Good Afternoon,

There is a sports journalist and host named Chris Canty that I listen to on my way to work each morning. He was a brilliant defensive lineman for the Cowboys, the Giants (when they beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI–sorry), and the Ravens. He is a brilliant person too–a graduate of the University of Virginia, and a new dad!

I heard him describe professional football this way, as he and his co-hosts discussed the media attention received by a potential Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback as he refused to say yes or no to playing in the swiftly upcoming season: “Don’t forget…professional football is grown men making a king’s ransom to play a child’s game for teams owned by billionaires.” 

This effort to contextualize the angst and agita some of us feel from week to week following our favorite teams–when considered in the big picture of all that is going on in our country and world that actually matters–really sticks with me. 

We have a great deal to be angry about, to worry about, and to lament. We always have this in the background of our lives, and some of us have it very much in the foreground, too. And it is all legitimate, and most of it is all too real. 

Today we had a situation at school that impacted very few people, but for those people, this was a very difficult morning. But we worked through it. With the help of some amazing community partners and a deep trusting relationship between a family and their child’s school, we worked to have very positive outcomes. This morning certainly reminded me of what is really important in our school life, and what may be worrisome, but is not life-altering in the moment for the people we care about and serve.

Thank you to the helpers in our community. Thank you to the parents who are ready to drop everything to be there for their kids. Thank you to our team for being the same way. Having the privilege of working with your children every day is a constant reminder of some wise words from former Steelers Coach, Mike Tomlin, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

The “main thing” is always people–and at Du Bois, always your children. Thanks for making the main thing the main thing in our community.

Stay warm this weekend, and enjoy the big game.

Jake M.

Arrival and dismissal will work the same as they did last year. 

Arrival--Our doors open at 7:40, students arriving after 7:50 will be marked as tardy. Fifth and sixth-grade students should be dropped off in front of the building. Seventh and Eighth-grade students should be dropped off in the rear parking lot. If you have students in both these levels, please use the front for drop off.

Dismissal--School is dismissed at 2:40. Only buses should go into the bus loop. All parent pick-ups are in the back parking lot.

Students who will be picked up at Muddy Brook at Muddy Brook’s dismissal time may stay after school. We will have staff specifically assigned to monitor this group of students and keep track of who is present. Students will be brought over to Muddy Brook at 3:15.

Parents and guardians:

Many of you have received messages from me requesting that you submit an updated physical from your child’s PCP. I would like to explain to you WHY you have received these messages. 

Physical Examination Requirements

In accordance with Massachusetts laws and regulations ( M.G.L. c 71, s 57 and  105 CMR 200.000). Physical examinations must be completed and signed by a licensed healthcare provider, and dated within one calendar year of entry to our school district. If your child does not have a recent physical examination, one must be submitted within 30 days of entry to our school. 

Additionally: 

All students are required to have proof of physical examination upon enrollment, as stated above, and also in kindergarten and grades 4, 7, and 10.  It is also recommended that physical exams be submitted to the school nurse annually, so that students' health information can be kept current.

Current 7th-grade parents, please schedule (if needed) and submit your child’s physical examination once completed.  

If you need assistance finding medical care for your child, please don't hesitate to ask me for guidance. 

I can be reached by phone at 413-644-2300, ext. 2309, or by email at  robyn.aloisi@bhrsd.org .

Your child’s physician’s office can fax any health records to me directly at  413-288-7454.

Sincerely, 

Robyn Aloisi, RN, BSN 

School Nurse

DuBois Middle School