The Lee Academy Pilot School

11/07: Family Council Meeting 6pm on Zoom.

11/10: No school: Veterans Day observed

11/14: School Preview 

11/13-11/17: School Book Fair

11/17: Parent Cafe in cafeteria B 3:30-4:30pm

11/22: Half Day  

11/23: No School: Thanksgiving Day 

11/24: No School

11/29: Vaccine Clinic 

Dear Parents and Students,

The Lee Academy Pilot School is excited to launch our “Importance of Attendance'' initiative for the year of 2023-2024. We are committed to ensuring every student at our school receives a high-quality education. Consistent attendance is a crucial component to academic success, so we are striving for each and every student across all grade levels to have a 94% attendance rate or higher this year. That is the equivalent of less than 10 absences for the year.   

Getting into the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever. It helps to:  

• make it easier to connect with friends and teachers.
• support learning 
• College, Career & Life readiness  

Throughout this initiative families will be receiving:

• Reminder messages regarding BPS attendance policy and the importance of attendance
• Monthly updates on your child's attendance 
• Classroom teachers will reach out when students are out.
• School staff may also reach out to support any barriers and/or challenges identified.

We are working to make our school environment a place where everyone can be safe, healthy and learning.  We will do our best to listen and partner with you so that our children have a successful year. Do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns.  

• Please make sure we have your correct email and the best phone numbers where we can reach you.
• Please call us if you need help with attendance or our Family Liaison Ms. Govi @ (617)635-8618. 

We understand “life” happens and would like to take this time and going forward to recognize your efforts. Providing the best education for students is a partnership between home and school and we can’t do this without you. Students will be awarded attendance awards in these categories:

• 94% or above = Great Attendance 
• 90% through 94%= Good Attendance 
• Improved Attendance 

Thank you, Parents/caregivers, for valuing your child’s education and making sure your child(ren) attends school every day and on time. We hope you find these updates helpful and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Principal Alexandre Chery 

Before School Program

Our wonderful paraprofessionals will continue to provide before-school services starting from 7:30 am-9:15 am. To Register for before school, please use this Google form. Staff will follow up with you soon after. 

After School Program

To enroll your child, please visit: 

https://www.discoverchampions.com/our-locations/dorchester/ma/002543 and click “Enroll Now”

If you are a family in need of a voucher, vouchers will be available through Child Care Choices of Boston: https://cccboston.org/. If you need assistance with filling out the forms, please contact Brianna at brianna.mireault@discoverchampions.com or at 603-809-5619.

Lee Academy Champions 2023-2024 School Year Weekly Tuition: 

Registration Fee:  $50 per child, $75 per Family 

Please note there is a change in our dismissal time. Dismissal is at 3:25 pm. 

Students must meet state laws and BPS requirements for school attendance. Excellent attendance and school success go hand in hand. Students who are chronically absent—missing 10% (18 days) or more of school days for any given time period—are more likely to fall behind in their classes and have difficulty staying on track academically over the long term. In addition, students with consistent attendance are more likely to show proficiency on MCAS and classwork and assignments.

Excused Absences 

Certain absences may be excused, meaning they will not be considered as it relates to a referral to truancy court by a Supervisor of Attendance under Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L. c.119). However, it is important to understand that all missed instructional time has the potential to negatively impact student outcomes. In addition, all absences are included as they relate to chronic absenteeism, regardless of whether the absence is excused or unexcused. For an absence to be excused, students must bring in a note after each day they are absent.

•  The note must include the date absent, the reason for the absence, a phone number where a parent or caregiver can be reached, and the parent or caregiver’s signature.
• The note must be provided upon returning to school, no later than seven school days after the absence.  

Excused absences may include: 

• An illness or injury that prevents the student from attending school.
  • • If the illness or hospitalization results in absence for three or more consecutive days, a note from a health care provider documenting the health problem or hospitalization should be attached to the parent/caregiver note.
  • • Parents/caregivers are not expected to have a note from a health care provider for an illness of fewer than three days. 
  • • These requirements may be adjusted based on specific public health guidance. Contact your school nurse regarding any questions or changes to this policy based on specific circumstances.

Alexandre Chery, Principal, achery@bostonpublicschools.org

Zoraida Camacho, Secretary zcamacho@bostonpublicschools.org 

Govi Tovar, Family Liaison, gtovar@bostonpublicschools.org

Marthe Jean-Jacques, Nurse, mjeanjacques2@bostonpublicschools.org

Maude Auroubgh, ABA Strand/Board Certified Behavioral Analyst, maubourg@bostonpublicschools.org

Jennifer Medeiros-Crabbe, School Psychologist, jmedeiros@bostonpublicschools.org

Jasmin Torrejon Chu, Student and Family Support Counselor, jtorrejonchu@bostonpublicschools.org

TBD, Coordinator of Special Education (COSE)

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. 

Sincerely, 

Alexandre Chery, Principal