Thank you for everyone who participated and engaged in activities throughout PAW Day. We would love to get your feedback about how the day went and ways to make it better.

Click Here for Form

Keep your Chromebook up to date by forcing the latest Chrome updates. The process can take 15-30 minutes, depending on the number of updates, but keeps sites from failing to load or function properly.

– Log into your Chromebook

– Click on the clock (usually in the lower right corner)

– Click the gear icon

– Click About ChromeOS (or About Google Chrome)

– Click Check for Updates

You may continue working on the Chromebook while the updates install. When the install finishes, reboot your Chromebook.

As Mental Health Awareness Month is upon us in May and a time to raise awareness and reduce stigma about mental health, BLS Wellness Council will be launching our first annual Positivity & Wellness Day (PAW Day). This day will highlight the importance of self-care and engaging in healthy coping skills as a way to improve and maintain one’s mental health.

To celebrate, students will be able to partake in activities such as karaoke, arts & crafts, dodgeball, smoothie tasting, and dancing during PAW Day 2024, which will take place on Friday, April 26, 2024. These activities will take place throughout the day in different locations around campus.

The following activities require a Teacher’s sign up for their class

– Karaoke/Smoothies/Arts & Crafts in the dining hall

– Outdoor Activities in the Back Lawn

– Dodgeball in the Upper Gym

– Dance in the Lower Gym

The following activities require Student sign up through Oculus

– Mindfulness and Rest (R1-R4) in the Electronic Classroom

– Board Games in the Library Fiction Room

Come audition for BLS Theatre Company’s production of Mean Girls: The Musical. Auditions are March 26 and 27 after school. Sign up for a specific audition time on the Bulletin Board across from the Black Box (416) Ask Mr. Gels jgels@bostonpublicschools.org if you have any questions at all.

All lost and found items from January 1 – February 3, 2024 are located outside of the main office on the first floor. Please come and look for your water bottles, jackets, lunch boxes, etc. Items not claimed will be donated by this Monday, Feb 12, 2024.

Attention Sophomores and Juniors! The Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University is offering summer program opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and a brand new option for sports enthusiasts! This July, students can select from one of their day-time three-week summer courses: The Entrepreneurial Mindset or Titletown to Sneaker Town: An Inside Look at Boston’s Sports Industry (see links below). Students will have the chance to experience a college campus firsthand, spending their time in Suffolk’s academic buildings, libraries, and dining halls in downtown Boston. Best of all, this course is at no cost to them, and completion of the course will count for three Suffolk credit hours! Please note that this is an unpaid opportunity. This summer program includes daily lunches, and will cover a subway/bus pass for students’ commute to and from campus (commuter rail and/or parking costs are not included). Though priority will be given to rising high school seniors, rising juniors will also be considered and are welcome to apply. Please note that students may only apply to one program, and both are non-residential (requires commuting to and from campus). Space in these programs is limited, so please apply by April 12. Please reach out to your school counselor or Erik Gullard at erik.gullard@suffolk.edu or calling 617-573-8460.

www.suffolk.edu/business/degrees-programs/management-entrepreneurship/summer-high-school-program#

www.suffolk.edu/business/degrees-programs/sports-management/sports-management-summer-program

The Keefe Library has set up full digital access to the New York Times for grades 8-12 and all staff. To set up your account, follow these instructions. You have unlimited access to articles when at school and remotely. Due to age restrictions in our user agreement we cannot set up accounts for 7th graders. Please email Ms. Ellis at dellis@bostonpublicschools.org with any questions or if you have any difficulty.

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.

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

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

It’s been years in the making, but we’ve finally done it. We at the Yellow Submarine Improv Troupe have devised our latest zany adventure: Heprov! (Because We’ll Never Be Himprov). As a troupe we have been practicing the art of comedy for years, but recently we added the art of humility into the mix. Come and see our attempt at humbleness, witness masters perform their crafts, watch IMPROV. Waltz on down to the Black Box Theatre to see our great experiment on Thursday, November 9th. This once-in-a-lifetime event will occur at 3 pm and 7pm. Students pay a measly $3 for tickets, and adults pay a ridiculous $5! Don’t miss out!

The Register, BLS’s student run arts magazine, is seeking original fiction, poetry, and artwork (traditional or digital) from students in all grades. Submit your work before 12/9 through the portal on SIS.

The Goethe Institute has developed a cool website that tells you all about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Play the games, watch the videos (featuring several BLS students) and much more while along informing yourself about the 17 SDGs. Complete the form attached to this announcement and win BIG!

Link

Hello everyone, my name is Andrea Shortell and for my Capstone project I will be creating a documentary that addresses the stigmas surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD, as well as discussing the wider issues that these developmental disorders cause for children in school, in order to provide resources that will help students and their families thrive. I created this survey to understand how much people already know about this topic and areas that I should focus on in my project. I would appreciate your honest opinions on the questions below. It should take around 5 minutes to complete. Thank you for your help!

Link

We need your help with filling out a survey for a capstone project. Please read below for the message. My name is Eleni Karkaetedes and this year I am taking Senior Capstone. My Capstone consists of a series of workshops that will occur biweekly starting January hopefully during W-Blocks. My main goal for this project is to allow for middle grade students to become more comfortable in their own bodies and also become a more body inclusive community as a whole. While my target audience is 7th Graders and 8th Graders, anyone is more than welcome to join in this workshop. A student-led workshop creates the opportunity for students to feel more welcome and able to discuss things freely rather than having a strict curriculum. While the workshops will have lessons, I want to also discuss things students ask to talk about.

Link

Hello beautiful people, my name is Amirah Redwing and I am currently working on a capstone project that explores how the US Prison Industrial Complex has origins in Slavery and Capitalism. I think it’s very important that students understand the injustice and horrors that this system entails for millions of our fellow Americans. I also feel that it is a topic many history courses fail to cover. Thus, I am currently in need of data and hope to discover what students do know and what they don’t know about the US Prison System. If you could take a moment of your time to fill out my survey it would be greatly appreciated!

Link

My name is Kiara Montes De Oca and I’m doing my Capstone project on the Green New Deal for BPS, a plan to supposedly improve school infrastructure. To help me get an idea of what we all need and want in our schools, please fill out all the questions in this survey honestly and to the best of your ability by November 26th at 11:59 pm. If you would prefer filling it out in Spanish there is also a spanish version linked in the description of the form. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at kmontedeoca@bostonk12.org.

Link

Self management, relationship skills and responsible decision making are the final three domains of social emotional learning. When we think and use all five we begin to notice a shift in our thoughts, relationships and communication skills. You are already most likely using some or all of these skills in your everyday life. Below you can find more information and tips on how to improve your skills.

1. Self management: the ability to control thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Setting boundaries and managing stress.

2. Relationships skills: skill of building and managing relationships by using communication, compromise, and empathy. Here is a short informational video about relationship skills.

3. Responsible decision making: ensuring we have the understanding and wide range of making decisions that support our goals and values.

You can find a helpful infographic here. Please see this document: tinyurl.com/2a7k6ejt for live links that include helpful tips!

Come out and see the Wolfpack compete in the postseason!

Thursday 11/2 Girls Volleyball v. King Philip Regional MIAA Round of 32 6pm @ BLS

Friday 11/3 Girls Soccer v. Waltham MIAA Preliminary Round 4pm @ Clemente (Back Bay Fens)

Friday 11/3 Boys Soccer v. Westford Academy MIAA Preliminary Round 6:30 @ Westford Academy Friday

11/3 Football v. Greater Lawrence Senior Night 7pm @ White Stadium Saturday

11/4 Cheerleading DCL Championships @ Concord-Carlisle Arrive by 3pm to catch JV and Varsity compete

If you are a varsity athlete that had received a varsity letter, you are eligible to purchase a Varsity Letter Jacket. Please follow the link here for place your order. Jackets are $180. Deadline to order is November 6.

Link

Come see three hilarious one act plays this Friday at 3pm and 7pm and Saturday at 2pm in the Black Box. $3 for students and $7 for adults. There will be murder, singing rats and out of control narrators!

