Creating More Inclusive, Safer Spaces for all Students

Hello Driscoll Families!

It’s May--one of the busiest times of year at Driscoll.  Yes, students are being assessed through MCAS, but more importantly, there is awesome teaching and learning going on!

I want to draw your attention to two very important dates on our May and June calendars.  In one of my recent Principal Corner notes, I mentioned our work at Driscoll in creating more inclusive, safer spaces for all students.  I mentioned our work as a staff utilizing resources that help us speak up and then support students when we hear comments that feed bias or hate.  

As I mentioned that I would, I invite you to join us for a two-part conversation about how we make our school a safe space for all students--particularly our low income students and our students of color.  Questions we’ll discuss include:

-Do all families at Driscoll feel welcome?  How can we make all Driscoll families feel welcome?

-Do students feel like they need to “check” parts of their identity at the door?  If so, what steps do we need to take to make sure this is not the case.

-How can we attract and maintain a more diverse staff?

-What action steps can we take that will lead to lasting change in this area?

Please join us to discuss these questions (and others that folks raise) and lay out a roadmap for improvement for the 17-18 school year.  These discussions will take place in Heidi’s Office on Thursday, May 25th and Thursday, June 8th, right after drop off.  Please email me if you’d like to join us!  I hope we’ll see a diverse group of parents at these important meetings!

Heidi Cook, Principal

Teacher Appreciation: Thank You!

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this year's week-long Teacher Appreciation Week celebration!  Each day the teachers and staff enjoyed little treats and surprises, and we ended the week with a delicious, full breakfast provided by our amazing Driscoll parents.  We even had some drawings for awesome prizes like gift cards to Starbuck's, Pete's and Amazon.  It was so much fun!  If you brought a food item on a tray or platter to the breakfast, please pick it up on the shelves to your right when you enter the Staff Lounge.  We really appreciate all of you supporting our loyal, brilliant and caring teachers and stopping for a moment to say "thank you".  All the best for the final weeks of the school year and a restful, fun summer- Robyn Hunter and Kim Katz

The Spring Fair and YOU!

Dear Driscoll Families,The Spring Fair is in the air!  However only 34 of the 101volunteer spots are filled! (Yikes!). This event cannot happen without YOU! Take just one minute now to click HERE and sign up to help at this year's Spring Fair.  They are one hour slots and many of them are after-work hours.As most of you know, Spring Fair is the Ultimate Driscoll Celebration!  Rides, games, food and fun make this a day that kids look forward to all year long!  Driscoll families come together to celebrate another school year, and we also celebrate the close of the MCAS Testing Season and the conclusion of another successful PTO event season.  At Driscoll, we believe that events like these make us unique and bring us together, but we can't hang on to these traditions unless our families commit an hour or two to making them happen each year.We have filled only 34 of the 101 volunteer slots!  Spring Fair in all of it's glory cannot be realized if we don't all pitch in!  If you haven't volunteered this year, NOW is your chance.  Plus, these jobs are fun!Take a minute now to sign up.  Thank you and we'll see you at the Spring Fair on May 24th from 4-8PM!!http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4eadae28a0fe3-spring1Thank you, thank you.Your Amazing 100% Volunteer Spring Fair Team

PTO Open Forum: Updating the Driscoll Field and Playground

Dear Driscoll Parents,We hope you'll join us for Monday's PTO Open Forum, topic: updating the Driscoll field and playground.Vice Chair of the Brookline School Committee, David Pollak will be presenting and offering Q & A. Mr. Pollak also serves as Chair of  Brookline School Board's Capital Committee (building projects). We are looking forward to hearing from Mr. Pollak on the process, timing, and money around such an effort, and hearing from you, our parents!Childcare for (K-5 students) will be provided with advance registration. Pizza supper will be served for both parents and children at 6:15pm. At 6:45 pm, parents can walk their children to the music room (opposite the theater) where Driscoll 8th graders will show a movie and stay with the children until the program is complete, at approximately 8:30 pm.Not planning on needing childcare, or eating?  Join us for the presentation in the Driscoll Theater at 7:00 pm.Please go to https://updatedriscollfield.eventbrite.com to register. If you have questions about registration or childcare, please email Alice Speck (PTO Secretary) alice.speck@gmail.com.We look forward to seeing you on Monday evening.Warmly,The Driscoll PTO

Principal's Corner: Race Equity Leadership Conference

3/27/17If you tried to write me an email last week, you received an auto-reply informing you that I was at the Race Equity and Leadership in Schools conference, hosted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education.  I attended with the PSB leadership team, including senior staff and all principals.  Although it was hard to be away from Driscoll for a few days in a row, especially during Arts Equinox, the time was well worth it.The goals of the conference were the following:

• Deepen [our] understanding of why this work on race, equity, and leadership matters and explore the changes needed to ensure a more inclusive future;
• Understand the many causes of individual, institutional, and systemic racial inequality, past and present;
• Identify concrete strategies for building inclusive institutions and build your toolkit to teach it, model it, and practice it.

