Murphy students' imaginations earn honors

Third grade students from the Richard J. Murphy K-8 School (pictured here with coach Catherine Pienta) represented Boston well in the recent Destination ImagiNation Tournament. The team earned Third Place in the annual competition held this year at Beverly High School. Destination ImagiNation is a national program that challenges teams of students to work together in a short period of time to apply creativity, critical thinking and talent to solve a problem. Students do not know in advance what challenge they will face and have only eight minutes to develop a solution using limited materials.

At this year’s competition, the Murphy School team had to create and present a theatrical performance with an original story about a myth, urban legend or folk tale and create a “myth-ecol” replica from recyclable materials. Learn more about the Murphy students' project.

Raise money for your school at the "Nike 5K for Kids"

NIKETOWN and the Boston Public Schools have teamed up again this year to promote the "NIKE 5K for Kids" Run/Walk Fund-Raiser: Saturday, May 31, beginning at 8 a.m. at Franklin Park, Playstead Field. Entrants can run or walk the 5K (3.1 mile) or 1 mile course. Parents, grandparents, children, educators, and community members are invited to participate in this family-friendly event. Assemble a team or run as an individual. Proceeds from every entry fee will support physical education and athletic programs at the Boston-area school of your choice.

Register by May 23 online or at the NIKETOWN store on the corner of Newbury and Exeter Streets in the Back Bay.

Orchard Gardens to be featured on "Word Generation" website

The Strategic Education Research Partnership (SERP) is working with the Boston Public Schools to improve reading comprehension among middle school students. Several BPS schools are serving as pilot sites for SERP's Word Generation vocabulary program, including the middle school academy at Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School in Roxbury.

SERP has begun to create an online professional development website that features videos of classrooms, interviews with teachers, students, and administrators, samples of student work, teacher lesson plans, research about Word Generation, and more. SERP has selected the middle school academy at Orchard Gardens to be featured on the site. Matt Ellinger, Director of Multimedia Development (and former teacher and administrator), will visit Orchard Gardens next week to videotape Word Generation in action in classrooms. Once posted on the web, the work will serve as a model for teachers and students around the world.

What are you doing this summer?

Now is the time to register for summer programs for your child. Programs throughout Greater Boston offer children of all ages safe, fun academic, enrichment and recreational activities. To learn more, pick up a copy of the popular BPS publications Summer Stuff (for students in grades 6-12) and Summer Stuff Jr. (for K-5). These publications list hundreds of summer camps, classes, activities, internships and job opportunities for the coming summer. They are available in all Boston Public Schools and Family Resource Centers, as well as City Hall, public libraries, YMCA branches, and Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) community centers, and on-line.

22 BPS students earn Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards

Twenty-two Boston Public Schools students have won Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards. The winning artists attend five Boston schools: Boston Arts Academy, Boston Latin Academy, Boston Latin School, New Mission High School and Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School.

The program honors student artists from middle and high schools throughout the Commonwealth in twelve different art media, including painting, drawing, photography, and design. A panel of judges reviewed the students’ work and presented Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention awards. All individual pieces receiving a Gold Key in Massachusetts continue on to New York for national judging with the other Gold Keys for the United States in their respective age group and category.

NEHRA awards scholarships to two Boston students

The Northeast Human Resources Assocation (NEHRA) recently presented two Boston Public Schools students with college scholarships in recognition of their leadership and academic achievement.

Maria Robles of Roxbury, a senior at the Jeremiah E. Burke High School, received the $2,500 Norma Kornegay Clarke Scholarship Award. Ms. Robles is the senior class president and an active participant in many student clubs, including the JROTC program. She volunteers her time in school, tutoring other students, and outside of school with several local organizations.

Thao Nguyen of Dorchester, a senior at Excel High School, was selected for the NEHRA 2008 Medallion Scholarship Award, worth $1,000. Ms. Nguyen arrived from Vietnam in September 2004, quickly mastered English and recorded the highest grade point average of all freshmen, sophomores and juniors in her school. She has been active in many student clubs and was the first female company commander of Excel’s JROTC program. She volunteers her time outside of school assisting Vietnamese children and adults with English acquisition and started a support group for her fellow students in school to help with the transition to American culture.

