Important Dates and Reminders • February 8 & 9, 2016 Family Conferences • February 15-19, 2016 February Break: NO SCHOOL • February 22-24 Grades 5 & 6 to Farm School

NEWSLETTER

January 29, 2016 Volume 19, Issue 15 Facing a Tough Budget A small group of teachers and I sat around a table this week trying to process the news we received about our school budget and changes we were forced to make. This scenario is happening in most Public Schools this season. You may have seen on the news or heard through friends or colleagues that the funding for BPS schools combined with staffing mandates have negatively impacted many schools. The loss of programs and staffing is difficult to comprehend. Parents and general public school supporters have rallied. School based educators have pushed back and asked hard questions. There have been meetings between the schools, the Superintendent and the Mayor. Frustration levels are high on all fronts. How does this impact our school? The funding we receive and the district constraints for spending affect our choice of staffing and the experiences for students. For the upcoming school year we had to add some positions and cut others. We lost the funding for the additional hours MHS educators spend together planning in the spring, summer, and throughout the school year. We lost the funding of special contracts that pay for transportation to the Farm School, some of our classroom support staff, curriculum materials, and partnership fees to name a few things. In order to save two staff members they had to take on different positions at a lower pay rate. I’m sharing this with you, not to bring you down, but so we can rise up. It’s time to start aggressively raising funds. Our Friends of Mission Hill School (FoMHS), a non-profit, was created by Valerie Madden, as the fundraising organization of the school. FoMHS is in need of new leadership. If you have an interest in becoming involved in this group, please contact Dani Coleman at [email protected]. Family Council is another organization that has been involved in fundraising. There are lots of ways to participate. More information to come about upcoming events. It’s time to plan and organize for the better. There’s a way of thinking that I believe in. Keep an eye on the present, keep an eye on the future, and be sure to use the third eye of dreaming and imagination. We will use every resource we have to create a wonderful learning environment for our students right now. We could use your “A lean dog shames its master.” positivity and collective spirit of problem solving to help us along. We will need money to fund field trips and support staff. We need to continue voicing our thoughts about what all children in public schools deserve—adequate staffing, talented adults, arts programming, supplies (curriculum materials for students to engage with) and adequate facilities to learn in.

mhs news: 1/29/16 page 1 Classroom News

Kindergarten Room 107 “This is the best day ever! I wish Ag- Room 108 boola was here.” -Shona We were thrilled to be able to play Oh how we love pajama day! outside in the snow this week! As Whether it is the idea that we don’t long as the temperature stays above have to get dressed in the morning 30 degrees, we bundle up and head or are a part of the fun of the larger outside. Making snow angels, trying community (adults and students) be- to make snowmen, rolling and jump- ing silly, it’s always a highly anticipat- ing in the snow have all be exciting ed day. In 107 it’s a day of celebration adventures to explore. Even the with a special breakfast and a dance process of getting ready to go outside party. Here are a few memories: is an adventure, as students learn to manage the process as independently I liked… as they can. What happens when you Vidania: Wearing Pajamas! put your boots on before you put on Sophia: Eating pancakes. Jeremy: Playing with Romeo and your snow pants? How do you ma- Ethan makes a snow angel. neuver your fingers into the correct eating pancakes. mitten position? How patient can Room 106 Jonathan: Playing, wearing pajamas you be if you are the first one ready I hold up a picture of a man dress and eating pancakes. and you are getting hot?! Please con- in a long draping robe. “Who Jaslin: Eating cereal and pancakes tinue to send in snow gear (marked thinks they know who this is?” I and dancing. with your child’s name), though we ask. “Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di,” Avian: Wearing my pajamas and do have some extras on hand. And A voice calls out. “Who remembers eating pancakes. please consider volunteering and what we learned about him?” I Janee: When we were dancing to the joining us for the outdoor fun! continue. Liam adds, “He made Wavin’ Flag song. -Geralyn McLaughlin & Donna the Great Wall of China.” Then Neli Shona: Having my pajamas on and Winder replies, “They called him the Dragon eating chocolate chip pancakes. King. He made soldiers.” “What were Jordan: Eating pancakes and Lucky they made from?” “He made them Charms. out of clay.” I ask the class, “Who Ava: Eating Marshmallow Oaties remembers what the soldiers were cereal and eating pancakes. called? The children pause and think. Wren: Eating pancakes and cereal After about 60 seconds I give them and wearing my pajamas. a clue, saying “Terra...” The student Josie: Flipping my slippers off. immediately call out “Terra Cotta Emma: Wearing my pajamas and soldiers!” eating cereal and pancakes. For our study of Ancient China we Nikaye: Eating cereal on pajama day. are focusing on the time of Emperor -Jada Brown, Jo-Ann Hawkesworth & Qin Shi Huang Di, the first Emperor Mary Beth Fields of China. We started by reading Day Room 109 of the Dragon King. It is a book in We continue our learning about the Magic Tree House series and it maps. This week we studied a map helped us learn a great deal about the with a close up of our neighbor- time period. The book has inspired hoods. First we found Mission Hill us to build a ancient Chinese market School on the map and then, with in our block area. help, each student found the location Jack plays in the snow. -Kathy D’Andrea

