The Digital Dragon




Student, Family & Community

Thank you to all of our students who participated in the Halloween Costume Fundraiser. Funds will be used to plan the Junior and Senior proms. Another round of thanks for all those who participated in the Vaccination Town Hall and Clinic.

Help Fund the Dungeon and Dragons club

Please consider donating to our club fundraiser HERE For more information, please contact Mr. Moran, smoran2@bostonoublicschools.org.

Final Spirit Day Tryouts are this week. All students that submitted the tryout form will receive an email from your Class Advisors regarding audition dates and times.

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).

HAPGOOD LIBRARY NEWSLETTER

Please check out this month's newsletter HERE

BLA Student Opportunities

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 Program is 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


College Essay Boot Camp

Register here for 826 Boston’s FREE Virtual College Essay Boot Camps 2021. Join us Saturdays: 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 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


WEDNESDAY

Spirit Day Auditions


THURSDAY

Spirit Day Auditions

  • 2:00p Staff Professional Development



SPIRIT WEEK AUDITIONS

Auditions for Spirit Week (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 Halloween Spotlight

Halloween Costume Participants


Student Opportunities

BLA Media and Communications Assistant

Looking to gains hands-on media experience, community service and boost your college resume? Look no further! Ms. White is looking for 2 Media and Communications Assistant who will assist in newsletter content and publication, social media, and communicating to BLA students and families. If interested, contact Ms. White, mwhite8@bostonpublicschools.org and put in the subject line, BLA Media and Communications Assistant.


The Theater Offensive (TTO). We are currently recruiting creative and talented queer youth and allies between the ages of 12-17 for our Fall 2021 True Colors Troupe Devising Ensemble. True Colors Troupe is an after-school program for LGBTQIA+ youth and allies who work with teaching artists to create and develop skills in performance, social justice, and community activism. When youth join our ensemble, they not only join a community supported by others, but benefit by being part of a chosen family. Some of the benefits include:

  • $300 monthly stipend

  • Devising and performing a collective piece of artwork.

  • Work with TTO staff and teaching artists

  • Tuesday & Thursday Rehearsals from 6pm-8pm

  • Collaborative and artistic skills

  • Professional development for young artists

  • Touring opportunities locally and nationally

  • Networking with other LGBTQIA+ & BIPOC artist

  • Virtual Grubhub gift cards for meals

The Theater Offensive's mission is to present liberating art, for, and about queer and trans people of color that transcends artistic boundaries, celebrates cultural abundance, and dismantles oppression. For more information about our programs, please visit our website to learn more about what we offer at https://thetheateroffensive.org


If you know of any potential candidates who may be interested in joining, please feel free to share this email along. Interested youth can submit their inquiry in the required fields here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RRTZ66L


Questions? Please reach me at ricky@thetheateroffensive.org. We look forward to hearing from you soon!


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/d5\


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: 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: November 2021- May 2023

To sign up, go to Big Sister sign up.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Photo Sessions | ICA Teens

Want to get started with Photography? In Photo Sessions, get the fundamentals under your belt and meet other ICA Teen photographers. We will explore the ICA and the Seaport District to capture the creativity and vibe around us; be inspired by art and the city. Get to use professional photo gear and learn the tricks of the trade as we develop essential camera skills and composition techniques.

teens.icaboston.org

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.