Embedded Files
Volume 12, Issue 4
November 18, 2020
Main Office
Main Office
Wild turkeys in neighboring Brookline
Thanksgiving Week and Warm Wishes
With Thanksgiving almost upon us, we want to make sure that students and families have next week’s class schedule. Please note that for the upcoming week, school will dismiss at 10:55 am on Wednesday, November 25, after a revised bell schedule to accommodate periods R5 - R7. Students who have specials on their schedules should note that it will be Week 2. To view the entire week, please see the Thanksgiving Week 2020 Schedule.
In keeping with our homework policy which can be found in the 2020-2021 Student Handbook, homework will not be assigned over Thanksgiving break.
We wish the entire BLS community a joyful Thanksgiving and extend our gratitude for your continued support. For our families who observe Diwali, the Festival of Lights, we hope that the year ahead will be illuminated by happiness, good fortune, and promise.
BLSA Parents' Committee
BLSA Parents' Committee
A Celebration of Latin School
During a year when many of us may feel we have few reasons to feel even a modest amount of joy, the Celebration of Latin School gives us an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of our wonderful students both past and present. While in previous years we have gathered at the Marriott Long Wharf to honor the achievements of our students and of alumni, this year we will be coming together as a BLS community virtually on Thursday, December 3, at 7 pm. Join us as we honor 2020 Distinguished Graduate Prince Charles Alexander ’75, a three-time Grammy Award winner, whose 40-year career has evolved from recording artist to producer for numerous best-selling artists in the music industry. Currently a professor at Berklee College of Music, Mr. Alexander continues to mentor students both in the US - including at BLS - and abroad. We will also be celebrating our beloved retired Program Director for Visual and Performing Arts, Paul J. Pitts ’73, who has created a vibrant program that has served our talented student body over the last 25 wonderful years.
Register Today!
The evening has been carefully curated to showcase the wonderful achievements of both our current students and our alumni in celebration of them all. Tickets for this event are complimentary but we encourage donations in support of our BLS students. Donations from this event will go directly to the BLSA Annual Fund, that supports all students academically, athletically, artistically, and beyond. Support this year is more important than ever as the school works to ensure students’ needs are being met whilst they are learning remotely. RSVP by 5 pm pm December 2. Please join us and let’s celebrate together.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Please contact Nicole Dumas ’90 via for more information.
School Parent Council
School Parent Council
November Meeting
November Meeting
In these unpredictable times, our students are struggling with making connections, missing friends, Zoom fatigue, loss of motivation and engagement at school, and a myriad of other challenges.
How can parents help their students navigate the challenges of the pandemic:
Academically?
Emotionally?
Socially?
Please join us to hear practical strategies and resources for supporting students from Dr. Vanessa Prosper, BLS Clinical Coordinator & Dr. Amy Kaye, Children’s Hospital Psychologist at BLS:
Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 pm ~ Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 813 2531 5409 / Passcode: 077378
Please use this link to share your questions with Dr. Prosper and Dr. Kaye in advance of the meeting.
December Meeting
December Meeting
Save the date! Next month's SPC meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 9, at 7:00 pm and will feature a presentation and Q&A with Ms. Michelle Cannon from the Schawbel College Resource Center.
Monthly SPC meetings are open to all parents and caregivers, and focus on a topic of interest to the BLS parent community. We get our best topic ideas from you! Please email us with your ideas for future topics. (Also see Contacts for email address.)
School Site Council
School Site Council
Recent meeting
Recent meeting
This month’s meeting of the BLS School Site Council took place on Tuesday, November 10. In addition to hearing from Head of School Rachel Skerritt on the latest news related to remote learning, SSC representatives discussed potential topics that would inform meeting agendas throughout the 2020-2021 school year. Meeting participants were surveyed to generate a list of topics of interest, and results of the survey will be presented at the December meeting.
December meeting
December meeting
School Site Council meetings are open to all members of the BLS community. Please join us at the next SSC meeting on Tuesday, December 8, at 6:00 pm. Meetings continue to be held on the Zoom platform; a link will be shared with families in the coming weeks.
If you have questions or suggestions for a future meeting, please contact SSC Parent Co-Chair Kelly Chase. To review minutes from previous meetings, please visit the SSC webpage.
