The Baker Center for Children & Families is looking for a student who can assist with analyzing their 2024 MCAS data. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who can use Excel, has a statistical background, and is interested in data analysis. Community service hours will be awarded.

If you would like more information, please contact Ms. Anastasia Karasoulos-Vekiarides at avekiarides@bakercenter.org. Interested candidates should forward a letter of interest, two references, a high school transcript, and a resume to this email address.

Do you enjoy ice skating? Looking for a place to volunteer? The Friends of the Kelly Rink is looking for volunteer teaching assistants for Saturday morning lessons (11 am-1 pm, January-February 2025). This is a great opportunity for community service hours, or just to have fun! If you are a comfortable skater and interested in helping others learn to skate, we would love to have you. Please reach out to friendsofkellyrink@gmail.com to learn more.

The Learn to Skate program at the Kelly Rink is a great opportunity for kids to learn to ice skate at the DCR Kelly Rink (behind the Stonybrook T stop). This program is run by the Friends of the Kelly Rink, a local non-profit dedicated to providing affordable, accessible, community-based ice skating in Jamaica Plain & Roxbury, in collaboration with the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation.

friendsofthekellyrink.org

Open to all grades! Tryouts will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3 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 by Tuesday, Nov. 28th at 11:59 pm. If you make it into Public Declamation, the assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 17th R1-R2, and the audience will be Class V.

forms.gle/XX3UrhncxQztXtiG8

Please note that the lunch schedule will rotate on the day we return from Thanksgiving break. Effective December 2 through March 14, the schedule will be:

• First Lunch: Classics, History, Arts, and Music
• Second Lunch: English, Math
• Third Lunch: Humanities, Modern Languages, Science, Senior Seminar

Tickets for the 137th Latin/English Classic are now available exclusively following the GO FAN link here. Adults $10, Students $5.

Come out to Harvard Stadium on Thanksgiving morning (10 am kickoff) to support the Wolfpack as we go for win #85 in this historic rivalry!

gofan.co/event/2203824?schoolId=MA86961

Registration is still open for winter sports (Basketball, Hockey, Indoor Track, Fencing, Girls Swimming, Wrestling, Winter Cheer). ALL candidates must now register via ASPEN.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Director of Athletics Jack Owens (jowens2@bostonpublicschools.org) or Athletic Trainer Courtney Leahy (cleahy@bostonpublicschools.org).

For Fencing and Winter Cheer, please leave the sports field blank and proceed with the rest of the process.

Tryouts will begin on Monday, December 2.

This vacation/holiday season remember to embrace with an open mind and heart the customs and values of others. While honoring your own traditions, take the opportunity to learn about others’ beliefs- either their choice not to celebrate or to celebrate by participating in American traditions. Curiosity and respect create meaningful connections, showing that kindness and understanding are traditions we all can share.

Wednesday, November 27th is Rally Day and an early dismissal. We will follow the early dismissal schedule from the end of last school year:

• R1: 7:55-9:00 am Students in Class III-IV at the Rally
• R2: 9:05-10:10 am Students in Class V-VI at the Rally
• R3: 10:15-11:20 am Students in Class I-II at the Rally

Students should only attend their assigned rallies. Dismissal will begin at 11:20 am. All students must leave the building by 11:45. There are no after-school activities. We appreciate everyone’s assistance on this busy day and hope you and your families have a restful break and a Happy Thanksgiving. Go Wolfpack!!

7-7:45 am

Please fill out a PIC intake form if you are thinking about applying for a summer job! Application season is quickly approaching!

The Yearbook committee is looking for talented artists to fill our Class of 2025 Yearbook with your amazing artwork! If you are interested in creating a divider for the Yearbook, please email Mx. Amico at damico@bostonpublicschools.org by Wednesday, November 27th (right before break!.) Please see the link attached for some examples from years past.

drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dodYf-ooc5J741CmgAl5ItJ-g-AIVr9D?usp=drive_link

Coolidge Corner Theater 11/24 @ 11 am Mona and her Kurdish family have fled their home in Syria and ended up in Germany in search of a better life, but Mona is having a hard time fitting in. She’s still learning German and misses her hometown and playing soccer with her friends. Chaos is the order of the day at her new school, where most of the teachers are worn to a frazzle and the students are just as frustrated with their teachers. When Mr. Che, the coach of the girls’ soccer team, sees Mona’s soccer skills, he puts her on the team. Although they are training for an upcoming tournament for all of Berlin’s schools, the team is anything but harmonious. Mona is singled out and blamed for the team’s troubles. With the tournament quickly approaching, they realize that if they want to win, they must stop fighting, treat each other as equals, and learn the true meaning of teamwork.