Both students are the Valedictorians of their school's Class of 2008.

Jim McIntyre named Superintendent of Knox County Schools

Dr. James McIntyre, Chief Operating Officer for the Boston Public Schools, has been named the next Superintendent of the Knox County Schools in Tennessee. The School Board voted last night to appoint Jim to lead the 53,000-student district. Congratulations!

Earlier post: Jim McIntyre completes Urban Superintendents Academy.

BPS officials trying to close $30 million budget gap

Faced with rising costs and declining federal, state, and private/philanthropic resources, the Boston School Committee and Superintendent Carol Johnson are trying to close a gap of $30.7 million in the Boston Public Schools budget for the 2008-2009 school year.

At last night's School Committee meeting, Dr. Johnson described an array of strategies already adopted to reduce costs and generate savings of nearly $15 million, but the district must identify another $15 million in reductions to balance the budget. The School Committee is required by law to vote on a final budget proposal at its March 26 meeting. To match expected expenditures with expected revenue, officials have said "everything is on the table," including staff layoffs and school closures if necessary.

Boston students showcase their science projects

More than 350 Boston middle and high school students participated recently in the 62nd annual BPS Citywide Science Fair at Northeastern University. Judges awarded first, second, and third prizes, as well as honorable mention, in both the junior and senior divisions, and more than 50 special awards. Pictured here, Joseph Phan of Dorchester, a sixth grade student at the Richard J. Murphy K-8 School, demonstrates his project, “The Eggs That Can Bounce.”

BPS introduces "Family Matters" quarterly newsletter

BPS families will find a new publication delivered to their homes beginning this month. The district's new quarterly newsletter, "Family Matters," is designed to strengthen home-school connections and provide families with important information and tips to help their children succeed in school. The four-page, full-color newsletter will be available online and at Family Resource Centers. The first issue focuses on MCAS testing, and also contains information about summer programs for children and BPS workshops for families. The newsletter is produced by the Communications Office and printed and mailed at no cost to the district through a partnership with 1stHour Communications. To defray costs, the firm includes in every mailing a series of commercial advertisements approved by the school district.

Easy as Pi!

Students and teachers at the John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science joined math enthusiasts around the world today in celebrating "Pi Day" -- March 14th, or 3/14. The Greek letter Pi (shown here), which equals 3.14159… and continues without stopping or repeating, is the mathematical symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Sporting Pi Day t-shirts (pictured below), O’Bryant teachers organized special classroom activities, including a Pi recitation contest to see how many digits of Pi students could memorize. The winning student's prize? A pie, of course!

Gov. Patrick announces Reville appointment at Monument High School

Governor Deval Patrick chose Monument High School in the South Boston Education Complex as the site of a press conference today to announce the appointment of the new Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth. The Governor has appointed Paul Reville (pictured here), who currently serves as Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Education, to oversee the new Executive Office of Education. Mr. Reville is president of the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy and the editor of A Decade of Urban School Reform, a collection of studies about the Boston Public Schools.

Submit entries for the "National Night Out" Poster Contest

The Boston Police Department's Neighborhood Crime Watch Unit invites students between the ages of 5 and 18 to submit entries for the 20th annual National Night Out Poster Contest. This year, young artists are asked to create posters that promote the BPD "Text for Peace" program, which enables residents to send crime tips via text message. Winning entries may win up to $500 in savings bonds, with divisions for various grade levels. The submission deadline is May 2.

Recent good news in the Boston Public Schools...

* Ten Boston teachers have been selected for environmental research fellowships.

* Natalie Bellevue, a senior at the Horace Mann School for the Deaf, was featured on Channel 5 as an A+ student.

* Six BPS teachers have earned National Board Certification.