Come support the BLS Girls Volleyball in the MIAA Division 1 State Tournament. The Wolfpack take on King Philip in the Round of 32 on Thursday November 2 at 6pm in the Upper Gym. Tickets are $5 for Adults (Cash only) and FREE for students. Let’s Go Wolfpack!

Hello! My name is Carmen Laudato, Class I, and I am creating a documentary on the parasocial relationships that people form with Twitch Streamers for my capstone project. To clarify, the definition of parasocial relationships that I am using is “a relationship between performers and their audiences in which audiences perceive intimate contact with the performer, while the performer does not reciprocate it.” I want to keep this survey as brief as possible for your convenience, but would be delighted if you could participate in a short video interview for my project. I will be collecting emails, however your name will not be attached to any information you share. Thank you!

Link

I apologize for the late notification! The Science & Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) provides an opportunity for high school students to participate in research at a Department of Navy (DoN) laboratory where they take part in real Naval research for eight weeks during the summer. Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders, 16 years of age by the internship start date, and U.S. citizenship (some participating laboratories will consider permanent residents). SEAP offers a competitive stipend for its interns:New participant: $4,000 Apply by 11:59PM on November 1.

Link

Interested in becoming a scientist? Want to learn more about doing research? Join the BLS Science Team on Wednesday 11/1/2023 from 2:30 to 3:30 PM in Room 334 to hear about the work of real researchers from The BOBA (Building Our Bonds Authentically) Project, how they address mental health struggles of the Asian American Community and more!

Learn more about their work and participate in their research study: www.thebobaproject.com/ Sign Up for the Speaker Event: Link

Self awareness and social awareness are two important skills within the five domains of social emotional learning. Here is a brief definition of these domains and how we use them at school, home and in our communities.

**Self awareness: the ability to recognize your own emotions and thoughts. Understanding how your behavior impacts others. What is Self-Awareness + 5 reasons it’s important www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-J2Tcqhde0 Here are some examples of self awareness:

**What are your emotional triggers

**Understanding your strengths and weakness

**Identifying your values

**Acknowledging your emotional responses **Recognizing your behavior patterns

**Being aware of your limitations and motivation

**Social awareness: understanding the point of view of others. The ability to understand social and ethical norms for behavior. Learning how to show empathy or caring for others, support family and community members. Social Awareness in Students’ Words www.youtube.com/watch?v=d75gxU6Nyq0 Here are some examples of social awareness:

**Leaning into others’ perspectives with curiosity.

**Recognizing and acknowledging the inherent strengths in others.

**Demonstrating empathy and compassion. **Showing concern for the feelings of others.

**Identifying diverse cultural and social norms, including unjust ones.

Link

Be a difference maker! Best Buddies is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the social and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The BLS chapter of Best Buddies meets every other W-Block in the Dining Hall and takes a monthly field trip to Madison Park Technical Vocational High School. If you are interested, please come to the October 11th info session in the Dining Hall during W-Block. Additionally, the Best Buddies Friendship Walk will be taking place on October 14th, 1:00 PM, at Schrafft’s City Center. To register to walk with the BPS team, please visit www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/boston/supporting/#BPSBestBuddies. Fundraising is optional.

The BLS clinical team is seeking to relaunch a student advisory group focused on mental health programming and resources at BLS. The goals are to assess and enhance the infrastructure around mental health resources, design mental health focused educational programs, and offer a student voice for the mental health clinicians. Apply by Saturday, 9/30.

Our beloved book giveaway returns for 3 days only! Please come down on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, June 20-22 with your teachers to browse and choose books to keep forever. Cleaning out book shelves in at home? If you have books you’d like to give away, please bring them down to the Keefe Library. Clean, undamaged books that will interest teen readers are welcome!

Grade 9 Science MCAS takes place on June 6th and 7th. If you are having Chromebook troubles, now is the time to get them resolved. Please come to the tech area of the library for assistance. All students taking MCAS tests must bring their fully charged Chromebook to school on testing days.

The following ensembles will be holding auditions the week of June 5.
Chamber Choir – Monday, June 5
Wolfettes – Tuesday, June 6
Wolftones – Tuesday, June 6
Show Choir – Thursday, June 8
If you have questions, please see Mr Snyder in the Music Wing. More information will be presented in separate announcements.

Like to sing? Love to dance? Then Show Choir is for you! Auditions will be held THURS. JUNE 8th right after school in the Chorus Room (414). No need to prepare anything ahead of time – just come with comfortable shoes, water, and enthusiasm!

Matilda: The Musical is this week at Boston Latin School. Based on the iconic book by Roald Dahl, this musical truly sparkles even in its darkest moments.
Tickets are $7 for students and $15 for adults. In the Black Box Theater

Thursday June 1 at 7pm
Friday June 2 at 3pm and 7pm
Saturday June 3 at 7pm
Sunday June 4 at 2pm
our.show/blsmatilda for tickets

Salvete omnes! Ms. Bauer and Mr. Mordine won our coin wars fundraiser! We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this year’s coin wars. We raised over $2200 overall and it means a lot to the JCLers attending National Convention this summer! Punishments will happen on Thursday, June 1 on the back lawn right after school and anyone is welcome to attend. Ms. Bauer will eat a very hot pepper and Mr. Mordine will be egged and sprayed with silly string! You won’t want to miss it!

Dear Class III Homeroom Teachers,

On Wednesday May 31 during the W block, Class III students will be viewing the College Preview Video in their homerooms.

This video introduces students to the college application process as well as the services that the BLS College Counseling Team provides during 11th and 12th grades.

Instructions, a script for this activity, and the video link can be found here. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your participation!

Students that have been recognized by Innerview for their community service work will receive envelopes with personalized awards in homeroom later this week. Congratulations!

The Argo Graduation Issue is coming up very soon and, seniors, we want YOU in the Argo. Here are THREE easy things that you can do to be featured:

PHOTOS: Send in photos for the front and back cover collages of the Argo by Saturday, May 27 at 10PM, with this link: bit.ly/argoseniorphotos.

SPOTLIGHTS: Have any special seniors that deserve to be featured in the Argo? Upload a 400-500 word spotlight by Saturday, May 27 at 10PM at bit.ly/argoseniorspotlights. Non-seniors are welcome to write these spotlights.

SHOUTOUTS: Please remind your parents, relatives, or friends to get you featured in the Argo with a shoutout! They are due on Friday, May 26. See details at the attached image.

drive.google.com/file/d/1UNl9axxGF47vDcFYqqE5zBKk3jhXCKwK/view?usp=sharing

Expect the Google Form for Senior Surveys to come out by Monday, May 22. Please email blsargo@gmail.com with any questions.

While you will have access to your BPS account until the rosters turn over in the summer, please take steps now, before your account is disabled, to visit takeout.google.com and download the data and files that are important to you.

Decision letters for prospective NHS students were delivered to senior and junior HRs on Tuesday 5/16 and Wednesday 5/17, respectively. All applicants should be sure to read their letters carefully, as they contain important information regarding next steps for accepted students or rationales in the case of non-selection. Students who were absent from HR and did not receive their letter should check in with their HR teacher. Questions? Reach out to Mr. Finnigan (pfinnigan2@bostonpublicschools.org).

1) Students are reminded that we will meet in the foyer at 12:15 to head over to Harvard for our practice on Monday, May 22, 2023.

If you normally have 3rd Lunch, please ask your R5 teacher if you may eat 1st or 2nd. Please inform your teachers in advance that you will be Absent Excused from your R6 and R7 class that day and all day Thursday, May 25, 2023.

2) Students should have their signed permission slip, which I will collect before we head out. If there’s no signed slip, there’s no ushering.

Students may turn the slip into me beforehand: I am usually in the foyer most mornings until 7:30; in the DH during 1st and 3rd Lunches; my office is located on the Ground Floor, room 022C, next to 027.

3) Students should NOT dress up for the run-through; however, you MUST BE dressed appropriately on the day of the exercises, Thursday, May 25, 2023; otherwise, you will not be allowed to serve. Please refer to the email I sent you if there are questions.

