Happy Holidays!

Dear Community,

The first "real" vacation is upon us.  Upon dismissal today, students were sent home with strict instructions: rest, recharge, and stay safe over the next 13 days.  Simple, yet important.  When your young scholar arrives home today, be sure to ask him or her for the progress report we distributed today.  The grades on this report indicate how your student is doing at this point - the midpoint of the second grading quarter.  This is a good time to have a conversation about what's going well and where improvement is needed.  If you want to login and see it yourself, follow this link to set up an account (I know I sound like a broken record on this point).

School is officially closed for the vacation.  Remember, there is no school on Monday.  Students return on Friday, January 3rd.  This is a rather odd day to return, but an important one anyway.  We have several assemblies happening that day (see below).  This day will be fun and informative for sure.

Please accept my best wishes for wonderful holiday season!

Sincerely,
Dr. T


1/3/13 Assemblies:

2^nd period 8:30 am

9^th Grade- Tim Klein from Summer Search- Doing the Right Thing

3^rd period 9:30 am

   12^th Grade- Ben Franklin - Charlie Cremens and Roxbury Community College – Charles Diggs on The Advantages of and Programs offered by a Technical School and/or Community College

5^th period Noon

          11^th Grade- How to pick a college(Guidance)/ How to pay for college (UAspire)/Fisher College on Dual Enrollment

         

6^th period 1 pm

10^th Guest speaking panel on the Path to Success

Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

We're quickly rounding the corner to a much-deserved vacation.  By way of reminder, at dismissal next Friday, winter vacation will officially begin.  There is no school on Monday, December 23rd.

Lots happening on the campus this week.  This week played host to the first official winter athletics games/meets.  To be clear, BHS offers boys and girls basketball and winter track.  There are also intramural leagues sponsored by the Boston Scholar Athletes.  I was able to lay eyes on just about all of the athletes, preparing for or engaging in official contests.  They looked great!  For the record, participation is a good thing.  Student-athletes tend to have higher grade point averages (GPA's) than those who do not.  Yesterday morning, our HOSA (Health Occupation Student Association), put on an incredible Health Fair.  I'm not sure how many students attended, but I'm certain that it was in the hundreds.   Lastly, approximately 75 BHS students were treated to a wonderful holiday concert this morning.  Musicians from Boston College gave of their time to put this on.

If you're still waiting for a report card to arrive in the mail, forgive me.  It's coming.  In the meantime, please know that you can set up an account Student Information System to see your child's grades for the first quarter or real time in the second quarter.  Follow this link.

Have a great weekend!  Stay warm!

Best,
Dr. T
 

Welcome Back!

Reminder - there is no school on December 23rd.  Students will return from winter vacation on Friday, Jan 3rd.

Dear Community,

I hope this message finds you well after the Thanksgiving Holiday!  Our transition back to classes was seamless.  Hold on to your hats though.  We have only two weeks before the winter vacation.

Good news!  The Bengal football squad prevailed in their game on Thanksgiving Day giving them the distinction of City Champs!  We're incredibly proud of the team.  An additional congratulations to Jalen Applewhite who earned Boston Herald All Scholastics honors.  Jalen is the third BHS quarterback to earn this distinction in six years!  If know him and you see him, congratulate him!

More good news - we have more then 100 seniors signed up to take the Accuplacer exam before the winter vacation.  The Accuplacer is an exam that colleges use to determine if a student is ready to take college-level courses.  Seniors who are inclined can take a course at Bunker Hill Community College this spring FREE OF CHARGE.  The Accuplacer is a requirement for this opportunity.  The early returns are great!  If you would like more information, don't hesitate to contact me (ptutwiler@bostonpublicschools).

BPS is going Google!  Next Monday the district will shift to the gmail platform.  I share this with you because there are a number of teaching opportunities this technology presents.  Bottom line: we're getting better everyday.  More soon!

Lastly, we lost a true champion of human rights causes this week.  Nelson Mandela will no doubt go down as one of the most influential figures in history.  He touched the lives of millions.  His inspiration hit very close to BHS.  Follow this link to see how he inspired Mr. Depina, a 9th grade history teacher.

Have a great weekend!

