This handbook has been prepared to help students and families become familiar with our school - Josiah Quincy Elementary School (JQES). Inside, you will find important information about daily routines, school expectations, student responsibilities, and the many opportunities available to your child. While teachers and the whole school will communicate the information hereof to students on multiple occasions, we encourage families to read this handbook together at home and discuss its contents.

At JQES, our dedicated staff is committed to providing every child with the best possible learning experience. We believe that when families, students, and educators work together, great things can be achieved. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the school year and make this year positive, fun, and full of growth for everyone!

Together, we do great things!

Thank you,

Josiah Quincy Elementary School

School Introduction

We are excited to have you as part of our school community! This handbook is here to help you understand what to expect at JQES, how to be successful, and how we can all work together to make our school a safe, fun, and respectful place to learn.

FIRE Values

F: Focus:

I: Integrity

R: Respect

E: Empathy

At JQES, we live by our F.I.R.E. Values: - Focus – Pay attention, try your best, and stay on task. - Integrity – Be honest and do the right thing, even when no one is watching. - Respect – Treat yourself, others, and our school with kindness. - Empathy – Understand how others feel and show compassion.

These values guide everything we do at school.

Mission

We seek to provide a welcoming environment that fosters a lifelong love of learning where everyone can practice being curious, resourceful, and responsible global citizens.

Vision

Our vision is to prepare our students to be contributing global citizens.

General Overview

The Josiah Quincy Elementary School, whose history of educating the children in Boston goes back to the mid-1800's, is ranked consistently among the top public schools in Massachusetts.

Location: 885 Washington St., Boston, MA, 02111.
School Hours: 9:30 am-4:10 pm, Monday - Friday.
Arrival time: 9:15 am.
K0-5 School, Guaranteed Pathway to Upper School (Grades 6-12).
Programs offered: General Education, Inclusion-General Education, Early Intervention (K0/K1), Inclusion- SEI Chinese, Learning Disability, Multiple Disabilities, and SEI Chinese Language Specific.
Facilities include the school library, newly renovated auditorium, Cooking on-site cafeteria, full-sized gymnasium, pool, and outdoor learning space.
School Website and social media:

www.JQES.org; Facebook, X Instagram

Administration and Staff Teams

School Administration

Principal: Cynthia Soo Hoo csoohoo@bostonpublicschools.org

Assistant Principal: Michael McCarthy mmccarthy@bostonpublicschools.org

Assistant Principal: Wai Chin Ng wng@bostonpublicschools.org

Student Success and Family Engagement

Family Liaison

Wenxin Zhang: wzhang@bostonpublicschools.org

Social Worker

Shanice Pullen: spullen@bostonpublicschools.org

Jasmin Sealy Norvin: jsealynorvin2@bostonpublicschools.org

Partnership Coordinator

Shea O’Brien: sobrien5@bostonpublicschools.org

School Psychologist

Eric Wong: ewong2@bostonpublicschools.org

School Secretary

Zhong Qiong Ruan: zruan@bostonpublicschools.org

Shea O’Brien: sobrien5@bostonpublicschools.org

School Nurses

Katie Matherne: kmatherne@bostonpublicschools.org

Brianna Davenport: bdavenport@bostonpublicschools.org

Betty Medrano: bmedranofamilia@bostonublicschools.org

Tiffany Cucinotta: tcucinotta@bostonpublicschools.org

A complete staff and faculty directory can be found HERE

Arrival, Dismissal and Early Release Dismissal

Arrival for all students is at 9:15am

Walkers:

Grades	K0-K1	K2	Grades 1 & 2	Grade 3	Grades 4 & 5
Time	9:15AM	9:15AM	9:15AM	9:15AM	9:15AM
Locations	Washington St. and Oak St.: Caregivers will gather outside of the glass doors.	Washington St. and Oak St.: Caregivers will gather outside of the glass doors.	Oak and Shawmut St Upper Playground	Oak and Shawmut St Lower Playground	Oak and Shawmut St Lower Playground

*Caregivers will be allowed on the playground for the first two days of school only

Bus Students:

Students will be dropped off on Marginal Road and staff will accept each bus and escort them to the playground.
*Only the Multiple Disabilities classrooms bus students will be dropped off on Washington Street.

