Would you like to spend 9 days in Scotland this summer working and learning with globally-minded peers from around the world? Apply for the GCI Fellowship. Financial Aid is available. Application deadline January 30. More information here:

drive.google.com/file/d/1qfGHeCuas_nnPeliJR8eaJqjXmm0IG_i/view?usp=sharing

Congratulations to the Varsity History Bowl Team (Will, Kevin, Luc, Ben) for winning the B-Set Eastern History Bowl Competition, a tournament open to teams from all across the nation. They were the top prelim seed with the highest win record and the highest point average. The team advanced through elimination rounds before coming back from behind to beat Benet Academy of Illinois in the Final. They will now be looking towards winning the New England Championship tournament in March.

If you are interested in History Bowl, please email blshistoryclub@gmail.com or pop by 018 (near the library) Fridays after school!

Classes II, III, and IV will participate in Course Selection E-ssembly on Wednesday, January 31 during W block. All students Class IV-II students are expected to remain in their homerooms to learn about the course selection process and options for next school year. More information, including links to log on to these presentations through zoom, will be sent directly to homeroom teachers.

Are you a current member of Class III or II who is a native/heritage speaker of a modern language we teach? If you are interested in taking an elective in that language in level 3, 4 or AP Language, you can take a placement test to see which level would be right for you. Please fill out the Google form to indicate interest, and more information will be sent to you. This elective would be in addition to the language you are studying for your four year graduation requirement. Form is due at 2:15 on Wednesday, January 31, and testing will take place after school on Feb. 5, 6, or 7 in room 216. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Kelley at ckelley2@bostonpublicschools.org, or stop by her office, 256 across from 219.

Link

Beginning in February, all Boston Public School students and their families will receive free admission to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Science, the Boston Children’s Museum, the New England Aquarium, and the Franklin Park Zoo on the first and second Sundays of each month, Mayor Michelle Wu announced in her State of the City speech in January.

Belle of the Ball in partnership with Anton’s Cleaners cleans and distributes prom dresses and provides related accessories at no charge to high school juniors and seniors who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend their school’s prom.

If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to your school counselor to inquire about this opportunity.

Here’s a video description of the program: www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9JPKJ78Hfc

drive.google.com/file/d/1Lh1xzdFuuptE7STxtOHZMKTjHL_3c8-j/view?usp=sharing

Save the date!! PIC is offering virtual internship preview days- this is a great way to get your questions answered from the employers about the hiring process. See the document below for more information.

drive.google.com/file/d/1Q5U-NaneRNNf4IQx5V48J2P_Pa-qebgy/view?usp=sharing

Class I and II students wanted to help with an engaging project, judging student essays for the Max Warburg Courage Curriculum on Thursday, February 8, from 2:30-5:00 p.m. in the Electronic Classroom.

The Max Warburg Curriculum helps 6th-grade students identify and appreciate the impact courage has had on their lives. The program provides books/ materials to thousands of students in about 60 schools, all related to courage. A signature piece is that participants write essays on courage and how they have worked to overcome challenges (or seen this in others).

Every year, scores of individuals judge the writing and select essay winners from every school which are published in a book and placed in schools, and libraries. This is the second year that the program officials would like to enlist BLS juniors and seniors as judges.

As a volunteer, you would read essays and then decide with classmates which stories you think should be recommended. Community service hours will be awarded.

Interested students should sign up by Friday, February 2: Max Warburg Essay Judge Sign Up

maxcourage.org/

docs.google.com/forms/d/1jrYNCGukeIR5yCUIkeSuAKCaXX1-TyYcjf3NRdGd4FE/edit

Save yourself a trip to the tech office!

If your Chromebook is having trouble charging or turning on, plug it into power, hold the REFRESH key (top row, fourth from the left, looks like a circular arrow), and tap the POWER button. This performs a power reset and in almost all cases helps “dead” Chromebooks come back to life.

As always, if you’re experiencing any Chromebook issues, please come see us in the tech area of the library.

If you are part of a Boston Latin School club and would like your club’s picture in the yearbook, please email a clear photo of the club’s officers and seniors to mstiven@bostonpubicschools.org.

