In anticipation of the winter break, Boston Public Schools and partner institutions have compiled resources for families who may need support with various issues while school is not in session.
docs.google.com/document/d/1y8nFwup0Sa1rw17nBkQPRL5KB9IbY8gTVRSxo2Lo1gA/edit?usp=sharing
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Art and Essay Contest Information (Gallagher) All Classes
This year there are three MLK contests: Art, Essay, and Poetry, all around the following theme: Martin Luther King Jr.’s concept of the “Beloved Community” offers a unique opportunity for participants to delve into the vision of a society characterized by justice, equality, and love.
How can we, as the BLS community and as individuals, practice these principles in our daily lives?
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 Wednesday, January 3, 2024, 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 Wednesday, January 3, 2024, 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.
BLS ASIA presents the 24th annual Holiday Sing Off — Love at Frost Sight! Come join BLS ASIA in the Black Box Theater on December 21st @ 6 pm to watch some of the best singers right here at BLS perform! You may purchase tickets from the officers of ASIA (Lena Thai, Jialin Chen, Lindsey Jiang, Ava Vu, Fiona Yuan, Tiffany Do, Gabby Huynh, Olivia Dinh, Catherine Zee, Angela Deng, Daryl Nguyen, Andrew Lai, Amity Ali, Jacky Li, Aaron Liu, and Terance Wang) starting 12/13, for $6 each during lunch periods. Any remaining tickets will be sold for $7 at the door. The theme is Love at Frost Sight, so be sure to bring your loved ones and the comfiest outfits — We hope to see you all there!
Each year BLS Theatre goes to New York City for a weekend of 5 shows and a Radio City Music Hall Tour. This year we are seeing Kimberly Akimbo, Spamalot, Appropriate, The New York Neofuturists, and North Coast, the hip-hop rap improv group. The trip is from January 12 to 14 (MLK weekend) and is $500 including hotel and transportation. We are short these spots because O’Bryant was supposed to fill 40 spots and hasn’t. Please email jgels@bostonpublicschools.org right away if you are interested. The trip is open to sophomores and up.
We look forward to a most welcome winter break starting on Friday, December 22, and returning on Wednesday, January 3 (Day 1). As a reminder, no homework will be assigned over the holiday break, nor will any assignments be due or assessments given on Wednesday, January 3. On behalf of the faculty and staff, we wish all students a healthy and joyous winter break with an opportunity for rest and rejuvenation.
Mindset Monday! Mindset refers to how students perceive their abilities, approach challenges, and view the learning process. Mindsets can impact our academic performance, our motivation, and our resilience. Try to foster a positive mindset for the week ahead this week with a positive/ inspirational quote.
Here are two examples:
“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Are you interested in spending 10 days in Scotland this summer with globally-minded peers from around the world? Check out the GCI Fellowship
The Keefe Library will close at 2:15 pm on Thursday for the school holiday.
Come sign up during your study block on Thursday, December 21 (DAY 6) to participate in some ‘stress-free’ activities in the Fiction Room of the Library. Activities will include a variety of board games and arts & crafts. Sign up with friends or come alone, there will be volunteers to help facilitate the activities. Sign-ups should be done through the typical Library sign-up procedures using Oculus. Hope to see you there!
Fidelity Scholars Program provides college aid for students based on need and provides them with mentorship through the college experience. Requirements include MA resident, planning to attend college in MA, 2.5-3.5 GPA, demonstrated financial need, and applicants from underrepresented and historically underserved communities. Powered through UNCF, last year the program awarded 200 Scholars with over $2.8 million in scholarships, with 65% of those Scholars as first-generation college-goers. Learn more at this link, or contact Bill Stiles at wstiles@jagreaterboston.org. The deadline to apply is January 11.
Hello, Class I. The next round of yearbook photos will be from Monday, January 29th – Wednesday, January 31st from 1 pm – 7 pm. Please sign up ASAP as spots book up quickly and there is no guarantee that there will be enough spots for everyone in the final round. A $45 sitting must be paid to confirm your booking. As a reminder, we will NOT utilize any photos not taken with Chestnut Hills Studios. Reach out to Ms. Stiven @ mstiven@bostonpublicschools.org if you have any questions.
Also please complete any assignments on the Yearbook 2024 classroom (i.e. Baby Photos, Faculty Pictures, Through the Years) as the submission deadline is approaching soon.