* AARP has awarded Community Academy $10,000 to support arts programming.

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.

Superintendent announces her academic agenda

At tonight's Boston School Committee meeting, Dr. Carol Johnson presented the beginning of her plan to reorganize and strengthen the district to ensure all students achieve at high levels. She outlined priorities for the first of two phases in "Proficiency, Opportunity and Efficiency: the Superintendent's Acceleration Agenda for the Boston Public Schools," with a focus on the academic agenda and restructuring of central offices to support schools. Phase II, scheduled to be presented in April, will focus on operations, family/community partnerships, and long-term fiscal and facilities challenges.

31 BPS students earn Posse Scholarships

Thirty-one students from 13 Boston public high schools have earned a full tuition scholarship from the Posse Foundation. Posse Scholars also receive pre-college preparation and support during their college careers at six top-ranked liberal arts colleges across the country: Bryn Mawr College (Pennsylvania), Bucknell University (Pennsylvania), Centre College (Kentucky), Denison University (Ohio), Hamilton College (New York) and Union College (New York). They will join diverse teams of graduates from five other major U.S. cities at these colleges to help promote academic excellence and cross-cultural communication on campus. Since 2000, 147 Boston Public Schools students have become Posse Scholars.

Boston named one of the "100 Best Communities for Young People"

The America's Promise Alliance has named Boston one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People. The annual competition highlights cities and towns nationwide that have made the well-being of children and youth a top priority -- including ensuring that young people receive the resources necessary to stay in school and succeed. The City of Boston was recognized for innovative projects to keep children motivated and in positive environments such as Camp Harbor View, which provides four weeks of transportation, meals and programming to 600 campers during the summer.

Boston explores wind turbines on school grounds

Mayor Thomas M. Menino recently announced plans to advance wind power development in the City of Boston, including installation of wind turbines at Boston Public Schools sites and a small-scale wind turbine on the roof of Boston City Hall (artist's rendering shown here). The City and school district will embark on an extensive community process to select the best sites to advance these wind power projects, beginning with a preliminary list of six schools well situated for wind power generation. Officials hope the turbines also will serve as valuable learning tools, with teachers able to incorporate them into the curriculum to bring science lessons about energy and the environment to life.

Senator Kennedy visits the Edwards to highlight ELT success

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and other officials recently visited the Clarence R. Edwards Middle School in Charlestown to celebrate the success of the Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time (ELT) Initiative, the first-in-the-nation state initiative to redesign schools with substantially more time for learning. Senator Kennedy called for a national expansion of the initiative through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization.

The Edwards, one of four Boston schools participating in the program (along with the Timilty Middle School, Umana Middle School Academy and Boston Arts Academy), began implementation in September 2006. The redesigned school day allows more time for innovative academics and includes a wide range of enrichment activities. In addition to regular math classes, students at the Edwards now participate in Math Leagues, a competitive and socially engaging way to learn and practice math. As a result, math scores rose across all grades. The Edwards School increased the percentage of students scoring proficient on the math MCAS at more than twice the rate of the district and also of the state. The school also was highlighted in a recent Education Week story about the initiative.

Madison Park raises $2,800 for fire victims

When students and staff at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Roxbury learned about the late December fire in Dorchester that took the lives of two young members of the Zizi family and left the family homeless, they decided they had to do something to help. Two surviving members of the Zizi family attend Madison Park, and their fellow students and staff wanted to support the family in their time of need. Students organized a fundraiser and collected $2,800 in just one week.

Remembering Dr. King

Students from fourteen Boston Public Schools paid tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. last week at the district's annual MLK celebration at John Hancock Hall. The theme of this year's celebration was One Voice: Igniting Change, Transforming Humanity, with students from kindergarten through high school displaying their talents in poetry, singing, instrumental music, dance and other performing arts to commemorate Dr. King's legacy. Pictured here are students from the Marshall Elementary School in Dorchester. See coverage on Fox-25 Boston.

