Good evening, Boston Arts Academy Families.

We are about to enter a period of MCAS testing. 10th graders are taking the English MCAS next week: March 22-March 24.

At Boston Arts Academy, as our handbook states, we believe that standardized tests are just one way--often a very limited way--to measure student achievement. That said, we always want our students to be well prepared when they face standardized testing. Students must pass the MCAS to get a diploma in all public schools in Massachusetts. Teachers have made sure that curricula are well aligned to state standards and well paced so students get the content knowledge, and the practice, they need.

On the actual days of testing, we will do everything we can as a school community to make sure that testing students are well supported, and we will ask that those students who are not testing support by keeping areas around testing rooms quiet. 10th grade students: We are confident that you will do well.

We also have some important meetings coming up regarding our new building. There will be a public meeting about naming of rooms in our new building on Tuesday, April 12 from 6pm-9pm. The last time we had a public meeting, many students and families spoke about people and ideas they would like to see honored in the new building, so I'm hopeful many can attend this time. Zoom information will be in the bulletin next week.

Have a great week!

Shoutout to these students for college acceptances!

Nora Rotti: Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Vermont | Sol Rodriguez Mauch: University of Hawaii, University of Arizona, UC Santa Cruz, Umass Boston, UMass Dartmouth, Bridgewater State University, University of Vermont |Gabriela Mendez Martinez: University of Vermont|

Megan Panyere: Xavier University |Gracey Desravines: Columbia College Chicago |Dominic Piscopo: Barry University, University of New Haven, University of Hartford, University of Maine | Zariah Kallon: Point Park University, Hofstra University, Hampton University, Montclair University |

Amyah Williams: Mass Art, Fisher college, Lasell university , Framingham State University | LaTavia Hobson: Clark Atlanta University, Temple University, Hampton University, Penn State, UMass Amherst, UMass Dartmouth, Nichols College, Bridgewater State University, Framingham State University | Vienna Conyngham: McGill University |Ashley Long: Temple University|

Congratulations to sophomore Studio Arts and Design & Visual Communication students on participating in BPS’ Young Arts Month exhibition!

Their photography work can be seen on the 7th floor of the Boston City Hall Building at Government Center. If a public reception is scheduled, we will send an announcement to let our community know.

Sites to check out and get involved

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

https://womenshistorymonth.gov/

EVENTS

March 11: Making Moves: Celebrating Black & Native Women and Girls in Skateboarding | 11:00- 11:30 a.m. EDT

Join the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of the American Indian as they explore the innovative roles of Black and Native women and girls in the world of skateboarding. Then, children will design skateboard art to express their unique identity.

March 16th: Up, Up, and Away with the Stinson Sisters | 11:00- 11:30 a.m. EDT

Meet the Stinson Sisters! Join educators from the National Portrait Gallery and the National Air and Space Museum to find out about these pioneering pilots. Then, get your first flying lessons when you learn how to control an airplane, just like students at the Stinsons' aviation school.

March 21st: Patterns and Lines: the Colorful World of Alma Thomas | 11:00- 11:45 a.m. EDT

Find inspiration right outside your window! Join the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the National Postal Museum for a virtual family program about the transformative artist Alma Thomas (1891-1978). She is best known for her use of color and repetitive shapes that form patterns sometimes called “Alma’s stripes.” Together, we will learn about Thomas’ life and work, and make our own art inspired by her process. We will be joined by author Jeanne Walker Harvey for a read-aloud of her new children’s book on Alma Thomas, Ablaze with Color.

We strive to provide programs that are accessible to all visitors. If you have questions about the accessibility of this program, or if you would like to request real-time captioning (CART), sign language interpretation, or any other accommodations, please contact Ashleigh Coren (corena@si.edu). Two weeks advance notice is appreciated for requesting accommodations.

Adults must remain with children throughout the program.

The Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants 12-24 hours in advance of the program. The email will come from Eventbrite. Please only register once per household. Adults do not need to register separately from children. We will only be allowing participants into the meeting if the accompanying adult's name is on the registration list.

