all about bps

Liberty for all

2012-01-05T11:32:00.006-05:00

Jeff Liberty, headmaster at Boston Green Academy is a former BPS student, who grew up in a modest family home in Dorchester. While attending Boston Latin School he learned that doing well academically meant a chance at the middle class and a move away from poverty. Education was connected to prosperity.

While in high school he worked hard, which led to his acceptance to Brandeis University. Initially, he thought he wanted to be an attorney- although his grandmother wanted him to be a priest-but after having extraordinary history teachers while in college he decided that teaching would be his profession instead. During his college years, he worked for Upward Bound, which solidified his desires to be a teacher, thus following graduation he would return to Boston to become a teacher.

In 1992, he found himself at Fenway High. Larry Myatt, a founder of Fenway and also a Brandeis graduate, hired him as a student teacher. At this time Fenway High was also trying to create an identity and redefining the meaning of teaching. Fenway’s goal was to graduate every student. While at Fenway, he received great training and established great relationships with staff and BPS families.

Soon after, Jeff was offered a job at Madison Park as a history teacher. After two years at the school he took a job in Sao Paulo, Brazil. While in Brazil, Liberty ascertained the importance of having skilled faculty members and dedicated teachers. He also witnessed inequalities in education. The wealthiest students had the greatest access compared to everyone else. Teaching in Brazil developed his teaching skills. As Liberty says, “ I cut my teeth as a teacher while in Brazil.” After four years in Brazil he made a decision to come back to the states.

When he returned, he taught for two years and then decided to work for the administrative offices of BPS. He wanted to see how the external and internal offices operated and how to reform existing schools. He worked with the High School Renewal program, now known as High School Support. While there he proposed new models for new schools. During this time he also interned as a leadership fellow to prepare himself for his future role as headmaster.

During his fellowship, the Horace Mann Charter was making headlines in education. This new concept intrigued Liberty. It would allow for more flexibility and autonomy. Thus, when the opportunity came to lead a new Horace Mann Charter school starting in South Boston that would take over an existing lower performing school, Liberty jumped at the chance.

As the headmaster of Boston Green Academy, Jeff aligns his goals with that of the Acceleration Agenda. The school looks to prepare every child for college. “We do a good job graduating high school students, but not college. That’s why at BGA we try to incorporate curriculum that prepares students for college,” Liberty says. He is establishing relationships with families based on trust and common vision. The BGA community also is doing more to learn about the trauma of its students.

He has been able to this with the strong support of Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. “Dr. Johnson has a real commitment to think differently and creatively. I take genuinely her goal to talk to parents and also to engage them about the process. She is an inspiration to me,” Liberty says.

Jeff Liberty looks to give back to his Boston community by offering a great education to all students. “I’m from Boston. It made me and I am grateful for the experiences,” Liberty continues, “ I am committed to having my students receive similar experiences. Now we just have to do it and we will!"

Teaching Ambassador Update!

2011-12-15T15:42:00.005-05:00

In August Arne Duncan, the US Secretary of Education announced the 2011-12 fellows for the Teaching Ambassador Fellowship. The mission of the fellowship is “to improve education for students by involving teachers in the development and implementation of national education policy.” There were 800 applications and only 16 were chosen. Robert Baroz, a literacy and data coach at the Curley K-8 School, and Shakera Walker, an elementary teacher at Young Achiever Science and Math School, are two of the chosen fellows. Robert Baroz is a part time fellow as a classroom ambassador and Shakera Walker is a full time fellow working in DC.

Recently, I checked up on Baroz and Walker to see how the fellowship is going.

As a classroom ambassador, Baroz participates in several types of outreach activities on the behalf of the U.S Department of Education. He has attended local events like the Blue Ribbon event at Boston Latin School and has visited Providence, Rhode Island for a town hall meeting on education. Baroz has also been part of the American Jobs Act round table discussions. He offered suggestions on how money can be used for teachers. In his role, he serves as an advisor for other educators and also provides feedback to the Department of Education. “Policy influences the classroom and this is a great opportunity for communication to travel from the school to the top,” Baroz noted and continues, “Two-way process of communication is key and listening is just as important.”

Baroz is grateful for the opportunity and encourages other people to apply within the district. “Boston teachers have a track record of getting selected. We can aim to be the model. I love to be teaching in urban schools and especially at BPS. I wouldn’t want to be in any other district,” Baroz said.

While Baroz is busy traveling in and around Massachusetts, Walker is also hard at work in DC. “Things are going great,” Walker said. She works in the early education office. As an early education teacher, she is able to share her experiences and bring her perspective to the table. “Many times, policies are being made without taking into account the perspective of the teachers, and my presence in the decision process is very important,” Walker said. It has been a great learning experience for Walker. In her role she has facilitated learning across the country and has met with many policy makers. The process has also taught her about the competitive nature of Race to the Top funds.

Walker is thankful for the opportunity to share stories with other like-minded colleagues, who have a passion for education. Although she misses her students, she feels the experience will help her serve the students better. When she returns to Boston, she looks forward to taking on more leadership roles. “I strongly recommend this programs to others and I am happy that a program like this is in place,” Walker said.

To learn more about the Teacher Ambassador Fellowship: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/index.html

Getting in and getting through....how?

2011-12-05T17:04:00.003-05:00

I attended the Education Policy Conference, Getting In, Getting Through, and Graduating, hosted by the Freedom House on Saturday November 19, 2011 and learned about the challenges facing students, families, and educators. A student spoke of his struggles transitioning into college. He felt he was not prepared. A mother spoke of the cultural barriers that exist for her and her family. She did not speak English and found it hard to navigate through the school system. Gail Snowden, Executive Director for the Freedom House told a story of a student who would leave her college campus and come to the Freedom House for the support she felt was lacking on campus. Dr. Ferguson, Senior Lecturer for The School of Education at Harvard, talked about a study done by his department which found that some students were hiding effort because they feared being ridiculed by their peers for appearing smart. Neil Sullivan, Executive Director for Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), noted that business partners want to provide students with jobs, but also want assurance that students are prepared for the workforce. “We understand that the youth employment rate has declined by 50% and the labor market for youth has in fact collapsed”, he continued, “but in order for businesses to come on board, they want to see results and how they will benefit.”

During an open table discussion, the following comments were made :

• Generate environments in which other students are encouraging their peers to learn and ask questions.
• Create safe havens like the Freedom House.
• Learn to navigate through the non-traditional forms of communication.
• Adapt to the cultural norms of the student and families.
• Teach students how to code-switch. Some students are not able to differentiate between the expectations and practices of the workforce and those of the home.
• Teach students that they have a personal stake in their success.

The ideas are in line with those of the Boston Public Schools. BPS is currently working with the English Language Learners Initiative to improve the ways in which leaders communicate with families. This means providing information in various languages, going to local community gatherings, and reaching out to local radio stations and newspapers. Parent University is a BPS program that helps parents improve their skills through classroom sessions focusing on child development, what children are learning in school, and effective parenting skills. The BPS College Readiness program makes sure that high school students are ready for graduation and prepared for college by providing workshops on college essay and SAT Prep. The 10 Boys Initiative provides males -who are at a greater risk of failing or dropping out of school-with the encouragement and support needed to achieve personal and academic success. In every BPS high school a PIC (Private Industry Council) officer is assigned to prepare students for the workforce.

All these programs brings us a step closer to closing the achievement gap. BPS understands that more work is needed and will continue to work toward more effective strategies. If you can offer more creative ways to build stronger partnerships and assist families, please forward your ideas to communications@bostonpublicschools.org

To learn more about the above programs, check them here: October College Month, Parent University, Private Industry Council (PIC) and 10 Boys Initiative.

Checking in with Phoebe

2011-11-17T10:41:00.009-05:00

On August 8th I introduced you to the BPS Green School Fellow Phoebe Beierle. Recently, I checked in with her to see what has happened since our last interview.

Phoebe has worked on projects with partner organizations such as Green Streets Initiative, Alliance for Climate Education, Learning By Design and many more. She noted that many initiatives have been taking place to “green” BPS schools – everything from promoting walking and riding to school to incorporating hands-on environmental curriculum to improving recycling programs. I learned from Phoebe that this year alone, Boston has had the following success around green schools and environmental education:

1. The Boston Green Academy opened its doors as the first school in the district to integrate concepts of economic, environmental and social equity in its curriculum.

2. The Recycling Committee is working with schools to set up better recycling systems. The Committee has re-engaged Recycling Coordinators from the Nathan Hale, Haley, Hernandez, Kenny, Russell, Warren Prescott, Young Achievers, Edison, Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy, Adams, Dorchester Academy, Mather, Mission Hill, Everret, Trotter, Henderson, Mason, Tobin, Ohenberger, Phillbreck, and Greenwood schools- with hopes of getting representation from all 120 schools!

3. The Green Schools Fellow received a $2,000 grant to implement a hands-on unit focusing on appliance energy usage. The unit is being piloted at Boston Latin School and other schools across the state.

4. Boston Latin School’s YouthCAN group provided environmental literacy professional development services for 50 teachers and was the first public school in the country to receive the prestigious Eco Schools USA Green Flag Award

5. The facilities department learned that it saved the district around $75,000 in energy costs last year by installing occupancy light sensors (the lights turn on only when there is someone in the room) in 19 schools.

6. Green Streets Initiative received a $15,000 grant and is working collaboratively with Safe Routes to Schools and the BPS Health & Wellness department to encourage students, staff and parents to walk and ride (bikes or public transport) to school.

As you can see there are exciting green work happening in our schools, but much more can be done. “On average ‘greening’ our schools can save $100,000/yr on operating costs, which is enough money to pay for up to two teachers, 200 computers or 5,000 textbooks!” Phoebe said. If you’re inspired to take steps to green your classroom, check out these 11 tips that are based on the Earth Day article published on the Center for Green Schools Blog in 2011  

Also, to bring recognition to teachers who have already taken steps to green their classrooms, the US Green Building council (the organization that is funding the Green Schools Fellowship) and 2041 launched the Coolest Teacher in the World Search and will be selecting one teacher from Boston to attend an expedition to Antarctica from February 27th – March 12th 2012. To take part in this opportunity, Boston teachers must apply by November 30th. Application details are here: www.centerforgreenschools.org/coolestteacher

UPTOWN

2011-11-16T11:40:00.008-05:00

Suzanne Mathews, school librarian for the Trotter School, helped to bring illustrator Bryan Collier to the school on Friday November 4, 2011. “The Trotter School is approximately 75% African American and 24% Latino," Suzanne said. "I felt that it was incredibly powerful for the children to meet someone who looks like them and makes his living creating art for children's books.” The event was sponsored by the Children’s Foundation for Children’s Books. The organization’s School Visits and Residency Program, which started in 2005, brings authors and illustrators into under-served schools in Boston.

During the event I had a chance to talk to Bryan. He was very excited to be at the school. He said, “It is important that children see successful individuals who look like them follow their dreams. It gives them hope and shows them one can triumph despite one’s circumstance.”

Bryan is an artist from Harlem. As a child, he says he was always encouraged to read. The first books he recalls reading were The Snowy Day by Ezra Keats and Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. “I liked the stories but really liked the pictures,” Bryan said. He noted that seeing the first black illustrated character in a book empowered him. Ezra Jack Keats was the first American illustrator to portray black characters in children’s literature. “A book is both a window and a mirror,” noted Bryan.

His fascination with pictures led him to become a self-taught artist. He started to create a name for himself in the Harlem community and in school. He became known for his unique art style, which encompasses both watercolors and collage. He attended the Pratt Institute in New York City and graduated with honors with a bachelor of fine arts degree. While in school, he volunteered at the Harlem Horizon, which provides working space and materials for other self-taught artists in the community. “It’s important that people give back, and it’s especially important that I give back to my community because I can be that window, that opportunity.”

As I finish talking with Bryan, he prepares for his conversation with the students in the auditorium. Once everyone is settled, he starts the conversation by telling his story through his artwork. He pulls out his books and collages and asks the students, “What do you see?” As the students raise their hands and respond, Bryan asks them to go further. The kids don’t quite understand where he is going with all the questions, but he later explains that the pictures are telling them a story. Brian tells the students that he wants them to think critically and ask more questions.

He then pulls out a book with the image of Rosa Parks and asks the kids what she did for work. All the kids raised their hands. Bryan starts to call on the students. One answers, “She sat in front of the bus and didn’t give up her seat when she was asked to move to the back.” “Ok,” he says, “What else did she do, what did she do for work?” There were no hands and the students are confused. Bryan then goes on to say, “Did you know she was a seamstress?” Some shake their heads. Bryan tells them it’s important to be more inquisitive and go beyond what is given and told to them, challenging them to be critical and independent thinkers. His message aligns with the BPS vision, to “cultivate students who love to learn, to view the world as a classroom without walls, and think critically about the issues within it.”