The annual Powderpuff football game between Class I and Class II will be on Monday, Nov. 25, at 3 pm @ Clemente.

T-Shirts for those who purchased one will be available for pickup during Homeroom on Monday.

Mr.Levesque and I will be starting the Sophomore resume lab this week. As a reminder, this is required. We will be sending out an email to the Sophomore class with a variety of dates and times to attend. Stay tuned for the email and reach out with any questions to either myself or Mr.Levesque!

Do you enjoy ice skating? Looking for a place to volunteer? The Friends of the Kelly Rink is looking for volunteer teaching assistants for Saturday morning lessons (11 am-1 pm, January-February 2025). This is a great opportunity for community service hours, or just to have fun! If you are a comfortable skater and interested in helping others learn to skate, we would love to have you. Please reach out to friendsofkellyrink@gmail.com to learn more.

The Learn to Skate program at the Kelly Rink is a great opportunity for kids to learn to ice skate at the DCR Kelly Rink (behind the Stonybrook T stop). This program is run by the Friends of the Kelly Rink, a local non-profit dedicated to providing affordable, accessible, community-based ice skating in Jamaica Plain & Roxbury, in collaboration with the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation.   friendsofthekellyrink.org/

Have you always wanted to be a part of Pep Rally? Do you have spider-like reflexes? Or a competitive spirit? Well, then you should enter the raffle to be a player in the pep rally musical chairs tournament! $1 = 1 Entry into the raffle to earn a spot, we will be selecting 5 people per grade. You can purchase as many entries as you want to boost your chances.

Winners on rally day will get a special prize! You can enter the raffle during lunch on Monday 11/18 through Friday 11/22 in the lobby. Good luck!

Spirit Week is upon us! Our annual pep rally is right around the corner. As we approach the rally, please participate in Spirit Week. Spirit week:

Thursday (11/21) – Staff/Student Swap (Teachers dress like a student and vice versa)

Friday (11/22) – Boston Spirit Day (wear your favorite Boston sports gear)

Monday (11/25) – Pajama Day

Tuesday (11/26) – Color Clash Class

• Class I – Red Class
• Class II – Orange Class
• Class III – Yellow Class
• Class IV – Green Class
• Class V – Pink Class
• Class VI- Grey Faculty – Rainbow or join the Class that you teach

Wednesday 11/27 – School Colors! Join your class and wear the following colors:

• Class I & Class VI – Black Class
• Class II & Class IV – White Class
• Class III & Class V – Purple

Kindness and gratitude create a positive cycle that benefits both the giver and the receiver. When we show kindness, we often inspire gratitude in others, and when we express gratitude, it motivates us to be kinder. Both practices nurture emotional well-being and build stronger relationships. Remember, if you don’t have something nice or constructive to say, and no one has asked for your opinion, it’s better to remain silent.

Choosing kindness in our words and actions helps create a more compassionate and understanding world.

A heartfelt thanks to the faculty and students who made this year’s Student Council Dodgeball game the biggest in history. Over 100 students attended; 80 students played; and over $300 was raised for Boston Health Care for the Homeless. The winning team included Jadon Berkson, Aiden McCue, Yakub Fiin, Max Haskell, Teagen Scarpa, Will White, Max Mendoza, Brennan Berkson, Owen Evans, and Joel Gil Alvarado.

See you in the spring for Faculty/Student Basketball.

WHAT IS THE FILM ABOUT ?: Mona and her Kurdish family have fled their home in Syria and ended up in Germany in search of a better life, but Mona is having a hard time fitting in. She’s still learning German and misses her hometown and playing soccer with her friends. Chaos is the order of the day at her new school, where most of the teachers are worn to a frazzle and the students are just as frustrated with their teachers. When Mr. Che, the coach of the girls’ soccer team, sees Mona’s soccer skills, he puts her on the team. Although they are training for an upcoming tournament for all of Berlin’s schools, the team is anything but harmonious. Mona is singled out and blamed for the team’s troubles. With the tournament quickly approaching, they realize that if they want to win, they must stop fighting, treat each other as equals, and learn the true meaning of teamwork.

