History of RMMS
Brookline is home to the Richard Maghakian Memorial School for Preschool through grade 3 and the Captain Samuel Douglass Academy for grades 4 through 6. Richard Maghakian Memorial School is located at 22 Milford Street. The coordinates of the school are 42 degrees 44’01”N, 71degrees 39’49”W. The Town of Brookline is part of a cooperative school district with the neighboring town of Hollis. Hollis and Brookline share both the Hollis Brookline Middle School and Hollis Brookline High School.
Richard Maghakian Memorial School is located on 12 acres of land. There are three sheds on the property and two dumpsters for trash and recyclables located in the rear parking lot. The parking lot wraps around the building allowing for 3 handicap parking spaces along the Milford Street boundary, 53 parking spaces on the lower level lot, and 38 parking spaces in the rear parking lot resulting in a total of 101 parking spaces. The school’s water system is supported by wells.
The original building, Brookline Elementary School, was built in 1961 supporting the town’s community with a four classroom school. Subsequent construction followed in 1967, which added 6 classrooms to the existing building along Milford Street. In 1987, the office, library, kitchen and gymnasium were added. Four years later, the first grade wing was added, and the latest addition for kindergarten was added in 1996. The 54,000 sq. ft building, composed of wood, cinder block and steel, was built according to code at the time of the construction. A new roof was applied above the kindergarten, first grade, 1/2 gymnasium, art and music classrooms; along with a pulastic floor was laid in the gymnasium in 2015.Roof snow loads meet code requirements; however, caution is taken to clear the roof where snow slides off the west side of the building onto the kindergarten roof. In 2016, the VCT hallway floors spanning from the Milford Street Door to the end of the first grade wing were replaced. During the summer of 2017, three water stations were replaced, the parking lot was resealed, Cat 5. cable was upgraded to Cat. 6.; entrance carpets were replaced, and a water filtration system was installed. At beginning of the 2019 summer, the gym bathroom floors were replaced. Prior to the first day of the 2019-2020 school year, students arrived to school with two new playground structures (a fitness playground and an ADA compliant playground, which has color coded ADA equipment). In addition to the playground there is a ball field off of Milford Street and a basketball court.
During the summer of 2020, new vct tiles were placed in the grade 2/3 wing. In July of 2022, we began our ADA compliant elevator and entryway/security improvement project. A security office and elevator were constructed in our lower level entryway. On our upper level entry floor; a conference room was built in an area where a stairwell was taken out. Our library was converted into two classrooms and moved to our lower level. In our lower level, an existing classroom and storage area were converted into a new library and a flex space area.
The district schools strive to provide the best educational opportunities for all students to ensure their academic, social, and emotional growth through a rich curriculum, skilled instruction delivered by highly qualified teachers, and a strong parent/community partnership. To that end, educators are committed to providing classroom experiences that are vigorous, foster higher levels of thinking, and encourage creative problem solving.
Teaching teams collaborate with their grade level colleagues within SAU-41 to develop a guaranteed and viable curriculum that identifies the essential learnings for all students. School based teams monitor student progress through the use of common formative assessments and benchmark assessments. The results of the assessments are used by educators to improve practice, build the capacity of the teams to achieve student learning goals, and provide the necessary support for all students.
An effective literacy program prepares students to be lifelong readers and writers. Our teaching philosophy supports a “Balanced Literacy Approach” whereby students acquire skills and abilities through participation in a variety of lessons and activities which integrate reading, writing, speaking, and listening. By implementing the Reading and Writing Workshop techniques, teachers create rich and rigorous learning environments for their students in which they analyze and discuss literature, learn grammar and writing mechanics, and communicate thoughts effectively both orally and in writing. Our classroom libraries are rich in narrative and informational texts that challenge students at all levels, and foster inquiry and the desire to learn. Literacy at both RMMS and CSDA is celebrated through a variety of exciting events such as Reading Night; Read Across America Week; Annual Writers’ Festival; and Summer Reading Kick-Off . The Annual Writers’ Festival, held in the spring, provides students the opportunity to proudly showcase their writing through a variety of formats: poetry, stories, essays, research reports, and class books.
We strive to provide a solid foundation in mathematics for all students in the Brookline School District. We continue to make substantial gains in student achievement at all grade levels through the skillful implementation of the enVision Math 2.0 program. This comprehensive and rigorous program focuses on computation, problem solving, critical thinking and mathematical reasoning skills, as well as the ‘Standards for Mathematical Practice’. Manipulative math tools such as Cuisenaire rods, base ten blocks, pattern blocks, fraction bars, and decimal squares are used to introduce and reinforce mathematical concepts across all grade levels. Technology enhances the math curriculum as students utilize iPads, laptops, computers and SMART Boards to practice, reinforce, and demonstrate mastery of the grade-level math standards during math workshop time.
