The Digital Dragon
Student, Family & Community
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) is to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. The theme for 2022 is "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation ".
FUN FACT: Colombia is home to the Cano Cristales – the “River of Five Colors” or the “Liquid Rainbow.” Located in the Serrania de la Macarena province of Meta, the river’s bed changes color between yellow, green, blue, black, and especially red, beginning the end of July and through November.
SSC has been postponed until October 11th @5 PM
SPC will be held on October 12th @6:30 PM
The Family Nurturing Center in Dorchester, MA will be hosting a virtual Family Nurturing Program on Tuesdays 5:30-8:30. The program begins on October 11, 2022. Families can register by contacting Tara Register at 617-474-1143 ext 263 or tregister@familynuturing.org. See attached flyer. Family Nurturing Center Calendar
After School Club and Community Fair in the side Cafeteria @1:45 PM
High School Band is open to all students grades 9-12, regardless of musical experience. If they are interested, come by room 130 to speak to Mr. Smothers. Beginning October 3rd, we will have after-school rehearsals on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:50pm-3:00pm and they are open to anyone who wants to be a part of the band, whether they are enrolled in the class or not. Band this year will be about bringing us all together through music - regardless of any of the things that may separate us otherwise. We want students to make music and be proud of the culture we are trying to build here at BLA!
DISCOVERING JUSTICE'S MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM (FREE!) ]
The Mock Trial Program is a 10-week after-school program that will run on Tuesdays starting October 4th. Most sessions will be virtual (Zoom) from 3:00-4:30pm, while two or three sessions will meet in person after school at the Moakley Courthouse (transportation will be provided).
Greek Club!
Starting October 7th
Thursdays 1:50-2:30
Food, games, etc.
Join us to learn about amazing Greek culture and meet new people!
If you have any questions contact eapazidou@bostonk12.org
Recycling Club
Officially begins Friday, 9/23 at room 331 after school from 1:40-2:20 pm. Help recycle bins from classrooms and gain community service hours!
If you have any questions contact jjonah@bostonk12.org
Crochet Lunch Bunch!
Thursday 5th Period in the Lower Library
Join us for crocheting and camaraderie. No experience required.
Questions? Email: Eleanor Hendrickson ehendrickson@bostonk12.org
Join BLA Dragon Tales School Newspaper!
Want to learn about an exciting opportunity to write about and for the BLA community? Join BLA Dragon Tales, the longest-running publication and only student-led newspaper of BLA. Our first meeting will be Tuesday, September 27th in room 321 at 1:40 and we’ll determine our regular meeting date soon after. Reach out for to Amishai (agoodmangolds@bostonk12.org) or Mr. Mueller (emueller@bostonpublicschools.org) for more information !
Join The Academy Actors
BLA's Drama Club will hold its first meeting next Thursday, Sept. 29th from 1:50 - 2:30 in Carroll Hall. Anyone and everyone is invited to attend!
Questions? Email: Ms. Berinato - aberinato@bostonpublicschools.org
BLA Operations
BPS DAILY HOME HEALTH CHECKLIST
Please use the BPS daily checklist everyday. The checklist is available in many languages and found HERE
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES & SAFETY
Please have your child ready for the bus at their assigned pickup location ten minutes before the stated pickup time. Please also be prepared for bus delays. If you would like to know where your child’s bus is in real time, check out Where’s My School Bus online at schoolbus.bostonpublicschools.org.
If your child needs way-finding help, please encourage them to call the BPS Transportation Helpline at 617-635-9520. If your child becomes lost, they should call 9-1-1. The Boston Police Department's school unit coordinates with Boston Public Schools to locate missing children and return them to their parents and/or guardians or school as quickly as possible.
MORNING SAFETY
Please follow the signs posted near the school and watch your speed during school arrival times.
Please avoid blocking traffic by stopping in the middle of the road, parking in the spots designated for buses, making U-turns and dropping students off in the teacher parking lots.
Library Newsletter
BLA's Hapgood Library is a place for students to visit during their study halls to complete work individually or in small groups. Research shows that listening to music while working or studying has many benefits, including boosting productivity, reducing stress, and improving focus. The library has a combination radio, CD, and record player, and we're looking to expand our music collection to play calm study music throughout the day! If you have any classical or easy listening music on CD or vinyl that you would like to donate to the library, please bring them in to Ms. Sweeney or Ms. Estrada.