After his presentation he asks the students if they have any questions. Hands goes up. The students are interested. They are curious and asking questions. They want to know why did he want to be an illustrator, how can they be an Illustrator, and how long would it would take to illustrate a book. A window is opened!

After the visit, I asked Suzanne Matthews for her thoughts on the event. “Overall, I think it was a wonderful, memorable and powerful experience for the Trotter student,” Suzanne said. She added, “Now when the students read a book and examine the illustrations, they can picture in their minds an illustrator like Bryan Collier making the artistic and creative choices and decisions that he described in his own process.”

The Trotter is grateful to the Foundation for Children's Books for bringing Mr. Collier to the school and the donation of 26 books to the school library. To learn more about the organization, visit www.thefcb.org.

Welcome to the King!

2011-10-12T13:49:00.009-04:00

In 2009, Dickerman Elementary School merged with the King Middle School as part of the Pathways to Excellence project, which focuses on “expanding academic excellence, increasing access, ensuring quality and improving efficiency and effectiveness.“ After the merger, Jessica Bolt, former Principal at the Dickerman, was appointed principal for the renewed King K-8 School and she has not only helped to change the attitude of the school, but also the look.

Recently, I visited Jessica at the King to talk about the great things taking place at the school. When I arrived, I was greeted by a warm welcoming smile. Jessica was eager to give me a tour of the school. “People don’t know what’s going on at the King,” she said. “They need to come inside and take a look at this great school.”

Jessica informed me about the many programs and partnerships with the school. Massachusetts Housing has been with her for more than 13 years. “Every day we get a mentor who comes to the building to help the teachers and students,” Jessica said. Some other partnerships include Charles Street AME, Wellesley Congregational Church, Harvard University Educational Outreach Program, and Massachusetts College of Art. The partners have assisted with field trips, computers, counseling, books, and after-school tutoring. “We also have many other activities available at the school such as ‘Kings of the King,’ a program that focuses on our young men. We want them to be leaders in the community. We also have Generation Inc. that will be starting up soon. The program brings senior citizens into the classrooms to help with literacy.”

As I walked through the building, I noticed it was clean and well kept. “It is important that kids not only get a great education at the King, but that they are welcomed in a clean environment,” Jessica said. When she says clean, she means spick and span- she stopped three times during my visit to pick up pieces of dropped paper.

During my tour, I took note of the many pictures and quotes. Jessica informed me that a lot of the artwork and quotes on the walls relate to Martin Luther King. Jr.’s vision and dream. “I noticed that the kids liked to spend time mingling in the hallways and I thought I would put some inspiring quotes on the walls to not only give them something to read, but to remind them of Dr. King’s message,” she said.

The students adore Jessica, which is evident when we visited the classroom- Jessica was a recipient of many hugs and smiles.

After the tour we stopped by her office, which is filled with artwork. She tells me that she is an avid art collector and a follower of jazz, which is apparent in the paintings. Also stored in her office are birthday “goodies.” Jessica usually carries it with her while in the hallways. If a student’s birthday happens to fall on the day she is walking the halls, she will distribute a gift to the student. She also acknowledges birthdays of staff members. While in the office, she received a call to remind her of a teacher’s birthday. She quickly makes a note of it so she can recognize the teacher before the end of the day.

I learned more about Jessica while in her office. She has been with BPS since 1978. She is originally from New York, but in 1972 she moved to Boston to attend Northeastern University. After she graduated, she became a middle school reading teacher. From a young age she knew that she wanted to be an educator. She credits her career path to her parents, who were both educators, and to the great teachers she had while attending middle school and high school in West Hempstead, NY. After serving many years as a teacher, she became a principal (she was at the Dickerman School for 15 years before moving to the King).

I wrapped up my interview with Jessica and thanked her for the hospitality. Jessica ended with “No, thank you! I want more people to learn more about the King. I want parents and people in the community to come into the building. I look forward to more visits,” she said.

So if you are in the neighborhood stop by and say hello. Jessica always has a seat ready for you!

Meet Dr. Deborah Dancy

2011-09-23T13:59:00.004-04:00

BPS is privileged and honored to have some of the best and brightest educators in the country on our team. This school year we would like to put the spotlight on some of them by introducing you to the school leaders, teachers, and administrative staff of BPS. This month we present to you Dr. Deborah Dancy.

Dr Deborah D. Dancy is the new principal at the Mildred Ave K-8 School and although she is new to the school, she is not new to BPS. Dr. Dancy has been with BPS for more than 25 years. She started as a student at Boston Technical High School where she was one of three girls to graduate in the class of 1974. Once she finished her studies in higher education, Deborah returned to BPS and worked in various roles: a teacher, a department head, assistant principal, and finally a principal.

“I am excited to be at Mildred Avenue because this is my neighborhood. I grew up 5 doors down from this school, and as a child I played on the lot that this school is built on. Through the Boston Public Schools, I have traveled national and internationally and attended some of the best universities this country has to offer. I want to inspire children to think outside of the box and to break out of the box. The world is a beautiful place for those who are prepared. Our children deserve the best and we will give them our best at Mildred Avenue,” said Dr. Dancy

Dr. Deborah Dancy was a vocalist at the New England Conservatory in 2005, a Television Producer for Boston Neighborhood Network in 2008, a recipient of the Crystal Apple Character Award in 2007 and Massachusetts Outstanding Leadership Award in 2008, a Japan Fulbright Scholar in 2006, and the author of two books: “Count Me In! Strategies For Success With All Children “(2011) and “ Yes We Can! Strategies for Closing The Achievement Gap”(2009).

A teacher who worked with Dr. Dancy when she served as the principal for The Channing Elementary School said about her, “Dr. Dancy has led us, me in particular, to understand what being a leader is all about. She has done that with caring approach, which allows us to be what we want to be, teach the way we need to teach...her successful formula is that she would do anything honorable for staff, her students and their families. That is leadership, that is character! ”

New beginnings

2011-09-08T15:28:00.004-04:00

Summer has gone, but don’t worry, fall is here! It brings another school year, which means yellow buses, early morning wake-ups, high school football, exams, homework, and most importantly, new beginnings. This is especially a new beginning for me as the new Communications Specialist for BPS. My name is Thelma DaSilva, and as new member of the Communications team, I hope to share good news and information while also celebrating the great work happening at BPS. I hope that as I share with you, you can also share with the BPS community.  

As you prepare to put away the summer clothes and bring out the jackets, remember that this season is the perfect opportunity to hit the refresh button and set new goals and expectations for yourself. Ask yourself: What do I want to accomplish this school year? How will I accomplish this? And then, “Just do it!”

  Here are 7 things I usually do when I am looking to re-vamp:
 
1.) Write goals down.  
Writing things down helps you remember the goal. It’s a constant reminder of what you said you wanted to do.  

2.) Give myself a timeline.  

Setting up a timeline helps you stay organized and keeps you on track.  

3.) Share my ideas.

  Telling people about your goals allows you to get help and feedback along the way. Feedback is essential when you want to learn what you are doing right or what you may be doing wrong.

  4.) Encourage others.  The more you give the more you receive. One day you may need encouragement, so give now so you can receive later. It also feels great to do something nice for someone.   

5.) Evaluate! 

 Check in with yourself and see if you are where you are supposed to be. Are you working closer to your goals? If not, then it’s time to reassess and change it up!

  6.) Treat myself.
  
When you accomplish a milestone, small or large, it's always good to reward yourself. This helps keep you motivated.   

7.) Keep it fun.
 Remember that in anything you do, it’s important that you are enjoying yourself and having fun doing it. This makes for a happier you. 

 Hopefully these seven tips will help you get organized, get motivated and get results. I would love to hear what your goals are or what steps you are taking to jump-start yourself this school year? Sharing is caring, so drop us a note or a comment.

Community service

2011-08-16T15:27:00.004-04:00

Mass College of Arts and Design has a summer program in which students work with a local organization in the community to build a small project. This summer, Mass College of Art and Design partnered with the Haley School and Mass Audubon to create an outside classroom.

The Haley School is a pilot school that focuses on community and environment. It has a long working relationship with the Boston Nature Center. The Boston Nature Center has provided a "teacher naturalist" to the school since 2003. The "teacher naturalist" coaches teachers on how to connect the classroom to nature during and after school. Students have become excited about digging and finding “treasures” outside.

Outside teaching has become a hit at the Haley School, so much so that teachers and students started to advocate for an outside classroom to help support outside teaching. When Mass College of Art and Design learned about the request, it decided to help make that a reality.

The project was completed the first week of August and an official ribbon cutting will be held in the fall- stay tuned!

Mass College of Art and Design is always looking to partner with the community. If you are interested in learning more about its program and how you can be a partner send an email: Sam, sbatchelor@designlabarch.com

Boston leading and "greening" the way

2011-08-08T11:21:00.007-04:00

Boston Public Schools and the Sacramento City Unified School District were selected from a pool of 30 applicants to be the first to host a US Green Building Council “green school fellow.” Boston was chosen in part due to its large size, urban location, diverse student population and proven leadership around green initiatives. One thing that stood out for Boston was its Energy Management Program, which tracks utility/energy usage for all BPS buildings dating back to 1988. In addition, Boston has a history of supporting cutting-edge building design standards. Boston was the first city in the nation to implement LEED™ green building requirements for both private and public projects . 

Boston has been the city of many "firsts." In 1635 Boston Latin School was established as the first public secondary school. The first school for the blind, Perkins Institute was opened in 1829. The first public school for African-American children, the Abiel Smith School, was opened in 1835. When Boston decided to strengthen its mathematics, sciences, and language programs for the gifted, Congress followed by passing the National Defense Education Act in 1958. In 1963, when former Superintendent Ohrenberger learned of the disadvantages of inner city kids, many programs were formed, which were later emulated in 1965 by the passing of The Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Boston has a reputation for being the trendsetter. We are proud BPS will be among the first to host a USGBC Center for Green Schools Fellow.

  So what exactly is a green fellow? The Boston Green Schools Fellowship is supported by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and their Center for Green Schools. The positions were made possible by a sponsorship from United Technologies Corporation (UTC). Over three years the Fellows will work with their school districts to design healthy, and energy efficient schools. The Fellows will collaborate with local leaders and community agencies to bring new environmental education and engagement opportunities into schools.
 
Phoebe Beierle, the Boston Fellow, will be working with the district over the next three years to bring environmental education to students as a way to close the achievement gap and foster engaged citizens, while making our schools more energy-efficient. Her goal will be to connect with students to enhance educational enrichment and link the classroom experience with greening our community. Some of the projects Phoebe will engage in are:

• Implement a comprehensive recycling and waste reduction program in all schools within 3yrs
• Train staff and teachers on energy and environmental topics
• Work with teachers and principals to incorporate sustainability curriculum into classrooms, afterschool programs, etc.
• Maximize energy efficiency opportunities

Phoebe says, “ This fellowship is a unique opportunity to work with the City and each department in the district to further our green initiatives, contribute to the City’s climate reduction goals, and provide unique learning opportunities for our children. We cannot afford to wait to green our schools. The opportunity is now and I’m thrilled to be working with BPS for the next three years to realize this transformation.”

If you are looking to learn more about the “green fellow” project or looking to help Phoebe achieve some of the goals then email her at: pbeierle@usgbc.org

Their final exam? Tutor an award-winning teacher

2011-06-19T22:27:00.000-04:00

by Sharon Hessney
Mathematics teacher at the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science

I have been a math teacher for fifteen years who has been awarded one of four 2011 – 2012 Capitol Hill Albert Einstein Distinguished Fellowships. Our 2010 – 2011 school year ends at 1:45 pm on June 28th. At 4:00 pm, I will be on a plane to Washington to commence three days of interviews with the offices of senators and congressman. Based on these interviews, I will offered positions for the coming year.
I know much about mathematics (I probably won the position because I am a seasoned statistician), but what do I know about the operations of Congress? Not much more than what I learned in high school and what I can glean from reading the newspaper.
I needed to get prepared. But how? Read a book? Go on the internet? Wikipedia?
Fortuitously, I bumped into one of the graduating seniors just after she had completed her Advanced Placement United States Government exam. I asked her for suggestions. Together, we discussed how her class, taught by Dr. Jim Diskant, could brief me. When, I discussed this with Dr. Diskant, he recommended that the class’ answering my questions about the workings of Congress could be the class’ final exam. He prepared a list of preliminary questions. As teams, they prepared their answers.
On Tuesday, May 31 and Wednesday, June 1, I came to their class and fired away questions.
• What is the basis in the Constitution for Congress to act on educational issues?
• How does legislation move through Congress?
• How do the committees operate?
• How does the House of Representatives relate to the Senate?
• What percentage of the votes are needed to pass legislation? Does it matter what the content is of the legislation?
Dr. Diskant called on groups in order to respond and rebut. I could ask for clarification and offer follow up questions.
At the end of the first day, I left the students with two questions that I would ask the following day.
• What is the status of education legislation in Congress?
• Where would you recommend that I work – the Senate, the House, or an Education Committee, and why?
After two days, the students had clearly seen that what they had learned could be used in the “real world” – Ms. Hessney working on Capitol Hill. I was not asking the questions to give them a grade, but, rather, because I needed this information for my upcoming interviews and for working on Capitol Hill next year. The requirement for completeness and accuracy was so apparent.
Also, the students got to see the tables turned. Their teacher needed their knowledge.
And, possibly, some day, they, too, would need this knowledge to do their jobs well.

