Family gatherings usually happen during this season. Meaningful memories are created with our loved ones. Wishing everyone a Happy Holidays filled with health, laughter, and happiness.

Open to all grades! Tryouts will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21st in the auditorium between 2:30-4:00 pm. You may declaim a passage or abridged version of a poem, speech, book, essay, or play. The duration of the text may not exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds. If interested and for more information, please complete this GOOGLE FORM. Submissions are due on Tuesday, Jan. 14th by 11:59 pm. The assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4th R1-R2, and the audience will be Class IV.

forms.gle/Qw4CEK3j7ZnweGmv6

I am extending the following deadlines to ensure we have the best Yearbook yet! Please do your part by completing the following tasks:

1) Complete your Senior Profile information on the attached Google Form ASAP!! The deadline was 12/20, but I am extending it until January 17th. This is the information that goes next to your photo in the yearbook! This is a LAST CALL!

2) Be sure to book your Senior Portrait with Smile-Pro. There are some sessions still available for January and February. February is the LAST CALL and FINAL ROUND of photos!

3) Upload your baby photos to the appropriate section of the Class of 2025 Yearbook Google Classroom page. The more, the better!

4) Continue to upload photos for the “Through the Years” section on Google Classroom to make our Yearbook photos show a wide range of student friends, groups, and activities!

5) Start saving up to purchase your Class of 2025 Yearbook! The cost is $100. More information about paying for your yearbook is forthcoming!

forms.gle/f5agsJrTVRTXY59MA

BLS V.O.T.E (voices of the empowered) has recently published its Winter edition of the Veracium, the social-political newspaper. Copies are available in classrooms, on SIS, and online here: drive.google.com/file/d/1n14NToVrihwW8eSqMkPrxzo_E2KoqTC9/view?usp=sharing

**Attend a Free Debate Class With National Champions – Spots Limited (VI, V)

** On December 21st and 28th, attend a free debate class taught by top national debaters. This is organized by a previous BLS alum and coordinated with a 2022 National Debate Champion. If you haven’t tried public speaking or debate, this is a perfect opportunity to get started.

Spots are limited & we’re only hosting a few classes. You can register here: forms.gle/3vggUPKmza8yQugw9

Do you know any students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds who are bright, curious, and passionate about STEM? Would they be interested in a no-cost, nationally recognized pre-college STEM program for rising high school seniors? We hope you’ll encourage them to apply to our FREE learning opportunities with MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science, or MITES. These programs are open only to 11th graders who are US citizens or permanent residents, the deadline for the student app: is 2/1/25 MITES Summer (Formerly MITES): 6 weeks in person, from mid-June to late July or early August. MITES Semester (Formerly MOSTEC): 6 months virtual, including 5 weeks of intensive coursework starting in June, followed by 5 months of community engagement in the fall semester of senior year.

mites.mit.edu

On Thursday, December 19, after completing the survey in the homeroom, all seniors are invited to the dining hall for Common App Cafe. We will provide morning snacks, and school counselors will be available to help students with college applications and financial aid. Students may come at any point during extended homeroom but must sign in and remain in the dining hall for the remainder of the period.

BLS Model UN had a great time competing at Natick High School’s inaugural conference. All members did a great job in their committees. Special accolades go out to the following delegates for winning awards in their committees:

Roan Wilcox (I) Best Delegate in Kennedy’s cabinet 1962 Cleo Barowsky (III) Best Delegate in the Soviet Select Committee 1964 Sebastian Inezian (I) Outstanding Delegate in the Soviet Select Committee 1964 Brian XU (IV): Outstanding Delegate in 87th Senate of the US

Congratulations again! Model UN meets on Mondays in room 207.

BLS Flower Power is running a Holiday Toy Drive for homeless families at La Casita Shelter in Chelsea and the children of low-income client families of Greater Boston Legal Services!

Donate to the toy drive box outside of the front office or contact us (cathanasopoulo@bostonk12.org and dathanasopoulo@bostonk12.org) and get one hour of service for each donation!

BLS Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Art and Essay Contest Information This year we have three MLK contests: Art, Essay, and Poetry, focused on the following theme: “I Am Possibility: Embracing Freedom, Justice, and Democracy”

The Prompt: “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in the power of people to create positive change through freedom, justice, and democracy. Reflecting on the theme ‘I Am Possibility,’ how can Dr. King’s vision about justice and equality continue to motivate young people today to make a difference in the BLS community?”

ART FORMAT: Black and white or color drawing, painting, sketching, charcoal, digital media, or other appropriate media capturing the theme of young people making an impact on the future of our world. Electronic submissions to blsmlkcelebration@gmail.com (take a quality photo of the hard copy if needed). Due Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 2:30 pm. Selected artwork will be featured at the MLK event. Prize: $100 to first place winner ESSAY and POETRY CONTEST FORMAT: Times New Roman, 12 pt, double spaced, (essays: 300-400 words), name and homeroom at top. Essays should respond to the prompt, but there is flexibility to approach this question in myriad ways. Strong writings educate, inspire, and capture your authentic voice. Submit to blsmlkcelebration@gmail.com as a Google Doc by Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 2:30 pm. An excerpt of the winning essay will be shared at the MLK event in January. Prize: $100. The winning poem will be shared at the MLK event as well. Prize: $100.

Start your week by setting one small, achievable goal. Whether finishing a homework assignment, getting outside for 10 minutes, or trying something new, breaking tasks into smaller steps can help reduce stress and boost confidence.

Here’s how to get started: 1. Pick a goal that feels manageable (e.g., “I’ll read 10 pages of my book today” or “I’ll finish one math problem set”).

2. Break it down into tiny steps. Instead of focusing on the whole task, consider the next small action (e.g., open your textbook, and read the first paragraph).

3. Set a time limit—even 10-15 minutes can help you get started.

4. Celebrate progress! No matter how small, give yourself credit for taking a step toward your goal.

One small goal today can lead to big wins tomorrow!

Join BLS A.S.I.A. in the Black Box Theater on December 20th at 6 pm to watch some chilling performances by your talented peers. Tickets are now on sale and available from any A.S.I.A. officer (Lena Thai, Andrew Lai, Ava Vu, Catherine Zee, Jacky Li, Tiffany Do, Terance Wang, Aaron Liu, Gabby Huynh, Amity Ali, Melania Yee, Angela Deng, Victoria Liu, Tate Lam, and Sarah Cao) for $5. The remaining tickets will be sold at the door for $7. Doors to the Black Box Theater will open at 5 pm. The theme is up to snow good so join us in some frosty mischief and dress up in your snow good comfy clothes. We can’t wait to see you there!