The Boston Educator, Spring 2004

SPRING 2003 ◆ Vol. 1, No. 1 Vol.3, No. 2 Autumn 2006

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Super man left, and Interim Superintendent Contompasis answers schools’ call for interim leader Michael G. BY MEAGHAN CASEY Contompasis here to provide as smooth a transition as possible greet Everett With one foot out the door last spring, Michael and make it clear that the work will go on.” School third- G. Contompasis was drawn back in to extend his The smooth transition was evident on the first graders, from 41-year legacy in the Boston Public Schools. day of school, Sept. 7, when he and Mayor Thomas left, Lissa The former BPS chief operating officer, who was M. Menino did a tour of schools. Lopes, Khalilah to retire in June, was named interim superintendent Contompasis was approached by the School Evora, Jasmine upon Dr. Thomas W. Payzant’s retirement. Committee, the Mayor’s office, and colleagues to Castro, and “After 41 years at an active pace, it’s hard to delay his retirement and take on the added Anthony Alves believe I would’ve been able to settle into a rocking responsibilities. on the first day chair,” quipped Contompasis. “I don’t intend to sit The search committee that was appointed to of school. back and bide time or maintain the status quo. I’m See CONTOMPASIS Page 14 insidethe autumnedition

Forensics class captures interest of CHS students SPACE SCHOOL BY CAITLIN BOWLER Horace Mann students visited by astronaut With students brushing for fingerprints, analyzing hair under microscopes, pouring footprints outside or Page 3 examining fibers under ultraviolet lights as they hone the skills of crime-scene analysis, forensic science classes at Charlestown High School are unlike any others — and students are hooked. The introduction to forensic science — which in its broadest definition is the application of science and technology for enforcement of the law — is wildly popular. TWO OF A KIND Veteran chemistry, physics, and forensic science teacher Rich Fox, a former Nevadan who was Colleagues in school, recruited to introduce his forensic curriculum at Charlestown High two years ago, had 30 students partners at home enrolled in each of his four sections last year. With Page 7 250 students on the waiting list, at least eight more sections of the class would be needed to meet student demand. Fox believes the Hollywood drama “CSI” has

See FORENSICS Page 14

BOSTON’S BEST Meet the top students in Boston’s schools Page 15 For more information on Boston Public Schools, visit Charlestown High student Jamilla Patrick, left, uses a magnetic finger-printing kit in forensics science class; teacher Rich www.bostonpublicschools.org Fox instructs his class on a crime-scene investigation. PHOTOS: REBA SALDANHA 2— The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 Opening of school year is BPS grads City of Boston win Comcast Thomas M. Menino, Mayor

Boston School Committee scholarships Dr. Elizabeth Reilinger always an exciting time Chairperson Marchelle Raynor This year, 23 schools welcome new principals and Recognized as school Vice Chairperson elcome to the 2006- headmasters. Many of these leaders are graduates of the leaders and catalysts for 2007 school year. The Boston Principal Fellows program, having studied closely positive change in their William Boyan start of a new school with experienced principals as they prepared to lead their communities, two 2006 Boston Michele P. Brooks W Helen M. Dájer year is always an exciting time. own schools. Public Schools graduates were Alfreda Harris This marks my 41st year as an More than 400 new teachers are in classrooms across brought into the spotlight by Dr. Angel Amy Moreno educator in the Boston Public the district. These educators come from different the Comcast Foundation. Schools — not including my years backgrounds and parts of the country and have joined the Alicia Jones of Dorchester Published by: as a BPS student. All around the Boston Public Schools to be part of our innovative and Madison Park Technical Boston Public Schools Michael G. city, I see the enthusiasm of education-reform work. Many have completed the Vocational High School, and Michael G. Contompasis Contompasis students, families and staff who Boston Teacher Residency program, where they spent Dagmawit Sirmollo of Interim Superintendent Interim begin the year with anticipation and four days a week with a master teacher while completing Roslindale and the English Superintendent a commitment to academic course work toward full certification. High School, were each Submit story ideas to: excellence. We also are continuing the work of expanding awarded $1,000 scholarships Jonathan Palumbo Office of Communications Throughout the Boston Public Schools, we are offerings for the youngest students. Guided by the new through Comcast’s Leaders Boston Public Schools working harder than ever to ensure every child in every Department of Early Childhood Education, we proudly and Achievers Program. They 26 Court St. classroom in every school is being held to high standards open 17 new Kindergarten 1 (K1) classrooms for 4-year- were among 1,728 students in Boston, MA 02108 Tel: (617) 635-9494 and is receiving the support needed to excel. We remain old students, a new curriculum for pre-kindergarten 34 states who received the Fax: (617) 635-9568 committed to our work of closing the achievement gap students, and investments to earn national accreditation award for exemplary [email protected] and to moving all students to proficiency. From providing for our early childhood programs. These efforts are community service, leadership training for our staff to ensuring our buildings are supported by more than $1 million in private funds from skills, positive attitude and Produced by: nurturing learning environments, everything we do is partners who recognize our approach as a model for academic achievement. GRANT COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTING GROUP guided by our commitment to student achievement. educating the youngest students. “These young adults are our Boston ◆ New York This is a time of transition in our district, but it is not a We remain committed to investing in our school future business and community (781) 598-8200 time to slow down. Instead, we must accelerate our buildings, to provide safe, welcoming facilities to serve leaders,” said Comcast [email protected] progress and achieve even greater results. I want to as outstanding learning environments. Construction will Corporation Chairman and assure you that we are in a strong position to continue soon be underway to renovate the Burke High School, CEO Brian L. Roberts. Funded by: building on our successes. As evidenced by the progress including a new library. And the Holland Elementary “We’re pleased to recognize that schools have demonstrated already, we have a strong School is reopening after a major renovation, and is now the tremendous impact that foundation in place, and we remain dedicated to a state-of-the-art elementary school inside and out. these students have made in providing educators and families with the tools they need On behalf of the entire Boston Public Schools their schools and to help students reach their full potential. community, I wish you a very successful school year. Hi-tech services are our job. Community service is our responsibility.

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G21-052505-v1 The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 — 3 SPACE SCHOOL

Astronaut captivates students at Horace Mann

BY GRETCHEN WEBER

When Horace Mann principal Jeremiah Ford says he wants to bring the world to his students, he doesn’t just mean planet Earth. He’s talking about outer space, too. Last spring, a real space traveler — NASA astronaut Dan Burbank — paid a visit to the school and spoke with students for more than an hour about the life of an astronaut. In 2000, Burbank manned a 12-day mission, which prepared the International Space Station for its first permanent crew. On that flight, Burbank orbited the Earth 185 times, and covered 4.9 million miles in 283 hours. “It’s very exciting,” said Ford, “This is an opportunity for our kids to get exposure to science and its applications in real life. Every group of our students was interacting and was fascinated by this guy.” Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is the oldest public day school of its kind in the country. Founded in 1869, the school educates students with varying levels of hearing challenges. Burbank greeted the students by trying out some of his From left, Alexandra Pena, Ewa Sianoszek, Cleore St. Juste, Evandro Correia, and James Alzante newly-learned sign language, which he said he learned study the solar system. from a fellow astronaut. He told the students, “Stay in school, be good, and never give up.” challenges. explore related literature, history, and art concepts. Some The astronaut gave a presentation about what it’s like “With deaf kids the biggest issue is literacy,” Ford said. of the youngest students at Horace Mann, for example, to train to be an astronaut, and he brought pieces of the “Other children are learning language all day long have been making planets in art class and learning how to reflective material used in space suits to regulate because they hear background — parents talking, the sign the planets’ names. temperature, a fragment from a space craft that had been television, the radio. Our kids are exposed solely though The relationship between Burbank and Horace Mann in space, and samples of food the astronauts eat. visuals, so we are challenged to bring the world to our will continue to grow. Burbank is scheduled to take flight “He was fabulous,” said Fiona Bennie, the Horace kids and to bring our kids to the world. This is best done again this fall on a new mission to space and will Mann science teacher who invited Burbank to come to through visual and experiential medium, which is highly communicate with Horace Mann students from the the school. “The kids were thrilled to meet him. He was motivating and stimulating to our students.” International Space Station while he is there. unbelievably personable and warm.” Because of this, the educational benefits of having an “This kind of thing really helps our kids to realize that Ford said having Burbank address the students is the astronaut come to school stretch far beyond science there’s a whole world of opportunity out there,” said kind of experiential learning that is motivating for most education. Teachers can build on these opportunities to Ford. students, but is particularly vital for those with hearing teach science topics, and they can also help students Student-assignment process continues to improve

BY MEAGHAN CASEY In addition to placing a high priority on their true choices in order of preference. It Nearly 1,000 parents registering their In 2004, there were 700 seats available for early education, the campaign, led by the also ensures greater access to schools where children for kindergarten or grades 1, 6 and 9 pre-kindergarten students in Boston Public community-based Student Assignment Task families have priority through proximity and were surveyed between January and Schools. That number has more than doubled Force, has influenced the School Committee sibling enrollment. February, and about three-quarters of to reach 1,500. to increase the number of K-8 schools — “We heard from families about school respondents rated “good” or “excellent” the The dramatic increase in K1 seats for 4- including the Perry, Jackson/Mann and Eliot choice being a very confusing and service at the registration sites and the year-olds is the result of ongoing efforts to schools this fall — and make several policy burdensome process,” said Interim district’s efforts to inform and engage improve school choice and assignment modifications to the school- assignment Superintendent Michael G. Contompasis. families in the school- choice process. options in the BPS, based on the findings of process to better meet the needs of parents “We’ve put a number of improvements in The survey findings reflect the positive a public-engagement campaign two years and students. place in recent years, and it’s encouraging to improvements to the formula for student ago. In 2005, 22 new K1 classrooms opened A new mathematical formula for assigning see that those changes are making a positive assignment and the registration process. and another 17 opened this September. students to schools allows families to select impact.” 4— The Boston Educator Autumn 2006

