/1720
Folleto del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria – Español
https://www.bbrsd.org/Page/1724
Folheto do Programa de Assistência Nutricional Suplementar – Português
https://www.bbrsd.org/Page/1725
To Find a Summer Meal Site Near You:
Text “FOOD” to 877-877 to find a nearby free lunch location for your child all summer long! This is a free service provided by No Kid Hungry.
Any questions or concerns can be directed to Lauren Staples, Food Service Director 508-869-2333 ext. 2346 or lstaples@bbrsd.org.
Bob Conry, Director of Finance and Operations
Technology Department
As we end the school year I would like to thank our students and parents for making the best of what was undoubtedly one of the most difficult years for students, families, and educators alike.
You should have heard from the principals of each building as to how they are collecting (or not collecting) our student Chromebooks. If your child needs to keep their Chromebook because they are doing summer work that requires them to utilize Google Classroom and they would not otherwise have a device to work on, please let your building principal know so we can account for those Chromebooks as we do our summer inventory. If you do need to keep the student Chromebook and it becomes in need of repair please email me at pmara@bbrsd.org and we will arrange a time for drop of/exchange of equipment.
Please have an enjoyable summer, hopefully, one that will see more and more of our life events return to “normal”.
One final reminder for any families still struggling to provide Internet Access for their children, please click on this link to find information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program: https://connectednation.org/ebbprogram/
Paul Mara, Director of Technology
508-869-2837 ext. 1109
Boylston Elementary School
On Thursday, we held our Field Day to celebrate and close out a most interesting school year. Rather than write about it, I tried to be a better photographer this week than I was last week. Special thanks to Keith from Keith's Music house for providing the music that made it a party!
Last week, our school community came together to celebrate the careers of several of our wonderful staff members. After a combined 105 years, these staff members are retiring from public education. Mrs. Ellis has been a paraprofessional at BES for the last 10 years. Mrs. LaPierre has been a fixture in our kindergarten for the last 15 years. Ms. Lubarsky, who retired this past October, and had taught with us for 20 years. Many of you may also know that Mrs. Sullivan (the nurse not the librarian) is retiring after 26 years at BES. And finally, after 34 years, Mr. Andrews will no longer be playing with fire and dry ice daily at BES. I am sure many of you have crossed paths with these caring and compassionate educators over the years and will join us at BES in wishing them the very best in their retirements!
Thank you to the PTO who organized our 2nd annual virtual talent show! Our students certainly have talent!
And for your viewing pleasure, we also have our annual 4th-grade Parade of States.
Electronic Folder Including the form for 6th-grade orientation
As we inch closer to summer vacation, the teachers have put together recommended summer reading lists by grade level that can be found on the school website. You can also find next year's supply lists on the site.
The next couple of days:
Monday (6/14)
5th Grade Recognition (1:30)
Tuesday (6/15)
Step-Up Day
Last Day of School - 11:45 dismissal - No afterschool care
BES Office: 508-869-2200
Talent Show!
Grade 4 Parade of States
And for your viewing pleasure, we also have our annual 4th-grade Parade of States.
Congrats to Our Retirees!
Not Pictured: Mrs. LaPierre, Mrs. Ellis,
Berlin Memorial School
Greetings, all…
We have arrived - at last - at the end of the school year. Thanks to everyone who helped us through a year like no other. Your support and encouragement have meant so much to all of us here at Berlin Memorial!
Just a few notes as we look forward to the start of summer!
Last Day of School
As you know, our last day of school is Tuesday, June 15th. It is a half-day, with dismissal starting at 11:45.
We are working on a modified step-up program, where students in grades K-4 can meet with their grade level teachers for next year. We won’t rearrange them into their 2021-22 classes (on the last nod to COVID) but we would like them to hear something about what the new school year will be like.
At 10:30 we will hold an outdoor recognition ceremony for our departing grade 5 students, followed by the traditional “Clap out” and silly string extravaganza in the front of the school.
