PTO Updates
April 7, 2021

Wednesday Weekly 4/7/21

Here’s what’s coming your way this week & beyond: 

JUMP INTO THE POOL!  Remember to sign up your child(ren) for pooled testing.  If you missed this week’s deadline- don’t worry… sign up now for next week!  Sign up HERE & see below for more info. 

April 7th @ 4PM: Learn more about Dreambox… a new math tool for K-2 families!  See below for Zoom mtg. info. 
 

April 7th @ 6PM: Get the Facts – Get the Vax.  Brought to you by the Public Health Dept. of Brookline.  Here is the FLYER & you can REGISTER HERE. 
 

April 7th: ELPAC Mtg. @ 6pm (English Learner Parent Advisory Council). Attend the Zoom mtg. HERE. 
 

April 8th @ 6:30 pm: School Committee Meeting (remote).  Brookline Interactive Group (BIG) will broadcast live out to the cable channels and online via live stream HERE. 
 

April 11th @ 7pm: Community Forum for Select Board and Town Moderator candidates.  Brought to you by the BPO (Brookline Parents Organization).  See below for more info.  
April 12th: Grades 6-8 will be returning to full in-person instruction.  See the PBS Website for more information. 

 
April 15th:  Early Dismissal for K-6 @ 12:40pm.  After school activity is YOGA w/ Elizabeth Heller (1:30-2:30PM) for K, 1 & 2.  Also, Boston STEM Lab (3:00 to 4:00pm) for Grades 3, 4, 5.  Sign up for both HERE. 
 

April 19th-23rd: APRIL VACATION (NO SCHOOL). 
 

April 27th: Early Dismissal for K-6 @ 12:40pm.  After school activity is Art Barn (Broadway Dance Workshop @ 1:30pm) for 3, 4, 5. Sign up HERE. 
  

Remember:  NO PARKING OR DRIVING on Stearns or Newell Streets during drop off or pick up.  Thank you for your cooperation.
 
Check out the Resource Doc for new listings about Middle School Ultimate Frisbee @ Larz Anderson, April break & summer opportunities for kids through Brookline Adult & Community Education, and new spring offerings through Brookline Recreation.  
 

To ensure we have enough time to thoughtfully work your news/notice/announcement into our weekly newsletter, please get submissions in by Sunday evening using this form or this email.  Anything submitted after Sunday will be included in the following week’s newsletter. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. 
 

Be well everyone. 



Lawrence News
Jump Into the Pool!
 

 

If you have not already done so, please sign up for the asymptomatic COVID-19 weekly pooled testing program for the Public Schools of Brookline (PSB)!  Testing is free and currently open to BEEP-12th grade students attending school in person and student-facing staff.  You only have to sign up once for each participant, and then you’re done.  Of note, part of the signup requires LASID# for each participating student, which is found in the Aspen portal (link below).  It only takes a few seconds to log on to find this info! 

Link to sign up for testing:  https://forms.gle/ZupK8z5odD5gMov5A

Link to find LASID on Aspen portal:  https://ma-brookline.myfollett.com/aspen/logon.do
 
Video to watch with your student: https://vimeo.com/445084591/b75142a75c

For more information or questions, please contact Nurse Debra Troderman at debra_troderman@psbma.org.  Nira Pollock and Jenny Tam (Lawrence parents & Panel 4 Experts) are also happy to answer questions as well.  

HUGE shoutout and thanks to PSB parent Jin Suk for graphic design help to get the word out for the PSB pooled testing program. 





A Message from Monica Crowley & the Lawrence School Math Team
 

Dear K-2 Families,
We are excited that Brookline has arranged for all K-2 students at Lawrence to have access to Dreambox accounts for online math practice.  This is a tool for students to use both at home and at school. Our accounts expire on June 30 so we encourage you to get the most out of them while we have them.  
 
We will be hosting a Zoom information session on Wednesday, April 7 at 4:00pm for you to learn more about Dreambox and how to use it with your child. The link is: https://psbma-org.zoom.us/j/5744071386?pwd=WDlIM3hGWVJ6eTFtSW5hcTg0WkJaZz09   
 

Please feel free to reach out to us any time with questions you may have.
Katy McGraw, Math Specialist katy_mcgraw@psbma.org
Leslie Fagen, ECS (supporting math this year) leslie_fagen@psbma.org
Monica Crowley



Parking & Driving Around Lawrence
 

From Ms. Horst:  I am writing to remind you of the drop off zones at Lawrence School.  With all of our K-5 students back at school 5 days a week and our middle schoolers returning full time on April 12th, we are seeing an increase in car traffic at arrival.  Neighbors and other passerby are concerned about the volume of traffic, most especially on Newell Road, which is not a drop off location.  If you are driving, please be mindful of the many children and families walking to school and crossing the streets around the school. 
 

