High School Renewal Newsletter | ||||
Boston Public Schools Office of High School RenewalOctober was designated as "College Month" in the Boston Public Schools (BPS). Across the city students were exposed to different events and activities that initiated and emphasized the importance of the college application process and pursuit for higher education. In partnership with area colleges and universities, as well as community organizations, the district will offer college access programs and services throughout the school year. This newsletter features some of these activities, as well as other news from Boston Public High Schools. Share news about high school renewal in Boston by forwarding this newsletter to co-workers, partners, and friends. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, contact Mary Ellen Bower at bowerme@aol.com. We welcome you to add your voice to the newsletter! Teachers, students, parents and community partners are invited to email news items or suggestions for the resource shelf to Mary Ellen Bower. The next newsletter will be posted in early March. We will inform you when submissions can be made for that publication. We thank those who shared their news for this publication and look forward to hearing from you in 2008.
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Office of the Superintendent | |
Community Forum Series: "Graduation For All"Superintendent Carol R. Johnson and the Boston School Committee will host a community forum series to engage students, families, educators and the community in discussions about how to eliminate the dropout problem and ensure 100% graduation. The schedule of forums is as follows: Thursday, November 29 Tuesday, December 4 Thursday, December 6 Thursday, December 13 Dinner, child care and translation will be available at the forums. For more information, as well as publicity fliers in multiple languages, please visit www.bostonpublicschools.org/community. ; Please post these fliers in your schools and offices and include this information in newsletters and other materials distributed to families and staff. Thank you. Questions: Frank Barnes, 635-9054 or fbarnes@bostonpublicschools.org. |
Urban Science Academy | |||||
USA College Night
On Thursday, October 30th the Urban Science Academy (USA) hosted its first annual College Night for high school juniors and seniors. The evening consisted of presentations from the guidance department, financial aid programs, including MEFA and ACCESS, and small group discussions. National Black College Alliance representatives encouraged students to consider touring Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and college preparation programs they offer. The climax of the evening was the informal, yet engaging, conversations between young professional college graduates and our college-bound students and their families. Afterwards, students shared highlights from their small group discussions with the larger group. "My favorite part was talking to volunteers about necessary steps to take to get into college and to graduate" says Patricia Smith, a senior at USA. Over thirty undergraduate and graduate institutions were represented. All students received resource folders, brochures and applications, and contact information for all volunteers. This family friendly event was a huge success. Families shared their hopes and dreams, explored funding options, and began devising a plan to ensure a successful college application process. We look forward to expanding our USA College Night next year! | |||||
Office of Career and Technical Education-Tech Prep | |||||
Boston Accuplacer™ ProgramThe Offices of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and High School Renewal (HSR) have developed a program to offer the Accuplacer™ college placement test to juniors and seniors while they are still enrolled in high school. The program is a collaboration among CTE-Tech Prep, Tech Boston, Boston Area Advanced Technological Education Connections (BATEC), Bunker Hill Community College, Roxbury Community College, and the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology. Charlestown High School, Edward G. Noonan Jr. Business Academy, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, East Boston High School, The Engineering School and Odyssey High School are participating BPS high schools. The College Board's Accuplacer™ test is used by all the Massachusetts Community Colleges, some of the state four-year colleges and many private four-year colleges. The test is utilized to determine appropriate placement in courses that are consistent with student abilities and, to determine whether a student will need to complete developmental courses. Students already receive academic preparation for the MCAS and SAT as a standard aspect of their high school experience. However, students do not receive preparation for the Accuplacer™ , the most important assessment for students entering community colleges in Massachusetts. The BPS Accuplacer™ program is designed to address this gap in student preparation and, will also address the need of educators and counselors to be informed. The test is computer based, given on-line, is adaptive, and un-timed. The test has English Language Arts and mathematics sections. Some colleges require a writing sample as an additional element. Results for the ELA and math sections are available immediately after the test is completed. In most of the high schools the ELA and math sections are given on two separate days. Students are asked to complete a pre-test preparation workshop prior to taking the test. Students are asked to participate in a post-test workshop to review the results and plan actions if remediation is indicated. For a student in her/his junior year, deficits identified by the test can be addressed in her/his individual education plan for the senior year. Seniors in need of support may take advantage of summer developmental courses and counseling offered at the community colleges. If you have any questions about the Boston Accuplacer™ Program, please contact John Zinkowski, Tech Prep Planner, at 617-592-4540, jzinkowski@boston.k12.ma.us.
