Weekly Bulletin September 24 - September 28, 2018 | Week 4 |
MESSAGE FROM BAA HEADMASTER, MS. CLARK |
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that "[a]n individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” That is the philosophy behind our third shared value ,"Diversity with Respect." At Boston Arts Academy we believe that artists are people who seek to see beyond their own individual perspectives to respect, and ideally to connect with, other peoples' point of view. And we believe that art is a great way to do that; through art you can experience different ideas, different cultures, and different life experiences. To be an artist is to be curious and to be open minded. Often we grow the most as artists when we seek to understand something or someone very different from ourselves. Many people think about diversity first in terms of racial or ethnic diversity; there is also diversity of culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and socio economic status. Students are often interested in diversity related to age: how someone who is a teenager experiences life as opposed to someone who is older, and particularly "ageism," bias or discrimination on the basis of a person's age. I have been reading a lot about "neurodiversity" lately; neurodiversity is a concept where neurological differences are recognized and respected; these differences can include those labeled with learning disabilities, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autistic Spectrum, and others. During orientation before school started, I talked to students about the diverse communities around us in our new home at the Cleveland, specifically the neighborhood of Fields Corner and the CASH community. Finally, at BAA we talk a lot about diversity and respect among and between our different majors. When I say that BAA is a community that practices "diversity with respect," here is what I expect to see: What Diversity with Respect looks like Inside the classroom/studio/rehearsal space:
What Diversity with Respect looks like beyond the classroom: hallways, shared spaces, Cleveland complex, in the neighborhood:
Have a great week! |
CONGRATULATIONS AND SHOUT-OUTS |
Shout out to all seniors and senior families who came to Thursday’s College & Career Night. Shout out to the many students, from ALL majors, who auditioned for the musical. We look forward to seeing the final product of your hard work in January! Have someone(s) to congratulate or shout out? Please email Ms. Booth --> tbooth@bostonartsacademy.org (be sure to include name and reason for the shout out) |
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS Please also see the appropriate section below for information specific to your art major |
*NEW* 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 Current E-Board for any question you might have. Art Representative roles
Grade Representative
**2 Representatives per major will fill the position (i.e. Two dance representatives); 1 Representative per grade will fill the position (i.e. One 10th Grade Representative) *NEW* Now hiring student poll workers! The Boston Election Department seeks to engage students age 16 and older in the democratic process of voting. Becoming a Student Poll Worker is a great way to get involved on Election Day and empower your community!
The deadline to apply is Friday, September 28th. Click here for more information and to apply. When we entered the Cleveland for this school year, we found a clean, mouse-free building. Let's keep it that way. We have had some concerns about bathrooms this week: We found writing on the wall in one bathroom, and we consistently found paper towels near, but not in, nearby waste baskets. That's middle school behavior and unacceptable at Boston Arts Academy. Please also remember to throw food away in the tall, gray trash cans rather than the short, brown trash cans. *NEW* Are you interested in photography, photo editing, or magazine creation? Then join the YEARBOOK team! Come talk to Ms. Marz in the library to see how you can be a part of shaping BAA history. EmersonWRITES is an urban, creative writing lab offering FREE college-style workshops to Boston students in grades 8 through 12. EmersonWRITES is guided by the principle that writing is essential to intellectual engagement, self-representation, and access to opportunity. This program seeks to foster individual voice and empowerment through the written word. Course Offerings include:
Click here for more information. Interested students can apply here. Become a Peer Leader! The Peer Leadership Institute is now accepting applications. Peer leaders will…
Interested students can apply at: www.regpacks.com/pli_ayp. The Health Resource Center (HRC) is a program of the Boston Public Health Commission in partnership with Boston Public Schools. We provide comprehensive classroom health education around sexual health, depression and anxiety, substance use, and health equity. The HRC also provides a confidential space to talk to a trusted adult around topics including, but not limited to: sexual health, mental health, substance use, and decision making. We aim to connect youth to any services they need whether it be needing a space to work out issues with their loved ones or looking for potential employment. We are happy to announce that STI/STD testing services will be offered again this year. Testing is 100% free and confidential. All results and, if needed, treatments will only be handled by HRC staff and the Boston Public Health Commission. The HRC is located in the Health and Wellness office in room A-228B. As a reminder, the most common symptom amongst STI infections is no symptom at all. Getting tested is quick, easy, and accessible for you on Wednesdays and Thursdays! |
SAVE THE DATES |
SEPTEMBER Tuesday, September 25 Canadian College Fair Location: Boston Marriott Newton - 2345 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA 02466 7:00 - 9:00pm Wednesday, September 26 Back-to-School Night for Grades 9-11 Location: Boston Arts Academy 6:00 - 7:45pm Thursday, September 27 Senior Financial Aid Workshop Location: Boston Arts Academy 6:00 - 8:00pm | OCTOBER Thursday, October 4th BAA Open House Location: Boston Arts Academy 8:00 - 3:00pm Tuesday, October 30 Junior Night: College Admissions Location: Boston Arts Academy 6:00 - 8:00pm | NOVEMBER Wednesday, November 7 Boston Performing and Visual Arts College Fair Location: Emmanuel College - Jean Yawkey Center (400 The Fenway, Boston) 6:30-8:30pm Wednesday, November 14 Family Conference Day Location: Boston Arts Academy **There will be no classes on this day |