BPS PILOT SCHOOLS Number of pilot schools is growing

BY MEAGHAN CASEY

Pilot schools, created to be models of educational innovation and to serve as research and development sites for effective urban public schools, are seeing new growth within the Boston Public Schools. Earlier this year, Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined the BPS and the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) to announce a three-year proposal enabling the creation of at least seven new pilot schools by September, 2008. The proposal also places a cap on the number of unpaid teacher work hours in pilot schools and requires the district to compensate teachers for their additional time. “This new agreement on pilot schools will offer our students more choice and continue to provide them with a world-class education,” said Menino. The Boston Pilot Schools Network began in 1995 as a research and development arm of the BPS, to be a catalyst for change and to promote increased choice options within the district. The result of a unique partnership among the Fredrick Woodard III performs a violin solo at the Masontennial celebration. mayor, School Committee, Boston Public Schools and the BTU, the network has created schools with autonomy from some district policies and collective bargaining agreements. The pilot schools focus on creating communities of learners, providing rigorous and meaningful curriculum and ensuring that all students are A century of caring successful. Currently, there are 17 pilot schools and two Horace Mann charter schools in Boston, all of which are part of Hundreds gather to celebrate the BPS and funded by the city, but governed by individual boards. In June, the School Committee approved a request Mason School’s 100th birthday from the BPS-BTU Steering Committee to grant pilot- BY MEAGHAN CASEY school status to the Thomas Gardner Extended Services School, beginning in September, 2007. The other new pilot schools could be created from any combination of new Music, dance and celebration ignited the Samuel W. Mason schools, conversions of the district’s non-pilot schools or Elementary School, as more than 400 students, parents, staff conversions of current state-governed schools interested in and community members gathered to mark 100 years of becoming part of the BPS. achievement. “Consistent with our commitment to provide a whole Founded in 1906, the Mason School has undergone system of quality schools for all children, these additional significant transformations in the last century, emerging as a pilot schools will increase the range of choices for Boston shining jewel in the heart of a Roxbury neighborhood. families,” said Interim Superintendent Michael G. “You drive up to the school and you see an oasis, a safe Contompasis. haven where kids are happy and learning,” said Principal “Boston is recognized as a national model of urban Janet Palmer-Owens. “Once parents ring that doorbell and public education reform, and pilot schools exemplify walk through the door, they feel the community, the sense of Boston’s commitment to innovations to improve student family that we’ve established.” Angela Menino, wife of Mayor Thomas M. Menino, achievement,” said Elizabeth Reilinger, chair of the Boston In 1990, the Mason School was among the least chosen receives flowers from Mason School Principal School Committee. “The pilot schools also demonstrate schools within the Boston Public Schools and had been slated Janet Palmer Owens after delivering remarks at our commitment to collaboration with union leadership to for closure. Led by then-Principal Mary Russo, staff and the celebration. help us enact reforms that accelerate student achievement.” parents reached out to city departments, businesses, In 2003, the Mason School marked another event in its universities, health centers and community organizations to history, converting to one of the district’s now 20 pilot become partners in transforming the school through schools. Though still a Boston public school, it is now FACTS ON teamwork and collaboration. By 1994, the school won the governed by a 13-member board of parents, teachers, THE FLY prestigious City of Boston Management Excellence Award community members and Palmer-Owens. Greater Egleston Community High and the U.S. Department of Education Model Professional “It’s been an incredible journey for us,” said Palmer- BOSTON’S Harbor School Development Award. Owens. “We had the autonomy in place, but the pilot status PILOT SCHOOLS Health Careers Academy The Mason School has since been honored as a National has brought us to the next level, bringing in new resources, Josiah Quincy Upper School Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, a State Compass School, professional development and collegiality.” Another Course to College Lee Academy a Vanguard School for Mathematics, an Effective Practice ESPN.com reporter Michael Smith and Michael Holley, Baldwin Early Learning Center Lyndon K-8 School School and a demonstration site for the National Alliance of co-host of the “Dale & Holley” sports talk show on WEEI Boston Arts Academy Mason Elementary School Boston Community Leadership Black School Educators. Last September, it was featured in radio were honorary co-chairs of the Masontennial Academy Mission Hill School Boston Magazine as one of the top 50 elementary schools in celebration, which featured performances by OrigiNations, a New Mission High School Boston Day and Evening Academy the state. dance company for youths in Roxbury, and the Topf Center Fenway High School Orchard Gardens K-8 School TechBoston Academy “It’s a model to see so many pieces in place, with our for Dance – both of which have established partnerships with Lilla G. Frederick Middle School business and community partners, our parent involvement, the school. Students honored former superintendent Dr. Thomas Gardner Extended Young Achievers Science & Services School (Sept. ’07) Mathematics Pilot School our after-school programs,” said Palmer-Owens. Thomas W. Payzant with the Masontennial Recognition The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 — 5

BPS PILOT SCHOOLS A special approach Middle school makes sure no student is left behind

BY CAITLIN BOWLER This has included teachers co- When it comes to special teaching inclusion classes, using education, Boston schools continue para-professionals, partnering with to keep all eyes focused on one, outside organizations to bring fundamental goal: close the mentors into the school, and having achievement gap by ensuring all particular students work together students achieve academic outside of class. proficiency. And because of the range of its Schools throughout the district students’ needs, each year the Lilla G. Frederick Middle School student Keillen Fields, left, works during English class with tutor have taken slightly different school has varying levels and Jarrett Ring. approaches to address some of the configurations of inclusion, issues surrounding special depending on the makeup of a education, but Lilla G. Frederick particular grade level’s students. To make the model work takes a lot of effort by the “The culture that’s been developed as we’ve found Middle School has emerged as a Last year, Deborah White, an teachers who have to commit to being flexible. It is ways to successfully integrate disabled kids into leader by creating a culture of eighth-grade special-education often only by trial and error that teachers find a classrooms has benefited all our students,” said Socia. acceptance and learning among its teacher, co-taught a humanities particular strategy, delivery method, or environment in “The non-disabled kids learn so much. There is a 700 students using creative class that was a mix of regular- and which a student really begins to thrive, White said. totally different sense of acceptance and caring at this inclusion strategies. special-education students, and two But the rewards are substantial. school because of these efforts.” “As a new school,” explained math classes, one that was mostly “The benefit of teaching kids in an inclusive Socia cited two instances as illustrations of the Principal Deb Socia, “we’ve had special-education students and the environment, is that you see all your students, both impact inclusive education can have in the lives of the opportunity to get creative, with other that was regular-education special-education and regular-education, grow in all individual students and the larger school community. parents and teachers working from students. areas: academically, socially, and as people,” White Last spring a seventh-grade autistic student ran for the ground up to make this a safe “The regular-education students,” said. “Inclusion services help us fulfill our mission of student council for the coming year and, when hearing and truly effective place for kids to White said, “benefit from co- nurturing the whole child — mind, body, and spirit — the announcement of his election, his peers responded learn and grow.” teaching as much as the other by creating a safe environment with a culture of with a standing ovation. And at a dance competition at “No two children have the same students. The content of lessons respect, where we can make the adjustments that allow the school, a wheelchair dancer who participated was issues,” she added, “so we look at generally remains the same, only us to truly say that all our kids are learning.” cheered on by a crowd of competitors who circled her every child’s individual strengths the delivery changes. Having two This culture catches every visitor’s eye and seems until she had finished. and needs and then find the best adult resources is a help to any to be what makes the school’s inclusion program as There are certainly aspects of the school that still way to help them learn.” student.” successful as it is. need improvement, said Socia, but in this particular Renaming of middle school pays tribute to Lilla Frederick’s legacy

BY CAITLIN BOWLER leader, and onetime executive partnerships and work that went into Alianza Hispana, Freedom House, and identify what strategies are Teachers and administrators, director of the non-profit coalition creating the school,” said Michael the Efficacy Institute, Girls Get working well and how they can be students and parents, members of the Project R.I.G.H.T. (Rebuild and Kozu, an organizer at Project Connected, SWIRLS, Tenacity, replicated elsewhere. community and city officials Improve Grove Hall Together), was R.I.G.H.T. and chair of the school’s MetroLacrosse, Big Sisters, The school continues to reflect the gathered to celebrate the renaming instrumental both in founding and board. “Students need to remember MassArt, the Alliance for Inclusion characteristics Frederick believed it of Grove Hall’s New Boston Pilot guiding the development of the that residents have made great and Prevention, and United Way, as should embody. Middle School as the Lilla G. school, and in convincing city contributions to their school, which well as faith-based organizations “I think she’d be really proud if Frederick Middle School. officials in the mid-1990s to clean is a wonderful place.” such as the Charles Street A.M.E she walked through our school The event was a joyous, if not up the abandoned and dangerous Frederick envisioned the school Church and Bethel A.M.E. Church. today,” said Socia. “She wanted this bittersweet commemoration of one quarry site on Columbia Road where and community sharing an active At least once a month the school school to be a safe place where kids of the school’s most ardent it now sits. and strong relationship, and, holds evening community safety were really cared about, a place with champions and a celebration of the Community members, faculty, according to Principal Debra Socia, meetings that bring together high standards for both behavior and school’s commitment to her vision parents and students all supported through the efforts of many, this has administrators, representatives of the academics, where kids had lots of of serving students’ minds, bodies, the effort to rename the school in her remained a rewarding reality. District Attorney’s office, social- access to the arts. We have all of and spirits in a community of honor, after she died unexpectedly in The school partners with a variety service agencies, MBTA Police, and this. The commitment of our learning. January, 2005. of local organizations that provide community youth workers to keep teachers is remarkable and the level Frederick, a native of Jamaica, “It’s extremely important that the opportunities to students for after- each other apprised of recent events, of acceptance the students show for longtime Grove Hall resident and name of the school represents the school activities, including La discuss safety issues facing students, one another is amazing.” 6— The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 Global learning Partnership enables Boston teachers to learn foreign cultures

BY MEAGHAN CASEY creates a real hole in our students’ learning pain, Brazil, Greece, New Zealand, when they attempt to interpret great literature.” Ireland, England, Egypt and China are Boston Adult Technical Academy teachers Sjust a few of the countries Boston Erin Connearney and Rebecca Foley received teachers were excited to explore over the a team award to travel to teach English to summer. Their trips were not, however, about students in orphanages and schools in rural the sun and beaches; rather, they were journeys Kenya. The two had a week-long immersion of research, immersion and service, enriching in speaking Swahili and understanding East them personally and professionally. African cultures at the start of their experience. For the third year, the Boston Plan for “The majority of our students are Excellence and Boston Public Schools, with immigrants — many from East Africa — and support from the national Fund for Teachers their vivid, passionate descriptions of Somalia, foundation, awarded grants totaling $169,226 Ethiopia, Eritrea and Kenya enticed me,” said to 43 BPS teachers for summer travel and Connearney, who teaches U.S. history and study. They traveled to 31 countries and global issues. “Although they have had limited Brighton High School teacher Karen Coyle-Aylward, went to Greece over the several states, with projects that ranged from summer while, inset, Boston Adult Technical Academy teacher Erin access to education, many come to school very exploring the ecosystems of Costa Rica to Connearney, left, and Rebecca Foley traveled to Kenya. well prepared in literacy.” volunteering at a refugee camp in Tanzania to Connearney and Foley, who teach 18- to 22- living and working with a community of special interest, researching an area they teach Aylward. “They have never seen it as more year--olds who have had no schooling or painters in Florence, Italy. or broadening their own learning about another than cute, funny fairy tales. I want them to see interrupted schooling in their home countries, “In Boston we are fortunate to be able to culture. this intriguing body of literature as a piece of gained a working knowledge of the offer our professionals a chance to follow an Brighton High School teacher Karen Coyle- ancient history and a key to unlocking an resettlement process as they adjusted to new idea and explore places they would not be able Aylward immersed herself in history and ancient culture.” and unfamiliar surroundings. to without a grant,” said Interim mythology, as she explored ancient sites across Her new unit focuses on mythology as “Their pluck and resilience in accessing Superintendent Michael G. Contompasis. “As Greece. Coyle-Aylward, who has taught fiction that can shed light on the history and educational opportunities, work and medical a former teacher, I know too that this is not just English at the high school for the past seven culture of a society. She will also emphasize assistance in a foreign land are awesome about their experience. What these teachers years, was scheduled to visit almost two dozen the role of mythological references and accomplishments, and many have no learn will be shared with colleagues and sites in Athens, Corinth, Olympia and Delphi influence in classic works of literature. immediate family here for support,” said students immediately and long after they to prepare for a new mythology unit she is “Shakespeare uses many allusions to Foley, a literacy coach. “I experienced on a return.” teaching this year. mythology in his writing, and his works are small scale what my students face on a Teachers are able to design their own “My students have no understanding of the just one example,” Coyle-Aylward said. “Few massive scale.” summer plans, with a goal of pursuing a context of Greek mythology,” said Coyle- high schools offer Greek mythology, which Mather principal has waited lifetime for new post

