News from the schools

Here is a roundup of recent events and news from around the Boston Public Schools:

Thanks to a $13K generous donation from Old Mutual Asset Management Foundation, Monument High School's Mu Alpha Theta (M.A.T.) mathematics honor society was able to take a field trip to Chicago, Illinois, recently. The trip to Chicago gave the students the chance to explore another city rich in history, culture, diversity, food, music, and architecture and also exposed students to the role of mathematics in architecture and engineering, as well as logistical planning (budget, itinerary, and fundraising). Photo: Mu Alpha Theta Students.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Boston AIDS Walk, AIDS Action is recognizing 25 community heroes. Boston Public Schools Student Support Coordinator Phil Robinson is among them. Mr. Robinson has raised many thousands of dollars to end the AIDS epidemic by participating in each and every AIDS Walk Boston.

Fox 25 visited the Trotter Elementary School in Dorchester recently for a story about Playworks, the national nonprofit organization that provides structured recess programming for schools.

Nora Tsoutsis, an English teacher at John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science in Roxbury, was recently named by the National Math and Science Initiative as one of 18 teachers to receive its first annual All American Teacher of the Year Award. The awards, which recognize outstanding math, science, and English teachers for remarkable contributions to their students and to the teaching profession, are presented to teachers in each state participating in NMSI’s Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program (APTIP).

Boston part of statewide campaign seeking outstanding teachers for positions in Turnaround Schools

Boston is one of nine cities in the Commonwealth seeking outstanding teachers to apply for positions in “Level 4” or Turnaround Schools next year. For more information about these opportunities, visit www.amazingteachers.org.

This website is designed to inform teachers about career opportunities in the state’s Turnaround Schools, which are located in nine districts: Boston, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Springfield and Worcester. The site provides information about the first group of 35 “Level 4” schools and the nine urban public school districts in which they are located, with a focus on supports and incentives for teachers.

The website includes videos of outstanding teachers who currently work in Level 4 schools and also allows visitors to recommend great teachers to be considered for teaching positions in Level 4 schools.

Boston teachers featured in the videos include English High School history teachers Efraim Toledano and Caitlyn Murphy, Trotter Elementary School 5th grade teacher Joanne Douglas, and Trotter science teacher Brenda Richardson. Students also have a chance to share their thoughts on their amazing teachers.

Read today's Globe article about the state's new recruitment campaign for Turnaround Schools.

BPS in the News

Many news outlets, including the Globe, Herald, and WCVB-TV, covered the ceremony officially renaming BPS's Health Careers Academy as the Edward M. Kennedy Academy of Health Careers.

Both the Globe and the Herald wrote about the first ArtScience Innovation prize awarded this week to Boston high school students who have spent the past year working on innovative ideas and inventions. A team from the John D. O'Bryant won the contest and an opportunity to travel to France to further develop their project.

Boston Arts Academy headmaster Linda Nathan, Charlestown High School Arabic language teacher Steven Berbeco, and BPS literacy coach Elizabeth MacDonald are featured in a recent Boston Globe Magazine article about reinvigorating education for students of all ages.

Six BPS students earn prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarships

Six Boston Public Schools students have been selected for the United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS), the nation’s largest minority scholarship program. The BPS students, representing four high schools, are among 1,000 students nationwide and 11 in Massachusetts who received the good-through-graduation college scholarships that can be used to pursue degrees in any undergraduate major at the college or university of the recipients’ choice.

The 2010 Boston Public Schools Gates Millennium Scholars are as follows:

· Tatiana Cortes, New Mission High School
· Jean Heyd Meneide, Brook Farm Business and Service Career Academy
· Jasmine Lee, Boston Arts Academy
· Takii Rivers, New Mission High School
· Patrick Tavares, Brighton High School
· Jasmine Williams, New Mission High School

One of the students, Tatiana Cortes, was profiled in a Boston Herald article, while WHDH-TV stopped by New Mission High School to speak with some of the winners.

