The Senator

[ Celebrating]
Volume 11, Issue 3 Brooke Charter School · 190 Cummins Highway · Roslindale, MA · 02131 Spring, 2022

Ketanji Brown Jackson!

I am very inspired by you because I am a Black girl. You having a

job like this really makes me believe in myself. Also, it makes me
feel good about my skin color so I’m very glad that you made it. I
love you. Thank you for inspiring me! - Nohria Mason
Dear Ketanji Brown Jackson…
I am so glad that you are going to
be on the Supreme Court. Tell
Sonia that I said “hi.” If you are
wondering how I know Sonia it is
because I read books about her. I
watched a video of you giving a
speech. You were AMAZING! You
have to teach me how to do that.
You have an amazing personality.
When I grow up I want to be like
you. You inspire me for a lot of
things you’ve done. You should me
how I can do things in different
ways. Love, Nylah
You are so cool because you are
first! Firsts are cool because other
girls and Black people will have
you as a role model to be like you. I
wonder how you will feel in your
first case. I hope you will be happy
in your new job and be happy ever
after. – Edriel
I am happy that you are on the Su-
preme Court. How did you feel
when most Republican Senators
voted against you? How did you
feel when most Republican Sena-
tors v voted against you and only
three voted for you? Finally, how
did you feel when you became a
Supreme Court Justice? I hope you
felt good because it’s hard to be-
come one! Thank you, Abijah
You will be a great Supreme Court
Justice. I know you will be because
when you sit on that chair, you are
the boss. Even in missions you will
do great because when there is a
crime you’ll always be the hero and
be there. Also, you’ll get to make
laws of what’s fair and unfair. You
can make the law depending on
what’s happening in this world.
You are just like me with black
hair, black skin and talented and
amazing just like me. You inspired
me to be a great leader because of
your amazing focus. You showed
me what a leader should do and I
hope I can inspire people to be one
too. I wish you become the best
Supreme Court Justice for the
whole world to see how great a
judge you are to this world and the
people who live on our planet
called Earth. Sincerely, Divine
Congratulations on your nomina-
tion! I am so glad you are the first
Black woman to be a Supreme
Court Justice. Something we both
have in common is that we are
both Black. Something we don’t
have in common is that you’re
from Washington DC and grew up
in Miami, and my family is from
Haiti and I was born in Massachu-
setts. What is your favorite color or
your favorite animal? How do you
feel to be the first Black woman to
be nominated? I can’t wait to learn
from you. I wish you luck.
Sincerely, Giah
You are so amazing. You work so
hard. You are the first Black wom-
an on the Supreme Court. You are
one of my favorite people. Keep
working hard. I love hearing about
you. I might want to be like you
some day. You rock! From, Naomi
I’m happy for you because you are
the first Black woman on the Su-
preme Court. I’m happy for you
because you are brave. I’m happy
for you because you are very well
qualified for the Supreme Court.—
Jon
You are the best judge. You an-
swered a lot of questions and I’m
happy you are going to the Su-
preme Court! You will do a good
job. I know you can do it! I hope
you know that even if a white man
underestimated you, so many peo-
ple love you. Never give up, even
when you make a mistake. Mis-
takes aren’t bad. I congratulate you
for being the first Black woman to
go to the Supreme Court. I hop
eyou have success on your work
and everything will go well for you.
From, Ethan
I wish you lots of luck for the new
year and your first year in the Su-
preme Court! Congratulations for
being one of the girls to be in the
Supreme Court. I will be thankful
to see a Black woman in the SU-
PREME Court. Thanks to you for
making this world a better world.
Sincerely, Sophia
From the third graders in Ms.
Cashen’s class!
 These Brooke siblings discuss the best (and sometimes worst!) things about going to school with your family
Fernando and Fabian
We always feel happy when we see each
