BBRSD District-Wide Weekly Update
March 19, 2021
Attention Berlin Students!
Moses Reed Tyler Scholarship Application
The 2021 Moses Reed Tyler Scholarship Application for eligible Berlin residents is now available. Please note the early deadline of March 31, 2021.
Superintendent's Office
Dear Families, Staff, and Students:
In anticipation of our full return to school dates, each of our principals held Town Hall meetings this past week to address questions and concerns for individual schools. The principals report that they are making progress in preparations for the full return including physical distancing and other health and safety precautions, as well as meeting the needs of students whose families have chosen to remain in a remote learning model.
Today is the final day for parents/guardians to complete the required questionnaire for each child attending one of our schools in the district. It is extremely important for planning purposes that we have your information in by this evening at midnight so that we may begin to arrange classrooms, transportation, arrival and dismissal, food service, and other areas to ensure a smooth transition back to school. Below are the links:
Tahanto Regional Middle High School
A reminder that dates are:
- Monday, April 5th for Berlin Memorial and Boylston Elementary students
- Monday, April 12th for Tahanto Regional Middle/High School students
We will continue to keep you updated on progress to date as we move closer to our reopenings. Enjoy the weekend and the return of spring!
Respectfully,
Department of Teaching and Learning
Greetings,
If you were unable to join the webinar presentation by Families for Depression Awareness this past Wednesday, you can access a similar Understanding Teen Depression training on their website through a pre-recorded webinar you can find here.
You can also download a copy of the Teen Depression Fact Sheet, available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese below:
Find resources mentioned throughout the training and the presentation slides here.
If you'd like to learn more about how to support teens living with depression, please consider registering for the organization’s upcoming webinar, Pandemic Parenting: Supporting Teen Mental Health, airing live on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 7:00 pm ET. This event will be recorded and made available to all registrants. Learn more on their website.
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
Business Office
Transportation Update
The district’s bus vendor, NRT Bus, is working to develop revised consolidated bus routes (combining cohorts) for all three of our schools. They have similar requests from many other districts, so it is taking some time, but we will share and post the updated routes as soon as they are available.
There is a possibility that bus assignments may change if we need to re-balance routes to ensure on-time arrivals. We will limit those changes to the extent it’s necessary. Updates will be provided in the upcoming weeks.
Remote Meals!
We will continue to offer remote meals for the days that students are in remote learning mode. BBRSD is excited to offer a complete breakfast and lunch meal for each remote learning day per week! (*3 breakfast and lunch meals for students attending in person 2 days a week*). Weekend meals may also be requested by emailing Lauren Staples, Director of Food Services (lstaples@bbrsd.org).
Pickup is at Tahanto Regional Middle/High School. Take the entrance nearest the softball/field hockey field, and idle at the cone near the dumpsters. Stay in your car, and the order will be brought to your vehicle.
Pickup times this week will be offered Monday 11:00am-1:00pm, Tuesday 12:00pm-1:00pm, Wednesday 10:00am-1:00pm, Thursday 12:00pm-1:00pm, and Friday 12:00pm-1:00pm. Note: All children ages 1-18 in the local area are eligible for our free remote meals, regardless of their enrollment status in the district. Alternative to weekly pickup, a single breakfast and lunch is available daily between 12:00pm-1:00pm M-F at Tahanto, no registration required. Please call 508-869-2333 ext. 2346 upon arrival.
Please fill out the form below (1 form per child) to specify your weekly order and pickup details. If you are unable to pick up during the available pickup windows please email: lstaples@bbrsd.org to arrange alternate plans. Pickup windows were created to reduce wait times, and improve traffic flow.
Participating in our remote meal program keeps our food service department working, so thank you in advance!
Weekly remote meal ordering form link:
https://www.bbrsd.org/Page/1583
Any questions or concerns can be directed to Lauren Staples, Food Service Director 508-869-2333 ext. 2346 or lstaples@bbrsd.org.
