Happy Memorial Day!

Dear Community,

Happy Friday!  I hope this message finds you in good spirits as we prepare for a relaxing holiday weekend.  I think we could all stand to take a deep breath and relax a bit.  The classes of 2017 and 2016 certainly deserve a moment or two of reprieve.  They did us proud this week with the MCAS Math exam and PARCC respectively. Many thanks to you for getting them here on time and in the right frame of mind to strut their mathematical stuff.  Today also marked the last for seniors! In short, week was quite busy, but great nonetheless.

Parents of seniors,  Please note that all seniors are due on campus by 8AM on Tuesday for the sign-up process. A letter was mailed home outlining the details.   Seniors must  satisfy all obligations and properly sign out in order to walk at graduation.   Sign out on Tuesday,  dance party (prom) on Thursday. Good things to come!

 Progress reports for the fourth and final quarter of the school year will be on their way home or accessible on SIS on Tuesday.   A number of students need to perform well this quarter in order to successfully pass courses. Please take a look and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher or guidance counselor (617-635-9873).

Lastly, for planning purposes, the last day of school is June 29th.  School will be in session on June 17th.

My best to you all for a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!


Best,
Dr. T

2015 City Softball Championship*- The Fens (Clemente/Cobe Field)

Saturday, May 23, 2015 (spectator parking at Latin School)

Semifinal #1: East Boston (North Champion) v. Brighton (Wildcard #1), 11:00am

BHS Volunteers at the Massachusetts Special Olympics Dinner Dance

Happy Thursday?

Dear Community,

I normally reserve my weekly communication for Friday to sum up the week's events and preview the upcoming week.   I feel duty bound to reach out today as there are a few things happening tomorrow about which I would like to remind you.   First and foremost, allow me to share that this week was a really good one. As I visited classrooms and observed our young scholars in and around the school community, I could not be more proud of the way that they are continuing to work hard.   What is more, we celebrated all of the accomplishments of those who participated in extracurricular activities at the extracurricular banquet on Monday. What a wonderful event!

 I have so much to share that I think the easiest way is for me to approach this in small chunks. Here  it goes:

• Parents of incoming 9th graders (thanks for signing up for the blog),  just a reminder that we are holding a welcome session tonight at 5 PM in the Brighton high school library.   We look forward to meeting you!
• Tomorrow afternoon, we will hold our spring potluck/talent show.   Last year this was a major success, rich with talent and delicious food. All are welcome. The festivities begin at 3:30 in the auditorium.
•  Also happening tomorrow is a really neat and unique event for Brighton High. 22 students will have their artwork exhibited at Athan's Bakery in Brighton (407 Washington Street in Brighton Center).   There will be a reception catered by the bakery celebrating the art exhibit from 4 to 6 PM. All are welcome.  A description is pasted below.
• Next Tuesday and Wednesday are Math MCAS administration days.  Our 10th graders are ready! As is the case each and every day, students should arrive on time and ready to go next Tuesday and Wednesday.   Attendance is absolutely critical.   Your help is appreciated.
• Seniors are wrapping up! A letter is being sent to the homes of seniors outlining specifics around senior events, including graduation. Keep an eye out. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call us, 617-635-9873.

One final note. A special congratulations to De'Anthony Robinson. He was recognized as the Change Maker of the year! He delivered a speech at the Statehouse last Friday. See the video below.

Best,

Dr. T

De'Anthony Robinson - "Generation Citizen's Change Maker of the Year"  Speech at the Statehouse, May 8, 2015

URBAN LANDSCAPE:
A group exhibition featuring the artwork of Brighton High School Juniors and Seniors
Urban Landscape is a group exhibition featuring the Advanced Portfolio Art class at Brighton High School. The theme, “Inside the Urban Landscape,” is meant to offer the viewer a glimpse of real Boston youth, their journeys, accomplishments, and perspectives. This exhibition represents the wide spectrum of individual story lines and narratives from within the Boston landscape. Using images that were sketched or photographed outside of school, Students took this project head-on as they explored identity and place in community. As the project evolved, so did their work and individual ideas. Each piece tells a story close to the heart of the artist. The diversity of this show reflects not only that of the student population at Brighton High, but also that of today’s youth in the City of Boston.

Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

We are in the midst of TESTING MANIA!   Those of you who have students in advanced placement classes know full well that they have had their hands full this week and will again next week as well.  What is more, we are gearing up for the final administration of the PARCC pilot.  Juniors will engage with this  assessment on Friday, May 15 and May 22.   Sophomores have been preparing for the math MCAS.  That will happen on May 19th and 20th.   Although the warmer temperatures and increase in hours of daylight  signify that summer is near, we have much to do before that much deserved break.   You can help us by ensuring that your student continues to arrive to school each and every day on time and ready to go.  We'll take care of the rest.

 While we expect students to work hard, we will play hard as well. This is happening on the fields and track right now as spring sports is in full swing.   We will also have our spring potluck/talent show next Friday, May 15.   All are welcome to this event!

 Lastly, next Thursday, we will welcome the new Brighton Bengal families.   The event is at 5 PM in the library.   If you are reading this and are, in fact, a parent of an eighth grader, we hope to see you next Thursday and welcome aboard!