mhs news: 1/29/16 page 2 Classroom news of their home on the map. It was so Students thought about what they interesting to see where we all live in had gotten done so far and what they relation to each other and also some still needed to do to complete their surprises for how close or far we are! goal. On Friday, we had our own Children are spontaneously creating little Friday Share in our classroom their own maps at both school and where the students shared the work home and spending time looking they had produced throughout the carefully at many different kinds of week. Some projects were finished maps donating to our classroom. while others were works in progress. Map folding has almost become its Throughout this all, we consistently own center! referred back to the Mission Hill Students are constructing knowledge Habits of Work and thought about of the map concept and beginning to how they can be applied to other Confucius. understand how the different maps parts of our day. How do you use the Mission Hill Habits of Work at home relate to each other (room, neighbor- shu-calligraphy, qin-stringed instru- or at your job? hood, city, state, country, world!). ment, and qi-Chinese chess. To begin -Ashleigh L’Heureux -Deborah Freeman our work, I wanted the students to Room 212 see some images of Confucius to Grades 1 & 2 I am sorry I wasn’t in last week and try to understand for themselves Room 205 I’m sure I missed many wonder- who this man was. I did not correct, How do the Mission Hill Habits of ful events. I just wanted to remind or explain any “right” answers, but Work (forethought, perseverance, families this week to be on the look rather allowed the students to make production, and reflection) fit into out for the notice for Family Con- up their opinions and build off one our project time work? The Tiny City ferences. Family Conferences are another. Here are some comments explored this question recently as scheduled all day for February the that were made: the students worked on self-selected 8th and your child should have a It looks like an old man sitting on a week-long projects. On Monday, notice in his/her backpack stating chair. And he has a white thing hang- we engaged in forethought as each the time of the meeting by January ing and also his eyebrows are hang- student had to make a plan and a 27th. Please email me at sbrown@ ing. It’s a man because of the hair and goal for what they wanted to ac- missionhillschool.org or contact the the beard.–Armani school at (617) 635-6384 if you have complish that week. They filled out His eyebrows are longer than nor- not received it. Your child will have planning sheets that indicated what mal. It’s a man because of his beard a chance to give you a tour and we materials they wanted to use, who and mustache. He might be praying can talk about the great work you they wanted to work with, and what because he’s sitting but not eating or child has done this year. I’m looking inspired them for this project. Some doing any activities.–Jackson students chose to build a marble forward to it. -Suzanne Brown He might be sitting there. He might track, while others wanted to create a be a king because he has a fancy restaurant. A group of student wrote Room 217 robe.–Julia What’s going on in this picture? a book about birds of prey and others I think it might be a Chinese God What do you see that makes you say used art materials to make various because he has a crown and a stick or that? These simple questions prompt- projects. We discussed perseverance sword. It might be Chinese because ed a long discussion that mimicked a as students stuck with tasks and there is writing that looks Chi- college art history class in Room 217. worked through problems. Thatcher nese.-Ashton shared, “Look at our marble run so I projected two photos of Confucius Maybe he’s holding a candle because far! Tomorrow we’re going to make for the students to analyze. We will someone dies, and sometimes people it even better!” Halfway through soon be studying the Four Arts of do that when someone dies.–Alize the week we engaged in reflection. the Confucian Scholar: hua-painting, mhs news: 1/29/16 page 3 Classroom news