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Adult Learning Center | ||||||
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Bingo for Books - Together Now!The Boston Public Schools Adult Learning Center held a special Family Literacy event on Monday, November 12th to celebrate Family Literacy Month. Thirty-three families, including Forty-seven children, ranging in age from 5 months to 15 years old, attended Together, Now! Parents and children answered questions in mathematics, social studies, science and language arts to cover their bingo boards. Prizes included books, calendars, notebooks, and pencils. The classrooms were filled with the sounds of families learning and playing together. After a raffle to win additional books, Stop & Shop gift cards, and puzzles, the group enjoyed lunch in the cafeteria. Every member of the family was encouraged to participate in the annual six-week "Read to Succeed Contest." Families were asked to track their minutes of reading together between November 12th and December 17th. The top readers will win prizes, and the class with the greatest participation will celebrate with a pizza party. The event ended with the Family Literacy song - "Read, Read, with all the family, Read to yourself and read to me ... we learn many things from A to Z, and that's why we love Family Literacy." The next Together, Now! event will be a drumming holiday celebration in December. The Boston Public Schools Family Literacy Program provides free Adult Basic Education, GED preparation, and English as a Second Language classes to parents of Boston Public School children. These daytime classes are held in Fields Corner. Please contact 617-635-9300 for more information about classes beginning in January. | |||||
Boston Day and Evening Academy | ||||||
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Peer Workshops that WorkSometimes presenting to a group of principals and teachers is easier than discussing real life issues with your peers. But that's exactly what Boston Day and Evening Academy student Davin Cohen and four of his classmates have been doing this fall. They have been implementing peer workshops while discussing issues like violence, gender, and stereotypes, promoting social justice and conflict resolution. In August, Davin Cohen and four of his BDEA classmates participated in the Boston Center for Community and Justice's "InIt" program, a week-long retreat focused on advancing social justice among youth. After participating in the program, Davin and his classmates conducted the workshops at the school. They chose three topics: gender, violence, and stereotyping: prevalent issues in many communities all over the city. For Davin, focusing on these topics was a way to help his fellow students heal: "Violence plays a big role in the community. I wanted to make a place where people could come and talk about the violence in their communities to keep the peace in [school]." But it just wasn't the conversations that made these workshops successful. Davin created a proposal and budget to implement this project - a task that involved careful and detailed workshop planning, from stipends to materials. There are two workshops left and Davin is pleased with the outcomes so far. "I thought it would be harder to get people to participate, but everyone has been really supportive." When asked if Davin would do this program again he responded, "I would definitely do [InIt] again, I want participants to take what they learned in these workshops and use it in their own way." | |||||
Brook Farm Business & Service Careers Academy | ||||||
BFA Debate TeamBFA's Debate Team participated in their first tournament. Team members include: Yeriseli Melo, Jose Baez, Garvin Bellamy, Jose Nova, Bryant Gomez, Ariela Parrilla, Kariem McCormick, Mr. Grandson (Coach). New York City Entrepreneurship ProjectMs. Pearson's Entrepreneurship class and Ms. McCall's Accounting class took a day trip to New York City's famous Canal Street to purchase items for re-sale. Students in BFA's Academy of Finance created business plans for their projects and the items they purchased with money provided by National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship will be sold at an upcoming bazaar. This project gives students the unique opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom by having them participate in an actual business venture. | ||||||
Community Academy of Science and Health | ||||||
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CASH Student Featured in Gates Foundation NewsletterBhraana Abraham graduated at the top of the Class of 2007 from Community Academy of Science and Health (CASH) in Boston, one of three new small high schools in the former Hyde Park High School. The following is an excerpt from Bhraana's valedictory address, which she also delivered last spring at the district's annual luncheon honoring the top graduates of all 38 Boston public high schools. Bhraana is now enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. According to the great poet Marianne Williamson, "Our deepest fear is not that are we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." Fear is a force of emotion that has the power to keep everyone from succeeding in life. My deepest fear was that I would not make it in the new world that is so different from the one that I grew up in, Haiti. In many instances during the course of my life, I have worked hard for my dreams. In doing so, I came across several obstacles and challenges. In this moment, I would like to share the last four years of my life. In September of 2002, my family and I decided to move to the United States due to safety reasons. Upon our arrival, we found something more important; we found a world of opportunity, a world