Soleen Yusef’s second feature is an inspirational, fast-paced coming-of-age film with a fresh, young perspective on the importance of family, friendship, and belonging. Soleen Yusef was born in Duhok in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in 1987. At the age of nine, she and her family fled to Berlin due to the political tensions in her home country. Originally trained as a singer and an actress, in 2008 she began studying fiction directing at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. Her third-year film Trattoria premiered at the 2012 Berlinale. Since making her debut feature film Haus ohne Dach (2016), for which she won awards including the First Steps Award, she has been working on international productions for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.

Tickets: coolidge.org/films/winners

Would you like to see Mr. Finnigan, Mx. Foulis, Mr. Fogel, Mr. Oakes, Ms. Moguel, or Ms. Kelly, get pied in the face at Pep Rally? Then gather your spare change, and add to your teacher of choice’s coin jar! Coin Wars is a classic BLS fundraiser where students get to donate to decide which teachers get pied during each pep rally. Any coins donated will be counted as a positive value, and the teacher with the highest value will be pied. Dollar bills donated count as a negative value, and help keep your teachers safe by subtracting from their total. You can donate during your lunch every day from Monday 11/18 until Friday 11/22. Also, donations aren’t limited by grade, you can give money to any teacher on the list! One of the Senior Class Officers will be pied as well, so don’t forget to donate to which one you want to see. Videos of the pieing will be posted to the senior class Instagram so if you miss the rally, you won’t miss the action.

FOtA is now accepting entries for artwork for the cover of the 2024 Winter Concerts Program. The contest is open to all BLS students, and the artwork should reference BLS/Winter/Music. Remember that BLS is a melting pot of cultures, so the artwork should have universal appeal. There are 3 prizes: one $100 first prize and two $50 runner-up prizes. The winning entry will be showcased as the program cover, and runner-up artwork will be featured within the program. Submission deadline is Wednesday, November 27th, at 6 p.m.

Please note that the program cover will be printed in color and the printable area is 5” w by 8” h. Text will be added to the cover as well, so please keep that in mind.

You can see an example of previous cover winners here. Art should be created and/or scanned at a resolution of 300dpi and submitted to Vali Tamm at sprezzaturaVT@gmail.com: please include your graduation year and HR number in your email.

acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A69a1efdc-a13a-40a4-8dee-3ec290eb02b2&viewer%21megaVerb=group-discover

The Register, our school’s award-winning student art magazine, is seeking submissions for the winter issue. Submit your photography, artwork, poetry, and flash fiction by 11/26 via the portal on SIS.

Libertas Debate Academy is opening a new program for students of all ages trying to learn about Public Speaking and Debate. Grades 5 – 8 are optimal, but older students with no background in debate are welcome. It’s a 10-week-long class with the option of starting in December or January.

Program instruction is designed by Harvard, Stanford, and University of Pennsylvania students who have won national debate champion titles. We’ll introduce your student to public speaking, confidence, and rhetoric which have all been associated with higher test scores and better college placement. Sign up now!

Register and learn more here: www.libertasdebate.com/winter-classes

Interested in learning more about International Travel at BLS? Attend the BLS Global Traveler Panel on Wednesday during W in the library. Students from CIEE, GCI, and BLS trips will talk about their global travel and learning experiences. See Mr. Kennelly if you need a pass.

Mark your calendars and your agendas because A.S.I.A.’s annual Holiday Sing-Off event is coming up on Friday, December 20th!

Sing-Off is one of our biggest events of the year, where students can perform in front of an audience and our faculty and alumni judges for the chance to win a selection of prizes! It’s a great way to celebrate the end of the year before winter break and embrace that holiday spirit!

If you’re interested in showing off your incredible vocals to all your peers or want to audition as an MC, sign up here (forms.gle/m24pHCQKFx1jKeMQA) or at (bit.ly/HSO24auditions)! Please note that applications close Tuesday, November 19th at 2:15 p.m. No late applications will be accepted.

Need community service hours? Novasta is running a food drive to support the Thanksgiving community meal at the First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain. We are looking for non-perishable food that can be prepared into meals for the event or put into care packages for people to take home.

Donate to the donation box near the front office! Each donation will receive an hour of service. You can also volunteer with us at the community meal on Thanksgiving for additional hours.