Student Arrival after 9:30: Caregivers will escort students through the school entry doors on the corner of Washington and Oak Street and follow the red brick hallway to our school entry door. Please ring the bell on the right side of our school entry door and wait to be buzzed into the office.

Dismissal is staggered based on Grade level. See below for dismissal times.

Walkers/After School Program:

Grades	K0-K1	K2	Grades 1 & 2	Grade 3	Grades 4 & 5
Time	3:45PM	3:45PM	3:55PM	4:00PM	4:05PM
Location	Washington St. and Oak St.: caregivers will gather outside of the glass doors.	Oak and Shawmut St Lower Playground	Oak and Shawmut St Lower Playground	Oak and Shawmut St Lower Playground	Oak and Shawmut St Lower Playground

*Families should leave the school grounds immediately after receiving their children if possible in order to alleviate the crowding.

Bus students: Bus students will be dismissed from the cafeteria . Staff members will be assigned to each pod to escort students to the cafeteria, and the staff members will stay to assist Mr. Ng until the teachers assigned to bus duty arrive.

Early Dismissal before 3:30pm

The caregiver will enter the door on the corner of Washington Street and Oak Street, walk down the hall to the school entrance and ring the bell on the right hand side of the door. The Office Staff will buzz you into the school.

*Caregivers should notify classroom teachers, preferably in writing, if they need to pick up their student early on a particular day.

*Students cannot be dismissed after 3:30, as we will be beginning our regular school dismissal.

Early Release Dismissal Schedule SY 2025-2026

November 26, 2025
February 3, 2026
March 3, 2026
June 18, 2026
June 22, 2026

Early Release Dismissal Schedule (Day before Thanksgiving and Day 179 and Day 180)
Grade	K0-K1	K2	Grade 1&2	Grade 3	Grade 4&5
Time	1:25pm	1:25pm	1:35pm	1:35pm	1:40pm
Location	Washington St. and Oak St.: Caregivers will gather outside of the glass doors.	Oak and Shawmut St Lower Playground	Oak and Shawmut St Lower Playground	Oak and Shawmut St Lower Playground	Oak and Shawmut St Lower Playground

*Shawmut and Oak Street (Playground) Entrance

*Washington and Oak Street Entrance

Learning at JQES

JQES has been an accredited IB World School since September 2022. We are the first Boston Public Elementary School to have an accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program; with a guaranteed pathway to the Josiah Quincy Upper School, another IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high quality programmes of international education that share a powerful vision.

International Baccalaureate PYP: https://www.ibo.org

Student-centered framework for learning
Thematic units of study
Transdisciplinary skills
Local and global inquiries
Agency, collaboration, action
Fully accredited as of Sept. 2022
Contact: Matthew Lydon (mlydon4@bostonpublicschools.org), IB Program Coordinator

Quality Tier 1 Level School
K-12 Pathway: Guaranteed assignment to Grade 6 at Josiah Quincy Upper School.

Mathematics

Building Blocks in K1; Illustrative Math in K2 - Gr. 5.
Number Talks
Math games and activities that enhance students’ conceptual understanding

Social Studies

BPS Social Studies/History Guidance and Resources
Social Studies interactive notebook/folder for each child
Heritage month celebrations (Hispanic, Black History, Asian Pacific Islander)

Science

BPS Science Guidance and Resources * Scope and Sequence*
“E”inc Environmental Science & Conservation (Partner)

Sample Daily Schedule

*Please see below for the School Daily Schedule for Kindergarten and the Sample Classroom Schedule.