Photo: Tatiana Cortes (Boston Herald)

Perkins School welcomes "men and women in uniform" for reading celebration

The Michael J. Perkins Elementary School in South Boston recently celebrated reading with a special event featuring sailors, police, EMS, firefighters, military officers and other “men and women in uniform” who visited classrooms and served as guest readers. The guests, including EMI Michael Pendergraft and SA Tracy Stephens from the USS Constitution (pictured), read books related to their professions, and at the end of the day, each child selected a book to bring home for his/her home library. The event was organized in conjunction with Reading Is Fundamental and ReadBoston.

Students travel to New Orleans over April vacation to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts

In collaboration with Gulf Coast Volunteers for the Long Haul, 12 students from six Boston Public Schools will travel to New Orleans over spring recess next week to help with ongoing relief efforts related to Hurricane Katrina.

The students are all mentors in the LEAH project, which provides high school students with mentoring and leadership opportunities in out-of-school-time programs.

The students, along with four staff, will stay in Algiers for the week and volunteer in the wards of New Orleans and Slidell, Louisiana. They will also visit McMain High School to dialogue with New Orleans Public Schools students, visit Dillard University, and experience the unique food, music, and culture of the city. Throughout the trip, LEAH mentors will post updates on Facebook and Twitter as “Leah Leaders” and write daily blogs at http://leahneworleans.chipin.com. They leave on Sunday, April 18 and return to Boston on Saturday, April 24. The trip is sponsored in part by Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.

BPS in the News

Here are some recent news stories featuring BPS students, staff and partners:

WBZ-TV went to the Tynan Elementary School today in South Boston, where Boston Police honored third grade student Richard Scott for his bravery. Last week, Richard helped a Kindergarten student whose parents were not at the bus stop to pick her up.

The City of Boston's Anti-Bullying Hotline was recently featured in an ABC News story on cyberbulling.

The Curley K-8 School and the John F. Kennedy School in Jamaica Plain were featured in the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald for helping the Department of Fish and Game release trout and salmon into Jamaica Pond.

Kindergarten students learn about careers in the aviation industry

Students from Ms. Frazier's K1 class at the Adams Elementary School in East Boston stopped by the annual Logan Airport Aviation Education Career Expo. The students got an up-close look at a gigantic FedEx plane and an opportunity to climb aboard and explore a number of aircraft. Each year more than 1,000 students from Boston and beyond attend the event to learn more about careers in the aviation and transportation industries and about the importance of science and math skills in these fields.

Families: Register online for Parent University and check out Summer Stuff

Registration for the May 1 session of the popular Parent University is now open. Parent University is a learning experience specifically designed to help Boston Public Schools parents increase their understanding of how children learn and develop; what their children should be learning; how to help their children get what they need to succeed; and how to bring other parents together to work for school improvement. Most importantly Parent University provides opportunities for parents to build their own skills and enjoy learning new things. Learn more and register online at www.bostonpublicschools.org/parentuniversity.


Additionally, BPS this week released the 2010 edition of Summer Stuff and Summer Stuff, Jr., listing hundreds of summer camps, classes, activities, internships and job opportunities for the coming summer. Summer Stuff 2010 for Grades 6 – 12 and Summer Stuff Jr. 2010 for Kindergarten – Grade 5 will be available in all Boston Public Schools and Family Resource Centers, as well as City Hall, public libraries, YMCA branches, ABCD Head Start Programs, and Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) community centers starting the week of March 29 – April 1. Additional free copies will be available at the BPS central office, 26 Court Street, Boston. Both editions can also be found online at www.bostonpublicschools.org/summer.

Excel High School delegates recognized at Model UN

Excel High School delegates won three of the four available awards for best position paper at the recent 2010 Boston Invitational Model UN Conference:

• Etshiewot Mebratu and Khairi Marsh - Prisoner Treatment in the Human Rights Council;
• Yunqi Lin and Kristen Keough - Gender Equality in the Social/Cultral Committee; and
  
• Matt Doan - Conflict Diamonds in the Disarmament and International Security Committee.

Two Excel delegates also earned honorable mentions in public speaking and negotiation:

• Frances Quinn and Jeffrey Senatus - Conflict Diamonds in the Disarmament and International Security Committee.

The event, organized by the United Nations Association of Greater Boston (UNAGB) was held recently at Northeastern University.