Keefe Library
Keefe Library
Current events and the 8th grade Civics Action project
Over the summer, BLS eighth grade history teachers Ms. Cate Arnold, Mr. William Ruzzo, and Ms. Sandra Stuppard worked with Keefe Librarian Susan Harari to reimagine the eighth grade civics action project. Coming together under the mentorship of Dr. Leslie Maniotes and using the tools of her Guided Inquiry model, the team designed a year-long exploration of current events, seeking to build students’ civic knowledge, skills, and disposition. As part of the state of Massachusetts 2018 History and Social Studies curriculum students are expected to develop a civics action project in eighth grade. How could critical thinking skills in media literacy be folded into background research for their projects? This professional development opportunity was the result of a collaboration with BPS Library Services Department and received funding from the Keefe Family Fund through BLSA.
What it looks like in the classroom
The week before the national elections was an exciting one for current events! Ms. Harari presented background information and chose a collection of articles and videos for students to explore. For homework, all eighth graders began their study of what makes an event newsworthy, types of news stories, and political bias in news outlets. They also practiced close reading and analysis of news focusing on the topic of voting. Once in class, Zoom breakout rooms monitored by teachers and Ms. Harari allowed students to analyze and discuss content, with follow-up discussions in class throughout the week. The Keefe Library staff have also created a new Current Events guide for all BLS students and staff. Going forward, Class V students will regularly choose and write about current events news to flex their media literacy skills and find a topic of special interest. The goal is for students to have a large and rich body of writing to review and inspire them when they choose a topic for their civic action project, using their study of U.S. history to deepen their understanding of how to become a changemaker in a democratic society.
Deitch Leadership Institute
Deitch Leadership Institute
Sophomore Resume & Junior Interview Workshops
The DLI and Private Industry Council Office (PIC Office) will soon conclude the annual Junior Interview Lab, a required virtual workshop for Class II students on professional interviewing skills. Students who could not attend due to academic conflicts will receive all materials and resources in a Google Classroom, and they are encouraged to contact the DLI or PIC Office for an individual session. The Sophomore Resume Workshop will launch virtually in mid November, in which all Class III students will build their resume in real time. If students have a completed resume already, they should bring it for additional review and editing. Workshops will meet during study blocks and after school.
Email Mr. Jim Levesque or Ms. Lucey Gorrill with questions.
Community Service
Community Service
BLS Community Service is Now Using InnerView:
Part of Boston Latin School’s mission is preparing all of our students for “responsible and engaged citizenship and a rewarding life.” Three of our Core Competencies - Social Responsibility, Civic Engagement, and Global Awareness - directly support our mission. To better support this, as well as the BLS community service graduation requirement, we have recently adopted InnerView as our community service platform.
Earlier this fall, all students in Classes I-IV were introduced to InnerView and emailed instructions on opening accounts and posting their community service. InnerView is also where students can find out about service opportunities, both at school and around Boston. In addition they link their service to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
All students should be posting past, present, and future community service on InnerView as this will be where we keep track of student service moving forward. If students have not created their InnerView accounts, they should do so now and start having fun serving their community.
Class I Community Service Update
Current Class I students are not required to complete in school service this year. They can use all out of school service, (100+) hours, towards their graduation requirement. Out of school service may be virtual or in person with appropriate social distancing guidelines followed. Class I students are still expected to complete 100+ hours of community service prior to graduation in support of our mission of a "responsible and engaged citizenship and a rewarding life" and our core competencies of social responsibility, civic engagement, and global awareness.
Clough Center for Global Understanding
Clough Center for Global Understanding
International Education Week, November 16 - 20
International Education Week, November 16 - 20
The BLS Clough Center for Global Understanding is sponsoring a full program of events for International Education Week from November 16 - 20. All programs will be on Zoom and will include BLS students, faculty, and partner organizations. Some of the programs will take place during the school day and will be for specific students and classes, while others are scheduled for after school and are open to the entire BLS community. The full program schedule includes registration information and Zoom links for all programs.
Topics will include global performers, travel and exchange programs, international careers, a global trivia competition, and opportunities to talk to BLS student travelers and learn more about their global experiences.
Contact Mr. Kennelly for more information.
Parent 2 Parent
Parent 2 Parent
The next Parent 2 Parent meeting will be tomorrow, Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 pm via Zoom circulated only via the P2P Google group (see below).
For those new to BLS, Parent 2 Parent is a subcommittee of the Parent Council. The group’s purpose is primarily to provide assistance regarding individual student needs, increase SPC understanding of general parent concerns and act as a liaison with school administrators regarding these issues, and to create a sense of community among parents. The full document describing P2P is here.
Notes and comments from prior meetings can be found here. If you would like to join the P2P Google Group please begin by filling out this form. As always, parents’ suggestions for topics to be addressed are welcome. Just send Anne or Nancy an email
Wishing you a healthy school year!