JQES Daily Schedule	Full -Day Schedule	Early-Release Schedule
Arrival Time	9:15-9:35	9:15-9:35
Period 1	9:35-10:20	9:40-10:05
Period 2	10:25-11:10	10:10-10:35
Period 3	11:15-12:00	10:40-11:05
Period 4 (1st Lunch)	12:05-12:50 (1st Lunch)	11:10-11:35 (Gr1 & Gr3 Lunch)
Period 5 (2nd Lunch)	12:55-1:40 (2nd Lunch)	11:40-12:05 (Gr2 & Gr4 Lunch)
Period 6 (3rd Lunch)	1:45-2:30 (3rd Lunch)	12:10-12:35 (K2 & Gr5 Lunch)
Period 7	2:35-3:15	12:40-1:05
Period 8	3:20-4:00	1:10 -1:35
Kindergarten Dismissal	3:45	1:25
Dismissal	3:55-4:10	1:35 (Grades 1-3) 1:40 (Grades 4 & 5)
PM Duties	4:00-4:25	1:40-1:55

Grading Policy

Grading for kindergarten through fifth grade is explained on the report card and reflects a student’s overall performance in each subject area. If you have specific questions about grading procedures, please contact the classroom teacher.

Report Cards

Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter. Caregivers are asked to sign the report card envelope and return it to the child’s teacher. Report cards reflect student performance in the classroom, including independent practice, chapter/unit tests, and homework.

Caregiver/teacher conferences are held twice a year to review report card information and assessment data. Families who wish to communicate with a teacher more frequently are encouraged to contact the teacher directly via ParenSquare or email, or call the school to schedule an appointment.

Report Card Schedule

EXCEPTIONS: • Kindergarten students do not receive a Fall report card.

Homework

Students in Grades 1–5 should expect 20–40 minutes of homework each day. Families will receive clear communication about the grade-level homework policy and weekly schedule. To support organization, all homework assignments, quizzes, tests, and special events must be recorded in the Student Agenda Book.

Dress Code

Students are required to wear comfortable clothing suitable for the school’s professional classroom setting. Families should anticipate the need to dress students in layers even in the warmer weather, as the school has an excellent Air Conditioning system that keeps the school quite cool. In cold weather, please provide warm clothing such as jackets, snow pants, boots, hats, and gloves. If you have any questions in regard to our dress code policy, please reach out to Mr. McCarthy.

Code of Conduct

District-wide policies for student behavior are detailed in the Boston Public Schools Code of Conduct. The BPS Code of Conduct can be found in this link: BPS Code of Conduct, or scan the QR Code to review.

At Josiah Quincy Elementary School, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment. Guided by our F.I.R.E. Core Values, namely Focus, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy, these expectations set the foundation for positive behavior and academic success.

Aligned with PBIS and the IB Learner Profile, this JQES school-based rules and core values information provides clear guidelines and consistent tiered supports for students. A School-wide Conduct plan is an organized, data-driven system of interventions, strategies and supports that positively impact school-wide and individualized behavior planning. A systematic approach to discipline enhances learning outcomes for all students, which can be found at this link: JQES School-Based Rules and Core Values Information.

Attendance

Legal Requirement for Attendance

Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 76, Section 2, caregivers must ensure children attend school regularly – defined as no more than seven absences in any six-month period. Because consistent attendance is critical to academic success and MCAS performance, chronic absenteeism may result in academic penalties and referral to the attendance supervisor for possible legal action.

Importance of Attendance

Regular, timely attendance is essential for academic success and future achievement. Students who attend consistently are more likely to read at grade level, earn passing grades, and graduate on time. Because class activities build on one another, absences cannot be fully replaced by make-up work. Attendance also fosters habits of responsibility vital to personal and professional success. At JQES, attendance is a key factor in determining student grades. We ask families to partner with us in ensuring daily, on-time attendance, as absences create hardships for both students and teachers.

Guidelines on attendance can also be found at Boston Public Schools’ School Attendance

*Please use the “Home Health Checklist” (You can scan the QR Code to view) as a reference everyday before your students are going to school.

We understand that if your child needs to take an absence, please see the protocol below to inform us.

Notify your student’s homeroom teacher by using emails or ParentSquare Message at least 24 hours before unless there is an emergency.
Call the school office at 617-635-8497 and leave your student’s name, Homeroom Number, Teachers’ name and reason(s) with the school secretary.
Please submit your eligible support documents (e.g. doctor’s note) to your homeroom teacher via hardcopy or email for excused absences.*
Your homeroom teacher will mark the student (un)excused absence
Students who arrive after the beginning of the day must follow the school’s tardy procedures in order to be considered present for the day.