March 31st: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg “Great Americans” Medal Posthumous Presentation

The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, recognized for her groundbreaking commitment to gender equity and human rights, will posthumously receive the National Museum of American History's signature honor, the “Great Americans” medal. Her children, Jane C. Ginsburg and James S. Ginsburg will accept the medal on their mother's behalf. A significant selection of artifacts representing the justice's Supreme Court career will be donated by her family during the virtual ceremony.

On Thursday, you should have received an email from Boston Public Schools from the address: notification@permissionclick.com. With the Subject line “At-home Rapid Test Opt In.” This email provides an active link for you to opt into a new program. Beginning the week of March 7 and every two weeks thereafter, students who have parental consent will be provided with an at-home test kit that includes two Antigen (rapid) tests. Students will test Saturday or Sunday before returning to school Monday.

If you did not receive the email, please check your spam folder. Please let your student know that you have signed them up. Please note, pool testing will continue every Tuesday.

COVID PROTOCOLS

Students who test positive & are ABLE TO MASK

Duration: Self-isolation for COVID-19 positive cases is a minimum of 7 days after the start of symptoms or the first positive test, if asymptomatic and able to mask. Return on Day 8.

Return to school: After 7 days, and once they have:

• Isolated for at least the first 7 days

• Symptom improvement or never had symptoms, may resume most usual activities (except those that do not allow mask-wearing) on day 8*

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days (including in the household)

Notes:

• This only applies to individuals whose symptoms have substantially improved, including being without fever for 24 hours, AND those who can strictly adhere to wearing a well-fitting mask for 10 days after their first positive test date or the start of symptoms.

  • If both of these criteria aren’t met, continue to isolate for the remaining 10 days after the first positive test or start of symptoms

• Return to school should be based on time and symptom resolution.

• Testing on or after Day 5 with a rapid antigen test is recommended.

  • If the test result is negative, continue to isolate and return to school on day 8

  • If the test result is positive, continue to isolate and return to school on day 11

https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/Page/8876

Free at-home COVID-19 tests: Available starting January 19th, 4 per household, no shipping charge, no credit card needed: https://www.covidtests.gov/

Family Information for COVID 19 pool testing:

• In your email inbox in which you provided to have on record in ASPEN, please search for an email sent to you by the Boston Public Schools titled notification@ PermissionClick.com Please complete this form to give permission for your student to access COVID-19 Pool Testing at school as soon as possible.

• Pool Testing is every Tuesday morning at school; please inform your student that you signed them up.

• Students are reminded every Tuesday morning by loudspeaker announcement that they are to report to the pool testing location in school at that time.

• Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days December onward) should not participate in pool testing, as the molecular RNA from the virus is still present and will create a false positive.

If your child is absent for Covid symptoms, please email attendance@bostonartsacademy.org

Students, when you are absent…

• Please log onto google classroom for each class. Make-up work is available there for you to complete and to submit.

• For guidance or questions about which assignments to complete or to clarify assignments, please reach out to your teacher(s) and advisor via email.

• For live tutoring, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, use the “Paper App:”

1. Go to https://paper.co and click login

2. At the login screen, type "Boston Arts Academy"

3. Login via Clever

4. Create an account.

5. You will see your classes and the opportunity to "find a tutor" for each subject.

• When you return, meet with each of your teachers to discuss a make-up work plan and timeline.

• If your child received a positive COVID PCR test please email the nurse as soon as possible jaboujaoude@bostonartsacademy.org

BPS Student At Home Health Checklist - BPS families must monitor their children for symptoms of COVID-19 every day before school. Some symptoms of COVID-19 are the same as the flu or a bad cold; please do not assume it is another condition. When in doubt, stay home and call your primary care provider. YOUR CHILD MUST STAY HOME if your child or anyone in the home has any of the symptoms listed here.