The cost of a club photo in the yearbook is $60. We are accepting cash, checks, and Venmo. Please make your check payable to Boston Latin School and bring it to Ms. Stiven in room 014. Please reach out if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. The deadline to submit both the photo and payment is Friday, February 16, 2024.

Thank you for your cooperation!

The following members of the BLS Mock Trial Team will be released after R4 on 1/25, and 2/2 for the Preliminary Rounds of the Massachusetts Mock Trial Competition.

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SgLjombnI7zUeW1_U2gGK26rDArYlmOo3yUZhEJSOO8/edit?usp=sharing

FREE learning opportunity with MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science or MITES. These programs provide transformative experiences that bolster confidence, create lifelong community, and build an exciting, challenging foundation in STEM for students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. Application Details for MITES Semester & MITES Summer: student applications are due Feb. 01, eligible students are:

Enrolled in 11th grade in any school setting, including public, private, and homeschooled A U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident For any questions, email (mitesapp@mit.edu).

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), in collaboration with Boston Bridges Initiatives, is providing five full scholarships for METCO students and Boston Exam School students to take part in our Frontiers (Residential, In-Person) summer ’24 program. For a detailed overview, please refer to this link. This is a 2-week in-person residential program for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Learning on WPI’s campus alongside peers.

Frontiers Program Dates:

Frontiers I: July 7 through 19, 2024

Frontiers II: July 21 through August 2, 2024

Cost per session: $3,995 for summer 2024 (Includes housing, food, field trips, workshops, and activities. Five full scholarships are available for METCO and/or Boston Exam School students.) Application Materials: a short essay response and a list of involvements, official transcripts, and recommendation(s).

Application Deadline: March 15, 2024, for Boston Exam School applicants. How to Apply: If interested, [apply here]. METCO and Exam School students should indicate their affiliation under the dropdown option on the application. Decision Timeline: Decisions are expected by the end of March. All scholarship recipients will be requested to write a thank you letter to the Boston Bridges Initiatives funder before the conclusion of the summer program at WPI.

John William Ward Fellowship applications are open! Due by January 31st by 4 PM. This is an 8-week paid Summer Fellowship, open to Juniors and Seniors!

docs.google.com/document/d/1NQ5pMM3jgyrsLEe9iBV0_uDJN_m6coJl8duxToTFKms/edit?usp=sharing

Are you looking for something fun and engaging to do over February break? Apply to the Global Citizens Challenge, a virtual event that will bring together students from dozens of countries worldwide in a virtual conference hosted in New York City. This program runs from Feb. 22-25 and is FREE. Apply by January 31. More info and application here.

www.yourbigyear.com/global-citizens-challenge

Please check your BPS email for the forms needed to choose your Modern Language for the next four years. You will find the link to a Google form to make your choice. Forms must be submitted by Friday, February 9. Please read the email carefully–there is additional information if you want to take a placement test to try to skip level 1 and start in level 2.

Go to the Modern Languages page on bls.org for resources to help you make your decision. If you have any questions, please contact Modern Languages Program Director Mrs. Kelley at ckelley2@bostonpublicschools.org, or stop by her office–room 256 across from 219.

Evacuation Day Essay Contest. Hundreds $$$ in prizes. More info here.

docs.google.com/document/d/1ruKEcdKBodKc6h4L_p_vd2p5Q9LoLhYFaIdl8X_rd4Q/edit?usp=sharing

The Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA) is excited to announce the relaunch of the Mayor’s Youth Summit! Youth ages 14-19 can register for this event by visiting content.boston.gov/human-services/mayors-youth-summit#tickets. The event will feature interactive activities, catered lunch and dinner, youth performances, special guest speakers Cousin Stizz and Mayor Michelle Wu, and a youth mixer to end the evening!

Attention, BLS students! Over the summer, the students mentioned below from the Timothy Smith Network participated in projects, learning about technology design for real-life situations involving food instability, health, and digital communication.

Now during the school year, they are building out the designs that they have created, but now need your input to improve upon their inventions. Please take about 5-7 minutes to fill out each survey by Friday, January 26. Your opinions are much appreciated and thank you for your time!