4) Permultas Gratias Vobis!!

The Keefe Library will be closed after school on Friday 5/19 due to staffing.

My name is Kevin Zhong (II) and I am a leader of the Boston Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC). Along with my co-leader Mira Yu (I) and our Neighborhood Working Group, we are partnering with Council President Flynn’s office to host a panel discussion with Boston City Councilors at the Central Boston Public Library on Wednesday, May 24th from 5:30-7pm.

This event is free and open to all high school-aged youth in Boston. During the panel, we will alternate between asking pre-planned and audience questions. We hope that this will be a fun and engaging event to foster youth interest and help students develop a better understanding of the City government and elected leaders in a lighthearted, conversational format.

A flyer with more information is attached. The registration link can be found on the flyer and through bit.ly/citypanelmyc

What: A Panel Discussion with Boston City Councilors
Where: Central Boston Public Library – Rabb Hall
When: Wednesday May 24th 5:30PM – 7:00PM

A Helping Tutor is an online tutoring service that strives to combat education inequality by providing free, flexible tutoring for disadvantaged elementary students. They are currently looking for tutors for their spring session, which will take place from 4/10/23 to 6/16/23. Tutoring takes place over Zoom at least once a week. Email ahelpingelbowtutoring@gmail.com with questions.

As part of Alumni Weekend, spirited students in Class I-III are needed to conduct tours and other tasks to support our visiting alumni on Friday, May 5. Students will be excused from class for much of the day so should be in good academic standing. Note, also, that May 5 is an AP exam day. Students must commit to attending a training session with the BLSA on Wednesday, April 26 during W block. As we can only accommodate 30 students, we will notify you by Monday, April 24 if you are selected and will deliver a pass to the training to your homeroom teacher. Priority will be given to Class I students. To be considered, please submit this form by Thursday, April 13. For questions, please see Ms. Pierce in the Main Office or email mpierce5@bostonpublicschools.org

The BLS College Counseling Team is looking for volunteers to help at our College Fair scheduled on the evening of Tuesday April 25. We specifically need students to help us set up and break down the college fair. This involves moving tables and chairs from classrooms to the Dining Hall and lower gym. This opportunity is open to Members of Class III, II, and I, but seniors who still need community service hours will have priority. Slots are limited, so sign up using the link below!

forms.gle/1mo8yEwFT51vftP59

On Wednesday, April 12, Class V will go to Clemente Field at the beginning of R2. Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers because the temperature will be 69 degrees.  You will have lots of fun participating in various game activities!  The games will be supervised by BLS staff and Class I students.    Class V will return to school at 11:30 am.

Starting March 28 and for all other MCAS testing days we are asking that all students not actively eating please exit the dining hall at 7:25 am. We will have staff in the dining hall providing reminders and clearing the space.

Beginning on Tuesday, March 28, students will be asked to sign in at the guidance offices in Rooms 107 and 108 as well as the Schawbel Center . Students should be prepared to scan their ID or type in their student number. Students who exit the guidance office prior to the end of the period will also be asked to sign out. As a reminder, all students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their counselor at any time by visiting their counselor’s office before or after school when they will be given a guidance pass for the appropriate time.

The Keefe Library will be closed to study hall students R6 & R7 on Tues. 3/28 and Wed. 3/29 to accommodate MCAS testing. We will re-open for after-school hours.

First Generation Investors is a non-profit organization that teaches high school students the power of investing and provides program graduates with real money to invest. Students learn investing basics (stocks, bonds, diversification, interest) over the course of 8 sessions. At the completion of the program, students will create a final portfolio of $100, which they receive in the form of a real investment account. Meetings are Saturdays at 11 am at Northeastern’s Campus. See this form for more information and to apply. The deadline is February 1st. The first session will be on Saturday, February 4th. Send questions to NEU student Walid Kilani at kilani.w@northeastern.edu.

Did you know that studying takes more than just reading over your notes? Quick tip: Imagine you are the teacher and write questions you expect your teacher will ask. Test yourself to see if you can answer the questions. Find more evidence-based study tips at this Youtube channel. www.youtube.com/@dbw8m

BLS Recycling Committee is selling paper flowers and crochet lavenders to encourage a more sustainable Valentine’s day. Paper flowers are 1 for $0.75, 2 for $1, and 5 for $2; lavenders are 1 for $5, 3 for $10, and 10 for $20. Get them wrapped (for $1) and sent to your friends (or yourself)! Fill out the Eventbrite with your order and pay an officer during after school recycling in the dining hall on Mondays and Thursdays.

www.eventbrite.com/e/bls-recycling-flowers-for-you-2023-tickets-514191409347

Also, join BLS Recycling Committee in a workshop—Thursday, February 2nd from 2:30-3:30—wrapping flower bouquets! Join us in the dining hall, and get an hour of community service! No sign up needed.

Have you made your choices yet for your Modern Language class for the next four years? Deadline to submit your form is Friday, February 3! Use the link to access the form if you haven’t done so already. Any questions, see Mrs. Kelley in room 256 (across from 219).

Imagine stepping where Agamemnon stood, from Mycenae in Greece to the beaches of Troy in Turkey… Students who are currently enrolled in a CLASSICS ELECTIVE (Myth Tradition, Latin AP, Greek, Poetry) and/or students who will be enrolled for the 2023-2024 academic year are eligible to apply! The trip dates are February vacation, 2024. There will be an informational meeting February 8th during W block in the auditorium. All interested students should fill out this Google Form.

This year there are three MLK contests: Art, Essay and Poetry, all around the following theme:

“Our Stories, Our Dreams”

What dreams about our world/society do you hope will be realized in your lifetime? How does your own personal story and/or the story of those who came before you inform those dreams?

ART FORMAT: Black and white or color drawing, painting, sketch, 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 Friday, December 16, 2022, at 2:30 pm.

Selected artwork will be featured in the MLK program and 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 Friday, December 16 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.

Student Council will host a Faculty/Student Dodgeball game this Friday (Nov 18) at 2:30 in the upper gym. It’s a tournament that will end with students versus teachers. BLS Step Squad will perform at halftime. The following faculty members will play: Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Chen, Mr. Nguyen, Ms. Clougherty, Mr. Luu, Ms. Encarnacao, Ms. Segal, Mr. Greenidge, Mr. Etienne, Mr. Fearon, Mr. Osowiecki, Mr. Boor, Ms. Foulis, Ms. Kelly, Mr. Carino, Mr. Walker, Mr. Howard, Mr. Topete Martinez, Mr. DeVelis, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Jackson. Bragging rights and a shiny trophy are at stake. Tickets are $3 before (lunch blocks) and $5 at door. All profits will be donated to a charity of the Student Council’s choice. Email questions to Mr. Levesque (jlevesque@bostonpublicschools.org).

Meet local students and speakers and attend workshops on topics including: how to dress professionally, organization and time management, and negotiation. The conference is free and includes food and bubble tea. Saturday, November 12th, 9:30-5pm at the Pao Arts Center (Chinatown). Register at the link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3LFXouVqzJcBzHJnJRONWvA7JPqpK_G73iDRd7AOdWGwlHw/viewform

Homeroom will be extended for 15 mins on Monday, November 14th for ALL grade level students (Extended Homeroom 7:45-8:06, R1 8:10-8:55). Schedule for the rest of the day will not be affected. Please be advised that our 10th and 11th grades will be completing the BIMAS-2 screener during an extended homeroom. BIMAS-2 is a student self-rating form that allows the school to learn more about how to support your social and emotional well-being. This letter was sent to families last week.

Calling all sixies! Prizes! Amazon gift cards! Submit your Hero’s Journey movie to the Keefe Library’s contest by Friday, November 18. Our praefects will be screening entries to choose the top 5 films from across all three clusters. 5 lucky filmmakers will receive a $10 Amazon gift card and get to see their films run on the library TV screen to share with the whole school. Two grand prize winners will also receive a new graphic novel! Click on the THIS LINK to fill out an entry form and submit your film for consideration.