I think he’s holding a candle and it students. Are they strong? Helpful? get to know the different faces that looks like a library for Chinese peo- Do they bring joy? If these answers we do not see most days and do not ple. The stuff in the walls look like are positive, celebrate that fact and have the chance to interact with in books.–Nashly talk about how to build more. If a conversation or even at play. As a I see a man with a popsicle stick and these answers are not positive, have new teacher here, this is important he has a crown, it looks like pieces of a discussion about why and think because it gives me a chance to put pie in his crown. And he is in a book about ways that your child can begin names to faces and to learn some- library.–Cole to build more positive relationships thing new about students. Making I agree with Cole that it’s a crown and at school. Then ask yourself the same connections across grades, age, race a popsicle stick.-Gerson question. Do you have strong rela- and culture is such a powerful way to tionships with people in your child’s build relationships and appreciation It looks like he has scissors in his school? If not, how will you build for diversity in our school. hand.–Hiram them for the success of your child -Cleata, Danny & Yesenia I agree about scissors and it looks this school year and beyond? like he’s poking into his chin.–James -Jenerra Williams & Mychaela Kelly Room 207 -Kate Needham After Friday Share, grades 1-8 discussed school-wide behavior. In Grades 3 & 4 this discussion, teachers and stu- Rooms 203 dents voiced opinions about negative Last week and over this past weekend incidents that happened around our the word “relationship” came up for school. These incidents did not in- me over and over again. Our winter volve all students in the building, but retreat and the many decisions we enough to get the whole community made connected to relationships. My involved. What are our expectations new student teachers are working to for the Mission Hill community? establish new relationships with the How do all members of our commu- students in room 203. Adults at MHS nity hold each other accountable? I reminded students of the things often hear teachers ask students to that hinder strong relationships reflect on their actions, “How would from growing. A class I attended for you like it if that happened to your church had a recurring theme of rela- family member or friend?” Students tionships with other people and with share they would not have liked the God. All these examples made me actions to be done to their loved think about who I have relationships ones. How can we move to a place with, how I built them, and how where we see all members of the Mis- I maintain them. From my home Room 204 sion Hill Community as important to church to work, there are many As Mix It Up was approaching, I as our loved ones? Students display relationships I value that bring me wondered where the idea came from their protective instincts and love for joy and help sustain me in all areas of to mix up students and staff for two others everyday, how can we channel my life. days across the Mission Hill School those instincts to create the best pos- sible environment for all at Mission Relationships with people in your community. I went to the Internet Hill School? We can push each other child’s school are necessary and im- to feed my curiosity. I learned that to want teachers, students and fami- portant to your child’s success. May there is a National Mix it Up Day lies to feel safe, protected and a part I suggest a conversation with your in schools across the country in an of the Mission Hill community. child after reading this? Ask them effort to build tolerance for diversity -Amanda & Amina about the relationships they have at among students. Here at Mission school with adults and with other Hill our Mix It Up event helps us all mhs news: 1/29/16 page 4 Classroom news

Grades 5&6 person should have the pleasures of we have in life – attitude counts for being read to - that’s my maxim. To a lot, and hard work and engaged Room 210 read is to see experience “touch[ed] learning can happen in many places. Here is the latest edition of the into words,” says the novelist Michael This week, our final applications were Crispy Leaves’ End of the Week Re- Ondaatje. submitted. We’ve worked hard to pre- flections. The FireFlies are reading with me pare the applications, requests for let- “Something that I learned this week Laurence Yep’s The Rainbow Peo- ters of recommendation, and admis- was that a Polygon has to have line ple. We are in a brave new world sion essays. And now we wait – mid segments and can’t have any curved where animals talk, monster demons March seems so far away! lines. I presented at Friday Share crunch on human bones like chest- -Ann Ruggiero & Letta Neely about what a polygon is and I think nuts, and the world’s clumsiest boy that I did really well and it was really becomes the greatest bridge builder Room 214 fun.” in China. “John Hancock? The John Hancock? The one who signed the Declaration “This week we started a new book Read on, read more, read out loud, of Independence?” connected to China that I enjoyed. daily, at home. Please! “Isn’t there a building named after One suggestion I have for the class -The FireFlies, plus Abdi and Carlos is that when we read the book kids John Hancock?” should have a chance to read a page Grades 7&8 “I know where Hancock street is” or a chapter aloud for the class. We “Reginald, isn’t there a beer named could have a signup sheet.” Room 213 Samuel Adams” In December, many 8th graders “I’m looking forward to seeing the “Yes, Revere is named after Paul and their families attended the BPS Nutcracker with my older cousin and Revere” High School Showcase at the Bolling my little sister. Last time it was very Building. I love the excitement in the boring and this time I hope it’s fun.” These are just a few of the comments air at the showcase event. There is I overheard in seventh grade histo- “Something I learned this week was such a sense of hopefulness as next ry class this past week. We’ve been Urban Improv. I loved it but I can’t year’s newest high school students learning about the conflicts leading wait until next week when we do investigate their choices. Our 8th to the Revolutionary War. We’re groups and I had a lot of fun.” graders, their families, and I were all really lucky to live in an area that is “I learned expanded notation with impressed by the number of schools, so full of history. For many students, decimals and it was fun. Next week I the range of choices each represents, it’s the first time that they’ve become will try hard to read more.” and the pride and joy current high aware of the historical significance of -Nakia, Manny, & Elsa schoolers take in their schools. the greater Boston area. Room 215 Finding the right next school is a The value of reading is more and lengthy process, with outcomes not It’s been a lot of fun. Students are more uncontested, though how a in our control. A student could com- making a lot of connections. There’s person learns to read and what a plete all the parts of an application an extra level of excitement in the person reads is contested. In my 20 on time and beautifully but still not air. Next, we’ll be learning about the years of teaching in high schools, I be selected or assigned to that school. battles of Lexington and Concord. At met students that I wished had read That’s why it’s necessary to have a some point, somebody will say, “ohh, more, had been read to, had broken number of schools as choices. is that why the football team is called through boredom to the pleasure of In class, we don’t think in terms of the Patriots?” reading. I cannot say enough about “good” or “bad” schools, but rather -Reginald Toussaint the importance of reading to some- use descriptive language to find the Schoolwide News one, or having someone read to an- ones that seem to be a good fit for other: poetry, images, the newspaper, each student. I remind the kids that Family Conferences a story, a joke, or a post, even. Every we control the kind of experiences Family Conferences are being sched-