Updated School Calendar: Please note that June 27th is the new last day of school because of school building closures from inclement weather. Check out the most up-to-date school calendar at bostonpublicschools.org/calendar

March 14th: Q3 Midterm Progress Reports emailed to families

March 15th: Math MCAS Retesting session 1, COVID Testing

March 16th: Math MCAS Retesting session 2

March 18th:, Respect Week

March 22nd: GR 10 MCAS, COVID testing

March 23rd:GR 10 MCAS

March 24th: Admitted Students Night

March 26th: Community Service @ BAA

March 28th: Family Council Meeting; BPS Climate Surveys (goes until May 6)

March 28th - April 1: BAA Spirit Week, organized by Student Government

March 29th: COVID Testing

BAA Board Meeting: March 15th, 3:30-5pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://k12-bostonpublicschools.zoom.us/j/3457662109

Meeting ID: 345 766 2109

Passcode: ARCBAA

BAA Public Meeting: Building Naming Presentations

Tuesday April 12th 6-9 pm

Please note that our Term 2 honor roll assembly will be delayed to allow students who were absent for extended time in January to complete incomplete Term 2 work.

Any class with an I (Incomplete) for Term 2 on the report card can be completed. Students should check in with specific teachers if they are unsure of how to complete their assignments.

We ask that all families and students review this section from the BAA Handbook. Below, please find the progressive discipline steps at Boston Arts Academy that are consistent with the BPS Code of Conduct. Serious and egregious offenses will go directly to step 3.

Step 1: First Behavioral Referral

• You will have a conference with the Head of School or a Dean.

• Your parents/caregivers will be called.

• You will be asked to participate in a mediation or restorative justice circle.

• You will be asked to make a restorative action to the community.

If you go 10 consecutive school days with no more referrals, you will be removed from the Discipline Track (a clean start). Refusal to participate will automatically initiate a Disciplinary Hearing to consider suspension, long-term suspension, or disciplinary transfer/alternative program placement.

Step 2: Second Behavioral Referral

• You will have a conference with the Head of School or a Dean.

• You and your parents/caregivers will be asked to have a meeting with the Head of School or a Dean.

• You will be asked to participate in a mediation or restorative justice circle.

• You will be asked to make a restorative action to the community.

If you go 10 consecutive school days with no more referrals, you will move back to step 1. Refusal to participate will automatically initiate a Disciplinary Hearing to consider suspension, long-term suspension, or disciplinary transfer/alternative program placement.

Step 3: Third Behavior Referral or Egregious Offense

• You will be removed from the classroom or the school as deemed necessary and have an immediate conference with the Head of School or a Dean on the next school day.

• Your parents/caregivers will be contacted consistent with the BPS Code of Conduct.

• You and your parents/caregivers will have a meeting or Disciplinary Hearing to consider suspension, long-term suspension, disciplinary transfer/alternative program placement, or other disciplinary actions.

• The disciplinary hearing will be conducted consistent with the BPS Code of Conduct. The hearing could result in suspension, long-term suspension, disciplinary transfer/alternative program placement, or other disciplinary actions.

• If you are a sophomore and/or junior and you are suspended, you will lose the privilege of attending prom.

• If you are a senior and you are suspended, you will lose the privilege of attending prom and graduation. You may request an appeal hearing for the loss of those privileges in May of your senior year.

If you go 10 consecutive school days with no more referrals, you will move back to step 2.

Prom Contingency and Graduation

In the event that a sophomore, junior, or senior is found not to be in compliance or is in violation of the school’s Community Standards or the BPS Code of Conduct that results in a disciplinary action, not limited to a suspension, such student will not be allowed to participate and/or at- tend BAA’s prom that year. In addition, the student will not be allowed to participate in and/or attend the graduation ceremony.

Seniors will be given the opportunity to appeal the school’s decision at the end of the school year by doing the following:

• Not be found to be in violation of the school’s Community Standards and the BPS Code of Conduct for the remaining part of the school year.

• Write a letter requesting an appeal to Administration by a date to be determined.

