Weekly Bulletin September 25 - September 29, 2017 | Week 5 |
MESSAGE FROM BAA HEADMASTER, MS. CLARK |
Although it may feel like school has just started, my message this week is about midterm progress reports. Teachers will be submitting midterms on Wednesday, October 4th. I have heard from many returning students about their intention to focus on their Grade Point Average, or "GPA," this year, and the midterms are the first indication of whether students are on track. A GPA is a student's cumulative grade point average, and it comes up for our students primarily when they are thinking about applying to college. But I want to make sure that our freshmen and sophomores understand the importance of GPA's. I have talked to several seniors, and several graduates, who have shared that they wished they focused more on their achievement earlier in their experience at BAA. I think the week before the first round of midterm progress reports is a good time for advisories to have that conversation. And students: If you are concerned about the midterms, this week is the week to act! Every teacher at BAA has times where you can get extra help. Take that initiative. You will be glad you did. And have a great week! |
CONGRATULATIONS AND SHOUT OUTS |
Shout out to everyone who attended Tuesday's Back to School Night. Shout out to senior parents/caregivers who attended Thursday's Senior College & Career Night. |
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS Please also see the appropriate section below for information specific to your art major. |
The 2017 BPS City-wide College & Career Fair has been RESCHEDULED. Please see the “SAVE THE DATES” section for more information. Want to start your own club, bring back a club, or join a club? Do you have an awesome idea to bring your peers and adults together? Interested in starting a Student Club? If you want to start a student club, please complete this form or tinyurl.com/BAAclubs2017 by Tuesday, October 3rd. For more information, please see Mr. Vasquez, Dean of Students. Students! It's time for BAA Student Government Elections! If you are interested in running for an elected position, please click here to fill out the election form. This link will also be posted around the school and on the student government bulletin board. Please see Ms. Kroesser in Health and Wellness with questions. MassArt offers classes throughout the year to 4th-12th graders, many with scholarships available. Take a peek at the fall Saturday Studio classes and check-out other vacation week Youth Programs too! Marty Walsh for Boston and BAA alum, Peter Li, are seeking organizing interns to join the campaign and learn cutting-edge organizing techniques. Interns will have the opportunity to gain valuable skills in direct voter contact and community outreach. Organizing interns will be responsible for:
Ideal applicants should:
This is an intensive program that is designed to develop the next generation of organizers. Interns will be based in neighborhoods assigned, but will have opportunities to work across Boston. Applicants will be accepted into the program on a rolling basis. We strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, those with disabilities, and those with working class backgrounds to apply. Please send your resume and cover letter to Peter Li, peter@martywalsh.org. (**Please note that the sharing of this opportunity is not an endorsement of the candidate. BAA does not endorse this or any other candidate.) Is a career in science in your future? The Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program (HPREP) is a free 10-week program that takes place at Harvard Medical School (Boston location) on Saturdays (9am-4pm) from November to February. The program consists of interactive lectures and labs on topics such as cancer, vaccines, health disparities, and leadership as well as college prep workshops. The mentoring component pairs each student with a Harvard student (doctoral, master’s, or medical), who works closely with them to develop a research project leading to an oral presentation at our closing ceremony. For more information, please click here or visit https://hprep.wordpress.com/. And if interested, apply here! Applications are due Sunday, October 1st. Urban Improv’s after-school program, Youth Unscripted, is recruiting 9th-12th graders for its 2017-2018 program. You don’t need to be an actor to join Youth Unscripted. They’re looking for young people who are excited to try new things, explore social justice issues and meet other high school students from around Boston. Plus participants receive a stipend! There will be two info sessions on October 5th & 12th for students interested in learning more and seeing the program in action before committing. Students who are interested can fill out an online application here (paper copies will be available during info sessions), or email Jamie Ullrich, Program Manager, for details. Students may also click here for additional details. Fall Teen Night at the ICA. Join the ICA Teen Arts Council for an unforgettable Teen Night! Friday, October 13th, 6-9pm. Organized by teens for teens, the evening features teen-led art tours, art-making activities, and youth performances in the coolest theater in Boston, the Barbara Lee Family Theater. Visit icateens.org for more details on activities. Library Raffle: The library is hosting a raffle. Earn tickets by helping the librarians or helping other students. Students can also earn one ticket by completing the Reading Survey. See Ms. D or Ms. Marz for details. Tutors: Need help with an assignment? Tutor available in the library on Tuesday and Thursdays 3-5pm by sign-up only. Please see or email Ms. D to sign up (read@bostonartsacademy.org). Juniors and Seniors: If you are interested in being a tutor, please see Ms. D. This can count as NHS service hours and looks good on college applications. The Department of Transitional Assistance and the Massachusetts Cultural Council have partnered together to offer discounted admissions to many of the