Mayor Wu Announces Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah as Boston's Next Poet Laureate

On April 16, 2025, the Boston School Committee voted unanimously to approve a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Boston Teachers Union (BTU), allowing the district to continue to build and deliver on the promise of a High-Quality Student Experience for every student in Boston.

Mayor Wu Announces Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah as Boston's Next Poet Laureate

Local poet and BPS librarian to lead public poetry programs citywide, championing literary arts and youth engagement across Boston as fourth Poet Laureate.

BOSTON, MA - Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture announced that Ghanaian American poet, editor, and educator Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah will serve as Boston’s next Poet Laureate. Oppong-Yeboah will officially assume the role in July 2025 and serve until July 2029. Established in 2008, the Boston Poet Laureate Program has been a cornerstone of Boston’s creative sector, drawing residents into the rich and transformative world of the literary arts. It is a ceremonial appointment with a term of four years.

“I'm honored to announce Emmanuel as Boston’s next Poet Laureate. Their voice, vision, and deep commitment to community will inspire and amplify our city’s voices over the next four years,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “In a time where we need to challenge, uplift, and connect, I'm proud to know that Emmanuel will carry out this role with care for our communities.”

“I am very excited to serve the City of Boston in this role,” said Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah. “In so much of life I feel a profound sense of indebtedness to those who have done the work before me. No less so here. Boston's two most recent poet laureates, Porsha Olayiwola and Danielle Georges, have created so much space in this city for the flourishing of poetry and poets, and I am grateful to them and eager to expand on their work.”’

Oppong-Yeboah grew up in Boston and holds the city close to their heart. They are currently a BPS educator working as a school librarian at the Joseph Lee School in Dorchester. For six years, they taught 11th grade English at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, and prior to that served as a teaching artist for 10 years at organizations throughout Boston, including the Massachusetts Literary Education and Performance Collective, the Cambridge Arts Council, Northeastern University, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. Emmanuel’s poem, “kra-din” (Kweli Journal), is a past recipient of the Pushcart Prize (XLIII).

“We are thrilled that Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah, a beloved member of our BPS community, has been named Boston’s next Poet Laureate,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “As a school librarian at the Lee K-8 School, Emmanuel nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a deep love for words in our students every day. Their passion for poetry and education exemplifies the transformative power of the arts in young people’s lives. We are proud to see a BPS educator in this role and excited for the inspiration they will spark across our city.”

Oppong-Yeboah will be Boston’s fourth poet laureate, following Porsha Olayiwola, Danielle Legros Georges, and Sam Cornish, all of whom helped elevate the city’s poetry scene. Oppong-Yeboah is committed to expanding on their legacies by fostering new opportunities for poets of all ages to thrive.

For Oppong-Yeboah, working with young people in the city where they were raised is especially meaningful and a source of personal joy. They hope to use this role to bring people together to build connections and provide resources to support poets and the organizations that make space for them.

They plan to work with the Boston Youth Poet Laureate on initiatives that activate the youth poetry scene in Boston; transform community spaces in Boston Public Libraries to host all-ages open-mics and draw engagement from BPS school communities nearby these library sites; partner with Boston’s School Libraries to connect Boston-area students to living poets; and host a contest that invites local poets to engage in writing based on Boston Public Library’s archives.

Applications for the role were reviewed by a Selection Panel consisting of a distinguished group of local literary professionals. The Selection Panel evaluated all entries and held interviews with the final candidates.

“The Selection Committee was impressed by both Emmanuel’s creative work, but equally his balanced thoughtful intentionality; he will bring to this role a deep appreciation of community engagement; and his skills and connections as an educator; and a passion for mentoring our young people in their creative endeavors,” said David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library.

Oppong-Yeboah’s upcoming events include co-leading an open mic and poetry slam on April 18 and May 2 with poet Crystal Valentine at Just Book-ish in Fields Corner, Dorchester (1st and 3rd Friday of every month). Additionally, they will be doing a feature performance on Wednesday, April 23, at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, home of the Boston Poetry Slam.

To learn more about the Boston Poet Laureate Program, visit www.boston.gov/poetry.

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Extended School Year

The Extended School Year (ESY) is a five-week summer program designed for students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams have determined they are at risk of substantial skill regression over the summer. Not all students with disabilities qualify for ESY.

