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Boston Public Schools Weekly Update (December 2, 2022)

December 2, 2022

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A Message from Superintendent Skipper


As we head into the holiday season, I am reminded how grateful I am to be a part of the BPS community with all of you. To our families, I thank you for actively engaging in meaningful discussions about the future of our district and about our schools and students' experiences. I’m especially thankful for our parent groups who are working with us to find solutions to the challenges facing our students. To our educators and staff: I am grateful to work alongside so many incredible, talented BPS educators and staff, who are deeply committed to shaping the future of our district so that we can make a difference in the lives of our students and families. Finally to our students: You are incredible. Thank you for coming to school every day ready to learn and rise to challenges. Each and every single one of you are to be celebrated. You and your journeys inspire me every day and push me in my conversations with leaders across the city to advocate for all the resources you need to succeed to become the leaders of tomorrow.  Thank you for your continued partnership on this journey to make a difference in the lives of our students.


- Superintendent Mary Skipper


BPS Students Present During Earthshot Event

As part of the events leading up to The Earthshot Prize – Boston 2022 ceremony, BPS students from the Boston Green Academy presented at an environmental town hall with students from in and around Boston yesterday. Boston Green Academy is Boston’s only school focused on sustainability and preparing the next generation of diverse leaders for college and green careers. The event featured Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor-elect Kim Driscoll, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Associate Administrator Rosemary Enobakhare, and The Earthshot Prize CEO Hannah Jones. Students from the Henderson School and East Boston High School were also on hand. 

Catch Up on Recent Top Stories!

Boston Globe: Once underperforming, East Boston High School made gains through the pandemic. Can BPS replicate the success?

12.1.22

Going into high school in 2014, Juliane Jorge had doubts about East Boston High School. … By the time Jorge graduated in 2018, nearly three-quarters of her peers received their diplomas alongside her. Jorge, who grew up low income like the vast majority of the school’s students, could see the impact, with the teachers instilling confidence in her as someone who can make a difference.


“There’s an idea and expectation of continuous improvement,” Mary Skipper said. “That is why you’ve seen EBHS continue to grow.”

Boston Globe: MassMutual will be the first sponsor to have its logo on Red Sox uniforms

11.30.22

The Red Sox and MassMutual agreed to terms Wednesday on a 10-year deal that will make the Springfield-based insurer the team’s first uniform-patch advertising sponsor. ... The charitable foundations of the two companies also will partner on expanding the Boston Public Schools’ Fenway Park Learning Lab.

Boston Globe: Mattapan’s Haitian-Creole program, a taste of the bilingual education Boston Public Schools wants to expand

11.29.22

In a Mattapan kindergarten classroom one recent morning, a girl pointed one by one at numbers, on the brightly decorated wall, prompting her classmates to count: “en, de, twa, kat.” Next, they counted in English.


The children, some of them recent immigrants from Haiti, were among 75 students in Mattahunt Elementary School’s Toussaint L’Ouverture Academy, where the teachers — all Haitian-American — lead lessons in both Haitian Creole and English. Many of the children are learning English while others are native English speakers.

NBC Boston: Anonymous Donor Gives $1.65M to Boston Public Schools to Expand Music Education

11.28.22

An anonymous donor has given the Boston Public Schools a 3-year, $1.65 million grant to help expand music education at schools in East Boston. Boston Public Schools and EdVestors, a Boston education nonprofit, announced the grant Monday morning at the Curtis Guild School in East Boston.

BPS Job of the Week:

Social Worker at East Boston Early Education Center (PT)

The East Boston Early Education Center is looking for a Part Time Social Worker to join the team to support the social-emotional needs of the students.  This job will work collaboratively with School Leadership and Teachers to support the implementation of trauma, healing, and resiliency focused school social work services.  The part time social worker will provide services such as individual and/or group counseling support, and managing student cases and working to coordinate referrals to  external programs in collaboration with students and families.

 

You can learn more about this job by viewing the posting here.

School Choice Season for the 23-24 school year is here! 

 

Schools are now holding information sessions to learn more about your school choice options & meet the school leader. Visit bostonpublicschools.org/schoolpreview for dates/times & to sign up! Registration for the 2023-2024 school year begins Jan. 4.


Partnerships in Action:

Poetry Contest


The Boston Public Schools, in partnership with the Franklin Park Zoo, and World Unity Inc. have launched a poetry contest!  The application is open from Jan 1st to March 1st with all BPS students encouraged to participate, and one winner from elementary, middle, and high school will be selected by a diverse panel of judges.  The theme of this year's contest is “The Importance of Diversity for a Strong Healthy World for Humans, Animals and Nature.”  The three winners could also have the opportunity to take their homeroom class on a field trip to the Zoo!