Commonwealth’s best museums and cultural institutions. Because of the generosity of the participating organizations, DTA clients can receive discounted admissions by showing their EBT card. Please click here for more information and to see a list of participating organizations. For answers to frequently asked questions, click here. New this year, the Boston Public Schools is encouraging families to view the annual “Guide to the Boston Public Schools” and fill out the necessary back-to-school forms by accessing the BPS website at www.bostonpublicschools.org/familyguide. The Guide is available in English, Arabic, Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. This helpful guidebook contains summaries of many of the district’s policies, programs, and services. A separate booklet contains forms that need to be completed by parents, or students 18 or over. A limited number of the printed guides, as well as booklets containing the forms, will be available at our school office for the families of students who are new to the district or do not have access to the Internet. The online form is available at www.bostonpublicschools.org/contact. We encourage you to go online to complete the form for each of your children as soon as possible. We thank you for your cooperation. |
COLLEGE AND CAREER dates and deadlines |
Attention SENIORS: You will be registering for the November SAT during Seminar class on Monday, September 25th. Please recall your CollegeBoard.com username and password by then. SENIORS: All seniors are invited to an informational session about the Common App, hosted by Ms. LoBrutto and Ms. Mandell. The Common App is an online college application, where seniors can send ONE college application to multiple schools. The info session will be held three times, so please come to whichever one you are able: Tuesday, September 26th, Wednesday, September 27th, or Thursday, September 28th, all from 11:45-noon in room 221 (Flaherty's room). The 2017 BPS City-wide College & Career Fair has been RESCHEDULED. Please see the “SAVE THE DATES” section for more information. 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. Boston National Portfolio Day is Sunday, October 22nd @ Hynes Convention Center (900 Boylston Street, Boston). This event is from 12-4pm. National Portfolio Day is an annual event, held in multiple locations across the United States and Canada, produced specifically for emerging visual artists and designers. It is an opportunity for those who wish to pursue an education in art and design to meet one on one with professional representatives from colleges and universities who are accredited. For more information or to register, click here. |
SAVE THE DATES |
For additional details, or for a listing of all events for the school year, please check our website calendar here. Thursday, October 5 SENIOR Families MEFA Financial Aid Seminar. A representative from the Massachusetts Financing Authority will give a workshop on How to Finance your education. We will discuss the types of financial aid including, FAFSA, CSS Profile and private scholarships. Students and parents will also find out about what documents they will need to complete the necessary financial aid forms. This event is from 6-8pm at BAA. Wednesday, October 11 JUNIOR Families MEFA College Admissions Seminar. An experienced Massachusetts Education Finance Administration representative will provide an overview of college admissions, including building the college list, the college application process and basics of financial aid. This seminar is geared toward juniors and their parents. The goal of the seminar is the prepare juniors for their senior year. The seminar will also include information on testing, admissions trends, additional resources and tools to assist you in the admissions process. This event is from 6-8pm at BAA. Saturday, October 14 All 10th and 11th graders have a required PSAT exam here at BAA, 7:30am - 12noon. Thursday, October 26 Building meeting, 6pm at Boston Arts Academy: Please come learn about the plans for the new building, the plans for the "swing space" in Dorchester, and the timeline for project approval, the move, and the construction project. Representatives from Boston Public Schools and the architectural team will present. **RESCHEDULED** Saturday, November 4 2017 BPS City-wide College & Career Fair. Boston Public Schools invites all middle and high school students to begin preparing to take the next step toward their future, by attending this city-wide college & career fair. The fair has been rescheduled and will now take place on Saturday, November 4th, from 10am-1pm, at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont Street, Roxbury, MA 02120. Participating colleges and universities throughout the country will be available to share information about their school’s programs. There will also be a number of local career agencies and college access organizations on site. Additionally, students and families will be able to participate in FAFSA completion sessions onsite! For a listing of all participating exhibitors, please click here. Saturday, November 11 Senior Dance Project at Boston University Dance Theater. Showtimes are 3pm and 7pm. Tuesday, November 14 Family Conference Day. There will be no classes on this day. Families and students are expected to attend. |
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. |
