Head of School
Family Newsletter
Your Source for PHA
School Updates
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February 3, 2021
Dear PHAmily,
At last, it’s a new year, a new beginning and a new dawn! After the unprecedented 2020, I’m excited to usher in 2021 as we witness more unprecedented history in our country. To that end, I’ve been refreshed by immense joy and hope from the recent inaugural events. Seeing a woman of my generation become the first Black woman of Asian descent Vice President of the United States of America, has been the highlight of 2021. My second highlight of 2021 was seeing and hearing the eloquent young Black woman, poet laureate Amanda Gorham capture and command the world’s attention with her provocative spoken words that she recited at the inauguration. These two highlights give me a little glimmer of hope, that we can indeed change [HER]STORY and the American dream can be realized. However, I too realize that challenging days still lie ahead as we continue to face the twin pandemic of Covid-19 and racial reckoning.
To that end, I harken my late mother’s words, “everything starts at home and make sure that’s in order first.” Therefore, I’m embracing my zeal and channeling my energy and joy into continuing to transform our uniquely diverse and inclusive home - PHA. At PHA, we remain committed to our mission: success in college and beyond, foster responsible citizenship, and inspire a lifelong of learning. Furthermore, we remain ever committed to providing EVERY child an equitable excellent education -- a civil right-- that warmly embraces his/her/their culture and lived experiences EVERY day rather than one celebratory month per year. As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s remember that BLACK HISTORY is our past, present and future -- with your reflection, plan your action.
Be the change you wish to see in the world - -Ghandi
All the best,
Angela F. Allen
Head of School / CEO
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PHA Earns Dual AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award!!
 PHA has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles. Out of the 20,000 schools that offer AP courses, PHA is one of only 56 to be recognized for closing the gender gap in both AP computer science courses.
Schools receiving the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award had 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses, Computer Science A and Computer Science Principles, during the 2019-2020 school year.
“PHA has successfully achieved diversity in its computer science program through positive reinforcement that computer science is for all students, including students of color and girls. The program at PHA provides students with a broad array of exciting and engaging project-based learning activities. Furthermore, we provide access to extra-curricular opportunities at tech companies in nearby Kendall Square, which serve as a tangible link to the real world and allow students to visualize themselves in the STEM fields,” said Ruth Farmery, PHA’s Director of K-12 Computer Science.
Please click here to read the article published in The Somerville News Weekly.
Photo Caption: Prospect Hill Academy female computer science students Victoria, Syalomee (now a class of 2020 alum), and Lavanya in January 2020 after they won the Congressional App Challenge in Massachusetts' 7th district.
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PHA Nurses Receive COVID Vaccinations
PHA Early Childhood Nurse Maureen and PHA Upper Elementary Nurse Margret have both received their first COVID vaccinations!!!!
 
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Advocate for Your Charter School
 Your voice matters. Every year, local politicians are inundated by various groups lobbying for legislation that hurt charter schools, including Prospect Hill Academy. It is crucial that these politicians also hear about the benefits of charter schools through the voices of PHA and other charter school families. That is why we are asking you to participate in the Charter School Advocacy week, from March 2 to 4, 2021 organized by the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association.
To learn more about this important effort, review this Frequently Asked Questions document (this document is translated into Español, Kreyòl, and Português). To sign up to participate, register here. The intro session on March 2, 2021 from 9:00 - 10:30 am will provide you with training and information on how to speak to legislators and local politicians.
For additional information, please contact Kim Lancaster at klancaster@phacs.org.
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Flu Vaccine Mandate Suspended
 As of January 15, 2021, Massachusetts has suspended the requirement that students get the flu vaccine, citing a mild flu season and the focus on vaccinating against the coronavirus. Health officials are still highly recommending and encouraging that everyone get the flu shot.
For more immunization information: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations/.
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When can I get a COVID vaccine in Massachusetts?
Click here for the Massachusetts Phase 1 & Phase 2 eligibility status as of January 27, 2021.
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PHA 25th Anniversary Shop
We are thrilled to announce the launch of PHA's 25th Anniversary Shop! Join us in celebrating our 25th year and show off your PHA pride with swag items like long-sleeve t's, sweatshirts, fleece jackets and vests, hats, and more! All clothing items are uniform-approved.
Orders can be shipped directly to your home address or to PHA's 54 Essex St building in Cambridge for pick-up.
https://phashop.fenway-group.com/login
Happy shopping!
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Announcements and Key Dates:
February Recess: Monday, February 15th-Friday, February 19th
EVERY WEDNESDAY, 5:30 PM: PARENT & FAMILY FAB HOUR (Grades K-12) Click here to attend: https://bit.ly/FABfamilyhourZOOM See our 2021 Special FAB Hour schedule and stay up to date on meeting notes and recordings here: https://bit.ly/FABfamilyhour
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Save the Date for Winter STEAM Saturday Registration will open on Monday, February 22 at 7:00 AM. Classes offered will cover topics including chemistry, coding in Minecraft, piano keyboard, dance, yoga, and MORE. Winter STEAM will take place on March 6, 13, 20, and 27 between the hours of 9 AM and 12PM. Visit the STEAM website for the registration link in February.
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Spread the word! PHA is now accepting applications for Pre-K to Grade 9 for the 2021-2022 school year. Application deadline is March 5th and the lottery is March 10th. Families with children currently enrolled at PHA must submit an application for siblings. Apply today at bit.ly/ApplyPHA.
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FREE PHA Meals Programs!
Ordering March PHA Meals details:
Please follow these instructions to order your meals, going forward we will only be able to offer meals to families who place orders in advance.
1. Fill out your free & reduced meals form:
https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
2. Order meals a month at a time using the below link. Order window for March meals will open on February 6, 2021 and runs through February 21, 2021. During this time you will be able to order meals for your students.
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/
Please watch our tutorial video that provides step-by-step instructions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a4wUiVvstE
If you need additional assistance please call Stefani Pettit Director of Meal Program Services at meals@phacs.org
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Enrichment Opportunities and Winter Wonder Activities
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Engage with the Museum of Science at #MOSatHome and more. Science never stops. And neither does the Museum of Science! 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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18th ANNUAL YOUNG COMPOSERS FESTIVAL
The Young Composers Festival is Community Music Center of Boston's Annual Festival Celebrating Creativity.
2021 Theme: Making Music in the Digital Age
A day of online workshops, panel discussions, and concerts by and for students from elementary school to adults, this annual festival inspires students to create music of their own. This event is FREE and open to students of all ages, backgrounds, and experience, regardless of whether you are a current student at CMCB
Saturday, February 6 - on Zoom: click here to register
Read about last year's Young Composers Festival here.
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PHA Wraparound students working hard.
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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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