Highly competitive grant will replicate success of schools like Edwards Middle School
February 2, 2012
Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson announced the Irving Middle School in Roslindale and the McCormack Middle School in Dorchester have been selected to participate in project funded by a highly competitive federal grant that will allow for a newly expanded school day at both schools.
Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson announced the Irving Middle School in Roslindale and the McCormack Middle School in Dorchester have been selected to participate in project funded by a highly competitive federal grant that will allow for a newly expanded school day at both schools. The grant will allow both schools to replicate the successes of schools like the Edwards Middle School in Charlestown – a nationally heralded model of the use of expanded learning time.
“These are two schools that families may not hear a lot about, but make no mistake they are schools on the move,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “Not too long ago people may have written off a school like the Edwards, but now it is a jewel in our city. I expect that in the near future we’ll see the same great results from the Irving and the McCormack.”
National Board certification is known as the ‘Gold Standard’
January 26, 2012
Eight Boston Public Schools (BPS) educators are being recognized for achieving National Board certification – the highest credential in the teaching profession. The teachers (list attached) are among 15 named from Massachusetts and more than 6,200 across the country to receive this honor.
Eight Boston Public Schools (BPS) educators are being recognized for achieving National Board certification – the highest credential in the teaching profession. The teachers (list attached) are among 15 named from Massachusetts and more than 6,200 across the country to receive this honor. The Boston School Committee honored the eight teachers at its last meeting.
“We are so very proud of these educators and are truly fortunate to have them working here in Boston,” said Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., Chair of the Boston School Committee. “They have achieved the gold standard and their students are the immediate beneficiaries.”
Students represented Boston and the United States as ambassadors in cultural program
January 23, 2012
Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson met with the eight BPS high school boys who recently traveled to Beijing China to play in a basketball tournament as a part of President Obama’s 100,000 Strong Initiative.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson met with the eight BPS high school boys who recently traveled to Beijing China to play in a basketball tournament as a part of President Obama’s 100,000 Strong Initiative. The eight students met with Mayor Menino and Superintendent Johnson at the Parkman House to share their experiences.
“It is clear to me these students experienced the trip of a lifetime,” said Mayor Menino. “I’m proud they represented Boston and the United States so well on this trip. These young men are smart, charismatic and were able to learn through this trip that the world is open to them.”
In addition to playing in the basketball tournament with some of their Chinese peers the students also had the opportunity to travel around Beijing and learn about the history and culture.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced the appointment of Boston School Committee member Meg Campbell and the re-appointment of Claudio Martinez, both to four-year terms. “The Boston School Committee plays an essential role in our city, working to make sure all of our children learn and thrive,” Mayor Menino said. “I am pleased to appoint two respected leaders who can help raise our schools to the next level.”
Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced the appointment of Boston School Committee member Meg Campbell and the re-appointment of Claudio Martinez, both to four-year terms.
“The Boston School Committee plays an essential role in our city, working to make sure all of our children learn and thrive,” Mayor Menino said. “I am pleased to appoint two respected leaders who can help raise our schools to the next level.”
Meg Campbell is the Founder and Executive Director of the Codman Academy Charter Public School in Dorchester, which has been recognized by the City and the Commonwealth for its partnerships and noted for the college admittance success of its students. Ms. Campbell, a Dorchester resident, is active in many neighborhood and city-wide initiatives and also writes on education policy.
Superintendent Johnson outlines the district’s strategic plan to address non-academic barriers to student success
December 13, 2011
More than 250 community leaders – including educators, parents, health providers, non-profit partners, elected officials, and funders – gathered at the Boston Public Library today to address strategies for eliminating health disparities and closing achievement gaps in the Boston Public Schools.
BOSTON — More than 250 community leaders – including educators, parents, health providers, non-profit partners, elected officials, and funders – gathered at the Boston Public Library today to address strategies for eliminating health disparities and closing achievement gaps in the Boston Public Schools.
The forum, hosted by the BPS Health and Wellness Task Force, featured a keynote address by Dr. Charles Basch from Columbia University Teachers College. Dr. Basch’s remarks, titled “Healthier Students are Better Learners: A Missing Link in School Reform,” highlighted the importance of nutrition, physical activity, mental health services, and other factors to ensure strong academic performance.
BPS Superintendent Dr. Carol R. Johnson presented an update on “Healthy Connections,” the district’s new strategic plan for health and wellness. She underscored the need to address non-academic barriers to learning – such as obesity, teen pregnancy, vision problems, mental health issues, and asthma – to prepare all students for college and career success after high school.
Awards recognizing improvements in student outcomes is a first for Boston
December 9, 2011
For the first time more than 700 Boston Public Schools (BPS) teachers and more than 150 paraprofessionals will receive “pay for excellence” awards in their paychecks issued December 9, 2011. The awards are the result of an agreement made in June 2010 between the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) and BPS. Educators who worked in any of the city’s turnaround schools last school year are eligible for the award.
For the first time more than 700 Boston Public Schools (BPS) teachers and more than 150 paraprofessionals will receive “pay for excellence” awards in their paychecks issued today. The awards are the result of an agreement made in June 2010 between the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) and BPS. Educators who worked in any of the city’s turnaround schools last school year are eligible for the award.
