Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

I hope this message finds you well on this lovely spring day!   The weather could not be better.  This makes me happy as tonight is prom night.   This is truly one of the most memorable nights in the entire high school experience for many of our young scholars.  While tonight is about fun, all of us bear the responsibility of helping to make certain that each and every prom attendee has a safe and enjoyable night.  Let's make it happen.

Next Monday and Tuesday are MCAS Science days for all 9th graders and all others who have not met the minimum score.  As I have mentioned before, attendance is important on each and every day. Please make sure that test takers are here on time.  They're ready!  All they need to do is strut their academic stuff.

Next week is a week of celebration for seniors!  Senior awards night and graduation information was mailed to the homes of seniors last week.  We have much to look forward to in the coming days. All are invited.  See the calendar for specifics.

Lastly, the end of the school year is near. This is the time when students should really be summoning all of their energy to in the school year on a strong note.  I have every confidence that they will. For students who are in danger of failing a course for the year, it is extremely important that they take advantage of summer school options.  Guidance counselors will be meeting with individual students about this in the coming days. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the school (617-635-98730).

Have a great weekend!

Dr. T

Brighton girls softball and will play on Sunday June 1st vs. the winner of Greater Lowell and Shawsheen at Cleveland Cirlcle Time 1:00pm.  This is the state tournament.  Come cheer 'em on!

Happy Memorial Day!

Dear Community,

What a week!  Often, people characterize the final weeks of the school year as "winding down".  This is not at all accurate.  We're ramping up!

This week, we inducted a wonderfully talented group of students to the 2014-15 National Honor Society.  This event is one of many ways we celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our students.    We also celebrated the accomplishments of the Brighton High student athletes at the annual banquet.  Our generous partners at WGBH gave their atrium and theater for the event.  It was indeed a night to remember!  Pictures from both events below.

Today was the official last day for seniors.  We are so incredibly proud of them for all of contributions they have made to Brighton High.  We will miss them indeed. Parents/guardians of seniors, letters went out yesterday describing all senior events and requirements, including graduation.  Keep an eye on your mail.

Lastly, as the upcoming three-day weekend is in celebration of Memorial Day, I think it's important that you know what our students are doing to celebrate and remember members of the armed services.  The Brighton High School JROTC program will place more than 1500 American flags at veteran's grave sites in Brookline.  They will provide the color guard and remembrance ceremonies in Brookline this weekend.  I am proud of our cadets for giving up their long weekend to pay respect to those who gave so much to this country.

Have a great weekend!

Best,
Dr. T

Happy Friday...and Senior Information

Dear Community,

I hope this message finds you well on this beautiful spring Friday. As beautiful as the day is, oddly we have a number of seniors who appear to be "sick" today.  It is my sincere hope that they get better over the weekend, at least well enough to prepare for the final exams next week.  Seriously, I understand traditions, but at the same time I want to make sure that all seniors are squared away on course requirements.  Graduation is near!

On the topic of seniors, I have pasted an information sheet below. This was distributed to seniors at the assembly today and will be mailed early next week. BottomLine this a lot happening over the next few weeks. Please take note.

As for other happenings in Bengal land, we successfully completed the math MCAS and advance placement exams this week.  Both went well. We also had grade-level assemblies celebrating the accomplishments of students during quarter of three.  In all, it was a busy week, but we ended it with celebrations.

Please enjoy your weekend!

Best,
Pat

P.S.  I pasted a pic below of our undefeated softball team.  Go Bengals!