Justin :

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_yAwldXuZbM-rAiSNIZjEoeyDQn-fj99OwPbdzbxBTbTFOw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Christina:

docs.google.com/forms/d/1Md-wfuG8Dty8zxipV_Un8xTppBoUNxEwIxmX3wyJwT0/viewform?edit_requested=true

Carltz:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWtGTqIk1Tm_Iq_V5ERDH4khPFbzlYLrtPQEY043R5b3R5cw/viewform

Sawsane:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfw7UJ8anoP5V0gfvbAggesSTzeT1pTi_SUo6Fcy4uAAlqOeg/viewform

Chris:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFkDQk2xOLI5Xb2fUf4GiU0oT8kn0xkMVAA6GpMsRA3YjH5A/viewform

Kathrine:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyU6PBfEict-xixnmsJ6fgQnlIBUY44OPLvAAL0pTvsw0UOw/viewform

Justin :

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_yAwldXuZbM-rAiSNIZjEoeyDQn-fj99OwPbdzbxBTbTFOw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Please be advised that the testing dates per subject area for the termination of the Second Term are:

Math, History, and Art/Music: 1/19 and 1/24

Science and Modern Languages: 1/22 and 1/25

English, Classics, and PE/Health: 1/23 and 1/26 N.B. Wednesday, Jan 24th will NOT be a W Day due to testing.

Students should speak with their teachers if they have any questions.

Would you like to spend 9 days in Scotland this summer working and learning with globally-minded peers from around the world? Apply for the GCI Fellowship. Financial Aid is available. Application deadline January 30. More information here:

drive.google.com/file/d/1qfGHeCuas_nnPeliJR8eaJqjXmm0IG_i/view?usp=sharing

This is a big win in the first round of the state tournament. Captains Emily Yu and Michelle Chen are proud of the hard work the team did in preparation. Next week the team faces Latin Academy.

John William Ward Fellowship applications are open! Due by January 31st by 4 PM. This is an 8-week paid Summer Fellowship, open to Juniors and Seniors!

docs.google.com/document/d/1NQ5pMM3jgyrsLEe9iBV0_uDJN_m6coJl8duxToTFKms/edit?usp=sharing

Attention, BLS students! Over the summer, the students mentioned below from the Timothy Smith Network participated in projects, learning about technology design for real-life situations involving food instability, health, and digital communication.

Now during the school year, they are building out the designs that they have created, but now need your input to improve upon their inventions. Please take about 5-7 minutes to fill out each survey by Friday, January 26. Please see the links below . Your opinions are much appreciated and thank you for your time!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFkDQk2xOLI5Xb2fUf4GiU0oT8kn0xkMVAA6GpMsRA3YjH5A/viewform- Chris Maheras Matthews

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyU6PBfEict-xixnmsJ6fgQnlIBUY44OPLvAAL0pTvsw0UOw/viewform Kathrine Nguyen

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfw7UJ8anoP5V0gfvbAggesSTzeT1pTi_SUo6Fcy4uAAlqOeg/viewform- Sawsane Salhi

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWtGTqIk1Tm_Iq_V5ERDH4khPFbzlYLrtPQEY043R5b3R5cw/viewform- Carltz Constant

docs.google.com/forms/d/1Md-wfuG8Dty8zxipV_Un8xTppBoUNxEwIxmX3wyJwT0/viewform?edit_requested=true – Christina Dang

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_yAwldXuZbM-rAiSNIZjEoeyDQn-fj99OwPbdzbxBTbTFOw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0- Justin Bell

“A former cocaptain just won a Golden Globe, A Critics Choice Award, and an Emmy, you all need to do better.” – Mr. Joseph Gels Theatre Esquire III

Guys… We’ve been slacking. And we know it. Ayo Edebiri, a former Yellow Sub, just won several awards, and none of the current members have won even one! So we invited the entire awards academy to this week’s show, and we happen to have a seat or two left over. Make sure you claim those seats for yourself!

Friday, January 19th, at 3 pm and 7 pm in the Black Box!

Tickets for Ayo-Prov are $3 for students and $5 for adults!