where our dreams would become a reality. In this new world, the main obstacle I encountered was the inability to read and write in English. When I first entered eighth grade at the Woodrow Wilson Middle School, I was placed in a bilingual program. The program was taught by supportive teachers whose first priority was to teach English as a second language to foreign born students. My primary languages are French and Creole. In less than six months, I learned how to read, write and comprehend English. Although I have made much growth, I have always felt the need to enhance my communication skills by interacting with others. Even though I had an accent, I did not let that stop me from taking advantage of educational opportunities. After a year, I was moved from the bilingual program to a regular education classes. I feared that the transition was too much to handle. Confidence is an element that can only be found if you search deep inside. During that year, I brought my confidence up from my heart and interacted with other students, some of whom had characteristics of ignorance, which intimidated me. No matter how hard or confusing this new world was to my eyes, I had to find ways to succeed. This journey toward success began during my high school years, first at Hyde Park High School, and now at the Community Academy of Science and Health, or CASH. Once again, I encountered many people with negative stereotypes and people who underestimated my ability to succeed academically. I set forth to prove them wrong by working hard and concentrating on the ultimate prize. The staff and teachers at CASH were one of the main reasons why many students and I have made it this far. The amount of support that we received motivated us as students to dream beyond measures. We all have dreams that can only be accomplished if we have all the support needed. As students of this community, we used resources like the nursing programs, dual enrollment programs at colleges such as Benjamin Franklin Institute, internships in the medical field, and challenging classes offered at the Community Academy of Science and Health. These opportunities prompted us to acknowledge our roles as future leaders of tomorrow. For the past four years, we have explored and experienced multiple aspects of the outside world. We had a great opportunity to study many college subjects at the Ben Franklin Institute. These experiences gave us the confidence to pursue our dream in the future. I took advantage of the opportunity by taking a psychology class which guided me in the direction of becoming a medical doctor. I followed the journey of success with the strong belief that one day others will look up to me and see me as a role model who has overcome multiple challenges. During this journey, my family was the motivating force that pushed me to excel. They have always believed in me and knew that I would succeed. For my family's actions of grace, I will love them all forever and would like to thank them in this precious moment. I would also like to take this moment to thank friends, teachers, and administrators who supported all of us and pulled us back from darkness whenever we stopped believing. As we start that journey after high school, we will come across the most challenging passage of our lives, and with the intensity of our knowledge, we will succeed. | |||||
English High School | ||||||
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A New BeginningOn Friday, August 31, 2007, the entire staff of The English High School spent the day at the Project Adventure facilities in Beverly, Massachusetts. It had already been a long week of content meetings, AVID training, and numerous discussions about new curricula and the new school year. It was the first time that all of the English High School staff were together. There were old faces and new faces and there was a feeling of excitement mixed with uncertainty. That uncertainty would vanish by the end of the day. The day started with the entire staff in a huge circle. That was the first time I truly understood how vast and diverse our community was. We then broke out into small groups of 8-10 for the rest of the day. This is when the team-building began. Team- building is not even the word to describe what happened to us that day. We bonded together as educators, colleagues, and people. It began small: some little games that entailed throwing a ball to someone to get to know names, passing around various items without dropping them and trying to achieve that goal in a smaller amount of time each try. Then we moved up to the low ropes course. Our group needed to move everyone across a series of wires attached to trees about 18 inches off the ground. I am proud to say that by working together and helping one another out, not one member fell off the wire! Another group needed to get each group member through different segments of a rope "spider web" without touching the "webbing." And yet another group needed to work together and balance themselves on a "seesaw." After lunch, each group moved onto the high ropes course. Instead of being 18 inches off the ground, these elements were 40-50 feet off the ground. Trust, communication, teamwork, and encouragement were crucial for these activities. Not only was success a goal, but the safety of everyone was at stake. With the teamwork and trust that had been built up in the morning, a few lessons on putting on a harness and belaying, and a lot of encouragement, many people stayed safe while stretching themselves by climbing a wall or walking across a wire. Not only was this a team-building activity for the school, but an underlying metaphor for our work came out of that day. Not only are we working together as a school to help one another and keep one another safe, but we are working to help our students succeed and keep them safe. Just like we could not drop the ball, we can not drop our students. Our motto is "College for All" and that Friday was the first step in making our motto a reality. Heather Rowlings | |||||
