Do you love the card and board games? Mark your calendars for Games Day, every Friday after school in the Keefe Library. No need to sign up in advance and everyone is welcome. We’ve recently added crowd pleasers like SushiGo and Ticket to Ride but still have old favorites like Jenga and Clue. Come with a friend or make new ones; our Games Day staff is ready to play!

Do you feel stressed about school, home, friends, or even out of the blue? Consider joining one of two Chill Skills Groups facilitated by Dr. Moffa and Dr. Kaye. A 7th – the 9th-grade group will meet Tuesdays after school (2:30-3:25 pm) from October 25th – December 6th and a 10th – 12th-grade group will meet Mondays after school (2:30-3:25 pm) from October 24th – December 5th.

See the flyers and consent form in the linked google drive to learn more, then talk to your guidance counselor or Dr. Moffa (kathryn.moffa@childrens.harvard.edu) and Dr. Kaye (amy.kaye@childrens.harvard.edu) to sign up and/or ask any questions you might have by October 18th.

drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WOsR60qCjn8NjNVcfXwktj7qdTx4bh81?usp=sharing

The BLS Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is looking for new members. The group meets every Wednesday during W block.

If interested, please fill out the attached form by Monday, October 3.

forms.gle/xL57Tf2CtQ3Y5gxL8

All BLS students must have an InnerView account to submit and receive credit for their community service hours. Creatihttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1niQ5gdM_FaNhehMksG36rMNGOG9anRuO/view?usp=sharingng an account takes 2 minutes. Directions can be found here.

Sustainability Lab: a virtual event on Friday, September 30 at 1:00 pm EST!

The event will start with a 30-minute introduction to the Sustainability Lab and will include a 30-minute discussion on climate justice and sustainability with Dr. Ana Laura Edelhoff. We will also be announcing a sustainability competition for students and teachers.

Please register on our sustainability hub website. goethe.de/usa/sustainability

Thoughts on the topic by Laura Edelhoff:

Climate change is your responsibility. Many scientists warn us that if we continue to live the way we currently do, climate change will radically change our world and drastically lower the quality of life in the not-so-distant future. What can you do about this? It might seem that the answer is: very little, since nothing that you do really makes a difference. Or is this mistaken? Does every single action to stop climate change, count? Not only is climate change a problem that needs to be solved, but it also seems to be an injustice that future generations have to suffer the effects of our actions. Yet if it is an injustice, then who should be held responsible for bringing about climate change and the damages that it will cause?

goethe.de/usa/sustainability

All Boston public schools run periodic fire and safe mode drills to help students and staff feel prepared in the event of an emergency. Earlier this month, we ran a fire drill and this Thursday, September 29, at the beginning of R2, we will practice the Safe Mode drill.

To minimize any confusion or concerns that some people may experience, we want to let the BLS community know in advance that a Safe Mode drill has been scheduled. On Thursday (Day 4), please proceed directly to your R2 class; there, your teacher will provide instructions.

Please know that these drills are not meant to alarm, but to help us feel better equipped so that we can all act responsibly, safely, and collaboratively if there ever is an emergency. Thank you for your cooperation.

The BLS Extracurricular Fair is Wednesday (Class VI and 9B) and Thursday (Classes V-I). The fair begins at 2:30 and ends at 3:30. There will table for different clubs as well as student performances.

We have over 100 clubs and organizations on display! Check out the list of clubs that have registered already!

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTxgPKPN6o8w1m6ll_RMOLA9XpQm_mA81jpyJQbmtGCl8ptsAq9BpHpsoWL__Dj-SELzop3aSwG8YNX/pubhtml?gid=587415089&single=true

Beginning Wednesday, September 28th, all students will be required to swipe their One Card or input their identification number (located on the One Card) to receive the school lunch. Please remember that lunch is free of charge for all BLS students.