Two juniors last week provided their reflections on the final:

One student explained: "For our Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics class final, we had the honor of tutoring our very own Ms, Hessney, a winner of the Einstein Fellowship award. She will be working very closely with Congress next year, and the class of 15 students were able to do a sort of "question and answer" session to prepare Ms. Hessney for her job in Congress. It took two class periods, but I think we were all able to really help her prepare for the work she would experience once in Washington DC. It was a very interesting two days, as Ms. Hessney asked us question after question about the nitty gritty details of congress, a refresher to the rather difficult unit we took a few months back. Each of her questions took some of us by surprise, and it was interesting to see that she was very prepared, and that Ms. Hessney really studied up on her reading about Congress. The session was also really tiring in a positive way, having us look back and forth from our notes and textbook to answer her questions. Still it was a very fun way to remind ourselves about Congress and the U.S. government, and I am glad to have been able to partake in such an event."

Another student added: “I am a junior in the AP Government and Politics class at the O'Bryant with Dr. Diskant. I believe the way that the final was given was a great way to express the class' knowledge on what we were taught. When certain questions were asked I felt very confident in the information that I was given and the information that my peers were discussing. I think that having the final in this way helped me realize how politics work and it gave me a chance to be placed in a situation in which government advisers could be placed."
Hessney, a 2011-2012 Einstein Fellow, won the 2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching.

Farm to School: providing food options

2011-06-17T15:46:00.004-04:00

Farm to School is an initiative that looks to change the culture around food in BPS cafeterias by providing healthier options for students, while also educating them about those options. Farm to School works with local farmer's market to provide locally grown fruits and vegetables to BPS. The program which piloted in 2008 currently services over 58 schools.

In December 2010, the "Local Lunch Thursdays" program was launched. The program featured a local fruit or vegetable from a farmer's market on Thursday's school menu. One item that was on the menu was rutabaga. The rutabaga was cut into sticks and roasted into "fries" so that the natural sugars were drawn out. The menu was a hit! Students starting requesting for its come back. During a site visit from one of the staff members from Farm to School, a student stopped the staff member and asked, "When are you coming back with rutabaga fries? Those are really good!" It's important to note that all of the locally grown produce served on the lunch line has been purchased within the budgeted amount for fruits and vegetables per a reimbursable meal.

Farm to School is not only given students options by letting them taste all types of natural foods, but also empowering them by letting them decide what they may or may not eat. If students can request rutabaga by name then what's next...the kohlrabi?

Currently Farm to School is developing cycle menus that will most likely be implemented next year.

To learn more about Farm to School:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/F2S/reports/boston/1.htm

The Trotter runs for recess

2011-06-07T14:41:00.010-04:00

On May 14, 2011, the Trotter School partnered with Playworks Metro Boston, an organization that encourages learning through physical activity during recess, for the second annual 5k Run for Recess at Franklin Park Zoo.
The event included a one-mile run for kids and over 30 participants, which were staff members and friends of the Trotter School. The school raised over $800 for its recess program.
To learn more about the Playworks program check out:
www.playworks.org/make-recess-count/play/playworks-boston

The First Golf 'IT' Mentoring Event with TechBoston Academy

2011-06-01T11:50:00.003-04:00

On May 24, 2011 the Boston Society for Information Management (SIM) and the New England Chapter of Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) partnered with TechBoston Academy for the first Golf 'IT' event at McGolf in Dedham. During this event students from TechBoston were partnered with mentors from SIM and HIMSS and learned the art of golfing.

The students that participated in this event were 24 technology leaders at TechBoston Academy. Mary Skipper, Headmaster of TechBoston Academy, was thrilled to have her students partake in this event. She stated, “TechBoston Academy students are tech-savvy and this opportunity to meet with professionals who are daily using the skills we teach in classes will give the teens a connection to the real world of work and a better understanding of the path they'll need to get there. These IT professional associations have come up with an innovative way to inform our students about careers in high tech while exposing them to golf fundamentals. I know it will be a memorable day in their young lives.”

To learn more about The Boston Chapter of SIM and The New England Chapter of HIMSS, check out the following sites:

www.bostonsim.org

www.nehimiss.org

First in Math puts a BPS school in first place statewide

2011-04-21T13:05:00.000-04:00

Ellen Latham’s (far right in photo) 8th grade Algebra 1 class at the Gavin Middle School is participating in the on-line First in Math program. They are currently in First Place for the top team in the city of Boston and the top team in the state of Massachusetts. First in Math is a math website offering practice on broad math content, with an open-ended, self-pacing design that is great for differential instruction.

The program includes a “competition” component that offers the students sustained, positive motivation. Christine Hall, Senior Program Director for Secondary Math, provided First in Math accounts for every Boston Public School student in grades 3-8, allowing for hundreds of students throughout the district to correctly solve math problems, earning points that accrue to their personal and classroom score. The program includes math problems that address all Massachusetts state mathematics standards.

Latham says, "My Algebra 1 students yearn for the rigor and challenge of the problems on First in Math, and they love the excitement of competing against friends at other schools for the top ranking." She adds, "This has been one of my most successful implementations, and I have received a significant amount of positive feedback from parents and families whose children are now using their home computers and Internet access to strengthen their math skills."

2011 BATEC College Fair: Our Future is High Tech!

2011-04-06T13:02:00.003-04:00

On Friday, April 1 over 1000 BPS high school students attended the 8^th Annual BATEC College Fair. The event was sponsored by two National Science Foundation grants – BATEC (Boston area Advanced Technological Connections) and CAITE (Commonwealth Alliance for Information Technology Education). These two NSF grants were created for under-represented students in Massachusetts to pursue post-secondary programs and careers in information technology.

Students who were enrolled in high tech courses were invited to attend the event. There were thirty-eight colleges offering IT-related majors in attendance. In addition, organizations such as TERI, Access, and Success Boston were also present.

During the event students had the opportunity to meet advisers for one-on-one college sessions and to set goals. There was also a 45-minute career-focused presentation by representatives from Microsoft, Cisco and ITA Software.

The students learned that opportunities in the high tech field are limitless!

Alliance for a Healthier Generation supports BPS nutrition efforts

2011-03-30T07:35:00.001-04:00

Our friends at the Alliance for a Healthier Generation just sent this letter to members of the Boston City Council. We are so grateful for their support and for their wonderful work combating childhood obesity:

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation would like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts put forward by Boston Public Schools to support the health and well-being of its students and staff. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation was founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation in 2005. The Alliance’s goal is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015 by fostering an environment that helps all kids pursue healthy and active lifestyles. Boston Public Schools has participated in our Healthy Schools Program since 2007 and has worked diligently to establish healthy schools as the norm and not the exception.

Since joining the program, numerous schools in Boston have worked on assessing and improving in the areas of health education, competitive foods and beverages, school meals, staff wellness, before and afterschool programs, physical education and activity, and policy and systems. Innovative ideas and programs from Boston Public Schools (BPS) have inspired other schools across the country and served as a model for building school/community partnerships, increasing the quality of health education, finding time for more physical activity in a limited school day and getting high school students to participate in a school breakfast program. Success stories from Boston schools have been showcased in our national newsletter more than ten times.

Seven schools from BPS have received a National Recognition Award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The National Recognition Award is an honor given nationally to showcase and acknowledge schools that have implemented changes in order to create healthier school environments. To earn an award, schools must meet best practice criteria established by the Healthy Schools Program Expert Panel and outlined in the Healthy Schools Program Framework.

Please feel free to reach out if you have questions about the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the Healthy Schools Program or the progress of Boston Public Schools in the program.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Ginny Ehrlich, Executive Director
Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Boston Public School students answer the call for help

2011-03-22T14:22:00.004-04:00

With the support of BPS staff, Boston Public School students are aiding Japan through various fundraisers. Below are some of the activities that have taken place and will take place in the future. BPS applauds the schools’ efforts and support.

The Ohrenberger and Beethoven schools in West Roxbury held a “uniform free day” on Wednesday, March 16. Students were allowed to wear street clothes, rather than uniforms, once they made a donation to the American Red Cross. Last year, these two schools raised more than $5,000 for relief efforts in Haiti.
Students at the Eliot K-8 School in the North End are collecting spare change through April 1, and will send donations to the Red Cross.
Students at Snowden International School in the Back Bay are designing t-shirts and ribbons, with proceeds from the sale to go to the Red Cross.
Timothy Nagaoka, a BPS foreign language teacher currently teaching Japanese, worked with students to make a thousand paper cranes at Bradley Elementary School, Taylor Elementary School, Dearborn Middle School, and Timilty Middle School. The Japanese Consulate in Boston also worked with students to dedicate the paper cranes to earthquake and tsunami victims.
The Lee Academy Pilot School in Dorchester will host a representative from the Japanese Consulate for a “Japanese Awareness Day” on March 25.
At Greater Egleston, staff made announcements regarding the status of Japan. The school also plans to raise money.
The Hennigan School raffled four class parties. Students were able to buy raffle tickets to win: a pool party, a movie party, an ice cream party, and a pizza party
On Friday March 18, 2011 Curtis Guild Elementary hosted “hats for Japan.” Students and Teachers wore silly hats and brought in donations to support students in Japan.
The Quincy Elementary sold fruit smoothies during lunch. The fundraiser was a direct school-to-school effort, with money going directly to the Sendai school district.
The Red Cross Club at Boston Latin Academy will be teaming up with local community agencies to support the victims of Japan.
The Sarah Greenwood has planned four spirit days to raise money for Japan. There will be one spirit day per week for the next four weeks. To participate and be excused from uniform, students will pay $1 per day. The school has also planned a hat day, pajama day, wacky day, and favorite sport team day. The school hopes to raise at least $1000 for Japan, which will be sent to the Red Cross.
The "La Fe Club" at Kennedy Academy is carrying out a "Spare a Dollar Campaign" for two weeks to help the victims in Japan. The fundraiser will be from March 21 - March 31. The "La Fe Club" is a group of high school students committed to educate their peers about social issues affecting teenagers. The group is also committed to help people in need. The funds collected will be donated to the Red Cross.

Monument High’s “Wellness Warriors” Encourage Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

2011-03-03T10:15:00.001-05:00

On March 1, Monument High’s “wellness warriors” were recognized for their leadership in promoting a healthy lifestyle.The group was formed through the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, an in school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League.

The morning activities were filled with speakers and a fun physical activity. James Arena-DeRosa from USDA Food and Nutrition Service and child nutrition expert and dietitian Elizabeth Ward spoke to the audience about the importance of establishing healthy eating and living habits. In addition, the “wellness warriors” talked about their efforts to improve lunches and breakfasts with the help of the student body. Currently, they are looking to purchase a salad bar with the $3,000 program grant they were awarded. After assembly, students played a game of flag football against members of the school staff and Brandon McGowan, safety for the New England Patriots.

BPS congratulates Monument High for all of its great work.

To learn more about the Fuel Up to Play 60 program check out: www.fueluptoplay60.com

USA Voice issue three examines rap music, the prom, and senioritis

2011-02-05T09:22:00.002-05:00

The Urban Science Academy writers have settled into a demanding publication cycle for "USA Voice," and have just released Issue 3. Check out Osahh Aim's article on how students view the influence of rap music, Nathalie Myrthil's look at "senioritis" (complete with a GREAT photo and the diagnosis that "the only way to get rid of senioritis is to get a high school diploma), and Laurie Paris's profile of the Teens Lead at Work LEAPS program, which will be held over April vacation.
Read the full issue here!

Students produce 'USA Voice' issue two

2011-01-20T08:31:00.006-05:00

Justin Milligan at Urban Science Academy has let us know that his journalism students have just put issue two of "USA Voice" to press. Once again, they tackle the issue of the future of their school now that the School Committee has voted to merge USA and Parkway Academy of Science and Health this fall. The issue includes voices from students, parents, and district officials as they work to create a combined school culture.
Check out the latest issue here!