Photo: (L to R) Excel High School students Etshiewot Mebratu, Jeffrey Senatus, Matthew Doan, Yunqi Lin, Khairi Marsh, Kristen Keough, and Frances Quinn (center).

Murphy students travel to "Destination ImagiNation"

The Murphy K-8 School sent three teams to the Destination ImagiNation (DI) competition in Beverly, MA last weekend, and one of the teams -- "Do or DI Improv" -- won first place in its elementary category and will advance to the state championships in Worcester on April 3. Destination ImagiNation is an exhilarating after-school activity in which students work in teams to solve mind-bending Challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments. Teams are tested to think on their feet, work together, and devise original solutions that satisfy the requirements of the Challenges. Students at the Murphy participate in DI through the school's "Prime Time Afterschool Program."

Photo: Miren Parkinson and Max Snyder display their team's banner. Fifty teams from 12 communities participated in last weekend's tournament.

BPS in the News: English High School mural story on WBUR radio

WBUR's David Boeri recently did a story on a special work of art in progress at The English High School. Heidi Schork, the leader of the mural crew for the City of Boston, is working with students to create a mural inside the school that represents the diversity of English's student body. Listen to the story and view the slide show on the WBUR website.

Photo: Woody Italien, from Haiti, is one of the students who became a painter. (Andrew Phelps/WBUR)

BPS teacher takes a year to travel the world

Teacher Lillian Marshall taught at Charlestown High School for five years before taking a leave of absence this school year to travel around the world to volunteer, teach and write. After some time in Asia and Europe, for the past two months she has been in Ghana, West Africa, running a student writing project and international penpal exchange. Follow Ms. Marshall's adventures on her daily travel blog, "Around the World L", and make sure to check out the Student Life Stories Project, which contains nearly two dozen stories written by Ghanaian students about an important or influential event in their life, allowing readers around the world a sneak peek into the individual students' life experiences.

Photo: Ghanaian students view their published works online for the first time (courtesy of Lillian Marshall).

Two BPS basketball teams advance to State Semi-Finals

Two Boston Public Schools boys basketball teams will compete in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Sate Semi-Finals today at the TD Garden. The New Mission Titans will play Cathedral High School at 2:45 p.m., and the Madison Park Cardinals will play Central Catholic at 7:45 p.m. Read more coverage about the tournament at Justin Rice's BPS Sports Blog.

Photo: On Friday night the Madison Park Technical-Vocational High School boys basketball team defeated Mansfield in the MIAA Division 1 Sectional Finals at the TD Garden with a final score of 72 to 60.

Higginson-Lewis welcomes "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" author and stars

Students at the Higginson-Lewis K-8 School in Roxbury welcomed some very special guests on Friday. Jeff Kinney, author of the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, and actors Robert Capron and Zachary Gordon, stars of the upcoming Diary of a Wimpy Kid film, stopped by the school to celebrate literacy with an assembly and book signing. Also in attendance was Boston's first lady, Angela Menino. Mr. Kinney presented Mrs. Menino with a check for $1,000 to support the WriteBoston program, and Mrs. Menino, on behalf of the Mayor, declared Friday, March 5 to be "Wimpy Kid Day" in Boston.

BPS drop out rate lowest in two decades

Dropout data released today shows the Boston Public Schools currently has its lowest high school dropout rate since 1982. The data, released simultaneously with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education state-wide data, also shows for a third consecutive year, a continued downward trend in the BPS dropout rate. For the 2008/2009 school year the BPS dropout rate dropped to 6.4%, down from 7.2% in 2008. Read the press release for more information on what the district is doing to reduce the drop out rate and ensure that all students graduate from high school.

Students spend school vacation in Ghana

Eight Boston students spent February vacation in Ghana as part of the Another Course to College / Achimota School Exchange program. The Boston students spent the week learning about the culture, history, people and geography of Ghana, including touring World Heritage sites, participating in workshops on batik cloth, tie dye and kente weaving, exploring rain forests, staying with host families, and attending school with Ghanaian students. A group of students from Ghana will travel to Boston in late May as the second part of the exchange.