Job Opportunities
If you or someone you know are looking for part-time work, please consider joining the BBRSD Food Service Team! We have two opportunities available. Please click on the links below to see our available positions at BES and Tahanto!
https://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=3467906
https://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=3460870
Pupil Personnel Services
We encourage all staff, students, and families to wear their crazy socks on March 21, 2021 to bring awareness to World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). People around the world will wear their colorful, crazy socks to increase awareness and understanding of the disorder.
Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by all or part of an extra copy of chromosome 21. Approximately 6,000 babies are born with Down Syndrome every year in the U.S. In 2012, the United Nations began observing WDSD to highlight people with Down Syndrome’s abilities and accomplishments. Crazy Sock Day is celebrated on the 21st day of the third month: March 21. This date was selected to represent the 21st chromosome’s triplication (trisomy), which causes Down Syndrome.
Wear your crazy socks on March 21st to start a conversation, Don’t forget to post pictures on Instagram for everyone to see at #worlddownsyndromeawarenessday and remember to share it with @berlinboylstonsepac so we can enjoy them too!
World Down Syndrome Day
March 21 is also Crazy Sock Day!
Post your crazy sock pictures for Down Syndrome Awareness!
Boylston Elementary School
It was a fun week here at BES as we continue to prepare for a full return. There is something wonderful about have a target date ahead of us. We celebrated St. Patrick's Day week with both cohorts. I still remember the strange image of leprechaun traps still sitting in the hallways last June. Well, this year, traps were sprung, and a certain Bobcat dressed as a leprechaun caused all kinds of mischief. It was fun to hear the giggles and squeals in the building. It felt like before the shutdown.
On Wednesday we had a wonderful PD day. We started the day with a virtual keynote speaker, Sarah Ward, and her presentation on executive functioning. Later, an equally important opportunity was provided for staff to learn from each other and a guest from another district on the tricks of live streaming at the elementary level. This time will surely pay dividends on April 5th. While the idea of another pedagogical change can seem daunting, it is also exciting in the opportunities it will provide our students.
I really enjoyed the opportunity to have a Town Hall on Tuesday evening. The recording can be viewed here:https://zoom.us/rec/share/lx6qFQ6x2-N4CZSQnqo0katjCgVuaxrWfWGrJrS2eaVBA-c97j5IIv_9YHjpadR7.vVHhIuVN7xe8P-jn with this password: b?Z!6K4X
(Pro tip: I hear you can listen at 1.5 to increase speed. No one should have to listen to me for 45 minutes)
We still have a few outstanding surveys about families' plans to return. We are hoping to have these submitted by midnight tonight so we can start the week finalizing plans. Looking over the responses we already have received, over 150 students are planning on coming through our drop-off/pick-up parade. That is a lot of students. To this point, I only have 15 students signed up for before school and 24 for after-school supervision. We have can accommodate 60 so I would encourage folks to sign up and take advantage of this free service rather than preparing zen music for a long traffic jam. Did I mention they can also access free breakfast while they're there?
The week ahead:
Monday (3/22)
Spring Principal Cook Out Cohort A
Thursday (3/25)
Spring Principal Cook Out Cohort B
Friday (3/26)
Report Cards home with Cohort B
Monday (3/29)
Report Cards home with Cohort A
BES Office: 508-869-2200
Spring Cook Out!
Cohort B-March 25
Report Cards!
Cohort A will receive report cards on March 29
We're Baaaack!
Berlin Memorial School
Springtime Cook-out is here!
Another step back toward “normal” - we will be having our traditional first day of spring cook-out this coming week. There are few things better than burgers on the grill - hope your child can join in the fun. For the full menu, click here.
BMS Re-entry
We continue to plans for a full return to school on Monday, April 5th. Desks have been returned to classrooms, we’ve set up new tables and chairs in the gym for lunch, and we are rearranging our Specials schedule to reflect 5 day weeks. It is both exciting and stressful as teachers rearrange their approach to teaching yet again.
Thank you to all who attended our Town Hall last Tuesday. We were able to share a good deal of information and answered several great questions. We were unable to record the meeting, but you can find the information packet we sent out here.