More BPS teachers get National Board Certification

2010-12-29T17:47:00.006-05:00

Seven more BPS teachers now wear the official "National Board for Professional Teaching Standards" pin! According to the organization, teachers who achieve National Board certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and a peer review.

This means we now have 45 national board-certified teachers in BPS.

The teachers who earned the certification on December 14 are: Cara Fenner at Excel High School; Kelly Garofalo, Karen McCarthy and Robert Remetti at Brighton High School; Carla McCormack at Edwards Middle School; Adam Moore, formerly of Perkins Elementary School; and Jeffrey Timberlake at Boston Teachers Union School. In addition, Whitney Weeder at the East Boston EEC renewed her certification.

Congratulations to all!

BPS family and student engagement gets kudos in new Harvard report

2010-12-20T11:48:00.005-05:00

Our Office of Family and Student Engagement has just earned a spot in a nationally-recognized Harvard study! Heather Weiss, M. Elena Lopez and Heidi Rosenberg of the Harvard Family Research Project looked at how BPS helps parents develop the tools they need to become partners in the education of their children.
The report, called "Beyond Random Acts: Family, School and Community Engagement as an Integral Part of Education Reform," notes that BPS "promotes family engagement as a strategy to improve student outcomes through increased attendance, decreased suspension rates, and other indicators linked to student achievement."
One exciting element of the work BPS Assistant Superintendent Michele Brooks and her team have undertaken this year is the launch of a fleet of Family Learning Guides that help teachers and parents understand the expectations that are set for students in every grade and in every class.

'Teens in Print' tackles tough issues

2010-12-15T10:21:00.004-05:00

The latest "Teens in Print" newspaper has hit the streets and it's full of powerful articles written by BPS students. This edition explores the history of (and recent obsession with) vampires. It also contains emotional accounts of the effect that violence can have on teenagers in our city -- and how our schools have helped students cope with the pain of losing a close friend. Another article covers the debate over school uniforms, and on page 9, readers will find stirring accounts of how our students and schools value equality and diversity.

T.i.P is a citywide paper written by -- and for -- high school students, in partnership with Artists for Humanity, WriteBoston, the National Scholastic Press Association, the High School Journalism Initiative and the Boston Globe.

This week, 850,000 copies of Teens In Print are being distributed throughout our city. If you see one, please pick it up and take a few minutes to read it -- or visit www.bostontip.com right now. You'll be glad you did!

Global study names BPS one of the 'most improved school systems in the world'

2010-12-08T10:48:00.003-05:00

A new study from the global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has named BPS one of the 20 "most improved school systems" in the world -- and just two of these school systems were in the United States (the other was Long Beach Union School District in California).

How did they pick Boston? According to the authors, the study searched for school districts that had sustained, major improvements since 1980. The 1994 Education Reform legislation and the launch of the MCAS in 1998 helped identify Massachusetts as an innovator in public education, and Boston in particular was positioned for meaningful success. The study cites the creation of the MyBPS student data system as a particularly powerful tool that has helped link teachers with critical information that can help them target lessons around individual students. (Our new, next-generation student information system is in development right now and will launch next year).

The study applauds BPS for taking bold steps to lift the number of students passing state math exams from 23 percent in 1998 to 84 percent in 2008. In reading, the passing rate jumped from 43 percent in 1998 to 91 percent in 2008.

The challenge for us now, the report says, is that BPS risks reaching a plateau. To break through it, McKinsey suggests we look to Singapore, which has "moved from rigid prescription to greater flexibility as it embarked on its good to great improvement journey."

The full report provides an unusually crisp, long-term look at education reform across the entire planet. You can read it here.

Urban Science Academy students publish first school paper

2010-12-05T12:11:00.006-05:00

by Justin Milligan
Humanities & Journalism
Urban Science Academy

Journalism students at Urban Science Academy in West Roxbury have just published their first issue of USA Voice, the school newspaper . Their first issue was a great success and the result of much hard work and dedication. Since September, students have been studying various aspects of journalism -- the role of free press in a democracy, the ideal for objectivity, ethical considerations, media literacy skills, and various forms of news writing. Then, they went out in the community as reporters to investigate issues they felt to be relevant to the school. The staff was responsible for researching topics, conducting interviews, verifying information, peer editing drafts, and assisting in the layout and binding process. They also collaborated with Digital Photography and Yearbook students to capture images for their articles.

The first issue of USA voice covers an array of topics. For the cover story, Laurie Paris explains "Redesign and Reinvest" and its potential repercussions for our complex. In a well-researched article, Gladys Cooper investigates the increasing rate of violent crime in Boston. Sade Love interviews students and faculty about whether teens should be provided condoms to promote safe sex. Dan Carpino reports on cyberbullying and the dangers of social networking. Veteran reporter Diana Maria Rodriguez discusses the challenges that confront teenage parents. Nathalie Myrthil explains the college application process, as well as the academic history of girls outperforming boys at USA. Chris Legrand investigates high dropout rates in Boston Public, and Anthony McGruder questions whether marijuana should remain illegal. The issue also contains entertainment reviews-- Chelsea Rush gives the film Red two thumbs up, and Akeema Charles gives a five-star recommendation for Drake's new album. Finally, Haajar Penn recounts the West Roxbury Raiders' impressive 2010 football season.

Blogging 'PFAD'

2010-11-15T13:08:00.003-05:00

Our annual "Principal for a Day" (or "PFAD" for short) was a big success -- and a few of our guests have even blogged about their experiences! Please check 'em out:

Marjorie Arons-Barron: "To understand urban education, walk in the principal's shoes"

Linda Noonan: "Principal for a Day at the Bates"

If there are other blogs out there, please let us know in the comments! We would love to be able to share your experiences with the public.

Congratulations to our School on the Move winners

2010-11-05T16:40:00.005-04:00

Our friends at EdVestors have named the Joseph Lee Elementary School in Dorchester as the recipient of the 5th annual $100,000 Thomas W. Payzant School on the Move Prize. The award names the school that has shown substantial progress toward closing achievement gaps for all students. runners up this year were the Clarence R. Edwards Middle School in Charlestown and the Charles H. Taylor Elementary School in Mattapan, which each received $10,000!

EdVestors also released a report on the common practices that the group has found across all five schools that have won the School on the Move prize in the past. Here's what they found in each highly-successful school:

-Strong and collaborative leadership from principals with active involvement and support from teachers

-Collecting hard student data beyond district requirements and using that data to drive changes in curriculum and instruction on a continuous basis

-Balancing high academic and behavioral expectations of students with high levels of support beyond the classroom to address students’ academic, social and emotional needs

Here are some great links to read the full report and learn about why Lee Elementary was selected. Congratulations to principal Kimberly Curtis and all of our teachers and students!
(photo courtesy Don West)

It's time to register for School Site Council trainings

2010-11-03T14:05:00.001-04:00

The Office of Family & Student Engagement, in collaboration with the BTU, will be offering a series of School Site Council Trainings for principals/headmasters, teachers, parents, and high school students beginning in mid-November.

These trainings are an opportunity to learn about the key responsibilities and authorities of the SSC, gain information about the budget process, and receive a copy of the newly revised SSC Manual.

Dates and times are as follows:

SSC Basics: 11/15, 5:30-7:30 pm or 11/29, 4-6 PM
SSC Budget Basics: 12/7, 5:30-7:30 pm or 12/21, 4-6 PM
These sessions can be attended by either SSC teams or individual SSC members.

SSC Team Training: 11/20, 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
This session is for SSC teams only; a team consists of the principal/headmaster, at least one teacher, at least one parent, and a student (high schools only). This training will consist of team working sessions on SSC Basics, SSC Budget Basics, and Shared-Decision Making.

All trainings will take place at the BTU Hall, located at 180 Mt. Vernon St. in Dorchester.

Registration & Deadline: RSPV by November 12 to Jasmine Raynor (jraynor@boston.k12.ma.us / 617.635.9661)

October is College Month at BPS!

2010-10-14T11:01:00.003-04:00

It's college month! All across BPS, guidance counselors are working with students to help them get ready for college. On October 22, staff will wear alumni apparel on "Represent your Alma Mater Day," and help lead classroom discussions about college choices, experience and careers. Volunteers and staff are also coordinating SAT prep workshops and through our partners at Success Boston, BPS is making sure that our juniors and seniors know about the many scholarships, financial aid packages, application assistance and testing support that are available to students. Please check out this flyer to learn more about how you can help, and visit our College Month website today!

What is 'Redesign and Reinvest?'

2010-10-06T19:20:00.004-04:00

From BPS Superintendent Carol R. Johnson:

We are beginning the second year of our Acceleration Agenda, a five-year plan for rapidly improving every classroom in the Boston Public Schools. The Acceleration Agenda calls on us to develop personalized academic plans for every student; it pushes us to do a better job evaluating teachers and helping them strengthen their skills; and it demands we rapidly turn around schools that are not making the grade.

To help us achieve these ambitious goals, we are implementing a plan called “Redesign and Reinvest.” This will improve the options for students attending schools that are not performing as well as we would like. In conversations with families this summer, in an online survey, and in many other discussions over the past year, parents told us that academic quality should be the most important factor as we build great schools for our children.

We believe the best way to offer better academic options for all our families is to close programs that are not working well and use those resources to reinforce our stronger programs and create new ones. We cannot tolerate persistent under-achievement at any of our schools. We cannot offer schools to the families of Boston that we would not choose for our own children. This plan allows us to move students into schools and classrooms that get results.

If the School Committee approves our proposal, these changes would take place in the 2011-2012 school year. This month we will hold a series of public hearings and meetings to discuss these draft suggestions. We are asking the School Committee to vote on a final plan in early November.

We are committed to building a school district that works for all of our children and now we need your help to make this a reality. Doing nothing is not an option – but doing what’s right can require some very difficult choices. I believe that the steps outlined here will help BPS deliver on our promise to provide a great education for all of Boston's children. The “Redesign and Reinvest” changes will help ensure every BPS school is an inspiring place to learn. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and addressing your questions.

Please review the specifics of our plan at http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/redesign. We will update that page regularly with information on our public hearings, which we will hold throughout October to get your feedback on our proposal. Thank you for your interest, your understanding and your involvement in your child’s education!

Sincerely,
Carol R. Johnson
Superintendent

Marshall Library gets a makeover

2010-09-24T17:23:00.005-04:00

Thanks to our friends at Target and the Heart of America Foundation for renovating yet another BPS library! This time, John Marshall Elementary School was picked for a top-to-bottom renovation and students received thousands of new books. More than a hundred volunteers donated their time Thursday and the result is a beautiful, inspiring new library for our students.
In addition, the Target volunteers spent hours sprucing up the school's outdoor areas, including a peace garden dedicated to the memory of Louis D. Brown, who lost his life to gun violence.

Malindi's Journey

2010-09-22T09:45:00.003-04:00

New teacher developer Alicia Carroll and Odyssey High School history teacher Lucy Montgomery spent their summers traveling through Malaysia - and blogging about it along the way. Check out "Malindi's Journey" over at http://malindisjourney.blogspot.com/ This all started with a Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship in 2001 and a Fund for Teachers grant in 2004. Below is their report from the trip - and please check out their blog, too!

Alicia Carroll, New Teacher Developer, and Lucy Montgomery, History Teacher, Odyssey High School, were invited to present their research on connections between Africa, China and Islam through the Silk Route trade, and their related children’s book entitled Malindi’s Journey, at the First International Conference on Zheng He, in Melaka, Malaysia from July 5-8, 2010. The theme of the conference was Zheng He and the Afro-Asian World. The conference was organized by the Melaka State Government, the Perbadanan Museum Melaka, Cheng Ho (Zheng He) Cultural Museum and International Zheng He Society (Singapore). Their presentation is a product of our research and writing since 2001, including research conducted in Kenya through a Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship (Alicia Carroll) and Fund for Teachers grant in 2004.

Alicia and Lucy were two of 74 paper presenters, including scholars from Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Panama, Singapore, Taiwan, UK, and US. The conference had over 350 participants, and Alicia and Lucy’s presentation was attended by over 200 people. The conference papers will be published in a book by the International Zheng He Society in 2011.

While at the conference, Alicia and Lucy were interviewed for a newspaper article for the New Straits Times, the major newspaper for Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Sarawak, and Indonesia, by Dr. Rosey Wang Ma, a Research Fellow in the Department of Islamic History and Civilization at the University of Malaya. Dr. Ma asked Alicia and Lucy to speak about their work on African-Chinese connections, turning research into culturally grounded curriculum for global education.

