The Digital Dragon




Student, Family & Community

Student Activity and Support Block

Our Student Activity launch occured this past Thursday and it was a SUCCESS! Students chose from a variety of offerings from their BLA teachers and community partners.

Student Support Block will launch this Tuesday (October 26) during 2nd period.

Student Support Block is an opportunity for students to receive academic, mental health, executive functioning support, etc. This time can be used to organize large-group grade-level or group-specific workshops (e.g. college essay writing for seniors) as well as for teachers to offer academic support for their classes.

Families, please check out our Support Block Course Catalog and make sure your child has choosen their selection.

Instructions on how to select their support can be found HERE

Proceeds will benefit Junior and Senior prom

BLA Operations

EXCUSED ABSENCES/TARDY & EARLY DISMISSAL

If you want to submit a request for an excused absence or an excused tardy, please fill out this form: latinacademy.org/excuse. Dropping off your excuse note at the office is still a valid option. Feel free to reach out to Mr. Chen for any questions (ychen2@bostonpublicschools.org) regarding attendance.


If you want to pick up your child for an early dismissal, please fill out this form: latinacademy.org/dismiss.

BPS DAILY HOME HEALTH CHECKLIST

Please use the BPS daily checklist everyday. The checklist is available in many languages and found HERE


MORNING SAFETY

Please watch your speed during school arrival times. For the safety of our students, no U-turns.

POOL COVID TESTING

Covid-19 Pool testing will take place every Wednesday at BLA from 6:30am to 2pm in the Medical Waiting Room (Rm 142).

Students

BSU and Mind Right, Money Right Partner

During

YouthBuild the Architecture Designery

Activity Block

Young Audiences of MA: Hip Hop Dance

BLA Student Opportunities

Co-Ed Wrestling Team Info Meeting: The BLA Wrestling Team will be having an information meeting on Wednesday October 27th after school in Room 312. The BLA Wrestling Team is open to all interested students of all genders and grade levels, no experience required to tryout! Please see Mr. Valenzuela in Room 312 for more info.


The Knitting Club is starting online! Now there are opportunities to not only knit, but to also get community service hours for your crafts. It starts on November 2nd (Every Monday) from 6:30 to 7:30. Contact Mistchnache Prinston (mprinston@bostonk12.org) or Oscar Sanchez (osanchez7@bostonk12.org) to receive the zoom link! There will be games and music!

Student Support


Academic Mentoring: Now Accepting Applications


The BPS Academic Mentoring Programis accepting applications and nominations for interested BPS students in grades 6 to 12. Please see the website for details.


For more information, email:

Brian Marques, bmarques@bostonpublicschools.org

Latin Extra Help at PROJECT DEEP

For 26 years, Project DEEP in Dorchester offers an extra help class for those students who struggle with the language of Latin. Thursday nights beginning October 28th. 6-7pm for 1st year students/7-8pm for 2nd/3rd year students. $125 for the course. Ends mid May. Visit www.projectdeep.org for registration form. Extra Help is held in the Murphy School in Dorchester.

Contact Lauren McCarthy - lauren@projectdeep.org


College Essay Boot Camp

Register here for 826 Boston’s FREE Virtual College Essay Boot Camps 2021. Join us Saturdays: October 30, November 20, and December 11. Space is limited, so sign up now to be paired 1-on-1 with a trained writing tutor to work on your college essay. All students at all stages of the writing process are welcome. If you have any questions, please contact will@826boston.org.


COLLEGE ESSAY WRITING

Need help with writing your college essay? Free tutoring sessions for juniors and seniors.

Register today! Email roxburyhycc@gmail.com or call 617-427-0613

Starts Tuesdays October 12- November 16 from 4pm-6pm

Location: 9 Fulda Street, Roxbury MA 02119

Snacks provided. Attend one or more sessions.

COLLEGE PLANNING

Stay up-to-date with college admissions information, scholarships, P/SAT/ACT testing and more college planning resources: https://www.collegevigorbla.com/


Upcoming Events

MONDAY

  • Girls Varsity Soccer vs Winthrop High

Auditions for Spirit Week will take place on Monday, October 25 (MC/National Anthem) from 1:45pm to 3:00pm

TUESDAY

  • 7:20a 7th Grade Thompson Island Field Trip

  • 8:23a Support Block Launch (mwhite8@bostonpublicschools.org/jmanchester@bostonpublicschools.org)

  • 4:00p Boys Varsity Soccer vs O'Bryant High


WEDNESDAY

  • 7:20a 7th Grade Thompson Island Field Trip

  • 4:00p Girls Varsity Soccer vs East Boston High


THURSDAY

  • 7:20a 7th Grade Thompson Island Field Trip


FRIDAY

COVID 19 Vaccination Clinic at Boston Latin Academy from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Please use main entrance on Townsend near flagpole.

  • 4:00p Football vs. Tech Boston Academy @TBD


SPIRIT WEEK AUDITIONS

Auditions for Spirit Week will take place on Monday, October 25 (MC/National Anthem) from 1:45pm to 3:00pm. Additional auditions for Dance, Step, Singing, and other performances will take place on Wednesday, November 3 and Thursday, November 4 from 1:45p to 3:00pm. All auditions will take place in the auditorium. More information will be sent out via email.