• Write a two-page letter stating why the appeal should be considered. In the letter they must answer the following questions:

What have they learned from their behavior? How did their behavior impact them and others?

How has the consequence helped transform their actions?

After submitting a request for an appeal, the student will be informed if an appeal request was granted and they will be notified of a specific date, time, place to appear for the Appeal Hearing. The day of the appeal the student must come in with their parent/guardian (mandatory) and will present their case in front of a panel of BAA faculty. Following the hearing, a final decision will be provided to the student within one school week.

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY:

The A.C.T.S. Club will be sponsoring a Service Saturday on March 26 from 9:00-1:00.

Activities will include: making bagged lunches for the homeless, crocheting blanket squares for the displaced and foster children, and beautification of the BAA/Grover Cleveland Grounds (weather permitting).

Please sign-up on the CSB website www.tinyurl.com/BAAcommunity or use the link HERE. Sign-up in advance is required in advance for safety and planning purposes.

Please contact Mrs. Higgins or an ACTS club member with any questions.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT and Academic Teacher’s Office Hours: Students who would like additional support from their academic teachers can meet them during their Academic Office Hours.

🔔**REMINDER** Every BAA student is expected to bring their assigned BPS Chromebook and charger to school every day. If a student’s Chromebook is not working please email tech@bostonartsacademy.org with the computer bar code number explaining the issue.

ACADEMIC MENTORING for BPS Students: 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

Weekly 1:1 or Group Tutoring: Students who are interested in meeting with an academic tutor for one hour per week to help with their homework should reach out to Ms. Marz (rmarz@bostonartsacademy.org) and their advisor! This can be in person or over zoom, during school hours or at home. Students who would like additional support from their academic teachers can meet them during their Academic Office Hours

BPS also has a new partner: Paper, a 24 hour free tutoring service. We have had a number of students using Paper for online tutoring, and almost across the board students have reported back to us that it has been a really useful resource.
To login, students should follow these steps:
1. Go to https://paper.co and click login
2. At the login screen, type "Boston Arts Academy" and login via Clever
3. For their first time, they'll have to create an account and personalize it a little bit
4. After creating an account, they'll see their classes and the opportunity to "find a tutor" for that subject.

WORK PERMITS: to request a work permit, students must email Mr. Vasquez at evasquez@bostonartsacademy.org

The ACTS (Artists Contributing Through Service) Club will meet on Tuesdays at 4:00 in Room A-002. Come join us to plan and participate in service learning Projects.

Do you know a family member, friend, or neighbor that may be interested in applying to BAA for high school?

Questions? admissions@bostonartsacademy.org.

*All applicants must be City of Boston residents in order to apply.

Ms. Naar will be in the library for drop-in college and career counseling on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-4:30 after school and Friday from 1-2 (new!). Come stop by and ask your college and career questions!

You can email Ms. Naar at inaar@bu.edu, and you can make an appointment with Ms. Naar at https://calendly.com/inaar. Ms. Naar is also sending out weekly “College and Career Tasks and Updates” emails to students and families—they contain more detailed information about the college process, upcoming events, and financial aid.

guidance@bostonartsacademy.org: Seniors and their families are asked to use this email to ask any college and career questions or to request any documents (for example, transcripts).

Seniors should continue to check the “Class of 2022” Google Classroom for updates, resources, and tasks for their college and career planning. Any students who have not completed a college or alternative pathway application should make an appointment with guidance immediately for assistance.

Financial Aid applications (FAFSA and CSS) opened October 1st, and guidance is available to help families and students complete their financial aid applications. Many schools require that the FAFSA and CSS Profile be submitted in March or earlier—the FAFSA is a priority for any students who have submitted college applications.