Join the senior class in Wacky Wednesday this week, 12/20, by wearing your ugly holiday sweaters. We can’t wait to see your holiday spirit!
Youth Survey about School System” ” Help make sure that youth voices matter in the education decisions that are impacting us now and in the future. Take this survey created by the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance: bit.ly/mejayouthsurvey23. Survey participants will be placed in a random drawing for one of three $25 Visa gift cards. ”
Students interested in and/or applying to the CIEE Global Navigator program should attend the information and application workshop being held this Wednesday during W in the library. Global Navigator alumni will be on hand to answer questions and help with applications.
Need to destress after school with some holiday activities? Please join us to celebrate the ancient Roman holiday, Saturnalia, on Wednesday, December 20th in the Seevak Room right after school. The event is free and open to all. BLSJCL will be running games, art activities, street certamen, and holiday karaoke! There will be pizza and snacks. We hope to see you there!
2nd Public Declamation will take place on Wednesday, December 20 during R1/R2 in the auditorium. The audience will be members of Class IV. Please enter the auditorium quickly and quietly and follow your teachers’ directions to take your seats. We hope you will enjoy this special BLS tradition!
The BLS History Club is sending teams to the History Bowl! If you want to participate in this fun competition and win medals, feel free to sign up. We will not be cutting anyone who wants to participate. (Within reason) The event will be online from 1/27-1/28. It’s a good time and a great chance to study some history!
Practice is every Friday at 8, with our first practice for beginners mandatory next week.
If you are interested, sign up here:
Discord Link:
BLS BLACK is bringing back your favorite show, the annual Black History Month Showcase! We are looking for talent of ALL shades to showcase the diversity of beauty for our theme “Afro-Futurism” in our upcoming showcase. We are looking for models, actors, dancers, spoken word artists, musicians, and MCs. If you’re passionate about performing and want to be part of something special, register to audition now! Auditions will take place on Tuesday, December 19 at 2:30 PM in the auditorium. You must register in advance to audition. To register, send an email to blackatbls@gmail.com or scan the QR code found on our Instagram page or the flyers posted around the school.
The auditions will allow us to see a preview of your performance so we can plan for the showcase on Friday, March 1, 2024. Come prepared to show the panel of judges exactly what you want to perform at the showcase. For example, if you are using an accompaniment recording, bring the music you intend to use for your performance. Don’t forget to download your recording, so that your audition doesn’t depend on your cell or wireless network!
This audition is for the following roles:
MODELS: Come ready to “rip the runway” with comfortable and/or stylish clothing, shoes that you plan to wear, and music, if needed. All are welcome!
SINGERS: Vocalists will be asked to sing their song Accapella (without a backing track). You should prepare a verse and a chorus for your audition. You do not need to start your song at the beginning. Please pick a song that best shows off your voice.
DANCERS: The panel of judges will want to see your dance moves. Please wear comfortable clothing where you have the freedom to move around.
MUSICIANS: If you are playing an instrument, you should bring it with you and have it ready to go when you enter the auditorium. You may also have a track accompanying you if preferred.
SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS: You are welcome to perform original material or something published. It is up to you. We recommend you choose a popular, known piece, but it is ultimately your decision what you decide to perform.
MCS: Be prepared to show the judges your ability to work a stage AND a room. Bring a script that showcases your voice, your sense of humor, and your improvisational skills.
You will be notified of your audition time by Monday, December 18. Acts selected to perform in the 2024 BHM Showcase will be notified by Thursday, December 21. If you have any questions or concerns, email them to blackatbls@gmail.com
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqYIWP2ylfly3j2c0g0YoaEfWkDvpfPIxroEDnN-YfKjRJsw/viewform
Are you a cat lover? Have you been wondering how YOU can help the efforts of cat rescuers to save as many cats as possible from kill centers and the streets? Check out this opportunity from Whiskers of Hope to become a foster/volunteer!! Volunteer services are provided by the organization. See the flyer below and contact RoyCBarrows@gmail.com for more information. If you are interested in hearing more about the experience of being a foster, contact Lucy Zhang at yzhang16@bostonk12.org
drive.google.com/file/d/1V28f4H7llgmBn_VRhvnIA4snehNk4Vr-/view?usp=sharing
In October, Ms. Vasquez shared with us that Self-awareness is the ability to recognize your own emotions and thoughts. Having self-awareness helps us to understand how our behavior impacts others. This week, try to set aside dedicated time each day to write down your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This can help you better understand how you react to things, notice any patterns in your behavior, and learn more about your values and beliefs. When you put your thoughts into words, it makes it easier to figure out your feelings. The act of putting your thoughts into words can help you clarify your feelings and enhance self-awareness, enabling you to make more informed decisions and foster personal growth
Here are sample reflection prompts to guide your journaling this week: Reflect on a recent challenge. How did you feel during this challenge? What emotions surfaced? What did you learn about yourself from this experience? List three values that are important to you (for example: honesty, kindness, perseverance). Why are these values significant in your life? How do your values shape your decisions and actions?