BY CAITLIN BOWLER 2004-2005 school year under the activities that she had not as a principal after her time as a guidance of Principal Gloria teacher. Boston Principal Fellow, but she Dr. Alenor Larisa Abdal-Khallaq Woods at the Mattahunt When assigned to serve as no longer feels that way. Williams is the new principal of Elementary School, where she had assistant principal at the Mather in “It was the best thing that could Dorchester’s Mather Elementary the opportunity to watch and learn the fall of 2005, Williams brought have happened,” she said. “I now School, an appointment for which from a seasoned principal as she with her ideas and knowledge have knowledge of the school and she is excited, honored, and, it engaged in school life for the first from her experiences as a have had time to establish seems, has spent most of her life time as a junior administrator. Principal Fellow concerning relationships. I’ve also had the preparing. “Being a Principal Fellow really administrative team building, opportunity to work with a As a child, she says, “I just allowed me to make the transition relationship building, and tremendous principal from whom loved school and loved my from teacher to administrator,” communicating with families I’ve learned so much.” teachers,” and with the support of said Williams. “As a Principal about positive and negative issues Equipped with both “a humble a family that truly valued Fellow, I was given permission to related to their children. spirit” and “knowledge that I’m education, decided to pursue an step out of the classroom and look As assistant principal, she ready,” Williams has set high undergraduate degree in education Dr. Alenor Larisa Abdal- around, and because of this my participated in the Instructional goals for herself for the coming and human services. She has since Khallaq Williams is excited to lens widened and my message Leadership Team, worked with year. spent 12 years teaching regular be the new principal of the broadened. It was quickly counselors, and built partnerships “I want to build strong working Mather School. and special education in grades 1- informed by a whole school vision with outside agencies. She also relationships — with and between 5, earned a master’s in Special administration when I saw how and consideration of school-wide helped to develop a high parents, teachers, the community, Education Inclusion at Simmons great the needs were in terms of needs.” functioning Student Support Team representatives, business and College, and a doctorate in school culture, a positive school The fellowship also gave her the (SST), a group that works to university partners, and the Administration, Planning and climate, community and family time and freedom to reflect on address individuals’ emerging neighborhood — to help uplift our Social Policy at Harvard involvement, and partnerships. I how she would have approached physical, emotional, academic or children.” University. knew I could be a leader that and dealt with different situations mental-health needs. Andrew Bott, former principal While Williams found work in could help tie all these together.” as she watched a school Williams admits that she was of the Mather, was appointed the classroom highly rewarding, She was accepted as a Boston administration in action, and disappointed to have been principal of the Rogers Middle she recalled, “I decided to pursue Principal Fellow and spent the allowed her to engage in school assigned to serve as an assistant School in Hyde Park. The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 — 7 Auger states her case Hernandez teacher named best in Mass.

BY MEAGHAN CASEY

At the Rafael Hernandez Two-Way Bilingual School, first-graders soak up their lessons in both English and Spanish, thanks to the dedication and observant ear of teacher Jessie Auger. Auger, a third-year teacher at the Roxbury school, was named the 2006-2007 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. David P. Driscoll, Massachusetts Commissioner of Education, presented her with the award in a ceremony at the State House. “Teachers play a vital role in the development of our children, and the passion they have for what they teach can make a difference by sparking a student’s interest and fostering a lifelong love for learning,” Driscoll said. “Jessie stands out Kathleen and Paul Kearnan met in 1997 and married soon after and continue to work side by side. because of her creativity in finding ways to work with students whose first language is not English.” Jessie Auger Partners at home, school Auger, a Jamaica Plain resident, has been in education for 16 years. She has been a teacher in the Boston Public Schools since 2001 and at the Hernandez School since 2004. Kearnans find love at Hamilton School Auger said she aims to create a learning environment in her classroom that helps her students grow confident, BY MEAGHAN CASEY competent and successful. Kathleen said with a laugh. “Of course, That’s pretty incredible in a school of “When I see my students develop and practice skills For the past six years, Kathleen and it’s not as though we’re side-by-side all our size with about 200 students.” with the joy and excitement of new discovery, full of Paul Kearnan have shared a special bond day. We ride together in the car and pass Kathleen, in her ninth year at the pride in their newly created competence, I know my work — in teaching and in marriage. each other in the hallway, but we’re in Hamilton, is a first-grade teacher. has been well worth the effort,” Auger said. The Kearnans, who teach at the our own classrooms for most of the day. Originally from Walpole, she earned her Auger was named to USA Today’s All-USA Teacher Alexander Hamilton Elementary School The nicest thing is that both of us are bachelor’s degree from Lesley College Team in 2005, along with Hernandez teachers Brenda in Brighton, met in 1997 in classrooms able to share the same experiences and and her master’s from Wheelock Rosario, Naomi Mulvihill, and Martine Lebret. Principal across the hall from one another. relate to what’s going on.” College. She has also served as a reading Margarita Muniz nominated the group for their work “We became friends and went running “We work with some of the same kids recovery teacher and special-education customizing plans for each child, reaching out to parents, together,” said Paul, a third-grade from time to time, so it’s good to always teacher in a language-based learning creating a structured, consistent routine, and building teacher. “Kathleen is an accomplished have someone who understands exactly classroom. community spirit through recycling and gardening. runner who has run the Boston Marathon what you’re going through,” said Paul. “Being in first grade now, it’s As the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, Auger is the three times. I was a beginner — a fact Paul, a native of Albany, NY, earned wonderful to start out with the students state’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year. While she didn’t know until I had to call in sick his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse and be able to see them through fifth remaining in the classroom, Auger will serve as an the day after our first run,” he quipped. University and his master’s in education grade,” she said. “Because it’s a small ambassador for the teaching profession over the next year Paul and Kathleen became engaged in from University of Massachusetts school, we can do that. We can stay by making speeches and conducting workshops 1999 and married in August of 2000. Boston. He began teaching third grade at connected.” throughout the state. Paul, who also performs with a local the Hamilton 10 years ago, following a “The teachers get to know all of the “It’s a pleasure to celebrate the hard work of one of our band, the Splendid Nobodies, wrote and stint of student-teaching at the school. kids in the school at least by face, but teachers,” said Boston Interim Superintendent Michael G. recorded a song for the couple’s first “We love teaching in Boston, and usually develop relationships much Contompasis. “We expect our students to meet higher dance. enjoy the opportunity to reach out to deeper than that, following the kids’ standards than ever before, and teachers like Jessie are The Kearnans live in Roslindale with kids in need, helping them to learn, progress from year to year,” said Paul. helping them reach that level of performance.” their twin daughters, Amanda and enjoy school and believe in themselves,” “We both feel very at home at the Two other BPS teachers were among the five finalists Caroline, who were born in 2003. said Paul. “We also love the diversity of Hamilton, and plan to continue teaching for the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year award: Anne R. “A lot of people ask, ‘How can you our school, which has students from here in the future.” Clark of Boston Arts Academy and Amy Piacitelli of live together and work together?’” approximately 50 different countries. Charlestown High School. 8— The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 Junior achievement:

Madison Park From left, Carmen Piedad, Jossy Tello, Roilyn expands NHS Gonzalez, Lilliana BY CAITLIN BOWLER Cabrera and Rose Allocca take part in an After nearly 20 years of inducting after-school qualified seniors into the nationally drumming recognized National Honor Society, Madison class at the Park High School took an exciting step Hernandez toward expanding the size, profile, and School. impact of its NHS by inducting its first class of juniors last spring. At a ceremony held at the school, Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined Headmaster Charles McAfee and friends, family, and For many BPS students, the final bell does potential 2007 NHS candidates from the sophomore class as 46 juniors were recognized for their excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character not signal the end of learning for the day — traits the National Honor Society requires and celebrates in its members. “We’re so excited to have been able to BY CAITLIN BOWLER each Learning Center, design a program expand the program,” said James O’Brien, a framework that addresses the needs of its librarian at Madison Park and one of the When the final bell sounds at the end of “ particular school population and community. society’s four faculty advisors. “National the school day, many students in Boston’s “Society does not have a On-site Learning Centers allow classroom Honor Society is a way for the school to schools continue their learning, taking part in balanced view of the amount teachers to maintain working relationships identify and recognize the best of the best. after-school programs that mix academic of time a kid spends in school, with after-school staff, who are available to These students serve as role models support with classes in everything from TV because we don’t consider the students during the 45 to 60 minutes of after- throughout the school and extending that production to fishing, dancing and African time spent after school, at night, school time devoted to homework. presence down into the junior class, closer to drumming. over the summer, on vacation and “Most teachers see these programs as very sophomores and freshmen, is a really Structured out-of-school time programs holidays. Studies estimate that beneficial, because it gives them a resource. positive step.” and opportunities in Boston Public Schools only 20 to 30 percent of a child’s If a student is having trouble with a particular To apply for membership, students must have expanded in recent years. In 2000, waking hours are spent in school. concept, a classroom teacher can talk to after- have achieved a qualifying GPA at the end of Dishon Mills, the district’s first After-School Our goal is to stretch out that school staff, alert them to the issue, and the their sophmore year. Faculty then distribute Programs Coordinator, helped launch the first time so that kids spend much after-school staff can give the student the applications in which students have the group of Boston 21st Century Learning more time engaged with the help he needs,” said Mills. opportunity to present their extra-curricular Centers. Since then, he and his staff of five world in positive, After-school staff take a very intentional work. Applicants describe service they have have helped schools and partner productive ways.” approach to programming, and work with done outside school in their communities, organizations start 20 other Learning Centers Dishon Mills classroom teachers to tailor many of their often through volunteering or tutoring; at schools and community centers throughout After-School Programs Coordinator lessons to address academic concepts groups demonstrate ways they have shown the district. of students may be struggling with in school. leadership; and write an essay about their Mills and his staff, previously referred to “For instance, if a teacher is aware his qualifications for membership. informally as the “After-school Office,” are adult resources. students are struggling with fractions and A faculty committee reviews the now part of the renamed Department of “Society does not have a balanced view of knows that a cooking class is planned after applications and selects qualified candidates. Extended Learning Time, After School, and the amount of time a kid spends in school, school later in the week, he could work with O’Brien describes membership as an Services — or DELTAS. The Boston Public because we don’t consider the time spent the after-school staff to emphasize the use of “ongoing process,” not merely an Schools created the distinct department in after school, at night, over the summer, on fractions when following recipes,” Mills said. opportunity for one-time recognition. response to the significant role out-of-school vacation and holidays,” said Mills. “Studies “Students then have the opportunity to revisit Members continue to do good work after programs now play in the education of estimate that only 20 to 30 percent of a fractions, but in a different, real-world their induction by organizing service events students and the large coordination efforts child’s waking hours are spent in school. Our environment. This way they’re doing much and activities throughout the year. The major their success will continue to demand. goal is to stretch out that time so that kids more than having fun.” benefit is that they now do so from a more “DELTAS plays a vital role in kids’ lives spend much more time engaged with the All programming is data driven, meaning visible place. by removing the barriers to learning and world in positive, productive ways.” that each year staff members analyze As part of their commitment to Service, promoting opportunities for healthy youth DELTAS staff builds and maintains the statistics they collect about students’ social, NHS members participated in the AIDS Walk development,” Mills explained. infrastructure and networks that allow out-of- academic, and skill-development levels and in June. In support of this effort, they Community Learning Centers, which are school time programs between schools, use that information to identify which aspects solicited pledges throughout the community located in individual schools, managed by an families, and community-based organizations of the program are helping students and and encouraged others to join them at the on-site coordinator and resource team, and — arguably the three most important which need to be improved or changed. Staff event. staffed by classroom teachers and after- institutions in a child’s life — to thrive. are continually improving and altering “Their participation was a great way to school specialists, provide kids of all ages Once a center has been established, staffing programs so that they work for students. highlight the event, and it shows other kids additional structured time in safe and programming are managed by an on-site “Ultimately,” said Mills, “these programs that this is a really worthwhile endeavor. We environments where they can try different coordinator at each school. keep kids wanting to be engaged, which in hope it will generate enthusiasm throughout activities and learn new skills, as well as Together, the on-site coordinator, principal, turn raises their engagement and their the school,” said O’Brien. have access to academic help and additional resource team, and representative parents at learning throughout the entire day.” The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 — 9 Here’s the Bottom Line: Lazo is a success

