Student Assignment Task Force Co-Chair: "End busing"

Ted Landsmark, former co-chair of the BPS Student Assignment Task Force, calls for an end to busing in a guest column in today's Boston Globe.

Lyndon school nurse donates hair to "Locks of Love"

Cathryn Stein, school nurse at the Patrick Lyndon K-8 Pilot School, selected three students yesterday as winners of the "Hair today... gone tomorrow" raffle. In front of a school-wide assembly, the students won the opportunity to cut Nurse Stein's hair to donate to "Locks of Love." See photos in today's Boston Metro and Boston Globe newspapers.

Slideshow: Boston schools welcome President Obama

BPS students pay tribute to Dr. King

Students from 17 Boston Public Schools performed in song, dance, and spoken word last week at the 27th annual BPS celebration in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In two performances at John Hancock Hall, students honored Dr. King's legacy through the theme "One Voice... Uniting Community, Creating Change." Pictured here, Community Academy of Science & Health senior Shamere Ross delivers a spoken word presentation, "Wear Jeans That Fit." Below, students from the Hamilton Elementary School perform "Songs of Inspiration." Read coverage in the West Roxbury Transcript.

New Mission's Michael Wogbeh is an "A+ Student"

WCVB Channel 5 recently featured New Mission High School (NMHS) senior Michael Wogbeh in its "A+ Student" segment. Michael spent the first 14 years of his life in the war-torn country of Liberia, often starving and fearing for his life. He came to America four years ago, and now shines at NMHS on the National Honor Society, Student Council, and soccer and track teams.

Governor Patrick visits Social Justice Academy

Last Friday, on the day after his "State of the State" address, Governor Deval Patrick visited Social Justice Academy at the Hyde Park Education Complex as part of the annual BPS Martin Luther King, Jr. Speaker Series. The Governor spoke with students who were departing for Washington, D.C., to attend the Presidential Inauguration. Also in attendance were Education Secretary Paul Reville, School Committee Chair Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., Superintendent Carol R. Johnson, and State Senator Marian Walsh.

It's Inauguration Day!

Boston Public Schools students and staff are ready to witness history today when Barack Obama takes the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States. Pictured at right are students from the Beethoven Elementary School. Schools have received extensive media coverage leading up to Inauguration Day, including stories about the following schools:

• Charlestown High School
• Conley Elementary School
• East Boston High School
• Edison Middle School
• Eliot K-8 School
• Fenway High School
• Frederick Middle School
• Madison Park Technical Vocational High School
• Mather Elementary School
• Mission Hill K-8 School
• Rogers Middle School
• Social Justice Academy
• Tobin K-8 School

This morning, Channel 5 featured a story about McCormack Middle School students attending the Inauguration in Washington, D.C.

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson will watch the Inauguration ceremony with students and staff at the Manning Elementary School in Jamaica Plain.

Mather students celebrate Ben Franklin's birthday

Tomorrow would be Benjamin Franklin's 303rd birthday. Born in Boston on January 17, 1706, the inventor, author and statesman was also a student in the Boston Public Schools. Students in Michael Garland's third grade class at the Mather Elementary School in Dorchester (the nation's oldest public elementary school) have been learning about Mr. Franklin's life and accomplishments. Today, they held a birthday party for Mr. Franklin, and received a surprise visit from a special guest, Ben Franklin portrayer Jeremy Murphy, who presented the students with children's books about Mr. Franklin.

BPS students ready to "Hail to the Chief"

With the inauguration of Barack Obama just one week away, Boston Public Schools students are ready to learn and celebrate. Schools throughout the city have a variety of activities and events planned to mark the 44th President of the United States taking the oath of office. Several schools are sending groups of students to Washington, D.C., to witness the historic occasion in person.

26 BPS seniors are named Posse Scholars

The Posse Foundation, Inc., has named 26 members of the Boston Public Schools Class of 2009 as Posse Scholars. The students, representing 13 Boston public high schools, will receive full-tuition leadership merit scholarships to top-ranked liberal arts colleges.

New year, new Chair for Boston School Committee

The Boston School Committee began 2009 by electing a new Chairperson: Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. The Committee also elected Marchelle Raynor as its Vice-Chairperson. Rev. Groover succeeds Dr. Elizabeth Reilinger, who had been elected Chair every year since 1998. Dr. Reilinger announced last month that she would not seek a twelfth term as Chairperson but would complete her term as a member of the School Committee.

Prior to the annual organizational meeting, Mayor Thomas M. Menino administered the oath of office to School Committee member Michael D. O'Neill to a full four-year term.

The Committee also approved a 2009 calendar of public meetings and hearings, including four upcoming hearings on the development of the district budget for the 2009-2010 school year.