NY Times highlights Boston's college access work

Today's New York Times features a front-page story about making college a priority for urban high school students and highlights efforts in the Boston Public Schools. The reporter cites Excel High School in South Boston and Brighton High School as models for encouraging and supporting students in the college application process. Pictured here is John Travers, head of counseling at Brighton High, with students. The article also commends Boston's annual College Month activities.

Registration underway for 2008-09 school year

The school registration process for next year has begun, with families of students entering kindergarten and grades 6 and 9 in September encouraged to register before February 1. The registration period for all other students takes place from February 6 - March 14. Families may register at any of six registration sites, including special hours at City Hall this week. Be sure to visit the BPS website for important information about what documentation to bring, and save time by completing pre-registration online. Questions? Call the family hotline at 617-635-9046.

School Committee elects officers, sets meeting schedule

At its annual organizational meeting, the Boston School Committee re-elected Dr. Elizabeth Reilinger to her eleventh term as Chairperson and elected Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. to his first term as Vice-Chairperson. The Committee also approved a calendar of 2008 public meetings, including a series of community hearings about the development of the district's budget for the 2008-2009 school year.

Snowden students advise Governor on youth issues

Several students from the Snowden International School at Copley have been helping to plan community forums throughout the Commonwealth about youth issues, sponsored by Governor Deval Patrick's Office of Civic Engagement. Pictured here, left to right, are Snowden U. S. History Instructor/Advisor John Garner, students Flavio Marchan, Katherine De La Cruz, and Emmanuel Jiminian, and Ron Bell, Director of the Governor's Office of Civic Engagement.

Mayor Menino appoints two School Committee members

Mayor Thomas M. Menino began the new year with the important task of appointing members to the Boston School Committee. On Monday, the Mayor will swear in new member Claudio Martinez (pictured here) and reappoint Marchelle Raynor to her third term. Mr. Martinez is Executive Director of the Hyde Square Task Force, and Ms. Raynor is Program Director for the Gertrude E. Townsend Head Start Learning Center. The Mayor selects School Committee members from candidates recommended by a 13-member Citizens Nominating Panel.

Boston schools raise more than $18,000 for Globe Santa

Students, staff and families in the Boston Public Schools helped bring holiday cheer to needy families this year by raising $18,042 for Globe Santa. The Boston Globe commended BPS children and adults for their annual support of the charity fund-raising drive: "The students, faculty, and staff of the Boston public schools have been one of Globe Santa's most dependable donors and have contributed the single largest gift in a season more than once in his 51-year history." Pictured here, Santa Claus accepts a check from BPS Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. Click on "comments" below to tell us how your school raised money to support families in need this holiday season.

Pick up your copy of "Introducing the BPS 2008"

Just in time for school registration for next year, Introducing the Boston Public Schools 2008 is now available. This publication provides valuable information about the school registration and assignment process, transportation services, district programs and policies, school profiles, and much more. Copies in English are being delivered this week to all Family Resource Centers, libraries and community centers. Translations in seven other languages will be available in early January.

Abdoul Diallo is featured as an "A+ Student"

Abdoul Diallo, a senior at Boston International High School who was featured in an earlier post on this blog, is quickly becoming a media darling. First he was profiled in the Dorchester Reporter. Then last night, WCVB Channel 5 News highlighted Abdoul in their "A+ Student" segment. (Visit the WCVB website to watch the video on-line.) All this media attention is well-deserved: Abdoul is at the top of his class, is captain of the soccer team, and has volunteered in community service projects throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Boston Debate League featured on CityLine

Members of the Boston Debate League were featured recently on WCVB Channel 5 CityLine. Host Karen Holmes Ward highlighted the group as part of a story about the upcoming film The Great Debaters, about a champion debate team from a historically black college in the 1930s. The Boston league, which includes teams from six Boston public high schools, will host two debate events in January: a tournament on January 12 and a special public debate in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. on January 19. The league is also featured in today's Boston Herald.

