Weekly Bulletin November 6 - November 10, 2017 | Week 11 |
MESSAGE FROM BAA HEADMASTER, MS. CLARK |
I apologize to families for a different kind of weekly bulletin message this week, but I felt it was important that you read the message that I shared with students on Thursday and Friday. I would appreciate it if you would reinforce this message. Thank you for your support. We have had a number of tensions recently between students--tensions that have arisen from ended relationships, social media postings, gossip, rumors, and so on. When appropriate, Mr. Vasquez and I have responded with disciplinary actions and involved outside authorities; that is part of our responsibility to keep the school community safe. But the climate and culture at BAA-- the school we are-- is not just what the adults say and reinforce. Our school is the sum of what our students value and how our students act. Our students have a responsibility to our culture as well. Tensions are a part of life. But we teach and expect our students to know that there is a healthy way to resolve tensions and an unhealthy way to resolve tensions. We teach and expect our students to seek resolution and to speak up and ask for help when they need it. We teach and expect our students to speak up and tell adults when they are aware of a tension that is going to lead to violence. We teach and expect our students to speak up when they see someone being targeted, in person or on social media. This is a school where students develop true, deep friendships, and that’s a positive thing. But we need to be clear about what a true friend is: True friends keep their friends on a positive path. True friends keep their friends safe. There is too much going on in the world today that is negative for us to have any other definition of friendship. Some of our students in the last few weeks have stepped up and shown “community with social responsibility”; they have been leaders in our community, not only reporting tensions but stepping in to resolve these tensions. I commend these students. In Term 2 we will recommit to following these students’ example. Student government and I are meeting to plan the next round of Town Meetings and circles, and the agendas will focus on how we can strengthen our community. Many students have shared with me negative experiences they have had in previous schools. Many have said to me that they appreciate that BAA is “not that kind of school.” My expectation is that, going forward, we will work together to keep it that way. Respectfully, Ms. Clark |
CONGRATULATIONS AND SHOUT OUTS |
Congratulations to Ashawn Dabney-Small who was recently accepted to the Mayor’s Youth Council! |
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS Please also see the appropriate section below for information specific to your art major. |
As part of our commitment to create a safe school for all students, it’s important to discuss the role of bias-based speech and symbols of hate. If you ever feel that a fellow student, teacher, or anyone else in the BAA community has treated you disrespectfully or excluded you, or someone you know, please tell an administrator. This includes any comments, posts, or other communication that is derogatory based on your race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other group that you are a member of. We are always available to talk with you about any concern that you may have. Thank you in advance for continuing to make BAA a place where each of us are valued! If you haven’t already, please sign up for your top 3 Intersession Project choices here: tinyurl.com/IntSignUp2018. Yoga for High School Teens! Starting Tuesday, November 7th, the Family Resource Center in Roslindale will be offering a FREE, four-week yoga series for high school students. Classes for young women are 6-7pm, and classes for young men are 7-8pm. Students can register here, or by calling 617-469-8501. There is no school on Friday, November 10th due to observance of Veteran’s Day. Thursday, November 9th will be a regular Thursday schedule. Join us for Senior Dance Project at Boston University Dance Theater on Saturday, November 11th - performances are at 3pm and 7pm. Senior Dance Project is a course within which BAA dance majors synthesize the knowledge and skills they have acquired over their four years at BAA. Students apply their choreographic skill, dance technique, design and performance skills in a final choreography project. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for all other attendees, and can be purchased by phone or online:
For directions and parking information, visit: www.bu.edu/fitrec/dance/dance-theater/. Need help with an assignment? Drop-in tutors available in the library. Updated Tutoring Schedule: Mon 2:30 - 3 (all subjects) Tues, Weds, Thurs: 3 - 5 (all subjects) Ms. Susan's writing help (Tues/Thurs 3-5 by appointment) **Students: If you are interested in being a tutor, please see Ms. D in the library. This can count as NHS service hours and looks good on college applications. |
COLLEGE AND CAREER |
JUNIORS: Consider applying to SCS Noonan Scholars, a FREE 6-week college prep summer program. Information sessions will be held on Monday, November 20th at 5:30pm and Wednesday, December 6th at 5:30pm at 50 Milk Street. More information can be found here: http://www.scsnoonan.org/for-scholars/become-a-scholar/. Attention SENIORS: Your recommendation request folders are due to your recommenders by Friday, December 1st at the latest. Your folder should include all of the materials that were discussed at the Rec Request Info Session. If you have questions about what should go in your folder or need support, please see Ms. Mandell or Ms. LoBrutto. Ms. LoBrutto will be holding drop-in hours in the Alaska Lab every Wednesday from 4:00pm-6:00pm and Friday 1:00pm-3:00pm. She is available to talk to all grade levels about career and major exploration, standardized testing, the Common App, college essays, financial aid, and scholarships. Did you know the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) awards financial aid money to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis? Don't be the last one to fill it out! Start your FAFSA today! Federal Student Financial aid through the FAFSA is now available. Apply today to make sure you get the maximum amount you can. www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Common Application essay prompts have been released for the 2017-2018 school year. Check them out and get started on your essays today! Open Houses and College Tours: Bring your friends and family to open houses at Bunker Hill, Hampshire, Suffolk, UMass Amherst, Tufts, and Bryant. Check out their websites for more details. OTHER RESOURCES – Please visit these websites for helpful financial aid, scholarship, and college readiness info:
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SAVE THE DATES |
For additional details, or for a listing of all events for the school year, please check our website calendar here. Tuesday, November 14 Family Conference Day. There will be no classes on this day. Families and students are expected to attend. Your child’s advisor should be reaching out to you to make an appointment. Monday, November 20 For those families that were unable to attend the October 26th Building Meeting where we discussed updates on the swing space and the timeline, we will hold another meeting on Monday, November 20th from 6-7:30pm. Thursday, December 7 - Saturday, December 9 Theatre Main stage production of Blood At The Root, by Dominique Morisseau. BAA Black Box Theatre. Thursday, December 7th, 7pm Friday, December 8th, 3pm & 7pm Saturday, December 9th, 7pm Tickets are $7 adults, $5 students/seniors Thursday, December 14 Musical Theater Scenes Concert: The junior and senior classical voice students will present their musical theater scenes concert on Thursday, December 14th at 6:30pm at Emmanuel Church located at 15 Newbury St, Boston. Tuesday, December 19 Choir Concert: The annual winter choir concert will take place on Tuesday, December 19th at 6:30pm at Charles Street AME Church located at 551 Warren Street, Roxbury. Wednesday, December 20 Jazz and R&B Concert: The annual winter jazz and R&B concert will take place on Wednesday, December 20th at 7:00pm at Berklee Performance Center located 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston. |
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR FAMILIES Please also see the “Save the Date” section above for upcoming events, and the appropriate section below for information specific to your student's art major. |
GRADE 9 FAMILIES: On Wednesday, November 8th, all 9th grade students will be participating in their humanities 1 exhibition at Boston Arts Academy from 12:30-2:30pm. The exhibition is called Afrika Lives! and will be artistic presentations about ancient Afrikan civilizations. We very much hope you will be able to join us. Please try to arrive at Boston Arts Academy by 12:15pm so as not to miss our wonderful performances. (**Note: Parking in the area is very limited and often not available, so please try to take an alternative form of transportation, if possible.) 10th grade students will participate in BMI screenings. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a tool (formula) that helps us compare weight to height and predict the potential for health problems. BMI screenings for grade 10 students will happen over November 9th, November 16th, and November 30th. If you do not wish for your child to participate in this health screening please send an email to the school nurse: jaboujaoude@bostonartsacademy.org. Join us for Senior Dance Project at Boston University Dance Theater on Saturday, November 11th - performances are at 3pm and 7pm. Senior Dance Project is a course within which BAA dance majors synthesize the knowledge and skills they have acquired over their four years at BAA. Students apply their choreographic skill, dance technique, design and performance skills in a final choreography project. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for all other attendees, and can be purchased by phone or online:
For directions and parking information, visit: www.bu.edu/fitrec/dance/dance-theater/. The next Family Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14th, 6:30-8pm. Dinner will be provided. Meeting will be held in room 133, first floor conference room. The mobile eye clinic is coming back to BAA! In 2016, 2020, an on-site eye doctor providing eye exams for students from a state-of-the-art mobile clinic, launched a pilot partnership to service the Boston Public School District with eye exams and free corrective eyewear. We are pleased to inform you that 2020 will be coming back to Boston Arts Academy on Thursday, January 11, 2018. Families who would like for their student to receive this service, please complete this consent form and return it to Nurse Jocelyne.
COVERED BY INSURANCE: 100% covered by MassHealth (No co-pay required) |
DANCE These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.” |
Friday, November 10th - Tech rehearsal for Senior Dance Project at Boston University Dance Theater 11am - 9pm. Friday, December 8th - Master Class with Sean Curran, New York University Dance Department Chairperson @ NYU TISCH. **This Master Class will include an Audition for NYU’s summer dance program. Friday, December 15th - Dance Theater of Harlem Masterclass taught by Robert Garland. 10:50am-12:10pm. Saturday, December 16th - Dance Theater of Harlem Summer Dance Audition
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FASHION TECHNOLOGY These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.” |
Parents/Caregivers, thank you for your response to fashion technology dues. If you have not yet sent in your $30, please do so, if you have any concerns please see Ms. Polito. |
MUSIC These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.” |
No announcements. |
THEATRE These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.” |
Parents/Caregivers, thank you for your response to theatre dues. If you have not yet sent in your $30, please do so, if you have any concerns please see Ms. Rodrigues. |
VISUAL ARTS These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for exhibitions see “SAVE THE DATES.” |
No announcements. |
Questions or Concerns? For artistic concerns, contact Artistic Dean, Kathleen Marsh: kmarsh@bostonartsacademy.org For academic concerns, including special education and support for English language learners, contact Academic Dean, Joy Bautista: jbautista@bostonartsacademy.org For safety and school culture concerns, contact Dean of Students, Edgar Vasquez: evasquez@bostonartsacademy.org For health concerns, contact Nurse Jocelyne Aboujaoude: jaboujaoude@bostonartsacademy.org For admissions information, contact Admissions Director, Blanca E. Bonilla: bbonilla@bostonartsacademy.org For any concerns, feel free to contact Headmaster, Anne Clark: aclark@bostonartsacademy.org Helpful Links: School Calendar, SIS Login, BAA Handbook for Students & Families, BAA Library |