Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

We're rounding the midpoint of the first grading term of the year.  In my humble opinion, we've settled into routines quite nicely and we're cruising right along.   This week was a busy one for sure.  I'll leave commentary on the bus driver situation to the politicos.  Suffice to say that strike did little to deter the learning at Brighton High!

As we are at the midpoint of the 1st grading term I would like to remind you of the BACK TO SCHOOL event next Thursday (details below).  In short order, you will be able to see a mid-quarter grade for your student on the Student Information System.  Don't have an account?  Follow this link to learn more. 

Next week has a college theme (actually, every week does - this one is a bit more formal though).  10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT and Seniors will be doing prearranged college visits next Thursday.  All very good stuff.  As always, should you have questions about the college planning process don't hesitate to contact your student's guidance counselor.    

Reminder: no school on Monday for Columbus Day.  Enjoy the long weekend!

Best, 
Dr. T 


Notices:

Back to School Night

October 17^th 5pm-7pm – Brighton High School

This event is happening at the midpoint of the first grading quarter.   This is as the ideal time to connect with you and provide feedback on your child’s progress so far.   There will be a number of our partners present who can provide information on the multitude of services available to our students and their families.   
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Notice from CityStep:

Hello, 
My name is Indrani, a student at Harvard College and one of the coordinators for the Harvard Dance Intensive. Harvard Dance Intensive is a one-day workshop designed for high school students to experience different styles of dance and grow in their capability to create expressive choreography. Students will participate in dance workshops in the morning and create original choreography in the afternoon, culminating in a performance in front of the group and an ice cream social at the close of the day. We'd love to have Brighton students get involved and learn from the many resources we have at Harvard. 

All funds raised will go to CityStep, an undergraduate public service organization that teaches dance to at-risk students in Cambridge Public School classrooms. The workshop fee is $50. By next week you should be able to register, pay online and learn more about HDI athttp://harvarddanceintensive.wordpress.com.

Cheers, 
Indrani Das 
Harvard College Class of 2016 
Production Board for Harvard CityStep

Important Events Upcoming Events...

Dear Community,

This week carried with it a theme of connections and celebration of the arts.  Wednesday played host to the first day of Advisory.  Simply put, this twice monthly event has two goals -- to help students and teachers connect in a supportive way and to help build new skills to reach academic and social success. We're excited about this feature and the first session of the year was quite successful.  I'll keep you posted on these important sessions going forward.

Be sure to ask your student about the arts events this week.  Yesterday, students were treated to a presentation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.  This morning, select classes were invited to see a Latin Music celebration.  The arts are alive at BHS!

There are two important parent events happening in the coming weeks:

Meet the New Headmaster

Next Tuesday!  6pm – The Epiphany School (154 Centre St.  Dorchester, MA )

This meeting is long overdue!  I am proposing this meeting to introduce myself to you and to hear from you about your child’s experience at BHS.  The more I know, the better job I can do on making sure every student succeeds at Brighton High School.   I would also like to use this time to develop the Brighton High School Parent Council.  This meeting is happening at the Epiphany School due to its convenient location.

Back to School Night

October 17^th 5pm-7pm – Brighton High School

This event is happening at the midpoint of the first grading quarter.   This is as the ideal time to connect with you and provide feedback on your child’s progress so far.   There will be a number of our partners present who can provide information on the multitude of services available to our students and their families.   

Have a great weekend!

Best,

Dr. T

Happy Fall!

Dear Community,

And just like that we're rounding the final corner in September.  Despite a few bumps in the beginning, we're off to a strong start. Speaking of strong starts, I just go word that some 40 BHS students landed jobs with one of our strongest partners, Boston College.  I'm thrilled!  The benefits of this situation are many in number and deep in nature.  Yes, students will be paid.  Additionally, I see the kind of structure students experience in holding a job as having a huge impact on academics (from a research standpoint, the same holds true for any extracurricular activity).  Kudos to our students!  A special shout goes to Mr. Cuddy, our Private Industry Council (PIC) coordinator.   He plays a big role in developing and maintaining our partnerships and works extremely hard to get students job-ready.  All very good stuff!

Please be reminded that the Fall Open House is on October 17th from 5-7pm.

My best to you for a wonderful fall weekend!

Sincerely,
Dr. T

Happy Friday!

Dear BHS Community,

We wrapped up another good week at Brighton High School!  This week, I spent a good bit of time in classrooms - observing the thing core and fundamental to this organization – teaching and learning.  I saw incredible discussions on current events, deep thinking about complex concepts, reflective writing, and work in pairs and in small groups.   I was impressed both by the creativity and careful thought the teachers dedicated to the learning activities and the students' demonstration of commitment to their own learning.  We have much work to do - no question.  Nonetheless, we're moving steadily in the right direction.

A couple pieces of information/reminders:

• If he/she has not already, please remind your young scholar to pay the $5 locker fee.
• The district-wide college and career fair is on 9/28.  Follow this link for details.
• Please know that you can access information about your child's grades, attendance, and testing information whenever you please.  Follow this link to set up your account. 

My best to you for a wonderful fall weekend!

-Dr T.

Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

One full week down.  Things could not be better.  Well, actually they could. They always could.  Nonetheless, I am thoroughly impressed with the way your sons and daughters and the professionals here have ushered in the new school year.  Most of our fall athletic teams have already had at least one contest. Clubs are beginning to reconnect and organize for the school year.   Further, today is the first of many school spirit days.  I love seeing all the orange and black around campus. The big bus Brighton High is rolling forward!

Next week is a busy one.  Among many other things, 9^th graders will in engage in predictive assessments.  This process allows us to determine students’ strengths as well as the areas in which they need improvement.   Further, the staff will have its first academic case management meetings.  These are meetings wherein teachers of the same grade level come together share ideas about how to help individual students succeed.  I share these two features with you to underscore just some of the efforts in which we engage to help our learners grow.  This is a partnered effort.  I welcome you to contact your student’s teacher if you have any particular questions or concerns.

Mark you calendars, the first Brighton High “Back to School Night” is on October 17^th from 5-7pm.

Have a great weekend!

Best,

Dr. T

Wonderful Start!

Dear Community,

And they’re off!  I don't need to tell you how exciting the first days of school are.  It shows in the many smiles and spirited conversations that students are having with one another as they reconnect.  In my humble opinion, we kicked off the school year on the right note!

We shall begin enjoying enjoy our first full week of school come Monday.  Next week is chock full of activities.  Logistically speaking, lockers will be assigned on Monday. There is a $5 cost associated.  You will receive a reminder call on this topic later this evening.  Next Friday, we will host the grade-level "Welcome Back" assemblies.  This our opportunity to communicate our expectations and make students aware of the various opportunities available to them on campus and in the community.  In addition, I will use this opportunity to introduce myself to the student body and convey a very important goal of mine - to be present in their lives.  This is means more than attending games and events.  It means engaging students.  It means wishing them a great day in the morning.  It means looking a student in the eye, shaking his or her hand, and asking how things are going.  It means observing students in their respective classes.  It means communicating with them.  It means connecting with them.  This is my promise and I will not break it.

My best to you for a wonderful weekend!

-Dr. T 

Boston Public Schools Opening Day Message