mhs news: 1/29/16 page 5 Classroom news

uled for February 8th and 9th. If February Vacation Activities you haven’t already, you should be Courtney has compiled a list of Feb- receiving a notice of you and your ruary Vacation activities for families. child’s (or children’s) time and date. Many on the list are free or on a slid- If it is impossible for you to attend ing/reduced scale fee. Most programs at your scheduled conference time, require advance registration and all please call Tiffany in advance for a are first come/first serve. Take a look schedule change. Let’s not waste the at the attached flyer for more infor- time of any teacher by standing them mation. up. If there is any issue such as trans- portation or child care that makes it difficult for you to attend, please call 617-635-6384. We may be able to help. Your presence means a tremen- dous amount to your child and his or teacher.

Mix-it-Up Day!

Ayla Gavins, Principal Mission Hill K-8 School 20 Child Street , MA 02130 , Founder A Boston Public Pilot School T 617.635.6384 Tommy Chang, Superintendent www.missionhillschool.org F 617.635.6419

mhs news: 1/29/16 page 6 February Vacation Activities

Many sites require advance registration. All are first come/first serve.

Boston Nature Center:​ Ages 5-14. Must pre-register. http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/program-catalog#program:sanctuary=21:pro gram_code=43352

Boys and Girls Club​:​ http://www.bgcb.org/find-your-club/​

YMCA​:​ http://ymcaboston.org/youth-teens​

BCYF​:​ FREE​ Water Safety Classes for youth ages 5-12 during February school vacation week. Please see the flyer for more information. Must pre-register. http://www.cityofboston.gov/images_documents/BCYFSwimforSafetyFlyer_tcm3-50026. pdf

Franklin Park Tennis Association​:​ Must pre-register. http://www.franklinparktennis.org/Home.html

Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center​:​ Full or half days available. Must

pre-register. ​http://www.sportsmenstennis.org/community/vacation-week-camps/

Reggie Lewis Center​:​ Various activities including programming specifically for girls interested in sports. http://www.rcc.mass.edu/reggie-lewis-programs/reggie-lewis-community-outreach-progr ams/reggie-lewis-after-school-programs

Bird Street Community Center​:​ Bird​ Street keeps multiple sites open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and all registered SACC students are eligible to attend over the school vacation weeks. ​http://www.birdstreet.org/school-age-child-care

Free Ice Skating on the Frog Pond​ – sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation. th ​ February 15-19​ 10am-9pm. Guest appearances, giveaways, and refreshments. th ​ Additional activities on Tuesday, February 16​ including a giant snow slide.

2015 SSwwiimm ffoorr SSaaffeettyy February 16 – 20, 2016 FREE Classes will be held at your local BCYF pool. WATER SAFETY CLASSES BE SAFE AND CONFIDENT AROUND WATER In our continued effort to provide child safety programs to our communities, Boston Centers for Youth & Families is offering FREE Water Safety Classes for youth 5-12 years old!  Space is limited.  Pre-registration required.  One lesson per child.  Schedules will vary per site.  Don’t forget a towel and swim suit.

Have FUN, Get Healthy!

Basic swim lessons can build the confidence needed around water. These basic lessons will have you eager to continue to learn!

BCYF Blackstone Community Center 617-635-5162 BCYF Leahy-Holloran Community Center 617-635-5150 BCYF Charlestown Community Center 617-635-5169 BCYF Madison Park Community Center 617-635-5206 BCYF Condon Community Center 617-635-5100 BCYF Mason Pool 617-635-5241 BCYF Curtis Hall Community Center 617-635-5193 BCYF Mildred Avenue Community Center 617-635-1328 BCYF Draper Pool 617-635-5021 BCYF Paris Street Pool 617-635-1410 BCYF Flaherty Pool 617-635-5181 BCYF Perkins Community Center 617-635-5146 BCYF Hennigan Community Center 617-635-5198 BCYF Quincy Community Center 617-635-5129 BCYF Holland Community Center 617-635-5144

Boston.gov/BCYF facebook.com/BCYFBoston @BCYFcenters