Many staff and students borrowed books last spring that are now overdue. The Boston Public Library assumes that long overdue items are lost forever and posts a “replacement cost” on your account. Never fear! Returning the book will clear these charges. Also, the Keefe Library does NOT charge overdue fines — we just want the books back. Juniors using Keefe books for the JRP should return items listed as overdue or lost and then check them out again. You can also return books from other BPL branches. Help us bring all our books home!

Greetings Scholars,

We are seeking to support our Haitian students create a deeper connection within our school community. BLS used to have a Haitian Students Association and although we are not fully reactivating that organization we do want to have a way to connect with all of our Haitian students. We would like to gather information for those students who are interested in meeting together about once a month.

Bonjou etidyan yo,

Nou ap chèche sipòte elèv ayisyen nou yo kreye yon koneksyon pi pwofon nan kominote lekòl nou an. BLS te konn gen yon Asosyasyon Etidyan Ayisyen e byenke nou pa reaktive òganizasyon sa a nèt, nou vle gen yon fason pou nou konekte ak tout etidyan ayisyen nou yo. Nou ta renmen rasanble enfòmasyon pou elèv sa yo ki enterese rankontre ansanm anviwon yon fwa pa mwa.

Form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRPGfC4VA88a6-wQKTkJbli5u0sWJibT9j7fr5C8T4TbHBag/viewform?usp=sf_link

The Gender-Sexuality Alliance is holding a school-wide art competition on the theme “What Does Pride Mean to You?” Submissions may be through any medium–photo, google doc/written piece, video, etc. All kinds of art are acceptable as well, whether dance, poem, essay, photo, drawing, painting, song, or something else entirely. Email your submission to bostonlatinschool.gsa@gmail.com by June 17th at 8 am. Video submissions must be under 2 minutes; all must be school appropriate and should include not highly triggering topics. Pieces will be judged for originality/creativity, effort, emotional impact, and technical skill. Winners will receive a $50 gift card!

The following ensembles will be holding auditions next week. Please reach out to Mr Snyder or Ms. Lewis-Bradford with questions.

All auditions are in the Music Wing at 2:30 unless specified otherwise.

Gospel Choir
Audition: Tuesday, June 14
Eligible: Current grades 7-11
Description: Rehearsals are for two hours on Tuesdays from 2:30 – 4:30. The ensemble performs traditional and contemporary Gospel music accompanied by the rhythm section. Performances at the BLS Holiday Concert and Music Night and as opportunities arise.

Next year, we’re offering an afterschool, entirely optional class on women’s history as a way to shed a powerful light on women’s lives that are often overlooked or minimized in conventional history classes. The class will focus on women from all backgrounds, lifting up their stories and celebrating their efforts to secure equal rights. Most likely the class will meet weekly. If you are interested in being part of this exciting venture, please take a moment and fill out the attached form.

BLS is celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride on June 13th! Don’t forget to wear your Pride colors! All students (especially LGBTQ+ students) are welcome to our Pride Month picnic led by the BLS Gender Sexuality Alliance on June 13th. This picnic will be hosted by a GSA leadership member at each lunch and will be located outside on the lawn as long as the weather permits. In the morning and at lunches, we will be handing out pronoun pins and LGBTQ+ stickers, and providing face paint for anyone participating in the picnic. We also welcome students to bring their pride-themed food to share with their peers. We hope to see you there!

The Recycling Committee is announcing our annual Final Clean Out event, which will take place on the last three days of the school year (6/23, 6/24, & 6/27)!

During Final Clean Out, volunteers will be on task from R1-R4 to ensure that all recyclable waste is collected efficiently. As volunteers, students will be excused from class and receive 3 hours of community service per day. If interested, please complete the form below by Friday, June 17th. There’s a limit of 75 people per day, so sign up early for a spot!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpw1GM1HQ3vywTvPAnSbavVaK-V7wjMbVWpHLXUFeRbFdChA/viewform

IMPORTANT: To minimize clutter during the last days of school, we ask that students and faculty please start the cleaning out process inside classrooms and lockers before those days.

All 9th graders must bring their fully charged Chromebooks with them on Tuesday, June 7 and Wednesday, June 8 for Science MCAS.

Like to sing? Love to dance?! Then Show Choir could be for you! Auditions are being held Thursday June 9th right after school in the Chorus Room. No need to prepare anything ahead of time – all you have to bring are comfortable clothes, water, and enthusiasm! See you there!

Many students have inquired about links to the various Senior Capstone projects that exist in an online/digital format. Not all projects have an online/digital component but for those that do, the URLs are listed in the linked document. TED talks are visible on the course website (www.bostonlatincapstone.weebly.com) linked at the bottom of the document linked to this announcement.

BLS families are invited to a panel event on Tuesday, June 7, at 8:00 p.m. on “How Your High Schooler Can Make the Most Out of Their Summer.” This event is organized by Curious Cardinals, an education company that aims to empower K-12 students to discover and pursue their passions with the guidance of college mentors. Throughout the year, the organization hosts timely panel discussions, such as this one, and is open to students, educators, parents, and all others who are interested. You can sign up for the event at this link right here. This is a free event open to all, so please share this with any parents or students. If you have any questions, feel free to contact lydia@curiouscardinals.com.

Registration for the BLS Crew Summer Learn-to-Row and Fall Novice programs is now open! BLS Crew welcomes new students of all grade levels to experience the fun, teamwork, community, and competition of rowing or coxing with BLS on the Charles River. No prior rowing or other athletic experience is required; however, to join as a Novice for the Fall season, at least one week of Summer Learn-to-Row is a prerequisite. (Novices can also join BLS Crew in January for the Winter/Spring season, without taking Learn-to-Row first.) While BLS Crew is a club team supported by rower fees, financial aid is available so all BLS students can participate. Join the information session Thursday, June 2 at 7:30pm. Zoom details are on the BLS Crew website along with registration information, or email info@blscrew.org with questions.

Educational non-profit organization, SuitUp, will host a class of students to solve a realistic corporate challenge. Corporate volunteers will coach students on marketing, design, finance, and strategy, as well as professional “soft skills” before helping them pitch to corporate judges for a cash prize. Three days: Tuesday, 6/7 (3-4:30), Wednesday 6/8 (3-4:30), and Friday 6/10 (3-4). All sessions will be virtual. Sign up here.

Nominations are now open for students and student organizations who have demonstrated excellence in leadership and service this past academic year. Self-nominations are permitted. Award categories include Rising Student Leader, Random Act of Leadership, Service to Community, Student Organization of the Year, and more. The submission deadline is Monday, June 23. Click HERE to review all award categories and to nominate.

Please congratulate the following students on their participation in the Massachusetts State Middle School Science and Engineering Fair held virtually May 19th.

Honorable mention: Leila Ohashi, Madeline Kim, Sarah Deane, Nathan Ramos, Martin Wong, James Bucklaew, Weian Xue, Bea Samuels
3rd Place: Yuxuan Zhang, Hiba El Fatihi, Risa Goldfeld
2nd Place: Alexis Dakin, Anna St Coeur, Chelsea Bateman
1st Place: Clara Harms, Alice Li

All members of Class V will report to the assembly hall R4 on Friday, June 3, 2022 for a presentation by Boston’s Poet Laureate, Porsha Olayiwola. Students should go to their R4 class for attendance purposes. The R4 teacher will then escort students to the auditorium and remain with them for the duration. If the R4 class is a study or a class not exclusive to Class V, students should STILL REPORT to R4 for attendance, and then proceed to the assembly hall.

This FREE program offers a diverse set of learning experiences, including case studies, interactive exercises, team building, access to college staff/faculty, and networking with peers and professionals across the state. Students will explore, connect and increase their understanding about college and the business world while making new friends and developing interpersonal skills in a real-life college setting. Class I-III. Monday, July 25 – Friday, July 29 at Suffolk University in Boston. Contact Allie Orlando with questions (aorlando@masscpas.org, 617.556.2991). Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Calling all students! Want to help welcome the new class of 2028 and class of 2026? Join us on Monday, June 6th and Tuesday, June 7th from 2:30-3:30PM in the Dining Hall to make welcoming signs/ banners! You will receive 2 hours of community service for your participation. Students are encouraged to RSVP through this form: bit.ly/t4servicenstuffrsvp but walk-ins are allowed. We hope to see you there! 

