Mayor and Superintendent launch “Team BPS”

Boston – Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson recently launched Team BPS, a new volunteer corps aimed at getting BPS alums, parents and educators involved in spreading the good news about the Boston Public Schools.  The launch of the program serves as a call to action, of sorts, asking ambassadors to take a stand for the children of Boston and to foster a more accurate perception of the public schools in Boston.

“Now, more than ever before, we need people to speak about their BPS experience,” said Mayor Menino. “Too often the many good things happening in our city’s schools get overlooked. This program will give us another highly effective way of informing people about all the Boston Public Schools has to offer.”

The kick-off event, held at the Boston Public Library’s main branch in Copley Square, was attended by more than 100 guests. Dan Rea, the host of WBZ Radio’s “NightSide with Dan Rea” and a Boston Public Schools alum (Boston Latin School ’66), emceed the event.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the tremendous response to this program,” said Dr. Johnson.   “Our informal recruiting, before launching the program today, has already attracted more than 150 Ambassadors, from every neighborhood in Boston, representing 80% of our 135 schools, and every one of our middle schools.  In fact, 55 of our schools are represented by Ambassadors at today’s event.  People in every community clearly want to tell their stories about the good work going on in the Boston Public Schools.”

Following a brief orientation, Ambassadors will be asked to commit to volunteering for activities at least once every six months. Ambassadors will volunteer in ways that best fit their schedule, abilities, and interest levels. Volunteer opportunities may include:

•    Helping out at BPS Visibility Day, distributing BPS literature during School Choice Season, and other outreach efforts;

•    Communicating with the media about one’s BPS experience (agreeing to an interview with a reporter or writing op-eds);

•    Informal conversations about one’s experience with prospective parents;

•    Blogging with fellow supporters and prospective BPS families;

•    Presenting at workshops about one’s BPS experience; and

•    Simply talking positively in the community about an Ambassador’s experience in BPS as part of his or her daily routine (at sporting events, dance class or the grocery store).

Ambassadors will be invited to quarterly opportunities to meet with local policy makers, to provide feedback on the program, to participate in learning sessions, and to network with one another.  

People interested in learning more about Team BPS should visit www.bostonpublicschools.org/teambps.  

PHOTO CAPTION: (L to R) Kathy Burger of Dorchester, a parent ambassador of two Everett Elementary School students, accepts her Team BPS materials from Keri Phelan of the Boston Public Schools Welcome Services Department.

Selected Testimonials from Team BPS Members

Stacey Isles-Brako, Dorchester     
Alumni of BPS, Educator/Administrator in BPS

A product of the Boston Public Schools, I began my Boston school experience at the Ellis School in Roxbury from kindergarten through grade 4. I attended two other BPS schools before entering Boston Latin School, but they no longer exist. After graduating from Boston Latin School, I attended the University of Massachusetts at Boston. There I earned both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in the field of Education, achieving these degrees with honors. I have been an educator in the Boston Public Schools for 24 years, teaching first grade at the Philbrick School in Roslindale. I was proud to be honored as one of Boston's 15 Teachers of the Year in 2001. As a graduate of Boston Public Schools, I am happy to be able to give back to the Boston Public School System. My goal is to educate young students, instilling in them a love of learning, as well as encouraging them to develop pride in their school community.          

Hugh Mackay, Jamaica Plain
BPS parent

While my wife and I were familiar with many of the schools in the area the Manning was not one of them. When we found ourselves high on the Manning list for our son to enter K2 we were somewhat skeptical, but accepted. The Manning has turned out to be a fantastic school. I would put the quality of education at the Manning up against any school, public or private.            

Kaitlin Barnes, Jamaica Plain        
Alumni of BPS, Affiliated with a partner agency

I attended a charter school for the beginning of 6th grade and switched back into BPS (King Middle School) half-way through the year because the charter school curriculum was not challenging. I graduated from BPS (attended BPS from K-1 through 12th grade), attended NYU, graduated in 4 years with honors, came back to Boston and am now working at Berklee College of Music with a program called City Music Boston, recruiting youth for scholarship-based music education programming.