Through listening to speakers, conversation, and reflection I do feel like we worked toward a deeper understanding of the importance of explicit race and equity work and we did have time to consider the changes needed to be more open and inclusive.  I appreciated an opportunity to further my own understanding of individual, institutional and systemic racial inequalities.  And, I most certainly walked away with concrete strategies for moving forward.  Though a week is never enough time to grapple with these critical issues, it’s a start.Among the most memorable sessions for me was Karen Mapp’s session on family engagement.  The moment she began to speak and share her thoughts on family engagement my wheels were turning about how I could bring this important work back to Driscoll in the form of improved family engagement--rethinking Open House, supporting parents in thinking about how to support learning at home, making sure our expectations and standards for students are clear, etc. etc. etc.  I look forward to sharing these and other important ideas with you, with our PTO and I hope you’ll see some of the impacts soon.I’m so proud to be from a district where there was a significant investment in this work.My Best,HeidiHeidi CookPrincipal, Driscoll Schoolheidi_cook@psbma.org617-879-4250 (Main Office)driscoll.brookline.k12.ma.us

#MateoTough at Driscoll

Dear Driscoll Community,

As you may or may not know, 3rd grader, Mateo Goldman was diagnosed with Leukemia in the fall of 2016. He has been absent from school, getting treatment and care at Children’s Hospital in Boston. Our community misses Mateo every day and is committed to supporting Mateo and his family (Mom, Mandy; Dad, Nick; Brothers, Leo (5H) and Milo (KF); and little sister Violet who will be coming to Driscoll when she's old enough).

Last week, The Back to School Team from Dana Farber came to speak to 3rd grade, 5th grade and KF (Mateo’s, Leo’s, and Milo’s classes) to help them understand what Mateo has been going through and why he’s not at school. It was a great chance for all to learn, ask questions and see Mateo and his Mom who were skyping from Children’s. We learned that Mateo will not be able to return to school for several months while his immune system rebuilds and is strong enough to be able to protect him from illness and germs.

During Art Equinox, last Thursday and Friday, all classrooms received a container to decorate with their own #Mateotough design. The idea is to engage our whole community to raise money to donate to One Mission: Pediatric Cancer Charity which supports the medical communities, families and children who have been diagnosed with cancer. One Mission is near and dear to the Goldman Family and Driscoll is honored to give back in Mateo’s name to support their mission. You can help this effort by encouraging your children to earn, share, and contribute to this cause that helps so many families in vulnerable times. Donations are not limited to students and coins only. Feel free to send donations to school  (checks can be made out to “One Mission”)  to help fill these containers. Collections will start Monday, March 27th and continue through Thursday April 13th. Classes will display their #Mateotough design and progress at community meetings.  Also, look for the #Mateotough booth to buy #Mateotough bracelets at the Driscoll Spring Fair, with all proceeds going to One Mission.

We also want to introduce another way we will help Mateo stay connected to Driscoll.  Upon returning from April Vacation, check out the library for “The Special Delivery Dragon”. It’ll be a way to drop notes or items that will make their way to Mateo whether he is still in the hospital or home getting his care as an outpatient.  We will work with teachers and classrooms to make sure the Special Delivery Dragon is busy making deliveries to Mateo each week!

Since Mateo will be home, but still needs to do his school work, students will encounter Mateo accessing Driscoll and his learning in many ways including the use of cool technology that will allow him to be as much a part of the classroom as possible.  We’ll be sharing more information about this soon!

Thank you . Let’s fill those jars today!

For more information on One Mission, please visit http://onemission.org/To stay updated on Mateo and his progress and send support you can visit his facebook page #mateotoughSincerely,Carrie Hibbard, Guidance CounselorHeidi Cook, PrincipalThe Driscoll PTO and the entire #Mateotough team

Spring Early Release Movie Sign Up

Early Release Movie Registration is open, and ends, Friday, March 31st.  Register via this link now through 03/31/17.FAMILY ID MOVIE SIGN UP HERESign up early as space is limited:Movie Munchkins (K-1): 40 studentsMovie Masters (1st-5th grade): 120 studentsVolunteer for one movie and get all 4 for free!!!Please choose the volunteer option when registering.The PTO Early Dismissal Movies run from 12:40 p.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. Please be outside Theater by 2:20 p.m. for pick up (children getting picked up should wait in the movie rooms for their parents).For any questions, please contact PTO Movie Chair, Nadine Hartmandriscollptomovies@gmail.com

Sign up for Arts Equinox!

