How did your school celebrate "College Month"?

Boston students of all ages are closer to becoming the college students of tomorrow, thanks to innovative programs held during the district's second annual College Month. Throughout the month of October, elementary, middle and high schools helped students prepare for higher education with fun and engaging activities about college access and opportunity, including guest speakers, college and career fairs, visits to area colleges and universities, and more. (Pictured here is the Class of 2007 from Another Course to College.)

We want to hear from students, teachers, parents and administrators: How did your school celebrate College Month? Post a comment here about the programs that are helping to put Boston Public Schools students on the path to college...

Excel High wins "School on the Move" Prize

Excel High School is the winner of the 2nd Annual "School on the Move" Prize created in honor of former Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant. EdVestors presented the $100,000 award after a panel of judges selected Excel, one of three small schools in the South Boston Education Complex, as the most improved school in the district. The school was featured recently on Neighborhood Network News. Boston Community Leadership Academy and the Noonan Business Academy each will receive $25,000 as finalists for the prize. Pictured here at the gala celebration, left to right, are: Laura Perille, EdVestors Executive Director; former Superintendent Michael Contompasis; Excel High School Headmaster Ligia Noriega; Mayor Thomas M. Menino; Superintendent Carol R. Johnson; and Dr. Payzant.

From the archives: Sarah Greenwood is a "school on the move"

Apply to serve on the Boston School Committee

The Boston School Committee Nominating Panel is seeking applicants for two positions on the School Committee. The 13-member panel screens applicants in order to recommend finalists to Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who will appoint members to serve a four-year term beginning in January 2008. Applicants must be residents of Boston. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, November 9.

New science lab for Fenway High School

Thanks to an innovative partnership with the Pfizer Research Technology Center, Fenway High School has a new science laboratory. In a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, Mayor Menino and Superintendent Johnson joined Pfizer officials and Fenway administrators, faculty and students to unveil the new high-tech learning space. Several years ago, Pfizer staff and scientists visited the school to judge a science fair, and since then the pharmaceutical company has remained an active partner in the school. Pictured here, ninth graders Shaquana Mathis of Dorchester (white jacket) and Karie Everrett of Roxbury demonstrate the new laboratory equipment.

Turner Broadcasting trains Boston students in new media technology

Mayor Menino and Boston Public Schools officials today announced a new partnership with Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., to provide Boston high school students with training in new technology created by Turner to webcast sporting events and other live activities. Media Communications Technology High School in the West Roxbury Education Complex is the pilot site for the project, which will be expanded to other schools during the three-year partnership. Students and teachers from Media High participated in intensive training in Turner's "PlayON!" technology before covering their first event, a recent high school football game at White Stadium. Students also directed and filmed the news conference announcing the partnership at their school. Pictured here, senior Brandon Harrington operates a camera at the event. For additional photos, click here.

Reasons to celebrate...

* Blue Cross / Blue Shield of Massachusetts presented a "Best in Class" award to the Mario Umana Middle School Academy for outstanding nutrition, fitness and health programs. The school received $2,500 to support its work.

* Kennietha Jones, principal of the Mildred Avenue Middle School, was honored recently at the 2nd annual Gateway to Boston Gala sponsored by the Mattapan Community Development Corporation.

* The School Committee recently presented citations to two school police officers, Officer Gabriel Rosa and Sergeant Kenneth Jackson, for saving the life of a South Boston Education student who was choking.

Carter School opens Sensory Garden Outdoor Classroom

Students, staff, families and supporters of the William E. Carter School gathered today for the dedication and ribbon cutting of the school's new sensory garden and outdoor classroom. The 16,450-square-foot garden is designed to create sensory appeal and learning motivation for students who are educationally challenged by severe cognitive and developmental disabilities.

Two Boston teachers win surprise Milken Awards

Yesterday teachers from two Boston public high schools attended school assemblies thinking they were there to meet the new Superintendent. Instead, they were called on stage to receive $25,000 Milken Family Foundation Educator Awards. Students and colleagues cheered as Anne Clark, an English teacher at the Boston Arts Academy, and Matthew Dugan, a Science teacher at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, accepted their prizes -- two of only 80 distinguished educators around the country receiving the award this year. The educators -- the ninth and tenth BPS Milken recipients -- were celebrated in local media, including the front page of the Boston Globe (photos courtesy of boston.com), the Boston Herald, New England Cable News, and other outlets.

MCAS scores on the rise

Boston Public Schools students demonstrated improvement in nearly every subject and grade level on the Spring 2007 MCAS exams, outpacing State gains almost across the board. State and City officials announced individual district and school results at the Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School, which made significant progress. Student performance on the Grade 10 exams continued to climb, with more than half of all students now scoring at the two highest levels in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Mike Contompasis begins new chapter after BPS

Friday, September 28 marked Michael Contompasis' last day as an employee of the Boston Public Schools, after more than 42 years of service as a teacher, Headmaster, Chief Operating Officer, and Superintendent. Central office staff -- pictured here, clad in purple in honor of Boston Latin School -- gathered to thank and congratulate Mike on his countless contributions to the school district and the city. His retirement from the Boston Public Schools, however, does not mean the end of Mike's public service. On Friday, Mayor Thomas M. Menino appointed Mike as Director of Intergovernmental Relations and External Affairs for the City of Boston.