Return to School Survey
The deadline is here.
Our planning for reentry includes updating class lists, checking numbers of students riding the bus, lunchroom seating, etc. I can not plan for your child if I don’t know your plan.
Do not assume that we will “just know” what your intentions are. If you are one of the 40 people who have not responded, please take a minute and do so right now! You can find our Return To School survey here.
Dates to Remember
Monday, March 22 – First Day of Spring Cook-out – Cohort A
Thursday, March 25 - First Day of Spring Cook-out – Cohort B
Friday, March 26th - Report Cards home - Cohort B
Monday, March 29th - Report Cards home - Cohort A
Friday, April 2 – Early Release Day – Dismissal at 11:45.
Monday, April 5 – Everybody back to school!
BMS Office: 978-838-2417
Spring Cook Out!
Report Card Time
Cohort A will receive report cards on March 29
Return to In-Person Instruction!
Tahanto Regional Middle/High School
Tahanto Full Re-Entry Information
Click here to watch the Town Hall Meeting in its entirety.
Please click HERE to view a copy of the Tahanto Reentry Town Hall presentation that was held on 3/18/21.
For Tahanto specific re-entry information please click HERE.
A reminder that a response is required for every student regarding our April 12th return to full-in person learning. Click below for the questionnaire.
Tahanto Re-Entry Questionnaire
Clothing Drive
The high school student council will be holding a clothing drive until Tuesday, March 30th. Please bring in any items you may have and put them in the boxes near the front office. We will also be in competition with West Boylston for this event! The school which brings in the most items will be awarded the FIRST EVER “Tahanto V.S. West Boylston Clothing Drive Championship” trophy (and bragging rights of course).
Let’s show the Lions that the STAGS are superior!
Counseling Office News and Resources
Middle School
High School News
Resources
Ms Ford’s virtual office - A great place to find coping strategies
Senior Class Information
Class dues for Seniors are due NOW! Your dues are needed to cover expenses for yearbooks, prom, class gifts, etc. Please contact Mrs. Hutchinson if you do not know if you owe money.
Science in Action
Engaging students in STEM. Biology students discover the mechanism for determining blood type (using artificial blood, of course!!...safety first!)
Help the Senior Class of Tahanto Class of 2021 celebrate this Spring in style! We are hoping to bring some joy to the 84 graduating seniors by sponsoring a gift bag for each student.
You can help us reach this goal by contributing something through the links below OR by sending a check to Tahanto PTO 1001 Main Street, Boylston, MA 01505 OR by using Paypal OR Venmo:
PayPal https://tinyurl.com/y2ru98k4
Venmo TahantoPTO
Yarnstorm
In collaboration with Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Tahanto Art presents Community, Connectedness, and The Legend of the Red String, an installation on view during the Yarnstorm Exhibition! Come view our school tree, which is adorned with student-created Origami, in this yarn-bombing exhibition which runs from January 16th - March 31st, 2021. Please read our statement about this important work below:
Drawing on the Japanese Legend of the Red String and themes of community, connectedness, and collaboration, the students at Tahanto Regional Middle/High School have created a site-specific art installation for Tower Hill Botanic Garden's exhibition, Yarnstorm. The Legend of the red string states that every person's pinky finger is tied to an invisible red string that will lead him or her to another person with whom they will make history. Although the string may get tangled, contracted, or stretched, as surely often happens, it will never break. While community activities, and even art exhibitions, have been looking differently since the start of 2020, it is important to remind ourselves that we are all still connected to one another. Students created works of origami that symbolized their experiences throughout quarantine, and although our strings might all be slightly stretched right now, our community is intact and continuing to create light.
For more information regarding this exhibition, please visit: https://www.towerhillbg.org/yarnstorm/
To reserve tickets online (in accordance with social distancing guidelines), please visit:
https://www.towerhillbg.org/admissions-confirmation/
School Committee Travel Policy
Revised: School Committee Policy on Travel during COVIDDear Parents/Caregivers,
In case you are not aware, the Berlin Boylston Regional School District is now following Governor Baker’s Travel Order for all Massachusetts residents/visitors. If you are traveling across state lines be sure to know the guidelines before you go as they often change. You can find them on the state government website by clicking on the Travel Order.