BY MEAGHAN CASEY “It’s an excellent, prestigious university,” said Lazo. “Plus, they gave me a really good Nadia Lazo, a 2006 graduate of Brighton financial package. I actually got an even High School, arrived in this country from better package from another school that I Peru only two years ago, bringing with her applied to, but my mother encouraged me to dreams of a better education and a brighter go to the place where I would get the best future. education.” Mission accomplished. Lazo says her mother has been After adjusting to a new language, a new instrumental in opening the door of culture and a new high school experience, opportunity and helping her find success. Lazo has achieved her dream. She is “In Peru, a lot of people just have to attending Boston College, with hopes of survive, working in positions like taxi studying biology or bio-chemistry. drivers,” said Nazo. “My mom wanted me Lazo credits the college counseling and my brother to have a better future and to program Bottom Line as key to her success. go to college. She wanted to give us the The nonprofit program, founded in 1997, is freedom, the option to do whatever we designed specifically to help Boston students want.” gain access to college, graduate and go far in Lazo, who is living on the Boston College life. Located in Jamaica Plain, Bottom Line campus, was anxious to join the university’s offers one-on-one counseling, SAT more than 9,000 undergraduates and start preparation, college-options research, experiencing a new world of opportunities. scholarship searches, application editing and She joined nine other Bottom Line transitional services. participants as members of the BC class of “It was awesome – so helpful for me,” 2010. The 10 have already been introduced said Lazo. “I started going in August for a through Bottom Line, and participated in couple of weekends, talking about majors, transitional programs together over the financial aid and college research. Then in summer. the fall I went more often, learning about Nadia Lazo, a Peruvian immigrant who came to the U.S. two years ago, “We try to be a presence in their lives cover letters, resumes and essays. Coming credit Bottom Line for helping her get accepted to Boston College. throughout the college experience,” said into the experience, I really didn’t know Borgal. “We’re there on the first day, about GPA, the SAT or the application services, helped guide Lazo along the way. Society at Brighton High. She also played making sure things are going smoothly for process. It was all new to me.” “Dave was always there cheering me on, soccer and was involved in Latinos in them, and hopefully right through to the last In just under a decade, Bottom Line has saying, ‘Yeah, yeah, you can do it,’ ” said Action. While applying for colleges, she day, taking pictures at graduation. They have helped nearly 1,500 students survive the Lazo. “He was my mentor, my advisor.” aspired to find a fit that would present her the support they need at BC, but from a overwhelming college application and “It’s satisfying to me to see kids who work with the best possible academic community angle, it’s good to have someone financial aid process. David Borgal, Bottom hard, like Nadia, get rewarded,” said Borgal. opportunities. She found that at BC, less than looking out for them, being their cheerleader Line founder and director of student Lazo was a member of the National Honor two miles from Brighton High. and motivator.” Grant allows Urban Science Academy to increase AP offerings

BY CAITLIN BOWLER professionally prepared.” an AP Club that will serve as both a study students. The level of interest was very With a new school year underway, many To this end teachers ramped up the and support group. Because any student high.” juniors and seniors at the Urban Science intensity of the after-school program, to who begins an AP course must finish that The Urban Science Academy is offering Academy have embarked on a year-long ensure students became acclimated to the course and sit for the test, Meadows one section of both biology and chemistry, academic marathon in one or more of the effort that will be required of them to believes the school must make a year-long two sections of Calculus, one section of four new Advanced Placement classes the succeed in AP classes. Many students commitment to supporting its students. Spanish, which is being launched with school is offering. enrolled in AP calculus for the fall took a “Once we allow a qualified and alternate funding, as well as the AP The Urban Science Academy, one of four pre-AP prep course at Northeastern over the motivated student to enter the course, it’s environmental science class it already small high schools in the West Roxbury summer. our responsibility to make sure that student offers. Education Complex, competed with 115 Teachers who are teaching the new AP is successful,” said Meadows. “October can Teachers and administrators will continue secondary schools to secure one of five classes attended professional-development be a particularly challenging time. We will to develop and integrate the pre-AP start-up grants the College Board offered, workshops after school, where seasoned AP be here to get students through that and the curriculum into the existing curriculum, and has used the grant to train teachers and teachers discussed topics such as using rest of the year.” ensuring that students who choose to enroll develop preparatory curriculum for AP class time most effectively in the context of Administrators hosted a meeting last in AP classes next year are adequately biology, chemistry, and calculus classes. the AP curriculum and modification of spring for all sophomores and juniors, prepared. “We were honored to receive this grant,” teaching styles. where teachers explained the concept of the Meadows anticipates that the school’s AP said headmaster Rasheed Meadows, “and Also, administrators have implemented Advanced Placement curriculum, describing curriculum, including AP classes and the the entire school is delighted about the team teaching and have built course- the classes that would be offered and their pre-AP feeder curriculum, will be in full classes launched this fall.” planning time into the schedule so that challenging requirements, and also the swing for the 2007-08 school year. Since winning the grant, teachers and teachers across each grade can identify benefits. “Ultimately,” he said, “We’re trying to administrators worked together to prepare problems or issues that arise with individual “I discussed studies that report students encourage and prepare every student here to teachers and students for the fall. students, in both AP and non-AP classes, who successfully do AP work have better be an AP student and we’re very serious “The most important and difficult part of and work together to address them. success beyond high school, both in terms about this. We’re designing an overall this work,” said Meadows, “was getting In recognition of the high demands of the of going to college and being successful program to prepare students to be students prepared for the rigor of the AP AP curriculum, both academically and there, as well as professionally,” said competitive in the world, both at home and curriculum and making sure teachers were emotionally, administrators have organized Meadows. “The data really hit home with abroad.” 10 — The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 — 11

FACTS ON Excel Academy at South Boston THE FLY Ngoc Nguyen

BOSTON Fenway High School VALEDICTORIANS Shanita Williams

Academy of Public Service at Greater Egleston Community High Dorcester School Franklin Higgins Cheryl Ricketts

Another Course to College Health Careers Academy Viola Adhami Satie Shiwbodh

Boston Adult Technical Academy Madison Park Technical Vocational Jian Jun Rong High School Edwin Pimentel Boston Arts Academy Nicholas Ruggiero Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Boston Community Leadership Ana Canales Academy Hicham Mziguir McKinley Preparatory High School Kevia Aparicio Boston Day and Evening Academy Ebony Brown McKinley South End Academy Jordan Borges Boston International High School Delcy Miranda Media Communications Technology High School at West Roxbury Boston Latin Academy Loris Bano Rachel Singh Monument High School at South Boston Latin School Boston Jessica Qu Tenzin Yangchen

Brighton High School New Mission High School Gilbert Kiyingi Aileen Perez

Brook Farm Business and Service John D. O’Bryant School of Academy at West Roxbury Mathematics and Science Albiona Celaj Thu Ho

Jeremiah E. Burke High School Odyssey High School at South Maria Rodrigues Boston Jenna Kelley Charlestown High School Ying Xian Lu Parkway Academy of Technology and Health at West Roxbury Community Academy Yukensi Miranda Georgina Brewington Josiah Quincy Upper School Community Academy of Science Jessica So and Health at Hyde Park Natasha Butler Social Justice Academy at Hyde Park East Boston High School Natasha Carter The eighth annual Valedictorians Luncheon, held at the other donors and friends, the event joined students with their “Congratulations, we have made it,” said Rodrigues. “To “She has also excelled outside of the classroom, in athletics Abadur Rahman Class of 2006 Boston Harbor Hotel, honored 38 students who excelled to headmaster and family members, as well as elected officials, our teachers, you have not only given us an education, you and in service to her community.” Snowden International School at the top of their class. business and community partners and other guests. have prepared us for life. Our success is your success.” Outside of the Burke, Rodrigues volunteers at the Pine Edward G. Noonan Business Copley “These youngsters represent what Boston’s all about,” said “This is a wonderful day of celebration – a celebration of Rodrigues, a member of the National Honor Society and Street Inn and participated in this year’s Walk for Hunger. Academy at Dorchester Paul Nakashian valedictorians look Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “We don’t give our students and achievement,” said School Committee Chair Elizabeth captain of Burke’s volleyball and softball teams, is attending She credits her extracurricular activities and commitment to Mina Cao teachers and principals enough credit for the spectacular Reilinger. “Each of these students possesses self-imposed Boston College on a full scholarship. She left the Burke not service as separating her from amongst more than 20,000 TechBoston Academy at Dorchester forward to bright future work they do.” determination to shoot for high goals. They’re here today only with a record of perfect attendance, but with lasting applicants. The English High School Tony Wen First held at the City’s Parkman House in 1999, the because they never lost sight of that.” memories and a solid educational foundation. “In my acceptance letter from BC, they said they were Shanika Bridges-King BY MEAGHAN CASEY Valedictorians Luncheon has become an annual event and Maria Rodrigues of Jeremiah E. Burke High School spoke “I’ve been lucky to meet such great friends and really impressed with my involvement in the school and in the Urban Science Academy at West fundraiser for the City of Boston Scholarship Fund, which on behalf of her fellow valedictorians, who have entered the supportive teachers,” said Rodrigues, who is contemplating a community,” she said. “They look not only at your grades, The Engineering School at Hyde Roxbury On a crisp, clear day looking out over the harbor, Boston provides financial assistance to Boston residents attending class of 2010 at schools such as Boston College, Boston major in chemistry. but at what you’re going to contribute or give back to the Park Samenta Abraham celebrated the best and the brightest of its high school college in Massachusetts. Sponsored by Harvard University University, Harvard University, Northeastern University, “She has been stellar in the classroom, taking several AP school.” Michael Blackwood students. and Reebok International Inc., and supported by numerous Smith College and Suffolk University. courses and never missing a day of classes,” said Reilinger. 12 — The Boston Educator Autumn 2006