Senior Information:

Senior Sign-Out Day

May 29th, 2014

q  Seniors will report to the Auditorium by 7:30 a.m. No senior will be allowed to enter the building after 8:00 a.m.

q  LTC Fife will review the Graduation Day procedures. LTC Fife will be available to collect money from seniors still needing to pay for their cap and gown and return their locks from their lockers.

q  School counselors will be in the auditorium to begin the sign-out procedures.

q  Orange sign-out cards will be handed out to all seniors. Seniors must list their classes on the card before having their teachers sign the card. Seniors owing money for their AP exams must pay the balance to their AP instructor.

q  Seniors will be administered one survey before receiving your orange clearance card.

q  If you played a sport and still owe a uniform, your Athletic Coach must also initial the card. Any missing books, sports equipment, or uniforms have to be paid for.

q  Seniors must also see the School Nurse and the Librarian to sign-out.

q  Students will return to their School Counselor in the Auditorium to receive a blue clearance slip, which must be presented to LTC Fife to receive their cap and gown (in the JROTC classroom) the night of the Senior Awards Night.

q  Seniors must leave the building by 10:00 am. Maps to Boston College/ Conte Forum will be available in the Auditorium as will graduation invitations.

q  Any student in jeopardy of not graduating will be contacted by your counselor beginning on June 3rd. Call your counselor at (617) 635-9877 if you have any graduation questions.

Important dates and times to remember:

Thursday, May 29^th  Senior Sign-out  8 am Auditorium

Friday, May 30^th        Senior Prom - Dedham Hilton

Tuesday. June 3rd    Senior Awards Night

         Awards will be distributed 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

         Cap and gown issue will begin at 4:00 until 5:30 p.m.

Thurs. June 5th    Graduation at the Conte Forum-Boston College

2599 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA.

         Students must arrive by 4:30 p.m.

         Commencement begins at 6:00 p.m.

Free parking is available in the Beacon Street Lot by the football stadium.

         *** Tickets are not needed for graduation ***

RECEIVING GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS DOES NOT GUARANTEE PARTICIPATION IN GRADUATION

If you arrive late to graduation, you will not walk in the processional

Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

I hope this message finds you enjoying the spring weather. It's about time!  The weekend looks promising, so I will keep my comments here brief.  We are wrapping up a very good week at Brighton High School.  In addition to a science field trip to Boston University, a host of advanced placement tests (which the students would not describe as "good") and welcoming students and families who will attending BHS next year, we also celebrated the wonderful accomplishments of our debate team at a special ceremony at Wednesday night's school committee meeting (pic below).  Indeed it was a good week!

The math MCAS will be administered for all 10th graders next Tuesday and Wednesday. Attendance is important each and every day, but these days carry special weight.  Sophomores should make every effort to arrive to school on time ready to strut their mathematical stuff.

Please accept my best wishes for relaxing weekend!  Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms in the audience.  We appreciate you!

Best,
Pat

P.S.   One of our beloved students delivered a speech at Harvard recently.  Follow this link to see it.  Proud!



Have you ever wondered...

• How can I better advocate for the needs of my child and school?
• How can I work with other parents to make sure my child's school has the resources it needs?
• How is my school budget made and why was there a deficit?
• How can teachers and parents work together to improve our schools?

We are convening a PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE as a subcommittee of the Community Advisory Board. Please invite your school’s Parent Council members or active and interested parents to our first gathering. Come to meet parents from schools across the district.

Monday, May 12th, 2014
6:00-8:00 pm
at the Boston Teachers
Union Hall (off of Day Blvd.)

Directions to the BTU:
BTU is located in the rear of the Bayside Expo, off of Day Boulevard.
Using GPS: Type in “Boston Teachers Union” and make sure the address is in Dorchester. (NOT the BTU Pilot School which is in JP.) Do not type in 180 Mt. Vernon Street — it will take you to the back of the building.

Using public transportation:
The BTU is near the JFK/UMass stop on the Red Line. Exit at the top level to Columbia Road and turn right. Walk past the rotary onto Day Boulevard towards the beach. The State Police headquarters will be on the right, and the driveway to the BTU is right after the State Police building. Walk straight down the path past the guard shack and the entrance is straight ahead under blue awning.