Email us at wolfpackvolunteersbls@gmail.com for any questions!

I am seeking 100 Members of the Junior Class to serve as ushers at Harvard College’s Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 26th and/or Sunday, May 29th. Students may volunteer for one or both of the ceremonies. Volunteers may not have any major disciplinary infractions on record and must have no grade lower than a C- in any class, this term. Please email Ms. Lewis-da Ponte (slewis2@bostonpublicschools.org) no later than Wednesday, May 11, 2022, and indicate WHICH DATE(S) you’d like to serve. All will receive community service hours.

Attention all Juniors and Seniors! Are you planning to attend the prom for your class? If so, enter to win a ticket to your prom. Raffle tickets are $5.00. We will pick the winner on Friday May 13th. Please see Ms. Encarnacao in Guidance room 107 or Ms. Sarkis in room 208.

Join BLS LAB (learning about biochem) for a science poster making event on Wednesday May 4th in room 329 at 2:30pm. 1 hour of community service will be given to all who attend and create at least one poster. These posters (digital or handwritten) will be hung in the hallways as a way to promote science and inspire people throughout the building. All students are welcome!

The decision day celebration will continue into Tuesday May 3 for students who were absent on Monday May 2. Class I students are welcome to stop by the guidance office at any time on Tuesday May 3 to celebrate their decisions and pick up their stars. Feel free to contact Ms. Frank for more details.

Congrats to the BLS students who competed at the 2022 Harvard Certamen Tournament last weekend! There were over 60 teams competing from across the nation competing in their first in-person event in two years, and we’re very proud of your performance!
Novice (3rd place): Joseph Hemr, Mila Matteson, Emmy Zamora, Cynthia Francis, Thomas McMahon
Intermediate (1st place): Maya Koreth, Andrew Lai, Ailin Sha, Mark Snekvik, Hannah Stoll
Advanced (3rd place): Biya Brook, Alex Xu, Louisa Hemr, Kyler Hoogendoorn-Ecker

The 5th annual MOTH story day at Boston Latin School, organized by Boston Latin’s Topol Fellows in Peace and Non-Violence, will feature students and faculty presenting 10-15 minute stories in a day-long series of sessions (with the exception of R5) on Thursday, March 31 in the Black Box theater.

MOTH stories originated in 1997, first as local live events, then as a radio program and podcast and now as events all over the world. Over 25,000 Moth stories have been recorded to date. All stories are true, as seen from the perspective of the storyteller, and are delivered mostly extemporaneously for approximately ten minutes each.

Please encourage your teachers to bring you to this event. It’s always moving and memorable!

This is the first time many of the speakers have told their stories in a public setting, so we ask that students be respectful of the speakers and their topics and show their support. We will be announcing a trigger warning at the start of each MOTH session. Teachers: please be sensitive to the maturity level of your students as you make a decision to sign up–or not–for seats.

If you have any questions, please contact Judi Freeman (jfreeman@bostonpublicschools.org), Topol Fellows adviser, in room 307.

The MBTA Blue Line will be temporarily closed from Saturday, April 2 to Thursday, April 14 for harbor tunnel repair. Shuttle Buses will service the following stops: Airport, Maverick, Aquarium, State (drop off only), and Government Center.

On Tuesday, March 29th @ 2:30 pm, there will be a film screening of The War Game (1966), a “docu-drama” (showing fictionalized events but simulating a hypothetical scenario) depicting what would happen in a nuclear war and the impacts it would trigger. The BBC originally censored the film after they deemed it “too horrifying for the medium of broadcast” and likely to radicalize the public against nuclear weapons.

Ira Helfand (co-president of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and recipient of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize on their behalf) will be speaking. You may remember hearing him speak R1 on Human Rights Day. Dr. Helfand will be answering any questions about the current threat of nuclear war, as well as the current relevance to the war in Ukraine.

To learn and join the conversation, come to the Seevak Room on March 29th, at 2:30 pm!

On Friday, March 25 (Day 5), all BLS students and staff will participate in our school-wide MLK Celebration. Though postponed since January, our annual celebration serves as an opportunity to learn from one another, to strengthen bonds, and to build community. This year’s theme is “Lift as We Climb” and the assembly schedule runs as follows:

R1 and R2: Classes III and IV (do not file until 8:05)
R3 and R4: Classes V and VI
R6 and R7: Classes I and II

Students must first report to class for attendance before being escorted to the auditorium. Teachers should remain with their class in the assembly hall. The assemblies will conclude before the end of R2, R4, and R7 so that students will have enough time to check in with their teachers. Additionally, there are related workshops and special programs throughout the day for which individual teachers may have registered their classes.

The PIC Summer Internship Application is now open! Students in grades 10-12 may apply for PAID positions in healthcare, tech, business, architecture, biotech, arts & media, and more! Apply by the priority deadline of March 20th to avoid missing out. Please email Ms. Gorrill at lgorrill@bostonpublicschools.org with any questions.

Please join Ms. Harari and the prafects for another 8th grade book lover meet-up on Wednesday, March 9 after school in the library’s electronic classroom! Come on your own or bring a friend but bring along a book you’d recommend to another 8th grade book lover. We’ll have a new game to play and also get to look at some new books that have just arrived at the Keefe!

Have a story to tell? The Topol Fellows will be holding auditions for the annual Moth Day (to be held on Thursday, March 31). During Moth Day, students and faculty share personal stories with other members of the BLS community. If you’re worried about content, there have been stories ranging from exploring one’s identity to a seagull stealing the speaker’s cookies! To audition, fill out this form by March 7th.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAmpljV_HttB1Xzu8JbN4sRBLIfB_J4xdDkakY-FkjbAAdUw/viewform

The Teen Summer Writing Fellowship is an intensive, 3 week creative writing program. Through classes, workshops, and readings, students will generate new work, learn about the craft of writing, and gain knowledge of the writing/publishing world. Each of the 20 students chosen to participate will receive a stipend of $625 upon completing the program and its requirements. When: Mondays through Fridays, July 11th – July 29th, 2022. Who: All incoming 9th-12th graders. DEADLINE: 2/22/22

The 2022 Unafraid Scholarship is now open to BPS undocumented seniors. Since its inception in 2017, the Unafraid Scholarship has awarded more than $280,000 to 105 deserving BPS graduates. Please see Ms. Vasquez (rm 022B or gvasquez@bostonpublicschools.org) if you have any questions. DEADLINE: 6/1/22 but don’t delay. Juniors please note this will be an option for you during your senior year, mark your calendars to remind you to apply then.

Interested in science, journalism, and/or science journalism? Catapulta is looking for article submissions for our Winter issue, and we invite you to write about any topic or issue related to STEM that interests you. Articles should be at least 200 words and are due by Sunday, January 30th, 2022. Please send submissions to or email us with any questions at catapultasciencebls@gmail.com — we look forward to publishing your work!

The library will be closed for study hall sign-up during R1 on Thursday, January 13 as Ms. Ellis and Ms. Harari will be hosting the English 12 presentation in the auditorium. It will be open for the remainder of the day and after school.

Submit questions to Kelsey & Maggie’s Corner, the Argo’s official advice column, through the following link (bit.ly/3JWU9H9). Get your question featured in the January Issue!

The BLS Athletic Department and Friends of Athletics will be hosting its 6th annual “Playing Sports in College” Presentation and Panel Discussion. We invite all student-athletes in all grades and their families to attend. Attendees will receive information regarding the NCAA, the Eligibility Center, and several other aspects pertinent to the recruitment process. In addition, BLS alumni who participated or are currently participating in collegiate athletics will join us to discuss their experiences in college athletics as well as their journey in attaining their spot at the next level whether it be at the Division 1, 2, 3, or club level. The panel members will be announced soon.