Arts Equinox is a two day celebration of the Arts held each year at Driscoll.
Parent volunteers are needed to help with different activities in each K-5 class on March 23 & 24.
No artistic skills/experience needed! Instructions for each project and an example will be provided in advance.
Sign up here to volunteer:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4EADAE28A0FE3-arts

Sign up for the Science Fair

The Driscoll Science Fair is Saturday, March 11th in the Driscoll gym and cafeteria from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Driscoll Science Fair is open to Kindergarten through Eighth grade students! Please visit the Driscoll Science Fair Website:  http://www.driscollscience.org Registration Fee: $10.00 per participant. Please drop off form & $10 fee to the Driscoll Main Office. Paper copies of the registration form are available in the Main Office or Library. Cash or checks made out to “Driscoll School PTO”. Fees may be waived for financial hardship, email: DriscollPTO@gmail.com

PTO Spotlight with Parent David Belchick

PTO Spotlight with David Belchick (dad to Isabel 5H, Gabi 4M and William 2S):Q: How long have you lived in Brookline? What brought you here? Tell us about your family.A: We moved to Brookline in 2006 and have lived here ever since except for a short stint in New York.  We moved here for the schools after our oldest daughter, Isabel, was born.  I am so lucky to be married to the amazing Robyn Hunter and have 3 wonderful children-Isabel, Gabi and William Hunter.  Because I am the only Belchick in the family, I often get the reaction after introducing myself and someone else clarifies who I am related to which is usually "Oh, YOU'RE Robyn's husband?" because I emote less and am the only person in the family who has no musical inclination .Q:  What is your favorite Driscoll program?A: Easy: Spring FairQ: Tell us about your hobbies.A: I like to do a lot of things but have let life get in the way of hobbies.  I would like to start playing tennis again, but my attempts with a regular playing partner (you know who you are) are erratic.  Lately, I am an unpaid uber driver for 3 children's soccer and ballet programs.  If you need to know where Taunton is or which ways to get to lower Newton on which days, I am the one to ask.Q: What are your hopes and dreams for your family?A: That they are happy and healthy and are able to give their families and the world more than I have when my time here ends.Q: If you could thank your children for one thing, what would it be?A: Thank you for doing everything you do with bravery, humanity and kindness, even when others might not deserve it.  Also, a reminder to not always focus on the endpoint.

Driscoll PTO's Science Solstice

Driscoll PTO's Science Solstice On Fri. Dec. 16, Driscoll celebrates “Science Solstice:” a day when the whole school suspends its regular routine to do science.

Grades K to 5 stay in the building and are ‘wowed” by science with presentations of live animals and simple machines, from the Museum of Science and Mass Audubon Society. Students learn about the scientific methods as they build paper geodesics dome, learn how crimes are solved or discover states of matter.  At the end of the day, they respond through writing and drawing about the question: “What do scientists do?” These activities are planned and run by Driscoll parents. For the complete K-5 schedule go here.

The middle schoolers (6th. 7th and 8th graders) leave the building and each student visits one working science lab or facility. This year, we are sending out 18 groups to 18 labs. Most visits are arranged by Driscoll parents. These field trips both pique students’ interest in science and expose them to different careers in science and technology.  For the complete list of labs w/description, go here.

All in all, it’s a great day of learning and discovery!

Science Solstice is entirely funded by your PTO dollars and run by your fellow Driscoll parents volunteers. THANKS!

PTO Spotlight with 6/7th Grade English Teacher, Courtney Pelletier

PTO Spotlight with 6/7th Grade English Teacher, Courtney Pelletier:Q: How long have you been at Driscoll?  Tell us what you did before coming to Driscoll.A: This is my second year teaching at Driscoll.  Before coming to Driscoll I taught 7th grade English for four years in Aurora, Colorado.  I also taught high school for one year in Indonesia.Q: Tell us how you decided to become involved in education.A: I have always loved working with kids.  After completing my undergraduate degree I knew I wanted to become a teacher and attended Northeastern University to earn my Master's in education.Q: What is your favorite part of the teaching day?  What is most important to you as you spend your days with children?A: My favorite part of the teaching day is talking to kids about great books!  I love when students come into my classroom excited to tell me about the book that they're reading.  It's so important to make connections with my students and reading is the perfect way to do it.Q: Fun Fact! What's something we should know about you that we don't?A: When I'm not teaching I'm usually outside. Hiking, skiing, camping, and scuba diving are some of my favorite activities

Thank you!

