Press Releases

BOSTON – Nine Boston Public Schools (BPS) educators were recognized for achieving National Board certification – the highest credential in the teaching profession. The teachers are among 28 named from Massachusetts and more than 4,900 across the country to receive this honor.

“Like board-certified doctors and accountants, National Board Certified teachers have honed their skills through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review,” said Michael D. O’Neill, Chair of the Boston School Committee. “Boston Public Schools is fortunate to have these highly skilled teachers raising the level of excellence in our classrooms.”

Members of the Boston School Committee elected Michael D. O’Neill as their next chairperson, succeeding immediate-past chairperson Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., who served in that capacity for the past four years. During the committee’s annual organizational meeting, members also elected Alfreda Harris to serve as vice chairperson.


“Michael is the perfect choice to lead the school committee at this important time, and I’m proud that this group continues to put the education of our students first,” Mayor Thomas M. Menino said. “Michael will serve as an advocate for youth across our city, building on all the past success of Reverend Groover.” 
 


Mr. O’Neill, who was appointed December 31 by Mayor Menino to his second four-year term on the committee, is a Charlestown resident and a graduate of the Boston Public Schools. 
 

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson announced a major step forward in the effort to vastly expand early education opportunities for the city’s youngest students. Working in close collaboration with local partners, the City of Boston and BPS granted funds to seven community based organizations to create 10 new K1 classrooms. Later this month, Thrive in 5, a partnership between the City of Boston and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Merrimack Valley, will announce four additional K1 classrooms to be created under the program’s direction. 

“Providing our children a good and early start is so important to their success through high school and college,” Mayor Menino said. “We know this investment will result in high quality education for more of our youngest students, thanks to the work of our trusted community partners at the United Way.”

Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced Wednesday Boston will expand its innovative compact between district, charter, and Catholic schools with a $3.25 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Sixteen cities were invited to compete for the award based upon prior compact work and Boston was one of just seven to receive funding in this round of awards.

The Compact, which Mayor Menino launched in late 2011, formally links district public schools, public charter schools, and private Catholic schools around common goals and shared visions. The shared goal is to improve teaching and learning for all Boston children. The new funds are aimed at supporting that goal through deeper collaboration between schools and growing existing partnerships.