Open House is Tomorrow!

Dear Community,

I hope this message finds you well. By way of reminder We are hosting our fall open house tomorrow from 5 to 7 PM.

At this event, you will have an opportunity to meet with all of your child's teachers.  You will also be provided a progress report, as we are just beyond the midpoint of the first grading quarter.  This is an important opportunity for  you to learn about your child's progress thus far and us to partner for your child's benefit.   We hope to see you there!

Parents/guardians of seniors,  please note that there will be a special "paying for college" session at 6pm in the library during the open house.   This is sponsored by uAspire, a non-profit organization focused on helping families through the college financial aid process.

Best,
Dr. T

Happy Long Weekend!

Dear Community,

Happy long weekend!  I hope this message finds you well.  Lot’s happening at BHS right about now.  Quickly, yesterday marked the midpoint of the first grading quarter of the year.  We will distribute progress reports to students next week.  As was mentioned in last week’s memo, you can access the progress report through the Parent Portal.  We do not mail progress reports – only quarterly report cards.

As you will recall from the welcome back letter, tardiness to school is an issue we intend address this year and beyond.  You may view your student’s attendance and tardiness record through the parent portal.   There are significant consequences for failure to meet expectations.  If we have concerns, you will receive a phone call and letter in the mail.  If you have questions, I welcome you to call (617-635-9873).

We have a long weekend ahead of us.   Next week will be short, but busy.  We have the PSAT for students in grades 10 and 11 and college visits for seniors, in addition to all of the wonderful things that happen in classrooms everyday. Please enjoy the weekend and then plan to come to the open house next Thursday from 5-7pm.

Best,

Dr. T

P.S.  Brighton vs South Boston is the Mayor's pick of the week.  It will be televised this evening.  Tune it!

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From the Library:

The Boston Book Festival is right around the corner (Ocotber 23-25).  Follow this link for general information or link directly to the kids and teens section here.  Good stuff happening there!

Other notes:

Boston City Councilor LaMattina is hosting DACA Day (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) in partnership with The Mayor's Office of New Bostonians, The Student Immigrant Movement, Greater Boston Legal Services and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)  

This clinic is geared for assisting both DACA renewal and first time applicants.  If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the form here.

When: Wednesday, October 23rd from 4-8pm

Where: Boston City Hall, 5th floor, 1 City Hall Square,  Boston, MA 02201

On June 15, 2012 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made a change in federal immigration policy regarding deportation enforcement for young immigrants that meet certain criteria, known as DACA.  This policy states that the federal government will “defer action” or not prosecute deportation cases for qualifying individuals for a period of two years from the time their application for “deferred action” is approved.  If approved DACA beneficiaries will receive work permits in addition to deferred action status and will be eligible to apply for a driver’s license and in-state tuition.

Individuals may qualify for DACA if they meet the following criteria:

·         Be under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012

·         Have come to the United States before reaching his/her 16th birthday

·         Has continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time

·         Is currently in school, has graduated from high school, has obtained a general education development (GED) certificate , or is an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States

Below is the registration link and some resources:

Click here to register for the Boston DACA Clinic

Step-by-Step Video on Gathering Documentation

DACA Renewal / DACA Eligibility tool

For any information please contact  either The Mayor's Office Of New Bostonians at 617-635-2980  or Cairo Mendes, cmendes@simforus.com 

Happy Friday!

 Dear community,

Can you believe it? It's October already!   Not only is it October, we are already quickly approaching the midpoint of the first grading quarter.   Next week, teachers will update their online gradebook and submit a grade for progress reports.   Your student will receive a paper copy of the progress report during the week of October 13th.   There are three ways you can view the progress report. You may ask your student for it. You may access it yourself through the family portal.  Or, you  may retrieve a copy at the Brighton High School Open House on Thursday, October 16th from 5-7 PM.   All three are good ways, but I strongly encourage you to attend the open house.   Starting strong is extremely important. Our partnership with you is extremely important. The open house is a good way for you to connect with your student's teachers and hear about their progress.  I hope to see you there.

Next week  is a normal one.   Please note that there is no school on Monday, October 13th.

All best for a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Dr. T

Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

 We're wrapping up another really wonderful week at Brighton high school! I hope your student reports the same to you.   Below, please find a few pictures of two events in which our students participated.   I am extremely proud of both! As some you might be aware, we are working with Actors Shakespeare Project this year.   They are providing master classes with the theater class as well as sponsoring an after school drama club.  Last weekend, several members went to Somerville for a circus training.  See below.  The other pictures come  volunteer event at the Brighton Congregational Church. I am most proud of our students.

Looking ahead to this weekend, a gentle reminder, there is a massive college fair happening at Madison Park High School tomorrow.   Follow this link for more.   Also, per the email I sent midweek, please mark your calendar for the fall parent-teacher conference.   It is set for Thursday, October 16th from 5-7 PM.   Your attendance is critical to your child's progress. Do come.

Onto enjoying the weekend which looks a little bit like summer time. Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Dr. T

 P. S. If your student is having difficulty logging into Aspen, please know that we reset all of the accounts. He or she need only go to the library before or after school where one of the library personnel can support him/her with getting back in.

Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

What a week!   There is no question that I enjoy every single week at Brighton high school. This one was particularly interesting and fun.   Last year a student presented an idea for spirit week.  She, along with other members of the student leadership team, planned it and executed beautifully!  I could go on with a description of all of wonderful things that happened.  The pictures below tell the story - at least on flag day, wacky tacky Wednesday, and twin day. Enjoy!

We are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.  There are a number of activities happening in the library.  See below for more.

I have a few reminders before we get on what looks to be a beautiful fall weekend. Quickly,  I want to remind you that you can access your student's profile and attendance information through the family portal. Follow this link for information.  Lastly, October is College Month.  It's never to early to educate yourself and your student on the application process, paying for college,  and the breadth of school choices.  Follow this link to see what's happening around the Boston Public Schools along this theme.  Also, mark your calendars for next Saturday's college fair at Madison Park High School. Information on and the fair and more can be found on the link.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Best,
Dr. Tutwiler

  Happy Hispanic Heritage Month 

September 15- October 15 

5 ways to celebrate with the Library:

1.  Save the Date: You are Invited to a Hispanic Heritage Brown Bag Lunch Presentation by Miguel Prieto on October 10, 2014 during 1st, 2nd and 3rd Lunch.  Featuring photographs from Ms. Boiselle. More info to follow!  

2.  "The Latino Americans"  Documentary on 9/26 during lunch:  Come watch clips from a new PBS video in the library collection. "Latino Americans" chronicles the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos, who have for the past 500-plus years helped shape what is today the United States.

3. Check out the Hispanic Biography Display in the Library.

4.  Download the Boston Public Library's annual Latino Life Booklist (attached) for adults

5. Go to the Connolly Branch in Jamaica Plain to see the San Jose las Flores, El Salvador: Survival, Solidarity, and Community THROUGHTUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

The exhibition, running the month of September, is a compilation of photographs by Van Hardy in relation to the former civil war in El Salvador

Welcome Back!

Dear Community,

We officially opened for business last Thursday and, man ‘o man, are we hopping.  First and foremost, I want to thank you for your efforts, as our opening was as smooth as a high school opening can be.  That’s not to say that it was wrinkle-free, but many have been ironed out and we’re ready to get on with the business of sinking our teeth into the 2014-2015 school year.  I feel really good about this one (truthfully, I feel good about all of them).

For new subscribers, please know that I use this weekly communication to offer a snapshot of what transpired during the week and window to events in upcoming weeks.  These messages are intended to be short and informative.  I have been known to offer a sketch of small, but meaningful happenings or shed light on neat, but less-celebrated things staff and students are doing on campus from time to time. I know teenagers don't share everything with we adults.  Consider this your inside track.

Quickly, we had grade level welcome assemblies this week.  Students were made aware of the many  opportunities available to them at BHS. We also use that time to reminded him of the new tardy and absence policy. This is the one you were sent via mail during the summer.   We are partners. Should a student begin down a bad path with absences or  tardiness, we will contact you.   The policy officially begins on Monday. Monday is also the first day of spirit week.  See below for the themes..

By way of reminder, if you have not already please send your child with the $5 activity/locker fee.

That's all for now.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Best,

Dr. T

9/15 Monday 

International flag day

9/16 Tuesday

Twin Tuesday

9/17 Wednesday

Wacky Tacky Wednesday

9/18 Thursday

Cartoon day

9/19 Friday

Brighton high school spirit competition

*Freshmen - yellow

*Sophomore - White

*Junior - Black (shirt or pants)

Seniors - Orange (shirt or pants)

**Football game at White Stadium vs East Boston High School, 6pm.

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From the BHS Library

Welcome to School Year 2014-2015!  Looking forward to working with you this year.  This email contains links to library services and a brief overview of library basics.  

*The library hours are 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday-Friday.  (open until 2:00on early release days)

*We are a Boston Public Library Branch with delivery twice a week. We receive BPL Deliveries of Books, DVD's and other materials on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Make requests with your library card barcode and pin (see library for help) at http://bpl.bibliocommons.com/

*NEW: There is a mobile app to search the catalog. It is available at:http://www.bpl.org/collections/mobile.htm

*NEW: emagazines in English and Spanish. Check out zinio at http://www.bpl.org/collections/zinio.htm

*BPS Library Webpage http://bpslibraries.org/ or the Brighton High Library Webpage for links to online reference, databases,  encyclopedias(English and Spanish language), Boston Globe Full Text & much more! Resources are aimed at Elementary, Middle, High School level & Professional Resources.  Many can be translated into multiple languages and have speech to text features.

The School Year is Quickly Approaching!

Dear Community,

I hope this message finds you enjoying the slower pace of summer.  Things are certainly quiet on campus.  I certainly look forward to the spirited "noise" that the school year brings.  I am happy to report that it is quickly approaching.

In addition to well wishes for a great remainder of the summer, I would like only to share a few calendar reminders.  They are as follows:

• Fall Sports begins on August 18th.  Follow this link to see practice and tryout times for each sport.
• 9th grade families are encouraged to attend the scheduled 9th grade orientation on August 27th at 5pm. This is an important event.  Please make every effort to attend.  A letter on this event is forthcoming.
• The first day of school is September 4th. 

Be well, friends.

Best,
Dr. T

Check this out:

SEVEN WAYS TO CONNECT TO THE LIBRARY THIS SUMMER:
Follow this link