FACES OF BOSTON SCHOOLS Operating on all cylinders McIntyre Kim Rice is chief information officer of Boston Public Schools. settles in to COO position CIO Rice charged with

BY MEAGHAN CASEY closing digital divide As chief operating officer of BY CAITLIN BOWLER Boston Public Schools, Dr. regarding access, information, and James McIntyre Jr. is learning innovation. the ropes from some of the With more than 15,000 computers Project Refresh takes on the issue of nation’s top CEOs and school spread throughout its classrooms and schools’ need for up-to-date, quality district executives. computer labs, Boston Public Schools computers. Given the realities of the McIntyre, who has worked in chose well when it tapped the bright, budget and the fact that 55 percent of the BPS for eight years as part dedicated, and highly experienced the district’s computers are more than of the finance and budget team, Kim Rice to become chief information seven years old, Project Refresh assumed COO responsibilities officer and lead the district’s efforts to leaders are navigating non-traditional on May 15. He succeeded bridge the digital divide. avenues to develop a sustainable Michael Contompasis, who is Rice is charged with overseeing a system that will allow for the serving as interim number of initiatives that will allow continuous upgrade of the district’s superintendent. educators to effectively use technology oldest computers. “A big part of my as a tool to increase student They are in the process of analyzing responsibilities is building on performance and close the district’s lease options and are working with the the success of the last decade,” achievement gap. city and corporations to develop a said McIntyre. “Mike Chief Operating Officer Dr. James McIntyre Jr. reviews some Rice, a Chicago native, has accrued long-term corporate donation program. (Contompasis) and (former paperwork. a rich variety of experiences in Already they have solidified four superintendent) Tom (Payzant) Massachusetts. She spent six years in corporate partners who have donated built a solid, customer-friendly Committee showed confidence program to train working North Andover as a fourth grade 1,100 Pentium 4 machines for the fall. infrastructure, so that people in selecting me, but I have to executives from business, non- teacher and the K-5 elementary “This is about closing the digital know how we’re making earn the respect of the rest of profit, military, government science and technology curriculum divide,” remarked Rice. “We need to decisions.” the Boston leaders,” said and education backgrounds to coordinator before becoming the data provide teachers and their students the A Malden native, McIntyre McIntyre. “I intend to earn lead urban public school architect on the Massachusetts Virtual equipment that will allow them to be earned his undergraduate their respect by achieving systems. Education Space (VES) design team, successful in our digital age.” degree from Boston College measurable results.” “A lot of what we focus on is and eventually the executive director The Data Center, a cross-functional and holds master’s degrees in In his new role, McIntyre is leadership,” McIntyre said. of the statewide VES Educational project being developed with the education administration and responsible for developing and “We learn how to encourage Collaborative. district’s Research Assessment and urban affairs from Canisius overseeing top-level financial, people within the organization She then spent a year in the private Evaluation team, strikes at the heart of College in New York and technology, human resources to follow our vision. We also sector working as a technical business the district’s goal to use collected data Boston University. He also and administrative support gain a better understanding of analyst for Apple, Pearson Educational to drive decision making. holds a doctoral degree in services for the district. the teaching and learning side Measurement, and CELT, before “Basically, this is one public policy from the “I’ll be working to create a of school districts, and how returning to education in July of 2005. comprehensive data warehouse that University of Massachusetts healthy learning environment operational support impacts “The work was interesting,” Rice will give teachers, administrators, and Boston and is an adjunct for kids and efficient, equitable that.” said, “but I found that in the private parents the reports and tools to identify instructor at Harvard operational services for One of 18 participants in this sector I was nowhere near as patterns in the data, so that they can University’s Graduate School schools,” McIntyre said. year’s class, McIntyre began passionate or fulfilled. My heart was provide individual instruction and of Education. McIntyre served “Parents give us a sacred trust the program in February. Over longing to be in the district where we tailor programming to address as BPS budget director and when they bring their children a period of 10 months, the saw projects through to their weaknesses identified in a particular deputy chief financial officer to the school door, so a big class attends seven extended implementation.” class or school.” before being named COO. priority for me is honoring that weekend training sessions As CIO, she and the staff at the Innovative and effective use of the “Jim McIntyre is a trust and serving the families covering CEO-level skills in Office of Instruction and Information technology available in the schools by tremendous resource for the of this district.” finance, management, Technology and the new Program teachers for learning is the piece that Boston Public Schools,” said McIntyre was also selected operations, organizational Management Office spent the past makes the other LINC 3 efforts Interim Superintendent Michael to attend the Broad Urban systems and education. year implementing various worthwhile. G. Contompasis. “He is widely Superintendents Academy with “It’s been truly amazing,” components of LINC 3 (Learning & Rice explained that staff at the respected by the staff in our the class of 2006. Bridging the said McIntyre. “What’s been Information Network for the Office of Instruction and Information schools and his colleagues in minds of some of the top most exciting has been learning Community), a three-year strategic Technology are constantly addressing the central support offices.” business and educational from the others in my cohort. technical plan designed to keep the the questions, “How do we empower “I recognize the leaders, the academy is a 10- They all have such rich, district in line with changing schools to use technology?” and superintendent and School month executive management diverse backgrounds.” technologies by addressing issues “What is the best support model for The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 — 13

Citywide band steels the show

Timilty Middle School student Brittany McDonough, a member of the steel drum band, practices at school.

BY MEAGHAN CASEY diversity of the Boston Public Schools.” arts. Originally from Ohio, he has a kids could do the same. There’s a certain Within the walls of the Timilty Middle The band has performed at a variety of background in music performance from West energy that inner-city kids bring to the School, resound the diverse beats of the civic, community and BPS events. The Virginia and Kent State universities. program.” classic “William Tell Overture” and the students participated in a local AIDS walk, For four years, he performed with the U.S. The city-wide percussion ensemble has popular “Austin Powers” theme song. as well as the Walk for Music, raising money Air Force Band of Liberty. He completed his been recognized by the New England The musical selections can be heard twice for music education. They played at the doctoral studies at Boston University and Scholastic Band Association a number of a week, as a group of seven high school and opening reception of the BPS Youth Arts joined the BPS more than eight years ago. times for its achievements. In the summer middle school students gather at Timilty to Month exhibit at Boston City Hall, as well Initially serving as program director at the of 2005, the students were invited to play at rehearse, as part of the first city-wide steel as former superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Roland Hayes School of Music, he directed the Title I Conference in Hyannis, drum band. Initiated last fall by Greg Payzant’s retirement celebration in June. musical studies in brass, woodwinds, strings, entertaining administrators from throughout Gazzola, who is also director of the city- “We try to do a mix of classical, pop and vocal, piano and percussion. He also the state. wide percussion ensemble, the steel drum ethnic music,” said Gazzola, who primarily developed the school’s percussion ensemble, “It was a big highlight,” said Gazzola. band is exposing students to a unique arranges the musical selections. “They which grew into the city-wide ensemble “Everyone was blown away.” instrument originating in the island of enjoy playing different music, and playing when he was appointed to the district Already, Gazzola has witnessed similar Trinidad. music with each other. Really, we just try to position five years ago. reactions from spectators of the steel drum “The project was kind of an outgrowth of have fun with it.” “Throughout my education and career, band. the success of the percussion ensemble,” Gazzola serves as the district’s music I’ve been working with high school groups,” “Everyone who sees them tells me how said Gazzola. “It was something I thought resources coordinator in the department of said Gazzola. “I saw a lot of ensemble engrossed they are in what they’re doing, would be a good idea, particularly given the curriculum and instructional practices for the success in the suburbs and knew the city and how devoted they are to the music,” he Boston teachers are made to feel wanted by new support team

BY CAITLIN BOWLER new teachers to come to and know that there This emphasis on getting answers, returning staff. “The future of this country really is in the will be people to listen, answer questions, responding to requests, and resolving issues The team also hosts two Saturday hands of teachers, so we need to support and take time to resolve issues they may quickly and efficiently has been extended Networking series, one in the fall and one in them from day one. Recruiting, hiring, and have, especially those related to being new to throughout the entire human resources staff the spring, in which BPS staff teach two keeping the best teachers is critical to the the system. We serve as experts and liaisons as part of the overall reinvention of the classes: Classroom Management Techniques success of our students.” between teachers and many other branches of department, with great success. and Differentiated Teaching. This simple, but compelling idea, the system that they’ll need to connect with “This has been an overwhelmingly “We asked new teachers what they felt described crisply by Barbara McGann, at one time or another.” successful initiative,” said Kollar. “In two they needed the most instruction in,” said former assistant superintendent for human Recognizing that teachers can feel years, reported levels of satisfaction with Kollar, “and, across the board, these were the resources and Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy supported in a variety of ways, NTST staff Human Resources, solicited in customer areas. This is a great resource for new (retired), has been at the core of the district’s work to give new teachers a positive service reports, have leapt from 40 percent to teachers.” massive human resources reinvention effort experience with the district from the very 80 percent. We still have room to improve, Together, administrators believe these that began in 2004. start. They keep the recruiting and hiring but we’ve made great advances.” resources and events lead teachers to feel In an effort to give new teachers process running smoothly and ensure Other events hosted by the New Teacher supported by the district, but also help to everything they need to feel completely teachers receive their first paycheck. Support Team include a three-day New create a culture and support system amongst supported, the department launched the New In the summer and fall they host two hour Teacher Institute at UMass Boston in the fall, new teachers that allows them to continue to Teacher Support Team (NTST), managed by one-stop shopping orientation sessions twice where all the district’s new teachers will have support each other. Robert Kollar and Nell Forgacs, and located a week, where new teachers can come to sign the opportunity to meet senior program “Ultimately, we will do whatever it takes in an office on the first floor of BPS up for benefits, have any lingering directors and attend a series of workshops, to give each great new teacher 100-percent headquarters at 26 Court St. administrative questions addressed, and and three New Teacher Celebrations over the support,” said McGann, who took over as At its core, explains Kollar, the New discuss with staff the district’s expectations course of the summer where new teachers superintendent of Marlborough Public Teacher Support Team is “a safe space for of them. have the opportunity to meet each other and Schools in August. 14 — The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 Charlestown forensics class getting high marks from students

