Weekly Bulletin

January 15 - January 19, 2018  |  Week 20

MESSAGE FROM BAA HEADMASTER, MS. CLARK

I have never been to Haiti, but I know Haiti is a beautiful place. In 2013, BAA opened an exhibition in our Gordon Gallery that showcased the work of renowned Haitian artists, including Phillipe Dodard, Gontran Durocher, and Ronald Mevs. I'm proud to say that the show was well attended by the Boston Haitian community, and we were honored to have a visit from the current Haitian Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Altidor. Visual Arts Co-Chair and Gallery Director Mr. Guy Michel Telemaque made this incredible event happen. A celebration of the beauty of Haiti, Haitian people, and Haitian culture, it was one of the most powerful experiences I have had at BAA.

At Boston Arts Academy we believe that art provides the perfect vehicle for our students, teachers, and staff to celebrate the beautiful contributions of all communities and cultures. In fact, the next exhibition, "Crossing Borders," opening in the Gordon Gallery on March 8, showcases work from artists who make work about immigration, including BAA alumni Rocky Cotard and Yoselin Rodriguez. We are fortunate as a school community to have members who represent a wide range of cultures from all over the world, and all of those diverse cultures deserve, as one of our shared values states, respect. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said "The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood." I like to think that our Artist-Scholar-Citizens are learning to be such "disciplined nonconformists." And I want all of our students in particular to know that their culture and community--whether they connect to Haiti, El Salvador, or any other country around the world--is valued at Boston Arts Academy.

CONGRATULATIONS AND SHOUT OUTS

Congratulations to Annalise Englert on her acceptance to George Mason University with a $36,000 scholarship.

Shout out to Johnny Del Jesus, Kylie Grossman, and Andrea Ward who performed at the BPS Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration last week. One audience member shared the following about their performance: “[T]heir performance […] left such a great impression upon all the audience members, but most importantly the fellow dancers in the room. Experiences like these elevate the level for all groups going forward and it is reassuring to have the benchmarks established by the Boston Arts Academy.

Congratulations to Ms. Mandell for placing 3rd overall at the KenKen International Championship. If you are interested in learning more about KenKen or the documentary being made about Tess and her KenKen fame, check out miyamotoandthemachine.com.

Shout out to Mr. McLaughlin, Issy Sealy, and Andrea Ward who were interviewed by Darnell Williams for his Community Focus podcast.

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.

In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, there will be no school on Monday, January 15th. Tuesday, January 16th will follow a Monday schedule.

Algebra 1 Open Honors students, there will be no Open Honors lunch session this week. OH lunch sessions will resume on the first Tuesday of Term 3.

We continue to get complaints from neighbors about students bothering the geese the in Fens. Please be respectful of wildlife.

On Tuesday, January 16th Blaze Pizza is hosting a fundraiser where a percentage of proceeds will go towards Team Puerto Rico!! This will only be between 4-7 pm and customers must show flyer on paper or picture on phone to be applicable. So PLEASE get your appetite ready and enjoy some delicious pizza while supporting a great cause!!

Upcoming Exhibitions at MassArt. This fall, MassArt's Bakalar & Paine Galleries are featuring two exhibitions: Living Treasure and Fabulous Follies and Legacy of the Cool: A Tribute to Barkley L. Hendricks (featuring our 2015 commencement speaker, Ms. Ekua Holmes!). Both exhibitions open on Wednesday, January 17th. The Galleries are always free and open to the public. Hours are: Mon-Sat: 12-6pm, Wed: 12-8pm.

Semester 1 ends on Thursday, January 18th. Some courses (humanities, most science, and some arts) will end at this time, and final grades will be reported. Term 2 grades will also be reported. This will mark the halfway point for year-long courses.

National Honor Society will meet on Thursday, January 18th in room 216 during lunch.

SENIORS: In term 3 Seminar, all seniors will be taking an elective class. You should have received a course descriptions page from your college Seminar teacher last week. The registration process for electives will close this Thursday, January 18th at 1:30pm.

BAA Intersession will run from January 22nd - January 26th. The schedule for Intersession week is: Monday - Thursday, 8:30am - 2:30pm; Friday, 8:30am - 12:30pm. Instead of traditional classes, students will be engaged all week in one learning experience or project. While most groups will run from approximately 8:30am - 2:30pm, students may have slightly modified daily schedules depending on their Intersession Project. At the end of that week (on January 26th), there will be a share-out and fair to which parents and caregivers are invited. Below is Friday’s schedule, as it currently stands:

8:30-10:00: Final preparation and work

10:00-11:00: Intersession Share-out @ House of Blues

11:15-12:15: Intersession Fair @ BAA

12:15-12:30: Clean-up, Wrap up

Check out Drawing Together at MassArt. On Wednesday evenings (6-8pm), January 24th - February 28th, all are invited to a group drawing and art therapy in the galleries. Free and open to the public and facilitated by professionals and community members, this is a space to express emotions through therapeutic drawing. No past art experience is required, and supplies are provided.