Thanks to the dedication of our lunchtime Compost Champions and the commitment of the greater BLS student community, BLS has reduced food waste by the following measures:

(December 2023)

Per Week Average: 960 lbs

October 2023 Total: 2880 lbs

School Year ’23-’24 Total: 15060 lbs (and counting)

Deadlines are fast approaching! Open to all grades! Submissions are due THIS WEEK by the end of the day on Thurs., 1/18. 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 the GOOGLE FORM (link below). Tryouts will be held on Thursday, 1/25 in the auditorium between 2:30-4:00 pm. The third Public Declamation is scheduled for Thurs., 2/8 during R1/R2 and the audience will be Class III.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZdsmsUcGXQ9kYqqEx-v_LMqQMGNrbf8c7nubB1LvMDmh1jg/viewform

Hello students! The SEL tips of this week will continue to focus on promoting well-being and a positive mindset. Last week, we explored the concept of Self-Compassion, emphasizing the importance of being kind to yourself during tough times.

This week, we will shift our focus to Strengths Acknowledgment, which encourages you to embrace YOUR unique abilities and qualities. By recognizing and appreciating your strengths, you can boost your confidence and set the stage for success.

Take a moment each day to think about something you’re good at and how it can help you succeed. Be generous to yourself and avoid comparing yourself to others. Sharing your strengths with a friend or family member can also be a great way to reinforce the positive impact of recognizing strengths. Here are two examples of activities you can try this week:

1. Visualization Exercise: Close your eyes and visualize yourself achieving a personal or academic goal. Imagine how your strengths play a role in this success and how it feels to accomplish your goal.

2. Positive Self-Talk: Practice positive self-talk by acknowledging your strengths and abilities. When faced with a challenge, remind yourself of your capabilities and how your strengths can help you overcome obstacles. Remember, practicing self-compassion and acknowledging your strengths are essential components of your journey toward well-being and resilience.

Dear tech enthusiasts, coding wizards, and aspiring innovators,

Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey of creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology! We are thrilled to announce that signups for the most dynamic tech community in BLS, BLS Hack Club, are now OPEN!

BLS Hack, associated with the international Hack Club organization, is open to all students in Boston Latin School (BLS), aiming to create a diverse coding community by providing educational resources for learning to code and a platform for the global Hack Club association. BLS Hack offers a variety of opportunities ranging from hosting extraordinary hackathons (with a $500 Hack Club grant) that involve communities coming together to spend hours with like-minded individuals to create coding projects and grow to countless impressive digital projects and involving members in STEM and Technology internships that can help them stand out.

Join the email list for future updates on our custom website at bls.hackclub.com/join (no programming experience required!).

Additionally, there is a hackathon in Boston being hosted by our parent organization during February break!! RSVP HERE: wonderland.hackclub.com/

Student Council will host peer tutoring sessions after school on Tuesday 1/16 and Thursday 1/18. High school students are welcome on Tuesday, and middle school students are welcome on Thursday. Both sessions are 2:30-3:30 pm in the Dining Hall. Popcorn and Jolly Ranchers will be provided. Peer tutors will be available for many subjects, and a list will be posted before each session. Email questions to jlevesque@bostonpublicschools.org.

A Helping Tutor – Winter 2024 Tutoring

A Helping Tutor is an online tutoring service that strives to combat education inequality by providing free, flexible tutoring for disadvantaged elementary school students. They are currently looking for tutors for their winter session, which will take place from 01/08/2024 to 03/25/2024. Tutoring takes place over Zoom at least once a week, and tutors earn community service hours. Email ahelpingelbowtutoringgmail.com with questions and sign up at forms.gle/9HPUGgYp3qQxCL3cA .