FORENSICS: from Page 1 science elective and a two-year core component of Charlestown’s School to fueled the subject’s popularity among Career Pathway program in Forensic students, but maintains that forensic science Science. has always held the attention of budding In an effort to generate enthusiasm in the science students. lower grades, last spring Fox took several of “Kids like it,” he explains, “because it his senior students to the King Middle gives the opportunity for the direct School in Dorchester with some of their application of science in real world settings. equipment, including skulls, a drug-testing There’s also the mystery and problem kit, a fingerprinting kit, and ultraviolet lights, solving element. Kids love piecing together to demonstrate specific techniques from a story from a series of clues left behind.” forensic science. And science teachers appreciate the “Those kids were so excited,” Fox subject because it draws on threads from all recalled. “They hung on our every word. branches of science, which makes it possible And that’s great news, because a critical to import labs and demonstrations from piece to the success of this program will be forensics into their own classes. to get younger kids excited and prepared, so “Because forensic science draws on so that there is a stream of kids with the skills many different topics from all branches of to hit the ground running in this curriculum science you can take it and integrate it into when they get to the high school.” any basic science class,” Fox said. “For Based on the program’s success and instance, there’s forensic chemistry and students’ enthusiasm for the course work, forensic geology. You can introduce one or Fox consulted over the summer with two lessons from the forensics curriculum teachers at Monument High School at the into, say, chemistry class, and get kids South Boston Educational Complex to help excited about both.” integrate the one-year course into the Fox spent nine years developing the school’s curriculum. curriculum at the Advanced Technologies Academy in Las Vegas, incorporating new forensic techniques and specialized knowledge learned through research assistantships and summer institutes across the country and world. He did volunteer work for the United Nations in Kosovo before coming to Massachusetts. He has since incorporated various curriculum requirements of the Massachusetts State Science Standards into the syllabus. The course allows so many different opportunities for students to engage in real field work that, Fox said, “It opens science Above, forensics teacher Rich Fox up to kids who may not have previously instructs students Lucner Pierre and been interested. Plus, there’s always bound Stephanie Carvalho on how to mea- to be something to interest kids at any given sure a skull; right, Charlestown High time.” student Mike Donahue determines This is the third year that Fox taught the the angle of trajectory of a bullet course, which is offered both as a one-year through a skull. Contompasis fills in as superintendent

CONTOMPASIS: from Page 1 widespread respect and confidence of degree from Boston University, his everyone associated with the Boston master’s from Harvard, and an honorary identify finalists for the next Public Schools.” doctorate from the Mass. College of superintendent anticipates presenting a Contompasis had served as chief Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences. In formal schedule for the public review operating officer of the BPS since 1998. 2001, he assumed the role of interim process this fall. The committee has He began his career in education in the superintendent from June through October conducted extensive research, reviewing mid-1960s, substituting for $13 a day. In while Payzant was recuperating from a approximately 100 resumes and 1966, he accepted his first full-time viral infection. conducting interviews with a strong and position as a biology teacher at East Contompasis said the district is focusing diverse pool of qualified individuals. It is Boston High School, and later taught at on closing the achievement gap and expected that the School Committee will Hyde Park High and his alma mater, helping all students succeed academically. make a final decision on a new Boston Latin School. He served as He plans to extend the work that has been superintendent later this year. headmaster at Boston Latin for 21 years. started in the BPS and bring about “We’re extremely fortunate to have “That was fun,” Contompasis said. systemic achievement. someone of the caliber of Michael “Seeing young people have a chance made “I’ve never seen the district in such Contompasis providing leadership for the everyday worthwhile. A lot of the students good shape,” Contompasis said. “We have Boston Public Schools during this time of were first-generation to this country, and a lot of very, very strong people, both in transition,” said School Committee Chair helping open the gate to higher education the academics and the operations. Elizabeth Reilinger, who is also co-chair was a critical part of the work we did.” Together, we are devising strategies for Interim Superintendent Michael G. Contompasis put of the search committee. “Mike has the Contompasis earned his bachelor’s our youngsters, building a community that his retirement on hold to direct the school system. The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 — 15

22nd annual School Awards

Garfield Mendell Edwards Rogers Economics and Business Academy Elementary schools Academic: Brianna Butler Academic: Joana Tobora Martins Academic: Jin Zhao Wang Academic: Kara Lazar Academics: Karlon St. Bernard School Spirit: Kevin Alves School Spirit: Crystal Dixon School Spirit: Angos Oliviera School Spirit: Armando Ortiz School Spirit: Ramah Laurent Adams Mozart Eliot Timilty Engineering Academic: David Martinez Elihu Greenwood Academic: Yasmine Nsouli Academic: Niamh Byrne Academic: Ashley Brooks Academics: Michael Blackwood Jr. School Spirit: Alyssa McGrath Academic: Admir Fehric School Spirit: Richard Wilson School Spirit: Jathaniel Ayala School Spirit: Shakeisha Bailey and School Spirit: Alafia Spencer Yeriseli Melo Agassiz School Spirit: Adriana Milsap-Johnson Frederick English Tobin K-88 Academic: Dana Marie Sutherland Grew O’Donnell Academic: Shirley Fajardo Academics: Shanika S. Bridges-King Academic: Carlos Buitrago School Spirit: Kiana Torres Academic: Marrisa Springle Academic: Judith Hernandez School Spirit: Shakeila Jacobs School Spirit: Odalis D. Polanco School Spirit: Blayton Barros Alighieri School Spirit: Ariel Farr School Spirit: German Bustamante Gavin Excel Umana/Barnes Academic: Juan Gomez Guild O’Hearn Academic: Kleopatra Jankulla Academic: Ngoc Nguyen Academic: Gany S. Rodriguez School Spirit: Victoria Fortes Academic: Michael Berrio Academic: William Amara School Spirit: Anika Watler School Spirit: Luan Nguyen School Spirit: Michael Phung Beethoven School Spirit: Diana Metaute School Spirit: Alexzandra Baldeo Sarah Greenwood K-88 Fenway Warren/Prescott Academic: Melissa Rodriguez Hale Ohrenberger Academic: Hellena Best and Hector Academic: Shanita Williams Hernandez Academic: Valerie Nieves School Spirit: Nomiki Dionas Academic: Tanairi Sorrentini Academic: Antoinette Russell School Spirit: Luke Ross School Spirit: Nakeel C. Payne School Spirit: Ashley Nemrod School Spirit: Richard Castaneda and School Spirit: Asma Aitnouri Greater Egelston Community Blackstone Linda Okafor Haley Otis Wilson Academic: Karina Pena Harbor Academic: Cheryl Ricketts Academic: Janelis Medina Academic: Raquel Martinez Academic: Nora JeanBaptiste School Spirit: Jharell Speller School Spirit: Barbara Cerinza Academic: Eveliny Depina School Spirit: Zachary Badohu School Spirit: Zulma Hernandez School Spirit: Benito Henri Health Careers Academy Bates School Spirit: Karine Mendes Hamilton Perkins Young Achievers K-88 Academic: Juna Gjata and Edalina Hernandez K-88 Academic: Satie Shiwbodh Wang Academic: Youness Laafar Academic: Shakhari Badgett Academic: Christopher Alonzo School Spirit: Johnny Bien-Aime Academic: Eddy Ortiz Borges School Spirit: Christina Portselis School Spirit: Ihor Hong School Spirit: Wilfredo Lanzo School Spirit: Tamairi Rivera Horace Mann School for the Deaf School Spirit: Caroline Infante Beethoven Harvard/Kent Philbrick Irving Academic: Ana Canales Academic: Omar Janoudi Academic: Wanli Tan Academic: Lauren Anderson School Spirit: Naim Abdullah and Academic: Maria Mosquera High schools School Spirit: Bernard Dubuisson School Spirit: Naisha Lopez School Spirit: Tchadvyn Simon Robin Alexander School Spirit: Lyneka Hubbert Blackstone Hennigan Quincy Madison Park Tech Jackson/Mann Academy of Public Service Academic: Alicja Gancarz Academic: Sadia Bies Academic: Flora Liu Academic: Edwin Pimentel Academic: Madeline Higgins Academic: Franklin Higgins School Spirit: Isaiah Wilkerson School Spirit: Tsefa Birkneh School Spirit: Iguehita Odomoreirinms School Spirit: Jacqueline Walthal School Spirit: Daisia Deburgo School Spirit: Diana Biddy Bradley Higginson Roosevelt McKinley Prep King Another Course to College Academic: Tuong Vy Le Academic: Thania Gonzales-Rosado Academic: Mark C. Hazlewood Academic: Kevia Aparcio Academic: Marjourie Jiminez Academic: Viola Adhami School Spirit: Chantelle Beaton School Spirit: Selvin Zungia School Spirit: Shakinah S. Campbell School Spirit: Jawan Miller School Spirit: Michael Agbortoko School Spirit: Ashley Badgett Channing Holland Russell McKinley South End Academy Lewenberg Boston Adult Technical Academy Academic: Kody Simon Academic: Jordan Borges Academic: Emma Ventura Academic: Massiah Guity Foreman Academic: Dacie Boyce Academic: Elisangela DosAnjos School Spirit: Willens Jean-Jules School Spirit: McKenneth Savage- School Spirit: Emeliangie Cotto School Spirit: Imalay Pena School Spirit: Nicholas Joseph School Spirit: Julian Dilbert Bennett Holley Chittick Holmes Shaw Lewis Boston Arts Academy Media Communications Tech Academic: William Jean Academic: Sairanny Rodriguez Academic: Rizel Bobb-Semple Academic: Macadia Carter Academic: Nicholas Ruggiero Academic: Loris Bano School Spirit: Cindy Degrave School Spirit: Raekwana McKain School Spirit: Kosaroh Kamara School Spirit: Felicia Subadar School Spirit: Jossie Diaz School Spirit: Eleni Saridis Clap Hurley Stone Lyndon K-88 Boston Community Leadership Academy Monument Academic: Caitlyn A. McMahon Academic: George M. Arenas Academic: Jade A Fontes Academic: Fernanda Novelle Academic: Hicham Mziguir Academic: Tenzin Yangchen School Spirit: Jean V. Vertilus School Spirit: Ashley McAfee School Spirit: Damonte F. Brown School Spirit: David Davidhi School Spirit: Jorgeanne Dias School Spirit: George Flaherty Condon John F. Kennedy Sumner Lyon K-88 Boston Day and Evening Academy New Mission Academic: Christina Lafferty Academic: Amina Egal Academic: Brandon Ruiz Academic: Monique Cropper and Academic: Jessica King-Young Academics: Aileen Judith Rodriguez- School Spirit: Kevin Bernardez School Spirit: Elizabeth Martinez School Spirit: Yamilka Fernandez Jasmine Quinones School Spirit: James T. Leak Perez Conley Patrick J. Kennedy Taylor School Spirit: Xavier Reed and Boston International School Spirit: Robert Anthony Baez Academic: Michael Cruzado Academic: Raquel M. Soto Academic: Thuy Duong Le Michael Riley Academic: Delcy Miranda Noonan Business Academy McCormack School Spirit: Alana Rocha School Spirit: Julio Valencia School Spirit: Sidny Soivilien School Spirit: Andreia DeCosta Academics: Mina Cao Curley Kenny Trotter Academic: Kwonateisha Hills Boston Latin Academy School Spirit: Pecola Hunter Academic: Soffie Jabarteh Academic: Diamond Lights Academic: Arlix Maldonado and Geisy School Spirit: Jose Serrano Academic: Rachel Singh O'Bryant School of Math and Science Perello McKay K-88 School Spirit: Marcus Waithe School Spirit: Mariamacire Bah School Spirit: Denalee DeRosa Academic: Thu Do School Spirit: David Everett Williams Dever Kilmer Academic: Christopher Arana Boston Latin School School Spirit: Stephanie Mbawuike Tynan Academic: Vicheath Sisowath Academic: Paula Bunszell School Spirit: Nicole Alvarez Horos Academic: Jessica Qu Odyssey Academic: Elizabeth Cabral McKinley Middle School Spirit: Avery Garrison Boyd School Spirit: Janice Bautista School Spirit: Shauna Sinnot Academic: Jenna Kelley School Spirit: Sabina Lindsey Dickerman Lee Elementary Academic: Tatiana Scroggins Brighton School Spirit: Adel Fontes Winship Academic: Ymahri Brown Academic: Rebekah Perez School Spirit: Husawn Welch Academic: Gilbert Kiyingi Parkway Academy of Tech and Health Academic: Janet Lam McKinley South End Academy Middle School Spirit: Desana Gibson School Spirit: James Blackman School Spirit: Hilda Luna Academic: Yukensi Miranda School Spirit: Wendy Chacon Badilla Ellis Manning Academic: Oumaru Fofana Brook Farm Academy School Spirit: Kimberley Williamson Winthrop School Spirit: Kiara Gonzalez Academic: Raenelle Teesdale Academic: Celin Carlo-Gonzalez Academic: Alboina Celaj Josiah Quincy Upper Academic: Treajour Abrams Mildred Avenue School Spirit: Fiol Cruz School Spirit: Davis Turell School Spirit: True Brewster Academic: Helen Ly and Jessica So School Spirit: Jessica Barbosa Emerson Marshall Academic: Kwame Adams Burke School Spirit: Jenny Trieu School Spirit: Sharron Smith Academic: Shannon Simpson Academic: Domingos Martins Jr. and Academic: Maria Rodrigues Snowden International School Davina Tran Mission Hill K-88 School Spirit: Darwina Marques Vilar School Spirit: Paul Griffin Academic: Paul Nakashian School Spirit: Taylor Rogers Middle and K-8 Everett Academic: Grace Zutrau Charlestown School Spirit: Beisy Navarrom Sara Mason School Spirit: Sagga Ramsey Nouri and Minelia Rodriguez Academic: Elizabeth O’Reilly Academic: Ying Xian Lu Academic: Hannah Parker Murphy K-88 Social Justice Academy School Spirit: Sandy Nguyen Cleveland School Spirit: Samatha Rivas School Spirit: Tariq Curet Farragut Academic: Peter McSorley Academic: Arianna Davis Community Academy Academic: Andre Barbour Mather School Spirit: William Phillips School Spirit: Natasha Carter and Academic: Jordan Yu School Spirit: Gerfield Stennett Academic: Georgina Brewington School Spirit: Amber Garcia Academic: Analiese Barnes-Classen Mary Curley Orchard Gardens K-88 Matthew Glover School Spirit: Jose Garcia TechBoston Academy Fifield School Spirit: Jemmi Vo Academic: Egeria Gjeci Academic: Takeena George Community Academy for Science and Academic: Tony Wen Academic: Taylese Parker Mattahunt School Spirit: Tiamarie Hixon School Spirit: Yeuris Ortiz Mora Health School Spirit: Darrius Patterson Academic: Joshua PierreJean Dearborn Perry Academic: Bianca Julien School Spirit: Karen Thomas Urban Science Academy Gardner Extended Services School School Spirit: Takeisha Watson Academic: Eva Wong Academic: Devin Doherty School Spirit: Carrie Hernandez Academic: Samenta Abraham Academic: Van Pham McKinley School Spirit: Alex Barber School Spirit: Britney Devlin East Boston School Spirit: Anabel Calderon Academic: Richard Bennefield Edison Josiah Quincy Upper Academic: Abadur Rahman School Spirit: Abel Cano School Spirit: Dionisia Navarro Academic: Sophia Wang Academic: Jasmine Lee School Spirit: Ashlene Brown School Spirit: Hieu Nguyen School Spirit: Jenny Trieu 16 — The Boston Educator Autumn 2006