Note from your library: The BAA library has received a fantastic shipment of new books, many of which are short, high-interest titles, including mystery and suspense! These are a great choice for students who need to take the ELA MCAS this year and discuss a book they have read. Come on by and check one out!

The Fashion Technology Program will be presenting their first exhibition on Thursday, February 1st. There will be an opening reception from 4pm - 6pm. The exhibition will be displaying classwork and projects by our talented students. Please join us!

Bank of America is looking for the next generation of community leaders. If you are a junior or senior in high school and are working to make a difference in your school or community, we want to support you. As a Student Leader, you will participate in an eight-week, paid, summer internship at a local nonprofit organization where you will learn first-hand about the needs of your community and the critical role nonprofits play. In addition, you will learn valuable civic, social and business leadership skills. Each Student Leader will attend the Student Leaders Summit held in Washington, D.C. where you will learn how government, business and the nonprofit sector work together to address critical community needs. Applications are open until February 2, 2018. Click here for more information and to apply.

The BAA 2018 Summer Arts Study Scholarship is open! Any BAA student in grades 9-11 is eligible to apply, and forms can be downloaded from this link. Scholarship Applications are due on Friday, April 2nd. Any questions or concerns, please see Ms. Marsh.

Updated Tutoring Schedule:

Simmons work-study tutors are on break until the end of January. Please contact Ms. Susan for writing help: Tues/Thurs 3-5 by appointment.

COLLEGE AND CAREER

JUNIORS: Free SAT Prep & College Admissions Guidance. Applying to college can be overwhelming, but Let’s Get Ready is here to help! Let’s Get Ready begins with the College Access Program, a 9-week curriculum administered by trained college student Coaches that includes SAT prep, college application guidance, college visits, and more. The program is provided at no cost to high school seniors and juniors with qualifying financial need. Sign up today!

$2,500 JFK-GE Foundation Scholarships for HS Seniors, due Thursday, February 1st. The JFK Library Foundation & GE Foundation are offering up to 40 $2,500 scholarships to BPS high school seniors graduating in Spring 2018 who are planning on pursuing undergraduate majors in a STEM field of study. Please pass along this information to high school students. Additional program requirements can be found here. Applications are available here.

The Red Pine Scholars Program offers high-performing high school seniors and recent graduates from Massachusetts the chance to attend competitive colleges anywhere in the United States. The Program is dedicated to making college affordable for Massachusetts families and helping students to reach their full potential. If accepted into the program, students receive a four-year scholarship of up to $20,000 annually, plus individual mentoring and funding for enrichment opportunities. Click here for more information and to apply. Applications are due Thursday, February 15th.

Ms. LoBrutto will be holding drop-in hours in the Alaska Lab every Wednesday from 3-5pm and Friday 1-3pm. 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.

OTHER RESOURCES – Please visit these websites for helpful financial aid, scholarship, and college readiness info:

SAVE THE DATES

For additional details, or for a listing of all events for the school year, please check our website calendar here.

**CANCELLED**

Wednesday, January 17

Building Update Meeting for the BAA Community

6-8pm @ Boston Arts Academy

Unfortunately, BPS needed to reschedule so we are canceling this meeting. We are, however, still scheduled for Wednesday, February 7th.

Thursday, January 25 - Saturday, January 27

Boston Arts Academy presents Dancing in the Streets: A 20th Anniversary Celebration at the Strand Theatre. Conceived and directed by dance faculty William McLaughlin, this performance features BAA's dancers, vocalists, and musicians and is part of our 20th Anniversary celebration. Performances will be at The Strand Theatre in Dorchester on January 25th @ 7:30, January 26th @ 7:30, and January 27th @ 3pm and 7:30. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bostonartsacademy.org/dancinginthestreets. Tickets will also be available at the door. Ticket prices: $15 adults, $10 students and senior citizens.

Wednesday, February 7

Building Update Meeting for the BAA Community

6-8pm @ Boston Arts Academy

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.

In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, there will be no school on Monday, January 15th. Tuesday, January 16th will follow a Monday schedule.