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JFK Library Profiles in Courage Essay Contest


The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is currently accepting applications for the Profiles in Courage Essay Contest for the School Year 2022-2023. The deadline to apply is January 13th, 2023 and the top essays will be awarded a prize.  This year’s questions ask participants to “describe and analyze an act of political courage by a US  elected official who served during or after 1917.”  This contest is open to all high school students in grades 9-12 who attend public, private, parochial, or home school.


You can learn more here.

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Sensory Friendly Sundays at the USS Constitution Museum


The USS Constitution Museum is hosting “Sensory Friendly Sundays” every second Sunday running December through March.  This program will allow for only 35 people inside the museum at a time and will include measures such as lower volumes in the theater, along with the ability to touch certain elements of specific displays.  The museum will also have fidgets, noise-reducing headphones, weighted shoulder wraps, sunglasses, and other sensory resources available to borrow at the museum admission desk.   Registration for this event is required along with admission by donation. 


You can learn more here.

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Save the Date: COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Clinics 


Ongoing: Bolling Building 2300 Washington St. Roxbury, Tuesday through Saturday 12pm to 8pm


Upcoming:

12/5/2022 Lee Academy


12/6/2022 East Boston Early

Education Center


12/6/2022 Warren Prescott School


12/7/2022 Curley


12/7/2022 Madison Park


12/8/2022 Adams Elementary School


12/8/2022 Mattahunt Elementary School


12/8/2022 Boston Teachers Union

K-8 Pilot School


12/9/2022 West Zone Early Learning


12/9/2022 Mario Umana Academy


12/12/2022 Mason Elementary School


12/12/2022 Dever Elementary School


12/12/2022 Rafael Hernandez


12/13/2022 Bates Elementary School


12/13/2022 Boston Adult Tech


12/14/2022 Channing Elementary School


12/14/2022 Otis


12/14/2022 Boston Teachers Union (BTU)

from 3pm-6:30pm (OPEN)


12/15/2022 Manning


12/15/2022 Hennigan K-8


12/16/2022 Brighton High School


12/16/2022 Mario Umana Academy


12/16/2022 Chittick Elementary School


12/19/2022 Dearborn Stem Academy


12/20/2022 O'Donnell Elementary


12/20/2022 Henderson


12/21/2022 Orchard Garden


12/21/2022 Boston Day Evening Academy


12/21/2022 Community Academy

of Science and Health (CASH)


1/6/2022 East Boston High School


All Students in Grades K2 - 3rd Have $50 from Boston Saves!


Watch for an email from bostonsaves@boston.gov and open the link to log in, create a password, and view your child’s money. Begin earning more money for your child by taking advantage of the incentives. This program will be a fun learning opportunity for kids, and a great way for families to be involved with education.

Visit our website here.

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Prepare for Work After High School with PYD!


Come to a Career Readiness workshop! Partners for Youth with Disabilities is providing a variety of topics to explore at their workshops, including Job Exploration, Self Advocacy and Work-Based Learning. Open to all persons aged 14-22 who have a documented disability.  


View our flyer or visit our website for more information, and apply online!

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Celebrating the City-wide

Cross Country Team!


BPS is celebrating the incredible achievements of the Citywide Cross Country Team! The Team for the first time finished in Fourth Place in D1 for the first time in decades! The Cross Country Team will be competing in the All-States coming up soon! The Citywide Cross Country Team’s incredible achievements are due to their hard work and commitment to the sport, and their commitment to the mission and values of BPS Athletics. Congratulations to the Team on their success, and all of BPS wishes you luck in the All-States!

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Share your BPS story!


BPS would love to share your experiences with us on its website, on social media, and through the Superintendent's remarks–or through a variety of other communications we use to communicate with the district. If you have a positive story about BPS and would like the public to know about it, please let us know at the following link. Feel free to pass this link along to your network.


Learn more here.

BPS is Hiring! 


OHC is working year-round to hire personnel at the Central Office and BPS schools. So let's help build our BPS Team. Please share hiring opportunities with your networks!

See Available Roles

Click Here for COVID-19 Health & Safety Information


You will find much helpful information for families, including answers to frequently asked questions, health and safety protocols, and more!



Learn more about vaccinations here.

COVID-19 Vaccinations
Great Resources
877-382-2363
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