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November 13, 2020
Dear PHAmily,
As many of you are aware, we postponed the launch of the November 5, 2020 K-3 Hybrid Model. Again, we apologize for the unanticipated timeline change and we remain committed to an excellent equitable education for our scholars in our new landscape of teaching and learning. To that end, please know we continue to prioritize our higher needs students for wraparound support and then our younger learners. This decision is informed by the science and data on COVID-19 to date as well as the acute challenges in remote learning for our youngest scholars. As such, we continue to appreciate your unwavering support and grace as we navigate as best we can through uncharted territory and uncertain times.
Background & Context
In August when we submitted our Reopening: Reimagining School Plan, we had planned for two separate and distinct plans for remote and hybrid learning models. We did not imagine fully operating these two plans concurrently. We provided our families a choice for remote or hybrid learning for their children. Nearly half of you selected a remote learning model while the other half selected a hybrid learning model. With this data outcome, we were unable to design equitable and balanced classroom schedules for students, faculty, and staff alike. As such, we immediately decided to pause a few days before starting the hybrid model at ECC.
What’s Happening Now: K-6 Design Thinking Work
On Thursday, October 29, 2020 we convened a Design Thinking Team that consisted of EC and UE campus leadership teams as well as K-12 academic leaders. This team met 7 consecutive school days to collaboratively pull our intellects, energy, and resources together to design thoughtful innovative schedules for students, faculty, and staff that are reasonable, interoperable (fluid), and sustainable through the school year in both hybrid and remote learning models. It should be noted that the following 10 considerations were used when considering new schedules and staffing models.
10 Key Considerations are as follows:
- Health & Safety
- Community Building (morning meeting & closing circle)
- Student Services Delivery (ESL & Special Education)
- Core instructional priorities Humanities & STEM
- Teacher Preparation & Planning Time
- Tiered Support Systems
- Balanced synchronous & asynchronous learning
- Student Choice Opportunities
- Small Groups
- Project Based Learning
For more information about our reopening plans, please join me and Associate Head of School, Karen Shmukler for a virtual K-12 Family Forum on Wednesday, November 18 at 5:30pm. Please check your email in the coming days for the Zoom link.
Angela F. Allen
Head of School / CEO
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Timeline for Grades 7-12 Hybrid Learning Model
A Letter (dated 11/10/20) from Chris Douglas, Grades 7-12 Principal
I am writing today with an important update to PHA’s phased-in approach to in-person learning. PHA, like many school districts, has a phased and staggered approach to in-person learning for our K-12 students, prioritizing our higher needs students for wraparound and then our younger learners, informed by the science and data on COVID-19 to date, challenges in remote learning for younger students, age-based transmission rates coupled with epidemiological metrics. As we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our students and faculty, and to monitor the metrics that have informed our decision-making processes around COVID-19 and a return to in-person instruction, we have decided to continue with remote learning for Middle School and High School, along with Collegiate Institute students, until the beginning of Semester 2, when we plan to commence our Hybrid Learning Model. In the meantime, we are committed to improving our support systems and structures for those students struggling with remote learning, and to find ways to safely convene small groups of students for academic support, socialization, and social-emotional learning experiences. More information will be forthcoming about these plans. We miss our students greatly, and look forward to the time when we can safely return to in-person learning.
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We Are Thrilled to Announce that PHA Will Launch a PRE-K Program in the Fall of 2021
Since its inception, Prospect Hill Academy has been chartered for 1,200 students in grades K through 12, and in 2010, the school was granted a charter amendment to add Pre-K to its roster. In our 25th year, we are delighted to announce that we will be opening an Inclusive Pre-K program in the fall of 2021. Over the next few weeks, we will be further developing our administrative and operational plans. In January, we will convene an Inclusive Pre-K planning group with broad stakeholder participation and engagement. In accordance with Massachusetts laws governing charter schools, our enrollment process for Pre-K will be the same as all other grades by lottery, non-selective and non-discriminatory.* Applicants to PHA’s Pre-K program must be four years of age by August 31st. Please reach out with any questions about PHA’s Pre-K program to: Karen Shmukler, Associate Head of School.
* Prospect Hill Academy Charter School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed or religion, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or a foreign language, or prior academic achievement. No testing is required for admission and/or acceptance. |
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Great News!!!!
PHA Now Has Two Socially Distant Libraries
Grades 7-12: The Essex St Campus Library now has a Socially Distant option for students including a curbside pickup.
How it works: Students can access the library catalog through their Clever login with two ways: Destiny Discover and via our Virtual Library.
Curbside pickup is available on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. at the Essex Street courtyard.
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Grades 4-6: Looking for a way to get your hands on more books at home? Our amazing reading team has you covered! Ms. Ferron, our librarian, has created a virtual library full of fun and engaging books that are available online.
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9th Grade Explores Their Diverse Cultures
The 9th grade celebrated their exploration of how their cultural contexts have contributed to their worldviews. Students created impressive visuals and explained them through writing, then the class looked at each other's products while connecting and celebrating cultures. Dr. Allen, along with several board members, enjoyed visiting and learning from the 9th graders in Ms. Wetschensky’s class.
Here is a link to a sample of some of the 9th graders' slides.
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Our Seniors (and Their Families) Continue on Their Journey to College
The amazing College Counseling Team facilitated a highly successful Financial Aid and FAFSA Support virtual event with almost 100% attendance among senior class families, setting the Class of 2021 onto a great path to accessing an affordable college option.
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Students at Our Early Childhood Campus Continue Their Learning Online
Enjoy a few samples of their work:
First Grade students worked on making numbers bonds to represent word problems as part of their learning in math this week.
 