Anne and Nancy
Anne Brown P’18 & ‘22 and Nancy Fitzgerald P’18 & ‘23
Families for Equity and Diversity
Families for Equity and Diversity
We hope you will join us for Family for Equity and Diversity’s (FEqD) next virtual meeting, Wednesday, December 2, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm! All parents and caretakers are welcome to attend at any time.
The mission of the FEqD is: To promote equity, understanding, and active consideration of the diverse BLS community through education, advocacy, and building deeper connections.
Note: We share our meeting Zoom links, along with other updates, via the FEqD google group.
To join that group, fill out this quick form or go to our website and click “subscribe”. You do not need a gmail account to join.
If you have any questions or concerns about this process - or anything! - please reach out to FEqD co-chairs Denise Wilson-Joutras P’23,‘23 or Virginia Berman P‘21,’23.
Friends of Accessibility
Friends of Accessibility
Friends of Accessibility (FoAx) is a group for parents of students with an IEP or 504 plan, as well as for parents with disability-related concerns.
Please join us at our next monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 18 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm via this Zoom link. Our evening’s topic of discussion will look to the future and to college – specifically, accessibility in the college application process and in college life. FoAX is excited to welcome Ms. Michelle Cannon, interim director of the Schawbel College Resource Center and experienced in assisting students with disabilities with planning for college, and Kathy Cahill, a BLS parent who works in Disability and Access Services at MIT. Email us your questions.
Join our listserv at hello@friendsofaccessibility.org.
Katrina Norman, co-chair, P’22 & ‘24
Christine Wilder, co-chair, P’22
Friends of the Arts
Friends of the Arts
Virtual Winter Arts Showcase ~ Wednesday, December 23 ~ Save the Date!
Virtual Winter Arts Showcase ~ Wednesday, December 23 ~ Save the Date!
The beat goes on in the Visual and Performing Arts Department through remote learning!
You are invited to join the fun on Wednesday, December 23, in a virtual showcase of young musicians, performers, and artists. More details to follow, but add this date to your calendar to enjoy the sounds and scenes of the season!
Ten of the twelve Boston Latin Wolfettes during one of their weekly rehearsals. They are currently working on two pieces for the showcase.
Pizazz is meeting weekly on Thursday afternoons on Zoom to practice choreography and vocals in preparation for the upcoming virtual showcase. They are excited to adapt their performance skills for the digital world and see what possibilities this new venue can present! They are working on a holiday-themed number as well as one or two additional pieces.
Twelve of the Seventeen Members of Pizazz
2020 Virtual Winter Arts Showcase Program Cover Contest
Friends of the Arts is now accepting entries of artwork to be chosen as the virtual program cover for the 2020 Virtual Winter Arts Showcase program. The contest is open to all BLS students, and there is one $100 first prize and two $50 runner-up prizes. This year’s program will be entirely virtual, but will nevertheless feature the winning entry. The runner-up artwork will also be featured. Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, December 1. For more information click here.
Electronic Music Club welcomes Prince Charles Alexander
Electronic Music Club welcomes Prince Charles Alexander
Prince Charles Alexander BLS '75
BLS Purple and White Band leader Mr. Dennison Blackett is now advisor to the BLS Electronic Music Club. The Electronic Music Club features young Boston Latin School producers who are interested in composition using computer software and live performance using electronic instruments. The student leadership team includes co-presidents Ethan Bell and Lukas Hoffman, and vice president James Testa.
A typical meeting includes discussion about favorite producers and songs, what it means to be a producer and composer in the modern music industry, and tips and tricks in FL Studio, Abelton Live, and Logic. Each student has their own unique style of music-making and all are excited to show their skills to one another. This creates a dynamic learning space where students can be their own producers and learn from some of BLS's best electronic composers. Club members are in the process of gathering their music with an eye toward sharing it with the BLS community in the near future via social media platforms such as YouTube and the school Instagram.
Any students interested in beat making, production, and engineering should feel free to contact Mr. Blackett or the leadership team. The group meets Wednesdays 2:15 - 3:15 pm and occasionally during Friday Flex 10:40 - 11:35 am. This month, special guest Prince Charles Alexander, Berklee College of Music Professor and BLS ‘75, will join the group on Wednesday, November 18, via Zoom. Prince Charles is a highly accomplished music producer who will be honored this year by the BLSA as the 2020 Distinguished Graduate (see above). The group is looking forward to an enlightening and insightful conversation.