Dear Class IV Scholars,

Please mark your calendars! Members of the Guidance Team will be meeting with you on Wednesday during W Block from 9:13 AM – 10:02 AM. You will meet your guidance counselors who will share valuable information that will help guide you through these next four years. Please bring your Chromebooks as you will be asked to complete some tasks. See below for your counselor’s name and the meeting location:

Ms. Elyce Sweeney

Student Last Name: Abair-Castro

Library Fiction Room

Ms. Andrea Encarnacao

Student Last Name: Caulder-Divers

Dining Hall (Senior Section between restrooms)

Mr. Jerry Etienne

Student Last Name: Do Souto-Gracombe

Upper Gym

Ms. Jennifer Segal

Student Last Name: Grady-Kayi

Black Box Theater

Ms. Katie Linso

Student Last Name: Keane-Lin

Electronic Classroom (Library)

Ms. Alexandra Bailey

Student Last Name: Lincecum-Murphy

Dining Hall (Towards the School Yard)

Ms. Elaine Sylvester

Student Last Name: Nazarchuk-Parcell

Chorus Room

Mr. Kyle Greenidge

Student Last Name: Parkerson-Scovel

Auditorium

Mr. William Murray

Student Last Name: Seetharam-Tran

Dining Hall (By Windows Front of School)

Mr. Samson Luu

Student Last Name: Traub-Zhu

Band Room

Please report directly to your meeting location after R2. Attendance is mandatory and will be taken. We look forward to meeting you all!

Do you knit? Crochet? Embroider? Bring your current project down to the library during W block this week (Wed., 9/28) for our kick-off meeting! Meet other crafters and pick up some tips, or get started at knitting or crochet. Stop by the library anytime Tuesday or on Wednesday morning to get a pass to give to your homeroom teacher. Going forward, we will meet most Wednesdays during W block.

Student Council is now accepting names of Student Body Reps from each homeroom. Student Body Reps serve as a representative voice of students at monthly, school-wide Town Hall meetings. Interested students should sign up with their homeroom teacher. The deadline is Thursday, September 22. All interested students are welcome with no limit per homeroom. Email questions to jlevesque@bostonpublicschools.org.

The guidance office is seeking student leaders during R5. Please see Ms. Sweeney in 107 if you’re interested.

After-School Tutoring: After-school tutoring will be in-person for the 2022-2023 school year.

After-school tutoring is a peer-to-peer tutoring service that supports students with homework assignments. This program is for students seeking a structured setting to work on homework. This is a drop-in program therefore, students only need to attend when they need support. This program is for students who understand the content but would like clarification on an assignment or guidance on a project. The room is always staffed with 1-2 faculty members for either math or Latin.

Program Details:

The program begins on September 26, 2022

It runs Monday – Thursday (there will be no homework support on staff professional development days)

Hours are 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Students must sign in upon arrival at the tutoring room

In recognition of Rosh Hashanah which begins at sunset on Sunday, September 25 and continues through sunset on Tuesday, September 27, there will be no tests or assessments administered in class on either Monday or Tuesday.  Rosh Hashanah is considered among the holiest days of the year by those of the Jewish faith and marks the start of the Jewish new year.  Students who observe the holiday will have their absences excused and allowed full makeup privileges.  For their students to be excused, families should submit the Absence, Early Dismissal, and Late Arrival Form.

For the first time, BLS will offer Junior Achievement’s Company Program Pop-Up, which prepares students to plan, launch, and operate their own businesses. Students will collaborate, make crucial business decisions, develop sales/marketing plans, and ultimately launch a pop-up business at BLS. Mr. Levesque will teach the curriculum, and classes will meet after school (2:30-3:30) every Tuesday from Sep 27 to Dec 13 at BLS, including three visits to the newly opened JA Maker Space in Charlestown. Learn more by CLICKING HERE. Email Mr. Levesque with questions and sign up (jlevesque@bostonpublicschools.org). Class II-IV.