For more details, email us at novastagreaterboston@gmail.com, asun3@bostonk12.org, shennessy@bostonk12.org

BLS B.L.A.C.K. (Black Leaders Aspiring for Change and Knowledge) and BLS T.A.G.(Talented and Gifted Latino) are hosting our 4th annual Friendsgiving celebration on Tuesday, November 26 at 2:45 PM in the senior section of the dining hall. Friendsgiving is a blend of the words “friend” and “Thanksgiving” and it refers to a large meal eaten with friends on or around Thanksgiving. This year’s theme is “Color Bash” where everything from the food to the food containers is centered around 7 colors.

To connect with the larger BLS community, we are inviting all students, faculty, and staff to join us to celebrate with games, fellowship, and traditional dishes from the African/African American and Latinx communities such as baked macaroni and cheese (yellow), seasoned collard greens (green), southern style cornbread (brown), black beans or black rice (black), empanadas (brown), and a variety of desserts including tres leches (white), flan (yellow), and sweet potato pie (orange). If you would like to attend and bring your favorite family dish to share, please complete this form. If you are unable to cook but still want to attend, feel free to sign up to bring cups, plates, utensils, a beverage, ice, or just yourself. Below is how colors will be assigned with examples of items to bring:

• Class I – RED (Ex. red velvet cake, salsa/chips, cranberries, RED packaged meat, side, beverage or snack)
• Class II – ORANGE (Ex. sweet potato pie, carrot cake, butternut squash, ORANGE packaged meat, side, beverage, or snack)
• Class III – YELLOW (Ex. corn on the cob, mac and cheese, banana pudding, YELLOW packaged meat, side, beverage, or snack)
• Class IV – GREEN (Ex. collard greens, green bean casserole, guacamole/chips, GREEN packaged meat, side, beverage, or snack
• Class V – BLUE (Ex. blueberry muffins, Cool Ranch Doritos, Blue Bell ice cream, BLUE packaged meat, side, beverage or snack)
• Class VI – BROWN (Ex. cornbread, chili, turkey, BROWN packaged meat, side, beverage, or snack
• Officers/Faculty/Staff – BLACK (Ex. black beans, black rice, blackened chicken, BLACK packaged meat, side, beverage or snack)

NOTE: You do not have to bring anything to attend. ALL ARE WELCOME and should complete this form regardless. But if you plan to attend, still wear the color that matches your grade or role at BLS. This is a potluck event. If you plan to bring a dish, the preferred serving size should be for 10-15 people.

If you have questions, please reach out to blackatbls@gmail.com OR tagbls@gmail.com.

forms.gle/JC4aVm9MfiLr84XQA

Celebrate BLS International Education Week by joining Wolfpack Volunteers for the Global Day of Service on Wednesday, November 20, during W in the dining hall. Students will create encouraging messages to support students’ mental well-being. Notes (alongside other small goodies) will be placed into a communal Gachapon machine for student use. Sign up here to get a pass to participate and receive one hour of community service.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoGLdk3YXka5R1-fQYZXLivX6leCzZJ_ETQ2V6wts-GxrsrA/viewform?usp=sf_link

The Keefe Library will be closed after school on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, for professional development.

Open to all grades! Tryouts will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3 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 by Tuesday, Nov. 28th at 11:59 pm. If you make it into Public Declamation, the assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 17th R1-R2, and the audience will be Class V.

forms.gle/XX3UrhncxQztXtiG8

On Thursday, November 21 from 2:30-3:30 in room 307 the Topol Fellows and Amnesty International will be hosting Professor Amy Van Zyl-Chavarro who will discuss International Human Rights Law and American Foreign Policy. She is a visiting researcher at Harvard Law School, where she is researching the idea of a human right to the environment. For several years, she taught International Human Rights courses at Suffolk University Law School and later at Roger Williams University School of Law. Since 2012 she has partnered with the Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples Clinic at Suffolk Law School on research and advocacy projects. Snacks will be provided!

Please sign up here to attend as space is limited.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjE800OUiQAmF4m0qbJbeuukNtLzkhTe5JHEVAWNRPlkWj5Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

Please note that the library will be closed after school on Tuesday, 11/19 for staff professional development.

Students will not be able to come to the library for after school.

The Harvard Undergraduate Research Journal (THURJ)announces an upcoming research competition, designed for any high school student passionate about academic research! This competition offers a unique opportunity to showcase your novel research and receive mentorship from experienced Harvard undergraduate researchers. We aim to provide a platform for encouraging and empowering youth researchers, including those from communities underrepresented in research, to pursue their curiosities and make positive contributions to their communities.

bit.ly/thurjcompinfo – For detailed information and competition rules

bit.ly/thurjcompformf24 – To access the registration form

bit.ly/thurjcompflyer24 – Link to the flyer

thurj.org/hs-research– To view previous year’s submissions and contest winners

The research registration deadline will be November 18th at 11:59 p.m. PST!!

