Registration for School Year 2010-2011 begins January 4

Boston Public Schools announces the start of the registration process for the 2010-2011 school year. The first round of registration runs from January 4 – February 5, 2010 and is open to students entering Kindergarten, Grade 6 or Grade 9. Parents/guardians of new-to-BPS students must visit one of BPS Family Resource Centers (FRC) to register their child(ren) for school. To save time, parents may begin the process online using the district’s pre-registration site, BPSExpress; however, the registration process must be completed in person at an FRC. The FRCs have extended hours during the next four weeks of registration, including new Saturday hours at the East Zone FRC.

Tynan School rallies to support 3-year-old cancer patient

The staff and students at the Tynan Elementary School in South Boston are learning about giving to others this holiday season in a very special way. The school community is rallying in support of three-year-old Charlotte Kelly, daughter of Patrice Kelly (pictured here), who teaches at the school. More than 15 Tynan teachers visited Children’s Hospital to volunteer as blood donors to help Charlotte in her fight against cancer. See coverage on WBZ-TV and in the Boston Globe.

Russell Ferguson wins "So You Think You Can Dance"

Russell Ferguson of Roxbury, a 2007 graduate of the Boston Arts Academy, was named America’s favorite dancer last night as winner of Season 6 of Fox TV's "So You Think You Can Dance." He wins a cash prize of $250,000 and a cover feature in the March issue of Dance Spirit Magazine. Russell's alma mater celebrated the BAA alumnus' victory with a special tribute today at the annual Winterfest Jazz Concert at the Berklee Performance Center, featuring student performances and a special appearance by members of the Krump Club. Congratulations, Russell and BAA!

BPS high schools among US News & World Report best

In its third annual ranking of the 100 Best High Schools in America, U.S. News & World Report magazine has again recognized Boston Latin School (BLS) as one of the best in the country. The study, which examines a variety of factors about a school’s performance and ability to prepare students for college, ranks BLS 38th out of more than 21,700 high schools nationwide. Seven other BPS high schools earned silver and bronze medals as well.

Boston students score high in math on "The Nation's Report Card"

Results released today show Boston Public Schools 4th and 8th grade students outperforming their urban peers in mathematics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as "The Nation's Report Card." Education officials held a national news conference today in Washington, D.C., to present results from 18 city school districts across the country. Boston scored better than almost every other city. Pictured here, a 4th grade student at the Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School solves a math problem.

Documentary filmmakers visit the Quincy Elementary

Ken Eng (left) and Alex Shear, director and producer of the PBS documentary Kokoyakyu about high school baseball in Japan, recently visited the Quincy Elementary School in Chinatown. The filmmakers are alumni of the Quincy and Boston Latin School.

NNN features new middle school football league

Neighborhood Network News reports on the new Play Ball! Middle School Football League:

Football Gains Ground in Middle Schools from Chris Lovett on Vimeo.

MIAA honors Boston athletes for sportsmanship

Odyssey High School senior Lorina Gjino (left), who plays on the South Boston Education Complex volleyball and softball teams, and Odyssey sophomore Gabriela Cruzado (right), who plays on the football and basketball teams, met former New England Patriots linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Andre Tippett at the 16th annual Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Sportsmanship Summit at Gillette Stadium. Odyssey High School was one of 24 Boston Public Schools to make the 2008-09 MIAA Sportsmanship Honor Roll for not having had any student-athletes or coaches disqualified or suspended from an athletic contest during the 2008-2009 school year.