jausa.ja.org/programs/ja-company-program-pop-up

Learn more about a variety of non-BLS co-curricular programs by attending the online Pioneer Co-curricular Summit.

drive.google.com/file/d/13iyntmbPYyjFP52cJpVrQOl8wEwBLkjP/view?usp=sharing

Beginning on Thursday 9/22 students will use Oculus to sign up for the library. The link to Oculus is in SIS. If you do not have an account, please set up an account using the “Oculus Account Creation” link. Oculus will send you an email to set your password (Note: Check your Spam box if you don’t receive an email in your inbox). Your study hall teachers will review the list of students signed into the library and mark you “Present” once they confirm you are in the library. Reminder: 7th-grade sign-up begins on October 17th. If you have any questions please email Ms. Ellis (dellis@bostonpublicschools.org) and Ms. Harari (sharari@bostonpublicschools.org)

$2 Presale Tickets are available for Friday night’s game in the Athletic Office. Tickets can be purchased during R5 on Thursday and Friday. Cash Only

Interested in women’s history? We are! Join us in a pop-up afterschool class–no grades, no homework, just sheer interest–on women’s history. The first session will take place on Thursday, September 22 at 2:20 pm in room 307. If you are interested but cannot attend that session, please e-mail Ms. Freeman (jfreeman@bostonpublicschools.org) OR complete this form.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScP4paNAu8lkXvyozZeVInxRvtBNmlyUwy332cCCo-izei3kA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Students, please make sure you pick up an I-Health Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test on Friday, 9/21 in the front lobby outside of the cafeteria. They will be available before and after school and at lunch. These will be distributed every 2 weeks. Please see Mrs. Maneikis if you have any questions.

If you would like a pass to go and pray Dhuhr/Zuhr, please come see Ms. Murray and she can provide you with a pass to use each day. Ms. Murray is in 146.

All current NHS members should have received an email this morning with information about how to run for NHS officer positions. All members should read the entire email carefully and follow the steps outlined if interested in running for office. If you were inducted last year and did not receive the email, or have any questions, please email Mr. Finnigan (pfinnigan2@bostonpublicschools.org) or drop by office 169b before school.

Attention all 7th to 9th-grade performers: BLS Theatre’s one acts auditions are coming for you! We are doing three very funny plays: War is Hell: and other fun stories to tell your kids, The Meaning of Life, and Santa Claus Might not be Coming to Town.

Auditions are on September 20 and 21 in the Black Box (416) Sign-ups are on the bulletin board across the hall from it. Please reach out to Mr. Gels. (jgels@bostonpublicschools.org) with any questions.

High School Quiz Show is looking for players for the two-time state championship team. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible, and those with prior quiz-bowl experience are especially encouraged to try out (though all are welcome). If you’re interested in participating, write to blsscientia@gmail.com for more information. Hope to hear from you soon!

The 2022-2023 Extracurricular club activation process is open! Clubs must register every year, so sign up now to start meeting! The Extracurricular Fair will be held on 9/28 (Class VI and VIb) and 9/29, so sign your club up now to reserve a spot! bit.ly/2022ClubActivation

Bake sale sign-ups are also open! Information can be found on SIS and on our webpage at bit.ly/BLSECEvents

We have a need for a limited number of students in Class V-I who speak and understand a language other than English to help guide families at one or both of our Back-to-School Nights, on September 22 and/or September 29. Interested students should plan to be in school from at least 5:00-7:00 p.m. on one or both of these evenings. Please complete this short form by Tuesday, September 20.  Community Service hours are granted of course.  Thank you!

