Community Bulletin Board
Mental Health in the Time of COVID
3/16/2021 8:14 pm
March 24, 2021, 7-8 PM
For most of us, this past year has been the most challenging in memory. While a lot of attention has been paid to the impact of the pandemic on children, adults are suffering as well, feeling overwhelmed, depressed, distracted, afraid, angry. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in mental health issues and substance use. On March 24, 7-8 p.m., the Brookline Department of Public Health and the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health will come together to present a zoom forum to discuss strategies and resources for adults in our community. Moderated by WBUR CommonHealth host Carey Goldberg, speakers will give an overview of needs and resources, followed by a Q&A. Please join us – let’s do this together! Click the link below to register for this free webinar.
https://brooklinema.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_j1Z8sbj_T9-CfUiV3qVikg
Survey to Assess Community Support for PPE
2/28/2021 9:26 pm
From Dave Gacioch, Heath parent and PSB Expert Advisory Panel 4 Co-Chair:
As part of the move to increase in-person time for students, Panel 4 members and friends are working with PSB to increase PPE offerings to educators, staff, and possibly also students. It is possible that PSB may need voluntary funding and organizational help to accomplish this, given how stretched both the PSB budget and staff members' time are right now. To that end, I am hoping to gauge what level of community $$ and logistical support we could leverage through this subscription form:
For parents and community members looking for more concrete ways to express appreciation and support for PSB's wonderful, hard-working educators and staff, please consider this effort as one possible means of doing so.
More details to follow once we are able to gauge available resources through this mechanism and others.
Please share/forward as needed to reach as many potential supporters as we can. Thanks!
Parent Update on "When the S*** Hits the Fan: Parenting during the Pandemic"
2/19/2021 2:59 pm
The PTO/B-PEN webinar "When the S*** Hits the Fan: Parenting during the Pandemic" by parenting expert Joani Geltman (http://www.joanigeltman.com/) offered parents a wealth of practical insights, reassurance, and helpful strategies for parenting through these unprecedented challenges. As one parent remarked, “I’m so relieved to know I’m not the only parent whose child is sleeping through some classes and has dirty dishes all over the bedroom and wet towels under the bed.” B-PEN’s Parent Update shares top tips from the evening.
Tips for Talking to Adolescents about Troubling Events
2/3/2021 9:13 am
Between pandemic-driven economic hardship and deaths, the intensification of racial reckoning, major environmental disasters, and violent political chaos, families are faced every day with a lot of bad news. B-PEN offers some tips for how to talk to our adolescents about all this in a way that acknowledges the trauma without feeding the flames, offering perspective, guidance, and reassurance.
Letters for Rose
1/26/2021 10:30 am
Letters for Rose, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, collects letters, art and cards to deliver to senior homes in Brookline. Since the pandemic has left a lot of seniors feeling isolated and lonely, this is a great way to bring them joy and connection during this difficult time.
Letters for Rose would love to have Heath students of any grade level participate in being a volunteer!
Letters for Rose ambassadors are eager to get their message across to Heath students, and are willing to join a zoom call to talk to a few classes, or send out a google classroom/canvas announcement. You can encourage your classroom teacher to do is fill out this sign-up form for their class: https://forms.gle/ZpHtbvH7jjEmqLyV6. Letters for Rose ambassadors can also integrate their organization into a class lesson. After signing up, Letters for Rose ambassadors will reach out to teachers with specific information. Students can volunteer just once or multiple times.
This could be a really special opportunity for students to give back to the community in a meaningful way, and the Letters for Rose ambassadors would be thrilled to have any Heath school students work with them!
Questions or want additional information? Contact Letters for Rose Brookline
When the S*** Hits the Fan: Parenting during the Pandemic
1/19/2021 8:54 am
Presented by the Brookline High School PTO and B-PEN
A virtual conversation with Joani Geltman, MSW
Jan. 25, 7 p.m.
Please join us for a virtual evening with parenting expert Joani Geltman, a clinician, parenting coach, college professor, and public speaker with over 30 years of experience. Using humor and storytelling, Joani will send parents/caregivers of teens and tweens home with a "goody bag" of practical insight and helpful techniques for parenting through these unprecedented challenges. She will address issues ranging from screen use and recognizing the difference between COVID blues and clinical depression to strategies for dealing with social isolation and self-care. Bring your questions or feel free to submit concerns you’d like Joani to address to ParentNetwork115@gmail.com.
Zoom log in -- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85217590099?pwd=UGM1VHY3MHB3Qis0dTN2Y25qMXA5QT09
HASAP Winter 2021 Registration Now Open
1/6/2021 3:52 pm
DOES YOUR CHILD NEED A NEW ACTIVITY FOR THE WINTER MONTHS?
The Heath After School Activities Program (HASAP) offers fun, well-rounded, and enriching programs to the Heath School community. Registration for the Winter 2021 session is now open and includes courses for all grades K-8 and on a wide range of topics. Registration will be available until Wednesday, January 13 and the first class starts on Tuesday, January 19.
Free Virtual Tutoring for Elementary/Middle Schoolers
1/4/2021 9:47 pm
Does your kid need an academic boost or want to do more while stuck at home? Vikrant Sabharwal, a former Runkle student now at Brookline High School, has created a free online tutoring service with his peers to help students and families during these difficult times. They tutor students across all age groups in elementary/middle school in a variety of subjects: math, reading, writing, science, social studies, and more.
If you are interested please email: tutoringstudybuddy@gmail.com.
HASAP/Empow Holiday Camps
12/15/2020 2:53 pm
The Heath After School Activities Program (HASAP) is partnering with Empow Studios to offer One Day Holiday Camps in-person for students in Grades 2-8 at Empow's Newton location on 12/28, 12/29, and 12/30. Each day will be packed with STEM activities, project ideas, and exploration for students.
Brookline Youth Engineering
12/14/2020 12:08 pm
Is you child interested in engineering? Brookline Youth Engineering is a non-profit organization offering free introductory engineering classes to students in grades 5-8. To find out more and sign up, visit the Brookline Youth Engineering website. The program will run from mid-January to April. If you have any questions, please email Brookline Youth Engineering at brooklineyouthengineering@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events
- Tuesday, November 26
- Wednesday, November 27
- Wednesday, December 4
- Friday, December 6
- Wednesday, December 18
- Monday, December 23
- Tuesday, December 24
- Wednesday, December 25
- Thursday, December 26
- Friday, December 27
- Saturday, December 28
Your tax-deductible donations help ensure our school community stays connected and continues to have the resources needed to thrive.
Why support your PTO?
The Hayes Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is a parent-run group that organizes and funds dozens of initiatives and enrichment programs for our children at the Roland Hayes School. Join other parents in helping make your child's school an excellent one!