School Committee member, BPS staff make El Planeta's "PowerMeter" list

El Planeta recently released its 2009-2010 "PoderoMetro" ("PowerMeter"), a list of Massachusetts's 100 most powerful people in the Latino community. Several members of the Boston Public Schools community made the list, including Boston School Committee member Claudio Martinez, Assistant Superintendent for English Language Learners Eileen de los Reyes, and Edison K-8 School music teacher Gilberto Rivera. The "PoderoMetro" also includes Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Governor Deval Patrick, State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, State Representative Jeffrey Sánchez, City Councilor Felix G. Arroyo, and Boston Public Health Commissioner (and former BPS high school headmaster) Barbara Ferrer, among others. See the complete list of honorees online.

Mayor, students kick-off citywide campaign against cyber bullying

Mayor Thomas M. Menino visited the McCormack Middle School in Dorchester last Friday to to kick-off a citywide campaign against cyber bullying in response to several reports of disturbing incidents nationwide. At the event, students from TechBoston Academy shared their new public service announcement aimed at ending cyber bullying. The PSA, along with other internet safety resources for students, teachers and families, can be found on the BPS Cyber Safety Campaign website. See coverage on WHDH-TV and read the Globe article or visit the BPS Internet Safety blog for the latest updates.

Boston Anti-Bullying Hotline: 617-534-5050

NECN's "Bending the Curve" series looks at education reform and the achievement gap

The latest installment of NECN's series, Bending the Curve: Closing the Economic Divide in Massachusetts, examines the achievement gap and the education reform legislation recently passed in Massachusetts. The first part of the program features an interview with Boston School Committee member John F. Barros. In a second segment, Nicole Mack, principal of the Everett Elementary School in Dorchester, participates in a panel discussion on the education reform law with Paul Reville, Education Secretary for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mass. State Rep. Marty Walz, chair of the joint committee on education, and Kevin Andrews, Headmaster of the Neighborhood House Charter School and President of the Board of Directors of the Mass. Charter Public School Association. Later in the program, NECN profiles the TechBoston Academy Lower School in Dorchester as a model of innovation.

Banner newspaper launches new monthly section for high school students

The Bay State Banner this week launched STEP UP - Focus Your Steps Toward Success, a new monthly supplement to provide high school students with information and inspiration around academic achievement. The inaugural STEP UP issue features a story about local students selected for the 2010 Posse Scholarships. For a complete list of the 23 Posse Scholars from the Boston Public Schools, read the press release.

Students surprised with $100,000 worth of musical instruments

Yesterday at Symphony Hall, Fidelity Investments surprised Boston-area students with a donation of $100,000 worth of new musical instruments. The event, which linked students from Boston Arts Academy, Boston Latin Academy, the Roland Hayes School of Music, and Cambridge Rindge & Latin School via satellite to students in Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago, was part of the national kick-off of Fidelity's 2010 FutureStage program.

Read coverage in the Boston Herald or watch the NECN story.
(Photo: Boston Herald)

Boston parents head back to school

Boston Public Schools and Northeastern University welcomed 250 parents to campus on Saturday for the second session of Parent University, the new, free, year-long education and training program to help BPS parents support their children’s academic achievement. The district, in conjunction with partner organizations, offered a wide range of workshops, many in both English and Spanish, including:
• Easing your way into Algebra
• Raising our sons
• MCAS: A roadmap to understanding your child’s scores
• K-8 science, your child and you!
• What is self esteem? How do we get it? How do we give it?
• No Child Left Behind: What’s in it for families?
• Let’s talk about it: Keeping communication open with your teen

View a slide show of photos from the event.

Umana students launch East Boston Historical Society

Students at the Umana Middle School Academy in partnership with the Boston Museum and other cultural organizations recently created the first student-led historical society for East Boston, a neighborhood rich in history that has never had such a group. The East Boston Historical Society's inaugural exhibit, held last week at the 80 Border Street Cultural Exchange Center, featured a student-created iPhone mobile game based on the Battle of Chelsea Creek (the first Naval battle of the American Revolution); designs for an immigration memorial (visitors could caste votes for their favorite design); 3D maps and architectural studies; and wooden ship hulls and student narratives of life in Donald McKay's shipyard. Read coverage in The Boston Globe or visit the East Boston Historical Society's blog.

