Need this newsletter translated? Please contact the Bilingual/World Languages Department at 617.349.6468. Questions about the G&P newsletter? Please contact Lauren Morse.

A Note from Tony

Dear Families,

We are fortunate that our students take many field trips at Graham and Parks, and we are grateful for family members who chaperone our trips.

As a reminder, all adult chaperones on field trips must submit a CORI form (background check) 3 weeks before the scheduled trip. We’ve had to turn away family members every year who have not filled out a CORI in advance.

This is often an issue at the end of the year when we have a large number of field trips. We receive many last minute CORI applications. The end of the year is a busy time, so it is difficult for the main office staff to submit, track, and communicate the results of this yearly influx of last minute applications.

To ensure the safety of students, the Graham and Parks specific deadline for submitting a CORI for the 2019/2020 school year is April 1st. Graham and Parks will not accept new CORI forms after this date.

If you think you might want to chaperone a field trip this year, you must fill out a CORI. CORIs are only valid for one school year. You must fill out and submit a new form every year. If you are unsure about whether or not you have filled out a CORI for this year, you can call or email Mrs. D. to check at 617.349.6577 or [email protected].

All best,

Tony

Coffee Talk on Race and Equity

Thank you to everyone who attended the important Coffee Talk last week about Racial Equity. We had a wonderful panel discussion with leaders of the Fletcher Maynard Academy’s Courageous Conversations. Families then broke out into small groups to discuss how race and equity are talked about in their homes, ways to approach this topic with children in age appropriate ways and how G&P families can help plan future conversations about Racial Equity.

If you are interested in this topic but weren’t able to attend the Coffee Talk, please fill out this form so we can be in touch. Here are the detailed notes from the Coffee Talk, in case you missed it! Here is a handout with a list of Racial Equity Resources if you want to learn more.

Special thanks to G&P parent Mercedes Soto for organizing and running this Coffee Talk. If you have an idea for a Coffee Talk, please let Lauren know at [email protected].

Donate Clothing In All Conditions to Support G&P!

The donation bin at the Graham & Parks entrance is a great place to donate clothing and other items AND support G&P at the same time!

Did you know? You can donate clothing items in good-condition. Items that are worn, torn, stained or missing something can also go in. All items must be clean, dry, and bagged. In addition to clothing, other accepted items include textiles, like towels, sheets, shoes, belts, backpacks, scarves, etc. Good-condition items will be resold and other items will be repurposed – like for car seat stuffing. Graham & Parks earns $.07 per pound.

Thank you for keeping clothing and other textiles out of the trash! And if the G&P bin is not convenient for you, the other textile donation bins around the city also accept all textiles.

In the Classrooms

1st graders are studying Mexico, Haiti, and Brazil as part of our study of maps. We read books about each country and then celebrate the country through an afternoon of experiences. For our Mexico celebration, we made Day of the Dead flowers, prepared and tasted guacamole, and celebrated with a piñata.

G&P Events and Reminders

In Our District & Community