Supt. Johnson elected Chair of national board

Dr. Carol R. Johnson, Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools, has been elected Chair of the Board for the Council of the Great City Schools, a coalition of 67 of the nation’s largest urban public school systems.

O'Hearn School renamed after Dr. Henderson

After 20 years as principal of the Patrick O'Hearn Elementary School in Dorchester, Dr. William Henderson will retire at the end of this week. Yesterday, the school community honored its longtime leader with a ceremony in which they surprised him with the news that the school has been renamed the Dr. William Henderson Elementary School. Under Bill's leadership, the school has emerged as a national model for inclusive education of students with and without disabilities. See coverage: Boston Globe, WBZ-TV, WBUR.

Kevin Youkilis launches "Batting for Books" for BPS

Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids this week announced "Batting for Books," a two-day book drive at Fenway Park to support libraries in the Boston Public Schools. During the Kansas City Royals series on July 11 and 12, the Red Sox slugger has asked fans to drop off new and gently used children's books to donate to the city schools.

Four artists win Aznive Scholarships

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson recently award Grace N. Aznive Visual Arts Scholarships to four graduating BPS seniors. Established in 1972 in memory of a distinguished BPS visual arts teacher, the $1,000 scholarship awards are given annually to visual arts students planning to continue their study of art at a college or university.

Madison's Jaquite wins national jumping title

Ricardo Jaquite of Madison Park Technical-Vocational High School returned from Greensboro, NC, this weekend with a national title in track and field. The junior, originally from Portugal, won the triple jump event at the Nike High School National Track & Field Competition with a jump of 49 feet, 10 inches. See coverage in the Boston Herald.

"Family Matters" wins NSPRA award

Family Matters, the BPS newsletter for families and staff, has won an Award of Merit from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). The publication is produced by the BPS Communications Office and is designed and edited by Gretchen O'Neill. It is mailed to the homes of all BPS families and staff four times per year at no cost to the school district.

Additional school leaders named

Superintendent Johnson has announced additional principal and headmaster appointments for next year, including Ethan d'Ablemont Burnes (pictured here), who will lead the Manning Elementary School in Jamaica Plain. Dr. Johnson also named Dr. Linda Cabral as Assistant Academic Superintendent for High Schools.

Mayor Menino announces plans to advance BPS progress

In an address today to business leaders at the Chief Executives’ Club Luncheon, Mayor Thomas M. Menino emphasized the need to transform public education in Boston to ensure the city's long-term economic stability. Mayor Menino noted substantial progress in the schools since the early 1990s but emphasized the need for more dramatic improvement. He outlined a plan to accelerate progress by pursuing two reforms – creating a new form of in-district charter schools and introducing performance pay for educators in the Boston Public Schools.

Graduating at the top of the Class of 2009

Graduation season is underway in the Boston Public Schools, beginning with the tradition of honoring the top graduates of the Class of 2009 at the 11th annual Valedictorians Luncheon. (Pictured here is Dana Mendes from Snowden International High School.) The valedictorians also were featured in the Boston Globe, including a profile of Edner Paul from the O'Bryant School. A Boston Herald story yesterday about graduates born in Africa highlighted Brook Farm Academy valedictorian Chidiogo Onwuakor, as well as New Mission High School graduate Michael Wogbeh. More success stories from the Class of 2009 coming soon!

Publishing Party at the Bates

The Bates Elementary School in Roslindale recently welcomed Mayor Thomas M. Menino and other community guests to a Publishing Party, featuring students reading aloud from their written work. Watch the video below of second grade poets produced by BPS-TV, and read about it in the Roslindale Transcript.

Hale leader named "Mass. Elementary Principal of the Year"

Sandra Mitchell-Woods, principal of the Nathan Hale Elementary School in Roxbury, has been named the Massachusetts Elementary School Principal of the Year. The Massachusetts Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) has awarded Ms. Mitchell-Woods the 2009 Thomas C. Passios Outstanding Principal Award. Commissioner of Education Mitchell Chester presented the award at the recent MESPA annual conference in Hyannis.

Principal appointments announced

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today announced the appointment of 10 individuals to serve as principals in the Boston Public Schools next year. Dr. Johnson will name additional principals and headmasters later this month.

Report highlights Curley K-8 literacy work

A new report from the Center for American Progress, "Putting the Pieces of the Puzzle Together: How Systematic Vocabulary Instruction and Expanded Learning Time Can Address the Literacy Gap," highlights Boston's work to improve adolescent literacy skills. The report describes Boston Public Schools' involvement with the Strategic Education Research Partnership (SERP) to strengthen reading fluency among middle school students. The Curley K-8 School is featured as a case study in the report for its implementation of Word Generation to build students' academic vocabulary across subject areas.