classical music. The concert or orchestra programs. Elementary/Early celebrated the String Outreach Program, which is possible through Murphy K-8 School Childhood and K-8 Schools the generosity of the Cabot Family The Murphy School won the 2006 Charitable Trust, EdVestors, First Exemplary Reading Program Award Act and the Hunt Alternative Fund. from the Mass. Reading Association. Agassiz Elementary School The school was recognized at the The poems of five Agassiz students in James A. Garfield Elementary International Reading Association’s grades 4-5 were published in the School annual convention in Chicago. 2006 issue of Young American The School Planning Council received Poetry Digest. a grant from Lowe’s for $5,000 to Ohrenberger Elementary School beautify the school grounds this The Ohrenberger Elementary School Channing Elementary School school year. Two parents from the held its second annual Law Deborah Dancy, principal of the SPC wrote the grant. Enforcement Day. All students spent William E. Channing Elementary time questioning and learning about School in Hyde Park, has been Nathan Hale Elementary School the jobs of law enforcement officials selected as a Japan Fulbright The Nathan Hale Elementary School in from the Boston School Police, Memorial Fund (JFMF) participant Roxbury participates in an art Boston Police Department, BPS for 2006. Dancy will travel to Japan exchange program with students at equity & legal departments, Massachusetts State Police and for a three-week program this fall, Newburyport High School. Visual Ben Affleck visited with Perkins School students after where she will visit schools in the arts teacher Matthew Poirier, who Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima works part-time at both schools, filming scenes for “Gone, Baby, Gone” at the school. Probate Court system. The day was and Shizuoka to learn about the initiated the exchange after art by students with disabilities, age Joseph Lee Elementary School designed to introduce students to Japanese education system and to conversations with his students at kindergarten through grade 12, from how and why laws are necessary in Brown Rudnick Center for the Public share information on the policies both the Hale and Newburyport the U.S., Albania, Argentina, our society, how they apply to Interest funded Boston Medical and practices of the Boston Public High. The exchange works by Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Singapore everyone and how they are Center $26,000 to work with the Schools. Dancy, a resident of West students at the Hale School starting and Sri Lanka. enforced. Lee School. This grant helps support Roxbury, will be one of 600 a piece of art and posing a question the parent-school advocate who Perkins Elementary School participants in the JFMF program to their partner artist on the back of Jackson/Mann K-6 School this year selected from a pool of provides resources for families in The Perkins School is coming to the the artwork. The artwork is then Parents of incoming Jackson/Mann more than 2,500. She will debrief in need of legal support. Also, Dr. silver screen. The producers of brought to Newburyport High, sixth graders met with Principal Tokyo with her fellow travelers Nicole Guppy, a developmental and “Gone, Baby, Gone,” directed by where the partner artist adds to Joanne Collins Russell in June to before she returns to the United behavioral pediatrician at Boston Ben Affleck, filmed Perkins students each piece. After several exchanges, discuss the transition to middle States. At that time, she will Medical Center, attends student in their playground for a scene in the Poirier arranged for the students school. Breakfast was served and prepare a presentation based on support team meetings. film. Affleck also visited with the from Newburyport to travel to the parents’ questions and concerns school’s fourth- and fifth-graders to what she observed for her fellow Through the $5,000 Brandeis Roxbury school, followed a week were addressed. Plans were made talk to them about writing. principals and headmasters. She University Mentoring Grant, third- later by the Hale students visiting for a Getting to Know You open plans to videotape her school visits grade teachers Bernadine Murphy Newburyport. house with parents, children and and conversations with and Joyce Plummer provided Perry School teachers, prior to the opening of educators to support her support and professional The Oliver H. Perry School presented Harvard-Kent Elementary School school. presentation. development for second-year Lee its annual spring show, “We the Six students received $1,000 Jackson/Mann culminated its work in teachers, in partial fulfillment of the People,” in June. The show was a Leadership Scholarships. The James M. Curley Elementary health and nutrition with Health 50-hour professional-development musical journey through the history scholarships were presented in the Week in June, collaboratively requirement. The teachers also of the U.S. Mr. Squillante, the music School form of a college fund to encourage planned by the Health Forum Cohort hosted two Brandeis graduate- teacher, worked feverishly on families to start thinking about The James M. Curley celebrated and at Jackson/Mann and Boston student interns for the 2005-06 choreography and songs while Ms. college and saving for tuition costs. presented to the public the JM Connects. Activities included a school year. Wood’s grade 5 students made flags Curley Tile Project. The The Harvard-Kent Leadership & health breakfast and walk for Katie Manning, fourth- and fifth-grade representing many members from kindergartners, first- and second- Scholarship Partnership, working parents, dance, karate, a jumping advanced work classroom teacher, the New Philharmonia Orchestra. graders, teachers, lunch monitors closely with the school, devised the house for K-3 students and a drug planned an exciting activity for Perry students shared the school and school staff worked under the idea and raised the money for the summit at Boston College for students. Students solicited stage with the New Philharmonia direction of visiting artist Gail Bos scholarships. The students who grades 4 and 5. A school-wide field sponsors for a reading project and Orchestra in presenting this musical and art teacher Anna Zidonik to were awarded the scholarships are: day and picnic finished off the week. history through song, dance and create a beautiful array of ceramic Libin Huang, Mckenzie Dollosa, the proceeds were donated to the Jimmy Fund. Students raised $1,000 instrumental performances. The tiles that now adorn the school’s Afewerqi Taffere, Colby Cahill, John Kenny Elementary School partnership with the New front wall. The ceremony included Posada and Wanli Tan. and the funds were presented at the The Thomas J. Kenny Elementary Scooper Bowl at City Hall Plaza in Philharmonia Orchestra is made music by the students, a small art possible through the generosity of show of students’ work and a John P. Holland Elementary School School Marching Band performed in June. four parades last spring: St Patrick’s John Hancock. breakfast The Holland School is excited to be reception. Day, Haitian Day, Memorial Day and McKay K-8 School Grade 3 students in Ms. Ciampa’s back on Olney Street after an Dorchester Day Parade. The band, classroom are still reflecting on their The McKay Second Step for Parents The James M. Curley celebrated the extensive $20 million renovation. the only elementary school band in journey to the John Adams program was held in May. The retirement of its computer and The school hosted a Kindergarten BPS, has 50 students. Courthouse where they re-enacted a school’s dance team performance writing teacher, Quen Law on June Come and See Day on August 31 full trial of the Boston Massacre. Four outstanding Kenny students and the multi-cultural event, 14. Students celebrated the end of for all K1 and K2 parents. This was made possible through the were selected as 2006 Red Sox including the McKay World Cup, the music semester with a concert Discovering Justice program. on June 5 and held its annual field Holmes Elementary School Scholars: Bertholyn Alexandre, were both held in June. Jazmeine Few, Armani Jackson, and day on June 9. All classes The artwork of Oliver W. Holmes Taylor Elementary School participated. Jordanio Seide. Each received a Elementary School student Keturah $5,000 college scholarship and a Mendell Elementary School Ann Blair, an exceptional first-grade Urena was displayed in Washington, mentor from Beth Israel Deaconess. Mendell Elementary will receive a teacher, retired after 40 years of Dever Elementary School D.C., as part of an international Kenny third-grade students created Save the Music instrument package, teaching. She had been at the Student musicians from the Dever exhibit of student work. Keturah was City Park. This was the culmination valued at approximately $25,000, Taylor School for 36 years, and she Elementary, Murphy K-8, one of only 11 students in the nation of a five-week program called this fall. Curriculum & Instructional will be missed. McCormack Middle and Boston Arts selected for this honor and the only Learning by Design, sponsored and Practices/Arts joined Comcast and Academy presented a Wind and participant from Massachusetts. At The Taylor School celebrated its third taught by the Boston Society of the VH-1 Save the Music String Summit hosted by the Lilla G. nine years old, she was also the Ethnic Awareness Day in June. The Architects. The program included Foundation last March at the Frederick Middle School. The youngest of the students selected. much-anticipated event is an walks through Dorchester to Holmes Elementary School, which audience was surrounded by Keturah and her mother traveled to opportunity for the diverse student observe the architecture of the received a Save the Music breathtaking wave upon wave of Washington in June for a body to share their cultural buildings in the school’s historic instrument package in 2005. In total Pachelbel’s Canon performed by congressional reception for the heritage. neighborhood. Boston Public Schools has received more than 100 violins, followed by young artists. The exhibit, entitled grants from Comcast/VH-1 for 28 selections from popular, folk and “A View from My Window,” included sites, enabling them to begin band The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 — 17