Interested in traveling abroad this summer? Attend the CIEE Global Navigator information session and application workshop on Wednesday, January 17 during W in the library.

www.ciee.org/go-abroad/high-school-study-abroad/summer

Hello wonderful people! We are happy to announce Cookie Decorating Day on January 17, 2024. This is a fun event open to all– attendees will come to Room 225 at 3:00 pm to decorate sugar cookies with royal icing (best for cookie frosting!) and sprinkles. The experience includes a mini-course on how to use piping bags, music, food (of course), and good times :). Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Officers will be at the building’s front door until 3:00 on January 10,11,12, and 16. We will also be stationed in the lobby during lunch. You can pre-order using the following link (those who pre-order can pay $5 at the door) or come to any BLS Bakes officer to pick up a ticket! Sophia Kowalczyk (IV), Aliana Kowalczyk (III), Angelina Guzman Volpe (IV)

forms.gle/s6vwKgaCkJwei6Ri7

Hi please click the following links (or copy and paste them) to support our students who are working at the Timothy Smith Network- please note each survey takes 5-7 minutes and there are multiple surveys below!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_yAwldXuZbM-rAiSNIZjEoeyDQn-fj99OwPbdzbxBTbTFOw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

docs.google.com/forms/d/1Md-wfuG8Dty8zxipV_Un8xTppBoUNxEwIxmX3wyJwT0/viewform?edit_requested=true

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWtGTqIk1Tm_Iq_V5ERDH4khPFbzlYLrtPQEY043R5b3R5cw/viewform

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfw7UJ8anoP5V0gfvbAggesSTzeT1pTi_SUo6Fcy4uAAlqOeg/viewform

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyU6PBfEict-xixnmsJ6fgQnlIBUY44OPLvAAL0pTvsw0UOw/viewform

docs.google.com/forms/d/1RyZibfnal2pjptdlmL1R7bKVfJNCQIh3JekhZL2QdHc/edit?ts=65822f84&exids=71685779%2C71685773

Students will respond to the following question:

• If you could add an amendment to the Bill of Rights, what right would it protect and why?

A judging committee comprised of federal judges and FBA board members will decide on the top three essays submitted. First, second, and third-place winners will receive a cash prize, as will students with honorable mentions. Finalists will have their essays published on the Court’s website and in both the Massachusetts FBA and Discovering Justice newsletter. The deadline for submissions is January 31st, 2024

• FIRST PLACE: $500
• SECOND PLACE: $300
• THIRD PLACE: $200
• HONORABLE MENTIONS ALSO AWARDED!

More information about guidelines and submission can be found here.

drive.google.com/file/d/1EE-B8lW9uI_0rOmfqnQ0vYYXgAb_woUe/view?usp=sharing

Do you have a great idea for how to make Boston better? Since 2014, Youth Lead the Change has given young people in Boston power over one million dollars of the city’s budget! From basketball courts to art walls to free wifi, this money has improved Boston in various ways, big and small. The best part is that you get to submit your ideas and vote for the finalists. If you live in Boston and are between the ages of 12 and 22, you are eligible to participate. Submitting an idea is quick and easy. Use the form on our website to share your vision.

forms.monday.com/forms/d009ec9ab08808af6367578456be64ff?r=use1; www.boston.gov/departments/youth-engagement-and-advancement/youth-lead-change

Salvete Omnes!

JCL is collecting pet items during January. If you have any unused pet food, toys, leashes, treats, beds, etc., please consider donating them to the boxes by the main office or outside of room 225 (Ms. Moguel’s room)!

All donations will be delivered to the Animal Rescue League of Boston at the end of the month. Check out the ARL’s wish list for more specific item information.

www.arlboston.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Boston-Wishlist-web.pdf

The library will be closed R1-R4 on Friday, 1/12 to host MLK day activities. No study hall sign-up or printing during these periods. We will reopen for R5-R7 and after school. See you then!

Thank you to all the BLS students who participated in Wednesday’s POL Competition. You each helped to make the event a fun nod to poetry and a memorable one.

Now, it is my pleasure to announce the winner and runner-up of the 2024 BLS Poetry Out Loud Competition:

WINNER: Ailin Sha (Class II)

Runner Up: Ruth Gelaye (Class III)

Congratulations, Ailin!!! Ailin will advance to the regional finals.

Looking to work in public health? Consider working at Boston Public Schools Office of Health and Wellness. See the link below for more information. Apply within the PIC office with Ms.Laverty

docs.google.com/document/d/1kJYY4Cugcd-uj3I1lugdZbxNS_bRI0FpZc9wvBft0Sg/edit?usp=sharing

If you are part of a Boston Latin School club and would like your club’s picture in the yearbook, please email a clear photo of the club’s officers and seniors to mstiven@bostonpubicschools.org.