As Science Olympiad tournaments start up again, the BLS Science Team is looking for more members to join our B Team (Grades 7-9) for the upcoming Brown University Science Olympiad Tournament!

This tournament is a great opportunity to participate in a fun competition while also expanding and testing your science knowledge! The B Team competition will be held on Saturday, December 7th (12/7) in person at Brown University. We encourage you to sign up, regardless of experience or previous knowledge!

If you’re interested in signing up for this tournament, please fill out this commitment form (forms.gle/UzrRCzh8Ecv2ntiH7).

We hold meetings every Wednesday at 2:30 PM in Room 334. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 13th (11/13). Feel free to stop by or email us with any questions!

forms.gle/UzrRCzh8Ecv2ntiH7

Are you interested in international travel or studying abroad? Attend the BLS Global Partners Fair and International Food Festival Monday Nov. 18 after school in the dining hall. Meet with representatives from 15+ organizations and enjoy global cuisine as you learn about exciting travel and learning opportunities.

Want to learn more about professionals in their field?

THIS FRIDAY, in Room 134 @ 3:30 PM, two representatives from the Northeastern University Marketing Department will be joining us through a Zoom meeting. You can also join from the Zoom link that will be provided as well

They will be sharing their knowledge about their marketing projects, insights, and experience in related fields with the BLS Community.

This is an awesome opportunity to gain your knowledge in the marketing and business world. And we will be offering 3 community service hours for attendance and an exit ticket!

Please join us for our biggest event thus far! Sign the interest form below if you are interested. We will send you the Zoom link through this form: forms.gle/CM3zVKsifbpnHBwR7

Congratulations to all the BLS teams who competed at the Yale National Invitational Certamen Tournament! All of our teams did well against a loaded field of competitors, and a few even finished top overall at their level:

2nd Place – Intermediate A (Michael Bui, Harry Dinh, Ellie Fung, Meilin Sha, Brian Xu)

4th Place – Advanced A (Brynn Bennett, Audrey Kollett, Joseph Hemr, Andrew Yu)

Congratulations to BLS Model UN for their performance at the Catholic Memorial’s conference this past weekend. All delegates did an amazing job, but special accolades go out to the following individuals for winning awards in their committees:

Best Delegate: Roan Wilcox, Zubair Hasan, Luca Fragasso

Outstanding Delegate: Ariel Mura

Honorable Mention: Sebastian Inezian, Alex Jaffe, Larry Nguyen, Bridget Sullivan, Alexis Kiley

People’s Choice: Roan Wilcox

Model UN meets on Mondays at 2:30 in room 207

Practicing gratitude can have powerful benefits for mental health. By focusing on the positive aspects of our lives, gratitude can shift our mindset, reduce stress, and improve mood. Research shows that regularly acknowledging things we’re thankful for can enhance well-being, increase resilience, and possibly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Just a few minutes a day spent in gratitude can make a meaningful impact on mental wellness. Ways to practice gratitude:

1) Gratitude Journal: Dedicate a notebook or journal to writing down daily things you’re thankful for. Aim for 3-5 items, big or small, to help shift focus toward the positives in your life.

2) Gratitude Apps: Apps like Grateful or Presently provide easy prompts and daily reminders.

3) Daily Gratitude Jar: Write down something you’re grateful for each day on a slip of paper and place it in a jar. At the end of each month (or year), read through to reflect on positive moments.

4) Guided Meditation: Apps like Calm or Headspace offer gratitude meditations that help you appreciate the present moment, relationships, or life experiences.

5) Thank You Notes: Practicing gratitude through written notes to others can strengthen connections.

6) Mindful Gratitude Walks: While walking, take note of things around you that bring a sense of joy or appreciation, like nature or a kind gesture. This mindful practice builds gratitude and presence simultaneously.

The annual Faculty vs Student Dodgeball Game, hosted by the Student Council, will happen this Friday, Nov 15 after school, 2:30-3:30, in the Upper Gym. Tickets are available to purchase outside the Dining Hall during lunch on Thursday and Friday. Faculty who are playing also have tickets in hand to sell – Mr. Fearon, Mr. Fogel, Ms. Orellana, Mr. Osowiecki, Mr. Boor, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Etienne, and HOS Mr. Gallagher. All proceeds will be donated to a local charity. Prices are $3 before and $5 at the door.