On Tuesday, January 16th Blaze Pizza is hosting a fundraiser where a percentage of proceeds will go towards Team Puerto Rico!! This will only be between 4-7 pm and customers must show flyer on paper or picture on phone to be applicable. So PLEASE get your appetite ready and enjoy some delicious pizza while supporting a great cause!!

We are RECRUITING students for school year 2018-2019 and we need your help! Make noise and tell your friends, neighbors and family members about this amazing community. Audition Application is open online at: https://boston-arts.embark.com/apply/arts.

Do you, or does someone you know, have a ukulele that can be loaned to our students for their Island Jams Intersession project? If so, please contact Music Faculty, Molly Jo Rivelli: mrivelli@bostonartsacademy.org.

BAA Intersession will run from January 22nd - January 26th. The schedule for Intersession week is: Monday - Thursday, 8:30am - 2:30pm; Friday, 8:30am - 12:30pm. Instead of traditional classes, students will be engaged all week in one learning experience or project. While most groups will run from approximately 8:30am - 2:30pm, students may have slightly modified daily schedules depending on their Intersession Project. At the end of that week (on January 26th), there will be a share-out and fair to which parents and caregivers are invited. Below is Friday’s schedule, as it currently stands:

8:30-10:00: Final preparation and work

10:00-11:00: Intersession Share-out @ House of Blues

11:15-12:15: Intersession Fair @ BAA

12:15-12:30: Clean-up, Wrap up

Due to an overwhelming response, the mobile eye clinic will return to BAA on Monday, February 5th! 2020, an on-site eye doctor, will provide eye exams for students from a state-of-the-art mobile clinic. The following services will be provided:

  • A Complete Eye Exam
  • Electronic Prescription
  • Prescription Eyeglasses
  • Results of your child's exam
  • Follow-up care instructions
  • Eyeglasses sent to school!

COVERED BY INSURANCE: 100% covered by MassHealth (No co-pay required). If you are interested, but haven’t signed up already, please complete this consent form and return it to Nurse Jocelyne as soon as possible.

The next Family Council meeting is on Tuesday, February 13th at BAA in room 133. The meeting will be held from 6-8pm. Dinner will be provided. Family Council meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of every month for the remainder of the school year. Please note that while spring meetings are currently scheduled to be held at BAA, the location is subject to change based on the Red Sox game schedule. Updates will be provided if there is a location change. To see all notes from this school year's Family Council meetings, please click here.

Do you shop at Amazon.com? Begin your visit at smile.amazon.com and AmazonSmile will donate to Boston Arts Academy!

DANCE

These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.”

Thursday, January 18th: Master class with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. 9:55-11:15am

Saturday, January 27th: University of the Arts, Philadelphia Regional Auditions for College Admissions and Summer Programs. 10am-1pm @ BAA

Friday, February 10th: Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts (EMIA) summer intensive auditions at BAA

  • Registration (9am)
  • Auditions (9:30am-1:00pm)

Monday, April 2 - Saturday, April 7: Nathan Trice Residency

Friday, May 11th & Saturday, May 12th: Springfest 20th Anniversary Performance at Boston University Dance Theater

FASHION TECHNOLOGY

These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.”

The Fashion Technology Program will be presenting their first exhibition on Thursday, February 1st. There will be an opening reception from 4pm - 6pm. The exhibition will be displaying classwork and projects by our talented students. Please join us!

MUSIC

These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.”

Sophomore benchmark recitals will be held February 5th - February 9th during the school day from 9:45-11:30am. A detailed schedule will be posted by January 22nd with specific performance times for each student. Families are welcome to attend!

The sophomore recital benchmark is a pivotal point in music students’ experience at BAA. This experience is designed for students to demonstrate readiness for upper house music study. Students must present and score at least a 2.8 out 4 on their recital performance while maintaining at least a C average in their arts before being eligible for promotion into the upper house.

THEATRE

These are announcements that are specific to the dept; for performances see “SAVE THE DATES.”

Seniors will be traveling to NYC on a chaperoned trip to audition for college/conservatory BFA Theatre programs. The trip will take place January 20-21. Permission slips were due by Wednesday, January 10th. Please contact Maura Tighe with any questions or concerns: mtighe@bostonartsacademy.org.

Sophomore Theatre Students will be performing an original piece at the Emerson College High School Theatre Festival on January 27th. The festival takes place at Emerson College at the Semel Theatre. Exact time of performance TBD, but all sophomore theatre majors are required to attend this full day event (8am-7pm). Lunch will be provided.

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