5/16/17 Daily Bulletin

Shout Out

Shout out to 6th graders Alex Castaneda, Amber Solo, Phillip Pepin, and David Ebanks for leading Curley to a third consecutive championship at the Tenacity Staniar Open 6th grade tournament on Friday, May 12, 2017! Playing in doubles teams, Phillip/David and Alex/Amber each finished 2nd place in their divisions, and their combined points were enough for Curley to finish first overall out of the 6 Tenacity schools. Another special shout out to Amina Cherfils (8th Grader), for her role as an assistant coach, and Jose Cabrera (8th Grader), for going to the tournament to support and mentor his younger classmates.

Shout out to Giuseppe Ricciardi, 6th grader, for being chosen as a Max Warburg Fellow for an essay he wrote on courage. Giuseppe was one of 50 students chosen in Massachusetts and was honored today at a luncheon at the Fairmount Copley Plaza. He was accompanied by his father and sister at the event and they we thrilled to see his work published in a book. We are proud of his efforts and courageous nature. Also thank you to Eileen Cronin and Cara Hins for their support of the students and this program.

 
 

Summer Learning Opportunities

The Office of English Language Learners is offering summer school to all ELL students entering grades 3-8. Please send Waverly a list of students you would like to have attend ASAP. Copies are available in several languages attached are the English and Spanish versions for you to have if you need duplicates. Applications are due no later than this Friday May 19th. Please contact Waverly at wkidd@bostonpublicschools.org with questions.

Summer school information is finally here! Per BPS, there have been some changes this year to the referral process. New this year, there will not be school or grade level seat allocations for these programs, as there have been in the past. Summer Learning Academies, previously referred to as summer school or “Smart Summers,” will provide a mix of academic and enrichment in a 4-6 week program, with a 6-8 hour day to eligible K-8th grade students. Students who need academic (ELA, math, and enrichment) and/or social-emotional support entering the next grade level should be referred for summer programming. To learn more about Summer Learning Academies and student eligibility please review the information below and documents attached to this Staff Blog. A hard copy of these documents will be placed in your mailbox Monday, May 15th.

To refer a student to a Summer Learning Academy please do the following:

TEACHERS:
Please take the time to review your students overall progress this year, and identify those students in need of ELA, math and/or enrichment support during the summer. To ensure that your students receive targeted, high-quality summer learning options, please see the BPS Summer Learning District Offerings for eligibility requirements for each district program. You must recommend a particular program for your student.
Once you have identified students in need of BPS summer programing, you MUST contact the parent to inform them that you are recommending their child to attend a Summer Learning Academy. If a parent is in agreement, please send home the Summer Learning Academies Registration/Consent Form and Program Details (English) or Summer Learning Academies Registration/Consent Form and Program Details (Spanish), and FAQ for Families (hard copies will be placed in your mailbox this week). If a parent does not want their child to attend summer programming, BPS cannot “mandated" that their child attend summer school. Summer Learning Programs are an opportunity to prepare for next year NOT punishment.
Please encourage parents to check out the Summer Learning Academies Options included with the consent form to find all the details about the programs, including dates, times, location, etc.

Returned consent forms MUST be dropped off at the main office by no later than Wednesday, May 31st. Teachers recommending students in K-2 please return your consent forms to Ms. Power (Lower School). Teachers recommending students in grade 3-8 please return your student consent forms to Ms. Vazquez (Upper School).
IMPORTANT: These programs are first come first serve! Do not wait until May 31st to turn in forms. Students who are referred to summer learning programs will receive registration paperwork to be completed and returned to the school only once the consent forms are turned in. Program leaders will be directly responsible for the recruitment of students who are referred by schools. However, it is the responsibility of schools to collaborate with program leaders to ensure referred students return the appropriate paperwork to be enrolled in the program. All documents are located on the Curley K8 Drive in the Guidance folder. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Ward-Jackson (K-4) or Ms. Santos (5-8).