 Wishing all the moms in the audience a wonderful Mother's Day!  We appreciate you!

Best,
Dr. T



BHS at the Walk for Hunger...

Bengals Travel!  Ms. Baumgarten (9th gr. ELA) in Hong Kong.

Happy Friday!

Dear Community!

 Welcome back! And I must say we came back with gusto.  What a week!  Here's the week in review:

• Two students returned from the Black College Tour.  Photo of them at the Martin Luther King burial site in Atlanta, GA is below.
• Two educators returned from China.  We're planning to take students next year! Picture below.
• In celebration of National Poetry Month, we held our very poetry open mic session and art shot on Tuesday.  Photos below.
• To get our 9th graders in the right frame of mind for the physics MCAS in June, we held a PREP Rally on Wednesday and a practice test on Thursday and today. 
•  As we do after the close of each quarter, we celebrated the efforts and accomplishments of our young scholars at honors assemblies.
• Finally,  as a rather large number of juniors are preparing to take the SAT tomorrow, we held a rally at the close of the day today.

Now that's what I call a school week!

Over the past week, I'm certain that you received phone calls about the science MCAS prep sessions offered after school.   This is for all ninth graders who are preparing for the physics MCAS in June and all upperclassman who have yet to pass a science MCAS.   Our data on those who participate in the prep sessions is really compelling.  Bottom line - if a student participates, the likelihood that he/she will pass goes up significantly.  Please contact Sara Bouvier (sbouvier@bostonpublicschools; 617-635-9873) with any questions.

Enjoy your weekend!  The warm up is coming!

Best,

Dr. T

From the April Vacation Black College Tour (MLK Burial Site)

BHS Poetry Open Mic and Art Show

Ms. Montgomery and Ms. McDaniels on the Great Wall in China.

Happy Vacation!

Dear Community,

Vacation is upon us!  I must say that I am truly proud of the way our young scholars have performed leading up to the break.  They have worked hard and thus deserve the nine-day hiatus.  For your information, we finished strong today and will start strong again for the fourth and final quarter of the school year on Monday, April 27th.  9th graders can start strong by attending the PULSE Physics Boot Camp which kicks off on the 27th, right after school in room 112.

Parents of seniors, you should have received a phone message from me on Wednesday night.  You will also receive a letter.  By way of brief reminder, students who do not currently meet the tardy criterion may earn their way back to participation at graduation by arriving on-time, having no unexcused absences and no class cuts for the remainder of the school year (which for seniors ends on May 22nd).  We see this as a fair approach to allow a final opportunity for our senior leaders to engage in one of the most important educational rites of passage.   Please call or email me with questions.

Lastly, as I mentioned last week, your child should have brought a survey home for you to weigh in on your impression of their experience here at Brighton High.   I would be greatly appreciated if you would complete this survey and pop it in the mail. They are really, really important to us.   You can also complete one online here.

My best to you and your family for a wonderful spring vacation!

Best,
Dr. T

P.S.  A small group of young scholars visited Harvard University's Innovation Lab yesterday.  The focus: entrepreneurship.  Great time had by all..


BHS at the Harvard University Innovation Lab

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The Allston Brighton Substance Abuse Task Force is hosting a community forum

The Unbiased Truth: Facts about Marijuana, Alcohol & Opioids

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

6-8pm

Charlesview Community Center

123 Antwerp Street, Allston

Light dinner will be served and interpretation services available.

Please visit our website to register www.abdrugfree.org

Registration must be received by April 24 if interpretation services are required.

Our guest presenter is Dr. Kevin Hill who will address current drug trends, consequences of use and most importantly, how to talk with youth.

Please help spread the word by forwarding the attached flyer, posting the event on your websites and around workplaces.

Please contact us with questions.

Thank You,

Helen Connolly and Liz Parsons

Happy Friday!

Dear Community,

Whew!  What a week!  I must say that this was a busy one.  We successfully wrapped up the 10^th grade ELA MCAS.  We also engaged the juniors in a full pilot of the PARCC.   Needless to say that the upcoming April vacation is a much needed and well deserved break.  The testing is important, but not as important as our partnership.  As such, I would like to thank those of you came to the Spring Parent Shadow Day.  We had a wonderful turnout and the feedback was quite positive.  Know that we welcome you to connect with your student’s teachers or guidance counselor if you have questions or concerns.  Call 617-635-9873.

We have still one full school week to go before spring vacation.  Please note that Friday, April 17^th marks the last day of the third term.  Students should be making every effort to make up any missed assessments and/or assignments. We want students to finish the term (and the year) on a strong note.  Your help is greatly appreciated.  Report cards will be mailed during the week of May 4^th.

Parents/guardians of seniors, it’s crunch time!  The final push is on.  The last day for seniors is May 22^nd.  Graduation is on June 4^th. You can expect a letter with information on all senior activities in the coming weeks. Let’s get behind our soon-to-be graduates to ensure that finish strong. Guidance counselors are in touch where there are concerns.  