“We know that our teachers work incredibly hard and we believe teachers who help students succeed should be recognized and rewarded,” said Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. “These educators have brought a new sense of vitality to these schools and it is clear that because of their hard work our students are benefitting. This is just the type of improvement we envisioned when we laid out the Acceleration Agenda, our five year strategic plan.”
Reforms will improve performance and safety of city’s school bus fleet with $700,000 per year in savings
December 7, 2011
First Student, the private company that operates Boston Public Schools (BPS) bus fleet, has reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with United Steelworkers Local 8751, which represents more than 700 drivers.
First Student, the private company that operates Boston Public Schools (BPS) bus fleet, has reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with United Steelworkers Local 8751, which represents more than 700 drivers.
Through First Student, Boston Public Schools (BPS) provides bus transportation for all public, private and charter school students in the City of Boston – about 30,000 children per day. Under terms of the agreement, which must be authorized by First Student and the Steelworkers Union, the driver’s would agree to a wage freeze for the first year, and an increase of 1 percent the second and third year respectively. Boston’s bus drivers now earn approximately $48,000 per year. In April, the drivers requested a pay package that would increase their salary 15 percent over five years.
The agreement would speed reforms to improve safety and on-time performance and, later this year, will allow families to check the location of their child’s bus in real time using a mobile phone.
National assessment shows Boston on par with national average
December 7, 2011
Boston Public Schools (BPS) students are outperforming their urban peers in mathematics and reading, according to results released by the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as “the Nation’s Report Card.”
Boston Public Schools (BPS) students are outperforming their urban peers in mathematics and reading, according to results released today by the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as “the Nation’s Report Card.”
4th grade students in Boston tied with Washington, D.C. for the largest scale score increases in mathematics since 2003 (17 points). 8th grade students came in just behind Atlanta Public Schools students with a 20-point gain in Mathematics since 2003.
4th grade students have also made significant gains in reading since 2003, with an 11-point gain, more than double the national average. 8th grade reading scores were on par with the national average.
Longtime Roxbury principal passes away after courageous battle with cancer, now school mourns two losses
November 18, 2011
Longtime Hernández K-8 School Principal Margarita Muñiz, who had worked for BPS for 39 years, has lost her courageous battle with cancer. “Our city has lost a true advocate for public education,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “Margarita Muñiz displayed a spirited passion for her work, and it was contagious. With a fire and energy that inspired her youngest students and even her most senior staff members, Margarita lived each day doing what she loved most, teaching. Margarita has left a mark on our city that lives on in her students, and that is the finest legacy of all.” (For wake and funeral information click on the headline above).
BOSTON – Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today issued the following statements remembering longtime Hernández K-8 School Principal Margarita Muñiz. Muñiz, who had worked for BPS for 39 years, lost her courageous battle with cancer today.
“Our city has lost a true advocate for public education,” said Mayor Menino. “Margarita Muñiz displayed a spirited passion for her work, and it was contagious. With a fire and energy that inspired her youngest students and even her most senior staff members, Margarita lived each day doing what she loved most, teaching. Margarita has left a mark on our city that lives on in her students, and that is the finest legacy of all.”
Just days after telling parents and students he was willing to spend “twenty-four hours a day” to resolve the expired teachers’ contract, Boston Teachers Union President Richard Stutman has cancelled the December 2 resumption of negotiations without offering a new date. UPDATED: The BTU has now asked to resume negotiations.
UPDATE: After this news release was issued Thursday evening, the BTU responded with a new round of suggested negotiation dates. BPS looks forward to resuming negotiations and resolving this contract.
BOSTON – Just days after telling parents and students he was willing to spend “twenty-four hours a day” to resolve the expired teachers’ contract, Boston Teachers Union President Richard Stutman has cancelled the December 2 resumption of negotiations without offering a new date.
After going without a meeting since late August, last week Boston Public Schools requested to resume negotiations and the BTU agreed. On Monday night, Stutman told a Boston United for Students forum he wanted to work with BPS to rapidly resolve the contract. Last night, Stutman cancelled the session and said his team was unavailable.
“We thought the Union was ready to create a contract that improves our schools,” said BPS Deputy Superintendent Michael Goar. “We are still waiting for them to return to the table.”
“We are so very proud of these educators and are truly fortunate to have them working here in Boston,” said Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., Chair of the Boston School Committee. “They have achieved the gold standard and their students are the immediate beneficiaries.”
Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced the appointment of Boston School Committee member Meg Campbell and the re-appointment of Claudio Martinez, both to four-year terms. “The Boston School Committee plays an essential role in our city, working to make sure all of our children learn and thrive,” Mayor Menino said. “I am pleased to appoint two respected leaders who can help raise our schools to the next level.”
Boston Public Schools (BPS) students are outperforming their urban peers in mathematics and reading, according to results released today by the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as “the Nation’s Report Card.”
BOSTON – Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today issued the following statements remembering longtime Hernández K-8 School Principal Margarita Muñiz. Muñiz, who had worked for BPS for 39 years, lost her courageous battle with cancer today.