Alicia and Lucy were given first-class treatment by the conference organizers; they were picked up at the airport and given a nice hotel room. At the Zheng He (Cheng Ho) Cultural Museum, they were treated like visiting scholars and dignitaries. Everyone wanted to know how they were affording the trip as teachers, and they were able to proudly say that they had received generous funding from the Fund for Teachers! People remarked that there need to be more organizations like Fund for Teachers to support teachers and their work.

In addition to attending the conference in Melaka, Malaysia, Alicia and Lucy traveled to Singapore and then to Nanjing, China to continue research on Zheng He’s influence in southeast Asia, and to visit the shipyard and other historical sites.

While they travelled, they began writing a blog for teachers and students at: http://malindisjourney.blogspot.com

Dr. Jackie Jenkins-Scott, the President of Wheelock College, invited Alicia, who is a graduate of Wheelock, to make a presentation to students and faculty of the Wheelock College Teacher Training Program at Ngee-Ann Polytechnic University in Singapore. The focus of Alicia’s talk was “Early Childhood Curriculum: and Cultural Competency and Achievement;” Lucy spoke about early childhood as the building block for achievement in the high school classroom.

In Nanjing, Alicia and Lucy were invited to visit the Treasure Boat Shipyard, where a life-size replica of the largest of Zheng He’s ships is currently under construction. They were given a tour of the shipyard by the Director of the shipyard, and invited to the inaugural launch of the ship into the Indian Ocean, anticipated in late 2011!

Honoring 9/11 at BPS

2010-09-10T14:22:00.003-04:00

Students at the W.B. Rogers Middle School in Hyde Park paused Friday to honor the victims of 9/11. In an annual ceremony, students, faculty and staff dressed in red, white and blue and left their classrooms at 8:45am, carrying American flags. Ten minutes later, Principal Corbett Coutts described what happened on 9/11, reminding students of the historical importance before pausing for a two-minute moment of silence. Most middle school students were too young in 2001 to remember what happened on that day, which is one reason Coutts says he pauses to commemorate the anniversary with students every year. Genevieve Legros, an 8th grade English Language Arts teacher, sang the Star Spangled Banner. Students also heard the poem "One," written by Cheryl Sawyer just after 9/11:

As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.
As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building
We became one class.
As we lit candles of waiting and hope
We became one generation.
As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno
We became one gender.
As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,
We became one faith.
As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.
As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.
As we mourned together the great loss
We became one family.
As we cried tears of grief and loss
We became one soul.
As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes
We become one people.

We are
One color
One class
One generation
One gender
One faith
One language
One body
One family
One soul
One people

We are The Power of One.
We are United.
We are America.

Cyber Mentors present to Attorney General

2010-08-30T15:28:00.003-04:00

BPS Cyber Mentors recently presented to Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. These Cyber Mentors were paid to work throughout the summer and held cyber safety seminars for their peers and for younger students. You can read more about the program on their website http://www.bpscybersafety.org/index.html

INDIA New England names Edwards Middle School assistant principal 2010 Woman of the Year

2010-07-27T09:47:00.003-04:00

INDIA New England magazine has named Amrita Sahni, an assistant principal at the Edwards Middle School in Charlestown, as its 2010 Woman of the Year. Many of her colleagues from the Edwards submitted nominations on Ms. Sahni's behalf and attended the awards ceremony last month at the Westin Waltham-Boston hotel in Waltham. Read the article describing Ms. Sahni's accomplishments, including her work on the Edwards School's Extended Learning Time (ELT) initiative or watch the video about the awards ceremony.

INDIA New England's Woman of the Year 2010 from Timeless Lens on Vimeo.

Tobin K-8 principal appears on 'CityLine'

2010-07-26T10:19:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend, Tobin K-8 principal Cheryl Watson-Harris was a guest on WCVB-TV's "CityLine" program. Host Karen-Holmes Ward invited her to participate in a discussion about the importance of community partnerships in a child's education.

Watson-Harris is a great example of a school leader who has brought non-profits, community groups and individuals into her school to help all students succeed. For years, she has spread the message that children from low-income families tend to lose an average of three months' literacy and two months' math skills during summer break. Put another way, it takes some children three months or more of schoolwork in the fall just to get back to where they were when they left their classrooms in June. Like many of our school leaders and teachers, Watson-Harris has worked tirelessly to help students enroll in productive summer programs.

The topic of the CityLine program was the "Opportunity Agenda," a groundbreaking partnership between some of Boston's leading philanthropic and nonprofit organizations. Together, these partners have pledged more than $27 million to help Boston's children succeed. The donations will be used to help nonprofits expand and coordinate their work inside and outside our classrooms -- to make sure that all of our students have the support they need to excel. The Opportunity Agenda has aligned many of its goals with the BPS Acceleration Agenda, which calls for increasing student standards and performance across all levels within the next four years.

Boston teachers volunteer in the Dominican Republic this summer

2010-07-23T14:48:00.000-04:00

Teachers at the Young Women's Summer Leadership Program

This summer nine Boston Public Schools teachers are spending four weeks in the Dominican Republic teaching English, health, reading, math and leadership skills to young girls through the Mariposa Foundation's Young Women's Summer Leadership Program. The BPS teachers come from several different schools, including the Blackstone Elementary, Ohrenberger K-8, Frederick Pilot Middle, Harbor Middle, Boston Latin Academy, and Boston Adult Technical Academy (BATA). The group also includes one retired teacher from Madison Park High School. They are among 22 educators -- some from other parts of the U.S. and others local volunteers from Cabarete, DR -- who are participating in the program this summer.

Teachers help students measure the perimeter of their desks.

In addition to teaching, BPS teachers help to create individual education plans and personal profiles of each girl so that their progress can be tracked throughout their adolescence. Working together with a group of parents and leaders from the Cabarete Community, the teachers are part of an experiential education program that teaches young girls leadership qualities and marketable skills - setting them off on the right path to become active leaders for social change in their communities. Follow the program's progress on the teachers' blog.

Founded in 2009, the Mariposa DR Foundation is a US 501c3, community-run organization that provides sustainable and creative solutions to end extreme poverty, especially empowering girls and women to achieve their full potential. The organization serves Dominican and Haitian children and families, providing them with the tools they need to become active community leaders for social change.

Photos courtesy of the Mariposa Project.

BPS in the News: Dorchester Reporter story on Haitian children who came to BPS after the earthquake

2010-07-22T11:32:00.000-04:00

This week's issue of the Dorchester Reporter has an article about students who came to the Boston Public Schools after the earthquake in Haiti earlier this year. Since January, BPS has enrolled 159 Haitian students. The article highlights the district's SIFE program for Students with Interrupted Formal Education and features interviews with students and with SIFE teacher Evelyn Prophete, who was a 2010 Boston Educator of the Year.

Photo: Tara Merrigan, Dorchester Reporter

Mayor, Superintendent host healthy BBQ to launch Summer Food Program

2010-07-20T12:23:00.002-04:00

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Superintendent Carol R. Johnson joined hundreds of students for a special barbecue lunch on July 13 at the Mildred Avenue K-8 School to kick off a summer of healthy eating and launch the Summer Food Service Program. This event was the first in a series of healthy barbecues that BPS and BCYF will host this summer at locations throughout the city to highlight the importance of healthy eating and the benefits of fresh, local foods.

Chef Kirk Conrad and his student “sous-chefs” from the Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness Youth Advisory Board prepared healthy side dishes to be served at the barbecue using local produce from Czajkowski Farms in Hadley, MA. On the menu were corn-on-the cob, cold green bean salad, and fresh blueberries.

Dr. Johnson also stopped by the Boston Public Health Commission's booth and signed the "Soda-Free Summer Pledge," a promise not to drink soda for the entire summer.

The summer meals program provides free daily meals for children ages 18 and under at approximately 148 sites and programs across the city and runs through September 3. For information and serving times, please call the Project Bread Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.

Two BPS teachers travel to Malaysia to present at international conference on Chinese explorer Zheng He

2010-07-09T14:59:00.000-04:00

Two Boston Public Schools teachers are traveling to Melaka, Malaysia to present at an international conference on the Chinese explorer Zheng He. Alicia Carroll and Lucy Montgomery will speak about their children's book, Malindi's Journey: An African Giraffe Encounters China. Malindi's Journey tells the story of the giraffe's journey from Malindi (Swahili coast) to

China

, to be presented to the Yong-Le Emperor by Zheng He. Following the conference, Ms. Carroll and Ms. Montgomery will travel to Singapore and Nanjing, visiting cultural and historical sites and learning more about Zheng He. Their three-week trip is funded by a Fund for Teachers grant, and you can read more about it on their blog.

Two BPS schools designated International Baccalaureate (IB) world schools

2010-07-06T10:30:00.001-04:00

Two Boston schools have been designated International Baccalaureate (IB) world schools. Muriel S. Snowden International School at Copley and the Josiah Quincy Upper School located in Chinatown will serve as IB sites starting immediately. The world-renowned non-profit organization is known for high standards and pedagogical leadership. Students at both schools will spend their junior and senior years studying college-level material in six, two-year long courses. Students will also work on substantive research papers, integrative thinking, and achieving goals they set to become people of creativity, action and service. The BPS Acceleration Agenda, unveiled in November 2009, sets a goal of having 100% of BPS students take at least one college-level course (Advanced Placement, Honors, International Baccalaureate and/or dual enrollment) during high school. Read more in the press release.

The addition of Snowden and Quincy brings to 13 the total number of IB programs in Massachusetts. A July 2 New York Times story discusses the rise in popularity of the IB program in U.S. schools.

Principals and headmasters get jump start on school year at leadership conference

2010-07-01T12:31:00.005-04:00

Principals and headmasters from all 135 BPS school programs are attending an intensive two-day leadership conference this week at Simmons College. The focus is on advancing three key goals of our Acceleration Agenda: MCAS proficiency for all, closing achievement and access gaps, and graduating students prepared for college and career success.

The theme of this year's conference is "Building Schools of Excellence: Meeting the Needs of All Students." On Wednesday, our school leaders heard from Kati Haycock, the president of the Education Trust. Haycock is the former executive vice president of the Children's Defense Fund, and has spent years advocating for the kinds of educational improvements that are underway right now in Boston. She told our principals and headmasters that the United States still has a long way to go towards closing the achievement gaps that still separate students of different ethnic backgrounds. Despite successful trends in elementary education around the country, Haycock pointed to other data that shows the gaps are wider than ever in U.S. high schools. Her challenge to BPS was a call to intervene early for all children, so our educators can ensure that every child in Boston has access to great teachers and a promising future.

On Thursday, Derrick Ashong spoke about his own personal journey to achieve success in the United States. Ashong is a native of Ghana, West Africa, and came to the U.S. with his family during a period of profound government upheaval at home. He is the founder of Take Back the Mic, a youth-centered cultural movement that encourages young people to take leadership in art, society, business and politics.

The Leadership Conference is designed to help our principals and headmasters learn from each other and have access to nationally-renowned education experts. In a series of break-out classes, our school leaders learned about creating high-quality programs for English Language Learners; building stronger, student-focused teacher teams using data analysis as a guide; closing achievement gaps; helping teachers become leaders and mentors for their colleagues; engaging families in school communities; and fostering school atmospheres that discourage bullying and make students feel more confident.

Alfreda Harris Recognized by Basketball Hall of Fame

2010-06-30T16:41:00.003-04:00

Mayor Thomas M. Menino today joined School Committee Chairperson Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson in congratulating long-serving school committee member Alfreda Harris on being honored by the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Harris, along with Sacramento Kings center Samuel Dalembert and Hall of Fame Coach Jim Boeheim of Syracuse University were named winners of the 2010 Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award. The award is presented to individuals who have honored the game of basketball by virtue of their personal growth and life-long accomplishments.

"As the longest-serving member of the appointed Boston School Committee, Mrs. Harris has been my personal guide," said Mayor Menino. "I trust Alfreda Harris: her good sense, her judgment, her straight talk, her values. In everything she does, I know that her top priority is and always has been in the best interest of kids. There are many who claim to make a difference; Alfreda Harris is among the few who actually do. She is the real deal."

Harris founded the SAT Preparation Program serving high school students in Boston while also founding and coordinating girls’ basketball leagues and Amateur Athletic Union teams for the city. Harris also founded the Owen Wells Fitness Center and the Reebok Educational Athletic Partnership that provides students with community programs in social development, computer skills and tutoring. Beyond serving on the Boston School Committee, Harris also serves as a Board member for the Shelburne Community Council, Boston Neighborhood Basketball League and the Police Athletic League.

The criteria for award winners include embracing the core values of the game, hard-work, striving to improve the community and making a commitment to others. Beyond the game, award winners must reflect the values of Mannie Jackson’s life-long mission to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo, while taking responsibility for his or her actions and seeking the highest standard of excellence.

Read the press release.