Excel High School | ||||||
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"Sausage Guy" David Littlefield speaks to South Boston StudentsOn Tuesday, October 9th, David Littlefield (The Sausage Guy/Salsa's Mexican Grill) spoke to entrepreneurship students at Excel High School. His talk was sponsored by The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE, pronounced "nifty") New England Program Office. Mr. Littlefield spoke about starting his business by selling chicken wings, which led to the selling of sausages, in the parking lot of then Foxboro Stadium. He showed the students how this simple entrepreneurial venture then grew to the current Lansdowne Street sensation, starting with selling to nightclub patrons and then Red Sox Nation. His business has evolved through the years into other ventures - such as Salsa's Mexican Grill on Dorchester Street. Mr. Littlefield then fielded questions from students. Questions ranged from the biggest obstacles he has faced as a business owner to "what's next?" Students left feeling inspired and energized about their own entrepreneurial ideas - which students will turn into business plans as part of their final projects for the entrepreneurship class at Excel High School. The NFTE entrepreneurship course has been offered at Excel High School through a partnership with The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston for the past three years. Through this course students learn the ABCs of business and entrepreneurship through hands-on-activities, field trips, guest speakers, and writing and presenting their own business plan. | |||||
Excel High School | ||||||
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Excel High School Wins $100,000 as "Most Improving Public School"EdVestors' 2nd annual award honors three local schools that have raised school standards Urban school improvement advocate and financier EdVestors tonight awarded its second annual $100,000 "Thomas W. Payzant School on the Move" Prize to South Boston's Excel High School. The prize offers incentive to accelerating improvements within the Boston Public Schools, by showcasing impressive examples of successful school turnarounds. This award is the largest single school improvement prize in the country and honors the legacy of Dr. Payzant, the longest-serving and nationally-recognized former Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools. New this year, the entire prize package raised by EdVestors will increase to $150,000. The two runners-up, Noonan Business Academy in Dorchester and the Boston Community Leadership Academy in Brighton, will each receive $25,000 to be used for discretionary school improvements. The winner, Excel High School, will receive $80,000 to fund its ongoing improvement strategies, and the remaining $20,000 will be used to support sharing its best practices with other urban schools, through a case study produced by the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy, in collaboration with EdVestors. "We were thrilled to be nominated and are honored to receive this year's award," said Excel headmaster Ligia Noriega. "We will use these funds to continue our work to help students not only reach, but exceed their goals." Excel High School was created in 2001 as part of the school district's first experiment with "high school restructuring" to create smaller, more personalized high schools out of the old, under-performing large district high schools. Excel was formed as one of three small high schools housed within the old South Boston High School. Originally organized around a theme of technology, the faculty and administration shifted to a college preparatory focus in 2004. Impressive teacher collaboration on curricular improvements, and a focus on creating a positive school climate with clear expectations, along with broad ownership and a shared vision for all of Excel's students, have led to dramatic improvements in student achievement. "This award spotlights the achievements of schools that are accelerating academic achievement for all students at rates that are at least 50% faster than the district average rate of improvement," said Laura Perille, Executive Director of EdVestors. "Over the last four years, each of our three finalists has demonstrated consistent improvements in the quality of educational programming, and the results are apparent throughout the schools, as well as the improvement in students' MCAS scores. Excel High School demonstrated that its approach to improving collaboration among teachers and improving school climate has yielded positive changes for students." Known for its rigorous due diligence and knowledge of schools, EdVestors already directs over $1 million in private donor investment into urban schools in Boston and Lowell through its portfolio of grantees and through its annual forum, the Urban Education Investment Showcase. Selection criteria for the School on the Move Prize was based on a qualitative and quantitative analysis conducted by a team of seasoned professionals assembled by EdVestors that included prominent educators, business leaders and philanthropists. "There are many untold success stories in the Boston Public Schools and EdVestors is helping us acknowledge and reward those schools that are showing consistent improvement over time," said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "The prize honors the work of teachers, principals, families, students and community leaders all working together to improve our city's