Letter from Tommy Chang re: Puerto Rico

Dear Boston Public Schools Families,
Last month, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and is having a profound impact on the island. We wish to extend our thoughts and prayers to all of those affected, including the many Boston Public Schools (BPS) employees and families with connections to Puerto Rico. 

We anticipate that some families and individuals will relocate to Boston from Puerto Rico. We would like to inform you that BPS is working with City agencies and partner organizations to streamline coordinated services, resources and supports for families.

BPS is working on creating “one-stop shops” so families can register for school, obtain winter clothing, get information on immunizations and housing, and receive other crucial services in one place. In the coming weeks, we will share information on where these locations will be. Families from Puerto Rico can get more information at bostonpublicschools.org/bpscares or at a BPS Welcome Center. A list of the Welcome Centers is provided at the bottom of this letter.

Families arriving now may go to any BPS Welcome Center to register students for school. BPS is  following a special registration process for families relocating from Puerto Rico, as many will not be able to provide the documentation that is usually required. Lack of documentation will not be a barrier to enrollment. Families are encouraged  to call to make an appointment so that we can serve them quickly.

If you have any friends or relatives who plan to relocate to Boston and want to enroll their children in the BPS, please let us know by filling out a form online at http://bit.ly/BPSCaresPuertoRico, emailing welcomeservices@bostonpublicschools.org, or calling 617-635-9010. 

Tragedies like these can have an impact on our children. Even if children don't voice their fears, they are often affected by the world around them. Visit the BPS Natural Disaster Support website for tips on how to speak with children from the National Association of School Psychologists, American Red Cross, Mayo Clinic, and other organizations.
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As Bostonians, we take pride in helping one another in times of need. We thank our teachers, staff, partners, and families for helping us take a community-wide approach to helping our current and future students.
Sincerely,


Tommy Chang, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Boston Public Schools