Attention Grades 9-12! Join us for the BLS Fall Dance on Friday, November 22nd, from 6 to 9 PM!

Enjoy a night of music with a live DJ and snack foods. Dress to impress—no athletic wear, but sneakers are welcome!

$15 Tickets can be purchased in the Main Lobby after school or during lunch and through the Fall Dance Ticket.

Google Form!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScm7YvRiWSat-81iNqkuyh9DUvpuZaCdQ2gpAieLozjB4QCcw/viewform?usp=sf_link

BLS Varsity Letter Jackets are available for purchase through the School Store website. If you order one, please give your Varsity Letter to Coach Owens to put on the jacket. Please follow this link and the instructions to purchase

www.bls.org/apps/s/?s=3168

This holiday season is all about giving and through the non-profit organization, Catie’s Closet, we can do so! Beginning on November 6, Catie’s Closet will be hosting a drive to collect gently used or new youth clothing until November 26. The donation bin will be located (location of the bin). The donations collected will directly support local children in crisis, granting them immediate relief and confidence, and allowing them to thrive in school and life. Thank you so much for considering!

Yes, we have The New York Times! Check out our News & Magazines webpage for access and information on setting up your account and to see our new collection of magazines.

libguides.bls.org/c.php?g=809833&p=10562252

My name is Bridget Blair (lll) and I am a councilor on the Boston Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC). Along with my co-councilors and the Boston Student Advisory Council (BSAC), we are hosting a youth-led discussion with Mayor Michelle Wu and Superintendent Mary Skipper at the Bolling Building (2300 Washington St, Roxbury, MA 02119) on Tuesday, November 12th from 4:30-6 pm.

This event is free and open to all BPS high school students. During the discussion, we would like to hear about your experience as a BPS student, the problems that you face, and the changes that you would like to see happen in your schools. We hope that this will be a fun and engaging event for young people around the city to have their voices heard. Free food will be provided.

If you plan to attend, please register using this link: boston.gov/oyea-links

MYC is excited to host this event, and we can’t wait to see you there!

boston.gov/oyea-links

BLS Theatre needs your cardboard boxes! We need tons of boxes of all shapes and sizes for our fall play set! Please bring them to the black box and leave them on the stage! Thanks so much. Anyone who contributes a box will get a shout-out in the program! Send Mr. Gels an email after you drop it off to get your shout-out.

Did you know that former Headmaster Francis Gardner (1851-1876: a portrait in the auditorium!) acquired plaster copies of the art from the Parthenon temple in Athens? Currently, they are in storage, but with YOUR help, one cast (out of nine) could be preserved and displayed in the school! Learn more here! We hope to raise $5000 to give one cast the time, love, and care it needs so that our entire school community can remember its story and inspire hope for a better future.

This fundraiser will be the first out of a series until we reach the goal! Purple poppy flowers (artificial therefore they will never die) will be sold for $5 (there are only 200 available!) during the week of November 4th. You can also wear a poppy in honor of veterans in your life. If you want to help in other ways or have questions, please email Ms. Foley at cfoley@bostonpublicschools.org or visit 237. Any donation is welcome, too! Venmo: @PhilanthroPoppy

docs.google.com/presentation/d/1SbErp7PFZg9G28bh0Cl0rf3NCKqKIw80SPn4GLJk7YI/edit?usp=sharing

Get ready to celebrate International Education Week November 18-23. There will be an exciting program of events during the school day and after school. Take a look at the program here and get ready to Go Global at BLS!

drive.google.com/file/d/1b1TJkH7R3My_iVBytWElBK32cJbYV1yC/view?usp=sharing

As the days get shorter, many individuals experience winter blues or seasonal low moods. Experts suggest the following strategies to help improve your mood:

❄️Stay Active and try to spend time outdoors in natural light.

❄️Eat a balanced diet with foods rich in omega-3s, which help boost mood.

❄️Consider Vitamin D supplements to counter low winter sunlight, if recommended by a doctor.

❄️Prioritize good sleep by keeping a regular schedule.

❄️Connect with others, such as peers, friends or family.

❄️Practice mindfulness to stay grounded and reduce anxiety.

❄️Engage in hobbies you enjoy to keep your spirits up.

❄️Increasing exposure to natural light, whether by spending time outdoors or using light therapy lamps.

If symptoms persist, consider speaking with a trusted adult, doctor, and/or a mental health professional at school or in your community for additional support.