Important Bus Information

BPS is looking to better serve students who ride the bus each day and they need our help. Attached is the list of students who are assigned a school bus this year. We are asking all Homeroom teachers to review this list and mark and X if a student has rode the bus more than 6 times this year in the AM or PM. These are rough estimates and we appreciate your time on this matter. We need this completed by Monday, May 22nd.

School Climate

Please join us for the next Climate meeting on Wednesday, May 17th from 3pm-4:15pm in room 003.

LGBTQ+ Picnic

Please join us for the LGBTQ+ picnic on Thursday May 18th from 6:00-7:30pm. All families and community members are welcome!!!

Build BPS Events

The City of Boston and Boston Public Schools are hosting BuildBPS workshops throughout the city during May and June. At each session, teams of parents, students, staff, and other stakeholders will brainstorm investment opportunities in school buildings, using data and priorities from the 10-year educational and facilities master plan. These interactive sessions are designed to generate ideas for repair, renovation, expansion, and building projects to create state-of-the-art school facilities. We hope you will consider attending one of these upcoming sessions and feel free to spread the word to anyone whom you think may be interested. We will be hosting a session at the Curley on Tuesday, May 30th from 5:30pm-8:00pm in the auditorium.

Pathways

Are you interested in seeking further certification? If so, think about applying to one of the BPS Pathways programs. Applications are due on May 26th and email Katie so she can submit a recommendation. Click below for an application:

ESL Pathways

Moderate Disabilities Pathways

Severe Disabilities Pathways

Student Success Survey

The Student Success Team would like to gather your feedback on the new process/model. Please complete the link below during your CPT (by May 28th). This will help us continue to make SST more and more effective. An SST representative will discuss this more at your next CPT. Student Success Team

IEP Progress Reports

Progress Reports will open Tuesday, May 16th and will close at 4pm on June 12th. All progress reports need to completed in SEIMS. Please let Karen or Jessica know if there are any questions or concerns.

Cafe in Room 116

The students in Room 116 have finished a business/entrepreneurship unit in class and have put together a coffee stand to put in practice what they have learned. Please come by and support PACE 6 (room 116 upper school) and buy a cup of coffee for $1.00. Our coffee stand will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30-10:00. We look forward to serving you!

Retention

Are you thinking about retaining a student for next year? If so, please invite Katie to your team meeting to discuss the student and possible option. All students being retain will need to be submitted by 5/31/17 to Central Office. Please keep in mind that retention is an intervention not a punishment for students. Also complete the following documentation so we can use it as discussion at the meeting. Light's Retention Scale is a researched based tool used to help decide if retention is an appropriate and effective intervention for a student.

May Parent Cafe

The May parent cafe will invite parents and guardians of students in K0-1st grade to a presentation and interactive conversation about self care on May 16th from 5:30-7pm with the help of CSR. The guidance office will provide teachers in K0-1st grade with flyers to send home with students this week. If you have a strong line of communication with your parents, or know a parent that would strongly benefit from this seminar, please reach out to them to encourage their attendance. Thank you for your support!

7th Grade Parent High School Information Night

The counseling office will hold a presentation for our parents and guardians of 7th grade students on June 1st from 5:30-7 pm. This presentation will cover the basics of the 8th grade to high school transition including the citywide policy, choosing a good fit, and the high school choice form. Flyers will go out this week inviting parents and guardians to attend. Pizza will be served and students are encouraged to attend as well!

MCAS Update

We are back MCAS testing for the next three weeks!

MCAS 2.0 Quick Check

MCAS 2.0 Roles and Responsibilities

MCAS Schedule - Overall schedule & daily schedules please be sure to click on each sheet and check daily

School Climate Survey

All Student Climate Surveys are online this year! Homeroom teachers should instruct classes to take surveys at the same time to ensure all students have the opportunity to complete the survey. Please have students complete the survey by May 31st. 
Accessing the Survey

• The Digital Backpack is opens by default on all BPS Chromebooks but students can also take the survey by visiting www.bostonpublicschools.org/backpack and signing in with their BPS Google account. The Climate Survey is the first icon listed at the top.

BPS TEACHER CLIMATE SURVEY - THE SPRING 2017 TEACHER SURVEY IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE !!! 