End of year information
On the last day of school, your child will come home with the following information…
A report card
Two end-of-year Aimsweb reports - one math, one on literacy. Remember that these reports reflect how your child did on one set of tests at the end of the year. They are not perfect predictors, but when we look at them over time we are able to see what kind of progress students are making and adjust plans accordingly.
A placement letter will let you know who your child’s teacher will be in the fall. Our teachers invest a great deal of thought into these lists and strive to create the best learning environment possible.
A school supply list which we will also post to the school website if you need a copy later.
Note from Nurse Ana
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Just one final reminder, if your child has medication at school (inhalers, EpiPens), an adult must pick it up by the last day of school. Please contact me so we can schedule a time at your convenience.
Thank you again for all your support and cooperation this school year. Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Nurse Ana
Phone: (978)-838-2214
Email:AAmaral@bbrsd.org
Date to remember...
Tuesday, June 15 – Last Day of School!
Grade 5 Recognition at 10:30
Dismissal at 11:45
BMS Office: 978-838-2417
Tahanto Regional Middle/High School
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience, flexibility, and perseverance throughout this past school year. It was certainly a challenging one, but with those challenges also came a learning experience for each and every one of us.
We hope that everyone takes this summer to rest, rejuvenate and celebrate each and every one of your accomplishments; no matter how big or small they may have been!
Grade 8 Recognition is Tuesday, June 15th at 9 am
This is a virtual event for parents/families
Grade 8 Recognition Letter/Virtual Link
Click on the links below to sign-up and volunteer!
Tahanto Quarantine Quilt Project
Important Upcoming Dates
June 14th: Middle School Field Day
June 15th: 8th Grade Recognition 9 am (virtual for parents/families)
June 15th: Last Day of School. Dismissal at 10:56 am
Counseling Office News and Resources
Middle School
High School News
Resources
Ms Ford’s virtual office - A great place to find coping strategies
Athletics
FALL REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL JUNE 15! https://tahantoregional.rschoolteams.com/
Tahanto Virtual Athletic Awards Ceremony
We invite you to view our 2020-2021 Tahanto Athletic Awards Ceremony. Simply click and view your coach's respective videos where they will announce the 2020-2021 team roster, speak about the season, and share any awards - Booster Award, Most Improved Player, Coach's Awards, and/or Most Valuable Player.
On behalf of the administration and all of the coaches, we would like to thank all of the student-athletes, parents, and fans for your cooperation and support throughout the year.
Keep up to date with our tournament scores by clicking on the link below!
GO STAGS!
For specific scores click on Tahanto Athletics
FIRST ANNUAL TAHANTO VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT RESULTS/PHOTOS
1st Place HS Champs
“The Goons” Cam O’Brien, Jake Gross, Caden Cogswell, Jackson Rice, Cody Jones, Patrick Disho
2nd Place Runners Up
“The Avengers” Jordan Money, Sydney Fuller, Sarah Young, Olivia Lucas, Olivia Lozoraitis, Paige Money, Carter Nosek, Matt Muldoon
1st Place MS Champs
“Team 8” Alison Stevens, Taylor Brown, Lindsay Brown, Nick Caramanica, Jackson Money, Conner Rice, Noah Burkhart, Parker Eckelman (not pictured)
The Class of 2024 would like to congratulate these teams on their hard-fought championship. Thank you to everyone who entered the volleyball tournament. Big thanks to all who volunteered and helped facilitate the tournament. Finally, thank you to all faculty and staff for their support throughout this fundraiser.
School Lunch
School lunch in the cafeteria is free to all students until 6/30/2022. Snack and extra meals are not included. Click here for more information.
Diane Tucceri, Principal
Sally Stukuls, Assistant Principal
Tahanto Office: 508-869-2333
Contact Us!
Email: parentquestions@bbrsd.org
Website: bbrsd.org
Location: 215 Main Street, Boylston, MA, USA
Phone: 508-869-2837