Your child should have brought a survey home for you to weigh in on your impression of their experience here at Brighton High.   I would be greatly appreciated if you  would complete this survey and pop it in the mail. They are really, really important to us.   You can also complete one online here.

Looks like spring this weekend.  Enjoy!

Best,

Dr.T

The achievements of our Spanish-speaking debaters at Brighton High School were also showcased on WHDH’s Revista Hispana television show. You can watch them here.

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The Allston Brighton Substance Abuse Task Force is hosting a community forum

The Unbiased Truth: Facts about Marijuana, Alcohol & Opioids

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

6-8pm

Charlesview Community Center

123 Antwerp Street, Allston

Light dinner will be served and interpretation services available.

Please visit our website to register www.abdrugfree.org

Registration must be received by April 24 if interpretation services are required.

Our guest presenter is Dr. Kevin Hill who will address current drug trends, consequences of use and most importantly, how to talk with youth.

Please help spread the word by forwarding the attached flyer, posting the event on your websites and around workplaces.

Please contact us with questions.

Thank You,

Helen Connolly and Liz Parsons

Happy Thursday!

Dear Community,

One test down, several more to go.  I must say that I was incredibly proud of the way our sophomores approached the ELA MCAS this week.  I feel good about this one!  Preparation for the math MCAS is already under.  Sessions are happening Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday immediately after dismissal until 3:15pm.  Simply put, those who participate perform well.  This is too important to leave to chance. Please encourage your sophomore to attend.

Next week, our juniors will sit for the PARCC assessment (you should have received a letter on the topic).  This assessment is not tied to graduation requirements, but it is important that students take it seriously.  The data will help us plan for their needs next year. Your help in communicating this message is appreciated.

We worked hard this week!  The additional day added to the holiday weekend is timely.  Enjoy!


Best,
Dr. T

P.S.  We had a number of students visit the statehouse to discuss the state of education with Senator Jehlen at her request.  I was not there, but I heard that they did us proud.  Pictures below.  Special thanks to Ms. Bowles for her work in making this happen.

"Summer Stuff" for middle and high school students... 
(http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/SummerStuff2015RevisedMarch6.doc) are now available at bostonpublicschools.org/summer.The link shows many free and low-cost camps, programs, and activities to keep young people active and engaged all summer. Print editions are not yet available. 

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New menus for breakfast and lunch are coming to all 

Boston Public Schools starting in April.

Why are we making changes?  Above all, we want students to enjoy eating healthy meals. We never want children to go hungry. We also need to manage our costs.  We plan to:

•                Continue to provide healthy, nourishing meals that students like

•                Improve and streamline operations in ordering and preparing food

•                Reduce food waste

o   Under federal guidelines, we must offer all entrée choices to all students at mealtime.  The more entrée choices offered, the greater likelihood of overproduction and waste.

Highlights of our streamlined menu:

For breakfast, we will offer two choices daily, including hot options served twice a week.

•                Cold choices include cereals, muffins, or yogurt, always offered with fresh fruit, 100% juice, and nonfat or 1% milk.

•                Cereals continue to be whole grain and limited in sugar.  We will not offer cereals that are perceived as sugary, even if they are available in a low sugar version.

o   Low sugar Cocoa Puffs and Trix, previously considered as part of a draft menu, will not be served.

•                For lunch, we will offer student favorites more often as part of our new-three week menu cycle. We will offer three choices daily, across all grades, with both hot and cold entrée options.  Previously, schools with grades K-8 had three meal choices and high schools had four choices.

•                Cold meal options include entrée salads, subs and sandwiches. Additionally, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are always available in schools that are not peanut-free.

•                Fruit offerings are unchanged, with fresh fruit and 100% juice daily.

•                Milk offerings are unchanged and include nonfat and low-fat options.

Hot menu items rotate students’ favorites with new features. For April, newmenu choices will include:

Pollo Guisado: A Puerto Rican-style braised, bone-in chicken, with onions, tomatoes, green peppers, cilantro, and a homemade adobo spice mix.  This recipe was introduced by our community partner, Project Bread.

Southwestern Garden Salad with Chicken: Mesclun mix greens with chicken, fresh tomato, black beans, corn, and grated cheese.

The Department of Food and Nutrition Services strives to ensure that students eat nutritious meals that they enjoy. The goal is to increase participation in the meals program, and this goes hand in hand with ensuring that students like what they are eating.  Since fall, FNS has taken steps toward that goal:

•                FNS formed the School Food Advisory Committee, which is made up of parents, students, and community partners, including the Boston Public Health Commission, to solicit input for meal options.

•                FNS conducts student taste tests regularly. These provide important feedback which informs menu decisions.

•                Online surveys have also played a role in rating popularity of foods.  Students and parents may also offer feedback at schoolfoodboston@bostonpublicschools.org

Our district is a leader in universal breakfast and lunch for students. Please help us shine a light on the good work that is coming out of Food and Nutrition Services and help dispel myths about changes to nutritional quality or limitations on serving foods students like to eat. As you’ll see from the April menus, we will be serving amazing options that meet or exceed USDA nutrition guidelines and appeal to a range of tastes.