Our first two days of school were a success!! The students were happy, engaged and eager for a great year. We look forward to having our Kindergarten students join us tomorrow morning. Please be advised that we are anticipating significant delays and traffic on Monday as well as continued disruption with the buses. We thank you in advance for your understanding.

Our Open House event is this Thursday, September 15, 2022. Please pre-register using the google form at the bottom of this newsletter. Families who pre-register will receive a door prize. We are also looking for parent volunteers to support the event. If you are interested in volunteering please reach out to lwoodfill@bostonpublicschools.org.

Permission slips, technology use agreement form and emergency contact form will be sent by email this week.

We can't wait to welcome all of our students and families into the building this week!

Sept. 12 - First day of K1 & K2

Sept. 15 - Back to school night and BBQ 5:00-8:00 pm

Sept. 23 - Welcome Back Pep Rally

Sept. 29 - School Site Council

Oct. 6 - Equity Round Table

Oct 7 - October Pep Rally

Oct. 10 - No school

Oct. 14 - Fall fundraiser

Oct. 19 - Picture Day

Oct. 20 - Parent Site Council

Oct. 26 - Coffee Hour

Oct. 27 - School Site Council

Oct 28 - Harvest Fest

We will be welcoming our new Lions on Monday September 12 in the small playground on the side of the Russell.

ARRIVAL:

• Support staff will be positioned at the entrances to guide families to the teacher
• Teachers will be checking students off at arrival and connecting on critical information (phone number and how the student will get home)
• Staff will be supporting students as they get off of the bus to find the correct classroom
• For the ease of transition, parents will not be allowed to accompany students into the building.

DISMISSAL:

• Students who do not have a bus assignment will be dismissed out the back door into the large playground.
• Parents/guardians are respectfully asked to form a single file line, students will be dismissed one at a time and checked off when their adult/guardian arrives.
• Please be patient, as our staff gets to know who is picking up and as students learn the procedure.
• For the safety of all students please do not call your child to you, it is for the safety of our students that they only be dismissed by a staff member to an adult listed on their pickup list.

Dear BPS Families,

We hope you had a fun, healthy, rejuvenating summer and are excited about the start of the upcoming school year. As we prepare for the first day of school, we are continuing to be mindful of the risk of COVID-19 in our communities. In partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), we are sharing important information about our plans for this year—plans informed by our commitment to equity, science, and the health and safety of our students and staff.

SELF-ASSESSMENT:

COVID-19 can affect anyone, and the disease can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe. We encourage you to be familiar with COVID-19 symptoms. For a list of symptoms, please review the BPS Home Health Checklist. Each day before attending school, we ask that students, families, and staff conduct a daily self-assessment to help keep our school communities safe. Some symptoms of COVID-19 may appear similar to those of the flu or a common cold; please do not assume your symptoms are a sign of a different illness.

MASKING:

In schools and on buses, masks are optional but recommended, with the exception of the following circumstances in which masks are required:

• In all school health offices. This is required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

• In the event of classroom-wide clusters or school-wide outbreaks. BPHC and BPS Health Services will work directly with schools in the event of an outbreak. Families will also be notified by their school.

• If student(s) or staff feel ill or exhibit symptoms while in school or on a bus.

• When student(s) or staff are exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19. Individuals with known exposures must wear a mask for 10 days after exposure.

• When student(s) or staff return to school from isolation within 10 days following their first positive test.

As we continue to track local data on infections, we may adjust our mask policies accordingly. Depending on our COVID-19 positivity rate, there is a possibility that we may need to reintroduce a district-wide mask mandate. BPHC will advise BPS if and when a district-wide mask mandate becomes necessary.

COVID-19 TESTING:

• All staff and students will be provided one at-home rapid test kit every two weeks. Each kit contains two tests for weekly testing. Students and staff are strongly encouraged to test on Sunday night or Monday morning before coming to school.

• In-school testing for students showing symptoms will be available through your school nurse for consented students and staff. Consent forms will be sent via Permission Click during the week before school starts.

COVID-19 VACCINE:

We encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines remain the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Students grades K0-12 are eligible for vaccines. If you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to get your child vaccinated or boosted before school starts. Please speak with your child’s medical provider if you have any questions. You can find a list of free, walk-in vaccine clinics here.

BPS will also host vaccine clinics at many schools this year. We will be sharing more information specific to your student’s school in the weeks ahead. Parents and guardians will be required to complete a consent form before a vaccine can be administered.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY:

Air quality sensors have been installed in every classroom, nurse’s office, and main office to continuously measure indoor air quality. These sensors report information in real-time so that building staff and the BPS environmental team can monitor air quality and immediately respond to any issues. You can view the Indoor Air Quality Sensor Dashboard here. Additionally, there are air purifiers in every classroom and other common spaces, including cafeterias, nurse’s offices, and gymnasiums. These air purifiers help remove contaminants from the air and return filtered, purified air back into the room, which helps slow the spread of COVID-19. Air purifier filters are changed every six months.

