Boston students honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy

Boston Public Schools (BPS) students in Grades K-12 from around the city gathered recently at John Hancock Hall, along with Superintendent Carol R. Johnson, members of the Boston School Committee, teachers, parents and other special guests, to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s celebration, One Voice: Defying Expectations, Reaching for Excellence, marked the 28th year for the district-wide celebration. The event featured song, dance, oratory, spoken word poetry, instrumental music and other performances by students from more than 15 BPS schools, including an American Sign Language (ASL) choral presentation of We are the World by students from the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Read more and see additional photos from the event.

Science teacher receives Presidential award

Students at the Philbrick Elementary School in Roslindale yesterday watched a live video feed of their science teacher, Erin Flynn, being honored by President Barack Obama in a special ceremony at the White House. Ms. Flynn was one of two teachers from Massachusetts recognized with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) this year. The PAEMST is the the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Watch coverage of the students celebrating Ms. Flynn on WBZ-TV.

Mayor Menino congratulates House leaders for passing education reform bill that allows for greater local innovation

Mayor Thomas M. Menino this morning joined Superintendent Carol R. Johnson, Reverend Gregory G. Groover, Sr., Chairperson of the Boston School Committee, and other School Committee members to congratulate members of the House of Representatives on passing a comprehensive education reform bill. The bill, passed by the House in the early morning hours today, provides the flexibility to create in-district charter schools, meaningful turnaround tools for underperforming schools, and the ability to innovate without the delay of lengthy arbitration. The bill’s passage also puts the Commonwealth in a better position to compete for a potential $250 million in federal funding through the Race to the Top initiative. Read more about the Mayor's comments in The Boston Globe.