*Unexcused/Excused Absences: In the case of repetitive and chronic absences due to illness and injury, the caregiver must submit a letter from the health care provider for an absence to be excused.

Excused absences

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 for the caregiver, and the caregiver's signature. Students may make up work they missed during excused absences.

Excused absences may include:

an illness or injury that prevents the student from attending school. The illness or injury must be verified by a healthcare provider, school nurse, or caregiver.
a death in the immediate family (parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin; please provide a copy of the funeral program) or other significant personal or family crisis
court appearances
medical or psychological tests during the school day. The caregiver must show evidence (such as a note from the health center) that the tests could not be scheduled after school.
religious holiday(s)
visits to special education schools in some cases for students with disabilities.
other extraordinary situations approved by the Governing Board.

Unexcused Absences

Some caregivers think that any absence will be excused as long as the caregiver sends a note. This is not true. Here are a few examples of unexcused absences - even if the caregiver sends a note:

repetitive and chronic absence due to illness or injury. In these cases, for the absence to be excused, the caregiver must submit a letter from a health care provider verifying that the student was too sick or injured to go to school.
the student needed to babysit
cutting class
family vacation
trip to the homeland
extension of a religious or cultural holiday beyond the designated day or days on the school calendar.

Absence Interventions by the School

Unexcused Absence 1-3 (teachers will contact the family to ensure the student is in school)
Unexcused Absence 4-7 (Plan will be developed to ensure the student is in school. Action plan includes filing a 51A with the Department of Children and family as well as Student Support Team)
Unexcused Absence 8 (Case can be referred to the Boston District Court).

*A student must attend school for at least a half-day which is 3 hours in elementary school to be marked “present.” Please refer to the BPS Attendance Website for more information (scan the QR Code to review): https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/Page/8291

Cell Phones and Electric Devices

Personal cell phones, smartwatches, iPads, electronic devices, and toys should not be used in school. If teachers see or hear these objects, they will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day. Teachers may store the objects themselves or bring them to the office for safekeeping. Students may have cell phones in their possession, but they should not be seen or heard.

Cell phones may be used to contact families in the cafeteria during Bus Dismissal from 4:10 until 4:20 if necessary, and can be used on the school buses for safety reasons. Families should not try to contact their children via personal student cell phones, please call the office and we will get a message to the student very quickly.

Before school hours, inside or outside the school building
After school hours, inside or outside the school building
During after-school or athletic activities, with the permission of the coach, instructor, or program director
During evening or weekend activities inside the school building

Cell phone use for any purpose – including calls, text messaging, or other functions – is prohibited at all other times on school grounds. During the school day, cell phones must remain out of sight and completely powered off (not on silent or vibrate mode).

Note: Caregivers are expected to refrain from using personal cell phones while in classrooms, hallways, the office, and during all school events.

Please see Superintendent Circular SUP-9 for additional details regarding personal phone use and the consequences of violating the phone policy.

Food and Drink

Students are not permitted to share food under any circumstances.

Class parties (e.g., birthdays, holidays) may be held for special occasions with prior approval from Principal Soo Hoo and the school nurses, as coordinated by the classroom teacher. These celebrations must not involve shared food.

Students in Grades 1-5 will have access to eat breakfast from 9:15 until 9:30 if they need it. All kindergarten students will eat breakfast in the cafeteria.

School Breakfast & Lunch Menu

JQES provides free breakfast and lunch to all students. Daily meal menus can be found on the Linq Connect website. Food is cooked on site at JQES daily.

A menu sample is as follows:

Medication Policy

Please review the checklist below and check each item to ensure that you have read and understand each statement.