COMMON QUESTIONS:

Q: What do I do if my child tests positive?

A: Parents and guardians are required to report a positive test result by contacting their child’s school. Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 should isolate at home for at least 5 days. After 5 or more days of isolation, if symptoms have resolved and the student/staff member has tested negative, they may return to school and must wear a mask until day 11 after their first positive test.

Q: What do I do if someone in my household tests positive but my student is negative?

A: If someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, monitor your child for symptoms. If they do not exhibit symptoms and they test negative, they should come to school and wear a mask (for 10 days from exposure). You are not required to report if other members of your household are COVID-19 positive, but we encourage you to communicate with the school so they know your child should wear a mask.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL MEETINGS:

You are invited to join us at one of our back to school informational meetings where we will discuss COVID-19 protocols and all the other steps we are taking to be ready to welcome our students in September (interpretation services will be available):

Date: Thursday, September 1

Time: 6:00PM

Public Link: https://k12-bostonpublicschools.zoom.us/j/85273020135

Webinar ID: 852 7302 0135

Dial-In #: 646-518-9805

Date: Saturday, September 10

Time: 10:00AM

Public Link: https://k12-bostonpublicschools.zoom.us/j/88639337818

Webinar ID: 886 3933 7818

Dial-In #: 646-518-9805

A more comprehensive guide to COVID-19 health and safety can be found on our website here. We will continue updating this webpage to reflect the latest guidance from the Boston Public Health Commission.

Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring that all of our students have a safe and healthy school year. We’re excited to see everyone again!

Sincerely,

Dr. Drew Echelson

Acting Superintendent

Boston Public Schools

The Russell school and BPS are moving to being a completely digital. We will be using three primary platforms for communication.

• SMORE: smore emails will be sent weekly on Sundays (exception Holiday weekends, communication will shift to Monday). These emails will contain all the critical information for the upcoming weeks.
• TalkingPoints: Two-way communication between families and school will be through TalkingPoints. See details below on how to access the application and the benefits of the application.
• PermissionClick: This platform will be used to collect digital permission slips and critical paperwork.

Additional information can be accessed on our web page and facebook!

Dear Families,

We hope you and your family are having a safe and fun summer. As we look forward to reopening our doors for the school year, we want to share some updates with you on the school year registration process.

We are excited to announce a NEW online registration model for all programming. This change was made as a result of your feedback. For families who need assistance with the process, we will have laptops available at both front desks and staff who are ready to help.

Step 1

All members (new and returning) will need to complete a 2022-2023 BGCD Membership Application.

Completing the Membership Application does NOT register your child for the after school program (2:30-5:45pm). Completion of this form allows for you to register your child for any of the hundreds of programs that we offer, including the afterschool program.

Upon completion of the 2022-2023 BGCD Membership Form, you will receive follow up emails with information regarding registration for the Afterschool Program (Ages 7-12), as well as announcements regarding Enrichment Programming and Special Events when they become available.

Please click here to complete the 2022-2023 BGCD Membership Application: 2022-2023 Membership Application

Step 2

Similar to last year, families who wish to participate in the After-School Program (Monday-Friday, 2:30-5:45pm) will need to complete an additional registration form AND attend one of the mandatory orientation sessions (Dates will be sent out after registering). The After-School Program has a limited number of openings for each age group between the ages of 7-12 Years old.

*Please note, any child ages 13-18 is welcome to attend BGCD, as long as they have an updated 2022-2023 BGCD Membership.

*All children ages 5 & 6 need to register for the Licensed School Age Program (see below)

Important Info

• Afterschool Program Membership Registration for Children ages 7yrs-12 yrs old. A registration form for the 2:30-5:45 program will be sent out after you complete the 2022-2023 BGCD Membership Application
• If your child does not get into a spot in the after school program, they will still be able to register for evening enrichment programs (art classes, sports leagues, swim lessons, etc.) which will be emailed out to families on September 12th, 2022.
• The EEC licensed program serves children ages 5yrs-7 yrs old (limited capacity). To apply for the afterschool program for 5&6 Year Olds, please complete this form: 2022-2023 After School Program Application (5&6 Year Olds)

Thank you,

Brendan

--

Brendan M. McDonald

Vice President of Programming

Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester

1135 Dorchester Avenue

Dorchester, MA 02125

Phone: (617) 288-7120, ext. 2110

Fax: (617) 288-0711

During the last week of August 2022, 2022-2023 transportation assignments will be sent out by mail and email. If you have any questions about what type of transportation your student will receive this school year, you can refer to the Eligibility page on our website, available by clicking here. Any time a student's transportation assignment is updated throughout the school year, we will send out an updated assignment via mail and email.