other. We always race each other to the
door in the morning. My brother can do
amazing stuff and I can do amazing stuff!
Jood and Joanne
We get to wave and hug each other! My sis-
ter is always having these hard tests and
she’s so intelligent! I want to be like her.
Elam, Abijah and Selah
We get to see each other at school so we
don’t always just have to talk at home. We
can say hi when we are eating! The only
bad thing is sometimes they play with me
when I want to play with my other friends.
But we always have fun.
Zendaya and Ashieke
I’m so excited that my sister comes and
checks on me. We get to hang out some-
times. My sister teaches me stuff and helps
me be smarter!
Zaire and Yuri
The best thing is hanging out at recess and
sometimes our classes do computers or
buddy reading together.
Alexa and Alexander
“Going to school with my sister is like hav-
ing someone to guide. Like I was with Ms.
Dixon and now she is.” “Yeah and the best
part is I can annoy him more and I can
come up to him and mess up his hair.” “My
hair is already messed up! The annoying
thing is that we look alike and every time I
go to the nurse she says ‘go get your face
back from your sister!’”
Jiovanni and Jeremiah
Sometimes I miss my brother. The best
thing is when I can play with him at school.
Sometimes he’s annoying, but I still like
going to school with him.
Keomi and Adrian
If I ever feel lonely at school I can see my
brother. I really can’t think of anything
bad about going to school together.
Jahai, Jasiri and Jasiah
The best thing is that I smile every time I
see them. I always say I love you when I
see them. There’s no bad things about go-
ing to school together. Wait, actually there
is—like if I see someone not being nice to
my brother that is hard for me.
Spring, 2022
Celebrating Our Differences!
By Paula Alvarez Miranda
Parent Involvement Council
On Friday, April 29th the Brooke Roslin-
dale Community wore red shirts to show
their support and acceptance of students,
teachers, and families with autism or neu-
rodiversity. This month and throughout the
school year in identity block, kids have
learned that autism and neurodivergence
are identities that we accept, respect, and
support. They've also learned how diverse
the autistic and neurodiverse communities
are and that no two people are alike. We
chose red to honor this community based
on the idea that we are beyond the aware-
ness that blue typically represents. Red is
the color that has been chosen by those
with autism as they work to lead the advo-
cacy and support of people with autism and
neurodiversity.
When you have a neurotypical child, you
feel reasonably assured that class participa-
tion and decent study habits will result in
good grades. These kids have close friends.
They get invited to participate in social
things like dances and weekend gatherings.
They make the teams, auditions, organiza-
tions and clubs. But when you have a child
with certain differences, this is often not
the case. Learning may take longer, both
academically and socially. Despite their tre-
mendous efforts, results are often a fraction
of their peers and social acceptance is fleet-
ing, setting them up for painful compari-
sons and bitter frustration. Instead of a fun
and fulfilling experience, school can be-
come a breeding ground for depression and
anxiety, and assignments a battle ground at
home. It is exhausting for parent and child
alike.
Page 3
This is the week of SPED (Special Educa-
tion), Autism, Dyslexia, and ADHD
(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
awareness.
For all the children who struggle every day
to succeed in a world that does not recog-
nize their gifts and talents, and for those
who are walking beside them, please let this
be a gentle reminder to be kind and accept-
ing of ALL people. Recognize that the
"playing field" is not always a level surface.
Children who learn differently are not
weird. They are merely gifted in ways that
our society does not value enough. Yet they
want what everyone else wants: To be ac-
cepted!!
If you choose, please share this infor-
mation with other people. Our world is a
beautiful place because of our differences.
Page 4 Spring, 2022