From Morton Street and Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan: 
Stay on Morrissey Boulevard passing the entrance to UMass and JFK Library on your right after the underpass bear right at rotary (this is Day Boulevard). Take a right in the next long driveway right after the State Police driveway. BTU is straight ahead past the guard shack.

From the North:
Exit 15 off I-93 (I-95) North. Take a left at end of exit. Proceed to rotary and go around 180 degrees to continue straight. Immediately you will see the State Police station on your right. Take a right in the next long driveway right after the State Police driveway. BTU is straight ahead past the guard shack.

From the South:
Exit 14 off the Expressway. Follow Morrissey Boulevard and proceed to which is a 90 degree turn. Immediately you will see the State Police station on your right. Take a right in the next long driveway right after the State Police driveway. BTU is straight ahead past the guard shack. 

Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

I am feeling inspired!  We had a great week at BHS!  Let's start with the first annual Parent Shadow Day.  We had nearly 40 parents show up to spend some time their student's classes and meet their teachers.  A couple even ate lunch with their young scholar in the cafeteria.  I think you know which of these two activities got rave reviews. I think this was a huge success.  Rest assured that it will happen again.

I attended the Boston Scholar Athletes (BSA) Gala this week.  Quickly, the BSA supports academics for all students through athletics. They do this in many ways, but most notably through the after school homework help program known as the Zone.  Take a look at this video to get a sense for what they do.

"SPEAK", the multicultural potluck was last night.  I already knew our students were talented, but I saw elements of their skills with cooking and the arts that I had not seen before.  This too was a great success.  Rest assured that it will happen again.

Finally, grades are in!  Your student will receive his or her report card on Monday.  You will receive a copy in the mail shortly thereafter.  Of course, why wait for the mail when you can go online and see the report card?  Follow this link to see how.  You may also contact our Registrar, John Splaine (jsplaine@bostonpublicschools.org) for more information.  

Have a great weekend!

Best,
Dr. T

P.S. Few schools look as beautiful as Brighton High in the spring.  A 6AM photo below.

P.S.S. Summer is coming  See below for a great opportunity.

What have your Brighton High School students said about Upward Bound?

The Boston University Upward Bound classes, support services and activities are designed to help students reach their academic potential and prepare them for college. Don't just take our word for it. Listen to what some recent Brighton High School student said about their Upward Bound experience. And to think, it was a Brighton teacher, guidance counselor or mentor that encouraged them to apply years ago. Who will you help at Brighton this year? Encourage your students to apply today.

“Living on a college campus (at Upward Bound) is an amazing experience. I get to know many unique individuals who have profoundly impacted my life” Son Vu Brighton HS, Class of 2008 Graduate of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy Edward M. Kennedy Scholarship Recipient

“I changed from being shy and uncomfortable around people to being comfortable and open towards other people.” Esther Dejoie Brighton HS, Class of 2013 Attending Fitchburg State University

“…it was nice to have a support system regardless of the challenges I was facing.” Geraldine Nieves Brighton HS, Class of 2011 Attending Boston University Menino Scholarship Recipient

“This was great because I was a step ahead of everybody else during the school year.” Nicholas Campozano-Hill Brighton HS, Class of 2010 Attending Lasell College Hispanic Scholarship Fund Recipient

“As I said before and I will proudly say again; Upward Bound has been the most beneficial program I have participated in since I have moved to this country.” Tevin Jarett Brighton HS, Class of 2012 Attending UMASS Dartmouth Studying Accounting

Boston University Upward Bound is a federally funded college preparatory TRIO program for potential first-generation college and low-income Boston Public High School students. The program serves 82 students who are recruited from one of four target high schools or one of five target neighborhoods. The high schools served are Brighton High School, The English High School, Community Academy of Science and Health, and Snowden International High School at Copley. The target neighborhoods are Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Roxbury.

Boston University Upward Bound (UB) is now accepting applications from 9th and 10th graders from Brighton High School, and our other target high schools or target neighborhoods.