Boston students honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy

Boston Public Schools (BPS) students in Grades K-12 from around the city gathered recently at John Hancock Hall, along with Superintendent Carol R. Johnson, members of the Boston School Committee, teachers, parents and other special guests, to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s celebration, One Voice: Defying Expectations, Reaching for Excellence, marked the 28th year for the district-wide celebration. The event featured song, dance, oratory, spoken word poetry, instrumental music and other performances by students from more than 15 BPS schools, including an American Sign Language (ASL) choral presentation of We are the World by students from the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Read more and see additional photos from the event.

Science teacher receives Presidential award

Students at the Philbrick Elementary School in Roslindale yesterday watched a live video feed of their science teacher, Erin Flynn, being honored by President Barack Obama in a special ceremony at the White House. Ms. Flynn was one of two teachers from Massachusetts recognized with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) this year. The PAEMST is the the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Watch coverage of the students celebrating Ms. Flynn on WBZ-TV.

Mayor Menino congratulates House leaders for passing education reform bill that allows for greater local innovation

Mayor Thomas M. Menino this morning joined Superintendent Carol R. Johnson, Reverend Gregory G. Groover, Sr., Chairperson of the Boston School Committee, and other School Committee members to congratulate members of the House of Representatives on passing a comprehensive education reform bill. The bill, passed by the House in the early morning hours today, provides the flexibility to create in-district charter schools, meaningful turnaround tools for underperforming schools, and the ability to innovate without the delay of lengthy arbitration. The bill’s passage also puts the Commonwealth in a better position to compete for a potential $250 million in federal funding through the Race to the Top initiative. Read more about the Mayor's comments in The Boston Globe.

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.

Superintendent presents five-year BPS transformation plan

Superintendent Carol Johnson presented to the Boston School Committee tonight the Acceleration Agenda, a five-year strategic direction for the transformation of the Boston Public Schools. The plan includes goals, academic targets, and four key strategies to ensure the success of all schools and students. Dr. Johnson also named 14 "turnaround schools" identified for targeted interventions and supports. See coverage in the Globe, Herald, and on NECN:

Wednesday is Education Support Professionals Day

Tomorrow -- Wednesday, November 18 -- is an opportunity for schools across the country to pay tribute to the secretaries, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, and other support staff. As part of National Education Week, celebrate Education Support Professionals Day by thanking the men and women who keep our schools running well so that teachers can teach and students can learn!

Task force to address ELL achievement gaps

The Boston School Committee has launched a Task Force on English Language Learners to improve achievement among students whose first language is not English.

Actuaries invest in the future of Boston

The Society of Actuaries recently held its annual conference in Boston. Prior to the national meeting, the organization donated $25,000 to the Boston Public Schools to support math instruction. The Actuarial Foundation also donated financial literacy packets to Boston Latin Academy as well as flash drives for students. Pictured here, Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. (left), Chair of the Boston School Committee, accepts a check from Cecil Bykerk, FSA, President of the Society of Actuaries.

Congratulations, retirees!

Last night, the Boston School Committee paid tribute to principals and district leaders who retired recently from the Boston Public Schools. Pictured here are some of the retirees who attended a reception prior to the School Committee meeting. Left to right: front row, Dr. Carol R. Johnson, Superintendent; Grace Madsen, Adams Elementary School; Joanne Collins-Russell, Jackson-Mann K-8 School; Mary Russo, Murphy K-8 School; Suzanne Lee, Quincy Elementary School; back row, Michael O’Neill, School Committee member; Antonio Barbosa, Winship Elementary School; Emily Shamieh, Winthrop Elementary School; Carlos Gibb, Ellis Elementary School; Nancy Zamierowski, Assistant Superintendent; William Henderson, O’Hearn Elementary School; Michele O’Connell, Holland Elementary School; Catherine James, Bates Elementary School; and Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., School Committee Chair.