The Register, our school’s award-winning student arts publication, is seeking submissions in art, poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. All skill levels are welcome. Submit via the portal on SIS.

Keep your Chromebook up to date with the latest Operating System (OS) updates:

• – Click on the clock to bring up a menu
• – Click the gear icon
• – Scroll to the bottom of the left column and choose “About Chrome”
• – Look for the button to “Check for Updates” or “Restart” to install downloaded updates, or confirm that your ChromeOS is up to date (the latest OS is version 130)

Let the tech department know if you have any questions or difficulties

The results are in! Thank you to all who participated in our BLS Mock Election. Click the link below to see the final results.

libguides.bls.org/c.php?g=1434623

BLS SOC is hosting a book drive from November 4th to December 20th. There will be boxes placed in the library and in front of the main office where students can donate their books, and later these books will be donated to Raising a Reader, a non-profit organization that encourages reading for everyone. Students should also take a picture of themselves next to the boxes for Innerview.

Donations made will be worth one hour of community service (the quantity of donations is not accounted for), and the genre of books should be appropriate for children from the ages of newborn to six. Picture books and books in other languages are allowed, but books with topics on religion/holidays, commercial books (Disney, Nickelodeon, other movies/TV characters), and books with rips/writing should be avoided.

On the inside of the book(s), students MUST securely attach a sticky note to the cover with their first name, last name, and email. Around late December, we will email students with all the information for Innerview.

Feel free to email bls.soc01@gmail.com with any questions!

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 2025 MA HOBY Seminar will be held on Friday, June 6th, through Sunday, June 8th, 2025 at Bentley University in Waltham, MA.

The selected student will spend two nights on the campus of Bentley University. Any 10th grader who is interested should complete this Google form by Friday, November 15th: forms.gle/RVt7yDW7bmGS9rUs9

For more information about the seminar go to: hoby.org/students/ or check out this video about HOBY vimeo.com/756532321

forms.gle/RVt7yDW7bmGS9rUs9

It’s that time of month! Join Unity Provisions (BLS FEEDS) from November 12th to 15th!

Help us combat food insecurity by donating non-perishable food items at our community food drive! Each donation can be put into innerview for an hour!

📅 Dates: November 12th – 15th 📍

Drop-off Locations: BLS Main Entrance Front & Back

Your contributions will support local food banks and help those in need. Together, we can make a significant impact!

Sign up for updates!

Thank you for helping create a stronger, healthier community!

Supervisor: Peter Sullivan psullivan@bostonpublicschools.org

Contact BLSFEEDSClub@gmail.com for any inquiries

forms.gle/b5wkWPnGsxypWLeLA

Interested in applying your science knowledge in a competitive setting? Sign up for the BLS Science Bowl club tryouts next week to utilize your knowledge in subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Joining offers a way to strengthen your academic skills, connect with other students interested in science, and potentially represent our school in regional competitions. The tryouts will be held in person in Room 237 this Friday. See you there!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9SJBK0X3nFL1sFVFSLJxo0as2R_8PNBEMcsKyTsYhVoS7FQ/viewform

Saturday, November 9th, 2024 from 10 AM – 2 PM @ Mezzanine Lounge (3rd Floor of the Stratton Student Center: 105 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139)

The MIT Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is excited to host a special event on MIT’s campus for 5th-10th grade students from the Boston area. Join us for a day filled with hands-on experiments, engaging workshops, and a build challenge. MIT student volunteers will lead the activities, which are designed to be both interactive and fun.

Some of the exciting activities we have planned for this event include: coding games, making homemade lava lamps, extracting strawberry DNA, designing catapults, creating chromatography butterflies, participating in an egg drop contest, and more!

If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to contact: (nwtan@mit.edu) or my fellow co-chair, Katherine (kzhou627@mit.edu).

The Deitch Leadership Institute will partner with Junior Achievement to offer a 6-week workshop series on financial literacy. Students will learn foundational concepts such as earning, budgeting, saving, credit, debt, and investment. Taught by Mr. Levesque using Junior Achievement’s curriculum, workshops will meet weekly after school on Mondays from November to December. Classes I-IV. Email questions to jlevesque@bostonpublicschools.org. Sign up BELOW.

forms.gle/6WQq59rMZHXGJYBa8

Do you love your modern foreign language class, want to learn more about your passion project, or be immersed in a new culture? BLS Global Navigators can help make that happen! We are a club that partners with CIEE, a program that helps high school students pursue their passions through 72 unique programs all over the world! Spend a month studying Italian in Milan, Wildlife Conservation in Sydney, Aerospace Engineering in Spain, Creative Writing and Manga in Tokyo, Climate Change Mitigation in Costa Rica, and so much more to explore! Reach out to us via email at blsglobalnavigators@gmail.com and visit ciee.org to learn about your next steps to spending your summer abroad! Check our instagram for updates on meetings and important dates! @blsglobalnavigators

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

PAWse Space is a place where students can go during their study hall to destress and participate in activities related to positivity and wellness such as arts and crafts and a mindfulness corner.