Best,
Dr. T


P.S.   On Facebook?  Like BHS: facebook.com/bhsbengals  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Community,

I will keep my comments short and sweet this go 'round. Please read and then proceed with the business of enjoying your holiday.  Quickly, this week began with a wonderful celebration of our students.  As quarter one is done and behind is us, we thought it important to celebrate the many things students did well.  Not everyone got recognized, but I expect to offer a congratulatory handshake to many more young scholars when we do this again in February.   Report cards were distributed on Monday.  I will mail a copy home as well.  Keep an eye out.  Lastly, BHS will play O'Bryant tomorrow morning at 10am Madison Park High School field.  Admission is $2 for students and $5 for adults.  Please come...wear black and orange.

Please accept my best wishes for a restful, family-centered Thanksgiving.

Best,
Dr. T

Happy Friday!

Reminder - there is no school on December 23rd.  Students will return from winter vacation on Jan 3rd.

Dear Community,

I have lots of good news to share.  First, a hearty congratulations again to the Brighton Debate team! We had some 35 debaters participate in last weekend's event.  We performed masterfully, claiming top honors in several categories.  Kudos!  We  also learned this week that Brighton High School WILL have a Thanksgiving game.  The Bengals will square up against O'Bryant at the Madison Park field.  Kick off is 10am.  This game carries much importance as it will determine the Boston City champion - both team won their section in the city.  Should be exciting!

Report cards will be distributed on Monday.  We will also mail a copy home.  Lastly, by way of reminder, next week is a short one (you already knew that).  Students will be dismissed at 11am on Wednesday.

Have a great weekend!

Best,
Dr. T

P.S.   On Facebook?  Like BHS: facebook.com/bhsbengals



Notices:

Low-Cost Internet for BPS Families...Read on!

Overview of the program

http://www.internetessentials.com/sites/internetessentials.com/files/reports/ie-fcc_trifold-2013_fall_fnl.pdf

How it works

http://www.internetessentials.com/how-it-works

To Sign Up

Families can call 1-855-8-INTERNET or visit www.internetessentials.com

Happy Friday and Important Calendar Change

Dear Community,

I hope this message finds you well and celebrating successful management of the first cold snap of the season.  Winter is near - that is much is for sure.  Well, we successfully managed another good week at BHS.  Among the many happenings was a momentous field trip.  Two of the Facing History classes, an elective for seniors, went to hear a Holocaust survivor speak (pic below).  This is a special opportunity, as the number of survivors of this tragic historical event is quickly waning.  For our students, this was an opportunity to interact with history, up close and personal.

I have one important announcement and a request then I'll let you get on with the business of enjoying your weekend.  This week, the Superintendent announced a calendar change.  There is no school on Monday, December 23rd.  The last day of school has been pushed back to June 20th (weather permitting).  

The request - come see a debate tournament.  Brighton High has one of the largest debate teams in the city and is a perennial powerhouse.  There is a tournament this weekend at English High School - Brighton has 31 students debating.  Come check it out!  Drop in this evening from 4pm-8pm or Saturday, 8am-3pm.

Have a nice weekend!

Best,
Dr. T

****************
Foundation Year 

Admissions

Information Session

Tuesday, November 19

6:00-8:00 pm

Northeastern University

Churchill Hall

Room 103

All students, families, guidance counselors & community organizations are welcome.

Directions and registration online at www.northeastern.edu/foundationyear/

Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

I am writing on this fine fall Friday (say that three times quickly) feeling energized and inspired.  We are fresh off off a strong week, rich with ideas and enthusiasm.  We had a wonderfully positive School Site Council meeting last night during which our student leaders presented some genuine insight into the day-to-day experience for students as well as some solid ideas around parent events.  More to come there.  School Site Council meetings are open to the public.  Please see the calendar on the BHS website for upcoming meetings - the next is Dec. 7th at 4:30pm.

Today marks the end of the first grading quarter.   We plan to mail the first quarter report cards home the week of 11/19.  No need to wait for the mail.  You may view your student's performance on the student information system.  You can also view other information involving attendance and discipline.  Follow this link for information signing up.

Lastly, we're going to Harvard!  58 deserving freshman will visit Harvard University next Friday. They will tour the campus, visit the natural history museum, and eat lunch in the dining hall with current Harvard freshman.  This is all part our partnership with Harvard and a program called Project TEACH.  Kudos to our young scholars!

Enjoy the long weekend!  Happy Veterans' Day!

Best,
Pat

P.S.  Tomorrow is the deadline to sign up for the December SAT.  A final reminder.