
RUSSELL SCHOOL FAMILY NEWSLETTER
August 1, 2022

October 16, 2022
Russell Office Number - 617.635.8803
Week 6 Update
THANK YOU to all the families who attended our Open House event, we are happy to announce that we had 400 people in attendance! Thanks to all of the volunteers who worked hard to make this possible and shout out to Mr. Tsinine and his band who tied the whole event together with great music!!! Click on the following link to see the stunning pictures taken by Mr. Marshall:
https://lenslenz.smugmug.com/Russell-Open-House/n-NmBwCX/
Thanks also to all the parents who participated in our PSC/Election Night meeting. We are happy to announce that we have a new leadership on our board.
This Wednesday is Picture Day! Please remember to complete the form and send it back on that day.
Most Anticipated: This week we will have our Fall Fundraiser: Parents Night Out at the Harp + Bard Restaurant from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. We will announce the winners of the baskets that night. We hope to see you there!
Thank you to all of our families for their effort in supporting the transition to digital documentation. We know technology can be intimidating, as a result we will be offering technology classes at the school with our partners One Bead. Additionally, we will be launching a technology at home program for families who are in need of access to reliable home technology. More information will be shared on that in the coming weeks.
Oct. 19 - Picture Day
Oct. 20 - Fall Fundraiser @ The Harp + Bard Restaurant, 6:00PM to 8PM
Oct. 24 - Diwali
Oct. 26 - Coffee Hour
Oct. 27 - School Site Council
Oct 28 - Harvest Fest
Nov 10- Parent Site Council
Nov 11 - Veterans Day
RUSSELL SCHOOL FORMS
Thank you to the parents who provided feedback, our forms are now chunked into smaller sections that can be submitted individually. If you completed the old emergency form you do not need to fill out the new forms (updated emergency contact, nursing form, physical upload and communication form).
If you have not yet completed the following forms we do also still need:
- Boys and Girls Recess Program
- Technology Use
- Walking Field Trip
BOYS AND GIRLS & RUSSELL RECESS PLAY PROGRRAM
We have partnered this year with the Boys and Girls club to support our recess. In order to maintain this partnership, the Club is asking that each Russell student have a completed application form. This form is NOT for the after-school program, it is exclusively for the school day recess program at the Russell.
UPDATED RUSSELL EMERGENCY CONTACT FORM
Please complete the linked emergency contact form and health/family information profile so we can best support our students and families. If you did the old version, you do not need to complete this one.
NURSING FORM
Please use this form to share health information with out school nurse.
PHYSICAL AND INSURANCE UPLOAD
Please use this form to upload a physical (must be in the last 13 months to be considered current) and your insurance information in case of emergency.
COMMUNICATION
Please complete this form to let us know how we are doing with communication and what supports you and your family may need.
RUSSELL SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY USE AGREEMENT
This form is the technology use agreement form for all students who will be using the school Chromebooks.
RUSSELL WALKING PERMISSION SLIP
Please complete this year long permission slip which will allow students to walk with their class within a one-mile radius of school. Locations include the library, south bay, the fire stations and other community locations.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
The Russell Parent-Teacher conferences window will be October 24 through Nov 4, 2022.
RUSSELL ATTENDANCE POLICY AND FORM
BPS Attendance Policy
Every day a student is absent is a missed opportunity for learning. This SY 2022-2023 Boston Public Schools has updated its attendance policy as follows:
BPS Attendance Policy/Política de asistencia de BPS
First Absence
Teacher contacts parent via Talking Point: Instruct parents to fill out Google form or send written note with date, reason, parent 's phone number and signature within 7 days of absence.
Second Absence
Attendance team will send home letter before third absence
Third Unexcused Absence
Attendance team will send home letter before fourth absence
Teacher must refer student to MTSS
Parent is invited to meeting with the MTSS team
Attendance team starts Attendance Intervention Plan (AIP)
Fourth Unexcused Absence
Parent will meet with School Leader
For questions, please contact Derrick Ciesla (School Principal), Cleisa Gomes (Social Worker) or Lydia Woodfill (Family Liaison) at 617-635-8803.
NO PICK UP AFTER 2:10pm
Early dismissal will not be accommodated during the last block of the day. No student will be dismissed after 2:10pm.
PSC/SSC ELECTION RESULTS
Thank you to all the families who participated in our first SCP meeting this year: Election Night. We are pleased to introduce our new leadership for the school year 2022/2023:
Co-Chair: Chris Fung
Treasurer: Andreene McFarlane
Secretary: Open
CPC Representative: Emily Wu
SPED PAC Rep: Bethlehem Ghidey
DELAC Rep.: Maria Flores (One Open Position)
SSC Representatives: Chris Fung, Emily Wu and Maria Flores (Two Open positions)
We still have some open positions, the Russell School will hold another election to fill the vacancies, there is still time to participate! Please fill out the form below if you would like to participate, we will announce the date soon!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
Important Information from the Health Office
At-home rapid antigen test kits will be provided every two weeks. Please take the time to test your student ideally every Sunday night or Monday morning before coming to school. Call the school at 617-635-8803 with a positive result. For negative results, you do not need to call the school.
Consider signing up your child for the in-school symptomatic testing.
We strongly recommend all students to participate in this testing program to eliminate unnecessary absences, maximize their learning time, and reduce the spread of the virus.
Digital consents have been sent from PermissionClick. To sign up, go to:https://bostonpublicschools.helpdocs.io/article/lsu12ce7eu-managing-covid-consent
Paper consent is also available if you prefer. Please call the school and ask to speak with the school nurse.
Follow this link here to find the COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidelines translated in multiple languages.
Medications
If students need Epipens for Life Threatening Allergies and Albuterol
Inhalers, please send in the medications in a pharmacy-labeled box as soon
as possible along with doctor’s order and Emergency Action Plans with
parental signature.
Physical Exam
All students in KO, KI, K2, and in other grade levels who transferred in are required to submit an up-to-date physical exam.
Please reach out with any questions.
Johanna B. Arrazola RN
Phone: 617-635-8803
RUSSELL ELEMENTARY FALL FUNDRAISER: PARENTS NIGHT OUT
This Thursday, October 20th at 6PM will be our fundraiser! Thank you to everyone who has participated and donated to this event!
2022-2023 ANNUAL NOTICE FOR MCAS ASSESSMENTS
Please see below the annual notice for MCAS Assessment.
Translations: Arabic, Cape Verdean, Chinese, French, Haitian, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese
INTERNET OPTIONS
Affordable Connectivity Program: Up to a $30/month discount on broadband internet services for eligible households. For additional information, call (877)-384-2575 or visit https://acpbenefit.org/.
Comcast Internet Essentials: Low cost broadband internet ($9.95/month, free with Affordable Connectivity Program). For additional information, visit internetessentials.com.