STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

City Opportunity for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & and People of Color) Boston youth

The Boston Planning & Development is keen to help create a “pipeline” of opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & and People of Color) Boston youth to become future planners and leaders in the City.

As one step in this direction, in April 2022, the BPDA staff will be holding an event to bring together BIPOC high schoolers (primarily 9th and 10th graders) to interact directly with professional planners from the BPDA to learn about the work that they do, including neighborhood planning, transportation planning, urban design, climate change planning, and public engagement. In this highly interactive event, students will be able to talk to planners, ask questions, participate in activities, and otherwise have fun learning about city planning and design.

Basic Info About this Event

Date: Tuesday, April 12 (or Wednesday, April 13)

Time: 9:00 - 11:30 am

Where: This will be a virtual event: {Zoom link)

What to bring: Curiosity!

Why This Will Be Valuable for BPS Students

• This event directly supports the high school curriculum in that it will:

• Acquaint students with aspects of local government whereby city planners work with local citizens and residents to improve their lives and neighborhoods

• Show how specific public participation strategies can engage residents in democratic policy and decision making

• Reveal practical applications for public speaking, writing, math, graphic art, and design skills.

• Educate students about future careers in City planning and design

BPDA is very fortunate to have the following local partners on this project and they are as follows:

• Boston Society of Architects (BSA): One of the oldest and largest chapters of the American Institute of Architects, the BSA is the Boston is a Boston based nonprofit organization committed to architecture, design and the built environment. The BSA runs the Architecture and Design Bootcamp in partnership with the Sasaki Foundation.

• Boston Architectural College (BAC): Founded originally in 1889 as a professional club, in 1971 BAC became the first accredited architecture program with a work component in the US. Since then, BAC has introduced programs in interior architecture, landscape architecture, and design studies. The BAC runs the Mobile Maker and Summer Academy programs for Boston youth.

• Urban Land Institute (ULI): ULI claims to be the oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world. Through its members and their shared expertise, ULI sets standards of excellence in real estate development practice. The ULI runs the UrbanPlan program for Boston youth.

• Sasaki Foundation: A nonprofit corporation established in 2000 by Sasaki, a multidisciplinary design firm, the Sasaki Foundation works at the intersection of research, practice, and community to advance the value of design, inviting diverse partners to co-create change. Sasaki Foundation runs the SEEDs summer program for Boston youth.

• ACE Mentors: Founded in 1994, the ACE Mentor Program of America (ACE) is a free, award-winning, after school program active in 38 states designed to attract high school students into pursuing careers in architecture, construction and engineering, including skilled trades. In Boston, ACE Mentors will be offering ______

• Digital Ready: Digital Ready activates the creative potential of high school students, especially underrepresented young people, to build tangible pathways to economic opportunities in Boston’s innovation economy. Digital Ready wants its students to become artificial organ designers, ethical hackers, 3D printed building designers, biomimicry engineers, quantum computer programmers, bio fabricators and more.

• Boston Planning & Development Agency: The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is the planning and economic development agency for the City of Boston. With over 200 professionals serving the City in a variety of ways—from urban planners, transportation planners, urban designers, architects to housing specialists and projects managers who review new development proposals–the BPDA plays a far reaching role in shaping the future of Boston. This BPDA is spearheading and leading the Pilot Speaker Program for BIPOC Youth event in April 2022.

For more information contact: 267-632-1234.

Free COVID-19 Home Test Kits Available for City of Boston residents

Boston residents can now pick up free rapid at-home test kits at designated sites around the City, while supplies last. Each person will be able to pick up a kit for each member of their immediate household per visit. There are two tests in each kit. 

Please help us get the word out about these kits along with guidance on how to use them:

• BPHC’s fact sheet provides guidance on how to use these home test kits, including what to do if you test positive. These are currently available in English and Spanish.

• Mass DPH provides detailed instructions for using a home test kit, as well as graphic instructions available in several languages.

• More detailed guidance on using the kits is available directly from the vendors, currently iHealth or QuickVue.

Middle School Updates and Information

Opportunities for 7th graders:

• Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship: The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for high-performing 7th grade students with financial need. Educational advisers help Cooke Young Scholars maximize the high school experience and prepare to thrive at the nation’s top-performing colleges. For more information click here. DUE May 9

Academic Supports Available to Students:

The third academic quarter will run from February 3rd - April 19th; please see below for a list of academic supports available to all students:

• Boston Public Library Homework Assistance Program: The Homework Assistance Program (HAP) is a free after-school service led by Harvard University trained teen mentors that offers homework help, mentorship, and activities for students in grades K–8. Join online for a space to work on homework with peers and extra guidance on assignments in any subject, from sciences to humanities. Bilingual help in English and various languages is available. There will not be any in-person HAP in the branches from January 4 until February 1, 2022. Join Virtual HAP online on Zoom at the following link: https://boston-public-library.zoom.us/my/bplhap - Sessions take place Monday-Thursday from 3:30-5:30. More information can be found here: https://www.bpl.org/homework-help-for-grades-k-8/

• Acceleration Academy: This academy will be held during April break. Interested in attending April Break's Acceleration academy? Sign up HERE. For more information, please contact Ms. Karen Clark or Ms. White.

• Saturday School Registration: This spring, BLA will be offering a monthly Saturday School Enrichment Program for students in grades 7-9. The first session will begin on Saturday, April 9th and be open to 7th graders only. (Dates for 8th & 9th grade students will take place in May & June). This program will provide opportunities for students to engage in academic and non-academic activities that will foster a sense of community and provide opportunities for student to gain academic support as well as to participate in enrichment activities. We will focus on the themes of community, academics, service and future outcomes. We intend to collaborate with community partners to bring authentic learning experiences and opportunities to complement the academic enrichment and tutoring in core subjects. If you are interested in signing your 7th grader up please register using the following link: Saturday School Permission Slip: 7th grade

  1. 1. • DATE: Saturday, April 9th

        • TIME: 10:00 - 2:00

        • LOCATION: BLA

        • **Transportation to and from school will not be provided (no yellow school busses)

        • Questions? Please reach out to Ms. Manchester and/or Ms. Markis