For additional details, or for a listing of all events for the school year, please check our website calendar here. |
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CAREGIVERS Please also see the “SAVE THE DATES” section above for upcoming events, and the appropriate art section below for information specific to your student's art major |
*UPDATED* We are excited to welcome families to our annual "Back to School Night" on Wednesday, September 26 from 6:00-7:45pm. This is a night where you will get information that connects to your student's major and your student's grade. Childcare will be available. IN THE FIRST HALF HOUR we will also be holding elections for officers for our family council and family representatives for our school board/school site council. Please consider running for one of these important positions! After the elections, families will go to two separate meetings, first by major and then by grade. Arts departments will make the major presentations, explaining how the arts curricula develop over four years at BAA. Administrators will make the grade-level presentations, providing an overview of academic curricula and assessments and answering any questions that you may have about the school in general. We will have more information about this night in the bulletin next week. For even more of a sense of what your student's life is like at Boston Arts Academy, we invite you to join us for Open House, Thursday, October 4 during the school day. That's a day where family members can shadow students and visit all of their classes. Many parents and caregivers tell us they wish they could have the Boston Arts Academy experience. October 4th is your chance! If your student would like or needs a vegetarian or a gluten-free BPS meal, please contact Ms. Clark at aclark@bostonartsacademy.org. *NEW* Donations needed for Nurse's Office. Please consider donating the following items if you are able. You can drop these items off at BAA - Attn: Nurse Jocelyne. You can also order them directly through AmazonSmile (select Boston Arts Academy Foundation) and BAA will get a % of the purchase donated as well. Here are the needed items: Lysol wipes, Lysol spray, Hand sanitizer, Hand Cream, Tissue boxes, Sandwich Bags, Sanitary napkins/tampons, Cough Drops, Advil (200mg). *NEW* Attention: At this time the nurse is unable to administer any pain relievers (Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen) without a doctor’s note. We will make you aware once this changes. Thank you for your patience. The mobile eye clinic is coming back to BAA! In 2016, 20/20, 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 20/20 will be coming back to Boston Arts Academy on Monday, October 22. Families who would like for their student to receive this service, please complete this consent form and return it to Nurse Jocelyne. The following services are provided from this van:
COVERED BY INSURANCE: 100% covered by MassHealth (No co-pay required) |
DANCE These announcements are specific to Dance majors; for performances, see “SAVE THE DATES” above |
*NEW* Thursday, September 27th - Senior Dance Project Auditions: 3:00pm in room/studio 242. *NEW* Friday, October 5th - Upper House dance master class with Orion Duckstein, Associate Professor at Adelphi University. *NEW* Wednesday, October 24th - Senior Dance Project panel showing 3:00 - 6:00pm in room/studio 242. *NEW* Tuesday, October 30th - Afrika Lives - with Artist in Residence, Joh Camara and 9th grade dance majors. Click here for additional dance dates. |
FASHION TECHNOLOGY These announcements are specific to Fashion majors; for exhibitions, see “SAVE THE DATES” above |
12 of our Fashion students will be presenting their designs, in a small collection, in the Fashion on Fire FASHION SHOW, by Project Smile. Friday, September 28 7:00 - 10:00pm Hilton Boston/Woburn 2 Forbes Road Woburn, MA 01801 *To complete their work, students will have to stay during after school hours. Specific dates TBD. Parents/caregivers, Ms. Polito will be in contact within the next week. This is an exciting opportunity for the Fashion Technology students to showcase their work in a professional setting. Tickets are available for parents/caregivers. Additional tickets may be purchased here. |
MUSIC These announcements are specific to Music majors; for performances, see “SAVE THE DATES” above |
No announcements. |
THEATRE These announcements are specific to Theatre majors; for performances, see “SAVE THE DATES” above |
*NEW* Thank you to all of the families that have turned in their theatre dues; we have well over 30 dues submitted. Those that have yet to do so, we really need your help and thank you in advance! *NEW* To all 9th grade and 10th grade families, please remember that 9th grade students have playwriting during H Block (3:00 - 4:00pm) on Tuesday and 10th grade students have it on Thursday. H block is not considered "after school", it is part of their school day. *NEW* The Theatre Department is excited to take part in the Hamilton Education Program. In doing so the entire department will be able to see the play on October 18th. Thank you to all of the families for your assistance in making sure the permissions slips were able to be processed with such a quick turn around! |
VISUAL ARTS These announcements are specific to VA majors; for exhibitions, see “SAVE THE DATES” above |
*NEW* Families of Visual Art students, please remember to send departmental fees of $30 to BAA. *NEW* Please remember, all Upper House Studio classes end at 2:50pm on Mondays. *NEW* National Portfolio Day, held at Hynes Convention Center, Boston is on Sunday, October 21st. For more information, visit smfa.tufts.edu/admissions/portfolio-day Juniors considering attending an arts college are encouraged to observe the day. Seniors considering attending an arts college are encouraged to participate in the event. In addition, the VA department will be organizing its own arts college BAA Portfolio Day, in our space on Monday, October 22nd, during H Block. The list of participating colleges is growing and will be posted here, closer to the event. *NEW* VA students interested in helping set up our new supply closet and other VA spaces should contact Ms. Valentin. |
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 |
Boston Arts Academy
11 Charles Street, Dorchester, MA 02122
bostonartsacademy.org | 617-635-6470
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