This enrichment course, designed for students in grades 9-12, will introduce students to key concepts in mapping and data science using examples drawn from Boston—no experience needed! Students will develop informed perspectives on the relationship between widespread data collection and democracy; statistical bias and mapping; and urgent questions about race, place names and historical memory.

Participants will receive a $25 gift card. This enrichment course was developed with the Data + Feminism Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was supported by the Abdul Latif Jameel World Education Lab.

Calling all BLS poets and declaimers: Carry on BLS’s proud tradition of high achievement in the 2022 Poetry Out Loud competition for students in Classes I-IV. This year’s school-level contest will take place on January 27 at 2:30 pm. We are hoping to hold an in-person event in a location TBA; if this is not possible, we will host a Zoom event. Our school winner will advance to the regional semi-finals, sponsored by the Huntington Theater, with the state champion moving on to the national competition in the spring, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. All events will be held remotely, with significant prizes awarded at the state and national levels. Registration forms are available outside the English office, room 519. Questions? Please see Ms. Moran or email at smoran@bostonpublicschools.org

The NHS Welcome Meeting that was scheduled to take place during W-block on Wednesday, 1/12 is being postponed until further notice. Inductees will be emailed information about a new date when it becomes available. As a reminder, any junior who has not received their decision letter due to absence or a HR teacher’s absence should contact Mr. Finnigan (pfinnigan2@bostonpublicschools.org) ASAP to receive one.

To minimize confusion and ensure student safety on what we know will be a very busy day, we are requesting that unless students have documented medical appointments that there be no early dismissals on Wednesday. As a reminder, students are permitted five days of excused absences in their BLS careers over and above absences allowed for illness, religious holidays and other obligations. Students who would need to leave school early to accommodate travel arrangements or otherwise, are advised to consider using one of their five career absences. You can find the absence policy on pages 7-9 in the BLS 2021-22 Agenda Book and the absence form here.

We are excited to return to in-person rallies in the upper gym this year and need your support in making Spirit Day safe and enjoyable for all. Please note:

There will not be a W Day on Wednesday, November 24 and the bell schedule will run as follows:
R1: Special programming for sixies (for all other grades, Day 5, R1 class)
R2: Rally 1 for Class III and IV
R3: Rally 2 for Class VI and V
R4: Rally 3 for Class I and II

Pep rallies will take place in the upper gym and all attendees will be masked at all times. November 24 is a half day, ending after R4. We understand that some students and staff may feel more comfortable in a less crowded space. As an alternative, we are reserving the Dining Hall throughout the morning for those who wish to opt out of the rallies. If you prefer to be in the Dining Hall during the period your grade is scheduled to attend the rally, you must complete this brief form by Monday, November 22 at 3:00 p.m. This form may also be found on student and staff-facing SIS pages.

Pool testing will move next week from our regularly scheduled Wednesday to Monday, November 22. The shift to Monday will allow for results to be returned before the Thanksgiving break. Students, please continue to keep our campus safe by pool testing during studies, lunch, or after school.

We have Thanksgiving meal boxes for students and families who would like them. If you could benefit from a meal box, please email Ms. Delorme-Metayer at rdelormemetayer@bostonpublicschools.org.

Last chance to audition for El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom! So far we have not had enough people audition to run the show. It’s a really fantastic play and would love to put it on. If you are interested in auditioning please email jgels@bostonpublicschools.org. If we dont have enough people by the end of the week, we will need to cancel.

The Deitch Leadership Institute will partner with Junior Achievement to offer a Personal Financial Literacy workshop series (earnings, budgets, savings, debt, credit cards, basic investments, etc). Mr. Levesque will facilitate 8 workshops after school on Mondays, starting November 1. Click HERE to sign up and vote for a meeting time. Email jlevesque@bostonpublicschools.org with questions. Class I-IV.

Excited about the new or upcoming films like Spider-Man: Far From Home? Dune? Dear Evan Hanson? All The Boys: Forever and Always? Nightingale? These are just a few of the countless book inspired movies around us. For all those book lovers and movie goers, we got you!

BLS film and books club (FAB) invites you to join us as we read, watch, and discuss contemporary as well as more acclaimed novels and their corresponding movies. Our first introductory meeting will be held after school on November 3rd in Room 215 from 2:30 to 3:15. Club meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month. Everyone enjoys a good book and fun movie nights so sign up here.

Email blsfilmandbooks@gmail.com for any questions. Looking forward to a FAB-ulous year!

Do you have any pets? Do you love Halloween? Enter BLS WWF’s Pet Halloween Costume Contest!

To enter the competition, submit your entry through this padlet: padlet.com/rbenedetto3/fz8ambi0hhb0cvbo

For submissions, follow Riley Benedetto’s post as an example. Please submit your photos by October 31st.

To vote, like any photo you think deserves to win. The person with the most likes for their pets’ costume will win a toy for their pet of their choice.

We look forward to seeing all the amazing costumes 🙂

BLS WWF

Destress and celebrate the Roman Days of the Dead with BLSJCL! The festival is happening this Wednesday, October 27, in the dining hall from 2:30 to 4:00 PM. There will be a short presentation, face mask decorating, Roman-themed charades, and a beanbag toss. We will close the event by showcasing the masks in a fashion show, with the winners receiving prizes! *The event is free to enter, but it costs $3 to decorate (and keep) a face mask.*

Interested in STEM and/or Journalism? Become an associate editor for Catapulta! Our Fall production session is taking place these next two weeks: the copy (grammar editing) and content (scientific accuracy editing) departments will meet from Tuesday, October 26 to Friday, October 30, while the layout department (graphic design) will meet the following week, from Monday, November 1st to Friday, November 5th. All meetings will run from 2:30 – 3:30 be in room 330, except on Fridays, when we will meet in the computer lab across the library. You do not need to attend every day to get credit; we are flexible and happy to accommodate your schedule. Don’t worry if you do not have editing experience — our head and assistant editors are friendly and ready to help! Please email catapultasciencebls@gmail.com with questions.

First Public Declamation will take place on Wednesday, October 27th (Day 4) during W-block in the auditorium. The program will extend into R3. All members of Class VI will attend the assembly. We request that teachers take attendance and promptly arrive, in order to start the program as early as possible. We look forward to the performances of the invited student declaimers. Please see the list of participants.Thank you.(Callum & Harari)

All interested students from all grades are encouraged to tryout for First Public Declamation, which will take place Thursday, October 14th in the auditorium after school between 2:30-4:30pm. Students may declaim a passage or abridged version of a poem, speech, book or play. The duration of the text may not exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds. If interested, complete the Google form LOCATED HERE or on bls.org, and provide your contact information, along with the exact text you plan to perform. The submission form is due Tuesday, October 12th. All seniors who want to participate must tryout. Only juniors who participated in Prize Declamation for the 2020-2021 year are exempt from tryouts. – The assembly is scheduled for Wednesday, October 27th.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdj45vXn9T5d2asO5LnKkO8QgMKFTR6k1MMgCsgjAxfhmu5Xg/viewform

Class I and Class II students are invited to apply to be a Peer Mentor!

Are you a friendly and responsible BLS student? Are you interested in helping a younger student succeed at BLS? Apply to be a peer mentor!

The Peer Mentoring program matches a small group of 7th graders with juniors and seniors that meet together once a month during W-block from November – April. Each month you will be given an agenda with a theme for the month, an icebreaker, and some talking points to help guide your discussion.

Complete an application (forms.gle/LzhNPGk7mNYcXUM57) by Friday, 10/8.

Interested in trying improv comedy but don’t know where to start? Improv Bootcamp is for you! The Yellow Submarine Improv Troupe is looking for new members and will teach you to do improv! Monday October 4 through Thursday October 7 after school. Meet at the Black Box (416). Can’t make it every day? No problem, come for what you can.

Students who signed up for SquashBusters at the extracurricular activity fair or for any student interested in a varsity squash after school program:

Schedule: Open house dates for Boston Latin School kids at SquashBusters are Wed Oct. 6th & Thurs. Oct. 7th from 4 pm – 7 pm. Students will be introduced to the program by playing team building activities and novice level squash.