BLS jazz pianist headed to GRAMMY Week

Jake Sherman, a senior at Boston Latin School, has been selected to perform in the prestigious 2008 Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Band. An accomplished jazz pianist, Jake is one of only 18 high school students from around the country selected for the group. The GRAMMY Jazz Ensemble program selects top high school instrumentalists and singers to receive college scholarships and an all-expenses-paid trip to perform in the Jazz Choir, Band, or Combo at GRAMMY Awards Week events in Los Angeles in February.

Boston schools are invited to become pilot schools

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting Boston public schools to consider becoming pilot schools. The collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Teachers Union allows for the creation of up to seven new pilot schools. These schools are part of the Boston Public Schools but operate with autonomy from many district and union regulations, similar to charter schools.

The school district and the teachers' union will co-host an information session for principals and teachers, featuring a panel of educators from schools that have become pilots: Friday, January 4, at 4:00 p.m., in the Boston Teachers Union Hall, 180 Mount Vernon St., Dorchester.

Boston is now home to 18 pilot schools, two Horace Mann Charter Schools, and one Commonwealth pilot school. Together, these schools serve more than 7,000 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The schools have autonomy over budget, staffing, governance, curriculum, and the school calendar to meet the needs of students and families.

Speaking of pilot schools, Boston's newest pilot school -- formerly known as the Thomas Gardner Extended Services School in Allston -- got an official name change last night. The School Committee approved the school's request to be named Gardner Pilot Academy. Pictured here are students in Ms. Thomas' fourth grade classroom receiving new books at the Gardner's recent Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) event, featuring community and district leaders serving as guest readers.

200th posting on this blog...

This entry marks the 200th posting on the "All About BPS" blog since it was launched in October 2006. In the past nine months alone, there have been more than 33,000 visits to the site. Thank you for visiting to learn more about the exciting work taking place in the Boston Public Schools! And don't forget to post comments to extend congratulations, ask a question, or offer your perspective about what you read here.

Tyrone Figueroa one of Fox 25's Top Ten

Fox 25 Sports has named East Boston High School senior Tyrone Figueroa one of the Top 10 High School Football Players this season. Tyrone ended the season with 25 touchdowns, leading the Jets to the Division 3A Super Bowl after winning the Boston North division. Earlier this week, the Boston Herald named Tyrone, who is an Honors student, to the Fall All-Scholastic Team. Between now and January 1, fans can vote on-line at the Fox 25 website for Tyrone to be named the Primetime Player of the Year.

Friday, December 14: All Boston Public Schools CLOSED

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson announced tonight that all Boston Public Schools will be closed on Friday, December 14. All BPS central offices, including Family Resource Centers, will be open during normal business hours. Dr. Johnson issued a statement to all BPS students, families, and staff, apologizing for the late bus arrivals on Thursday afternoon and evening caused by traffic gridlocks. Mayor Thomas M. Menino directed all Boston Centers for Youth and Families community centers to open at 7:30 a.m. on Friday morning to offer Boston parents a safe place to take their children if needed.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13: All afternoon/evening activities cancelled

Due to weather conditions, all after school and evening activities in the Boston Public Schools are cancelled for Thursday, December 13, including all athletic events and the "Graduation for All" community forum (rescheduled to Thursday, January 10, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., East Boston High School). Afternoon/evening classes at Boston Day and Evening Academy and Boston Adult Technical Academy are cancelled. Any parent or legal guardian may opt to pick up his or her child from school earlier than the regular dismissal time. Please note that yellow school buses may be delayed because of traffic and road conditions.

Two BPS students "testify" before U.S. Supreme Court

Two Boston Public Schools students recently had the opportunity to learn about the U.S. Supreme Court and Constitution from the experts themselves: justices of the nation’s highest court. Moriah Smith of Dorchester, a junior at Boston Latin Academy, and Adeoye Owolewa of Roxbury, a senior at Boston Latin School, were selected to meet with justices in the marble corridors of the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., as part of the Constitution Project, designed to expand understanding of the nation’s democratic institutions and coordinated by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. Pictured here at the Supreme Court building, left to right, are Bolade Owolewa (Adeoye's mother), Adeoye and Moriah.

