DEARBORN STEM ACADEMY NEWS & NOTES
Week of April 13, 2020, Volume 2, No. 30
SPECIAL EDITION #5...SCHOOL CLOSURE UPDATE
GOVERNOR BAKER SIGNS BILL THAT EFFECTIVELY CANCELS ALL MCAS FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR!
DETERMINED
I set and meet challenging goals. I hold high expectations for myself and my future. I never give up.
SELF-C0NFIDENT
ACCEPTING
During these times learning will happen when humans connect...virtually...safety and relationships first!
Good Day Dearborn Community,
Good morning!
As we enter another week of the school closure a little context is important; on March 16th we gathered at the Dearborn as a school community. That's the last time we were together as a school. Here we are 27 days later! Here are just some of the things that have happened during this time:
- Over 500 chromebooks have been distributed to our students and we continue to search for any student who may still need one.
- We provided students and families 6 opportunities to pick up chromebooks after the school closure and at least five of our staff have delivered chromebooks to a student's home during this time.
- We created a DSA Learning Platform online. https://www.bpe.org/dearborn-stem-academy/; "Classes" began on March 23rd. Staff also hold "office hours" outside of their classroom time for student check-in.
- We created a plan to outreach to every student on a regular basis. This has been challenging as some families struggle with health, internet access, financial worries, family issues etc. We will continue to work to make sure we are still reaching out.
- We created a system to track student concerns and issues and track any follow-up action plans.
- We have made 6 robo-calls in English and CV Creole to our students and families.
- Members of the administrative team have made YouTube videos to say hello to students and families.
- Community partners we had while traditional school was in session continue to be our partners during these extraordinary times. Wow!
- We continue to send out this newsletter to our students and community members.
- We hold weekly grade level team meetings, content team meetings, all-staff meetings, instructional leadership team meetings, administrative team meetings, and student support team meetings. We do these all virtually.
- We met with members of our senior class online to discuss the end of year and graduation.
We have had lots of inquiries from students and parents about the work that is being done during this National Emergency. Here is our stance on the work that is being done by students:
The work we are doing online and offline during this period of time while we are not in school really matters, and though we may not be grading right now per se, YOUR WORK MATTERS. We are logging completion in Google Classroom and giving feedback to students. It can only help your grades and your GPA to stay engaged every day, ask for help when you need it, and stay connected to your classmates, teachers, and school leaders.
We hope this helps.
Dana Brown, 781-953-4642, dbrown8@bostonpublicschools.org
Darlene Marcano, 857-205-0223, dmarcano@bostonpublicschools.org
on behalf of the entire DSA Community
More resources for students and families...
RESOURCES DURING COVID 19
Call 311 or contact @BOSfoodaccess for food insecurity issues.
Mental Health Resources; found online by visiting https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/coronavirus and clicking on "Mental Health Resources."
Here is the link to the City of Boston page with information about free wifi: https://www.boston.gov/news/internet-connectivity-and-technology-supports-during-covid-19-response
Students can report broken or malfunctioning Chromebooks here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5Nm19e-xW4Pqy-QTxR61jjfBs31W6Nj-5-NPcjsI8HnnyoQ/viewform
Rental relief fund:
boston.gov/rental-relief
Can also call 3-1-1
● Mass 211 United Way Program: Families may call 2-1-1 for support
Comprehensive list of resources immediately available: https://www.boston.com/culture/local- news/2020/03/17/how-to-find-help-access-resources-impacted-by-coronavirus
Boston Private Industry Council at DSA-supporting students getting PAID summer internships
Here is the application link: https://application.bostonpic.org/Account. I have attached the resume template I share with students as well but they can absolutely reach out to me to work on one as well.
If there is anything I can do at all to support your work I am more than happy to, we are all in this together!
Take care,
Quinton Frahm
Quinton Frahm
Career Specialist
Boston Private Industry Council
555 Amory Street, Suite 2
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
P: 617-895-7694
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
At the Dearborn we have given out almost 100 Chromebooks since school officially closed starting March 17th. Many of our students had received a Chromebook prior to that date.
WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO! We are up tp the challenge the Superintendent has issued; she is calling it the "Game of Chromes". Let's do this!
If you know of any Dearborn student still without a Chromebook please contact Co-Principal Brown at 781-953-4642. We will make sure that student receives one.
ProjectBread can help anyone struggling with food access. Call their hotline at 1-800-645-8333 or visit projectbread.org
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS UPDATED INFO!
https://www.bpe.org/dearborn-stem-academy/
Access the online learning community at DSA
DANA BROWN, 781-953-4642
DARLENE MARCANO, 857-205-0223
OUR ATTENDANCE WILL LOOK DIFFERENT NOW. BE ONLINE. STAY IN TOUCH.
SPECIAL RESOURCE GUIDE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS, FAMILIES, STAFF
https://sites.google.com/bostonpublicschools.org/bpsspecialeducation/home
https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/coronavirus
THIS SITE CONTAINS IMPORTANT CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION.
FOOD FOR OUR STUDENTS
A variety of packaged meal options will be available for pick-up Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 11:30 am. Visit www.bostonpublicschools.org/coronavirus for the full list.
Additionally, the City of Boston in partnership with Project Bread, YMCA of Greater Boston, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, and other community organizations will also be providing free meals to school-aged children at various locations and times across the city. Click here to view all the current meal locations and times. More locations will become available over the coming week.
Let's communicate!
We will communicate by newsletter with you each week. It will be distributed at the beginning of each school week. The purpose of the newsletter is to inform Dearborn STEM Academy students, staff, and families as well as the greater Dearborn community.
If you would like to add something please submit the contents to the appropriate principal; Co-Principal Dana F. Brown, dbrown8@bostonpublicschools.org or Co-Principal Darlene Marcano, dmarcano@bostonpublicschools.org.
Stories, pictures, calendar reminders, club, activity, and classroom notes are all welcome.
Call, visit, message
Dana Brown, Co-Principal, dbrown8@bostonpublicschools.org
Website: www.dearbornstemacademy.org
Location: 36 Winthrop Street, Roxbury MA 02119
Phone: 617-635-8412
Twitter: @brownprincipal