Support for Haiti
This page contains information and links to resources for Boston Public Schools (BPS) students, staff and families who have been affected by the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti.
An Afternoon of Healing and Remembrance
In solidarity with Haitian families, Boston Public Schools (BPS), Haitian American Parents Association (BHAPA), and Haitian Education Action Leadership Network (HEAL) invite you to attend An Afternoon of Healing and Remembrance with families, students, staff, clergy, and members of the community. The event will feature artwork, poetry, and remembrances from Haitian students in the BPS.
Sunday, February 28, 2010, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Mildred Ave. Middle School Auditorium
5 Mildred Ave., Mattapan
City of Boston Haiti Relief Efforts
Mayor Thomas M. Menino is working with city departments and community leaders to coordinate Boston relief and response efforts to the disaster in Haiti. The city has created a website that has more information on these efforts, links to resources, and details on how you can help.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino has also established a Haitian Family Relief Fund at Bank of America where residents can make donations to support relief efforts for families in Boston who are affected by the earthquake. Donations can be made via The Fund for Boston Neighborhoods, Inc. Haitian Family Relief, P.O. Box 961555, Boston, 02196, at Boston City Hall or at Bank of America branches in Boston.
What Schools Are Doing to Help
- The Beethoven Elementary School recently raised $2,045 with a "Hats for Haiti" Day. Students who made a contribution to the Haiti relief fund were allowed to wear their favorite crazy hat on Friday.
- The Ohrenberger Elementary School raised $2,300 with a "No Uniform Day." Students who made a contribution were exempt from the school's uniform policy for a day.
- Community Academy of Science and Health (CASH) at the Hyde Park Education Complex held an event on Friday, January 29, 2010 to raise funds for the Haiti relief fund. Please see the attached flyer for details.
- The John F. Kennedy Elementary School raised $610 by holding a "Pajama Day." Students who contributed $1 or more got to wear their pajamas to school instead of their uniforms.
- During the week of January 19 -22, the Gardner Pilot Academy raised $3,012 for the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (AMHE). Teacher Kathleen Moise's father is a member of AMHE and will personally deliver the money, which will help purchase supplies and medicine.
- The three high schools at the South Boston Education Complex held a luncheon fundraiser on February 5. Please see the attached flyer for details.
- The O'Bryant School of Math & Science has launched a "Hope for Haiti" campaign. The school raised and donated $2,000 to Partners in Health, an organization they chose after reading Tracy Kidder's book Mountains Beyond Mountains, which chronicles the work of Partners in Health founder Paul Farmer in Haiti. The school will also create a "Helping Hands" bulletin board by providing members of the O’Bryant community with the opportunity -- for a $1.00 donation -- to write words of inspiration, hope and encouragement to the people of Haiti on construction paper hands, which will then be posted in the school's main hallway.
- The Bradley Elementary School raised $850 by holding a "Pajama Day" on February 5. Students who made a contribution to the Haiti Relief Fund were allowed to wear their pajamas to school.
- Second grade students at the Hernández K-8 School organized a bake sale at the school's Science Night last week, raising more than $800 to donate to the Haitian relief efforts.
- Twenty-two Madison Park High School students who participate in a training program at Wentworth Institute of Technology through the STRIVE program recently collected $222 dollars, which they donated to the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation. The STRIVE program provides pre-vocational, vocational and transitional services to students with disabilities.
- Students at the Sumner Elementary School have created a video, How an 8 Year Old Can Help Haiti, to help them raise funds for Partners in Health.
How an 8 Year Old Can Help Haiti from Sumner Elementary, Boston on Vimeo.
Does your school have something planned? Please email the Communications Office at communications@bostonpublicschools.org.
Message from Superintendent Carol R. Johnson to Staff
Friday, January 15, 2010
Dear BPS Staff,
Over the last few days, you have responded to a tragedy that took place thousands of miles away, but directly touched our homes and classrooms. So many of our students, and so many of you, have loved ones affected by Tuesday’s devastating earthquake in Haiti. Thank you for continuing to support our children, and each other, over these next difficult days and weeks. Please see the attached flyer from Mayor Menino with more information for the families of Boston.
Have a restful and safe Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Sincerely,
Carol R. Johnson
SuperintendentAdditional Links, Resources, and How You Can Help
Beginning this week and continuing through Saturday, February 13, 2010, the City of Boston's Referral and Support Center will continue to operate out of the Mattapan Public Library at 1350 Blue Hill Avenue at the following times:
Tuesdays: 2:00-7:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Saturdays 12:00-5:00 p.m.Attorneys and mental health counselors will continue to be available during these hours. Call (617) 593-0363 for more information.
Poster: Helping Boston's Neighbors
City of Boston's Haiti Relief Efforts