Parking and Student Drop-off:
Live pick-up and drop-off is permitted in the designated zone in front of the school. Parking is extremely limited in the Lawrence neighborhood. Please do not park in designated Lawrence Staff parking zones.
Use of Newell Road behind the school is prohibited.
2 hour parking is available on  Longwood Avenue, Perry Street, and a small block of spaces on Francis. Legal parking until 8:30 am is available on Kent Square and Toxteth Street. 



Alphabet Rockers… How to Tune In After the Event
 

Rock The Block:
Making Music That Makes Change with The Alphabet Rockers
 
On Friday March 19th, Alphabet Rockers led Lawrence families in learning about social justice and youth empowerment through hip hop music, dance and movement.  The performers covered topics like honoring indigenous lands, youth who made a difference being activists at the border, and affirmations for kids to be proud of their identities.  Led by Kaitlin McGaw (she/her) and Tommy Soulati Shepherd (he/him/they), Alphabet Rockers make music that makes change, creating brave spaces for children and families to stand up to hate and be their courageous, beautiful selves.  If you missed it, the video will be available for the next few weeks just for the Lawrence community (please don’t share beyond Lawrence).  If you want to learn more, check out their virtual assembly guide and hiphop lesson video https://vimeo.com/519741981 (PASSWORD: SHINE). 
 

Brought to Lawrence by the PTO Performing Arts committee.



Library news from Ms. Moriarty
Thank you to all the families who are keeping up with the routine of returning library books each week. I know it has been tricky to keep on top of it while following the hybrid schedule! Please look around your house for any books stamped “Lawrence School Library” with a Lawrence barcode on the back and, if your student has finished reading them, return them to school. 
As students come back to in-person learning, please try to establish a day for returning library books — each week if your child is in the primary grades, and every couple of weeks for older students who may need more time to read longer books. Reach out to me if you need to renew a book: kathleen_moriarty@psbma.org
I will be starting to send out overdue notices again this month. There is never a fee for books that are returned late– I will just be happy to get the books back in circulation! Thanks for your help!  

Blog: https://lawrencek-8library.blogspot.com/




Used Book Fair – Open for Donations

It’s happening this spring (in a COVID safe way!).  Drop off your used book donations at school during morning drop off on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Carts will be out front the main entrance and the side entrance by the cafeteria/circle garden.  Please leave your books in bags that you’re willing to leave behind.  Also because of space constraints please only donate books that are in fair or new condition.  Please no magazines or textbooks.



 

Yearbook Photo Upload
Help us create an amazing yearbook to document this unprecedented year!  Photos taken on your phone work perfectly.  All photos are welcomed and appreciated and can be uploaded here. 

Questions/concerns/comments: Email yearbook@lawrenceschoolbrookline.org 

An Update from SET-J (Sending Educators to Japan)
Hello Everyone,
Spring is finally here…..it’s April!!! While spring gives us some sense of the beginning, April is literally a beginning for the new school year for Japanese students.  This is an especially exciting time for the 1stgraders. 
The Japanese school begins with an opening ceremony on the first day of each semester (in April, September, & January), which is similar to our community meetings at Lawrence…just a bit more formal.  For new 1stgraders and their families, there is a special entrance ceremony (Nyu-gaku-shiki), which is a BIG deal.
On this day, new 1stgraders dress up (some cases in their brand-new school uniform) and come to the school carrying their brand-new special backpack called Randoseru (a firm-sided backpack made of stitched leather or leather-like synthetic material). Parents and guardians are also dressed up to attend the ceremony. The ceremony is quite formal with the Principal’s greeting, a special welcome reading from an older student, the introduction of teachers, and singing of the school song. Finally, all the new 1stgraders’ names will be called. This is an emotional day for parents and guardians because they are reminded that their children will start a more independent life and that their children have grown so much. You can see some pictures of this special day by clicking here. 
As the school year starts in April, many enterprises and public institutions also follow the school calendar. Between March and April is the busiest moving time in Japan. You may have noticed that you have said good-bye to or welcomed Japanese friends in March and April more often. Now you know why. We hope you learned something new today!
 
The “Sending Educators To Japan (SET-J)” program is funded by the PTO. Click here to learn more about SET-J. If you have any questions, please contact lawrencesetj@gmail.com

PTO Calendar
Some of our favorite Lawrence traditions are coming your way in COVID safe ways! Mark your calendars and thanks in advance for being flexible because it’s possible the following may change. 


Teacher Appreciation – May 4th… May the Fourth be with You!
Japanese Fair – May
Art Show – May or June 
Used Book Fair – May or June 
8th Grade Graduation – June 


 

Also please mark your calendars for the upcoming PTO Meetings/Principals’ Forums.  Zoom links will be shared in advance of all meetings. 

