Superintendent's Gallery features student art

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson has launched the Superintendent’s Gallery, a rotating series of solo exhibitions designed to showcase the work of emerging high school student artists. Each artist’s work will be displayed in Dr. Johnson’s office at Boston Public Schools headquarters (26 Court Street) before traveling to the Boston Teachers Union Hall (Dorchester) and to the BPS Teaching & Learning department offices for six-week exhibitions. Steven Wong of the South End (pictured here), a junior at the Josiah Quincy Upper School in Chinatown, is the first student selected to exhibit his work. Six of Steven’s acrylic impressionist paintings are currently on display outside of Dr. Johnson’s office.

Great Gatsby alive and well in Boston, 83 years later

Today's New York Times features an article about how F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel The Great Gatsby is taught in urban high schools today. The reporter visited Fenway High School and Boston Latin School to interview students and teachers about the book's relevance, with a focus on how young readers think about the American Dream. Pictured here in English class at Boston Latin School are Shannon Murphy (left) and Maxson Izidore-St. Louis.

Earlier posting: "NY Times highlights Boston's college access work"

Abe Lincoln delivers pennies to Perkins students

Students, families and staff at the Michael J. Perkins Elementary School in South Boston welcomed a special surprise visitor today. Just a few days before a national holiday in his honor, and a few days after his 199th birthday, Abraham Lincoln stopped by to support the school's penny drive. The 16th U.S. President contributed to the fund-raising effort with a delivery of pennies that bear his face, as well as a stack of children's books about the penny.

The school community is trying to collect one million pennies to create a college scholarship fund for Perkins alumni. The One Million x .01 = Opportunity Scholarship Fund aims to raise $10,000, penny-by-penny, while serving as a hands-on math lesson to help elementary students conceptualize large numbers. Mr. Lincoln was portrayed by George Cheevers, himself a Boston Public Schools teacher at the Boston Adult Technical Academy. Pictured here, (top photo) third grader Aurore Ndayishimiye greets the special visitor, and (bottom photo), kindergarten students Cameron Lapaglia-Deane and Shakira Mathurin admire the pennies collected to date. See the complete web album.

Garfield students celebrate 100th day of school

Students at the James A. Garfield Elementary School in Brighton marked the 100th day of the 2007-2008 school year today with lessons and activities all about the number 100. Mrs. Rexrode's first grade class has been counting up to the big day, with each child collecting and displaying 100 everyday objects to learn about mathematics and counting.

Boston students declare "Next Stop, College"

Commuters on MBTA subways and buses are learning about Boston's efforts to prepare students for college and career success, thanks to a new public awareness campaign launched this month. “Next Stop, College” features recent graduates and current high school students describing how their high schools have helped prepare them to achieve their college and career goals. Later this spring, the campaign will be expanded to include print advertising, bus shelters, and movie theater preview screens.

The campaign is funded through grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation to support Boston’s high school renewal work, with no public funds used to develop or place the advertisements. Pictured here is one of three transit ads, this one featuring Antionetta Kelley of Roslindale, a 2007 graduate of Fenway High School, who is now at Smith College, studying Government with plans to run for public office.

Ken Still honored for work in school sports

The Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association (MSSADA) has named Kenneth H. Still, Athletic Director of the Boston Public Schools, a winner of the Theodore “Ted” Damko Award for leadership in interscholastic sports. The award is presented annually to an athletic director in each of eight districts who has exemplified the highest standards of the profession. Mr. Still has been the Senior Program Director for Athletics in the Boston Public Schools since July 2003. A graduate of the English High School, Mr. Still began his career in the Boston Public Schools in 1973 as a History teacher, and has since worked as a teacher, coach and guidance counselor in several Boston middle and high schools.

Boston students mark "Super Tuesday"

Students and teachers throughout the Boston Public Schools seized the "Super Tuesday" Presidential primary elections in Massachusetts as valuable opportunities for teaching and learning about government, politics, elections and civics. At the Boston Adult Technical Academy, Advanced Algebra II students applied their lessons about linear equations to track candidates' progress and make predictions about the outcomes. Other schools held "mock elections" to give children a chance to cast ballots for their favorites candidates. Pictured here are Alisha Cooper and Samanta Miceus, fifth graders at the Haley Elementary School in Roslindale, greeting and checking in their classmates during the school's mock election. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) earned the most votes at the Haley School polls. Students at the Hamilton Elementary in Brighton also held a mock election, as reported in the Allston-Brighton Tab.

Middle school students urged to "Think About Your Drink"

The City of Boston has launched a new campaign to encourage middle school students to make healthy beverage choices at local convenience stores. Mayor Thomas M. Menino recently announced the Boston Corner Store initiative, piloted in eight markets near BPS middle schools, where healthier beverages like low-fat milk, water and 100% juices will be prominently displayed to urge teenagers to "Think About Your Drink." Pictured here at the kickoff event at Fuller's Market in Dorchester, right to left, are Mayor Menino, Wilson Middle School student Babita Sammy, and Pat Patriot. Students at the Frederick Pilot Middle School in Dorchester produced a short video announcing the initiative.