Students must sign up in advance and will receive a pass and directions through their email. Space is limited to 30 students each period. Sign-up is available for W-block or study halls ONLY and you must stay for the full period.

Sign up by Tuesday, 11/5 at 2:15 PM.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Wang (wwang@bostonpublicschools.org) or Dr. Prosper (vprosper@bostonpublicschools.org).

forms.gle/mJsouZn8XTGTPXaf6

Election day is almost here! On November 5th, BLS will be holding a Mock Election. History teachers will opt to bring students to the library or vote from the classroom.

Don’t have a history class? You can still vote! Visit the BLS Mock Election LibGuide to cast your ballot from your Chromebook. The LibGuide also contains resources and information to help you make your decision.

libguides.bls.org/c.php?g=1434623

The MLK Planning Committee is looking for two MCs! We will be holding auditions on November 6 at 2:30. Juniors and Seniors are invited to audition! Fill out the form to show your interest, and people who are invited to audition will be emailed by 11/1.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeArknSIcOjIY9Ux7BgWrutnEIvs7JS9FH7YxVn2Z2EvQaLnQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

As finals approach and life outside of school is hectic, it’s helpful to check in with yourself and those around you. Consider these questions to build self-awareness and manage stress effectively:

*Self-awareness: How am I personally feeling?

*Social awareness: How are others around me feeling?

*Self-management: How will I act now that I know my feelings and can imagine how others feel?

*Relationship-building: How will I interact with others based on what I know about their feelings?

*Responsible decision-making: What actions will I take to express my feelings respectfully, keeping others’ feelings in mind?

Reflecting on these questions can help you stay balanced, connect better with others, and make mindful choices as you work toward your goals.

Come see BLS Theatre’s rising stars in the One Acts.

We will have Jason and the Arrrgonauts by Isa Gonzalez (class of 24), The Waiting Room by Mae Noonan (I) Kelly McKenna (I), and It’s Always The Butler.

Shows are Friday, November 1 at 3 pm and 7 pm and Saturday, November 2 at 2 pm in the Black Box Theater

Tickets are $3 for students and $7 for adults

Tickets are available at our. show/bls2024

The Harvard Undergraduate Research Journal (THURJ) is having a research competition designed for any high school student around the country who is passionate about academic research!

This competition offers students a unique opportunity to showcase their novel research and receive mentorship from experienced Harvard undergraduate researchers. Their mission through this competition is to provide a platform for encouraging and empowering youth researchers, including those from communities underrepresented in research, to pursue their curiosities and make positive contributions to their communities.

Please see the attached flyer. Please check the following links for more info:

bit.ly/thurjcompinfo – For detailed information and competition rules

bit.ly/thurjcompformf24 – To access the registration form

bit.ly/thurjcompflyer24 – Link to the attached flyer

thurj.org/hs-research – To view previous year’s submissions and contest winners

Information Session —An information session will be held on October 29, 2024, from 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. EST to provide an overview of the competition and allow students to ask questions. It will also be recorded and posted on our website for later access.

The following is the link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-OdrYOyJb6RkRGTY0C40Lk-NssJs_l1KLkz75l7eN_j7PXw/viewform

drive.google.com/file/d/1LoT4_EP01xmcIpqV5ZaC31OwmlB5Vz_E/view?usp=sharing

Friday, November 1 marks the first day of five days commemorating Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is considered a significant holiday worldwide by over a billion people. Accordingly, no tests or assessments will be given on Friday, November 1.

We wish our families who observe Diwali, a joyous festival, full of light and promise.

If you’re interested in learning more about 3D Ceramics, Visual Art, or just need help with an art project, then we have the program for you. The after school Ceramics & Visual Art program “The Thursday Club” will meet on Thursdays and Tuesdays in room 518 from 2:15 – 4:00 pm. All skill levels are welcome. Hope to see you there!

LINK