First day of school at Parent University

Approximately 300 Boston Public Schools parents gathered at the University of Massachusetts Boston today for the first session of BPS Parent University, a new year-long program to help parents and caregivers support their children's education. The program is mentioned in a Time magazine story about parent academies across the country. See coverage in the Boston Globe, on Channel 5, and on New England Cable News:

BPS-TV Video: Showcase of Schools

Rain didn't stop families from attending the citywide Showcase of Schools, with every BPS school represented with colorful displays and energetic staff eager to describe what makes their school unique. Visit the photo album and watch a video from BPS-TV:

New growth model highlights students' MCAS gains

For the first time yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reported student and school MCAS progress using a "growth model." Instead of comparing how different groups of students perform on the same test (e.g., 2009 4th graders vs. 2008 4th graders), the growth model follows the same students' progress from one year to the next. Today's Boston Globe highlights the O'Donnell Elementary School in East Boston showing tremendous student gains under the new model.

$2.4m federal grant to expand Advanced Placement in BPS

City and school officials today announced continued expansion of Advanced Placement (AP) offerings in the Boston Public Schools, thanks in part to a new $2.4 million federal grant. Superintendent Johnson's "Acceleration Agenda" includes strategies for more students completing AP, Honors and dual enrollment courses in order to be prepared for success in college.

BAA graduate to compete on "So You Think You Can Dance"

Russell Ferguson, a 2007 graduate of the Boston Arts Academy (BAA), is one of the Top 20 finalists on Fox TV’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” Russell came to BAA with no formal dance training. During his four years at the school, he studied Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, African, Repertory, Choreography, and Dance History, in addition to the school’s rigorous college preparatory academic curriculum. Russell is now a sophomore at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Watch his audition video. Tune in Tuesday at 8:00 to cast your vote!

BCLA wins "School on the Move" Prize!

EdVestors has presented the 4th annual $100,000 Thomas W. Payzant "School on the Move" Prize to Boston Community Leadership Academy. BCLA was one of three finalists, along with the Warren-Prescott K-8 School and Young Achievers Science & Math Pilot K-8 School, recognized for significant school improvement.

Read about past winners:

2008: Samuel Mason Pilot Elementary School

2007: Excel High School

2006: Sarah Greenwood K-8 School

BCLA is also one of several Boston public high schools featured in a Boston Globe guest column today about WriteBoston's Teens In Print program.

Left to right: Mayor Thomas M. Menino, EdVestors Executive Director Laura Perille, BCLA Headmaster Nicole Bahnam, Superintendent Carol R. Johnson and Former Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant.

MASC presents Tip O'Neill Award to Mayor Menino

The Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) today announced that Mayor Thomas M. Menino is the 2009 winner of the Tip O'Neill Award for leadership in public education.

Target transforms Mather Elementary School library

The Mather Elementary School has a brand new school library -- complete with new furniture, books, computers and more -- thanks to an extreme makeover from Target and the Heart of America Foundation. Watch the video from BPS-TV:

New school choice options for BPS families

It's time to start choosing schools! October marks the start of a series of opportunities for families to learn more about educational options in the Boston Public Schools, including exciting new programs throughout the city. School choice activities include:

• Citywide Showcase of Schools, October 24;
• School Preview Time, November 2 - January 22;
• Four Family Information Sessions; and
• Registration for the 2010-11 school year begins in January.

So come discover all that BPS has to offer your family!

New middle school football league is underway

Student-athletes from the Gavin and Irving middle schools faced off yesterday in the first game of the "Play Ball! Football" program, the district's new middle school football league. Along with teams from the Rogers and Edwards middle schools, the boys will play nine regular season games leading up to the playoffs and championship game on Thanksgiving Day. Pictured here, Gavin 7th grader Larry Andrade runs the ball for the first touchdown of the season. Irving went on to win the game at White Stadium, 30-22. See coverage in the Boston Globe.

Roosevelt earns gold rating from U.S. Green Building Council

Mayor Menino visited the new annex of the Roosevelt K-8 School in Hyde Park today to announce a $100,000 award from the U.S. Green Building Council to build more green schools. The addition to the Roosevelt building includes a green roof and other environmentally friendly features that earned the project a gold rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Parents: get involved!

There are two great opportunities coming up for Boston Public Schools parents to have a greater voice in their children's education...

Superintendent Johnson has launched a national search to hire the Assistant Superintendent for Special Education Services. On Monday night (October 19) at English High School, families of students with disabilities are invited to a parent forum to share their views about the qualities needed in the next special education leader. Parents who are unable to attend the forum may complete an on-line survey.

Registration is underway for the new Parent University. The first session will take place on Saturday, October 31, at UMass Boston.

Two BPS employees earn Shattuck Awards

The Boston Municipal Research Bureau tonight will award Henry L. Shattuck Public Service Awards to eight City of Boston employees, including two Boston Public Schools staff. Among the winners are Mary O'Brien, a second grade teacher at the Agassiz Elementary School (right), and Kevin Moriarty, custodian at the Blackstone Elementary School. See coverage in the Boston Globe and Herald.

October is College Month!

October is College Month in the Boston Public Schools. Throughout the month, schools will host activities and events for students of all ages to begin preparing for higher education. High school students will participate in college fairs and other opportunities to learn about college readiness, admission, financial aid and more. The district's "Next Stop, College" campaign is designed to keep students engaged in college planning throughout the year, and Mayor Menino's Success Boston initiative helps ensure that BPS graduates earn a college degree.

Atlanta newscast highlights Nathan Hale success

WSB-TV in Atlanta recently produced a series of reports about the challenges in Georgia's public schools, which included a segment about Massachusetts as a state making more significant progress. The story featured Boston's Nathan Hale Elementary School as an example of a successful turnaround school, including an interview with principal Sandra Mitchell-Woods. Watch the video of part 6 of the series (the segment about Massachusetts begins at 30:42).

Local media profile Boston principals

Several BPS principals have shone in the media spotlight recently, as local newspapers have profiled these hard-working school leaders in back-to-school stories. They include:

* Kelly Hung (pictured here), Bates Elementary School, Boston Globe;

* Louise Kuhlman, Winship Elementary School, Allston-Brighton Tab;

* Eileen Nash, Beethoven and Ohrenberger Schools, West Roxbury Bulletin;

* Arthur Unobskey, Irving Middle School, Roslindale Transcript; and

* Alexandra Montes McNeil, Umana Middle School Academy, East Boston Times (no online story).

Linda Nathan's new book highlights Boston Arts Academy

Beacon Press tomorrow will release a new book written by Linda Nathan, founding Headmaster of the Boston Arts Academy. The Hardest Questions Aren't on the Test: Lessons from an Innovative Urban School describes the approaches that have led to the success of the city's pilot high school for the visual and performing arts. Royalties from sales of the book will benefit the school.

Everett Elementary honors the memory of Kathleen Flannery

The school grounds of the Edward Everett Elementary School in Dorchester was a sea of purple this morning - the favorite color of former principal Kathleen Flannery. Ms. Flannery died shortly before her scheduled retirement in 2006, and today, the school community honored her legacy with the dedication of the Kathleen S. Flannery Memorial Fence. Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Councilor Maureen Feeney, and Superintendent Carol Johnson joined students, staff, families and community supporters for a ceremony today celebrating the new fence and outdoor classroom.

Edwards Middle School earns national media attention

The extended day program at the Edwards Middle School was featured in newspapers all across the country this weekend. An Associated Press story about President Obama's call for a longer school day and year featured student Domonique Toombs describing the benefits of the extended day at the Edwards. The story appeared in the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and dozens of other media outlets.

MassArt helps build new Carter School bus shelter

Graduate architecture students from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design donated their time and expertise this summer to help a special group of BPS students. Last week, City and school officials joined families and staff to dedicate an artistic new bus shelter, designed to protect students at the Carter School when boarding wheelchair buses during inclement weather. See coverage in the Globe, Herald, and South End News.

Two more schools earn NAEYC accreditation

The Warren/Prescott K-8 School in Charlestown and the F. Lyman Winship Elementary School in Brighton recently earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Six BPS schools now have earned NAEYC accreditation, widely seen as the mark of quality in early childhood education.

Apply to serve on the Boston School Committee

Mayor Menino is seeking nominations for Boston residents to serve on the Boston School Committee. The application deadline is November 12. UPDATE: Deadline extended to Monday, November 30, 1:00 p.m.

BPS launches Management Institute

In partnership with the District Management Council, BPS has launched the Management Institute to provide professional development and establish performance goals for senior and mid-level operations and finance managers.