The curriculum is designed to reinforce and maintain the critical skills students have acquired through tailored instruction that reviews essential concepts and standards. Additionally, ESY provides targeted support to help students maintain and strengthen key skills outlined in their IEP, focusing on continued practice to ensure progress. It includes:

Individualized learning based on IEP goals
Academic support in literacy, math, and other core subjects
Social-emotional development to promote communication and self-regulation
Related services such as speech and occupational therapy
Pre-vocational and vocational training to develop work-related skills
Enrichment activities that engage students through hands-on learning

Our goal is to provide a supportive environment where students can continue to grow, with instruction focused on strengthening their foundational skills and supporting ongoing progress.

Important Information

Enrollment Deadline: Enroll by Monday, June 2, 2025 to ensure transportation on the first day. Please note transportation eligibility depends on IEP services, home base, and mileage requirements.
1:1 Support Confirmation: If your child has a 1:1 nurse and/or 1:1 paraprofessional, you must confirm their attendance by Thursday, May 1, 2025, to ensure staffing is in place for the first day of ESY.
Medication: Be sure to provide any necessary medication to your child’s ESY site nurse once ESY begins.
Open House: Meet the site coordinator, teacher, and ESY staff on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m at your child’s assigned ESY school site. Check out our flyer for more information.

How to Enroll

Families have two options to enroll in ESY this year:

Respond via ParentSquare to the district’s communication/form.
Complete the enrollment form using Frevvo.

Respond via ParentSquare to the district’s communication/form.

ParentSquare is a communication platform that connects families with their child’s school, providing a central place for important updates, messages, and forms.

For Extended School Year, ParentSquare will be used to share key information, including enrollment reminders and important updates throughout the summer. ESY enrollment reminders will continue through June unless you complete enrollment or opt out of ESY.

Complete the enrollment form using Frevvo.

Frevvo is an online platform that simplifies ESY enrollment. Families can easily fill out and submit forms, including digital signatures, without needing paper documents.

To enroll, you will need your child's last name, date of birth, and student ID number.

If you have any questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Extended School Year (ESY) Information

Q: What summer programming is the Office of Specialized Services (OSS) providing during Summer 2025?

A: The Office of Specialized Services (OSS) provides Extended School Year (ESY), a five-week program designed to offer special education services as outlined in students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Students eligible for this program have been identified by their IEP teams as being at risk of significant skill regression during the summer. Not all students with disabilities are eligible for ESY.

Q: What are the dates of the Extended School Year Program?

A: July 7, 2025 - August 8, 2025

May 1: If your child has a 1:1 nurse and/or 1:1 paraprofessional, please confirm their attendance by May 1, 2025 so we can ensure staffing is in place for the first day of ESY.
June 2: Enroll by June 2, 2025 to ensure transportation on the first day. Transportation eligibility depends on IEP services, home base, and mileage requirements.

Q: What services and curriculum will be provided for my child at Extended School Year (ESY)?

A: ESY focuses on reinforcing and maintaining critical skills through individualized learning based on IEP goals. The program includes academic support in literacy, math, and other core subjects, social-emotional development, related services (e.g., speech and occupational therapy), and enrichment activities such as pre-vocational skills training. The goal is to ensure continued progress in a structured and supportive environment. Families have four options for participation:
Your child will attend ESY and use school bus transportation.
Your child will attend ESY but will not use school bus transportation.
Your child will attend ESY for related services only (no transportation included).
Your child will not attend ESY and understands that the district is not obligated to provide compensatory services for missed services.

Q: Can my child attend Extended School Year (ESY) for Related Services Only?

A: Students can attend Extended School Year (ESY) for related services only, per the student’s IEP. If families choose to receive related services only, they
must provide their own transportation to the Extended School Year (ESY) sites.

Q: Will my child continue to receive their 1:1 nurse and/or 1:1 paraprofessional during ESY?

A: Yes, if your child’s IEP includes a 1:1 nurse and/or 1:1 paraprofessional, these services will be provided during ESY. However, to ensure staffing is in place for the first day of ESY, you must confirm your student’s attendance by Thursday, May 1, 2025.

Fifth Quarter Summer Learning Academies

Q: What are 5th Quarter Summer Learning Academies?

A: Fifth Quarter Summer Learning Academies are five-week, non-credit
programs that focus on academic enrichment and activities like outdoor
exploration, arts, and sports, aimed at limiting summer learning loss and
promoting academic academic achievement, social-emotional skills, and wellness.

Q: Will the 5th Quarter Summer Learning Academies Meet My Student’s Individualized Education Plan?

A: No. Boston Public Schools offers 5th Quarter Summer Learning
Academies to provide students with access and opportunity to summer
enrichment programming as an alternative to Extended School Year. Fifth
Quarter is not designed to meet IEP requirements. While efforts will be made to provide academic and related services, full IEP compliance cannot be guaranteed.