Are you interested in a paid summer biomedical research experience at Harvard Medical School?
We are seeking applications for Project Success: Opening the Door to Biomedical Careers at Harvard Medical School. The program will run in person for 6 weeks (July 8 to August 16th, 2024). Project Success students MUST currently be high school juniors or seniors and reside in either Boston or Cambridge, MA. All Project Success paid interns will be matched with a lab mentor and assigned to a Harvard Medical School (HMS) or HMS-affiliated hospital research lab.
Project Success students will be paid during the duration of the program. Find more information including application instructions here. Project Success Electronic Application Deadline: Friday, February 2, 2024
dicp.hms.harvard.edu/dicp-programs/k-12/high-school-programs/project-success
The annual BLS/Boston Cares MLK Day of Service will take place at BLS on January 15. Sign up through Boston Cares and live the legacy of Dr. King by serving your community.
The BLS History Club is sending teams to the History Bowl! If you want to participate in this fun competition and win medals, feel free to sign up. We will not be cutting anyone who wants to participate. (Within reason) The event will be online from 1/27-1/28. It’s a good time and a great chance to study some history!
Practice is every Friday at 8, with our first practice for beginners mandatory next week.
If you are interested, sign up here:
Discord Link:
As a reminder, the Dining Hall after school is reserved for student groups supervised by an advisor/staff. Students who need a place to study should either sign up for the library or work with faculty to attend office hours after school.
We’re seeing many error messages in Google Docs asking the user to disable a problematic Chrome extension. If you get this message, click the three dots in the upper right of Chrome, choose Settings, and choose Extensions. Turn “Grammarly” off, and reload your Google Doc.
If you continue to have trouble, reset Chrome by again accessing Settings and choosing “Reset and clean up”.
The BLS History Club is sending teams to the History Bowl! If you want to participate in this fun competition and win medals, feel free to sign up. We will not be cutting anyone who wants to participate. (Within reason) The event will be online from 1/27-1/28. It’s a good time and a great chance to study some history!
Practice is every Friday at 8, with our first practice for beginners mandatory next week.
If you are interested, sign up here:
Discord Link:
Ladies Collective is starting a period products/ pants drive! We’ve been putting boxes of pads and tampons in bathrooms because no one should have to worry about finding a pad or tampon at school. Unfortunately, we do not have an infinite supply of pads and tampons so we’re enlisting your help! If you’d like to donate a package of period products for our school bathrooms or a pair of pants, please drop them off in the box labeled “Period Products Drive” in front of the main office. You can post a photo of yourself dropping the period products on Innerview under the opportunity “Period Products Drive” for 1 community service hour. Thanks for your help!
Interested in studying abroad this summer? Check out CIEE. Dozens of BLS students participate every summer at locations around the world. Generous financial aid is available. Contact Mr. Kennelly if you are interested. More information is available here.
Thanks to the dedication of our lunchtime Compost Champions and the commitment of the greater BLS student community, our school has reduced food waste by the following measures:
Per Week Average: 823 LBS
October 2024 Total: 3540 LBS
School Year ’23-’24 Total: 9400 LBS (and counting)
Keep up the good work!
Because of the abundance of food offerings during the band concerts, the Topol Potluck is rescheduled for Monday, January 29th. Please stay tuned for more information; we look forward to celebrating the end of Term 2 with you!
