Sportsmanship Award to Madison boys' volleyball

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) has selected the team from Madison Park Technical-Vocational High School (Roxbury) as the winner of the 2009 Boys' Volleyball Team Sportsmanship Award. The team received a standing ovation at a cermony in Ashland, Mass., during the state boys' volleyball championships last month. Led by coach Marcie Fiorini, the team includes Larry Williams, Elysander Plaza, Edson Barbosa, Elino DaSilva, Jonathan Deleon, Elly Escalera, Khayree Hudson, Vu Le, Juan Ocasio, Ivandir Resende and Dariano Pina.

New elementary literacy program: Reading Street

Superintendent Johnson today announced the adoption of a new elementary reading program for BPS students in kindergarten through grade 5: Scott Foresman Reading Street from Pearson. A thorough review process led local educators to select the program, in part because it includes a range of instructional materials for students with varying academic skills and needs, including children with disabilities and English Language Learners. Principals and teachers will be introduced to the program this summer, with training taking place throughout the fall.

To learn more about Reading Street, visit the website or watch the short video below about the use of the program in Revere, Mass.:

O'Bryant graduate earns Hispanic Heritage Youth Award

Massiel de los Santos, a 2009 graduate of the John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science, was honored earlier this month during the 12th Annual National Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards Ceremony held in Miami, Florida. Read about her in the South End News.

Dorchester Academy set to open in former Dorchester High

When the new school year begins in September, the new Dorchester Academy will open in the former Dorchester High School. Dorchester Academy, whose official name was approved by the School Committee last week, is the merger of two former schools in the building: Noonan Business Academy and the Academy of Public Service. It will feature an academic and career focus on public service, business, and the law.

BPS teacher to lead visit to Kyoto, Japan

BPS teacher Timothy Nagaoka will lead a group of nearly two dozen local educators on a trip to Kyoto, Japan, later this month. The visit is part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the "Sister City" relationship between Boston and Kyoto. The Japan Society of Boston recently honored Mr. Nagaoka's leadership with the distinguished John E. Thayer Award.

Supt. Johnson elected Chair of national board

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

O'Hearn School renamed after Dr. Henderson

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

Kevin Youkilis launches "Batting for Books" for BPS

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

Four artists win Aznive Scholarships

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

Madison's Jaquite wins national jumping title

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

"Family Matters" wins NSPRA award

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

Additional school leaders named

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

Mayor Menino announces plans to advance BPS progress

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

Graduating at the top of the Class of 2009

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

Publishing Party at the Bates

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

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

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

Principal appointments announced

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

Report highlights Curley K-8 literacy work

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

BPS musicians perform with Boston Pops

Nine Boston Public Schools student musicians have won the opportunity of a lifetime: to perform at Symphony Hall with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, through the "Fidelity FutureStage® at the Boston Pops" competition. Watch them on NECN:

BLS student named one of the world's best young scientists

She's only a junior in high school, but already Olivia Schwob has earned international recognition for her work in the sciences. At the recent Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, the Boston Latin School student from West Roxbury was one of only three students from around the world to earn a "Young Scientist" prize, including a $50,000 scholarship. Olivia’s project, How Worms Learn III: Mammalian Gene Expression and Associative Conditioning, earned her a first prize and was named “Best in Category” in the Behavioral Science division. Fellow Boston Latin School student Anartya Mandal also earned a first prize and a “Best in Category” award in the Biochemistry division. At the recent Massachusetts Science Fair, sixteen Boston Public Schools students also earned prizes.