Monthly Newsletter
COVID Protocol
If you test positive for COVID, fill out the google form (below) so we can correctly excuse this absence and record this illness. Please follow the directions for quarantine on the form, if you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to Nurse Conlin and Price. You may also visit this website for additional information.
If your student requires any medication during the school year ie: inhaler, epipen , please be sure to fill out the authorization for prescription medication paperwork and have it signed by both parent and MD. See nurse website for more information. If your student may require Ibuprofin/acetominophen/benedryl/ cetrizine, please fill out the OTC form also found on the nurses page. If your student had a Physical exam over the summer or during this school year, please be sure to forward a copy to our school nurses. Please visit our school nurses webpage for any information/paperwork you may require: https://www.latinacademy.org/families/nurses office
Google Form for reporting positive COVID case: HERE
Student Support
Academic Supports Available to Students:
Please see below for a list of academic supports available to all students.
Youth Virtual Learning Programs: Check out this spreadsheet which has over 200 programs available to students to support with academics in the virtual world.
Pie R Squared: Pie R Squared offers live math tutoring after school.
826 Boston: 826 Boston’s after-school tutoring program operates Monday-Thursday for students ages 6-18. We serve the highest-need students in our community and give priority enrollment to students from low-income families and English Language Learners.
Academic Mentoring Program is now available for grades 6-12, where students are able to request a mentor for help and guidance with school (more information below)
Boston Public School District has partnered with Paper to provide ALL students with free, 1-on-1 tutoring and writing support. You can explore this incredible resource with your students right now! Tutoring and writing support in 4 different languages — English, Spanish, French and Mandarin. Interested in speaking to a member of the Paper team? You can reach them at parents@paper.co.
Upcoming Events
*Flyers included below with additional information*
MONDAY 10/03
After School Club and Community Fair in the Side Cafeteria @1:45 PM
Hispanic & LatinX Student Union Bake Sale during all lunches
TUESDAY 10/04
Hispanic & LatinX Student Union Bake Sale during all lunches
THURSDAY 10/06
High School Band after school rehearsals @1:50 PM
FRIDAY 10/07
Greek Club @1:50 PM
Senior Portraits dates- 10/13 and 10/20 - 7:45 am - 11:00 am
Contact Ms. Shah for more information.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
BLA's Global Travel
Students currently in grades 10-12 may travel to Italy; and students currently in grades 9-11 may travel to Japan.
Students and families are invited to join us on our upcoming travel opportunities to Italy 2023 & Japan 2024! Come hear all the details, including the itinerary, academic opportunities, the cost of the trip, and more at our informational meeting on October 6th at 7PM. The meeting will be held virtually. Please click here to register for the meeting ASAP in order to receive the private link: https://bit.ly/3fmAeq3.
Washington DC (Only for current 9th graders)
We will have a second, separate Zoom meeting on October 13 at 7:00 pm for the Class of 2026's trip to Washington DC. To register, please use this link: https://rsvp.efexploreamerica.com/2bzm5td
There are limited spots on these trips, so we would love to have you attend one or both of the meetings to learn more about these exciting opportunities!
Questions about either meeting? Please reach out directly to mmaguire@bostonpublicschools.org.
High School Band
Open to all students grades 9-12, regardless of musical experience. If they are interested, come by room 130 to speak to Mr. Smothers.
Beginning October 3rd, we will have after-school rehearsals on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:50pm-3:00pm and they are open to anyone who wants to be a part of the band, whether they are enrolled in the class or not.
Band this year will be about bringing us all together through music - regardless of any of the things that may separate us otherwise. We want students to make music and be proud of the culture we are trying to build here at BLA!
Want to become a Big Sister?