Completing the FAFSA is one of several requirements for students to be eligible for TUITION FREE Community College in Boston. This program will cover the entire cost of tuition for an associates degree for anyone who is a Boston resident, has a GPA above a 2.0 (this requirement is currently waived!), and is Pell-eligible through FAFSA. See the website below for more details: https://owd.boston.gov/tfcc/

Once students have completed their applications and FAFSA/CSS Profile, they should be applying for SCHOLARSHIPS

NEW – 2022 Unafraid Scholarship

Hundreds of immigrants from all over the world graduate from the Boston Public Schools each year, but many face a huge obstacle: if they’re undocumented, they don’t qualify for federal financial aid. The 2022 Unafraid Scholarship is now open to BPS undocumented seniors. Please share the application with your communities! Since its inception in 2017, the Unafraid Scholarship has awarded more than $280,000 to 105 deserving BPS graduates.

BPS STEM Covid19 scholarship application is officially opened. Students can access the link to the application form via our website home page by clicking on the 'apply' tab and the link button on that page:

https://www.bpsstemcovid19scholarship.com

$1000 scholarships to senior students at Boston Public Schools who are planning to pursue their secondary education in the STEM field. So far, our team raised $5000, which is able to support 5 scholarships.

Please be aware of the following deadlines:

- April 1^st 2022: Application deadline (Submit no later than April 1^st 2022 11:59pm)

- April 15^th 2022: Letter of Recommendation Deadline (Submit no later than April 15^th 2022 11:59pm)

- June 1^st 2022: Scholarship recipients announcement

All the details regarding the scholarship can be found on our website. If you or the students have any questions regarding the scholarship, please feel free to reach out via our scholarship email below.

bpscovid19scholarship@gmail.com

See more scholarships with upcoming deadlines here. You can also review the BAA Guidance Website for more detailed information: bit.ly/BAAguidance

Dance

Reminder to students to come to dance classes prepared to dance in dance uniform. To review the BAA Dance uniform requirements, click on this link BAA Dance Attire 2021/22.

Congratulations to grade 9 dance majors on completing their 1st term as dancers at BAA. Here are links to excerpts of their work during their final assessment. GOOD JOB!

Check out the senior dance majors capstone project! Use this link to watch on vimeo and be sure to congratulate the choreographers on their amazing work! Senior Dance Project

Also, check out this clip of the December Dance Share: December Dance Share

Arts and Design: Visual Arts and Fashion Technology

Confused about H Block?
Are you confused about H Block classes? Maybe this can help. If you still have questions email smendoza@bostonartsacademy.org

• Do I have to go to H Block? Yes, you have to attend H Block class as scheduled

• When is my H Block? Check the schedule below for your assigned day

• Do I get a grade for H Block? Yes, check with your teacher to review the outcomes

• What if I have work during that time? You should not be scheduled to work during school hours when you are required to be in class. If you have questions about job conflicts, talk to Mr. Mendoza

But I never remember when my H block is! Set a reminder on your phone with the day and time to help you and ask for support from your teacher. See you in H Block!

VISUAL ARTS SERVICE COMMITTEE

Are you looking for Community service hours? Come help your department with supplies, organization, and exhibitions! Committee meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5PM. Please see Ms. Marsh for details and to sign up.

SHOW US YOUR BRIGHT IDEAS, AND WE'LL SHOW YOU THE MONEY

Introducing the Life is Good Art House: A new way to join us in making the world a more positive place. We’re accepting t-shirt ideas from designers or doodlers of all ages - whether it be a notebook sketch or a high-quality design that’s fit to print. And if your design is chosen, we’re here to help you turn it into a best-seller.

FAQs: https://www.lifeisgood.com/art-house-faqs.html

Artists must be 13 or older, and if they are under 18, a parent or legal guardian would need to sign any legal agreements on their behalf.

We are excited to announce a new national program, the Next Narrative Monologue Competition! As the Boston Regional Partner for Next Narrative, The Huntington’s Education Department will continue its partnership with Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta, GA.

True Colors has commissioned new work from 50 of America’s leading contemporary Black playwrights. Focusing on the issues facing Black people, particularly young Black people, in the United States in the 21st century, the playwrights have composed new monologues featuring themes such as class; ableism and inclusivity; gender; relationship to technology; family and community; and many more. The program offers students a rich opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in performance and motivates them to use their voices to speak on the issues that matter to them most.