Deb Socia recognized for technology leadership

2010-06-30T10:44:00.006-04:00

The Capital Region Society for Technology in Education (CRSTE) named Principal Debra Socia of the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School in Dorchester a recipient of its first ever “Leadership and Vision” award. The award recognizes leaders in the field of education who have started programs that promote the effective infusion of technology into instruction that reflects the skills, knowledge and experience that are essential for success in the 21st century global economy. After serving as the principal of the Frederick for seven years, Ms. Socia will next year serve as a “principal on assignment” coordinating and expanding Technology Goes Home, a city-wide technology training program serving inner-city families through the Boston Public Schools.

Here is a roundup of some recent press coverage of Deb Socia and the Frederick Middle School:

Intel produced a case study on the Frederick's eLearning initiative.

Ms. Socia has co-authored articles on technology, including “Moving Beyond One Size Fits All With Digital Citizenship,” for the Publius Project at Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society. She has also been quoted in a New York Times story about cyberbullying and a Wall Street Journal story on laptops in the classroom.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation produced a video showcasing a unique mental health program for Somali students at the Frederick.

Clinton, Alliance for a Healthier Generation praise BPS schools for healthy practices

2010-06-24T10:50:00.000-04:00

Former President Bill Clinton and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation recognized seven Boston Public Schools for transforming themselves into healthier places for students and staff. The Boston schools were among 179 from across the country honored at an awards ceremony in New York City.

The seven BPS winners are as follows:
    * Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School – Silver Award
    * Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School – Bronze Award
    * Nathan Hale Elementary School – Bronze Award
* Media Communications Technology High School – Bronze Award
    * Mission Hill School – Bronze Award
    * New Mission High School – Bronze Award
* Josiah Quincy Elementary School – Bronze Award

To earn this award, the schools created healthy eating and physical activity programs that met or exceeded stringent standards set by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, which provides free support and technical assistance to more than 9,000 schools nationwide to help them reverse the national trend in childhood obesity. Schools were eligible for Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum National Recognition Awards based on their level of achievement.

For example, moving students out of classrooms and into neighborhood parks helped the Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School win the Alliance’s “Silver Award.” Science and math teachers identified green spaces within walking distance of the school, transforming urban forests, farms and gardens into learning opportunities. Read more in the press release.

Red Sox Scholars Class of 2010 inducted at Fenway

2010-06-14T12:55:00.000-04:00

The Boston Red Sox introduced the Red Sox Scholars Class of 2010 in an on-field ceremony with Red Sox players at Fenway Park prior to the Sunday, June 13th Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies game. The 25 new Red Sox Scholars, who will enter sixth grade in the fall, are all academically talented, financially challenged middle school students in the Boston Public Schools and join seven previous classes of Scholars. There are now 200 Red Sox Scholars supported by the Red Sox Foundation, the official team charity of the Boston Red Sox, including 18 Scholars in the first class of Red Sox Scholars selected in 2003, who are graduating from high school, and who will be attending college in the fall.

It's graduation time .. for parents!

2010-06-11T17:54:00.000-04:00

High school graduations are in full swing around the city, but students aren't the only graduates in the Boston Public Schools this year. The district recently honored its very first class of graduates from Parent University. School Committee Chair Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., Vice-Chair Marchelle Raynor, Superintendent Johnson, City Councilor Ayanna Presley, several BPS principals, and other special guests gathered at the Reggie Lewis Center last week for a special ceremony honoring the 86 parents who completed the full program. Parent University, developed by the Office of Family & Student Engagement and launched last October, consists of a series of three day-long learning sessions throughout the year designed to support parents and empower them to become leaders and advocates for student learning and school improvement.

Valedictorians Luncheon celebrates top students from each BPS high school

2010-06-08T13:01:00.002-04:00

Last week Mayor Menino and Boston Public Schools honored 36 valedictorians from every Boston public high school at the 12th annual Valedictorians Luncheon at the Boston Harbor Hotel. The students and their invited guests enjoyed a three-course lunch, and each valedictorian took home a backpack and gift card courtesy of Reebok.

Several news outlets covered the event, including WBZ-TV, the Boston Herald, and Fox 25. This coming Sunday, the Boston Globe is set to run its annual valedictorians feature, showcasing the top students from all public schools in the city.

Superintendent, BAA honored at Arts Advocacy Awards

2010-06-07T15:46:00.004-04:00

The nonprofit organization Arts/Learning recently honored Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson and Boston Arts Academy at the 24th Annual Champion of the Arts Advocacy Awards Ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House. Arts/Learning honored Dr. Johnson with the Municipal Leadership Award and BAA with the School of Distinction in Arts Education Award. All of the honorees received handmade "spirit boxes" created by Cambridge artist Judith Motzkin.

Four students from the Kenny Elementary School in Dorchester also attended the event and read poems, including those they had written in response to the earthquake in Haiti. The students participate in a program with Troubadour, a nonprofit organization that uses poetry, prose and song lyrics to improve literacy and student achievement.

Read the students' poems after the jump.

The "I Remember” poems were written in the fall of 2009 in response to “Sonje” a poem written by Patrick Sylvain about his homeland, Haiti. The children loved his poem about missing Haiti, which brought back strong images of their former lives. Using the five senses and similes, the memory comes alive.

Sonje I Remember
by Emmanuella Exinor, grade 4, Mr. Jeremie, Kenny School, Boston

I miss the coconut tree with
fronds. They are so tiny.

Listen to the river .
There is no noise.
The only noise that you hear is the water
that splashes, and after
it sounds very whispery.

I am going to tell you
about its scent like perfume.

It tastes like when someone
mixes a strawberry, cherry
and green apple, and mango.
It tastes sweet.

I can’t wait to go visit my homeland,
to taste and smell, and hear the sounds.

The Homeless
by Emmanuella Exinor, grade 4, Mr. Jeremie, Kenny School, Boston

We have no where to live
We have no where to stay
We are so cold
and we have no one to hold.
This isn’t fair
why are we so scared
All we want to do is rest
But we have to get through
this first.
We pray everyday
and try to do things our
own way
While everybody’s hoping
their family members
are ok.
We wonder why this is
happening to us
And it’s getting hard
to trust
But still help one another
Because we are like sisters
and brothers.
We cry sometimes
while blood comes out of our bodies
like red wine,
people are crying
This situation is too hard
We can’t handle it.

I Remember
by Krystelle Prosper, grade 4, Mr. Jeremie, Kenny School

I miss my beautiful house in Haiti.
I recall my beautiful cutie parent in Haiti,
The beautiful birds sing in my lemon tree.
I miss the beautiful sound of the ocean.
I recall the good scent when my mom is cooking
fried chicken and plantain.
Also the good scent of the food in the neighborhood.

I remember my good cherry leaves when I am touching them.
I miss my good pillow,
when I am yearning for its smoothness.
I miss the good taste of my mango.
I miss the good taste of the cherries.
I feel happy.

Below, Krystelle addresses the earthquake expressing her anger.

The Earthquake
by Krystelle Prosper, grade 4, Mr. Jeremie

Oh earthquake, you don’t know how much
I don’t tolerate you.
I don’t tolerate you just like demons.
You don’t know how I love Haiti
just like Jesus.
You destroy Haiti,
you make my aunt’s house fall on her,
that’s all your fault.

I really don’t tolerate you.
You know something earthquake…
if you were a person, Jesus will punish you
after you destroy
my lovely Haiti.

The following two poems were written this May, using metaphor to describe how students saw themselves change between Kindergarten and fifth grade.

The Puppy Named Karel Turns Into a Dog
by Karel O’Garro, grade 5, Ms. Nguyen

When I was young
I explored the place on land
and water. I swam until
I found a world that
said “destiny.”

I was like a poor
blind puppy that
couldn’t find
my way to destiny.

Now I’m a strong dog.
I found the path. I saw
my friends. I saw my
future.

When I speak you
hear a roar.
When I run you
see the
grass moving.

Now I’m like a
Border Collie. A
Golden Retriever.

Watch me find
your destiny.

Young and Grown
by Sebastien Francois, grade 5, Mrs. Pierre-Louis

When I was young, I used to cry,
my face never felt dry.
I was like a wet sink and
people kept on using me
over and over.

But now I have grown up and I feel
like a dry land, even when
you spread water on me,
I will never go down the drain.

This poem was written to celebrate the changing seasons.

Summer Days
by Sebastien Francois, KennySchool

I open the door to my phenomenal dreams.
I would see the sun shining on me.
I would dribble the ball
into the light blue ocean water.
I feel as handsome as a beach flower.
I feel the sun warming me up for
a nice and gentle day.
I would breathe in the
outstanding flowers.
I skateboard down the
outrageous branches.

Oh, I love the charming spring weather.
My tree is the ocean and I am the sand.
We will stick together forever.

Writing in the persona of an animal allows a student to convey personal attributes behind an animal mask, while similes help the reader visualize the images.

Faster than Fastest
by Karel O’Garro

I’m the cheetah. I live
in the savannah.
My spots are as black
as the night sky. I move
quietly so I can stalk my prey.
My skin is as soft as a pillow.
I purred when I was little. I’m your
role model as I speed through my life.

Boston Celtics honor BPS middle school students

2010-05-28T17:05:00.009-04:00

Governor Deval Patrick, Superintendent Carol R. Johnson, Boston Celtics Legend Dana Barros, and Celtics President Rich Gotham honored more than 800 Boston Public Schools middle school students yesterday at the 19th annual Celtics Stay In School Awards held at Northeastern University's Matthews Arena. Students were recognized in the categories of writing, art, and attendance, including 15 students who made it into the "Three Year Club" (8th graders who have never been late or absent in their entire middle school careers). Each school also celebrated an "M.I.P." or "Most Improved Pupil" -- the student who made greatest progress this year in regards to attitude, effort, behavior, and academics.The event, which featured student performances by the Edwards Middle School step team and chorus as well as a performance by Boston rapper Akrobatik, was sponsored by Arbella Insurance Group.

Photo: Horace Mann School M.I.P. Julia Damon Goodman shows off her autographed photo of Paul Pierce.

Dr. Johnson speaks at Boston Bar Association's Law Day Dinner

2010-05-26T11:07:00.010-04:00

Superintendent Johnson last night gave the keynote address at the Boston Bar Association's Law Day Dinner. Below is an excerpt from her remarks:

Tonight, I am reminded that throughout our nation’s history, the work that you do and the work we carry out on a day-to-day basis has often intersected. So tonight, I’d like to say a little bit about how we got to this place, tell you how we are changing to create the kinds of schools that most of you attended and that each of you would choose for your own child - and then finally, I hope to end with a few thoughts about how together we can be the change we want to see for all of our community’s children. Our collective work in Boston is all the more significant because Boston’s history begins our nation’s history and our nation’s pursuit of educational opportunity for all of its children began with the first school - Boston Latin School, founded in 1635, and who this year celebrates it 375th anniversary. BLS was followed in 1647 by a decree that every town in the Commonwealth of 50 families or more should have an elementary school and every town of 100 families should establish a “Latin School.” The Mather elementary school opened in 1639, the English high school in 1821; and yet the universal free public education system that is a ubiquitous part of the fabric of our American democracy and the one we know today is one that has been sacrificed for and fought for.

Read the entire speech here.

News from the schools

2010-05-14T17:07:00.013-04:00

Here is a roundup of recent events and news from around the Boston Public Schools:

Thanks to a $13K generous donation from Old Mutual Asset Management Foundation, Monument High School's Mu Alpha Theta (M.A.T.) mathematics honor society was able to take a field trip to Chicago, Illinois, recently. The trip to Chicago gave the students the chance to explore another city rich in history, culture, diversity, food, music, and architecture and also exposed students to the role of mathematics in architecture and engineering, as well as logistical planning (budget, itinerary, and fundraising). Photo: Mu Alpha Theta Students.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Boston AIDS Walk, AIDS Action is recognizing 25 community heroes. Boston Public Schools Student Support Coordinator Phil Robinson is among them. Mr. Robinson has raised many thousands of dollars to end the AIDS epidemic by participating in each and every AIDS Walk Boston.

Fox 25 visited the Trotter Elementary School in Dorchester recently for a story about Playworks, the national nonprofit organization that provides structured recess programming for schools.

Nora Tsoutsis, an English teacher at John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science in Roxbury, was recently named by the National Math and Science Initiative as one of 18 teachers to receive its first annual All American Teacher of the Year Award. The awards, which recognize outstanding math, science, and English teachers for remarkable contributions to their students and to the teaching profession, are presented to teachers in each state participating in NMSI’s Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program (APTIP).

Boston part of statewide campaign seeking outstanding teachers for positions in Turnaround Schools

2010-05-10T10:09:00.013-04:00

Boston is one of nine cities in the Commonwealth seeking outstanding teachers to apply for positions in “Level 4” or Turnaround Schools next year. For more information about these opportunities, visit www.amazingteachers.org.