We will be mailing home ASPEN login information for all incoming students on Monday. Families of returning students: Please call the main office if you need login information for ASPEN. A Maven's World Lifestyle Brand's Annual Kickoff of Boston Fashion Week. The BAA community is invited to this exciting event on Saturday, September 30th, 7-9:30pm. Boston Arts Academy students will be performing and event proceeds will benefit the Boston Arts Academy Foundation. Celebrity Guest Host Naturi Naughton, Star of the Hit Series "Power." Learn more and register here. Use Promo Code “BAA” for $5.00 Off. The next Family Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 2nd from 6-8pm at Boston Arts Academy in the first floor conference room, room 133. Elections will be held for Family Council positions and other school-wide family engagement related leadership roles. Come and self-nominate for a leadership role, vote and make your voice heard, and enjoy dinner while meeting other BAA families. $20K for 20 Campaign Chaired by Talia Rivera and Tonya Todesco, Caregivers Class of 2019 The 2017-18 school year is Boston Arts Academy’s 20th! As part of our year-long celebrations, the Boston Arts Academy Foundation is challenging the Boston Arts Academy community (caregivers, students, faculty, friends, and staff) to raise $20,000. It would be a great honor to be able to announce during our 20th Anniversary Weekend celebration scheduled for May 18 - 20, 2018, that this community has come together to support the school in such a meaningful way. The easiest way to participate is to make a gift online at bostonartsacademy.org/20kfor20. You can also easily leave a gift in the donation box in the school's lobby. We look forward to your participation! Upcoming events for families, sponsored by the Boston-Suffolk County Family Resource Center. Activities and opportunities include: Family Paint Night, Family Science Night, Resume Writing Support, and yoga for children. Click here for more information or to register. The BAA Student Handbook is an important resource for the BAA community as it includes information about our schedule, courses, school policies, and community standards. This handbook is available on our website. If, however, you would like a physical copy, please contact Ms. Gomez in the main office at mgomez@bostonartsacademy.org or 617-635-6470. New this year, the Boston Public Schools is encouraging families to view the annual “Guide to the Boston Public Schools” and fill out the necessary back-to-school forms by accessing the BPS website at www.bostonpublicschools.org/familyguide. The Guide is available in English, Arabic, Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. This helpful guidebook contains summaries of many of the district’s policies, programs, and services. A separate booklet contains forms that need to be completed by parents, or students 18 or over. A limited number of the printed guides, as well as booklets containing the forms, will be available at our school office for the families of students who are new to the district or do not have access to the Internet. The online form is available at www.bostonpublicschools.org/contact. We encourage you to go online to complete the form for each of your children as soon as possible. We thank you for your cooperation. When a student is absent, the parent/guardian must send a note explaining the reason for the absence within five days of the absence. Notes sent after five school days will not be honored. Please make sure your note includes: student name, student ID #, date of absence, reason for absence, and parent/guardian signature. The Department of Transitional Assistance and the Massachusetts Cultural Council have partnered together to offer discounted admissions to many of the Commonwealth’s best museums and cultural institutions. Because of the generosity of the participating organizations, DTA clients can receive discounted admissions by showing their EBT card. Please click here for more information and to see a list of participating organizations. For answers to frequently asked questions, click here. |
DANCE These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.” |
Dance clothing is available for purchase in the dance office on Mondays during lunch. There is a limited supply, so students should also purchase dance attire online. See BAA Handbook for details. October 7th & 8th - Dancing Through College and Beyond. Seniors interested in majoring in dance in college should visit http://dancewave.org/DTCB Senior Dance Project - Saturday, November 11th at Boston University Dance Theater. Performances at 3PM and 7PM |
FASHION TECHNOLOGY These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.” |
Reminder to all families to bring in $30 departmental dues. |
MUSIC These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.” |
If you have not done so, please bring in your $30 departmental dues as soon as possible. You can give your $30 to your advisor during advisory. We are excited announce that we now have a Women’s Choir, taught by Ms. Rivelli, which meets during H block on Thursdays. |
THEATRE These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.” |
Auditions for the first Main Stage Show will be Monday, September 25th and Tuesday, September 26th, 3:30-6pm. Callbacks will be Thursday, September 28th. All theatre students in grades 10, 11 and 12 - in the acting concentration - must audition as part of skill building. Sign up on the call board on the first floor by room 144. Rehearsals for those cast will start on Monday, October 2nd and will be held Monday-Thursday from 3-6:30pm, and some Fridays and Saturdays. Performance dates are December 7, 8 and 9. Parents and caregivers please remember to bring in $30 theatre dues for this year. |
VISUAL ARTS These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for exhibitions see “SAVE THE DATES.” |
Boston National Portfolio Day is Sunday, October 22nd @ Hynes Convention Center (900 Boylston Street, Boston). This event is from 12-4pm. National Portfolio Day is an annual event, held in multiple locations across the United States and Canada, produced specifically for emerging visual artists and designers. It is an opportunity for those who wish to pursue an education in art and design to meet one on one with professional representatives from colleges and universities who are accredited. For more information or to register, click here. Mac Lab Open Studio Hours: Tuesday and Thursday during H Block (3-4pm) Reminder to all families to bring in $30 departmental dues. |
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: jbaustista@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 |