First Generation Investors is a non-profit organization that teaches high school students the power of investing and provides program graduates with real money to invest. Students learn investing basics (stocks, bonds, diversification, interest) over the course of 8 sessions. Students create a final portfolio of $100, which they receive in the form of a real investment account after high school graduation. Meetings are Saturdays at 11 am at Northeastern (or Zoom). See this LINK for more information and to apply. The deadline is Sep 29. Send questions to NEU student Jordan Sarnie at jsarnie1999@gmail.com.

drive.google.com/file/d/1JVJP7QrMU-OzaRIfgWJjRjxvNMTq0fE-/view?usp=sharing

Please remember to occasionally check for Chrome updates on your Chromebook. – Click the three dots in the upper right of Chrome – Choose Help -> About Google Chrome – Follow the steps at the top to update Chrome and restart the Chromebook

All students have access to a limited number of pages to print in color in the library. There is no charge but students may only print 15 pages per semester (Sept – January/February-June). Print from your Chromebook to “student-color-printer” and punch your ID into the color printer that is located at the front desk. Our praefects are available to help.

First Generation Investors is a non-profit organization that teaches high school students the power of investing and provides program graduates with real money to invest. Students learn investing basics (stocks, bonds, diversification, interest) over the course of 8 sessions. Students create a final portfolio of $100, which they receive in the form of a real investment account after high school graduation. Meetings are Saturdays at 11 am at Northeastern (or Zoom). See this LINK for more information and to apply. The deadline is Sep 29. Send questions to NEU student Jordan Sarnie at jsarnie1999@gmail.com.

All students in Classes I – IV MUST have an InnerView account. This is where you access and upload community service activities. Please create an account today if you do not already have one. Here are the easy 2-minute directions.

Please use this  link

BPS Technology will reset ALL student passwords on Friday, September 16 in the late afternoon, after school. You will receive an email from Mr. Hourigan (phourigan@bostonpublicschools.org) with the subject “Password Reset Instructions” on Thursday, September 15. That email will contain a temporary password that you will use to log into your Chromebook after BPS has reset all the passwords on Friday afternoon. Please take the time to record this temporary password in a safe place! Once you’re logged in, follow the instructions in the email to sign the Acceptable Use Policy and create a new password. You will have all weekend to complete the process.

We’re working hard to recruit and train the student volunteers (praefects) who help us run the Keefe Library. Thanks for your patience; once we are fully staffed, we are looking forward to welcoming students back during studies and after school.

Study hall sign-up: The library will open for study hall sign-up for Classes I-V beginning on Wednesday, September 14. Students sign up through the Oculus link in SIS. Class VI students may start signing up to visit the library during study hall on Monday, October 17, after the first progress reports go home.

After-school sign-up: The library will be open for after-school sign-up beginning on Thursday, September 15. Students sign up through the After School Library sign-up link on SIS. All grades may visit the library after school; the total number of students for after school is capped at 100 per day. Students can sign up upon arrival, space permitting.

Praefects (student leaders) at BLS work in a variety of positions/offices around BLS. Students who are interested in preafecting with an office should reach out to the point of contact at the position. Supervisors will have students complete an online form if they are being assigned to that position.

A complete list can be found on Innerview. All applicants should sign up directly with the point person for the position they are interested in.

Salvete, Omnes!

Need your books wrapped? Let JCL help! Stop by the dining hall this coming Wednesday 9/14, Friday 9/16, or Monday 9/19 and we will wrap your books! $1 for plain paper, $2 for pattern, and $3 for a cloth book sock. We will be wrapping immediately after school until 3:30. Don’t miss out!

Please note that if you have been assigned to a student leadership post your schedule will say “Murray Student Leadership.” Despite this, please report to your assigned student leadership post during these periods.

Come audition for BLS Theatre’s Dontrell, Who Kissed The Sea. A beautiful show featuring a predominantly Black Cast

When 18-year-old Dontrell Jones decides to voyage into the Atlantic Ocean in search of an ancestor lost during the Middle Passage, his family struggles with the thought of losing its prized son to the waters of a mysterious and haunting past.

Auditions are Tuesday, September 13 and 14 after school in the Black Box Theater. Sign up for a specific audition time on the Bulletin Board across the hall from the Black Box and grab a monologue sheet.