John D. O'Bryant named Vanguard Model

The John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science is the only school in the state named a Vanguard Model this year for its accelerated rates of student achievement and participation in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Mass Insight Education & Research Institute selected the O'Bryant and two school districts -- Harwich and Revere -- as models to be replicated throughout Massachusetts. Four other Boston schools, as well as the district itself, have been named Vanguard Models since the program began in 2001.

Kenny marching band tuning up for First Night

The Kenny Elementary School marching band is busy rehearsing for its first appearance in the grand procession for First Night Boston on New Year's Eve. WBZ-TV News entertainment reporter Joyce Kulhawik featured the marching musicians in a segment on tonight's newscast.

Women's World Cup Soccer champs surprise BLA student

A group of celebrity visitors participated in an assembly at Boston Latin Academy this morning to surprise senior Maria Centeio with a special honor. Members of the 1999 Women's World Cup Championship soccer team joined Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Superintendent Carol Johnson in presenting Maria with the "Kevin W. Fitzgerald Giving Back Award," named in memory of the former state representative who died in September. Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Kristine Lilly and other members of the World Cup team will be inducted tonight into the Hall of Fame at Northeatern Univerity's Center for Sport in Society. (Pictured here, left to right, are Mayor Menino, Ms. Lilly, Ms. Foudy, Maria Centeio and Ms. Chastain.)

Born in the Cape Verde islands off the west coast of Africa, Maria moved to the United States when she was five years old. A member of the Class of 2008 at Boston Latin Academy, she hopes to attend Yale University next fall. Maria was recognized for her extraordinary community service. She sits on the board of two non-profit organizations in Roxbury: the Cape Verdean Community Unido and the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative. She is also president of the Uphams Corner Youth Council, a founding member of the Dudley Youth Council, and state historian for the Massachusetts Junior Classical League. Maria is a member of her school's yearbook committee and the National Honor Society. She also finds time to tutor younger students in math, Latin, and Spanish and administers competitive Latin contests.

A four-year varsity soccer player, Maria participated in Sport in Society’s Junior Coaches Academy in 2006 and attended the World Scholar Athlete Games, where she met student athletes from 156 different countries. “It seems as if I’ve lived a lifetime of exploration and excitement, but I know this is just the beginning,” said Centeio of her experiences.

Related post: Brandi Chastain on why sports are critical for young girls.

Vote on-line to support E. Greenwood playground

Boston is competing with nine other finalist cities in the Change the World. Start at Home community makeover contest presented by the HGTV cable network. If selected, the Boston entry would support the transformation of an asphalt-covered parking lot into a playground and green space for students at the Elihu Greenwood Elementary School in Hyde Park. The project also would help renovate the Hyde Park home of Beverly and Manny DePina, who are active in the community and have opened their home to more than 50 foster children in need over the past 30 years. To learn more about the proposed projects, click here.

Please vote here now. You may vote as often as once per day between now and December 21. The four cities with the highest number of votes will be announced during the Rose Parade coverage on January 1.

Brighton High Bengals capture division title

The Brighton High School Bengals capped off an undefeated season with a victory yesterday in the Division 4 Super Bowl. The high school boys' football team defeated West Bridgewater 16-8 at Stonehill College. See coverage in the Boston Herald and Globe, as well as a column by Dan Shaughnesey about the team's perseverence. (Globe Staff Photo by Essdras M. Suarez)

Congratulations also to the East Boston Jets for a great season, which ended yesterday in a 19-6 loss to Greater Lawrence in the Division 3A Super Bowl.