• Please remind teachers to location the surveys in their email inboxes and complete the survey online by May 15, 2017. 
BPS PARENT CLIMATE SURVEY- THE SPRING 2017 PARENT SURVEY IS NOW AVAILABLE IN ALL LANGUAGES ONLINE !!! Please communicate with your families the importance of completing this!

Tech Goes Home @ the Curley!

The families of students in grades 2-8 will have the opportunity to attend a Tech Goes Home course right here at the Curley. Technology Goes Home (TGH) strives to ensure that all residents of the City of Boston are equipped with the tools, training, and access to support 21st century skill development. After successful completion of the program, graduates will have purchased their very own Lenovo Chromebook computer for $50.
When:

• Tuesday, May 30th from 3:30-6:30PM
• Wednesday, May 31st from 3:30-6:30PM
• Monday, June 5th from 3:30-6:30PM
• Tuesday, June 6th from 3:30-6:30PM
• Wednesday, June 7th from 3:30-6:30PM

Where: Ms. Smith's Room (204 of the Lower School)
**Applications and money due on or before Thursday, May 25th (cash or money order endorsed to Hi-Q Computers only)
Flyers have been sent to teachers of grades 2-8 and should be sent home with students ASAP. Applications can be picked up in the main office of each building. Any questions should be directed to Ms. Smith (tsmith8@bostonpublicschools.org).

Snack Change

Starting today (May 2nd), FFVP snack bags will be picked up at the upper school cafeteria and lower school main office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. 

• All upper school teachers: Please send 1 student to the upper school cafeteria between 9:30 and 10:00 to pick up your snack bag and return any FFVP reusable bags you may have from last week. 
• Lower school teachers: Grades 2-3, please send 1 student to the lower school main office between 9:30 and 10:00 to pick up your snack bag and return any FFVP reusable bags you may have from the Fall. For 1st grade and under, the snack bag will be delivered to your classroom. 

SUPPORT THE CURLEY K-8 LIBRARY…AND GET CAR SERVICE FROM MORRISON’S AUTO-RITE

Morrison’s Auto-Rite (475 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain) is offering car maintenance services for FREE with a small donation to the Curley Library (the total cost of the car services far exceed the donation!!!) Bring a check or money order to Morrison’s Auto-Rite made out to the Friend's of the Curley Fund for $95 and Morrison’s Auto-Rite will provide you with the following services and items:

• Free comprehensive multi-point inspection (check over your car’s health) including: 
• Free Oil Change (up to a $39.95 value). NOTE: some cars have additional charges for synthetic oil 
• Rotate tires 
• Balance two front tires (while doing rotation) 
• Free front wiper blades (most cars); no appointment needed for wiper blade install 
• Second free oil change (up to a $39.95 value) 
• Upgraded warranty on repair work done by Morrison’s Auto Rite to 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. (There are a few exceptions for normal wear items, i.e. tires) 
• Unlimited tire pressure adjusting, no appointment needed 
• Unlimited fluid level checks, no appointment needed 

TOTAL APPROXIMATE VALUE (SAVINGS) $295!

You must present the check in the amount of $95, made out to Friends of the Curley Library Fund, in person to Morrison’s Autorite to be eligible for these services! No credit cards, please!S

BTU Vote

Both paras and teachers voted to convert afternoon hours of PD into summer hours. Teachers will report for PD on Wednesday, August 30th and Thursday August 31st for PD from 8am-3pm. Paras will report on Wednesday, August 30th from 8:00am-2:00pm.

Save the Date

Please reserve Friday, June 2nd for our End-of-the-Year and Retirement Party.

Place: Florian Hall

Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Appetizers, Buffet, Music, Dance, Celebrations!

SPED PD Options

Below are some PD options being offered at the Curley during our contractual PD dates. Staff may want to include one or more of these into their team PD plan. Here is the link to sign up   https://goo.gl/forms/BwtGbumLgXBfLUMF2

• May 18th --- Middle School Transition/Life Skills 
• June 1st --- Inclusion