schools." EdVestor's $100,000 prize was named in honor of Dr. Thomas Payzant, the former Boston School Superintendent who retired in 2006. Throughout his career, Dr. Payzant has been a catalyst for change. He instituted new curricula, overhauled professional development, changed teaching practices, created more than a dozen new, small high schools, and launched a massive remediation effort to raise educational standards across the board. The inaugural prize was awarded to the Sarah Greenwood K-8 School in Dorchester for its remarkable work to advance achievement among a diverse population of students. To date, the Greenwood School has used the prize money to purchase new computer lab science carts and send several staff members to the El Centro School in California, to learn more about their incredible turnaround story, using science instruction as their key school focus. Launched in 2002, EdVestors is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to level the playing field for urban schools in their pursuit of private investment to accelerate improvement efforts. EdVestors draws new money into urban education and serves as a resource to individual donors and foundations as well as to urban educators. In its first five years, EdVestors has raised and helped investors to direct over $4 million in funds for strategic school improvement efforts in Boston and Lowell. | |||||
Fenway High School | ||||||
Then and Now, In Fenway's 25th Year
In April of 1983, a sophomore was riding up the long escalator at English High School. A teacher on the tread below introduced himself as Larry Myatt, and asked him how he liked high school. The student said he wasn't feeling challenged. The man said, "Would you like to do something different?" With that, Anthony Rhodes became one of the first recruits to the Fenway Program, which opened the following fall. Fenway is now in its 25th year. It has grown from 90 students and six faculty to 300 students and 43 faculty (full and part time). It has been in four locations. It turned down a charter to become one of Boston's first Pilot schools. It survived a major leadership transition when Larry Myatt, Fenway's founder, went to work with High School Renewal and it has continued, under the past four years of Peggy Kemp's leadership, to welcome, support and challenge students who want to "do something different." Anthony Rhodes is one of two Fenway grads who were there at the beginning and are at the school now. He graduated in 1985, went on to college (at Mr. Myatt's urging), and thence to get a Masters degree in Educational Counseling. In 1990 he joined the Fenway faculty as a Student Support Counselor, a position he holds today. Byron Winder arrived during the Fenway Program's second year. "It was the 80's," Byron recalls. "'English' was a tough school, but Larry had a goal to create this inclusive learning community on the tenth floor. Fenway had different kinds of kids, some with solid foundations, others who were struggling. We helped each other." Byron graduated in 1986. Fifteen years later he returned to Fenway as a math team member and Learning Center coach. It is like "being married at an early age," he says of his longstanding relationship with the school. "You get to watch the generations grow." | ||||||
Josiah Quincy Upper School | ||||||
| Grade Nine Literary CelebrationJQUS English teacher Mr. Steven Watson organized a special event for grade 9 students on Wednesday, October 31 to commemorate their study of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. The novel centers on a young Spanish shepherd who travels to Egypt where he meets and learns lessons from a wise alchemist. Implicit in the story is the suggestion that one who does not pursue his/her dreams is doomed to a life of disappointment, one that is empty and unfulfilled. The author suggests that if you really want something to happen, it is possible. Is what the author Coelho suggests fantasy or reality? Readers can make up their own minds. One of the highlights of this literary celebration were speeches students prepared based on one of the author's maxims. Speeches were given by Mandy Lam, Raya Green, Brandon Gonsalves, Amy Duong and Jennifer Wu. They displayed creative understandings of the novel's deeper meanings and were impressive. To reinforce the cultural nature of the event, Mr. Watson also arranged for entertainment for the celebration. A flamenco dancer accompanied by a guitarist captured the student's attention. Flamenco dance and music trace back to Andalusia, Spain's southern region. It was interesting to learn that originally handclapping was the rapping percussive accompaniment to the dance. Flamenco handclapping employs a special technique to produce a sharp sound that some find piercing to the ear. The guitar was gradually introduced in the 19th century. The handclapping and the strumming of the strings combine to inspire the dancers. The literary celebration concluded with a luncheon provided by Mr. Watson from a Moroccan restaurant. | |||||
