BBRSD District-Wide Weekly Update
September 17, 2021
Superintendent's Office
If you drove past Tahanto Regional Middle/High School the morning of Wednesday, September 15th, you may have noticed one of the Commonwealth’s mobile pop-up vaccination clinics on-site (shown below). Early in the school year, the District applied to become a host site. As promised, the unit arrived and spent the morning tending to vaccination appointments and a number of walk-ins. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the program in service to our schools and community.
At the close of this third week of school, I would like to thank the parents of our PreK-12 students for all of your efforts in ensuring that we are off to a great start! Your diligence in maintaining communication with our teachers, administrators, and support staff, particularly our nurses, in each building has helped to minimize the number of reported COVID cases we are experiencing. With your continued support and collaboration, we will get through this difficult time together!
Enjoy this final summer weekend! Autumn arrives on Wednesday, September 22nd, and we look forward to the many student activities, sporting events, and learning experiences that the season brings.
Assistant Superintendent's Office
Title I Services Available in Our District
A number of parents of our K-8th graders may have received or, will soon be receiving, information about the Title I services we provide in each of our schools. Included with that information will be an invitation for your child to participate in the literacy or mathematics services offered by our teaching certified tutors, and a permission slip that will need to be signed and returned before those services can begin. In order to better understand the origins and purpose of this federally funded program, I am including my annual information piece here.
As a parent, if your child is invited into the program, I encourage you to consider taking advantage of this opportunity. Title I is an invaluable resource and enables many of our children to receive the extra support they may need to close learning gaps, strengthen their knowledge base, and/or reinforce skills and strategies.
If you elect to have your child participate in the program in the coming weeks, you will also receive an invitation to attend an informational session held at each school. While there, you can meet the Title I tutor, learn more about the program and how you can support your child at home, and ask any questions you may have at that time. I encourage you to attend, however, if you are unable to do so, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Title I tutor who will be working with your child, or to me at ccostello@bbrsd.org. We will be more than happy to answer your questions.
ESSER III Survey Reminder
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Berlin-Boylston Regional School District has received grant funds administered through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. Through this grant process, the district has received $263,868 in ESSER III funds.
Our district has identified the following specific focus areas for the grant funding:
WHOLE STUDENT SUPPORTS - includes counseling services, mental health services
INVESTING IN STUDENTS - includes technology support platforms, instructional materials, accelerated summer and/or after school academies to mitigate learning loss
INNOVATION & RESPONSIVENESS - includes facility improvements aimed at air quality ie. AC/Heating controls, additions and replacements
HEALTH & SAFETY - includes additional supplies necessary to the safety and well-being of our students and staff
Therefore, we are seeking additional comments from the parent and public community at large in support of, and with suggestions for further spending usage of these funds.
Thank you, in advance, for participating in this short survey. The deadline is Monday, September 20, 2021 (5:00 pm).
Carol Costello, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
Office: 508-869-2837 ext. 1111
Business Office News
Masks
Mask supplies on the bus and in the schools are being accessed regularly for students that forget to bring their masks to school. It seems that it is occurring more frequently than last year, so just a friendly reminder.
We will be ordering additional masks soon to shore up mask inventories so that we adhere to the mask mandate and enable students without masks on a given day to enter the school, and/or get on the bus. We hope that we can limit the expenses for this purpose, and are asking everyone to do their part to help --- thank you!
Bob Conry, Director of Finance and Operations
508-869-2837 ext. 1103
Pupil Personnel Services
Substitute Nurses
The district is looking for substitute school nurses in all three schools to cover when a nurse is absent, as well as occasional help in the health clinics while the nurses are doing routine screenings or testing. If you are a licensed RN, or you know of a licensed RN who may be interested, please contact me at kmolnar@bbrsd.org for more information.
Karen Molnar, Director
508-869-2837 ext. 1105
Boylston Elementary School
This was a jam-packed week with plenty of excitement. Picture day is one of my favorite days of the year. I love watching all the kids come in dressed for success and with smiles visible through masks.
We followed that up with Open House where I get to see many of you equally excited to see the classrooms and meet your students’ teachers. I've spoken to other principals over the year and they all have different ideas on how to participate in this event. However, after going to my son's Open House on Tuesday it has cemented my belief that no one wants to listen to the principal that night. Everyone wants to hear the teacher and see the room. So instead I try to make myself visible and accessible so if there is ever anything you need or questions you have please don't hesitate to reach out. I hope you all were able to come away from Open House with a clearer picture of what your students' days look like.