May Is For Prader-

Willi Awareness
By Madelyn Ruizdeporras
MAY is Prader-Willi Awareness
Month! My daughter, Jada Mar-
tinez, was born with this rare
genetic disorder and we are hop-
ing to create awareness! We
don’t want anything but for her
and all those with PWS to be
loved and accepted! The best
way to start is by getting in-
formed and learning about it.
Help us create awareness!
May is Prader-Willi Syndrome
Awareness Month! Republican
Congressman Ed Royce and
Democratic Congresswoman
Jane Harman co-sponsored the
original House Resolution
thanks to efforts by Amy Porter
(Aunt to Colorado’s young Abby
Porter who has PWS) and
Prader Willi California Founda-
tion members Tom and Renay
Compere (parents to California’s
William Compere) who brought
this important cause to their at-
tention. The House Resolution
passed in December 2009,
which then led to the Senate bill
being passed on May 27, 2010,
thereby establishing National
Prader-Willi Syndrome Aware-
ness Month.
One thing you don’t hear
enough of is that individuals
with Prader-Willi Syndrome are
the most amazing people you
will ever meet!

My Hair Is Magic!
All of the kindergarteners had
the opportunity to have a Zoom
call with M.L. Marroquin, the
author of the beautiful book My
Hair Is Magic. On the Zoom call,
Ms. Marroquin read her book to
us, then we had the chance to
ask her questions about being an
author. It was so inspiring! We
wrote her letters to say thank
you.
Dear M.L. Marroquin,
Thank you for reading us My
Hair Is Magic with us. Your pic-
tures and you made me wont to
write a book. You write so so so
nice and neat! Have a good day!
From, Alana Hermida.
Dear M.L. Marroquin,
Thank you for taking the time to
read My Hair Is Magic. I was so
excited I got so in the story. It
was beautiful and so nice. After
the book I wrote my own book.
Love, Sophia Joseph
Dear M.L. Marroquin,
I love about My Hair Is Magic
the pictures and the words.
Thank you for reading the book
for us. You make me happy so
much. You make my heart hap-
py. You are the best best best
ever. What is your daughter’s
name? And you make me happy.
Love you!
- Emyah Mitchell

Ms. Kapetyn welcomed her son, Jess Philip Kapetyn, on Thursday, May 5!
Spring, 2022
GET PUMPED UP!!!
On Monday, May 11 the 3-7th graders had a
community meeting in the gym to get pumped
up for the math MCAS the following day. Each
grade level performed a song to get fired up to
do their best! Here are the lyrics to the songs
they performed:
3rd grade: to the tune of Old Town Road
Yeahhh I'm gonna take this test, Ima do my best
and Ima tryyyyy till I cant no more. I'm gonna
take this test, Ima do my best and Ima tryyyyy
till I cant no more. I got the knowledge in the
back, pencil is attached. Practice matter fact,
teacher having a heart attackkkkk. Bout to take
this test -HA- need to get some rest. Cause I
been studying and the time has come again.
Cant nobody tell me nothinggggg, Ima ace this
mcasssssssss Cant nobody tell me nothinggggg,
Ima ace this mcasssssssss
4th grade: to the tune of All We Do Is Win
All we do is win, win, win no matter what
(What) Got MCAS on my mind, I ain't neva giv-
ing up And every time we step up in this build-
ing Everybody pencils go up And we get A's and
we get A's And we get A's, that's right, that’s
Lesley, Illinois and Indiana scholars continue to explore the Roslindale community. Most recently they navigated using maps down to
the Roslindale 53 Fire Station. They met the firefighters that keep our community safe. Students were able to try on fire fighter jackets,
see how tall the ladder goes (103 feet), use the camera that helps firefighters find people in fires and learn about fire safety.
right, thats right 'Cause all we do is win (Win),
win (Win), win And if you ADVANCED put your
hands in the air, make 'em stay there
5th grade: to the tune of Welcome to the Party
Baby welcome to the MCAS, I got my paper, my
test and pencil baby Im going to pass it, YEAH
Baby welcome to the MCAS, I got my paper, my
test, and pencil baby Im going to pass it, YEAH
Man, IMA PASS, GET ME LIT! MCAS IS HERE,
I'M READY TO ACE IT, AND GET ADVANCED,
Teachersssss, teachers don't trip, I'll stay awake,
and get to the end
6th grade: to the tune of What’s Poppin
Whats Poppin, Yeah MCAS is starting I got op-
tions, I will pass this test I got it Just joshin, I'll
spend this MCAS locked in My body is waiting
for the test day Test-taking in the top ten
7th grade: to the tune of Stronger
Read it, Write it, check it Makes us better,
smarter, faster, stronger M-M-MCAS WON'T
KILL ME, IT'LL ONLY MAKE ME SMARTER
Test day needs to hurry up now Cause we can't
wait much longer I know Im ready for this now
Cause I've had 4 years of testing Man, I've been
Page 5
waiting all year now To use my skills on MCAS!
Read it, write it, check it, Makes us better,
smarter, faster, stronger I'm Ready to Pass My
MCAS
Admin: to the tune of Soulja Boy
YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU We're here to tell ya,
Yeah, we have a great chant for yall and it's
about the MCAS YOOUUUUUUUUUUUUU
MCAS startin in one week Watch yall kill it,
watch yall pass Watch yall use your strategies-
ssssss And pass it with advanceddd,
youuuuuuu'll, PASS THAT MCAS,
YOUUUUUU'LL PASS THAT MCAS
YOUUUUUU'LLL PASS THAT MCAS!
YOUUUUUU'LLL PASS THAT MCAS!
Co-Curriculars: to the tune of Bodak Yellow
See, MCAS you cant mess with me if you wanted
to I'm smart, I know my strategies, I'm real
comfortable I come to school well rested and I
eat my breakfast too I'm ready to pass this
MCAS, and I know my crew is too! I dance and I
make these MCAS moves, But I don't gotta
dance, I still PASS MCAS TOO!
Page 6 Spring, 2022

A special delivery from the

dragon
wagon
Throughout May and June, Lesley and Illinois scholars are running a teacher snack delivery service. The students are responsible for
filling the orders, decorating the delivery bags, writing down the teacher's name, and delivering them to the correct classroom. They
will also be learning about money management during this project. Teachers and staff place their weekly orders, then excited wait for
the special delivery. Everyone has been loving their chips, drinks, cookies, bars, and visits from their Dragon Wagon friends!