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Debate Tournament at Josiah Quincy Upper SchoolThe JQUS Debating Team recently participated in a debating tournament sponsored by the Boston Urban Debating League. The event was held in the auditorium of the Arlington Street facility. Both the Varsity and Junior Varsity (Novice) competed. Representing JQUS on the Varsity level was the team of Alexander Chan, senior, and Terrance Hines, sophomore. Alex is the only returning debate team member with significant debating experience as the other members graduated last year. This will be a rebuilding year for JQUS. However, the number of students participating in the program has increased which gives the team reason to be hopeful for the future. Junior Varsity/Novice teams in the tournament included Gerardo Aldarondo and David Lin, seniors; Cindy Duong and Steven Lui, sophomores; Alex Leung and Jason Mak sophomores; Richard Yu, sophomore and Estaban Varas, freshman; Annie Ly and Lily Mei, freshmen. We congratulate these young people, especially those who are new to debating, for accepting the challenge to stand up and debate other individuals. In recognition of their courage, every novice debater was awarded a novice medal. JQUS received three awards at this recent tournament. The Varsity Team took second place; Alex Chan came in second for the individual speaker award; and Steven Lui earned a Novice Speaker award. Mr. Richard Chang coordinates the program and guides and inspires team members. He feels that his debating members will find the challenge less intimidating as they learn and develop skills in the months and years ahead. | |||||
NFTE President and Founder speaks to JQUS StudentsOn November 2nd Steve Mariotti, the National Foundation of Teaching Entrepreneurship's President and Founder, spoke to entrepreneurship students at Josiah Quincy Upper School (JQUS). Mr. Mariotti heard two student presentations - one on the entrepreneur behind Mrs. Fields Cookies and the other on a student's own business idea. Mr. Mariotti then gave the students the best advice and lessons he has learned through the years relating to business and entrepreneurship. Among others, Mr. Mariotti told the students to always do something that they love, find their niche, and not to compete with some of the biggest businesses, but to create something new. The entrepreneurship program at Josiah Quincy Upper School is part of The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE, pronounced "nifty"). It is taught at JQUS by NFTE Certified Entrepreneurship Teachers William Chan and Robin Coyne. For more information about NFTE please visit http://newengland.nfte.com/. | ||||||
Madison Park Technical Vocational High School | ||||||
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Science Teacher Matt Dugan Receives Prestigious Milken AwardMatthew Dugan, a science teacher in the Madison Park Construction, Design & Transportation Academy, was one of two Boston teachers to be selected for the nationally recognized Milken Award. Madison Park's Cardinal Hall exploded with cheers when the announcement was made. While "Dugan, Dugan" chants filling the hall, a stunned Matt rose to receive his award, which included a $25,000 cash prize. Dugan was further surprised when his parents and girlfriend were brought forward by Headmaster Chuck McAfee, a 1999 Milken honoree. Dugan has been at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School for ten years. Until recently, he taught ninth grade science in the Freshman Academy. During this time, he and a team of science teachers revamped the MP Science Fair and Madison. Because of their efforts, Madison regularly has students successfully competing at the local and state level. With support from the White Family Foundation, Matt was able to start the Madison Park Technical Vocational High School Robotics Team, with student and staff volunteers. In its third year, the MP Robotics Team will once again begin to prepare for the competition, held yearly at Boston University. For more information about the Madison Park Technical Vocational High School Robotics Team, please contact Matt Dugan: mdugan@boston.k12.ma.us. | |||||
Madison Park Technical Vocational High School | ||||||
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Atlanta Team Visits Madison Park VTHSAs part of the Office of High School Renewal sponsored Visitor Program, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School hosted a team of teachers and administrators from the Atlanta Public Schools. The Atlanta educators spent two days in Boston studying High School Renewal and the impact of restructuring in the BPS high schools. After a quick breakfast served by the students in the HUT coffee shop, the visitors were off to see firsthand how Madison Park students and staff have benefited from teaching and learning in Small Learning Communities. The Atlanta guests spent the day observing instructional practice in both academic and vocational classes, chatting with students and teachers and asking lots of questions. They took lots of notes, and picked up teacher-developed lessons and curriculum to bring back to their district. Visitors remarked on the high level of engagement they observed in classrooms throughout the building. Others were struck by the friendliness of the school community and how Madison Park "felt right." Armed with cookies, pastries and goodies from the MP Bakery, the visitors left for the airport with much good will and many good ideas to improve teaching and learning in their district. | |||||
Media Communicatons Technology High School | ||||||
Media Communicatons Technology High School Partners with Turner Broadcasting
A $500,000 three year partnership has been created between the Media HS and Turner Broadcasting System Inc. On October 16th Phil Kent, the chief executive of the company announced the pilot program along with Mayor Menino and other BPS administrators. The donated technology will enable the students to air sports and other events over the Internet. Media HS is only the second high school in the country to use the technology called PlayON. This program has been used by college teams and minor leagues. The vision is for the students to broadcast on the Boston Cable Channel and online at www.bps-tv.org. In addition to $5,000 annual scholarships for a BPS student interested in entering the field of communications, Turner will support the program by providing training on camera work, sound, live reporting, and directing.
