Happy Holidays!

Dear Community,

We do live in very interesting times!  The past two weeks have been challenging on some levels and down right frustrating on others.  I'm not alone in my belief that it is definitely time for a break.  The twelve-day vacation will do us all some good.

I have a couple quick items for your information before we break.  Believe it or not, we have reached the mid point of that quarter.  If you have access to the Student Information System, you may access your student's progress report for Quarter 2 now. Paper copies will be distributed when we return.   Winter vacation is under way.  It ends on January 5, 2015.  We expect all students to return on that day.  We have much to do.  That can't happen unless they're here.

We’re quickly rounding the corner to the end of 2014 calendar year.  One skill on which we work with students at BHS is reflection.  Reflection is one of those lifelong skills - those who do it well profit from it greatly.  At the end of each calendar year, I fall back on a sage quote as I look forward to and prepare for the next year.  It goes like this, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning, but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”  We have learned a lot, even within the past four months.  We’ll bring this to bear on the remaining six months school year.

Rest, relax and enjoy each other’s company.  We’ll come back together on the morning of January 5th.

Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful holiday season.

Sincerely,
Dr. T

Happy Friday!

Dear Community!

 One of the things that we educators love about  our profession is that we get to interact with and facilitate growth for really amazing and deserving young people.  There's no question that is top on every one's list.  The second item will depend on the person, but there are those who enjoy the fact that there is never a dull moment in the school.

 I can hazard a guess that the Connect Ed  phone call you received on Wednesday night was deeply concerning.   By way of reminder, we received an email threat on Wednesday afternoon indicating an individual's threat of violence to the school.  To be clear, the message did not specify a person or persons to whom harm was intended.   As you well know, in this day and age, we have to take each and every incident like this seriously.  We did so by immediately involving the Boston police and the school police.   The investigation is ongoing, but it was been determined that it was safe for students to return on Thursday.   I am pleased to report that Thursday and Friday were normal days.   We are continuing to take appropriate precautions in partnership with Boston police and school police.   Nonetheless, it is safe for your student to attend school.

Wednesday's incident aside,  there were some wonderful happenings this week.    A group of our aspiring engineers visited Olin College as part of  our deepening relationship with the engineering school, members from the chorus class sang carols for patients and staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital, we hosted a alumni event focused on college life, and the boys and girls track and boys basketball all posted impressive wins this week.

By way of reminder, next week is short. School is in session on Monday and Tuesday (attendance is not optional).   We will then break for the winter vacation at dismissal on Tuesday.  Students will return on Monday, January 5th.

Best,
Dr. T
 

Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

Today is basically cloudy and overcast – I like it! What a mess of a week this was weather wise.   We got wet as we moved from here to there, but I will take it over snow.

As has been the case for decades in the city of Boston weather tends to impact attendance at school. I noticed a slight dip and the number of students who attended school this week. I realize that most of the students who attend Brighton High come from not-so-close neighborhoods.  Despite the weather and the messy commute to school, students are expected to be here. Your help in ensuring that there are no gaps in your scholar's education is critical.   Not only do students miss the essential of reading, writing, and arithmetic, they also miss wonderful events. This week, the Health Careers pathway hosted the annual health fair, a huge event  focused on the health and well-being of our students. There was information on everything from stress relief, to dental care, to exercise and nutrition.   We had more than 10 partners on hand to support the effort as well.   It was a huge success!

Students would have also missed the annual trip to the statehouse sponsored by Generation Citizen. This was an opportunity for our students to present service community initiatives. We got glowing reports from State Representative Honan. Pic below.

Last, but certainly not least, the Madrigals were on campus today. This is a well-known a cappella group from Boston College.   Students in the arts classes were treated to a wonderful concert.

Bottom line, miss school, miss out!  As we head deeper into the throes of winter, please join our effort in ensuring that students are attending school on-time, every day.

My best to you for a wonderful weekend!

Best,
Dr. T


Invite for parents/guardians to 12/19 12:30-2pm Alumnae/Alumni Panel in the library attached in ms word.  Dr. Tutwiler, maybe this can be posted in your blog?

Plain text below:

"Throwback to the Future"

Life After Brighton

Learn about moving on from Brighton to Life in College or the Workplace.

Featuring

A Brighton High Alumnae/Alumni Panel- Recent Brighton High School Graduates will talk about life after Brighton. Some current Brighton High Juniors and Seniors will be in attendance with their class.

Friday, December 19th

from 1:00pm-2:00pm

in the Library 

***Parents & Guardians are Invited!***

Please join us before the talk at 12:30pm to meet

Ms. Pierre-Louis –College Advising Corp Representative
&  Pete from UASPIRE- an organization that helps students plan financially for college-- 

Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

 It is my sincere hope that your Thanksgiving holiday was rich with family and food.   Welcome back! The students certainly transitioned back smoothly.   While it was only a four-day break, the way students greeted each other in the hallways made it seem as though the absence was much longer.   In any case, we are back and moving forward full steam.   We have only two weeks and two days before the winter vacation and we have quite a bit to accomplish in that time.

Winter sports are underway!  One can tell because of the winter track sprinters running here and there on campus and the sounds of bouncing balls in the hallway after school.   These are welcomed sounds to be clear.

Sports are not the only thing underway. The Brighton High School Burning Tigers Robotics Team will be kicking off next Friday. If your student is interested he/she should report to room 201 after school any day before the kick off.   Further, a brand new anime club will be starting soon. There are posters on the walls around the building for those interested.   There is no shortage of things to engage our young scholars.  Further, there's no excuse for not participating.   Talk to your student about joining something.  Doing so only guarantees better performance during the school day - that's what the research says.

I wish you a wonderful and warm weekend. More next week.

Best,
Dr. T


P.S.   A picture is worth 1000 words. I attached a few from recent college visits, the field the day we do in partnership with the local middle school, and students in the Boston Scholar Athletes Zone.  Enjoy!