Celebrating Haitian Flag Day!

 FIELD TRIPS!
First graders study water at the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum.

Third graders study history at Harvard Museum of Natural History.

Kindergarteners spend a beautiful day at Ward’s Berry Farm.

Seventh graders spend an unforgettable overnight in the mountains.

 Celebrating Asian American
Pacific Islander Heritage Month

B b A s a mo a j qa t a r Vv P t A n C e I m b g
A s r I l a n k a a s i a l I O h A Z A A I R Y S U
n n g l R a d e s h b r un e i I h E R m e A A D A
g t h I t A i w a n i m a t t g L I R m B t Qn n m
L Wa s i s q e a r c h D A n E I t B E O U f m P W
A m i c r o n e s i a I e h A OP I A n D VR A A A
Do r d s h O n g K On g I m R P t I I I A K R P L
E s o u t h k o r e a t Wt l g I h J A A L I B U L
S I m a l a y s i a n e h i L I n E A g R UR U A I
h a s v s i n g a p o r e c J a E f n j i g I R n S
B h a c CC h I n A h o p e A A SC I Z n a B m E f
A o v i d i t h a i l a n dUn p o E J s Y A a WU
h t l a o s f d a r m e n i a t r A E t i r t K g t
R I D n b v a n ua t uy L p qm e n D g f i L U U
A n S E p a l a u k f S I n D On E S I a v x C I n
I D S P g n o r t h k o r e a r h a wa i i d d n A
n I OA v c s d Vn a ur ub a r t o n g a a m E W
g a n l s o l o mo n i s l a n d s a c k c A A P i

find the countries these flags represent in the word search!

 Spring, 2022 Page 9

Dexter shares the Korean flag and his favorite Koren foods, which he wrote in English and Korean.

Nicky and Alana Hermida celebrated the Thai New Year at the Songkran Festival on April 24.

Jeremy Tang Camille Halloran Sam Luu

My favorite thing about being Vietnamese and I do a Phillipine dance called Tinikling. It’s like My favorite thing about being Vietnamese is
Chinese are the different foods. My dad makes you hop and do a dance. There’s a pattern that when my whole big family visits together. We
really good fried rice. On Chinese New Year we goes in-in-out in-in-out. There are 4 levels: speak Vietnamese. We cook really good food.
give red envelopes with money. We used to go basic, cross over, chase and double. I do the My mom, dad, grandma and aunt cook dump-
to temple before the pandemic and I made some cross over! lings, ramen soup, spicy noodles and pho.
friends there.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCES!
How many differences can you find between these two pictures?
Spring, 2022 Page 11

Ricardo and his team won March Madness with the Nicky and Alana love to play soccer! Luis practices scaling the climbing wall at the
Junior Celtics at his local YMCA! trampoline park.

Janella with her mom and sister at an event called Ron Burton Training Village. We went to Downtown Janella singing with her church choir on
Boston to meet a volunteered runner who was running for Ron Burton in the 2022 Marathon. Easter Sunday.

The PMC first graders visited the library as part of their biography unit. Josué and Isabel visited the beach in Harwick, Cape Cod.
 Brooke Charter School · 190 Cummins Highway · Roslindale, MA · 02131

Working Together
To Make The World
[ Better ]

Skidmore first graders work together to get a 40 foot plot at the Healy Field Community Garden ready for planting. Classes in all grades
took turns throughout the spring working on the garden. Together they prepared the land, planted the seeds and tended to the growing
plants. The Brooke Farmers are planning to grow the vegetables to enjoy together and donate to the Roslindale Community Fridge.
St. Edwards first graders
are currently hosting a coin
drive to raise money for Health
Starts At Home. Health Starts at
Home brings together housing
and health-care organizations to
help support people who are un-
housed in Boston and helps to
decrease health case costs.
“Did you know that healthcare
costs too much?” said Xee Jones.
“The problem is that people will
be sick if they don’t have money.
The solution is that we will give
money to Health Starts at
Home.”
You don’t need to give a lot, but
if everyone donates a little it can
make a big impact.
“Can you please donate? We
need you to donate because peo-
ple are sick and need homes,”
said Elwad Dirir.
“The problem is people have no
money for medicine,” said Sam-
uel Osezele. “The solution is
Health Starts at Home helps
lower down the price. How you
can donate is to ask your family
if they have any coins. Then, you
can bring them to St. Edward’s.”

You can donate to the St. Ed-

wards coin drive until June 10!