Dear Driscoll Families,Yesterday marked the end of the Family Giving Campaign.We are grateful to the 290 families who donated a total of $46,798, the wonderful classroom captains who kept us on track, thank you note writers (look in your mailbox over the next week or so if you haven't gotten a note yet!) and the volunteers who have helped us along the way.Thank you, thank you!The Driscoll PTO

PTO Spotlight with 6/7th Grade Science Teacher, Eric Hazlinsky

PTO Spotlight with 6/7th Grade Science Teacher, Eric Hazlinsky:Q: How long have you been at Driscoll?  Tell us what you did before coming to Driscoll.A: This is my 6th year at Driscoll. Before teaching here I taught 7th grade math and science in GloucesterQ: Tell us how you decided to become involved in education.A: I was in grad school studying geology and geomorphology and while I was TA-ing classes, I really fell in love with teaching the information.Q: What is your favorite part of the teaching day?  What is most important to you as you spend your days with children?A: I think my favorite part of any day is when kids get excited and curious and ask a lot of questions! I like the lasting relationships you can form with kids.Q: Fun Fact! What's something we should know about you that we don't?A: I currently play on multiple recreational soccer teams and I have played in kickball nationals twice.

PTO Spotlight with Driscoll School Secretary Kim Longmore

PTO Spotlight with Driscoll School Secretary, Kim Longmore!Q: How long have you been at Driscoll?  Tell us what you did before coming to Driscoll.A: I have been at Driscoll 6 years and the town of Brookline for 10 years.Before that I worked at Plimoth Plantation, as everything from a Pilgrim, the basket maker, and the Education Programs Manager.Q: Give us an idea of the scope of your daily responsibilities.A: I do everything from attendance, communications between the teachers, parents, and children.Also,I do staff payroll, ordering all the supplies, keeping track of everyone’s records etc.Anything anyone needs, they can come to me, and I’ll find a way to help them.Q: What is your favorite part of the day?  What is most important to you as you spend your days with children, teachers, parents and administrators?A: Number one are the kids, I love when a child comes to see me just to say hello, or give me a hug, or to tell me how their day is going. That is the best!Q: Fun Fact! What's something we should know about you that we don't?A: I have been the recipient of two travelling fellowships from Harvard University, where I studied and documented the last living apprentices and their lives and arts in England, Scotland and Wales. 

PTO Spotlight with Music Teacher Vale Southard!

PTO Spotlight with Driscoll Music Teacher, Vale Southard!Q: How long have you been at Driscoll?  Tell us what you did before coming to Driscoll.A: This is my 4th year at Driscoll. I started here in 2013 part-time, while working at 2 other schools in Brookline. Last year was my first year full-time teaching just here, and I love it! Right before coming to Driscoll I was a long-term substitute music teacher in Newton, and before that I was in college at University of Miami Frost School of Music, getting my music education degree.Q: Tell us how you became interested in music education.A: Music has always been a huge part of my life. My parents are very musical, as well as my brothers, (one of them is a professional pianist and composer) so music was always a huge priority for our family. I grew up playing piano, clarinet, and singing, and when I started to think about what I wanted to do as a career, I knew it had to be related to music. I actually went to college intending to be a music therapy major, but after taking a few classes, I realized it wasn't the right fit for me. I realized that I wanted to share my love for music with others, and music education seemed to be the best way to do that.Q: What is your favorite part of the teaching day?  What is most important to you as you spend your days with children?A: That's such a hard question! I see many different classes in a day, so I would say my favorite part of the day is getting to see so many different students. I teach almost everyone in the school, and I think that's really special. What's most important to me is that my students come away from my class loving music. That doesn't necessarily mean they'll grow up to be a professional musician, but music can and should be an important part of all of our lives. When a student comes into my class really excited, telling me that they sang one of our songs at home, or they looked up and rewatched a performance we watched in class, that's when I feel most fulfilled as a teacher.Q: Fun Fact! What's something we should know about you that we don't?A: I once sang back-up on an album with the Latin American artist Juanes, and then the album won the Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album!

PTO Spotlight with PK Teacher, Mary Dunne!