U.S. News & World Report names Boston Latin one of America's best

In its first ranking of the 100 Best High Schools in America, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Boston Latin School as one of the best in the country. The study released today – which examines a variety of factors about a school’s ability to prepare students for college – ranks BLS number 19 on the list. The December issue of the magazine features a slide show of Boston Latin School (pictured here: Angela Liu, Class of 2010). A sidebar about the school cites its 22 Advanced Placement course offerings, “perhaps the largest selection of any high school in Massachusetts.” Four other Massachusetts high schools made the top 100: Weston High School (#60), Dover-Sherborn Regional High School (#65), Wellesley Senior High School (#70) and Media and Technology Charter School (#99).

In addition to the 100 high schools awarded gold medals, the magazine commended an additional 405 schools around the country with silver medals, including Boston Latin Academy and the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science. Six other Boston Public Schools were among the 1,086 schools awarded bronze medals: Another Course to College, Boston Community Leadership Academy, Brighton High School, Charlestown High School, Snowden International High School, and TechBoston Academy.

More than 1,000 BPS seniors are Adams Scholars

A record number of Boston Public Schools seniors -- more than 1,000 members of the Class of 2008 -- are eligible for free tuition at any public college in Massachusetts because of their performance on the MCAS exams. The students all qualified for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, sponsored by the Department of Education and Board of Higher Education. The number of BPS students qualifying has increased steadily since the awards were first given, from 724 scholars in 2005 to 1,036 this year -- nearly 1 in 4 seniors. To qualify for the scholarship, students had to score in the Advanced category (Level 4) on either the English Language Arts or Math sections of the MCAS exams and in at least Proficient (Level 3) on the other. Also, the students’ scores had to rank in the top 25% of the district.

Pictured here is Adams Scholar Abdoul Diallo, a senior at Boston International High School. Abdoul immigrated to the U.S. from Burkina Faso in Western Africa in 2004 to live with his two sisters, who had come to this country several years earlier, in order to get a strong education. A resident of Dorchester, Abdoul has emerged as a leader and a scholar during his three years at BIHS. He has been an Honors student, Class President, and an All-Star soccer player (this year, his team advanced to the State quarter-finals). Abdoul has the highest grade point average in his class (3.8). On the Grade 10 MCAS exams, which he took just six months after arriving in America, he scored Proficient in English and Advanced in Math. Abdoul has applied to many colleges in the Boston area and out of state and is considering studying Marine Biology. Abdoul also performs a great deal of community service in other states and countries. He participated in a Katrina recovery mission to Biloxi, Mississippi, and New Orleans. He helped build a playground for an orphanage in St. Croix and housing through Habitat for Humanity in Honduras.

Two BPS high schools in football playoffs

Two high school football teams from the Boston Public Schools will compete tomorrow in the semifinals of their divisions. At 4:00 in Wayland, the Brighton High School Bengals will play Manchester Essex to advance to the Division 4 championship. The East Boston High School Jets will take on Blue Hills Regional Technical School in the Division 3A semifinals in a 5:00 game at Stonehill College. Keep up with the tournament on the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) website. Good luck, teams!

UPDATE (November 28): Both teams won! East Boston defeated Blue Hills 38-34. Brighton beat Manchester Essex 28-7. Congratulations! The teams now advance to the division championships. The Super Bowl schedule for Saturday, December 1 is as follows:

Division 3A, Greater Lawrence vs. East Boston, 9:30 a.m., Gillette Stadium, Foxboro
Division 4, West Bridgewater vs. Brighton, 11 a.m., Stonehill College, Easton

PJ Kennedy students "trick or treat" for UNICEF

Students at the Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School in East Boston recently raised $758 for the "Trick or Treat for UNICEF" campaign. In their fifth year of fund-raising for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, the students collected more money than ever before. By watching the UNICEF videos "Kids Helping Kids" and "Just Like Me", students learned about UNICEF efforts to relieve hunger, vaccinate, shelter, educate, and provide clean drinking water for children in countries around the world. The project is coordinated by the school's computer teacher, Myra Sussman. Pictured here are grade 5 students (left to right) Jairon Arias, Joel Ramos, Joseline Posada, and Annamaria D'Argenio.