This website is designed to inform teachers about career opportunities in the state’s Turnaround Schools, which are located in nine districts: Boston, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Springfield and Worcester. The site provides information about the first group of 35 “Level 4” schools and the nine urban public school districts in which they are located, with a focus on supports and incentives for teachers.

The website includes videos of outstanding teachers who currently work in Level 4 schools and also allows visitors to recommend great teachers to be considered for teaching positions in Level 4 schools.

Boston teachers featured in the videos include English High School history teachers Efraim Toledano and Caitlyn Murphy, Trotter Elementary School 5th grade teacher Joanne Douglas, and Trotter science teacher Brenda Richardson. Students also have a chance to share their thoughts on their amazing teachers.

Read today's Globe article about the state's new recruitment campaign for Turnaround Schools.

BPS in the News

2010-05-07T16:23:00.001-04:00

Many news outlets, including the Globe, Herald, and WCVB-TV, covered the ceremony officially renaming BPS's Health Careers Academy as the Edward M. Kennedy Academy of Health Careers.

Both the Globe and the Herald wrote about the first ArtScience Innovation prize awarded this week to Boston high school students who have spent the past year working on innovative ideas and inventions. A team from the John D. O'Bryant won the contest and an opportunity to travel to France to further develop their project.

Boston Arts Academy headmaster Linda Nathan, Charlestown High School Arabic language teacher Steven Berbeco, and BPS literacy coach Elizabeth MacDonald are featured in a recent Boston Globe Magazine article about reinvigorating education for students of all ages.

Six BPS students earn prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarships

2010-04-30T15:26:00.008-04:00

Six Boston Public Schools students have been selected for the United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS), the nation’s largest minority scholarship program. The BPS students, representing four high schools, are among 1,000 students nationwide and 11 in Massachusetts who received the good-through-graduation college scholarships that can be used to pursue degrees in any undergraduate major at the college or university of the recipients’ choice.

The 2010 Boston Public Schools Gates Millennium Scholars are as follows:

· Tatiana Cortes, New Mission High School
· Jean Heyd Meneide, Brook Farm Business and Service Career Academy
· Jasmine Lee, Boston Arts Academy
· Takii Rivers, New Mission High School
· Patrick Tavares, Brighton High School
· Jasmine Williams, New Mission High School

One of the students, Tatiana Cortes, was profiled in a Boston Herald article, while WHDH-TV stopped by New Mission High School to speak with some of the winners.

Photo: Tatiana Cortes (Boston Herald)

Perkins School welcomes "men and women in uniform" for reading celebration

2010-04-27T13:02:00.002-04:00

The Michael J. Perkins Elementary School in South Boston recently celebrated reading with a special event featuring sailors, police, EMS, firefighters, military officers and other “men and women in uniform” who visited classrooms and served as guest readers. The guests, including EMI Michael Pendergraft and SA Tracy Stephens from the USS Constitution (pictured), read books related to their professions, and at the end of the day, each child selected a book to bring home for his/her home library. The event was organized in conjunction with Reading Is Fundamental and ReadBoston.

Students travel to New Orleans over April vacation to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts

2010-04-16T13:38:00.008-04:00

In collaboration with Gulf Coast Volunteers for the Long Haul, 12 students from six Boston Public Schools will travel to New Orleans over spring recess next week to help with ongoing relief efforts related to Hurricane Katrina.

The students are all mentors in the LEAH project, which provides high school students with mentoring and leadership opportunities in out-of-school-time programs.

The students, along with four staff, will stay in Algiers for the week and volunteer in the wards of New Orleans and Slidell, Louisiana. They will also visit McMain High School to dialogue with New Orleans Public Schools students, visit Dillard University, and experience the unique food, music, and culture of the city. Throughout the trip, LEAH mentors will post updates on Facebook and Twitter as “Leah Leaders” and write daily blogs at http://leahneworleans.chipin.com. They leave on Sunday, April 18 and return to Boston on Saturday, April 24. The trip is sponsored in part by Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.

BPS in the News

2010-04-09T16:37:00.000-04:00

Here are some recent news stories featuring BPS students, staff and partners:

WBZ-TV went to the Tynan Elementary School today in South Boston, where Boston Police honored third grade student Richard Scott for his bravery. Last week, Richard helped a Kindergarten student whose parents were not at the bus stop to pick her up.

The City of Boston's Anti-Bullying Hotline was recently featured in an ABC News story on cyberbulling.

The Curley K-8 School and the John F. Kennedy School in Jamaica Plain were featured in the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald for helping the Department of Fish and Game release trout and salmon into Jamaica Pond.

Kindergarten students learn about careers in the aviation industry

2010-04-08T12:22:00.006-04:00

Students from Ms. Frazier's K1 class at the Adams Elementary School in East Boston stopped by the annual Logan Airport Aviation Education Career Expo. The students got an up-close look at a gigantic FedEx plane and an opportunity to climb aboard and explore a number of aircraft. Each year more than 1,000 students from Boston and beyond attend the event to learn more about careers in the aviation and transportation industries and about the importance of science and math skills in these fields.

Families: Register online for Parent University and check out Summer Stuff

2010-03-29T15:46:00.017-04:00

Registration for the May 1 session of the popular Parent University is now open. Parent University is a learning experience specifically designed to help Boston Public Schools parents increase their understanding of how children learn and develop; what their children should be learning; how to help their children get what they need to succeed; and how to bring other parents together to work for school improvement. Most importantly Parent University provides opportunities for parents to build their own skills and enjoy learning new things. Learn more and register online at www.bostonpublicschools.org/parentuniversity.

Additionally, BPS this week released the 2010 edition of Summer Stuff and Summer Stuff, Jr., listing hundreds of summer camps, classes, activities, internships and job opportunities for the coming summer. Summer Stuff 2010 for Grades 6 – 12 and Summer Stuff Jr. 2010 for Kindergarten – Grade 5 will be available in all Boston Public Schools and Family Resource Centers, as well as City Hall, public libraries, YMCA branches, ABCD Head Start Programs, and Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) community centers starting the week of March 29 – April 1. Additional free copies will be available at the BPS central office, 26 Court Street, Boston. Both editions can also be found online at www.bostonpublicschools.org/summer.

Excel High School delegates recognized at Model UN

2010-03-26T09:58:00.009-04:00

Excel High School delegates won three of the four available awards for best position paper at the recent 2010 Boston Invitational Model UN Conference:

Etshiewot Mebratu and Khairi Marsh - Prisoner Treatment in the Human Rights Council;
Yunqi Lin and Kristen Keough - Gender Equality in the Social/Cultral Committee; and
Matt Doan - Conflict Diamonds in the Disarmament and International Security Committee.

Two Excel delegates also earned honorable mentions in public speaking and negotiation:

Frances Quinn and Jeffrey Senatus - Conflict Diamonds in the Disarmament and International Security Committee.

The event, organized by the United Nations Association of Greater Boston (UNAGB) was held recently at Northeastern University.

Photo: (L to R) Excel High School students Etshiewot Mebratu, Jeffrey Senatus, Matthew Doan, Yunqi Lin, Khairi Marsh, Kristen Keough, and Frances Quinn (center).

Murphy students travel to "Destination ImagiNation"

2010-03-25T13:50:00.014-04:00

The Murphy K-8 School sent three teams to the Destination ImagiNation (DI) competition in Beverly, MA last weekend, and one of the teams -- "Do or DI Improv" -- won first place in its elementary category and will advance to the state championships in Worcester on April 3. Destination ImagiNation is an exhilarating after-school activity in which students work in teams to solve mind-bending Challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments. Teams are tested to think on their feet, work together, and devise original solutions that satisfy the requirements of the Challenges. Students at the Murphy participate in DI through the school's "Prime Time Afterschool Program."

Photo: Miren Parkinson and Max Snyder display their team's banner. Fifty teams from 12 communities participated in last weekend's tournament.

BPS in the News: English High School mural story on WBUR radio

2010-03-22T15:37:00.007-04:00

WBUR's David Boeri recently did a story on a special work of art in progress at The English High School. Heidi Schork, the leader of the mural crew for the City of Boston, is working with students to create a mural inside the school that represents the diversity of English's student body. Listen to the story and view the slide show on the WBUR website.

Photo: Woody Italien, from Haiti, is one of the students who became a painter. (Andrew Phelps/WBUR)

BPS teacher takes a year to travel the world

2010-03-12T17:04:00.011-05:00

Teacher Lillian Marshall taught at Charlestown High School for five years before taking a leave of absence this school year to travel around the world to volunteer, teach and write. After some time in Asia and Europe, for the past two months she has been in Ghana, West Africa, running a student writing project and international penpal exchange. Follow Ms. Marshall's adventures on her daily travel blog, "Around the World L", and make sure to check out the Student Life Stories Project, which contains nearly two dozen stories written by Ghanaian students about an important or influential event in their life, allowing readers around the world a sneak peek into the individual students' life experiences.

Photo: Ghanaian students view their published works online for the first time (courtesy of Lillian Marshall).

Two BPS basketball teams advance to State Semi-Finals

2010-03-07T20:53:00.014-05:00

Two Boston Public Schools boys basketball teams will compete in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Sate Semi-Finals today at the TD Garden. The New Mission Titans will play Cathedral High School at 2:45 p.m., and the Madison Park Cardinals will play Central Catholic at 7:45 p.m. Read more coverage about the tournament at Justin Rice's BPS Sports Blog.

Photo: On Friday night the Madison Park Technical-Vocational High School boys basketball team defeated Mansfield in the MIAA Division 1 Sectional Finals at the TD Garden with a final score of 72 to 60.

Higginson-Lewis welcomes "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" author and stars

2010-03-07T20:48:00.009-05:00

Students at the Higginson-Lewis K-8 School in Roxbury welcomed some very special guests on Friday. Jeff Kinney, author of the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, and actors Robert Capron and Zachary Gordon, stars of the upcoming Diary of a Wimpy Kid film, stopped by the school to celebrate literacy with an assembly and book signing. Also in attendance was Boston's first lady, Angela Menino. Mr. Kinney presented Mrs. Menino with a check for $1,000 to support the WriteBoston program, and Mrs. Menino, on behalf of the Mayor, declared Friday, March 5 to be "Wimpy Kid Day" in Boston.

BPS drop out rate lowest in two decades

2010-03-02T17:16:00.004-05:00

Dropout data released today shows the Boston Public Schools currently has its lowest high school dropout rate since 1982. The data, released simultaneously with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education state-wide data, also shows for a third consecutive year, a continued downward trend in the BPS dropout rate. For the 2008/2009 school year the BPS dropout rate dropped to 6.4%, down from 7.2% in 2008. Read the press release for more information on what the district is doing to reduce the drop out rate and ensure that all students graduate from high school.

Students spend school vacation in Ghana

2010-03-02T17:10:00.005-05:00

Eight Boston students spent February vacation in Ghana as part of the Another Course to College / Achimota School Exchange program. The Boston students spent the week learning about the culture, history, people and geography of Ghana, including touring World Heritage sites, participating in workshops on batik cloth, tie dye and kente weaving, exploring rain forests, staying with host families, and attending school with Ghanaian students. A group of students from Ghana will travel to Boston in late May as the second part of the exchange.

School Committee member, BPS staff make El Planeta's "PowerMeter" list

2010-02-16T12:22:00.018-05:00

El Planeta recently released its 2009-2010 "PoderoMetro" ("PowerMeter"), a list of Massachusetts's 100 most powerful people in the Latino community. Several members of the Boston Public Schools community made the list, including Boston School Committee member Claudio Martinez, Assistant Superintendent for English Language Learners Eileen de los Reyes, and Edison K-8 School music teacher Gilberto Rivera. The "PoderoMetro" also includes Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Governor Deval Patrick, State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, State Representative Jeffrey Sánchez, City Councilor Felix G. Arroyo, and Boston Public Health Commissioner (and former BPS high school headmaster) Barbara Ferrer, among others. See the complete list of honorees online.

Mayor, students kick-off citywide campaign against cyber bullying

2010-02-16T11:39:00.017-05:00

Mayor Thomas M. Menino visited the McCormack Middle School in Dorchester last Friday to to kick-off a citywide campaign against cyber bullying in response to several reports of disturbing incidents nationwide. At the event, students from TechBoston Academy shared their new public service announcement aimed at ending cyber bullying. The PSA, along with other internet safety resources for students, teachers and families, can be found on the BPS Cyber Safety Campaign website. See coverage on WHDH-TV and read the Globe article or visit the BPS Internet Safety blog for the latest updates.