PTO Spotlight with Driscoll PK teacher, Mary Dunne!Q: How long have you been at Driscoll? What were you doing before you came here?A: I've been at Driscoll for 16 years. Before that I was at Heath Schoolfor 21 years.Q: What made you decide to go in to education?A: My mom and her mother were both teachers. I loved watching my mom work with kidsand prepare for school in the evenings.  I can't imagine myself doinganything else.Q: What is your favorite part of your day with the 3-5 year olds?A: My favorite part of the day is watching a child or children discoversomething for themselves.  Seeing the pride and ownership on theirfaces is truly satisfying.  I love singing and dancing with kids justas much.Q: What is a Fun Fact that we don't know about you that we should?A: I have terrible taste in candy. The cheaper and chewier, the better!Dots, Jujubes and Circus Peanuts are my downfall.

Family Giving Campaign

Dear Driscoll Families,On October 17, 2016 we kicked off  the Family Giving Campaign. Our goal is twofold. We hope to raise $25,000, and we hope that 100% of our families will donate by November 29, 2016.The Family Giving Campaign is the PTO’s major fundraiser for this school year. The Driscoll PTO raises money each year to fund the great programs like Science Solstice, and Arts Equinox, but also professional development for the awesome teachers we have here at Driscoll.On Wednesday, October 26, from 6:00 - 8:30 pm a team of parents from most grade levels will "Dial for Driscoll". We aim to contact each Driscoll family to either thank them for their donation, or encourage them to donate. If you get a call, answer the phone! Our parent volunteers will be eager to chat with you!Sincerely,Driscoll PTODonate here: or by bringing a check to the main office.

PTO Spotlight with Driscoll Math Specialist, Jenna Laib!

PTO Spotlight with Driscoll Math Specialist, Jenna Laib!Q: How long have you been at Driscoll?  Tell us what you did before coming to Driscoll.A: This is my sixth year at Driscoll. Before that, I taught 4th grade in Billerica, MA. I also worked as a math coach and math specialist at a school in Newton and several other schools in Brookline.Q: Tell us how you became interested in math and all things supportive and enriching.A: Math has fascinated me for as long as I can remember! I love searching for patterns and discovering connections. When I was a kid, I liked playing with numbers and solving puzzles. Later, as a classroom teacher, I found myself fascinated not only by math but by my students’ mathematical thinking. There are so many ways to make sense of the same problem or idea.Q: What is your favorite part of the teaching day?  What is most important to you as you spend your days with children? A: I like that my schedule is always changing; I am all over the building!  You might see me teaching in a 2nd grade classroom, then with some 7th graders in a small group, and later meeting with teachers. That said, my favorite thing to do might be one-on-one math interviews with kids. Driscoll students teach me so much!Q: Fun Fact! What's something we should know about you that we don't?A: I am very close to my siblings, even though they live on three different continents, and we aren’t all biologically related. My sister and stepbrother both live in Boston (North America), my brother and his wife live in England (Europe), and my two brothers-in-law live in Algeria (Africa). We are grateful for tools like Skype that allow us to stay in touch!

PTO Spotlight with 2S Second Grade Teacher Erica Sullivan!

PTO Spotlight with 2S Second Grade Teacher Erica Sullivan! Q: How long have you been at Driscoll?  Tell us what you did before coming to Driscoll.A: I began working at Driscoll in 2008 when I was a senior at Wheelock College. I was a classroom assistant in Barry and Marybeth's Pre-K class for a few years while getting my Master's Degree in Elementary and Special Education. After that I spent a year at Lincoln School as a maternity leave sub in Kindergarten and then in the Adaptive Learning Center before returning to Driscoll to teach first and second grade. This will be my sixth year teaching grades 1/2 at Driscoll, and I can't imagine being anywhere else.Q: Tell us how you decided to become a teacher.A: I grew up with three younger brothers, so really I was a teacher right from the start. I can clearly remember being five years old and confidently declaring to my kindergarten friends that I would be a teacher when I grew up (well, either that or an actress...).  Teaching young children has always been my goal and my passion.Q: What is your favorite part of the teaching day?  What is most important to you as you spend your days with children?A: There are so many favorites, but I think I love morning meeting the most. We get to start the day greeting each other, sharing stories, asking questions, and doing silly activities to help bring us together as a community. This community building sets the stage for the challenging work we do throughout the day. It allows kids a safe space to take risks, make mistakes, and build a growth mindset.Q: Fun Fact! What's something we should know about you that we don't?A: Several years ago I was watching a lot of those cake decorating shows on TV and decided that I could do that! I've made some pretty cool cakes since then with fondant and everything. Last year for my son's first birthday I made a Superman cake, and I'm planning on making some kind of "Things That Go" cake for his second birthday.