The Boston Ultimate Disc Alliance (BUDA) is running club ultimate frisbee programs this fall for Boston students in high school, middle school, and Grades 3-5. No experience is required! Ultimate is fun and fast. Middle and high school programs will include practices and games against other clubs. For more information, go to www.buda.org/e/youth-ultimate-fall-2022.

If you are interested in praefecting in Ms. Murray’s office, please apply now! Praefects will assist with office duties, extracurricular clubs, and more. This year, we will also have openings for hallway monitors. Please see me with any questions or complete the form to apply today!

bit.ly/2023Murray

After-school tutoring will be in-person for the 2022-2023 school year.

After-school tutoring is a peer-to-peer tutoring service that supports students with homework assignments. This program is for students seeking a structured setting to work on homework. This is a drop-in program therefore, students only need to attend when they need support. This program is for students who understand the content but would like clarification on an assignment, want some help completing the homework, or would like guidance on a project. The room is always staffed with 1-3 faculty members for either math or Latin.

Program Details:

The program begins on September 26, 2022

It runs Monday – Thursday (there will be no homework support on staff professional development days)

Hours are 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Students must sign in upon arrival at the tutoring room

Latin Tutoring – Mondays & Wednesdays ALL GRADE LEVELS Ms. LeDang-Collins Room: 135

Latin Tutoring – Thursdays GRADE 10 ONLY Mr.Finnigan Room: 135

8th Grade Math- Mondays & Wednesdays Ms.Kelly Room: 134

9th Grade Math- Tuesdays & Wednesdays Mr.Carino Guzman Room: 134

7th Grade Math – Tuesdays & Wednesdays Ms.Penaloza Room: 134

We are looking for peer tutors for the after-school tutoring program which will be in-person for the 2022-2023 school year. After-school tutoring is a peer-to-peer tutoring service that supports students with homework assignments. Below are the days and subjects we need peer tutors for. Please reach out to Ms.Delorme-Metayer at rdelormemetayer@bostonpublicschools.org if you are interested in volunteering.

Program Details: The program begins on September 26, 2022 It runs Monday – Thursday (there will be no homework support on staff professional development days) Hours are 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Students must sign in upon arrival at the tutoring room

Latin Tutoring – Mondays & Wednesdays

Latin Tutoring – Thursdays – GRADE 10 ONLY

8th Grade Math- Mondays & Wednesdays

9th Grade Math- Tuesdays & Wednesdays

7th Grade Math – Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Saturday Success School: Saturday Success School will remain VIRTUAL for the 2022-2023 school year.

Saturday Success School seeks to support students in strengthening their academic success through the use of volunteer adult tutors. Students will work one on one or in small groups with an adult tutor for about 40 minutes per session. This program runs every Saturday for 20 Saturdays during the school year. All tutors are CORI-checked and come to us from various sources such as local hospitals, colleges/universities, marketing firms, retired secondary educators, current BLS teachers, and BLS alumni. During Saturday Success School students attend tutoring within three-time blocks for three different subject areas. For this program, we do require an application because students are asked to choose three subjects that they will attend each Saturday for the entire year without changing into other subjects. This allows students to build the skills they need in those three content areas. This is not a drop-in program. Students must commit to attending the program every Saturday.

Program Details: 20 Saturdays throughout the academic year Three 40-minute sessions

Student Registration Google Form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTYagHz4wH3KlxYe5FG03–fOzmwEHUcJjfn478KXJjSaHXQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Program Times: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Program Start Date: October 22, 2022

The WolfPack After School program will run Mondays- Thursdays from 2:15 pm–5:30 pm. Students and families will have to commit to the full program in order to participate. As we strategically support students to achieve their academic goals we cannot accept any applications for families seeking a drop-in program. Your student(s) can participate in a number of activities, enjoy a snack, and receive homework help.