Boston Anti-Bullying Hotline: 617-534-5050

NECN's "Bending the Curve" series looks at education reform and the achievement gap

2010-02-16T11:00:00.017-05:00

The latest installment of NECN's series, Bending the Curve: Closing the Economic Divide in Massachusetts, examines the achievement gap and the education reform legislation recently passed in Massachusetts. The first part of the program features an interview with Boston School Committee member John F. Barros. In a second segment, Nicole Mack, principal of the Everett Elementary School in Dorchester, participates in a panel discussion on the education reform law with Paul Reville, Education Secretary for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mass. State Rep. Marty Walz, chair of the joint committee on education, and Kevin Andrews, Headmaster of the Neighborhood House Charter School and President of the Board of Directors of the Mass. Charter Public School Association. Later in the program, NECN profiles the TechBoston Academy Lower School in Dorchester as a model of innovation.

Banner newspaper launches new monthly section for high school students

2010-02-10T16:02:00.012-05:00

The Bay State Banner this week launched STEP UP - Focus Your Steps Toward Success, a new monthly supplement to provide high school students with information and inspiration around academic achievement. The inaugural STEP UP issue features a story about local students selected for the 2010 Posse Scholarships. For a complete list of the 23 Posse Scholars from the Boston Public Schools, read the press release.

Students surprised with $100,000 worth of musical instruments

2010-02-10T11:05:00.007-05:00

Yesterday at Symphony Hall, Fidelity Investments surprised Boston-area students with a donation of $100,000 worth of new musical instruments. The event, which linked students from Boston Arts Academy, Boston Latin Academy, the Roland Hayes School of Music, and Cambridge Rindge & Latin School via satellite to students in Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago, was part of the national kick-off of Fidelity's 2010 FutureStage program.

Read coverage in the Boston Herald or watch the NECN story.
(Photo: Boston Herald)

Boston parents head back to school

2010-02-04T14:58:00.006-05:00

Boston Public Schools and Northeastern University welcomed 250 parents to campus on Saturday for the second session of Parent University, the new, free, year-long education and training program to help BPS parents support their children’s academic achievement. The district, in conjunction with partner organizations, offered a wide range of workshops, many in both English and Spanish, including:
• Easing your way into Algebra
• Raising our sons
• MCAS: A roadmap to understanding your child’s scores
• K-8 science, your child and you!
• What is self esteem? How do we get it? How do we give it?
• No Child Left Behind: What’s in it for families?
• Let’s talk about it: Keeping communication open with your teen

View a slide show of photos from the event.

Umana students launch East Boston Historical Society

2010-02-01T13:58:00.006-05:00

Students at the Umana Middle School Academy in partnership with the Boston Museum and other cultural organizations recently created the first student-led historical society for East Boston, a neighborhood rich in history that has never had such a group. The East Boston Historical Society's inaugural exhibit, held last week at the 80 Border Street Cultural Exchange Center, featured a student-created iPhone mobile game based on the Battle of Chelsea Creek (the first Naval battle of the American Revolution); designs for an immigration memorial (visitors could caste votes for their favorite design); 3D maps and architectural studies; and wooden ship hulls and student narratives of life in Donald McKay's shipyard. Read coverage in The Boston Globe or visit the East Boston Historical Society's blog.

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

2010-01-20T10:57:00.007-05:00

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

2010-01-07T16:17:00.007-05:00

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

2010-01-07T14:44:00.007-05:00

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.

Registration for School Year 2010-2011 begins January 4

2009-12-30T17:43:00.009-05:00

Boston Public Schools announces the start of the registration process for the 2010-2011 school year. The first round of registration runs from January 4 – February 5, 2010 and is open to students entering Kindergarten, Grade 6 or Grade 9. Parents/guardians of new-to-BPS students must visit one of BPS Family Resource Centers (FRC) to register their child(ren) for school. To save time, parents may begin the process online using the district’s pre-registration site, BPSExpress; however, the registration process must be completed in person at an FRC. The FRCs have extended hours during the next four weeks of registration, including new Saturday hours at the East Zone FRC.

Tynan School rallies to support 3-year-old cancer patient

2009-12-18T11:50:00.002-05:00

The staff and students at the Tynan Elementary School in South Boston are learning about giving to others this holiday season in a very special way. The school community is rallying in support of three-year-old Charlotte Kelly, daughter of Patrice Kelly (pictured here), who teaches at the school. More than 15 Tynan teachers visited Children’s Hospital to volunteer as blood donors to help Charlotte in her fight against cancer. See coverage on WBZ-TV and in the Boston Globe.

Russell Ferguson wins "So You Think You Can Dance"

2009-12-17T14:40:00.004-05:00

Russell Ferguson of Roxbury, a 2007 graduate of the Boston Arts Academy, was named America’s favorite dancer last night as winner of Season 6 of Fox TV's "So You Think You Can Dance." He wins a cash prize of $250,000 and a cover feature in the March issue of Dance Spirit Magazine. Russell's alma mater celebrated the BAA alumnus' victory with a special tribute today at the annual Winterfest Jazz Concert at the Berklee Performance Center, featuring student performances and a special appearance by members of the Krump Club. Congratulations, Russell and BAA!

BPS high schools among US News & World Report best

2009-12-14T14:27:00.002-05:00

In its third annual ranking of the 100 Best High Schools in America, U.S. News & World Report magazine has again recognized Boston Latin School (BLS) as one of the best in the country. The study, which examines a variety of factors about a school’s performance and ability to prepare students for college, ranks BLS 38th out of more than 21,700 high schools nationwide. Seven other BPS high schools earned silver and bronze medals as well.

Boston students score high in math on "The Nation's Report Card"

2009-12-08T12:19:00.002-05:00

Results released today show Boston Public Schools 4th and 8th grade students outperforming their urban peers in mathematics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as "The Nation's Report Card." Education officials held a national news conference today in Washington, D.C., to present results from 18 city school districts across the country. Boston scored better than almost every other city. Pictured here, a 4th grade student at the Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School solves a math problem.

Documentary filmmakers visit the Quincy Elementary

2009-12-02T10:16:00.003-05:00

Ken Eng (left) and Alex Shear, director and producer of the PBS documentary Kokoyakyu about high school baseball in Japan, recently visited the Quincy Elementary School in Chinatown. The filmmakers are alumni of the Quincy and Boston Latin School.

NNN features new middle school football league

2009-12-01T16:42:00.002-05:00

Neighborhood Network News reports on the new Play Ball! Middle School Football League:

Football Gains Ground in Middle Schools from Chris Lovett on Vimeo.

MIAA honors Boston athletes for sportsmanship

2009-12-01T08:26:00.002-05:00

Odyssey High School senior Lorina Gjino (left), who plays on the South Boston Education Complex volleyball and softball teams, and Odyssey sophomore Gabriela Cruzado (right), who plays on the football and basketball teams, met former New England Patriots linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Andre Tippett at the 16th annual Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Sportsmanship Summit at Gillette Stadium. Odyssey High School was one of 24 Boston Public Schools to make the 2008-09 MIAA Sportsmanship Honor Roll for not having had any student-athletes or coaches disqualified or suspended from an athletic contest during the 2008-2009 school year.

Superintendent presents five-year BPS transformation plan

2009-11-18T22:06:00.004-05:00

Superintendent Carol Johnson presented to the Boston School Committee tonight the Acceleration Agenda, a five-year strategic direction for the transformation of the Boston Public Schools. The plan includes goals, academic targets, and four key strategies to ensure the success of all schools and students. Dr. Johnson also named 14 "turnaround schools" identified for targeted interventions and supports. See coverage in the Globe, Herald, and on NECN:

Wednesday is Education Support Professionals Day

2009-11-17T22:31:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow -- Wednesday, November 18 -- is an opportunity for schools across the country to pay tribute to the secretaries, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, and other support staff. As part of National Education Week, celebrate Education Support Professionals Day by thanking the men and women who keep our schools running well so that teachers can teach and students can learn!

Task force to address ELL achievement gaps

2009-11-06T09:02:00.001-05:00

The Boston School Committee has launched a Task Force on English Language Learners to improve achievement among students whose first language is not English.

Actuaries invest in the future of Boston

2009-11-05T18:56:00.002-05:00

The Society of Actuaries recently held its annual conference in Boston. Prior to the national meeting, the organization donated $25,000 to the Boston Public Schools to support math instruction. The Actuarial Foundation also donated financial literacy packets to Boston Latin Academy as well as flash drives for students. Pictured here, Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. (left), Chair of the Boston School Committee, accepts a check from Cecil Bykerk, FSA, President of the Society of Actuaries.

Congratulations, retirees!

2009-11-05T09:53:00.004-05:00

Last night, the Boston School Committee paid tribute to principals and district leaders who retired recently from the Boston Public Schools. Pictured here are some of the retirees who attended a reception prior to the School Committee meeting. Left to right: front row, Dr. Carol R. Johnson, Superintendent; Grace Madsen, Adams Elementary School; Joanne Collins-Russell, Jackson-Mann K-8 School; Mary Russo, Murphy K-8 School; Suzanne Lee, Quincy Elementary School; back row, Michael O’Neill, School Committee member; Antonio Barbosa, Winship Elementary School; Emily Shamieh, Winthrop Elementary School; Carlos Gibb, Ellis Elementary School; Nancy Zamierowski, Assistant Superintendent; William Henderson, O’Hearn Elementary School; Michele O’Connell, Holland Elementary School; Catherine James, Bates Elementary School; and Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., School Committee Chair.

First day of school at Parent University

2009-10-31T13:54:00.006-04:00

Approximately 300 Boston Public Schools parents gathered at the University of Massachusetts Boston today for the first session of BPS Parent University, a new year-long program to help parents and caregivers support their children's education. The program is mentioned in a Time magazine story about parent academies across the country. See coverage in the Boston Globe, on Channel 5, and on New England Cable News:

BPS-TV Video: Showcase of Schools

2009-10-28T09:23:00.004-04:00

Rain didn't stop families from attending the citywide Showcase of Schools, with every BPS school represented with colorful displays and energetic staff eager to describe what makes their school unique. Visit the photo album and watch a video from BPS-TV:

New growth model highlights students' MCAS gains

2009-10-28T07:53:00.003-04:00

For the first time yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reported student and school MCAS progress using a "growth model." Instead of comparing how different groups of students perform on the same test (e.g., 2009 4th graders vs. 2008 4th graders), the growth model follows the same students' progress from one year to the next. Today's Boston Globe highlights the O'Donnell Elementary School in East Boston showing tremendous student gains under the new model.

$2.4m federal grant to expand Advanced Placement in BPS

2009-10-26T14:19:00.002-04:00

City and school officials today announced continued expansion of Advanced Placement (AP) offerings in the Boston Public Schools, thanks in part to a new $2.4 million federal grant. Superintendent Johnson's "Acceleration Agenda" includes strategies for more students completing AP, Honors and dual enrollment courses in order to be prepared for success in college.

BAA graduate to compete on "So You Think You Can Dance"

2009-10-25T13:38:00.002-04:00

Russell Ferguson, a 2007 graduate of the Boston Arts Academy (BAA), is one of the Top 20 finalists on Fox TV’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” Russell came to BAA with no formal dance training. During his four years at the school, he studied Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, African, Repertory, Choreography, and Dance History, in addition to the school’s rigorous college preparatory academic curriculum. Russell is now a sophomore at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Watch his audition video. Tune in Tuesday at 8:00 to cast your vote!

BCLA wins "School on the Move" Prize!

2009-10-22T11:25:00.006-04:00

EdVestors has presented the 4th annual $100,000 Thomas W. Payzant "School on the Move" Prize to Boston Community Leadership Academy. BCLA was one of three finalists, along with the Warren-Prescott K-8 School and Young Achievers Science & Math Pilot K-8 School, recognized for significant school improvement.

Read about past winners:

2008: Samuel Mason Pilot Elementary School

2007: Excel High School

2006: Sarah Greenwood K-8 School

BCLA is also one of several Boston public high schools featured in a Boston Globe guest column today about WriteBoston's Teens In Print program.

Left to right: Mayor Thomas M. Menino, EdVestors Executive Director Laura Perille, BCLA Headmaster Nicole Bahnam, Superintendent Carol R. Johnson and Former Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant.

MASC presents Tip O'Neill Award to Mayor Menino

2009-10-19T15:50:00.002-04:00

The Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) today announced that Mayor Thomas M. Menino is the 2009 winner of the Tip O'Neill Award for leadership in public education.

Target transforms Mather Elementary School library

2009-10-19T11:41:00.003-04:00

The Mather Elementary School has a brand new school library -- complete with new furniture, books, computers and more -- thanks to an extreme makeover from Target and the Heart of America Foundation. Watch the video from BPS-TV: