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.