You should have all received an email from me this week in regards to a positive test in our school community. As hard as I tried to include everything I could in it, I'm afraid I wasn't as clear as I had hoped. There were NO close contacts in this case. In the future (if/when), if your child is deemed a close contact (within 6 feet for a cumulative 15 minutes in a 24-hour time span) you will hear directly from Nurse Jenny or me. My experience with contact tracing and elementary school teaching practice will likely put everyone in the classroom as close contact and we would then look at lunch, pull-out services, etc. I will always do my best to communicate what I can when I can with all of you.
The state is making progress towards our stay and test protocols. I have to say Nurse Jenny has been working overtime to make this happen. We are still awaiting a few components from the state and some required training. Meanwhile, we have learned that those consent forms you sent in to start the year, while very helpful, would be even more helpful filled out online (put this in the category of I wish the state had told us that a month ago). I apologize for the redundancy but if you could please complete the form here it will definitely streamline our process when the time comes to implement it.
And one more bit on a similar vein, as we are preparing for the test and stay protocol (this is the first time anyone has done it) we are considering the possibility we may need a few extra skilled hands with medical training. If you have a medical background (RN, PA, Dr, etc.) and would be interested in being added to a list to help, please take a second to fill out this form.
If you don't have a medical background but would like to help by acting as a sub, drop me an email. We are always in need of substitutes.
This is the first time I think I am typing this in the last 7 years: we still have spots available in the After School Program. Wow! I take it that many families figured out alternative plans over the course of the last year. I am happy about that. That all being said, plans change and sometimes fall through. If you are finding yourself in need of a different afterschool arrangement, please email Mrs. Hatem.
A funny story, we were working with the Worcester Railers this summer trying to find a time for our chorus to perform there. We're still working on that but I am optimistic. Anyways, the Railers representative asked if they could send home flyers for opening night. Me, being the funny guy that I think I am, said we could do that but when does the principal get to ride the Zamboni. Well, if you take a look at the flyer, you'll see that I’ll be catching a Zamboni ride on opening night. Yet another time that my supposed sense of humor gets me places I never thought I would be. Anyways, it promises to be a fun family event and I welcome you to come. I can't tell you what the COVID protocols will be at this point so we will have to wait and see.
The Week Ahead:
Monday (9/20)
School Council
SEPAC meeting
Tuesday (9/21)
National IT professional Day
Friday (9/24)
PTO Magazine Fundraiser Kick-Off
Red Sox Day! They're playing the Yankees after all!
BES Office: 508-869-2200
Berlin Memorial School
It has been a very busy week here at Berlin Memorial! Between an early release day on Wednesday and Open House on Thursday, we are all looking forward to catching our breath. Just a few notes for you as we wrap up the first half of September.
Open House, 2021
Thank you to everyone who attended our Open House on Thursday evening. It was a pleasure to have parents back in the building, even if we did all need to be masked. Teachers here put a great deal of time and effort into this night, and I know that they appreciate your support. Remember, Open House is not a “one and done” deal - teachers are always open to checking in with you as the year progresses. Just reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.
End of Day Dismissal
Even in our small school, adults worry about making sure every kid gets where they need to go at the end of the day. It is one of those times when children trust us to keep them safe, and when there is a problem with where to go at dismissal you can see how upset they get.
Over the past few days, we have had children tell us that their mom or dad told them that they were to do something different at dismissal time. The problem is that kids often overhear adult conversations about future plans and aren’t sure what that means for them today. Please be aware that at dismissal time we send all children to the dismissal option in School Dismissal Manager, regardless of what they might think they are supposed to do. So PLEASE make sure that you update SDM when there is a change of plan.
Thanks for your support.
Date to remember...
Friday, September 17 - Football Friday - Wear your favorite team colors -perhaps this weekend will bring a better outcome!
Tuesday, September 21 - End of summer Lunchtime Cook-out!
October 4 - PTL Cultural event at BMS!
John Campbell, Principal
BMS Office: 978-838-2417
Tahanto Regional Middle/High School
Tahanto Today September 17, 2021
Student Forms Were Due September 13th
Mandatory School forms were due on September 13th! Please fill out these very important forms as soon as possible.
Please click on the important letter below to access mandatory school forms!
BBRSD COVID-19 Test and Stay Program
Below please find two very important forms regarding BBRSD's COVID-19 Test and Stay program. Please note that for your child to participate in the Test and Stay program a student consent form MUST be filled out and signed by a parent/guardian. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at dtucceri@bbrsd.org.
1. Letter regarding Test and Stay COVID-19 Program
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FzNLTefNy4qjKgtMDASxKlD7GTGKnB2GdYjWNH1V8Uk/edit?usp=sharing
2. Student Consent Form
https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma#consent
Upcoming Events
September 22nd: School Pictures/Senior Class Photo 8:30 a.m. School picture forms were sent home with students on 9/17/21
October 2nd: High School Homecoming Grade 9-12
Tahanto High School's Homecoming Dance is quickly approaching on Saturday, October 2 from 6:00-9:00 pm. High School Student Council is excitedly planning a "Starry Night" themed outdoor event in accordance with current DPH guidance. In order to successfully hold the dance this year, the event will be held outside in the courtyard on the patio and under the tents. With this in mind, please dress accordingly, as temperatures can dip into the 60s this time of the year. Tickets will be sold for $10 ahead of time at lunch or $12 at the door. Students will need to sign a COVID-19 screening form when they arrive, and no outside guests will be allowed. Masks while dancing outside are not required, but need to be worn if going inside to warm up or use bathrooms. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. Homecoming dates/rules may change due to inclement weather or changing DPH guidance. In the event that it needs to be rescheduled due to the weather forecast, announcements will be made Friday before leaving school. In the event of changing DPH guidance around outdoor school events, the announcement for any changes will be made as soon as possible.
October 7th: Early dismissal/Tahanto Open House (more info. To follow)
October 8th: No School/PD Day
Senior Yearbook Photos
Important deadlines are fast approaching for Senior Yearbook Photo’s, wills, etc. Click below for information Senior Yearbook Info/Deadline 10/15
Class of 2024 Parents,
Congrats! It's time for your sophomore to order their Class Jewelry from Jostens. Go to jostens.com to design and order your piece of Class Jewelry!
Click on this video below for ordering details and instructions.
All students who order online by Sept. 15th will receive their choice of a FREE Tahanto performance hoodie or custom backpack.
School Counseling
Congratulations Luke Valleli-National Merit Semifinalist!
Based upon his scores on last year's PSAT/NMSQT, Luke Valleli, class of 2022, is a National Merit Semifinalist. This recognition is earned by less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors! He, along with other academically talented students will compete for nearly $30 million in National Merit Scholarships. Congratulations Luke!
Click below for the latest high school counseling information!
School Absences/Tardies/Dismissals
School districts must take attendance for every student, every period. If your child is absent from school please follow the procedures below:
Call (508)869-2333 and Press option 4 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 for school please still call the above number and make us aware of this.
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 your child is being dismissed from school, a written dismissal note must be handed in to the main office by 8:00 a.m. Telephone dismissals will not be accepted.
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 Kathleen Angiulo at (508)869-2333 or send an email to kangiulo@bbrsd.org
Athletics
It’s time for the Tahanto Athletic Booster Club’s Annual Butter Braid and Cookie Dough Fundraiser! Help the Booster Club provide support to Tahanto Athletics!
The Butter Braid and Cookie Dough Fundraiser will run from 9/13/2021 to 10/15/2021. All forms need to be brought into the Main Office by 10/15/2021. Pick up will be on 10/25/2021, in front of Tahanto, after school. The sports team that sells the most Butter Braids and Cookie Dough will win a team pizza party sponsored by the Booster Club. The top 5 salespeople will get Tahanto swag with the top earner winning a Stags sweatshirt.
If you would like to sign up for online sales, or have any questions, email the Booster Club at TahantoBoosterClub@gmail.com. Here is the link to a copy of the form: butterbraids2021.pdf
Important information regarding athletic transportation
Due to the bus driver shortage, NRT has informed us that they may have issues supplying buses to some of our games.
They will not know for sure until they organize the routes for any given week. Typically the routes for the following week are set by Friday. NRT will inform Tahanto of any disruptions to the schedule for the next week every Friday. If there are issues for a given week, we will be as creative as possible to work through them, however, it could result in certain sports teams needing later starting times, or PPD of games to later in the season. We will do our best to deal with these situations.
For the latest information regarding fall athletics please click on the link below
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