AWC and exam school eligibility tests coming up

Boston families are invited to apply for Advanced Work Class (AWC) and the city's three exam schools.

Get involved in decision-making at your child's school...

The BPS Office of Family & Student Engagement is hosting two training sessions next week (Tuesday and Thursday) to help parents and staff learn more about elections for School Site Council and School Parent Council Executive Committee.

Superintendent celebrates MCAS gains at the Eliot

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released school and district MCAS scores today, as well as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) accountability results. The Eliot K-8 School in the North End was one of only three schools in the Commonwealth to move from "restructuring" into good standing, thanks to two years of significant gains in English and Math performance. Pictured here, Superintendent Carol Johnson (right) surprised principal Traci Walker Griffith (left), students and staff at the school with a delivery of balloons to celebrate the achievement. Visit the BPS website for additional information about Boston's MCAS and AYP results.

Jamboree kicks off another exciting school year

BPS students and their families packed City Hall Plaza on Saturday, September 5 for the second annual Back-to-School Jamboree. Guests enjoyed performances, refreshments, resources, gifts and prizes to help get the school year off to a fun start. Watch the slide show and video below.

Boston schools are ready to reopen!

Boston Public Schools teachers reported to school today to prepare their classrooms for the return of students on Thursday (grades 1-12) and Monday (kindergarten). Today, Mayor Menino joined BPS officials for a back-to-school news conference at the new middle school campus of the expanded TechBoston Academy in Dorchester.

Watch Superintendent Johnson's back-to-school video message to BPS staff:

Superintendent Johnson on Fox 25 morning news

Kim Carrigan interviewed BPS Superintendent Carol Johnson on Fox 25 morning news today about preparations for the start of the school year.

200 students earn diplomas in summer graduation ceremony

The graduating class of 2009 grew last week, when 200 more students earned diplomas at a special summer commencement ceremony at White Stadium. The students, from 24 Boston public high schools, completed their high school requirements through credit recovery and other programs during the summer months. Surrounded by their families, friends, teachers, Headmasters and other City and school officials, the graduates proudly accepted diplomas in cap and gown. Pictured here (left to right) are student speaker Jonathan Rodrigues, a graduate of Brook Farm Business and Service Career Academy, parent Bertha Frazier, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and Boston School Committee member Alfreda Harris.

Ready for Kindergarten!

Mayor Menino, the Boston School Committee, Superintendent Johnson and partner organizations recently hosted the 10th annual "Countdown to Kindergarten" celebration at the Children's Museum. The event welcomes and helps new BPS kindergarten families prepare for a successful start to the school year. Pictured here, four-year-old Liam Rousmaniere of Hyde Park, who is entering K1 at the Franklin D. Roosevelt K-8 School, practices boarding a yellow school bus. See the photo gallery, and visit Countdown's new website! Kindergarten students begin school in Boston on Monday, September 14.

Health Careers Academy seeks renaming after Ted Kennedy

The Boston School Committee has approved a request from Health Careers Academy to rename the school in memory of the late Senator Ted Kennedy. The school, located on the campus of Northeastern University, will now seek permission from State officials to become the Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers: A Horace Mann Public Charter School to honor the legislator’s lifelong commitment to health care and public education. Mayor Thomas M. Menino suggested the name change in a letter to the school’s Headmaster and Board of Trustees last week.

Back to school for parents, too!

This fall, BPS will launch Parent University, a new program to help parents and other caregivers support student learning.

See coverage in the Boston Globe and on New England Cable News:

Additional school and district leaders named

Dr. Johnson has announced the appointment of additional school principals and district leaders for the upcoming school year.

"Middle O!" welcomes 6th graders to Fenway Park

Hundreds of incoming sixth grade students and their families visited Fenway Park yesterday for the first "Middle O!" celebration. The event welcomed students who will be entering BPS middle schools next month with food, games, prizes, resources, and readiness activities to help ensure a smooth transition. Mayor Menino, School Committee members and Superintendent Johnson joined middle school principals and other staff, partner organizations and volunteers, as well as special guest Wally the Green Monster, the Boston Red Sox mascot.