Paperwork: Students must bring their Tryout Paperwork with them. If they don’t have a copy, they can get one when they arrive on Wednesday and bring it back signed the next day.

Transportation: Kids can either walk to SquashBusters or get picked up and driven to the building located at 795 Columbus Ave, Roxbury Crossing 02120. Mikhail will be picking up students after school Wednesday and Thursday at 2:15 pm on 85 Palace Road by the gates towards the back entrance of the building.

If students would like to learn more about our program, we are beginning our 6-week tryout for 7th-11th grade starting Mon. Oct 4th. If they or anyone they know would like to try out, please contact Ben Osajie b.osajie@squashbusters.org

Are you interested in being on BLS’s very own TV channel? Well you’re in luck! BLSTV is holding auditions in room 121 on Wednesday, Oct. 6th, after school at 2:30. Make sure to file in a line outside of the room until further instruction.

There are positions open on and off screen, so if you’re at all interested check it out!

If you have any questions email us at blstvinfo@gmail.com

Starting on Monday 10/4 the library will use Oculus for attendance. Students should activate their accounts to schedule a spot (link is on SIS). Teachers already have accounts and can reset their password if needed (link is also on SIS). After locating students in Oculus, teachers will change student attendance to AE in SIS. Students should report directly to the library at the beginning of their study period with their student ID in hand. For more details and a step by step process, view this “Going to the library from study hall” slideshow. Email phourigan@bostonpublicschools with any questions or problems.

All students can now print black and white copies in the dining hall in the morning before homeroom.

Choose “Student Printing” from the list of available printers on your chromebook. If prompted, click sign in with Google, then enter your ID number on the printer to print your jobs.

Please see Mr. Mankin or Mr. Hourigan in the Technology Department with any questions.

Need Community Service? Of course you do! Connect with 20+ service organizations at the BLS Community Service Fair Tuesday October 5 at 2:15 in the dining hall.

Are you interested in being a senior class officer (President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer)? Or are you interested in learning more about what each of the roles are like? Join us for an informational meeting on Wednesday, June 16th at 2:30. Please email Ms. Encarnacao for the zoom information at aencarnacao@bostonpublicschools.org

Current AP students must take several steps to prepare for their AP exams. The first step is to ensure that the device that you will be testing with has the College Board AP testing app installed. If you have a school issued Chromebook, this has been completed by BPS. If you are using your own PC or Mac computer, you must download the app following these directions. Personal Chromebooks may not be used for AP testing. If you have a personal Chromebook, you should get a school issued Chromebook. Additional information will be forthcoming from the College Board, your AP teacher, and Mr. Kennelly.

BLS Asian Students in Action’s annual Asian Night is moving online for the second year in a row! Mark your calendars for BLS ASIA’s 2021 Asian Night (virtual edition), which will take place on Friday, May 7th at 7PM! Asian Night has become an annual tradition hosted by ASIA to celebrate Asian American talent and excellence in the student body of Boston Latin School. This year’s theme, PANDAmonium is a salute to the resilience and resistance of the Asian American community in the face of the past year’s event, including the rise in racism and race-motivated attacks since the COVID-19 pandemic (see attached flyer). We’ll have raffles, gift cards, performances, and opportunities to get involved with the AAPI community! Hope to see you there!

We encourage everyone to attend, please learn more and RSVP at bit.ly/asiannight2021!

Click here to view our poster!

Contact us at blsasiaclub@gmail.com or @blsasia on Instagram with any questions you may have!

After taking home the state championship banner to BLS in March, the Academic WorldQuest Team took 23rd place out of 105 teams competing at the national competition on Saturday, April 17th. Congratulations to Sylvia Posever (team captain), Carrie Wang, Ourania Parastatidis, Aidan Osowiecki and Andrew Yu!!!

BLS World Wildlife Fund is hosting Rebecca Shoer, Cabot Education and Community Engagement Program Manager at Boston Harbor Now. In this role, she plans, coordinates, and implements education and community science initiatives in collaboration with her organization and other local partners. Come to learn more about Ms. Shoer’s journey of pursuing a career within environmental advocacy! The event is open for all classes, and attendees will receive 2 volunteer service hours for their participation. If you are interested in attending, please fill out this RSVP Form.

Tune in this Friday, 4/30, at 6:30pm for the Spring Virtual Arts Showcase Part 1! The night will feature performances from bands, choirs, and orchestras, plus Big Band, Gospel Choir, and Show Choir. Log on a few minutes early to catch a pre-performance art exhibit from Mr. Harris’ AP Studio Art class. Registration link to receive the YouTube link is: www.bls.org/spring_arts_showcase

Come to the Human Library during Friday Flex of 4/9 and 4/16!

For this year’s VIRTUAL Human Library, members of the Boston community will come to BLS to share their experiences and engage in meaningful conversations with the students on the theme of Justice. Students rotate in small groups through the “books,” (our speakers), getting 10 minutes of real conversation–not formal presentations. Instead, you’ll get the chance to talk casually with our guests. Want to learn more? Click HERE to visit the Human Library website. Students who attend will receive 1 hour of outside community service! Follow this link to the form to register. This event is open to students in grades 8-12 but space is limited!

D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything & Read) Wellness in the Keefe Library – Sign Up Forms – All Students

-20 spots/each wellness period
-If you can submit the form, you have a spot.
-Come for both days.
-Enter the library behind alma mater statue (near the old entrance on the first floor).
-You can find a book to read once you are here.

Keefe Library is loaning again! Request a book or we will surprise you with a grab bag delivered to your homeroom! Search or browse for books on the Bookshelf page and fill out our Book Borrowing Google Form.

The MIT BoSTEM Scholars Academy is a full-time summer program in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for high school students (Class III and II) who are underrepresented in those fields. Since 2017, we have provided Greater Boston area high school students, mostly underrepresented minorities, the opportunity to gain experience in STEM in the heart of MIT’s campus. We aim to instill an internal paradigm of success by providing teens access to academic enrichment, pre-college resources, and a supportive community.

The 2021 PREFACE Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute! PREFACE is a summer program for talented students who have been historically under-represented in science, engineering, and the technological fields, and who express a strong, early interest in pursuing careers in these areas. This year’s program will take place virtually Monday through Friday from June 28 to July 16, 2021. The 2021 program will focus on engineering solutions to create a more sustainable environment. In partnership with Rensselaer, the Troy School District (TSD) Community Greenhouse was initially established to introduce sustainability through agriculture. Since then, it has become an important, ongoing site for senior capstone projects in the Rensselaer Multidisciplinary Design Laboratory (MDL). Six separate capstone teams have proposed possible solutions to a variety of challenges, including the harsh northeast climate and limited water and power sources that diminish the effectiveness of the greenhouse growing season.Working in teams, the 2021 PREFACE students will complete their own capstone projects, modeled on the format required of senior Rensselaer engineering students.

Need Community Service? Of course you do! Connect with 15+ service organizations and find great places to volunteer at the spring BLS Virtual Community Service Fair, Wednesday March 31 at 2:15. Complete this form to receive the Zoom link.

BLS Track and Field is hosting an informational session on Thursday, Jan 21st at 2:15. We will discuss possible logistics for the indoor and outdoor seasons and answer questions you may have. We look forward to seeing and connecting with our current and prospective athletes and their families. Email Mr. Pietrangelo (ppietrangelo@bostonpublicschools.org) for the Zoom link.

If you are interested in documenting memories of the time you spent at Boston Latin School, join the yearbook staff today! Please fill out the Google Form Application by January 15, 2021.

Students who need a BPS Chromebook can pick one up at the BLS front entrance on Wednesday, January 13 from 3-5pm. While all BPS students are eligible for a Chromebook, we would like to prioritize any student who needs a Chromebook as a primary or backup machine. There will be several more opportunities this spring to get one.

High School Quiz Show is holding preliminary tryouts for the two-time state championship team on Wednesday, January 6th at 2:00 PM. If you want to participate, join the Discord server for more info + signups. See you all there!

