Paw Prints: 11/12/2023

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SAVE THE DATES:

• School Site Council virtual meeting on 11/14 at 5:30 PM
• SPEDPAC Resource Fair: November 16, 2023 from 5 to 7 PM 
• Early Release Day: 11/22 at 12:30 pm
• Thanksgiving Celebration: 11/23 and 11/24 NO SCHOOL
• School Preview: 11/29 from 9 to 10 AM
• Art & Bachata Night: 11/29 from 5 to 7 PM
• ESL Classes for Curley Parents begins this coming Monday, November 13, 2023 from 4 to 6 PM (ESL 2) and Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 4 to 6 PM ESL

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING: The first meeting will be held virtually on ZOOM  this coming Tuesday, November 14, 2023 starting at 5:30 PM.   Here is the link: https://k12-bostonpublicschools.zoom.us/j/6811715457?pwd=NXdmeEVVWnA3VWUwWnA2cTNkQnFaZz09 See you at the meeting!

DONORS CHOOSE:  WE GOT IT! WE REACHED THE AMOUNT WE NEEDED!Nurses Keilah Santana and April Pumphret would like to extend their sincere gratitude to all of the people that donated money to purchase a washer & dryer. These machines are going to help tremendously!   

Boston Public Schools OSS and SpEdPAC Resource Fair Come and get acquainted with all the resources available to you. Save the date: 11/16/23, 5-7 PM.

SCHOOL PREVIEW: November 29, 2023 from 9 to 10 AM

The Curley K-8 School will offer 3 dates for school preview and November 29 is our first one. This preview is intended for interested families that would like their child to attend our school. 

Art, Potluck and Bachata Night: Art night is back! The Curley Arts Committee presents a night of hands-on art activities followed by bachata and salsa dancing. Please bring a food or beverage to share with your community! There will be teachers to lead everyone who is interested in learning the dances. Located at the upper school cafeteria. Save the date! Bring your child(ren), a casserole, and immerse yourself in the arts! 

To volunteer contact: Anna Youman (azidonik@bostonpublicschools.org) or Jeremy Menchik (jmenchik@gmail.com)

Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 from 5 PM to 7 PM

Location: Curley K-8 School Upper School cafeteria

We need volunteers: 3 volunteers for setting up, 3 for helping out with food, and 3 for cleaning up.

Come and immerse in art, savor a delicious meal and shake your body while dancing bachata and salsa! Pay what you can from $0 to $20 and that will help the Art Department to purchase more art materials for your children and for the school.

FROM THE NURSE’S DESK:

ESL (English As A Second Language) classes for our parents starting on Monday, November 6 from 4 to 6 PM,  ESL 2 (Intermediate Level) and on Tuesday, November 7 for ESL 1 (Beginning Level).The Curley K-8 School has partnered with JP Adult Learning Program to offer free English classes twice a week: Monday and Wednesday (Level 2- Intermediate) and Tuesday and Thursday (Level 1- Beginner) from 4 to 6 PM.  If you are interested in attending this class, please email Maria Amy-Moreno, Parent Liaison to: mamymoreno@bostonpublicschools.org.  The class is only for  Curley parents.  We will only admit up to 16 parents per class, and it will be first-come, first served. 

DONORS CHOOSE:  

Donors Choose is matching all donations at this time.  Please click the link. https://www.donorschoose.ohttps://www.donorschoose.org/project/support-social-emotional-learning-in-an/7730796/

FROM THE CURLEY LIBRARY DEPARTMENT:

Dear Curley Families, 

We are CasSandra Samuel and David Vitale-Wolff: the Curley Library team.  We have had the pleasure of meeting many students and orienting them to the library collection.  In the year ahead, we look forward to working with your child to help them pursue their interests, find great books, and learn information literacy skills in the beautiful Curley Library space. 

A bit about Ms. Samuel: “My name is CasSandra Samuel, I am the returning library para educator at the Curley K-8. I have been employed in BPS for 20 plus years. This is my 8th year working at the Curley K-8 school. When I am not working for BPS I am spending my time advocating alongside the BTU for the children of BPS and my family. I love directing students toward great books and helping them become responsible library patrons.”

A bit about Mr. Vitale-Wolff: “My name is David Vitale-Wolff, and this is my second year as Curley’s school librarian.  When I’m not teaching, you can probably find me reading a book to my young sons, trying to learn the piano or swimming laps in a nearby pool.  My favorite place in Boston is the courtyard fountain at the Copley Square Library.  I love libraries, and I am so excited to share my passion with the Curley community.” 

