The communication below provides important information from the Public Schools of Brookline. Translated versions are available at the following links:

• Arabic: الرجاء الضغط هنا للترجمة العربية.
• Chinese: 点击这里查看中文翻译.
• Haitian Creole: Klike la a pou tradiksyon kreyòl ayisyen an.
• Hebrew: אנא לחץ כאן לצפייה במסמך בעברית.
• Japanese: ここをクリックして日本語の翻訳にアクセスしてください.
• Korean:  한국어 번역을 보시려면 여기를 클릭하십시오.
• Portuguese: Clique aqui para a tradução em português.
• Russian: Нажмите здесь, чтобы получить доступ к русскому переводу.
• Spanish: Haga clic aquí para acceder a la traducción al español.
• Vietnamese: Nhấn vào đây để truy cập bản dịch tiếng Việt.

Revised COVID-19 Policies

We are aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently announced their revised COVID-19 guidelines and are strongly recommending that all students and staff continue wearing masks/face coverings during in-person instruction. The AAP also urges that all eligible individuals (anyone 12 years or older, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention) should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You may also find a map of vaccination sites around Brookline here.

As of this time, PSB, with support from Expert Advisory Panel 4 on Public Health, Safety and Logistics, is awaiting guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Brookline Health Department to determine what health policies should be implemented for the 2021-22 school year. We will announce these updates as soon as the information is finalized. Until a change is announced, please continue to follow the current state and local guidance on facial coverings and physical distancing.

 

Remote Learning in 2021-22

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires that all districts and schools follow a full-time, in-person learning model for the 2021-22 school year. Therefore, the PSB Remote Learning Academy (RLA) will not be open in the 2021-2022 school year. Students enrolled in RLA last year or in the fully remote instructional model at Brookline High School are slated to return to in-person instruction at their home schools on September 1.

 

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB)

The Emergency Broadband Benefit program is a federal benefit that allows Massachusetts residents wider access to high-speed internet. Any household with a student who is approved for the free or reduced-price school breakfast/lunch program, or receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are eligible to receive a $50 monthly discount on internet services and a one-time $100 discount for devices. Visit https://getemergencybroadband.org/# to see if you qualify and to apply for the program.

 

Child Tax Credit

We would like to draw your attention to the federal Child Tax Credit provided through the American Rescue Plan. The program’s recent expansion means that eligible families may now receive monthly payments of $250 to $300 per child. 

If your family qualifies for this program and has filed your taxes in 2019 and 2020, you should have already received this payment. If your income was not high enough to require the filing of taxes in recent years, we recommend that you submit an application through ChildTaxCredit.gov. Please visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/child-tax-credit/ for more information.

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• Previous community updates can be found here.