The cost of a club photo in the yearbook is $60. We are accepting cash, checks, and Venmo. Please make your check payable to Boston Latin School and bring it to Ms. Stiven in room 014. Please reach out if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. The deadline to submit both the photo and payment is Friday, February 16, 2024.

Thank you for your cooperation!

The Youth for Education Equality Club will be selling freshly made Congolese-style waffles (galettes) and other baked goods this Friday in the dining hall after school. Each waffle will be $1 and all proceeds will go towards humanitarian aid for the displaced people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Free Congo!

Roses are red, violets are blue, and we recycle passion into flowers just for you! Join BLS Recycling in celebrating a sustainable Valentine’s Day <3! We are selling paper flowers and crochet lavenders, which will all be handcrafted and available to purchase through this link: forms.gle/csnPbmwApQjiZqYE7. If you have any questions, please check out the FAQ doc linked on the Google form and email us with additional inquiries.

forms.gle/csnPbmwApQjiZqYE

BU’s Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience is starting a local chapter of the International Brain Bee competition – a competition centered around the brain at BU!

The International Brain Bee promotes student engagement with neuroscience through a three-tiered competition: students start by signing up for a Local Brain Bee (like BU’s chapter), the winners of which compete in their country’s National Brain Bee. Every year, National Brain Bees sends one representative to compete at the IBB World Championship.

The competition is open to all students and more information can be found at the following link: drive.google.com/file/d/1944M_ghEng8RooWN1lsUlOvFQNx4hU8C/view?usp=sharing

BLS has been asked to select one student ambassador to attend the Massachusetts Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar. BLS will pay for the cost of attendance for our selected ambassador. The MA HOBY seminar provides an opportunity for sophomores in high school to develop leadership skills through a dynamic leadership program with keynote speakers and service-driven activities. The 2024 MA HOBY Seminar will be held on Friday, June 7th, through Sunday, June 9th, 2023 at Bentley University in Waltham, MA. Any 10th grader who is interested should email Ms. Encarnacao at aencarnacao@bostonpublicschools.org by Friday, January 12th, 2024 by 8:00 pm. In your email please include a 200-word description of why you would like to represent BLS at the seminar and what you hope to gain from the experience. For more information about the seminar go to: www.hoby.org/ or check out this video about HOBY vimeo.com/756532321.

We are excited to announce that BLS B.L.A.C.K. Teach-Ins are back this school year! To kick off Black History Month, the Teach-Ins will take place on Thursday, February 1, 2024. Our theme for this year’s teach-in is “Uplift Black Voices”. This is because a lot of Black stories and voices in the diaspora are often hidden and untold. Educating people about these different stories is of the utmost importance. This year we want to uplift the Black Voices in art, music, poetry, education, science, history, and more.

A teach-in is similar to a general educational forum on any complicated issue, usually involving current political affairs. The main difference between a teach-in and a seminar is the refusal to limit the discussion to a specific time frame or a strict academic scope. Teach-ins are meant to be practical, participatory, and oriented toward action.

We invite you to sign up to lead a 40-minute workshop/session for our teach-in and educate your peers on a topic you are passionate about, using the Google forms linked below. forms.gle/UHHeTD13tbFS4JUn9

Past topics have included “What is affirmative action?”, “Black Lives Matter or All Lives Matter”, and “Colorism and Featurism in Black Communities”. The deadline to complete the Google form is Tuesday, January 16, 2024. If you are interested in leading a workshop/session, please sign up. Both students and teachers are welcome to sign up to lead. If you have any questions or concerns, please email blackatbls@gmail.com.

• Yours in Change and Knowledge,
• BLS B.L.A.C.K.
• Black Leaders Aspiring for Change and Knowledge.