Recent and Upcoming Events
Recent and Upcoming Events
Yellow Submarines provided a fun filled evening on Zoom earlier this month
If you have never made a show, FotA highly recommends it. The medium really works in the remote sphere, as the performers are live and the audience can participate through the chat! The group sets up structured situations such as "Be an Expert on …" The audience then tosses out suggestions, salami being a notable audience contribution during the November 6 show! The performers start to riff at a speed that makes you marvel at the quickness of wit as well as laugh at the jokes. All the while the audience is sending in chat messages which adds to the hilarity. Don’t miss the next one! You can check out the arts calendar here.
Don't miss Boston Latin School Theatre's Comedy One Acts!
Friday, November 20 ~ 3 pm & 7 pm
Saturday, November 21 ~ 2 pm
Tickets are pay what you can and available at bostonlatin.ticketleap.com/oneacts/
Please purchase only one ticket per a device being used.
Next Monthly Meeting
FotA will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, December 2, at 6:30 pm. All welcome!! Click here for more information.
Big Thanks to:
Anne Freeman, Jane Connolly, Angela Wang, Tiffany Jacob, and Ron Bosch for delivering items to arts students!
Friends of Athletics
Friends of Athletics
Please follow BLS Athletics social media accounts for scores and updates.
Message from the Athletic Director
The EEA released guidelines for youth and high school sport activity last week. The MIAA must make recommendations based on the guidelines, and the final decisions will be made at the league and district level. There have been no decisions made about winter sports at BLS. Please stay tuned for updates.
“Captains Practices” are not permitted by the MIAA or BLS. We encourage student-athletes to continue socially distanced training and conditioning safely on your own.
ATHLETICS UPDATE
Congratulations to the BLS Girls Cross Country Team winning the Dual County League Small Championship with an undefeated record!
The Boys Cross Country Team finished with a 2-2 and the Golf team finished 6-3 this season, great work by all student-athletes and coaches!
Virtual BLS Wolfpack 5K
While we are disappointed that we cannot host an in-person Wolfpack 5K at Franklin Park this year, we remind you to participate in our 1st virtual Wolfpack 5K!
Run your own 5K route at a time and place choosing or relive the glory of past years’ Wolfpack 5Ks on the Franklin Park 5K cross-country course either on your own or with a family member or friend in a socially distant way.
Register here to run and post your time anytime between now and November 30 for BLS bragging rights.
This year’s registration fee is $25 per runner, with 100% of the proceeds to support Boston Latin Athletics and the renovation of the Paul Costello Fitness Center (aka the Weight Room) at BLS. Or if your knees are creaky and you prefer not to run but would still like to make a donation to BLS Athletics, please click here.
We hope you’ll run with the ‘Pack, this year now more than ever…
Go Wolfpack!
Virtual Friends of Athletics Meeting
The next Friends of Athletics meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 14, from 5 - 6 pm. The meeting will be held in a virtual format. If you would like to receive a notice link for the meeting, please email David Abdow or Shayne O’Brien.
Friends of Crew
Friends of Crew
Members of the Boys BLS Crew Team scull at sunset along the Charles River
BLS Crew Concludes Fall Season
Boston Latin Crew concluded its shortened fall season just before Halloween. More than seventy rowers gathered in small cohorts for creative daily land workouts and occasional on-the-water training in singles and doubles. For many rowers, this was their first opportunity to scull, after seasons of sweeping in larger boats of four and eight. Plans are underway for the spring season, likely to begin in March 2021.
To be kept informed about the upcoming season, fill out the interest form here or visit the website at blscrew.org. BLS Crew is a competitive rowing program open to both boys and girls. No experience is necessary to join BLS Crew.
From the Editor
From the Editor
Thanks to our Contributors
Thanks to our Contributors
Many thanks to BLS faculty, BLS staff, and BLSA staff including Ms. Deeth Ellis, Mr. Jim Goodfield, Ms. Susan Harari, Mr. Thomas Kennelly, Mr. Jim Levesque, Ms. Marybeth Oskowski, Mr. Jack Owens, Ms. Martha Pierce, and Ms. Rachel Skerritt, and BLS parents, including David Abdow, Virginia Berman, Cathy Bosch, Anne Brown, Kelly Chase, Nancy Fitzgerald, Lisa Green, Katrina Norman, Shayne Stump-O'Brien, Cheryl Sullivan, Christine Wilder, and Denise Wilson-Joutras (as well as all supporting parents) for their contributions to this issue of News from the Avenue.
Submitting articles
Submitting articles
If representative members of the community would like to submit articles, they are welcome to do so. Please contact editor Suzanne Elsasser P'21 with inquiries.
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