At this time, if you plan to travel during April break, in order to return to school/work, you must do one of the following:
Quarantine for a full 10 days, or
Produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts. If not obtained before entry to Massachusetts, a test may be obtained after arrival. However, all such arriving travelers must immediately begin the 10-day quarantine until a negative test result has been received.
Testing for children, 10 years and younger, who are traveling with an adult from their household is not required as long as the adult provides their negative PCR test results within 72 hours upon arrival or return to MA
If you are traveling or if your student becomes ill over school break and/or your student or someone else within the household tests positive for COVID19, please be sure to notify me at jsequeira@bbrsd..org prior to returning to in-person learning. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me
Mandatory Daily Parent Screening Health Checklist
Immunization Requirements
The Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health along with the MA Immunization Information Systems, will once again be surveying the complete immunization status of all grade 7 students. Please ask your child's doctor to fax (508-869-6202) your child's immunization record as soon as possible.
This year, the State will also be surveying the immunization status of grade 11 students. Please ask your child's doctor to fax that to me at 508-869-6202 which is a confidential/dedicated fax line.
Please click here for important information
Questions? Contact Janet Sequeira, School Nurse at (508)869-2333 ext. 2303
Athletics
SPRING ATHLETIC SEASON STARTS MONDAY, APRIL 26.
Spring sports are set to start the day after April vacation.
More information will be shared in the coming weeks as it is made available.
Spring sign-ups should start the last week in March.
Please make sure that student-athletes have Covid related supplies (masks, sanitizer, plenty of water) in their gym bags.
https://tahantoregional.rschoolteams.com/
Matt Porcaro
Athletic Director
Tahanto Regional
Important Clarification for Attendance
School districts must take attendance for every student, every period regardless of the mode of learning. If your child is absent from school whether your child is remote or in person, please follow the same procedures:
Call (508)869-2333 x 2303 to report your child absent. If your child is absent due to a medical appt. (doctor or dentist) please bring a note to the main office from the doctor’s office the next day your child is at Tahanto.
If your child is going to be late to school for either remote learning or in-person please still call the above number and make us aware of this. Remote attendance will be taken within the first 10 minutes of class.
Each student has 3 parental excusals that can be used during each semester for absences that are not subject to a doctor’s visit. To use parental excusal please write a note and have your child bring the note to the main office on the next day your child is in person at Tahanto.
If we do not receive a call notifying us of the absence, the secretaries in the main office will be contacting parents/guardians.
If you need further clarification or need to ask a question specific to your child’s attendance, please do not hesitate to contact Sue Boudreau at (508)869-2333 or send an email to sboudreau@bbrsd.org.
This is a clarification for all parents/students. If you are scheduled to be in person for learning, you may not choose to learn remotely unless you are not feeling well in which case a parent would call the school nurse.
If a student stays home due to not feeling well, a parent may write a parental excusal which should be brought into the Main Office upon the student's return to school. If the nurse excuses the student's absence for the day and allows the student to study remotely, students in a different cohort should contact their teachers to let them know they are planning on studying remotely as they may not have access to the Google Meet links/materials needed to work remotely.
FREE LUNCH!
School lunch in the cafeteria is free to all students until 6/30/2021. Snack and extra meals are not included. Click here for more information.
Tahanto Regional High School
1001 Main Street
Boylston, MA 01505
(508) 869-2333
Sally Stukuls, Assistant Principal
Tahanto Office: 508-869-2333
Student Council Clothing Drive!
Tahanto Returns April 12!
A reminder that a response is required for every student regarding our April 12th return to full-in person learning. Click below for the questionnaire.
Contact Us!
Email: parentquestions@bbrsd.org
Website: bbrsd.org
Location: 215 Main Street, Boylston, MA, USA
Phone: 508-869-2837