5 Things To Know About Back To School In Brookline

BROOKLINE, MA — With the twists and turns and hardship the pandemic has thrown our way, it seems few things are certain. As the school year rounds the bend, Patch asked Interim Superintendent Dr. James Marini for a list of five things to know about the start of school that won't be so different from past years.

Marini said the district's teachers and staff are working to look amid pandemic for ways to connect with kids and families and make school the kind of person-to-person experience that makes a difference in the lives of kids.

"That's different now," he said. "The pandemic creates a social distance and physical distance and we have to make sure it doesn't become an emotional distance, we have to support each other. We're looking forward to school and being together and building community and addressing social, emotional issues and being part of a community that cares at its root about its people and its children."

Here's what made the list:

1. "The love and affection that teachers have for their kids is not going to change," said Marini. "Teachers really like their kids, and have great admiration for them. That's why they're here. That whole spirit is not going to change, even as the world has been tipped on its head."

2. The first day of instruction is going to be Sept. 16. That's a change from what's normal, said Marini, but there will be a first day of school.

3. On Sept. 1 there will be a gathering of all school teachers and staff (on Zoom this time) to mark the beginning as happens traditionally. "The thing about schools is that 'hope springs eternal.' You start a new year, and Sept 1 marks the beginning and with it comes that fresh spirit of a new school year," said Marini.

4. Behind the scenes teachers are working to develop their programs, prepare for their classes, and develop curriculum. "All the professional development going on is still the heartbeat of the school, all of that has been going on," said Marini. "That's the stuff that continues."

5. Facilities staff is hard at work. "Every year, the facilities and custodian staff do a great job of getting the buildings open, they have the buildings shining by the time school is open," said Marini. This year that's work has been enhanced, as the district has upgraded the ventilation system, purification systems for the classrooms to assure that the air flow is where it needs to be, he said.

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