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Boston Public Schools back-to-school hotline up and running

Operators answered 599 calls on first day

August 22, 2012

Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson announced Wednesday that the back-to-school hotline (617-635-9046) is up and running. On Monday, the first day of operation, the operators fielded 599 calls. Multi-lingual operators are trained and ready to answer a wide variety of questions from parents and students.

“We are making an intentional effort to ensure we are a more customer friendly organization,” said Dr. Johnson. “As the first day of school quickly approaches we know our families will have many questions. We hope they will take advantage of the well-trained and knowledgeable staff who will be waiting to answer their calls.”

The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm. Beginning September 4 the hotline will expand its operating hours to 8:00am – 6:00pm. The hotline will remain up and running through September 14. The first day of school for students in grades 1-12 is Thursday, September 6. Kindergartners begin school on Monday, September 10.

Families can also find a wide variety of back-to-school information on www.bostonpublicschools.org.

Summer program enrollment doubled compared to four years ago

Nearly 150 free summer food sites also open to children across the city

July 5, 2012

More than 11,000 students were welcomed to a variety of Boston Public Schools (BPS) Summer programs this week, a figure that has more than doubled since 2008. BPS is also sponsoring nearly 150 free summer food sites for children under the age of 18 to get a healthy breakfast and lunch during the summer months.

“While our traditional school year ends in June, we are working throughout the summer to give more of our students high-quality educational opportunities in the summer months,” said Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. “We are rethinking the traditional notion of summer school. No longer is it just for students who are falling behind. Now we are able to create opportunities for all students to continue to learn and grow in the summer.”

BPS is operating about 16 summer school programs throughout the city this year in cooperation with a variety of corporate and philanthropic partners. Some students will take part in credit recovery programming that will enable them to graduate this August. BPS has also expanded opportunities for students learning English.

Mayor Menino, Superintendent Johnson release ‘what we are hearing’ analysis of student assignment community process

More than 2,000 people have participated so far; city launches new website to make it even easier to join the conversation

June 19, 2012

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today released the analysis of community feedback in the student assignment redesign process and launched a new website, www.bostonschoolchoice.org, to make it easier for the community to engage in the conversation.

“I want to thank all of those in our city who have shared their feedback and ideas for changing the way students choose and enroll in our public schools,” Mayor Menino said. “Through robust community engagement and the excellent work of our External Advisory Committee, we are making real progress towards our goal of creating a school choice system that works better for our city. As families get ready for summer break, we are encouraged that three times as many people have participated in our community engagement this spring as did in 2004. This website is a one-stop shop to help continue and expand the conversation throughout the summer and fall.”

Mayor and Superintendent announce next phase of student assignment community process

Next set of meetings will focus on sharing what BPS has learned through first phase

June 12, 2012

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston BPS Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today announced the next phase of Improving School Choice community meetings regarding the overhaul of BPS student assignment. This phase of the engagement process will focus on sharing feedback received from the parents, students, and community members during the first phase of the process. The first meetings will be held Sunday, June 24 (Dorchester, 1-3pm); Wednesday, June 27 (West Roxbury, 6-8pm) and Thursday, June 28 (Roxbury, 6-8pm). More will be scheduled later this summer.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today announced the next phase of Improving School Choice community meetings regarding the overhaul of BPS student assignment. This phase of the engagement process will focus on sharing feedback received from the parents, students, and community members during the first phase of the process.

Since March BPS has gathered input during 21 public meetings and online surveys in eight languages, engaging more than 2,000 people. This is nearly triple the amount of feedback received at this point when a task force examined this issue in 2004.

“This next phase of community engagement will give us all a chance to see what our families and community value in their schools, and where they want to see changes,” said Mayor Menino. “The school department has gone to great lengths to gather input from a wide variety of Bostonians. The information and feedback that has been gathered will go a long way in informing how we create a student assignment system that works for our city’s kids.”

Four Boston schools to be honored by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for fighting childhood obesity

Schools will receive national award for increasing healthy eating and physical activity

June 7, 2012

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, will recognize four Boston public schools for transforming into healthy places for students and staff.

Of the four schools being recognized, three are located in Dorchester; TechBoston Academy, Richard J. Murphy K-8, and William E. Russell Elementary. Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, located on the campus of Northeastern University is also being honored.

“We take great pride in our work to make all of our schools places where minds and bodies grow well,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. “These four schools are leading by example and I can’t wait for other schools in the district to learn from their successes."