One of the most exciting things about the program is the enrichment activities we will be offering. We will be providing your child with the opportunity to learn skills in music, sports wellness, karate, and much more!

We want structure and variety in the After School Program, therefore, our daily routine will be organized in the following way:

• 2:15-2:30 – Snack in the Dining Hall

• 2:35-3:30 – Enrichment Activities

• 3:35-5:30 – Academic Time in the library

• 5:30 – Pick-ups

Students will need to select two enrichment options. One for Tuesday/Thursday and one option for Monday/Wednesday.

Wolfpack After School Application: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScf4mmD4a7ZzYgxi_XZfChatwGEsOFwcAPzA7-bIF0Rz0NOQA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Come audition for BLS Theatre’s The Play That Goes Wrong. This show is a hilarious play about a group trying to put on a murder mystery play where nothing can go quite right.

Auditions are Tuesday, September 13 and 14 after school in the Black Box Theater. Sign up for a specific audition time on the Bulletin Board across the hall from the Black Box and grab a monologue sheet.

Do you want to be a Keefe Library praefect? We need students in Classes I-IV to volunteer during study halls and before/after school. Please visit the Keefe Library homepage and look for the box “Volunteering in the Keefe Library” on the right side of the page. Read about the job and fill out the Praefect Application Form if you’re interested. Questions? Stop by the library and ask Ms. Ellis or Ms. Harari.

2022 Wolfpack 5k

5K Cross Country Run or Walk

September 17th at 8:00 am (Race begins at 9:00)

More Info and to register: runsignup.com/Race/MA/Boston/BLSWolfpack5K

We invite students, staff, families, alumni, and others in our BLS community to join us as we reunite with friends, celebrate our return to school, and enjoy a run or walk along the historic Franklin Park 5K cross-country course.

Head of School Jason Gallagher will be joining us – this is a great chance to meet him (or run with him)!

8:00 AM: Number Pick up, Race Day Registration Begins

9:00 AM: Race Begins

Post Race Awards at the conclusion of the race

Have Fun and enjoy a morning with friends and family!

Cost To Participate:

Students run FREE! (discount applied at checkout)

Young Alumni – age 19-25: discounted rate of $20

Adults over 25: $30

All are invited to make a donation to the Wolfpack. All proceeds will support Boston Latin Athletics.

All Class I students will be required to participate in a college essay/supplement workshop on either Thursday 9/15 or Friday 9/16 at 9:00 am during MAP testing.

Please plan to attend on the date that corresponds to your homeroom:

Thursday September 15: Homerooms 101, 102, 103, 104, 201, 203, 131

Friday September 16: Homerooms 132, 134,135, 136, 137, 202, 237

Your homeroom teachers have been instructed to bring you to the dining hall beginning at 8:55 am.

Please submit this form in order to apply for a student leader position with the McCarthy Institute. Student leaders will support peer-to-peer tutoring and other academic programming initiatives throughout the entire school year. This opportunity is different from the drop-in tutoring room after school. The McCarthy Institute is located in room 014 and is run by Ms.Delorme-Metayer.

Students, please note the times for your opening assembly on Tuesday, September 13.

Class I: 7:55

Class II: 9:48

Class III: 12:42

Please report to your scheduled class. Once teachers have taken attendance, you will proceed as a class to the auditorium. Thank you for your cooperation.

We are seeking assistant coaches for Cross Country and Track & Field. If any staff or faculty are interested, please see AD Jack Owens in the Athletics Office

Attention all potential actors and tech! Come learn about everything that the BLS Theatre Company is doing this year at our beginning of the year meeting on Monday, September 12 at 2:30 in the Black Box Theater (Room 416 on 1A)

The black box can be a little tough to find for new students. Please ask someone to help point you in the right direction.

Owen Jin, Class I, became the 2022 National Champion in Men’s Epee in Minneapolis in July 2022.