Happy New Year, everyone! Thank you to everyone who has already filled out the Holiday Season Favorite Songs survey. If you haven’t heard about it yet, here’s the deal:

If you follow the link, you will find a survey asking you to rank your Top 5 Holiday songs. I included the top 20 songs from my classes’ rankings before vacation. (Sorry if your favorite didn’t make this initial list!) Once everyone at BLS has a chance to pick their Top 5, I am going to record myself counting down the hits Ryan Seacrest-style!

I’m hoping that I can get a great response from the BLS community. I’m planning to keep the voting open until Friday 1/8/21. Thank you for helping me out with this, and I hope that you’ll enjoy this way to keep this festive season going! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Find community service opportunities in the Boston area by visiting opportunities on InnerView when you click here.

The winter 2020 issue of The Register is here!

Join BLS Real Talk and other Real Talk chapters at 7-8 pm EST on October 27th for a presentation and Q&A with Chair of the Santa Clara County Democratic Party, Bill James. Register for the Zoom event with this link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3Xngnf9LRD8lGf58_rrrZ09fnECPyx3aSIZiyn40jIwY7gQ/viewform

Feel free to check out the newly posted EC Fair issue, as well as explore the website’s functions. The Argo will also have its first general meeting this Wednesday, October 28, at 2:00PM! Sign up for the email list at bit.ly/blsargo for more info. 🙂

The following dates and times will be available for you to come to campus to pick up your $50 Staples gift card. No appointment necessary; one gift card per student. Please come to the front of the school with your one card to expedite the pick up process.

Tuesday 10/27: 1:30 pm – 5 pm

Thursday 10/29: 2 pm – 5 pm

Sunday 11/1: 10 am – 11 am

Monday 11/2: 2 pm – 5 pm

Monday 11/2 will be the FINAL day of Staples gift card distribution. All unused gift cards will be returned to the district on Monday 11/2.

If you are looking for College Essay Help and the after school hours of the Writing Center do not work with your schedule, we now have TWO additional opportunities for you: Tuesday mornings from 7:45-8:15 and Friday Flex Block! Please click on the this link to make an appointment if interested.

FeminSTEM’s first club meeting is this Tuesday 2:30-3:30 pm. We have a very special guest speaker: Mahlet Shiferaw, recent Harvard grad, and BLS alumna! She will be talking about her experience as a woman in STEM and her work in astrophysics and physics. Please come prepared with some questions, as we will have lots of time for a Q&A!

Please fill out this form if you are thinking of attending.

We’ll send the zoom link the day before.

The following colleges have scheduled virtual visits to BLS in the coming week. Please register in Naviance Colleges page for the visit to access the meeting link:

Tues, 10/27: Bowdoin, Carnegie Mellon, Curry, Lesley, Syracuse

Wed, 10/28: Clark, Denison, Princeton, Roger Williams, Wentworth

Thurs, 10/29: Endicott, University of Toronto, Union, Washington in St. Louis,

Fri, 10/30: University of Maine, Massachusetts Maritime, Northeastern, University of Richmond, Smith

Mon, 11/2: Bunker Hill, Mass. College of Pharmacy, Muhlenberg, North Carolina State, Trinity, Columbia – International Dual BA Program

All students currently enrolled in an AP class must register for their AP exams via both AP Classroom and this BLS AP Exam Registration form. This should be completed by Friday October 2. Contact Mr. Kennelly with any questions.

The Co-Directors of the annual Human Library event, Rachel Weng (I) and Jack Trapanick (II) are looking for students in their Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior year interested in helping coordinate the Human Library as Assistant Directors. Directors meet once weekly (with Ms. Harari) to reach out to potential guest speakers and establish logistics. More details on the event and position can be found HERE. If you are interested in the position, please fill out THIS GOOGLE FORM by 2:15 PM Wednesday, October 7th; you may then be contacted via email for a follow-up interview. If you have any questions, email blshumanlibrary@gmail.com.

Congratulations to the following students:

President: Nitz-fa Dimanche and Gian Martinez
VP: Beatrix Knight and Mia Thompson-Merullo
Treasurer: Bronte Buckingham and Xiangan He
Secretary: Ja’Karri Pierre and Mandy Sun

Speeches from the finalist will be pre-recorded and shown during Extended Homeroom on Wednesday 10/7 and will be immediately followed by the final vote. Thank you to all who ran! We appreciate your leadership.

For just 7th to 9th grade actors! Come sign up to audition for the One Act Plays! Auditions are October 6 and 7. We will be doing three one acts comedies this year over Zoom that are going to be a lot of fun. This is a great way to either first get involved with or continue your involvement in BLS Theatre. All the details are in a google classroom. code: 6d2w7ye

Are you interested in any aspect of theatre but missed the general meeting on Monday? No problem! Use this google form to tell us you exist and where your interests lie and we will get you the information you need! forms.gle/bPHspKCoYwdVg3Y89 Further you can join our Slack channel. Introduce yourself when you arrive and be welcome by the ever friendly virtual theatre arms join.slack.com/t/blstheater/shared_invite/zt-bihwla3a-pO6ceHWz8XuXIpa5J1d8XQ

Boston Latin School Clough Center for Global Understanding partner CIEE is again offering programming and financial aid to BLS students to support their development as engaged global citizens. Students can apply for CIEE Global Navigator programs and scholarships. Dozens of BLS students have participated in recent years, with substantial financial support from CIEE and the BLSA. More information will be provided through world language classes and Friday Flex periods. Students can also participate in Global Nomads Groups free of charge through the CIEE partnership. Contact Mr. Kennelly for more information on these and other exciting global programs.

Pathways to Science and Engineering is an after school program geared towards high school students interested in STEM. Multiple graduate students and faculty members from Northeastern University will be presenting their ongoing research to participants, and participants will have time to ask questions about the presenter’s research and their field of study. I Participants will be meeting remotely via Zoom every Tuesday from 4:00-5:00pm for 8 weeks, starting this Tuesday, October 6th, 2020. Interested students should confirm their interest by filling out this survey.

All students in Classes I-IV ( grades 12-9) must register with InnerView in order to sign up for and verify community service. Contact Mr. Kennelly with any questions.

Would you be interested in a free after school program for grades 9-12 on architecture, construction, and engineering that meets October through March? The ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston is holding information sessions for students, parents/guardians, and educators to learn about ACE. Read more about the program here Sign up for an information session (on Zoom) here. Questions? Email Jen Fries at jfries@acegreaterboston.org This program can lead to scholarships and internships for students!!

InnerView may only be used by students in grades 9-12 because of the InnerView user agreement. Students currently in grades 7 & 8 will be able to sign up for InnerView in grade 9 and record any completed hours at that time. Accounts for students not currently in grades 9-12 will be deleted.

All students are required to complete this form and will be given time tomorrow in extended homeroom to do so. You will need to know your Student ID#, parent/guardian contact info, and emergency contact info. Make sure to also check SIS (once it’s working again) to see if there is any information that needs to be corrected).

Club registration is now open! This year our whole process will be digital. All clubs need a faculty advisor, and each club will create a flyer, a zoom meeting link and a google form for new members. Check out the link on SIS and if you have any questions, email Ms. Murray at dmurray@bostonpublicschools.org

Students are reminded that our current virtual schedule is built around Day 1 of the traditional BLS schedule displayed on SIS.

Mondays serve as our “anchor day,” when all seven periods meet. On Tuesdays-Fridays, students’ core academic classes are stretched over two days. The Day 1 schedule should be used to fill in core classes on every day of the week.

Students can then find their “specials,” including music, art, and theater, physical education and health on the supplemental schedule. The specials run on a two week cycle, so make sure you make note of your section meeting times during both weeks. Your specials should fit into blank spaces on your schedule if you used Day 1 for your core classes. For a refresher on how to create your schedule, please see the video developed by Hailey Harold, Class I: Translating the BLS Schedule: A Tutorial.

In recognition of Yom Kippur, there will be no in-class tests or quizzes on Monday, September 28. Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is considered the holiest day of the year by those of the Jewish faith. Students who observe the holiday will be marked constructively present and allowed full makeup privileges.