Are you interested in something sweet, savory, or both? The senior class is having a popcorn fundraiser that will end Thursday at 11:59 pm with Doublegood. There are many flavors and packages to choose from! 50% of all proceeds will go to the senior class! Please, click Ms. Sarkis’s link below to see the pop-up store and place your order. You can also order from the other pop-up stores created by the seniors themselves on the leaderboard! Make sure to click “Shop to support” and then “All flavors” to ensure you see the indicated variety of popcorn! Thank you so much!

popup.doublegood.com/s/x66g09uw

Hello students! The SEL tips of January will be about Self-Compassion and Resilience Building. This week, we will think about Self-Compassion, which focuses on being kind to yourself during tough times. By treating yourself with kindness and understanding, you can build resilience and cope more effectively with life’s challenges. Take a few minutes each day to do something that makes you feel calm and comfortable. Here are two examples:

1. Guided Imagery: Listen to or create a guided imagery script (search guided imagery on YouTube) that takes you on a mental journey to a peaceful place. Visualizing calming scenes can help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm.

2. Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Tense and relax different muscle groups in the body to release tension and promote relaxation. Try tensing your shoulders for 10 seconds and relax. Then do the same with different muscles. It takes less than a minute to relax your muscles when you feel stressed. This technique can help you become more aware of your body’s response to stress and learn to relax their muscles.

Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center is accepting applications for the CURE Summer Only Program until February 2nd, 2024. CURE is a paid summer program that allows students to conduct cancer research and receive mentorship in labs at institutions like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Successful applicants are students who are underrepresented in the sciences and interested in pursuing careers in biomedical science, biotechnology, computer science, life science, data science, health careers, or scientific research.

cure.dfhcc.harvard.edu/welcome/cure

Save yourself a trip to the tech office!

If your Chromebook is having trouble charging or turning on, plug it into power (if available), hold the REFRESH key (top row, fourth from the left, looks like a circular arrow), and tap the POWER button. This performs a power reset and in almost all cases helps “dead” Chromebooks come back to life.

As always, if you’re experiencing any Chromebook issues, please come see us in the tech area of the library.

Applications are now available for the John William Ward Public Service Fellowship (wardfellowship.org) and the Deitch Leadership Summer Fellowship (deitchleadership.org/fellowship). To learn more, joint information sessions will occur on Wednesday, Jan 10 (W-Block), Wednesday, Jan 17 (2:30 pm), and Monday, Jan 22 (2:30 pm), all in the Library Electronic Classroom. Applications are due January 29 for Deitch and January 31 for . If attending the Jan 10 W-Block session, please sign up in THIS form for attendance purposes. Email questions to

jlevesque@bostonpublicschools.org (Deitch) and erin.laverty@bostonpic.org (Ward).

forms.gle/QYg8wmYCBtaNv1eQA

The School Counseling Department plans to engage Class III students in a career interest workshop next Wednesday, January 10 during W block over Zoom. Students should remain in their homerooms to log on to this program. Please be sure that you have a charged Chromebook and headphones in W block on that day to participate.

We will get you thinking about possible career paths and resources you can take advantage of to explore these including summer employment, community service, and course selections. You will take a Career Interest Inventory on Naviance and have the results of this inventory for future exploration. We will also reintroduce you to Naviance, a resource you will use throughout the college exploration and application process. Please keep an eye out for an email that includes a Zoom link. You’ll be asked to log on after attendance is taken in homeroom on that day. We look forward to engaging you in this workshop!

BLS Chess Tournament on Wednesday, January 10 (all classes)

BLS Chess Club is back and ready to kick off the new year with a bang! We will be hosting our first tournament of the year on January 10th in the Seevak Room after school at 2:30 pm. It is completely free, just sign up on the attached Google form and join us for a fun afternoon of chess! We hope that this tournament goes well so we can have many more!

forms.gle/WMvoXeMy41Fa7uVRA

Juniors and seniors with the minimum GPA requirement (3.7, 3.3 respectively) and with no major disciplinary infractions for the current or previous academic year have been invited to apply for membership in the National Honor Society. All such students should have received a Google Classroom invite; be sure to read the information provided there carefully and follow the instructions for completing and submitting the application. The due date for applications is Thurs. 1/11/24 by 3 PM. Questions? Email Mr. Finnigan (pfinnigan2@bostonpublicschools.org) or drop by the junior hallway/office 169B (across from room 135) before school.