Caregiver Medication Checklists

English/Chinese version can be found [Here]

For All Medications, please Ensure:

Current Physical Exam given to school nurses
Medication must be given directly from caregiver to school nurse

(medications can not be given to students or teachers for delivery)

Prescribed medications must have pharmacy label
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications must be in original container
Nurses can only accept up to a 30 day supply of medication

All Medications (prescribed & over-the-counter) and Treatments (ex: g-tube feedings)

Provider Order Required

Signed by health care provider
Signed by caregiver

Asthma Inhalers

Asthma Action Plan

Signed by health care provider
Signed by caregiver

Epi-Pens

Allergy Action Plan
Signed by health care provider
Signed by caregiver

Seizure Medication

Seizure Action Plan
Signed by health care provider
Signed by caregiver

If your child requires prescription medication during the school day, caregivers must contact the nurse directly. All prescription medications must:

Be provided in the original prescription package,
Be accompanied by a signed authorization form from both the caregiver and the physician

The nurse can assist with this process, including faxing the physician for their signature.

Note: School nurses do not administer over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

School Nurses’ Office

Office: 617-635-6882

Office Hours: 9:30am-4pm

Caregivers can always email the nurses with any questions, concerns, or requests, and the team will answer in one business day. Please contact your primary care provider with any urgent medical questions at home.

JQES Nursing Information Website (Scan the QR code to view) https://sites.google.com/bostonpublicschools.org/jqes-virtual-nursing-office/home

Visitor Policy (including guests, volunteers, and programs)

Caregivers must have an appointment registered with the main office in order to enter our school building. Teachers should inform our school secretary Ms. Ruan if a conference is scheduled between teachers and caregivers. Ms. Ruan will create a daily list of scheduled meetings, if the caregiver’s name is not on the list, they will not be able to enter the building. Please see Bps School Visitor Guidelines for more information.

Partners: All in person partners and volunteers must follow all guidelines in place while in the building for the SY 25-26. Partnerships include but are not limited to; student teachers, tutors, in classroom enrichment programs, mentors. The program director will submit a request to enter the building that states they will adhere to the policies and procedures set forth by JQES and the BPS district. Partners must provide direct services (tutoring, counseling, one on one/small group work) with students to enter the building. Each staff/volunteer from the programs will be required to sign in and out via Google form monitored by Ms. Quinn and Ms. Shea

End of Year Celebration

5th Grade Promotion

The Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony celebrates our JQES students’ hard work and growth as they transition to Grade 6 at JQUS and other schools. This milestone honors students’ identities and diverse talents, strengthens their sense of belonging, and highlights the partnership among families, educators, and receiving schools. The specific date and expectations will be communicated to families in early June 2026.

End of Year Celebration

At the end of the school year, we celebrate our students’ incredible achievements and growth! Families and friends are invited to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with face painting, Knucklebones playspace, caricatures, all-beef hotdogs, cultural kitchen tastings, and sweet ice cream treats from BPD. This joyful event is our way of honoring our students and closing the year with community, laughter, and celebration. Families will receive the specific date and detailed information in early June 2026.

JQES School-Based Partnerships

JQES is proud to partner with a plethora of partners to ensure the holistic development of every student. For more information, please contact Ms. Shea O’Brien (sobrien5@bostonpublicschools.org)

Big Brother & Big Sister Boston

Big Brother Big Sister and Big Sister Boston provide school-based mentorship opportunities for our students in 2nd-5th grade. Bigs visit students one time a week during their lunch and recess time. Students will play games, make art, build legos with their Big. New mentorship matches are made with students in 2nd-4th grade and can continue even after their time at JQES. At the end of the day, it's really all about starting a friendship, providing guidance and inspiring them to reach their potential.

Boston Partners in Education

By creating supportive relationships between students and volunteer mentors, Boston Partners in Education ensures a more equitable city where every BPS student is equipped with the skills, opportunity, and confidence to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Tutors/mentors work with students who have been nominated by family or teachers. Mentors work with students individually, small groups, classroom support, or online in virtual tutoring.

“e” inc

“e” inc is devoted to bringing exciting and dynamic science sessions to children and teens. Their mission is to have young people become fascinated by the beings, biomes, resources, and systems of the planet. Students in 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade participate in lessons provided by “e” inc once a week over an eight-week curriculum. By using experiments, observations, games, artwork, field work, green mapping, and more, the “e” inc science educators make important new ideas come alive.