Next Narrative workshops begin February 28th and will meet twice a week in Boston’s South End; registrants will receive location specifics with their participation confirmation. Any students interested in participating in the program will have to be fully vaccinated by the first session. The workshop series will culminate in a regional competition from which the top two participants will advance to the National Finals in New York City on an all-expenses paid trip. In New York, participants will have the opportunity to perform at the historic Apollo Theatre in Harlem, one of the iconic black performance venues in the country (all pending the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic).

This amazing opportunity is free for all high school students. We strongly encourage you to share this information with any student you know that may be interested in participating. To register, please click here. For more information, please email us at nnmc@huntingtontheatre.org.

We look forward to seeing your students’ registrations come in!

Looking for a Paid Leadership Opportunity?

Looking for performing arts students to work as CITs and Junior Counselors in our Performing Arts Summer Program.

Our JC positions are paid positions and are open to students ages 17+.

Our CIT positions are unpaid internships. Lunch is provided.

We have a bus for campers and staff that stops at two locations in Boston.

The Charles River Creative Arts Program has been running for the past 52 years and has won several awards. We are a multi-arts program that allows students to explore the process of creating art (visual art, music, dance, musical theater, theater, creative writing, costume design, woodworking, animation, etc). https://www.charlesriverschool.org/crs-summer/2022-programs/charles-river-creative-arts-program-crcap

JC's will have the opportunity to create and teach at least one performing/creative arts class of their choice. CITs will learn and participate in entire process of being a camp counselor under the mentorship of an experienced counselor/teacher. Students can apply to work for the entire 8 weeks of the summer program or for any number of individual 2 week sessions

At Tufts, we created a student-centered virtual mentorship program named The Nutrition Equity Scholars Program (NESP) at Tufts University. We would love to provide your students with an opportunity to apply. We will have continual recruitment until all spots are filled.

Program Goals and Details

The program's goals are to increase nutrition knowledge, positive academic outcomes, and interest in the fields of nutrition and health. An overarching goal is to help improve the proportion of students of color attending Universities in Boston. The program includes

• 2 mentors: a working professional in the field of public health or nutrition and graduate or undergraduate at Tufts

• Programming centered on healthy eating, cooking, and careers in health and nutrition

• Academic support, college application support, and individual goal support

Let me know if you have any additional questions, would like to form a partnership, or discuss further. You may also access our website at https://sites.tufts.edu/nesp/

The Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston offers free membership for kids and teens 18 and under – as +1 Members, these youth can visit the ICA for free and also invite a friend (their +1)!

https://www.icaboston.org/join-give/1-membership-free-ica-membership-program-youth-0-18

Benefits include:

• If you are 18 and under, you can receive free membership to visit the ICA with free admission with a friend (a +1).

• Upon joining, new +1 Members will receive a digital membership card and special welcome gift.

• +1 Members will receive tailored e-communications with information about upcoming ICA events for teens and youth.

• +1 membership grows with you. Participants will retain their membership status until they turn 18.

Youth Activism Project are conducting research and need help reaching as many LGBTQ+ youth and allies as possible.

Youth Activism Project (YAP) is researching what makes LGBTQ+ youth feel safe to express themselves in school and youth programs. YAP are asking LGBTQ+ youth and allies from 6th-12th grade to help them answer their research question.

Youth can contribute to YAP research by completing a short survey and/or by submitting original images/artwork:

The survey link is here: https://forms.gle/cSgdweieSiAQ45TcA

The photovoice project link is here: https://forms.gle/RWfjfqy7YJuk1wqT8

YAP will share the photovoice images and their research insights with our community this coming spring (and you will be invited!), but youth information will always be kept confidential. Please share this opportunity with any youth you know whose voices need to be heard and anyone who could reach even more youth (like other GSA’s!)

Follow along with the YAP youth as they complete their project @youthactivismproject on instagram