Looking for dinner before the Orchestra concerts on Wednesday night? In the spirit of fundraising, the senior class has partnered with Chipotle in Fenway! On December 13th from 4-8 pm, 33% of all purchases go back to the school’s senior class to help reduce the price of prom tickets! When ordering online, please use the code X9PW88V. If ordering in person, please have the flyer ready on your phone.
drive.google.com/file/d/1adzRKK6oI0ZhlNu9B3_h4vjzxnGk4qa8/view?usp=sharing
Inspire Generations of BLS Students to Come! Design Art for the Proposed BLS Sustainability Room! – All Classes Invited. WHAT: Create a piece of art that addresses the theme of climate change and sustainability, showcasing your love for the environment and a sustainability issue needing positive change. Think big! It’s not just about being green.
For example, racism, economic inequality, and many other issues of social injustice are also not sustainable.
Guidelines: Must be school-appropriate (and something that you are willing to have displayed) Any 2D medium, will be hung on the walls around the sustainability room. Submissions should be sent in or delivered by the end of Winter Break. Physical copies should be dropped off in Ms. Arnold’s room 025. Digital copies can be emailed to carnold@bostonpublicschools.org All submissions must be original artwork
Results will be posted on BLS YouthCAN Instagram
The Keefe Library will be closed after school on Tues. 12/12/23 for professional development, which is regularly scheduled on the second Tuesday of every month.
German Holiday Market l December 9, 3:00 – 7:00 PM l German International School Boston Mark your calendars: The famous GISB Christkindlmarkt will take place for one day only on Saturday, December 9, 2023. Get ready for a winter wonderland full of surprises!
Come see Boston Latin School Theatre Company’s production of A Monster Calls.
Based on the novel by Patrick Ness and inspired by an original idea by Siobhan Dowd, devised by Sally Cookson, Adam Peck, and the Company.
13-year-old Connor’s mother is very sick and Connor is having nightmares. One night at 7 minutes past midnight the Monster from the old Yew tree outside his house appears by his window to tell tales of other times he has walked. And on the 4th visit, Connor will need to tell his truth.
in the Black Box Theater
Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults our show/monster advance tickets, tickets are also available at the door
Tickets for the Boys Basketball home opener are now available. Please see the digital ticketing option for admission through Go Fan. Purchase of digital tickets is encouraged but there is a cash option available. Adults $5, Students/Seniors $1.
Intensive, ungraded mini-elective for students in grades 10-12 (classes I-III) on the modern history of Israel and Palestine c. 1900 to the present to be offered beginning before the December breakthrough February (Gallagher). This course will center on this question: how can we better and more thoughtfully comprehend the current crisis in Israel and Palestine by immersing ourselves in a study of the modern history of the region? It is hoped that students will come away with a deep historical and humanized knowledge of the region and its people. The mini-elective course will be co-led by Ms. Judi Freeman, former Seevak Chair in History at BLS, and Ms. Janna Ramadan ’18, Harvard ’23, now a graduate student at the University of Cambridge (UK).
The course will meet weekly during W block for 7 weeks as well as during a day-long session in February in which participants will be excused from all of their classes. It will consist of approximately 30 students. It is imperative that all participants attend 100% of the sessions and consent to class norms and agreements to ensure a safe and respectful class community.
At this point, we are trying to assess the level of interest in and commitment to the course. If you are interested in participating and/or would like more information about the class, please complete this survey about your interest and potential participation by no later than Monday, December 11 at 7:45 am.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcXd1aPeX270rLxuz53UlBgmfSg_7lJrhFg_lDZnK9glk7IA/viewform
Coping means using your thoughts and actions to handle tough situations inside and outside of yourself. This is different from “defense mechanisms,” which are automatic responses you might not even realize you’re doing. The goal of coping is to make stress go away or become easier to handle.
When something stressful happens, the different ways people deal with it are called “coping styles.” Knowing how to cope is really important for keeping your mind and emotions in good shape. It helps you bounce back from tough times and deal with life’s difficulties in a healthy and flexible way.
Here is a resource sheet with several coping strategies – one for each letter of the alphabet! This week try to spell out your name and try some new coping skills!
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559031/
drive.google.com/file/d/1xVlsXxKZmGo-w16PzAiIg3kAIkjrVWYh/view?usp=sharing
The Register is seeking original creative writing and artwork from students in all grades. Submit your work via the portal on SIS until December 8.
BLS Crew Information Session Interested in joining BLS Crew?
