Boston high school students show off their Calculus skills

More than 80 students from ten Boston public high schools competed recently in the first Calculus Field Day, in which teams of three students solved complex math problems and learned about college and career opportunities. Pictured here is the winning team from the Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus team from Boston Community Leadership Academy.

O'Hearn Elementary student's work selected for national exhibit

A work of art by Patrick O’Hearn Elementary School student Naieer Shaheed will represent the state of Massachusetts in the “All Kids Can…CREATE!” exhibition, which will open in June in Washington, D.C. Naieer created Clementines, pictured here, during a lesson based on the work by Paul Cezanne. Students used their knowledge of geometric shapes and forms to simplify the subject matter and created drawings on toned paper using chalk pastels.

Boston debaters to compete in national tournament

Eight Boston Public Schools students are heading to Chicago this weekend to compete in a national debate tournament. Students from the Boston Debate League were featured recently in the Bay State Banner, South End News and on New England Cable News (above).

UPDATE 4-29-09: The Boston debaters are back from Chicago. Read about how they did in the tournament.

Five-zone proposal hearings announced

Superintendent Johnson and the Boston School Committee have announced a schedule of community meetings to review the proposed five-zone student assignment model. Over the next two months, families, staff and members of the public will have numerous opportunities to learn more about the proposal -- designed to reduce transportation costs, create walkable communities, and preserve school choice -- and offer testimony about it. Read about the latest developments on the "Pathways to Excellence" initiative on the BPS website.

BPS news headlines

Here are some of the recent press releases sent to local media about great things happening in the Boston Public Schools:

• Boston’s “greenest” school plants the seeds of environmental learning


• Students “aim for the sky” at Aviation/Transportation Expo


• Haley Elementary students learn about African-American maritime history


• Boston Day and Evening Academy teacher wins MetLife "Ambassador in Education" Award


• Superintendent appoints new Assistant Superintendent for English Language Learning


• Mass Audubon honors Philbrick teacher Marissa Thornton


• Horace Mann School wins grant to promote science literacy among Deaf students


• Student scientists showcase original research


• O'Bryant basketball player competes in New England High School All-Star Challenge


• Frederick Pilot Middle School named an "Apple Distinguished School"

WBZ Radio features Madison Park High School

WBZ Radio's Carl Stevens posted an audio story about students learning skills and academics at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School.

Looking for a summer program for your child?

The Boston Public Schools and other City of Boston agencies are eager to help city youth find safe, fun activities for the summer, including camps, classes, and jobs for older students. Learn more about summer opportunities on the summer page of the BPS website, which includes Summer Stuff and Summer Stuff Jr. resource guides, summer reading lists, and more.

Boston dropout rate continues to decline

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) today released annual dropout rates for all public high schools and school districts in the Commonwealth from the 2007-2008 school year. For the second consecutive year, dropout rates in the Boston Public Schools continued to improve: 7.6%, down from 9.9% just two years ago. Boston's dropout rate is now at its lowest point since 2002. Superintendent Carol R. Johnson has made "Graduation for All" one of the cornerstones of her Acceleration Agenda, with specific goals, targets and strategies to ensure that all students complete high school "college-ready and success-bound."

Clap School celebrates namesake's 400th birthday

The Roger Clap Elementary School in Dorchester recently marked the 400th birthday of the man after whom the school was named. Roger Clap was born in England on April 6,1609. He came to America in 1630, became a founding father of Dorchester, and served as second commander of the fort on Castle Island. Students learned about his life and legacy through a visit to his gravesite at King's Chapel Burial Ground, research at the Dorchester Historical Society, and an assembly to demonstrate their learning. Read about it in the Dorchester Reporter and South Boston Online.

Boston Globe names Winter All-Scholastics

Several Boston Public Schools players and coaches have been honored for their contributions to winter sports in the Boston Globe All-Scholastics.

All-Scholastic athletes include:

• Darius Carter, senior, TechBoston Academy (Dorchester), Boys' Basketball, pictured here
• Meisha Brooks, junior, Boston Latin School, Girls' Track

Coaches of the Year include:

• Greg Berry, New Mission, Girls' Basketball
• Kristyn Hughes, Charlestown, Boys' Track
• Michael Meagher, Boston Latin School, Girls' Track

Congratulations also to the BPS athletes named "All-Stars" in the annual special section of the Globe.