We wanted to let you know that you can access the library catalog, book recommendations, instruction for ebook audiobook access and library updates at the Curley Library Website. 

Again, We are so thrilled to welcome you to a new school year, and we look forward to working with you and your children!  If you have any questions, or if you simply want to introduce yourself, please do not hesitate to email Mr. Vitale-Wolff at dvitalewolff@bostonpublicschools.org.

Curley Parent Council Events for the school year 2023-2024

Boston Public Schools Attendance Policy:

The BPS Attendance Policy States: 

★ A student must attend school for at least a ½ day to be marked present-students must be present by 11:00 AM to be marked present 

★ Families will receive a formalized letter from the district for their student with more than 4 unexcused absences in a marking term; notifying families that their students are being monitored for attendance

★ A student with more than 4 unexcused absences in a marking term may receive an incomplete grade until student receives interventions for attendance and completes missing work 

★ During a marking term if attendance does not improve your student’s attendance will be flagged and the district attendance officer will be involved. What Are Excused Absences?

 ★ Excused absences may include: ○ An illness/injury preventing a student from attending school (must be verified by health care provider) ○ A death in the immediate family (provided with a copy of the funeral program) or other significant personal/family crisis ○ Religious holidays ○ Medical/psychological tests (with a note from the healthcare provider) 

★ Excused notes must include: 1. Date of Absence 2. Reason for Absence 3. Phone # of Parent/Guardian 4. Parent/Guardian signature What Are Unexcused Absences? 

★ Unexcused absences may include: ○ For chronic absences if the school is not provided a doctors note due to illness it will not be excused ○ Family vacations ○ Trips to the homeland Any Questions?

 Please email student grade ban counselor: Cristina Silva K0-1st; Justina Levey 2-4th; Nina Sanchez SLIFE, 5th & 6th; Sugeily Santos middle school SAR, 7th & 8th. For additional information https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/Page/8291

School Lunch Menu for the month of November 2023

From Your Curley Nursing team:

 Welcome back to the beginning of a great school year!

 Here are some important health updates to start your year off right!

•      Please  update us with your latest Physical exams, Care Plans, medications and any other current

      medical updates. 

•      We no longer will be testing or have Covid test kits, here is a link to find free COVID tests in your

      neighborhood.   https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-health-commission/free-covid-19-home-test-kits#where-to-find-test-kits

•   Here is the most recent BPS Policy related to COVID:  https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/covid-19

      As always , we are here during school hours to offer our support and advice should you ever need.  

      April Pumphret  (apumphret@bostonpublicschools.org)

     Keilah Santana (ksantana@bostonpublicschools.org)

      Phone: 617-635-8239 (lower school) or 617-635-8176 (upper school

      fax :  7-635-8244 or 617-635-8184

FROM THE CURLEY ARTS THEATER (CAT) TEAM:

 Dear Wonderful Families;

I am so excited that we’re nearing our first meeting for both Annie on Wednesday the 18th, and Moana on Monday the 16th. We also begin CAT on Monday after school.

Please share, or explain what is expected to your student concerning arrival, dismissal, and expectations.

• When you are dismissed at 3, walk to the auditorium door and wait to be checked in.
• Put your backpacks away in the back of the auditorium
• Eat your snack and clean up
• Ask the stage manager (who checked you in) if you need water, or to use the bathroom.

At that first meeting, students will be given a rehearsal calendar to bring home.

Ms. Doherty and I will try our best to post the cast lists before the next rehearsal.

We are so excited about working with you during this year’s musicals.

Ms. Taylor Knight and Ms. Doherty

617-869-9614 or ktaylorknight@bostonpublicschools.org

SOLE TRAIN IS BACK!:

Hello Curley Families! We are so excited to bring back Sole Train at the Curley this school year for students in grades 6, 7, and 8! Sole Train is a community-building and mentoring program that “uses running as a vehicle for setting and achieving seemingly impossible goals.” Sole Train practices will be held on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:45 and begin on Tuesday October 3rd. Walkers and runners are welcome! If your child is interested in participating or you want more information please reach out to Julianna Molloy (jmolloy@bostonpublicschools.org) or Maggie Cannon (mcannon3@bostonpublicschools.org)

Playground Updates:

Last year we received a million dollar grant to renovate our playground. We are looking for your feedback and ideas on what we should be including in this space. We ask families to please complete this Playground Survey by September 30th. All students will also take this survey in school but we want to know what the adults are interested in for their children as well.