Science from Scientists

Science from Scientists provides lessons for our third grade classrooms once a week throughout the school year. They specialize in hands-on, minds-on STEM learning for 3rd- through 8th-graders, with the goal to measurably improve the attitudes and aptitudes of students in STEM.

Tufts Dental Clinic

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) has been a community partner with the Josiah Quincy Elemental School JQES since 1996. TUSDM provides all students with preventative dental care at the JQES school in our very own dental clinic in room 302. In the 2022-23 school year, 187 students from JQES consented to the care and received free screenings/exams, dental cleanings, fluoride varnish, dental sealants and oral hygiene education.

Urban Improv

Urban Improv provides in-school theater-based Social-Emotional Learning education at no cost to students. Over a 9-week curriculum, Urban Improv works with our fourth and fifth grade students once a week in exploring themes like community, friendship, fairness, self-esteem, family diversity, peer pressure, healthy relationships, racism, systemic oppression, bystander issues, sexism, gender identity/self-expression — and more.

2025-26 After school & Before school Programs (School-Based)

*All programs either take place at JQES or provide transportation (supervised walking or bus to program site)*

*After school programs are licensed to enroll students beginning at 5 years of age*

Before & After School Programs list can be found in this LINK or the QR

These programs provide drop-off and pick-up for students to and from our school. If you are interested in any of these programs, please connect with the appropriate contact listed for each program or with our Partnership coordinator Shea O’Brien: (sobrien5@bostonpublicschools.org).

ACCESS (American Chinese Christian Educational & Social Services INC)

244 Harrison Ave., Boston MA 02111
Contact: Annie Tran, ep@chinatownaccess.org, 617-426-1070, https://www.chinatownaccess.org/

BCYF Quincy Community Center (various enrichment activities throughout the school year/in JQES building)

* Note: These are NOT continual after school programming; options change; roughly once-a-week activities for 8-10 weeks each season *

* Note: They do NOT provide pick-up services after school. Caregivers are responsible for picking up their child(ren) at dismissal time, and bringing them to the BCYF Front Desk for check-in.

o BCYF- 885 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111 *enter at Oak & Washington

o Contact: Helen Wong, helen.wong@boston.gov, 617-635-5130, https://www.boston.gov/departments/boston-centers-youth-families/bcyf-quincy

Castle Square Tenants Organization/ Square Roots Youth Education Program

**minimum age is 6 years old**

476 Tremont St., Boston MA 02111
Contact: Stephanie Mei, stephaniemei@cstoboston.org, (617)-482-4605 ext.107, http://www.cstoboston.org/square-roots

Chung Wah Academy Afterschool program *programming takes place in JQES*

90 Tyler St., Room #314 Boston MA 02111
Contact: chungwahacademyne@gmail.com 617-728-0089, www.cwane.org

IDIIL Learning center (primarily academic focus)

366 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Contact: Steve Li, steveli@idiil.org, 617-795-0256 or 617-426-4128, www.idiil.com

Kwong Kow Chinese School

87 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111
Contact: kwongkow@gmail.com, 617-426-6716 or 617-678-3210, https://www.kwongkowschool.org/

Little Panda Childcare Center *programming available for students under 7 yrs*

285 Tremont, Boston, MA 02116
Enrollment form: http://littlepandachildcare.com/Chinatown_Enrollment_Form.pdf
Contact: Cindy 617-304-3201 (direct line) or Main Office line 617-423-0500, littlepandacenter@hotmail.com

Red Oak after School program

38 Ash Street, Boston, MA 02111
Contact: Yuet Lee, 617-249-2995 x1067, yuet.lee@bcnc.net

United South End Settlements

South End Location: 36 & 48 Rutland St, Boston MA 02118
Harriet Tubman House Location: 566 Columbus Ave. Boston MA 02118
Contact: Karen Liberatore, Director of Program Administration, at kliberatore@uses.org or (617) 375-8173.