11 of Boston’s best teachers honored by Mayor Menino and Superintendent Johnson

Educators of the Year recipients nominated by students, parents, and fellow staff

June 6, 2012

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson joined the Boston School Committee, and Boston Teachers Union President Richard Stutman Tuesday night to honor 11 of the best educators in Boston at the 12th annual Boston Educators of the Year ceremony.

“These teachers are such a great example of what makes Boston a leader in public education,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “Despite what you hear and read our schools are on the move, and that is visible in classrooms of these great teachers every day. I’m thrilled to be here honoring 11 great teachers who are tireless advocates for our kids.”

Members of the Boston School Committee were in attendance for the event.

Seven Boston schools honored for innovations in student health and wellness

Healthy Connections Awards presented at 5th Annual Boston Public Schools Wellness Summit

May 30, 2012

Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson honored seven schools for innovations in promoting student health and wellness. Dr. Johnson presented the “Healthy Connections” awards, which included a cash prize of $500 for each winning school, at the 5th Annual BPS Wellness Summit at the Salvation Army Kroc Community Center in Dorchester.

Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson honored seven schools for innovations in promoting student health and wellness Wednesday. Dr. Johnson presented the “Healthy Connections” awards, which included a cash prize of $500 for each winning school, at the 5th Annual BPS Wellness Summit at the Salvation Army Kroc Community Center in Dorchester.

“The schools we recognize today have shown innovative, collaborative, and service-oriented approaches to delivering Coordinated School Health to BPS students and families,” said Dr. Johnson. “Best of all, we know that these best practices represent the tip of the iceberg, with exciting efforts underway across the city to ensure that our students are healthy in mind and body, ready to learn.”

Winners of the 2012 Healthy Connections School Awards are:

Boston high school valedictorians recognized

15 of 34 top graduates were born outside the United States

May 29, 2012

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, members of the Boston School Committee, Superintendent Carol R. Johnson, Headmasters and proud family members honored 34 valedictorians of the Class of 2012 from the Boston Public Schools Tuesday.

The Boston Harbor Hotel hosted a luncheon for the students and their families, marking the 14th year Boston has held a celebration for the top graduate of every Boston public high school. NewsCenter 5 Anchor Liz Brunner served as the event emcee, introducing members of the Boston School Committee, elected officials, community leaders and representatives from several local colleges and universities, along with school administrators and teachers.

“There are great things happening in the Boston Public Schools and these students are fine examples of that,” said Mayor Menino. “Each year I grow even more impressed by this elite group of students. These students have great potential and are proud examples of the best Boston has to offer.”

Superintendent appoints new leadership at English High School

New Headmaster will be the first woman leader in the school’s long history

May 24, 2012

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson has announced the appointment of a new Headmaster for the English High School for the next school year. Ligia Noriega-Murphy currently serves as Assistant Academic Superintendent for High Schools and was formerly Headmaster of Excel High School, a high-performing high school in South Boston. With the appointment, Ms. Noriega-Murphy becomes the first woman leader of the oldest high school in America.

BOSTON – Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today announced the appointment of a new Headmaster for the English High School for the next school year. Ligia Noriega-Murphy currently serves as Assistant Academic Superintendent for High Schools and was formerly Headmaster of Excel High School, a high-performing high school in South Boston. With the appointment, Ms. Noriega-Murphy becomes the first woman leader of the oldest high school in America.

“While English High School is showing promise, it is not yet showing the type of rapid progress our own students deserve and our parents demand,” said Superintendent Johnson. “We know our students and teachers are working hard – and we know we must do even more to support them. Ligia has a proven track record of building great school cultures, strengthening teachers, raising graduation rates, and inspiring students to succeed.”

Noriega replaces Dr. Sito Narcisse who is leaving the school after three years to assume a school district leadership position in Maryland.

Superintendent outlines sweeping changes to BPS transportation

New procedures will ensure a higher level of service for BPS students and families at the beginning of the new school year

May 22, 2012

Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson outlined sweeping changes to the operation of the BPS transportation department that will ensure on-time performance and improved communication with families for the beginning of the next school year.

Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today outlined sweeping changes to the operation of the BPS transportation department that will ensure on-time performance and improved communication with families for the beginning of the next school year.

BPS has already begun routing fall transportation routes, months earlier than usual. In addition, BPS has made changes to the way routes are planned, and is reviewing load and unload procedures.

“We don’t want to ever again experience the transportation troubles we had this school year,” said Dr. Johnson. “We moved from a 65 percent on-time figure this fall to one that is consistently above 90 percent today, and to do so we took an in-depth look at how our system operates. We directed our transportation department to make significant changes that will enable us to serve our families better than ever before. We have made staffing changes and have already started planning for the fall to ensure smooth operation in the upcoming school year.”