The Brookline School District continues to embrace a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) initiative, in which all grade levels are implementing STEM lessons in their classrooms. In addition to STEM, students participate in both problem-based and project-based learning activities in all areas of the curriculum which offer numerous opportunities to apply content knowledge and academic skills. All grade levels participate in cross grade level, schoolwide STEM projects, which target the 4C’s (Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking and Communication) and other 21st Century Skills. In addition, our teachers participate in the annual BSD Family STEM Night in January by offering exhibits and hands-on activities for families to enjoy. In March, several teachers in our district showcase their commitment to STEM learning by participating in the annual SAU 41 STEM EXPO.
Students experience the science curriculum through an inquiry-based model, whereby they explore topics in earth/space science, physical science, and life science through hands-on activities and laboratory experiments. Much of our science program is co-taught by our grade level science teachers and our district Science Specialist to provide our students with the most dynamic, materials-rich, and intellectually stimulating science education opportunities possible.
Our social studies program offers students an exploration of four key curriculum strands: civics and government, economics, history, and geography. A rich exposure to these concepts is supported through participation in interdisciplinary projects, often enhanced through the skillful use of varied technology tools and resources.
The art program strives to present the cultural and historical importance of art in an atmosphere that encourages self-expression. Art is often integrated into the curriculum and specialists conduct lessons that are coordinated with grade level classroom teaching throughout the school year. Each grade level art theme has a historical focus, from ancient art through early American art. Along with this, New Hampshire art and artists are also explored.
In the music classrooms at both RMMS, students are actively involved in “hands on” interactive music lessons that are integrated into children’s literature, history, geography, writing, math, movement, and the arts. As students sing, listen, move and play instruments, they celebrate our diverse culture as well as those of other countries across the globe.
RMMS uses a Learning Commons model; a flexible shared space for information technology, online education, academic support, collaboration, content creation, meetings, professional development, reading and studying. Students are exposed to projects and ‘makerspace’ activities that encourage the use of a wide variety of new and exciting technologies, and hands-on activities, which enrich the STEM curriculum and provide more autonomous learning experiences for our students.
The Physical Education program emphasizes activities that give students a broad base of skills that build motor and movement abilities, and develop team building concepts. Students work on personal space, locomotor skills, and more, with increased expectations over the grade levels as the skills are encouraged to promote lifetime activity for all students.
Technology is an essential educational tool used to reinforce and enrich all content areas in the Brookline School District. Our technology program offers students rich learning experiences through teacher-directed activities and student-created projects. Our students are asked to use 21st-century skills and work in a collaborative, innovative manner. They are asked to use grit and persevere through tasks using skills they have learned. Our goal is to help students use technology in a way that will allow them to elevate their academic learning and productivity. It is also important for them to develop an ability to determine how to make the best use of available learning technologies in our classrooms. This offers students autonomy in their learning, which will provide them with a sense of ownership, and afford them varied paths in which to pursue for their work products. In addition to teaching students how to use general computer programs and software, students are introduced to the power of the internet for both research and electronic collaboration. Through our ‘Digital Citizenship’ lessons, students learn how to safely and responsibly use the web, critically evaluate sites for authenticity and reliability, and give credit to all text and print sources used in their work products. Grades 1-3 are using ‘Google Apps for Education’ (GAFE) for online learning..
Throughout the year, students at RMMS benefit from outstanding enrichment programming that is provided through the generosity of the Brookline Parent Teacher Organization. This dedicated group conducts fundraisers, volunteers countless hours in our schools, and supports the efforts of teachers and administration by providing many enhanced learning opportunities for our students. For many years, both schools have been honored for the PTO’s dedication at the annual Blue Ribbon Award Ceremony. The PTO’s contributions to our school community are priceless.
Principal History:
1960 - Peter Dolloff, teaching principal
1963 - Robert Harris, teaching principal
1966 - Michael McBride, teaching principal
1969 - Richard Maghakian, teaching principal
1978 - Richard Maghakian, Principal
2002 - Elizabeth Eaton, Principal
2005 - Anthony Luzzetti, Principal
2008 - Lydia Desrosiers, Principal
2010 - Elizabeth Perry, Principal
2015 - Daniel Molinari, Principal
School name and Mascot History:
Brookline Tigers - until 2005, now the RMMS Blue Jays - "Wingz" the Blue Jay
arrived in 2015