 
 

May 11 (Tuesday) 
Grades K to 2
7pm to 8pm


May 12 (Wednesday) 
Grades 3 to 5
7pm to 8pm


May 13 (Thursday) 
Grades 6 to 8
7pm to 8pm 

Calling All Volunteers
Please reach out if you are interested in lending some time. 
What makes our community great is having the input, and hearing the voices, of all community members.
  
 

Join the Performing Arts or Visual Arts Committees
 

Or, if you’re interested in bringing performing arts and visual arts enrichment to Lawrence, please consider joining the Performing Arts or Visual Arts Committees. Contact president@lawrenceschoolbrookline.org for more information.
 

Lunch & Recess Monitors Needed
 

Parents and caregivers who may be interested and available to support at the lunch and recess times, please contact Vice Principal Laura Horst (laura_horst@psbma.org).
  

Because of COVID we are currently very limited with in person volunteer opportunities, but there are many many ways to pitch in from the comfort of your home at times that work with your schedule.  Please reach out to Nora and Christina if interested in lending a hand or have any ideas to share!
president@lawrenceschoolbrookline.org

IS IT MAGIC?!?!! No, Just PTO $ @ Work!
Remember how you donated to the PTO?  Well, we just wanted to share the many creative ways that your generous gift continues to help the Lawrence community.  
 

The PTO budgets annually about $1,000 for daily planners for our middle school students and fifth grade students too. These planners help our students stay organized and prepare them for the transition from grade school to middle school.
 

Have you taken a peek at these organizers? There is a wealth of information in there… not just a handy calendar. There are study tips, a multiplication table, types of rocks, maps & even punctuation examples. Pretty handy info in a pinch!

Thank YOU!
We just wanted to take a minute to thank YOU.  Yes, YOU.  The one reading this newsletter- all the way down to here! 
 

Thank you for being awesome. 
 

Thank you for being part of this community.  Thank you for making it vibrant, creative, interesting, diverse, caring, thoughtful & supportive.  This has been a truly tough year in so many different ways for so many of us.  Thank you for being patient and kind when you were out of energy.  Thank you for going the extra mile for a neighbor.  Thank you for your smile- we can tell because your eyes crinkle just so- even with a mask on.  Thank you for your optimism that we will get through this.  Until then… thank you for being you.  We are glad you’re here. 

Brookline Information & Beyond
ELPAC Meetings
The English Learner Parent Advisory Council
ELPAC is open to current and former parents/guardians of English learners (ELs) in Brookline. The purpose of the ELPAC is to promote and support the success of ELs. 
Attend the April 7th Zoom Mtg. HERE. 
 

A full list of 2020-2021 meetings is as below:
APRIL 7, 2021 | 6:00 PM-7:30 PM
MAY 12, 2021 | 6:00 PM-7:30 PM
JUNE 9, 2021 | 6:00 PM-7:30 PM
  
If you have questions, please contact ELE Director, Mindy Paulo, at mindy_paulo@psbma.org. 



Get the Facts: Get the Vax
Vaccine Hesitancy & Myths
April 7th @ 6pm. 
 

Do I need to get the vaccine if I already had COVID?  Is this vaccine safe, were vaccine production and clinical trials rushed?  Are people getting seriously ill from taking the vaccine?  Tune in and hear the answers to these questions and many more. 
Here is the FLYER & you can REGISTER HERE. 
Brought to you by the Public Health Dept. of Brookline. 



Singalong with Vanessa Trien

Thursdays on Zoom: April 8, and 15 From 4:00-4:45 pm ET
 

Vanessa writes:I’m excited to lead three interactive Zoom-based Singalongs!  Join with your friends and family from anywhere in the world for this virtual experience and share an afternoon of joyful music together!  Recommended age range: 0-6. All proceeds support the GroovyBabyMusic Scholarship Fund, helping families in need with their children’s music education.  Here’s more info & how to register. 
 


 
Brand New Song and Animated Video Release of “Turn The World Around” on Friday, April 2!
We Jumping Monkeys are releasing a new single, available on all streaming services this Friday, April 2!  The song is a cover of “Turn The World Around,” one of my favorite Harry Belafonte songs that holds a beautiful, universal message of understanding and loving each other to turn the world around.  Along with the song release, we will be releasing an animated video, created by my talented friend, Jin Suk.  There will be a link posted to my website & youtube channel on Friday, April 2nd.  Be sure to check it out then! 