The High School Mentoring Program at Boston Latin Academy matches high school students (Big Sisters) from BLA with girls (Little Sisters) from Trotter Elementary in one-to-one mentoring relationships. The purpose of the program is two-fold: 1) to provide elementary school girls with the additional encouragement and caring needed to improve their self-confidence; school performance; and relationships with peers and other adults; and 2) prepare high school girls to become future leaders. Big Sisters spend time with their Little Sisters participating in a range of facilitated mentoring activities together. Girls Leadership Program is a unique experience that supports the development of both our Big and Little Sisters. Through the Girls Leadership Program, Big Sisters build leadership and life skills and develop a community of young women who support and empower each other through building healthy relationships. The weekly groups are conducted by staff members at Big Sister Association. The commitment is one day a week from 2:00-4:30pm during the school year. Want to apply or learn more? Please call/text Elizabeth Gregory at Big Sister Association at 1-617-236-5388 or email at egregory@bigsister.org and ask for an application today!
Fresh Films
Starting October 27, you can join Fresh Films to build film skills every Thursday! Dive into the world of shot lists, storyboards, cameras, lights, audio, editing (and much more!) as you create short film projects and learn about the film industry from the pros at Sony, Paramount, Roku, Discovery Networks and more!
What: Master filmmaking skills as you work on 5 different film projects and learn how
to tell your story through film!
When: Thursdays starting October 27th
Where: In person at The Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester and Virtually
Who: YOU!
The program is 100% FREE and no experience is necessary! Space is limited so APPLY NOW!
New film projects kick off every 4-6 weeks!
Application deadline October 20 at freshfilms.org/weeklyfilmmaking
7TH AND 8TH GRADERS: DISCOVERING JUSTICE'S MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM (FREE!)
The Mock Trial Program is a 10-week after-school program that will run on Tuesdays starting October 4th. Most sessions will be virtual (Zoom) from 3:00-4:30pm, while two or three sessions will meet in person after school at the Moakley Courthouse (transportation will be provided). The Mock Trial Program transforms middle school students into the role of trial lawyers. With the support of volunteer attorneys and legal professionals, students tackle age-appropriate legal issues, engage in legal analysis, and ultimately try cases in virtual courtrooms before federal or state judges and juries made up of community members. Space is limited, so please express interest by reviewing the fall schedule and completing the interest form. More information can be found on the Mock Trial Flyer for Students. — For more information, please contact: Ms. DeLuca at edeluca@bostonpublicschools.org
Greek Club!
Starting October 7th
Thursdays 1:50-2:30
Food, games, etc.
Join us to learn about amazing Greek culture and meet new people!
If you have any questions contact eapazidou@bostonk12.org
Recycling Club
Officially begins Friday, 9/23 at room 331 after school from 1:40-2:20 pm. Help recycle bins from classrooms and gain community service hours!
If you have any questions contact jjonah@bostonk12.org
Crochet Lunch Bunch!
Thursday 5th Period in the Lower Library
Join us for crocheting and camaraderie. No experience required.
Questions? Email: Eleanor Hendrickson ehendrickson@bostonk12.org
Join BLA Dragon Tales School Newspaper!
Want to learn about an exciting opportunity to write about and for the BLA community? Join BLA Dragon Tales, the longest-running publication and only student-led newspaper of BLA. Our first meeting will be Tuesday, September 27th in room 321 at 1:40 and we’ll determine our regular meeting date soon after. Reach out for to Amishai (agoodmangolds@bostonk12.org) or Mr. Mueller (emueller@bostonpublicschools.org) for more information !
Join The Academy Actors
BLA's Drama Club will hold its first meeting next Thursday, Sept. 29th from 1:50 - 2:30 in Carroll Hall. Anyone and everyone is invited to attend!
Questions? Email: Ms. Berinato - aberinato@bostonpublicschools.org
First Generation Investors (flyer down below): A nonprofit organization that teaches underserved high school students the power of investing and provides the students with real money to invest. Our mission is to provide underserved young adults the knowledge, skills and tools to thrive in the investment economy
Rock The Street, Wall Street: Looking for individuals that identify as she/her and/or non-binary who want to learn more about savings, investments, budgeting, and more.
Below is an Academic Mentoring Program flyer.
Students can complete this form to REQUEST a mentor.
Staff can coach and support the young people they are matched with in service of their mentees' self-identified goals.
Parent, caregivers, & teachers community partners complete this form to nominate a student.
SPEDPAC
Please review the Special Education Basic Rights (below)