Boston Teacher Residency featured in Edutopia

The latest edition of Edutopia magazine features an article about 10 innovative teacher preparation programs, including the Boston Teacher Residency program. The Edutopia website features a slide show of the program.

"At the heart of reform in teacher preparation are innovations that provide extensive field experience and link theory more closely with practice. Programs such as Boston's go the furthest by transporting the locus of training almost entirely from the university to the K-12 school."

Pictured here on the cover of the November issue is Derek Allen, who is doing his mathematics residency at the Edwards Middle School in Charlestown. The issue also includes an interview with former BPS Superintendent Tom Payzant.

Please join us to ensure "graduation for all"

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson and the Boston School Committee are hosting "Graduation for All," a community forum series to engage families, educators and citizens in discussion about how to eliminate the high school dropout challenge and ensure that all students graduate. The first session is a citywide youth forum to hear students' perspectives on why some young people drop out of school and which supports and strategies are most effective to help them stay in school. Three other forums are scheduled throughout the city. For a complete schedule and additional information about the community forum series, please visit the BPS website.

Kudos for BPS principals

Several Boston Public Schools principals were honored recently for leadership in their schools and their communities.

Michael Rubin (pictured here), Headmaster of East Boston High School, was honored recently at the Community Awards Dinner hosted by Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD).

El Planeta newspaper has named Almudena (Almi) Abeyta, Principal of the McKay K-8 School in East Boston, as well as Carmen Torres and Linda Nathan, Co-Headmasters of Boston Arts Academy, among the 100 Most Influential People in the Massachusetts for the Latino Community.

The Boston Minuteman Council of the Boy Scouts of America presented a Crystal Apple Award to Deborah Dancy, Principal of the Channing Elementary School in Hyde Park.

Former BPS teacher wins National Caring Award

Dominic Avellani, who retired in 2005 after teaching in the Boston Public Schools for 33 years, has been named one of five winners of the 2007 National Caring Award, sponsored by The Caring Institute, a nonprofit organization which promotes the values of public service. Avellani founded the East Boston Adult Education Center, which helps immigrants, refugees, and high school dropouts learn English and further their education. Avellani was featured in a profile in Saturday's Boston Globe.

Tynan students send 1,000 paper cranes to Japan

Fourth grade students at the Joseph P. Tynan Elementary School in South Boston today mailed 1,000 paper cranes and their own Haiku poems about peace to Japan in remembrance of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Teachers Phyllis Simon and Shawn O'Neill have been teaching the events of World War II through the book Sadako, about a young girl who lived in Japan when the atom bomb was dropped. The Tynan students mailed their cranes and poems to the Mayor of Hiroshima, accompanied by letters from the students and from Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and asked that the cranes be placed at the statue of Sadako in the Hiroshima Peace Park. Pictured here are Christine Nguyen (left) and Kayla McColgan.

Media High School students organize "walk-in" over Jena 6

The racially-charged incidents in Jena, Louisiana, last year, have prompted students in communities across the country to protest by staging "walk outs" from school. Here in Boston, students from Media Communications Technology High School in the West Roxbury Education Complex are taking a different approach to promote dialogue and awareness: They've organized a “walk in” – to extend rather than shorten their learning. The event -- taking place at the school on Monday, November 19, from 2 - 6 p.m. -- will feature workshops with community-based organizations (including The City School, Voices of Liberation and Project Think Different), and “open mic” for student presentations and performances.

Liz Reilinger wins highest award for district leadership

Dr. Elizabeth Reilinger, Chairperson of the Boston School Committee, has won the nation's highest prize for urban education leadership. The Council of the Great City Schools presented Dr. Reilinger with the Richard R. Green Award at its fall conference in Nashville. The prize, which is awarded in alternating years to an urban Superintendent and School Board Member, includes a $10,000 scholarship for the winner to present to a graduate of his or her school district. Mayor Thomas M. Menino first appointed Dr. Reilinger to the School Committee in 1994, and she has been elected Chairperson of the Committee every year since 1998.