Wang YMCA of Chinatown

8 Oak St West, Boston, MA 02111
Contact: Jen Kelly, jkelly@ymcaboston.org, 617-426-2237, www.ymcaboston.org/wang

Before School Programming Opportunities

Boston Music Project (previously Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program)

JQES-885 Washington St Boston MA 02111/Virtual
Contact: Andy Kucenski: programs@bostonmusicproject.org
K1-5th grade

Wang YMCA of Chinatown

8 Oak St West, Boston, MA 02111
Contact: Jen Kelly, jkelly@ymcaboston.org, 617-426-2237, www.ymcaboston.org/wang

Extracurricular Resources

After School Tutoring Opportunities (Not School-based)

*These are not after school programs but after school homework support. They do not provide transportation. Varies for in person and virtual program*

Boston Public Library Homework Assistance program

Phone: 617-859-2198
Web: https://www.bpl.org/homework/
Programs offered:

In person or online homework help
Days and times vary based on Library branch location

A Helping Elbow- Helping Tutor Program

Virtual learning support for students in grades 1-5
Email: ahelpingelbowtutoring@gmail.com
Phone Number: (617) 903 - 0342
Link to register your student:

826 Boston

3035 Washington St, Roxbury, MA 02119

Phone: Melina at 617.858.1158
Email: edwin@826boston.org; leah@826boston.org
Web: 826 Boston | After-School Writing and Tutoring Program
Programs Offered:

Afterschool writing and tutoring program
Evening tutoring, Writing Workshops (during school vacations), college prep (Programs are free; registration required)
In person or remote

ASC English A+ Program

65 Harrison Ave (6th Floor), Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-603-9001
Website: http://www.aplusprogram.com/tutoring/
Programs offered: Support in math, English and one on one tutoring

Parliament Tutoring

700 Boylston St Boston MA 02116

Phone: (617) 860-2012

Website: https://www.parliamenttutors.com/academic-tutoring/k8/elementary/grammar-tutoring

St. Stephen’s Youth Programs

B-READY afterschool program

419 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Phone: (617) 262-9070

Email: info@ststephensbos.org

Sylvan Learning Center

*Multiple locations in Boston

Website: https://www.sylvanlearning.com/recommendation/academic-coaching?mindset=needs%20practice&subject=math

Phone: 888-338-2283

Huntington Learning Center

*Multiple Locations in Boston

Website: https://huntingtonhelps.com/

Phone: 1-800-CAN-LEARN

Math Motivators

*Free virtual math tutoring for students 3rd grade and up

Contact: nationalvtc@actfnd.org

Family Engagement Opportunities

School Community Council (SCC)

*SCC Website: https://www.jqes.org/scc

Every caregiver of a JQES student is a member of the School Community Council (SCC). The SCC Executive Committee is an elected group of members who act as the "voice" of ALL the caregivers in the school community. The SCC works to enrich the JQES community by planning fun events for students and families! They also work to recognize the teachers, staff, and leadership for the tireless effort they continue to put in on behalf of our community.

The JQES School Community Council raises money for events such as:

*Teacher/Staff Appreciation Day Breakfast and Gifts each May

*Childcare and food/refreshments for in-person SCC meetings

*Holiday events for students and families

School Site Council (SSC)

*SSC Website: https://www.jqes.org/ssc

The School Site Council is the governing body of the school which develops and approves school policies. Policies include the school budget, SSC by-laws, Home-School Compact, hiring of staff, etc. The JQES School Site Council is composed of (6) caregiver members and (6) faculty members ((5) BTU representatives, plus the Principal) to discuss long term vision and strategies for our school.

District Resources

BPS Calendar SY 2025-2026

Please scan the QR code for more information from BPS Website.

District Handbook

A comprehensive guideline at the district level can be found at this link: District Handbook

BPS Code of Conduct: A comprehensive guidance on Code of Conduct can be found at this link: BPS Code of Conduct

Student Rights and Responsibilities: District guidelines on Student Rights and Responsibilities can be found at this link: Student Rights and Responsibilities.

BPS Wellness Policy: Information on Wellness Policy can be found at this link HWD-01

BPS Forms:

CORI Form Permits a caregiver to chaperone a field trip with your child's class.
ID card needs to be verified at JQES site with Ms. Shea.

BPS Back to School Webinar: Boston Public Schools' 2025-2026 Back to School Webinar