BLA Spotlight: Girls Soccer Team

Our Boston Latin Academy Girls Soccer Team was able to raise $1467 to donate to the American Cancer Society through Coaches vs. Cancer! Thank you to everyone who made our Breast Cancer Awareness event a success! Whether you bought pink items, helped manage and run the event, donated food or other goods, purchased a raffle ticket, attended the game on Saturday, or spread the word, you helped contribute to a great cause.

Student Opportunities

MassRobotics offers a fellowship program for Black and Latinx girls in grades 10-12. In the Jumpstart Program, girls earn a stipend to learn the basics of coding and robotics and have the opportunity to apply for paid summer internships at various Boston area robotics companies. The application for Cohort II is open through November 1. Application here: https://lnkd.in/d59V5_RH


Girls in Real Life Sanctuary is a mentoring program that works to expand young ladies' horizons by helping develop and cultivate their goals. In this program we will participate in different workshops that will cover a variety of topics. Our vision is to have young women achieve all that they want and more because they have set higher expectations for themselves and been exposed to an abundance of opportunities. We are committed to giving young women a plentitude of opportunities to broaden their futures and instill confidence and hope. Sign up HERE Contact Naesoj Ware, naesojware@gmail.com, for more information.


CALLING ALL 10th GRADERS- Apply for SUMMER SEARCH!

Summer Search Boston – a student centered organization on a mission to help young people expand what they believe is possible for themselves.

Summer Search’s overarching goal has long been to help young people graduate from high school, matriculate to a post-secondary education and successfully earn a 4-year college degree within six years. Their services include:

1) Year-round mentoring by full-time, professional staff who encourage students to reflect on their experiences to better understand themselves and to prepare for their futures.

2) Two summer enrichment experiences for high schoolers (wilderness experience, international service trips, pre-college academic programs, or internships) that put students into highly challenging, unfamiliar environments.

3) Support and advice for high school seniors as they plan for and transition to college or another post-secondary pathway.

4) Continued mentoring as needed, connections to internships and career coaching for up to six years after high school.

  • You can view our updated student video here: https://bit.ly/3k1etcN

    • With subtitles in 3 languages

  • Online application is open: https://www.summersearch.org/apply

    • Note: There are two parts to the application. Students have a section they will need to fill out, sign and submit. Once their part of the application is complete, a link will automatically be sent to the parent/guardian whose contact information they provided. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will need to fill out the second half of the application, upload income documentation then sign and submit.

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) Teacher Cadet Program develops strategic partnerships to identify, cultivate, and support middle school and high school, students. These high school students reflect the cultural, linguistic, and racial diversity of BPS to successfully navigate high school, graduate from college, and return as teachers in BPS. If you're interested in making a change in your community, working with children as a career, and/or have a passion for education, fill out the Teacher Cadet Application. BLA teachers and staff: If you'd like to nominate students into the Teacher Cadet program, please fill out Nominate form.



The Boston Branch of the NAACP will be awarding a new HP laptops to two high school students that attend a Metro Boston High school or reside in the Metro Boston area. Applicants are asked to submit an essay (750 words or less) on the importance of racial justice. Submit a completed application and essay by November 1, 2021. Application Link HERE


Looking for a job & love to swim? Lifeguards wanted at The Kroc Center - Training is offered on site at The Kroc Center for those interested without certification. Email Cristian Mojica (A BLA Alum!), Cristian.Mojica@use.salvationarmy.org for more information.



OPPORTUNITY FOR 7th GRADE GIRLS: LITTLE SISTER WORKPLACE MENTORING

Big Sister Boston will be offering our free Workplace Mentoring Program to incoming 7th graders at BLA again. Girls in 7th grade enroll as Little Sisters and are matched with Big Sisters from Fidelity Investments for two academic years. The Workplace Mentoring program occurs on Thursdays, twice a month virtually, with the potential to transition to in-person visits at the Fidelity workplace depending on CDC guidelines. This program offers a mentoring and enrichment experience for the girls of Greater Boston.

Program Dates: October/November 2021- May 2023

For more information and to express interest, click here HERE. Spots are limited!


BIG SISTER COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY AT THE TROTTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Big Sister Boston will be offering our High School Mentoring Program at BLA again this year as a community service learning opportunity! Girls in grades 9th-12th are matched with "Littles" from the Trotter Elementary School around the corner and serve as their mentor. High School Bigs also participate in the Girls Leadership Program, a space dedicated to developing leadership skills, providing peer-to-peer support, and making new friends!

Program Commitment: Once a week after school from 2 - 4.30 pm. Students choose Monday, Wednesday, OR Thursday.

Program Dates: October/November 2021- May 2023

To sign up, go to Big Sister sign up.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • COVID 19 Vaccination Clinic that Boston Medical Center will sponsor here at BLA on two dates: Friday, October 28th from 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM and Friday, November 19th from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM in our small side cafeteria.

  • Janet Fillion's Retirement Celebration (Brunch) will be on Saturday, October 30th from 11 AM - 2 PM at Venezia's Restaurant. Location is 20 Ericsson St., Boston, MA 02122. Cost is $50 per ticket. Please fill out Link to RSVP

  • If you would like to be featured or would like to have a student, student group, teacher, or staff member featured in the next Digital Dragon, please email Ms. White (mwhite8@bostonpublicschools.org) by Thursday of the week.