Students attending 5th Quarter will be considered to have opted out of ESY and will not be eligible for compensatory services.

School Sites

Q: What site will my child be assigned to?

A: We aim to assign students to schools closest to their homes with
staff who can meet the needs of students as outlined on their IEPs.
Students with higher needs will be assigned in cohorts with their
classmates. Assignment details, including school site, address, and
hours, will be provided with enrollment information.

Q: How do I enroll my child?
A: Families have two options to enroll in ESY this year:

Respond via ParentSquare: Enrollment information and reminders will be sent via ParentSquare, including key updates and forms. Simply respond to complete the enrollment. Reminders will continue through June unless you enroll or opt out of ESY.
Complete the enrollment form using Frevvo, an online platform that allows you to fill out and submit your form with digital signatures. You’ll need your child’s last name, date of birth, and student ID number. To submit an online confirmation for your student, please find information under "How to enroll" above.

Q: Can I change the site my child is scheduled to attend?

A: BPS considers site change requests on a case by case basis. If you’d like to request an Extended School Year (ESY) site change, please email
esy@bostonpublicschools.org. Include student name(s), student ID#(s) and reason(s) for request. A staff member from the Office of Specialized Services will get back to you regarding your inquiry. Information for all sites can be found below under "School Sites".

Q: My student has health needs that need to be addressed during the school day. Will there be a nurse on site?

A: Each site will have a nurse on staff. If your child needs medication,
please provide a current doctor’s note. Doctor’s Notes from the school year do not carry over, so you’ll need to submit a new one. Parents and Caregivers should bring the medication directly to the ESY nurse. Medication cannot be sent with the student or kept in the backpack.

Q: How can I get in touch with my child’s Extended School Year (ESY) teacher?

A: We encourage families to attend our Open House on Thursday, June
26, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at each school site. This will be a great
opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and staff.

If you need to connect with the teacher before the program begins, site coordinator contact information will be available below. Additionally, teachers will reach out to families prior to the start of ESY.

Transportation

Q: Will transportation be provided for my child to attend Extended School Year (ESY)?

A: Transportation will be provided for students whose IEPs include transportation services and whose families have confirmed their need for transportation through the ESY enrollment process by Monday, June 2, 2025, to ensure a bus assignment for the first day of ESY. Requests made after this date will be processed on a rolling basis, typically within one week.

Transportation eligibility is based on a student’s IEP services, home base, and mileage requirements. Students who receive corner transportation during the school year will either continue with corner transportation or walk if they live within their ESY site's walk zone. Students in 7th grade and up without specialized transportation can continue using their M7 MBTA pass throughout the summer.

Families can track buses using the Zum App and are encouraged to upload their child’s photo for easy identification. If your address has changed, please update it at a Welcome Center to avoid delays in transportation.

For questions or concerns, contact the Department of Transportation through the Transportation Support Portal.

Helpful Links

Attendance

Q: My family is taking a vacation or my child is attending a camp during the Extended School Year (ESY) program. Are they able to return when it’s over?

A: Yes, your child may attend at any time the program is in session. If you know the specific dates your student will be attending, please share those dates with your child’s Extended School Year Site Coordinator, so that we can effectively plan for your student.

Q: Will my child be promoted to the next grade if they are unable to attend?

A: ESY program does not impact grade promotion.

Additional Questions

School Sites

K-6

Condon

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Address: 200 D St, South Boston, MA 02127

Edison

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Address: 60 Glenmont Rd, Brighton, MA 02135

Lee

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Address: 155 Talbot Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124

Mildred

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Address: 5 Mildred Ave, Mattapan, MA 02126

Murphy

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Address: 1 Worrell St, Dorchester, MA 02122

Ohrenberger

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Address: 175 W Boundary Rd, West Roxbury, MA 02132

5/7 - 12

Frederick

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Address: 270 Columbia Rd, Dorchester, MA 02121

Madison Park Technical Vocational High School

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Address: 75 Malcolm X Blvd, Roxbury, MA 02120

Ruth Batson Academy

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Address: 315 Mt Vernon St, Dorchester, MA 02125

K - 12

Henderson

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Address: 18 Croftland Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124

Horace Mann

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Address: 28 Walk St, Charlestown, MA 02129

Melvin H. King South End Academy

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Address: 90 Warren Ave, Back Bay, MA 02116

Umana Academy

Dates: July 7-August 8
Hours: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Address: 312 Border St, East Boston, MA 02128

STRIVE

Quick Links

5th Quarter
Welcome Center
Transportation
We’re Hiring!

Contact Us

esy@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 635-8599