An Information Session for anyone interested in learning more about joining the team in the winter/spring season will be held on Tuesday, December 12th at 7:30 pm via Zoom. All interested rowers and their parents are welcome to attend. No prior rowing or athletic experience is necessary. You’ll hear from Program Director and Girls Varsity Coach, Mr. Fearon, current team members, and parent volunteers. The Zoom meeting ID can be found at www.blscrew.org or email info@blscrew.org
Interested in studying history? Check out the Concord Review History Camp
The dates of the Boys JV Hockey Tryouts were published incorrectly on the BLS Athletics website. There is a tryout tomorrow. 4 pm @ Devine Rink in Dorchester.
PLEASE LEAVE (a message) examines ideas of messaging and failures of communication as we attempt to convey a message meant to last 10,000 years. This will be our submission to the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival.
Auditions are December 12 to 14.
There are sign-ups on the bulletin board across from the Black Box Theater. Unlike most auditions, there will actually be some writing involved, which is why we are giving you so much advanced notice to prepare.
Boston University Upward Bound is a college prep program that works with high school students to prepare them for college. Students come after school to Boston University and receive tutoring, courses for MCAS prep (science, math, and English), and SAT prep. During the summer students live at Boston University for six weeks. Students who attend a public school and live in Dorchester, East Boston, Mattapan, and Roxbury can apply. The application process gives priority to students who attend our target high schools. Students need to be first-generation college potential or from low-income households to apply.
UB students benefit from MCAS prep in Science, ELA, and Math, SAT Prep, and academic support to help their GPA. Program services are at BU and provide students with exposure and resources available at a university campus. Students also go on field-trips and receive tutoring and mentoring.
The year-round program is free and this year we have 45 spots for new students currently in 9th, 10th or 11th grade to join. Attached is additional information about the program. You can also learn more at: youtu.be/q7jhjlNCdoI
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-d5Ib4wLZg50378jgjujzgoCbhgffN7o?usp=drive_link
Interested in pursuing a career in STEM?! Join BLS LAB on Monday (12/4) at 2:30 pm in room 329 to hear from Jenette Ashtekar, a current Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Engine Ventures. Dr. Ashtekar spent more than a decade studying natural science with a focus on soil and is a co-founder of AgSoil Analytics, which helps farmers better understand the functionality of soil. Come by to learn about her work in creating a digital soil map and her career path! All are welcome and feel free to bring questions for a Q&A session at the end of the presentation!
Junior Forum is a required course for Class II students that provides a comprehensive overview of the college search and application process.
Class II students will attend Junior Forum during one study/student leadership period per six-day cycle. The course will run from December 6 – May 1, with possible adjustments for snow days. Students will receive their assigned Junior Forum section and their passes in homeroom on 12/4.
For the first lesson (12/6 – 12/13), students will report to their study first. For all following classes, students will report directly to the Schawbel Center. Students will be signing into Oculus when in class. Please email Ms. Sigillito (csigillito@bostonpublicschools.org) if you have any questions.
Nine (9) BLS students of Frau Floerke’s German classes and one (1) BLS student studying Spanish take center stage and win big at this year’s Goethe Institute Sustainability Lab Competition. All winners received an email from the Goethe Institute in Washington D.C. congratulating them. The Winners are: Class II: Ming Pan Her, Tyson Nguyen, Jack Sawyers, Matthew Fruci, Sylvie Hove, Jianghan (Tony) Zhang, Oskar Monahan and Brian Huang Class III: Brendan Furlonge and Rain Parcell
The Massachusetts Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, The United States Click the seals below to visit the sponsors’ websites:
ELIGIBILITY District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and Discovering Justice are partnering to host a Bill of Rights Month student essay contest, open to all high school students who reside in Massachusetts. $1,000 in prizes. More information here.
files.constantcontact.com/c0b72867701/048814fc-ad5d-4ae3-a7fa-a30b5d598ae8.pdf
All students are welcome to come do homework after school in the library. As winter sports begin, we want to remind everyone to sign up and check in upon arrival. The link is available on SIS (“After School in the Library”) or by scanning the QR code in the library. Signing up in advance is not required but recommended because we cap attendance at 100.
Global Citizens Initiative (GCI) is thrilled to announce that the applications for the GCI Fellowship for students are now open! Students who want to make a positive difference and connect with peers from around the world are encouraged to apply for the GCI Fellowship 2024, a full year-long program for secondary school students that launches with the GCI Summit at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, from July 20 to 28, 2024. Applications due: January 29, 2024. APPLY NOW!