Second Grade students read the book My Nature Notebook last week in science. This week they built off that experience and made observations of their own habitat. Here are some of their reflections from SeeSaw.
 
Third Grade students worked on syllibication this week and practiced labeling words according to VC/CV and V/CV patterns.
   
In art, students created beautiful fall leaf rubbings. Here are a few samples across grade levels:
   
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Opportunities and Reminders
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A K-12 Family Forum on School Reopening
Join Head of School Angela Allen and Associate Head of School Karen Shmukler for an update on our work to safely reopen school.
When: Wednesday, November 18 at 5:30 pm
Where: On Zoom. Please check your email for the Zoom link
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Join Us: PHA 7-12 Family Advisory Board Meeting
When: Tuesday, November 17th 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Join us remotely via Zoom.
The Family Advisory Board is a family-led group that meets bi-monthly with the Principal throughout the school year and provides families the opportunity to connect with each other and with school leaders to learn about what’s happening in school and ask questions. I hope to see many of you there!
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Engage with the Museum of Science at #MOSatHome and more. Tune into a variety of daily live stream and webinar content for kids and parents…featuring dinosaurs, space, live animals, and much more!
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Explore the YMCA “Youth & Government” Online Civics Program
The Massachusetts YMCA is running an online statewide youth leadership civics program for students in grades 6-12. The program will run from December - April, and provides students with an opportunity to strengthen their communities by becoming active and responsible contributors who are inspired to lead and are empowered to create meaningful change. Additional information and registration details can be found here.
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High School & Collegiate Institute Families:
Is your child enrolled in the Enrichment Google Classroom?
Academic rigor and preparation for success in college are PHA's top priorities for students enrolled in the High School and Collegiate Institute. With that being said, we know that participation in a variety of school and community-based enrichment opportunities is imperative for acceptance to top-tier colleges and universities and that critical social-emotional skills are cultivated both inside and outside of the classroom. Check-in with your student and make sure that they have "opted-in" to the Enrichment Google Classroom which lists a variety of virtual after-school and weekend programs that your child can participate in or apply to be part of. To stay informed family members can opt into Guardian View in Google Classroom as well as review all of the Weekly Enrichment Emails that are sent to all students across Grades 9-12.
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FREE PHA Meals Programs!
Free "Grab & Go" School Meals are now available for pickup at PHA's Upper Elementary Campus, located at 17 Franklin Street in Somerville. Pickups will be available on Monday and Wednesday afternoons 3:00 - 5:00 P.M.
Your meals can be ordered online using your PowerSchool account. Ordering instructions and additional meals program information can be found by clicking here.
New users click on this link: https://youtu.be/6RO0xa5uKHM
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K-6 Hybrid: A Relaxed PHA Dress Code
Includes: PHA logo and/or navy top including sweatshirt with relaxed bottoms (e.g. gray sweats). All PHA logo clothing must be purchased through Collegiate House School Uniform Company.
Starting in early winter, we will be offering 25th Anniversary items for purchase!!
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The City of Somerville is now offering CAB VOUCHERS for families to get to local grocery stores! Vouchers for 8 round trip cab rides to select grocery stores, East Somerville food pantries, and any farmers' market in the city for use weekdays 10AM to 2PM.
To request cab vouchers, please submit the following form.
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Erica Harryman, K-6 Humanities Curriculum Coach
Please join us in warmly welcoming Erica Harryman, our new K-6 Humanities Curriculum Coach.
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In this role, Erica work with the campus and district leadership to determine key priorities in literacy and social studies instruction and create effective plans to address the priorities. The CC supports leadership and teachers to understand and implement curriculum as well as content area best practice, in service of identified student learning goals. Erica will join Kevin Pritchard in supporting our CI teams and teachers at UE. Prior to joining the PHA team, Erica spent ten years teaching in North Carolina.
Erica has a master's degree in Arts from the University of Texas at Arlington and a master’s degree in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina. In 2014-2015, Erica was named Teacher of the Year at Stedman Primary school in North Carolina. We are thrilled to have Ms. Harryman join our PHAmily.
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Kim Lancaster, Executive Assistant to the Head of School
Please join us in warmly welcoming Kim Lancaster, who has joined PHA as Dr. Allen's new Executive Assistant.
In her role, Kim will support Dr. Allen, the HOS office, and the Board of Trustees. She will also provide support for the district leadership team and the K-12 offices as needed.
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Prior to joining the PHA Team, Kim worked at Wellesley College for 13+ years. For 11 years, she directly supported the students at Wellesley, and for the last two years, Kim was the Assistant to the VP of Finance and Administration for the College. Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband John and their two adult children, Katie and Matthew. Kim enjoys watching sports, spinning, hiking, boating on Lake Winnipesaukee, and cooking for her family. Kim is excited to be a part of such a dynamic group of individuals who are extremely dedicated to the education of the students at PHA.
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First grade messages to our veterans.
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Send Us Your Photos
We love to share photos of our students with the PHAmily. Please continue to send us pictures of your children learning at home, exercising, doing arts and craft projects, and spending time outdoors.
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