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Noonan Business Academy | ||||||
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Noonan Spirit DayTJX Companies, Noonan Business Academy partner, supports the school with a variety of creative field trips designed for each grade level. There are a total of eleven field trips each year. This year, Noonan added a school-spirit-building field day to our annual calendar of TJX-supported activities. In early October, we dismissed students from classes at lunch time and gathered on Roberts Field in front of the school for an afternoon of fun inter-class contests (sack races, 3-legged races, tug-of-war) as well as hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad and drinks. TJX paid for the catered food and a cotton candy machine, a fried dough vendor, a music DJ, chairs, tables, and $25 AJ Wright gift certificate prizes. The day was also recorded by a videographer. Our goal was to boost student "buy-in" among our ninth graders, build class loyalties in preparation for our fall student officer elections and encourage teamwork and cooperation. Students loved the day and participated with enthusiasm and in the days following, we have enjoyed the DVD recording of the day. Thank you TJX! | |||||
Arts, Media and Communications Technology Cluster News from HSR | ||||||
Boston Arts Academy and Media Communication Technology HS Named Adobe Youth Voices SitesAdobe Youth Voices – (AYV) sites engage talented educators of middle and high school age youth in a year-long professional development and support program. Educators enhance their teaching strategies, gain new skills, and collaborate with like-minded educators and youth media experts to enable youth to express themselves using digital tools and to create media with a personally meaningful purpose. Educators Jane Gopan and Jean Nozea (Media Communications Technology HS), Carlos Gutierrez and Raul Garcia (Boston Arts Academy) along with teachers from other participating sites will join a global network, exhibit and share youth created media, including videos, documentaries, photo journalism, animation, websites, and multi-media projects. Greater Media Brings Radio Back to Media Communications Technology HSThe managers from Greater Media Inc. (WBOS, WMJX, WTTK, WKLB, WROR) visited Media Communications Technology High School and were so impressed that they've donated equipment and expertise to reopen the school's dormant radio station and program. In addition to this generous gift, two students from the school, Chris Enriquez and Troy Traynham, had the opportunity this summer to work at Radio You - Greater Media's HD2 FM channel that targets a teenage audience. | ||||||
Health Industry Cluster News from HSR | |
Health Industry Cluster News
Nursing Initiatives
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Resource Shelf | |
Walk In to a Freedom SchoolInstead of a "walk-out," where students shorten their education as a protest, we are hosting a "walk-in." Our students have opted to lengthen their education to raise awareness and create dialogue. Workshops will be offered by:
For more details and a full schedule, please visit our website at http://bostonmediaschool.org. You can pre-register for the event by emailing us at mediafreedomschool@gmail.com with your name and contact information. Earthwatch Institute FellowshipsBoston Public Schools Fellowship Earthwatch Institute is in the final phase of awarding fellowships to Boston Public School Science teachers to participate in scientific field research projects this spring, overlapping with February break. Science or Social Science curriculum educators for grades 6, 7, 8, 10, or 11 within the Boston Public Schools are invited to apply for an Earthwatch Fellowship award. Earthwatch expeditions are 10 to 14 day field research projects that will give you the opportunity to gain scientific skills and knowledge to enhance classroom instruction and spark intellectual curiosity about science, and the environment. You do not need any special skills to join an expedition; just a sense of adventure and willingness to lend a hand. If selected, here is a taste of our research projects:
The fellowship award will cover all of the costs of the expedition and a portion, if not all, of the travel to and from the research site. Applications are being accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all fellowships have been filled. The application takes just a few minutes and can be done online. If selected, you will be notified within 3 business days of your application date. To apply:
Kevin McAndrew Arts, Media and Communication Technology Resources and OpportunitiesEmerson College Bridge ProgramThe BRIDGE program provides an opportunity for Boston high school students to become acquainted with Emerson College and aspects of college life through ongoing visits and participation in activities on the Emerson campus. The goal is to have the participants see college as a real possibility by being on campus and experiencing some of the dynamics of college life. The visits are hosted by Bridge Associates who are Emerson College students who have expressed an interest in working with and mentoring high school students. As part of the program, the students are encouraged to enroll in one of the summer programs offered to high school students in the Emerson College Arts and Communication Summer Academy. For more information contact the Center for Diversity in the Communication Industries, Emerson College, 120 Boylston Street, Boston, Ma. 02116. Tel. 617-824-8528 Email: center_diversity@emerson.edu. AMCT HS Media Literacy Conference Planned Jan. 2008The Art, Media and Communication Technology Cluster, in collaboration with Project Think Different, Youth Voice Collaborative, Boston Neighborhood Network, media literacy consultant Cheryl Hirshman, and Northeastern University will present, Media Literacy: Consumption, Production and Activism in 21st Century Education, a day-long conference that will expose teachers to current issues and practices in Media Literacy. The conference is scheduled to take place in January and will address three major areas of importance: Consumption, Production and Activism. The goal of the conference is to create a forum where BPS AMCT High School teachers and guests can discuss media pedagogy, share knowledge and best practices, create curriculum and learn about new media technology. More information will be coming about the event and how to register. Media Day 2007@MCTHS Scholastic Art & Writing AwardsRegister yourself and enter your students' work online for the regional competition. http://www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/enter.htm. For details contact Tessil Collins at 617-635-8079 x672 or Greg Gazzola at 617-635-9278. Additional ResourcesAdobe Digital Career Teaching Resources. Find project-based curriculum, tutorials, lessons, and other resources for integrating Adobe tools into academic courses and for teaching career and technology courses such as web, video, print, and design. http://www.adobe.com/education/instruction/teach/digitalcareers.html. Edutopia - Information and Inspiration for innovative teaching. http://www.edutopia.org/index.php. Youth Media Reporter strives to help sustain and develop the youth media field by covering its topical issues, trends, and challenges. http://www.youthmediareporter.org/index.html. Eye on Education: Plan Your Path - Students can explore options and tips for planning their career path. http://planyourpath.eyeoneducation.tv. Please contact Tessil Collins at 617-635-8079 x672 or tcollins@boston.k12.ma.us for additional information about any of these opportunties. Events, Opportunities and Resources for Health Careers ProgramsHealth Disparities Symposium – Friday, December 21st for all students enrolled in early nursing initiatives. Event will be held BU School of Medicine. The keynote speaker will be Elmer Freeman, director of the Center for Community Health Education, Research and Services (CCHERS). eventh Annual Health Careers Expo will be held on Wednesday, March 19th at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. This year promises to offer again a richer experience for our young people interested in Health Careers. Educators – Save this date: Friday, April 11th - from 8:00 until 2:00. Health Care Pathways – Connecting Education with Careers, skills for educators on teaching Science, Technology and Math as a bridge to health careers The conference will take place at UMass Medical School in Worcester. CityLab has many opportunities to introduce seniors to the field of Biotechnology through a unique pathway to college credits, degrees, and employment. – If interested please contact Sophan Sok at Sophan.Sok@bostonpic.org. Instructional materials for teaching various health skills and concepts are available for loan in your classroom.
Career Speakers from Tufts Future Doctors and BU School of Dental Medicine are interested in coming into your classrooms. Please contact Elizabeth Buckley at 617-201-6333 or ebuckley@boston.k12.ma.us for information about any of these events, opportunities or resources. |