The Keefe Library will be closed after school on Tues. 1/9 for staff meetings. We are closed on the second Tuesday of every month for regular staff professional development.

7th and 8th graders: Interested in myth and ever be like “Yo I don’t want to fight Cerberus?” Sign up to take the PEGASUS Myth exam by filling out the form. When: Wednesday, March 6th in the dining hall. Cost: $5.50 to Ms. Foley in 237.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevDS0m5oDkAjBExqBX7REDoCLU24X73KyEXVKkuumSXR5wow/viewform

9th-12th graders: Interested in myth and want to test your skills about the underworld? Sign up to take the MEDUSA Myth exam by filling out the form. When: Wednesday, March 27th in the dining hall. Cost: $5.50 to Ms. Foley in 237.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevDS0m5oDkAjBExqBX7REDoCLU24X73KyEXVKkuumSXR5wow/viewform?usp=sf_link

Looking for something to do? BLS is hosting its very own Speech and Debate Tournament at Boston Latin School on Saturday, January 20th. As a volunteer, you’ll be an integral part of the event, contributing to its smooth operation, from assisting with registrations and concessions to working the auditorium and presenting awards. Volunteering Hours will be given and catered food will be available throughout the day for all volunteers and staff. If interested, please sign up here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1i-_TEfCxP8t8_2rDvNNTLNK62SoVNuqWh2zx8atbTbg/edit#gid=0

Congratulations to the winners of the second Public Declamation:

• First Place – Oriana Dunker (II)
• Second Place – Creighton Banitt (I)
• Third Place – Tiaraoluwa Adesoro (I); Ofira Lam (I); Ailin Sha (II)

Students and staff who may not have received a printed copy of the latest issue of Veracium may read it here.  If you are interested in joining BLS V.O.T.E. or writing for Veracium, please sign up here.

Please contact Albert Chen (achen42@bostonk12.org) with any questions.

Learn more about the Global Citizens Initiative (GCI) Summer Fellowship by attending an online seminar this Saturday. You could spend 10 days in Scotland this summer with like-minded global students from around the world.

us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_itGpZC–QDeM_W42TOMsCA#/registration

BLS Vietnamese Student Society presents our annual Tet Festival 2024! Tet Festival is a student-led event that we have hosted for more than 10 years at BLS to celebrate the Lunar New Year and long-standing Vietnamese traditions. Our festival includes a variety of games (with prizes!), student body performances, and food for all to enjoy! The festival will be held on Friday, February 16th, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

We are hosting auditions for any students who would like to show off their amazing talents during the event! If you are interested in performing or MC’ing, please take the time to fill out this form, which will close on Sunday, January 7th, at 11:59 PM. Auditions will be held on January 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th from 2:30-5:00 PM. Please don’t hesitate to email blsvss@gmail.com if you have any questions. We hope to see all your beautiful faces at the auditions!

bit.ly/TF2024Auditions

9th-12th graders: Interested in myth and ever be like “Yo I don’t want to fight Cerberus? Sign up to take the PEGASUS Myth exam by filling out the form. When: Wednesday, March 6th in the dining hall. Cost: $5.50 to Ms. Foley in 237.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevDS0m5oDkAjBExqBX7REDoCLU24X73KyEXVKkuumSXR5wow/viewform?usp=sf_link

Winter is the most difficult time of year for our vulnerable unhoused neighbors living at Mass and Cass. They spend much time outdoors and are at great risk to the elements. You can help keep people safe and warm this winter through our Warm Hands Warm Hearts Winter Apparel Drive. By participating in Warm Hands Warm Hearts, you’ll not only help keep our community’s vulnerable neighbors warm and safe this winter, but you will also help them maintain their dignity and comfort during this most difficult time of year.

To participate, donate at least one NEW winter hat, scarf, pair of gloves/mittens, or pair of socks. Warm winter coats and sweaters in gently used condition are also most welcome.

Bringing in a donation will count as 1 community service hour (confirmed with Mr. Kennelley). Please drop all donations this week (12/18-12/21) or the week back from break (1/3-1/5) at the nearest collection box:

1st floor: 101

2nd floor: 216

3rd floor: 307

4th floor: 027