Alternative Transportation Requests, MBTA Waiver Requests, and Bus Stop Change Request forms can be submitted through our support portal by clicking here.

Alternative Transportation: Alternative Transportation Requests are used to request that your child is picked up and/or dropped off at an alternate address such as a before/after school program or babysitter’s home. This can be requested even if a student is not eligible for transportation between home and school.

MBTA Waiver Requests: Waiver Requests for students who don’t qualify for yellow bus transportation to ride with their siblings can also be submitted through our Support Portal.

Bus Stop Change Requests: Bus Stop Change Requests are used to request a new corner stop for your child due to distance or safety reasons. Bus stop change requests will only be reviewed for stops greater than 0.25 miles from the student's home address. Please note that corner stops may be up to 1/2 mile from the student's home address and bus stop change requests are not guaranteed.

Any Requests received by August 12, 2022 are guaranteed to be reviewed in time for the start of school. Additional requests are reviewed in the order they are received. Processing time may take up to 2-3 weeks.

All schools should have a School Parent Council (SPC) or Parent Site Council (PSC). The SPC brings all parents in the school community together to support the school and advocate for quality education.

Every parent or guardian of a BPS student is automatically a member of the School Parent Council. The SPC works closely with the School Site Council to review the school’s budget, recommend programs, sponsor events, solve problems, and raise funds for special school activities

• October 20, 2022
• November 10, 2022
• December 15, 2022
• January 12, 2023
• February 9, 2023
• March 16, 2023
• April 13, 2023
• May 11, 2023
• June 15, 2023

The role of School Site Council is to serve as the central governing body of the school under the shared decision-making model. Specifically, the role of the Council shall be:

• To review and approve the Quality School Plan within guidelines established by the Superintendent;
• To approve the budget for discretionary school materials, supplies, textbooks and equipment, including the use of school improvement award funds;
• To develop and approve plans for increasing parent involvement in the school;
• To approve waivers;
• To review and approve recommendations of the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) that will have major effect on the school community. Such recommendations need not be forwarded to the Council unless they are endorsed by the Principal
• To review and approve recommendations from any other committee or group that is established to recommend changes that will have a major effect on the school community;
• To receive information about all outside programs or professionals who come into the school
• To review and comment on the entire school budget, including the General Fund and External Funds budgets, in a timely fashion. Upon written request, school site council members shall be provided with written or electronic copies of school budgets

The school Site Council is responsible for finding ways to implement the intent of Shared Decision-Making in ways that do not violate outstanding court orders or state and federal laws and regulations.

The School Site Council is composed of:

• Principal
• Five members of the BTU who work more than 50% of their time at the school elected by the Russell's BTU members.
• Five Parents elected by parents of children attending that school
• Each school shall also elect each year alternate parent and teacher members of the SSC to substitute for absent members of their group.
• Associate members who are non-voting and who might include additional high school students, representatives from the business or university community, or representatives of other employee groups in the school.

• September 29, 2022
• October 27, 2022
• November 17, 2022
• January 26, 2023
• February 2, 2023
• March 30, 2023
• April 27, 2023
• May 25, 2023

Equity Roundtables aim to ensure we hold conversations amongst a community of stakeholders to push one another's thinking to ensure we are doing everything we can as a school, district, and community to eliminate opportunity and achievement gaps for Boston Public School students. The mission is to help build capacity and provide the vision, innovations and supports the Russell needs to foster opportunities for marginalized students (Black, Latino, EL, students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged) to flourish and close gaps in proficiency across all areas of their education.

• October 6, 2022
• November 3, 2022
• December 1, 2022
• January 5, 2023
• February 2, 2023
• March 2, 2023
• May 4, 2023
• June 1, 2023

Coffee hours are a casual setting for Russell families to get together with the leadership team and the students support team. During coffee hours a variety of topics are discussed, and space is created to allow families to engage with each other and learn from each other.

• October 26, 2022
• November 30, 2022
• December 21, 2022
• January 25, 2023
• February 15, 2023
• March 29, 2023
• April 26, 2023
• May 31, 2023
• June 7, 2023

Use the form below to pre-register for the event. Families who pre-register will receive a door prize. We are asking for parent support for set up, clean up and cooking at the event. If you are able to support please email lwoodfill@bostonpublicschools.org to volunteer. The Russell is better when we work together.

Please check out this guide in many languages about food resources in the city.

Food Resource Guide — Vital CxNs