Donor’s Choice Projects:

The school is creating a school store! We are rolling out a school-wide incentive system this year, wherein students earn points for exhibiting positive behaviors during the day. Help us fund our projects by posting on Social Media. 

• Donor’s Choose for 6-8
• Donor’s Choose for 3-5
• Donor’s Choose K-2

Bathroom Renovations Update: 

We are excited to announce that our Upper School building has been going through a complete bathroom renovation. The bathrooms are looking fantastic and the contractors are working hard to prepare these updates for our students. We are on track to have fully renovated bathrooms on the ground floor and 2nd floor of the Upper School on the first day of school. 

Our 1st-floor bathrooms will continue to be redone through the fall as they need more time to be ready for our students. All renovations will take place at night to ensure student safety. This does mean that students with homerooms on the first floor will need to go down to the ground floor to use the restrooms for the first few weeks. Teachers will communicate with their classrooms to let them know the plan for which bathrooms are available to the students while the project is completed. Thank you for your patience and understanding on this matter. 

23-24 School Year Checklist: 

As we prepare to start the new school year, we want to ensure that you and your family are prepared. Below is our Curley School Checklist: 

• Download Talking Points 
• Copy of the most up-to-date Physical Exam to turn in to Nurses
• Subscribe to PawPrints for the weekly newsletter
• Boston Public Schools Student Information Update Form 2023-2024

School Communication Platforms 23-24 School Year. 

This school year, we will support home-school communication for all families by using the Talking Points App. We ask that all families download the app to increase communication between home and school in your native language. Once downloaded, are enrolled

• Download the free TalkingPoints mobile app for families. 
• Available on iOS and Android. 
• A mobile number is required to use it with your phone.

Family Handbook: 

Below you will find the Curley Family Handbook, where you will find the school’s expectations, policies, or procedures for your families. Please take the time to read the handbook. 

CurleyFamilyHandbook2023-2024.docx (2).pdf

BPS Numbers to Save: 

• BPS Helpline: The BPS Helpline is a new support service for the BPS Community. We answer basic questions to help people get to the right place for support … and more!
  • BPS Helpline: Call at 617-635-887/ email us at helpline@bostonpublicschools.org
• Transportation: Phone: 617-635-9520/ eMail: schoolbus@bostonpublicschools.org
  • Use the website Where’s my Bus? To Track your childs bus.  https://schoolbus.bostonpublicschools.org/ 
• Welcome Services/Enrollment: Phone: 617-635-9010/Website: www.bostonpublicschools.org/register

Pre-register for CAD, CAT, Musical Theater and Tech: 

Hello Curley Families, 

Are you interested in getting your child in performing arts at the Curley? The Curley has an after school opportunity for your child to be involved in theater, dance, musical theater and production team. Registration will open on September 1st, and close on September 30th.

Please fill out the following form. 

Halal and Kosher School Meals Survey:

The BPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is currently gathering information to identify challenges and potential considerations that need to be addressed in any plan that makes Halal or Kosher meals more accessible to students. Please fill out the google form if this applies to you and your family. 

Resources:

• Adult Ed Enrollment BPS: Adult Ed is enrolling for the fall semester, and we want to prioritize BPS parents. BPS Adult Ed is enrolling for the fall semester. We offer high school diploma programs, ESOL classes, and vocational training programs to any adult 18+. You can pre-register here or contact Farah Hilowle at fhilowle@bostonpublicschools.org or 617-635-9300 for more information. 
• This back to school mental health checklist shows many useful tips for returning to the routine of school days and responsibilities.
• BPS Numbers to Save: 
  • BPS Helpline: The BPS Helpline is a new support service for the BPS Community. We answer basic questions to help people get to the right place for support … and more!
    • BPS Helpline: Call at 617-635-887/ email us at helpline@bostonpublicschools.org
  • Transportation: Phone: 617-635-9520/ eMail: schoolbus@bostonpublicschools.org
  • Use the website Where’s my Bus? To Track your childs bus.  https://schoolbus.bostonpublicschools.org/ 
  • Welcome Services/Enrollment: Phone: 617-635-9010/Website: www.bostonpublicschools.org/register