Kukuza Fest: April 10th (3-5PM)
I’m excited to let you know about a great virtual festival coming up: Kukuza Fest on April 10, 3-5 pm!  Mark your calendars for an incredible lineup of Black Women in Family Music.  Racial inequity cuts across all segments of our society, including kids’ music.  #KukuzaFest is a virtual music fest that will amplify Black women in Family Music.  It will be broadcast on the @WEENationRadio Facebook page and their YouTube page, and I’ll be crossposting it on my Jumping Monkeys Facebook Page.  Hope you enjoy it.  I’ll be there to watch it too!



Remote School Committee Meeting
April 8th @ 6:30pm


This will be a remote meeting. Brookline Interactive Group (BIG) will broadcast live out to the cable channels and online via live stream at www.brooklineinteractive.org/live

BIG’s cable channels will replay the meeting and post the meeting recording at http://www.brooklineinteractive.org for viewing after the meeting.  



The agenda is attached, copied below, and can be found at this link:
https://www.brooklinema.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04082021-9331



Community Forum for Select Board & Town Moderator Candidates
April 11th @ 7pm
 

The Brookline Parents Organization (BPO) is excited to announce an upcoming Community Forum for Select Board and Town Moderator candidates. While the BPO is not endorsing any candidate in these races, we wish to provide an opportunity for parents and other community members to meet the candidates, learn their positions on a variety of issues, and ask questions. The Forum will be moderated by award-winning journalist and Brookline resident, Carey Goldberg.  

We invite you to register for the Forum HERE.
 
The election is May 4th with early voting on April 24th, 27th and 29th (dates for mail-in ballots have yet to be determined by the Town Clerk’s office). There also is a contested School Committee race (in which the BPO has made an endorsement), three uncontested School Committee seats (with incumbents running and where the BPO has also made endorsements), as well as two Ballot Questions (more about these in a future email!).  

Most important, please make sure to vote!
Many thanks and kind regards- Lauren Bernard & Ben Kelley (BPO Co-Presidents)



April 16th Deadline for Yard Sign Contest
5th Annual Yard Sign Contest
February 22 – April 16, 2021
Know any creative elementary or middle school students? We are looking for students to design our next winning yard sign. This contest is a way for students to feel engaged by using their creativity to help promote safe travel for pedestrians and cyclists in their communities. Click here for submission guidelines and entry forms.
Here’s how: Students create and submit a design for a yard sign that brings awareness to being safe and seen as a pedestrian and/or a cyclist.  We want students to focus their designs on wearing bright/reflective clothing, wearing helmets, using crosswalks, and/or being aware of traffic, especially in and around school zones.
Signs may be hand-drawn or created digitally. Four winners will be chosen, and the winning designs will be made into yard signs for distribution to SRTS partner schools around the Commonwealth. 



Local Organization Spotlight(s)
Donate Blood 

Did you know you can donate blood approximately once every 2 months?  That’s 6 times a year… that’s a lot of lives saved!  And if you’re able to donate platelets- hospitals are in great need of them right now.  Please consider taking a little time out of your day & make an appointment now.  Here are some local suggestions below:
Children’s Hospital 
MGH
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
American Red Cross
 

My Life My Choice
Our fervent conviction is that no child should be bought or sold.  At My Life My Choice, it is our daily fight.  Our holistic, battle-tested approach is grounded in survivor experiences of those who have lived the ugly realities of exploitation and come back fierce, wise, and strong.  We serve as a model for communities across the country set on changing not only lives, but the structural inequities that give rise to trafficking and sexual exploitation.  We understand that violence to one girl is a threat to us all.  Her story is our story; her strength, her resolve, and ultimately her resilience fuels a better future for us all. 

In Case You Missed It…
A Better Brookline: A community based, grassroots organization working towards pushing Brookline to be the best that it can be by advocating for a city government. You can email us at abetterbrookline@gmail.com. Find a signing location near you by clicking HERE. 
AmazonSmile: register the “Lawrence School Parent Teacher Organization” & earn $ for the PTO!
B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network)
BPS Updated School Year Calendar 2020-21 (updated 3/21)
Food Service Updated Information
Google Classroom for Student & Staff Communication (Grades 1-8:Class Code: cqrl6nh)
Librarian’s Blog (Ms. Moriarty)
Notify Me: Sign Up for Town Meeting Reminders
Resources for 2020-20201
The School Council will be meeting @ 8AM on the following dates (2021): May 4.
Technology Help @ the Public Schools of Brookline Family Tech Support website or with Ms. Alper at Lawrence. 
Yearbook (from last year)- how to order
Yearbook Photo Submissions Throughout the Year for 2020-2021

Parting Quote
Don’t follow the path.  Go where there is no path and begin the trail.  When you start a new trail equipped with courage, strength and conviction, the only thing that can stop you is you!
 

Ruby Bridges
PTO News