Boston Latin Academy Anderson and freshman Shatira Madison Park Technical Vocational Middle Schools High Schools and Babbit each presented a science Boston Latin Academy was selected report that she had completed as High School Special Programs for the 2005-2006 Siemens Award Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle part of Community Academy’s Math teacher Oliver Sicat ran the for Advanced Placement. The school innovative program. The girls gave Boston Marathon to provide 20 of School was one of only 50 high schools outstanding presentations and his graduating seniors with laptop Boston Community Leadership nationwide to win the award, which School staff members came to school received awards for their hard work. computers to bring to college this Academy brought with it a $1,000 grant to on a Saturday in March for a As a Pathway Three school, CA fall. He ran the 26.2-mile race for support science and math education. wellness day. With help from Students in Candice George’s looks forward to continuing to the first time to raise $20,000 in The prize is presented annually by health-care professionals and children’s literature course support its students through order to eliminate the technology the College Board and the Siemens graduate students from Boston continued the tradition of reaching creative, original assignments and divide and ensure a successful Foundation to two schools in each of University, staff members had blood out to young people and sharing the projects. transition to college. Sicat is the six College Board regions. One pressure, stress and cancer power of storytelling. BCLA founder and director of Emagine, an of the prizes in each region — screenings, exercise and nutrition students traveled to the Brighton East Boston High School innovative after-school program that Headstart every week to read to the including the prize awarded to began at Madison Park in 2002 as a consultations, facials and massages. The National Foundation for Teaching children, share original stories, and Boston Latin Academy — is partnership between teachers in the They learned how to make healthier Entrepreneurship (NFTE) honored act out favorite stories such as Dr. presented to a school that provides BPS and after-school researchers eating choices and how to fit more Heidi DeRosa and 22 other teachers Suess’ “The Star-Bellied access to Advanced Placement and practitioners at the Harvard exercise into the school day. from across the U.S. for their Sneetches.’ math and science programs to a Graduate School of Education. The commitment to increasing education substantially under-represented program has worked closely with a Josiah Quincy Upper School Students in English language and economic opportunities for low- minority student population. cohort of students since their development classes traveled with income youth. The teachers, Grade 6 students had the chance to freshman year of high school to their teachers to Washington, D.C. selected from a pool of educators get a glimpse of what the future Boston Latin School prepare them for college acceptance might bring in one area thanks to to visit the Holocaust Museum. with diverse backgrounds, were Three graduating seniors distinguished and success. three engineers from MIT. James Art students in Joan Syms' classes recognized at NFTE’s 13th annual themselves in the spring of 2006. Morash, Vic Polidoro and Milica analyzed the power of the visual awards dinner in April at the Anneke Ellen Schwob was awarded Horace Mann School for the Deaf Stojanovic, research engineers from image while exploring propaganda Marriott Marquis in New York City. two prizes totaling $3,500 at the MIT’s Autonomous Underwater posters from around the world at a DeRosa became a Certified and Hard of Hearing 57th Intel International Science and Vehicle (AUV) Lab, brought three MassArt exhibit. Students created Entrepreneurship Teacher in 2001, Principal Jeremiah Ford won a MetLife Engineering Fair in Indianapolis for AUVs to the Quincy Elementary their own power posters which and has been teaching the NFTE Foundation Ambassadors in her project, A Novel Role for School swimming pool to challenged the school community to curriculum at East Boston High Education Award in recognition of Telomerase in Stem Cell demonstrate underwater robotics. face facts about societal dangers School since that time. his work to connect the school with Differentiation. Daniel Schrag, professor of earth and such as smoking, racism, violence, families, businesses and community Winhkong Hua won the Massachusetts planetary sciences at Harvard and war. Excel High School organizations. The students, staff finals of Poetry Out Loud, a poetry University and the director of the Putnam Investments hosted a group of and faculty of the school joined recitation competition, held at the Harvard University Center for the Boston Day and Evening Academy Excel High School students enrolled members of the local community in Boston Center for the Arts in April. Environment, took time from his Boston Day and Evening Academy has in the National Foundation for nominating Ford. In presenting the Hua traveled to Washington, D.C., in busy schedule to visit Quincy School continued its partnership with Teaching Entrepreneurship program award, MetLife Foundation officials May to represent Massachusetts in sixth-graders. He spent a morning Hudson High School. Last year, for a tour and workshop. The cited Ford’s success in forging the national finals of the Poetry Out responding to many questions on students from Hudson spent a day students toured Putnam’s trading partnerships with numerous Loud: National Recitation Contest. global warming. Students then in Roxbury, and in April 40 BDEA floor and creative operations and businesses and organizations in the visited Dr. Schrag in his laboratory students visited Hudson. This Katherine Mella was selected for the learned about the basics of good community, increasing resources and where they learned how he and his exchange program was initiated by College Board’s National Hispanic marketing. After the tour, students opportunities available to the school. colleagues analyze the weather from BDEA humanities instructor Connie Recognition Program. attended a business etiquette The prize included a $5,000 grant to thousands of years ago by Borab and supported by a generous workshop that covered everything support school-improvement examining coral samples. grant from the Foley Hoag Brighton High School from a good handshake to the initiatives. Woodrow Wilson Middle School Foundation. Prior to the trips, Brighton High hosted its first auction proper way to communicate via e- students at both schools identified in May. The event included salsa mail and voice mail. Students were Monument High School Last year, eighth-grade students were stereotypes and preconceptions that performances, poetry readings and tested on their knowledge of body Old Mutual Asset Management joined required to perform 25 hours of they had and tried to think how they music. Students, parents, faculty, language and business dress. Excel the Monument High School e-Pal community service. More than 25 appear in the eyes of each other. and community members were High School students also tested program by providing a $5,000 students rose early to participate in The actual trips provided ample invited to view and bid on ethnic their Putnam Investments hosts with donation and volunteers that the 2006 Walk for Hunger in May. opportunities for dialogue. Follow-up artwork. There were both silent and questions on topics ranging from the provided a new classroom match. Students were accompanied by staff assignments encouraged reflection live auctions. Local restaurants and financial basics to Putnam’s The Monument e-Pal program members Nalida Besson and Liz on the encounters, and allowed parents provided tapas and other overseas investments. matches ninth-grade students with Trupei. students to consider questions of refreshments. The auction was a professionals in the Boston Several Wilson teachers committed to equality that arose from the visit. testament to Brighton High School’s Fenway High School community. The e-Pals develop a teaching two Saturdays per month. commitment to family and In preparing for a new strategic mentoring relationship by Many students took advantage of Boston International High School community and a festive way to planning process, Fenway’s board exchanging weekly e-mails based on the opportunity and came to Headmaster Oscar Santos and raise funds for school activities. reviewed the Strategic Plan from classic novels that students read in participate in MCAS prep, writing, educators Janira Arocho, Apolinario 1997 and was heartened to see that class. In partnership with Robinson math and stock market. Barros, Carlos Diaz, and Elizabeth Carter Development Center the goals had been met and that the & Cole LLP and WriteBoston, the Additionally, students participated in e-Pal program has expanded to Johnson went to New York City to Northeastern University physical core principles continue to guide either basketball or dance with the three classrooms. visit other successful international therapy students hosted Carter major school decisions. Headmaster acclaimed dance company schools and the people who helped Peggy Kemp has championed the OrigiNation, Inc. School students, families and staff start them. In April, the team visited at the fifth annual Carter Prom, held big-tent approach adopted in this TechBoston Academy In partnership with the Urban Scholars Manhattan International High at Northeastern’s Grand Ballroom in latest round of strategic planning. In TechBoston Academy’s first program out of UMass Boston, six School. Classroom visits and May. Northeastern physical therapy the big-tent model, the aim is to commencement ceremony was held 6th- and 7th-grade applicants were meetings with administrators, students do pre-service volunteer involve as many community in Faneuil Hall. The Class of 2006 accepted to participate in an teachers and students were filled work with Carter students members as possible to ensure that amassed more than $700,000 in academic enrichment program which with enlightening moments. The throughout the school year. every point of view contributes to college scholarships. Joanne included a summer component. The team then traveled to the NYC the vision for the school’s future. Nyamunda of South Boston, program focuses on the academic Board of Education headquarters to Community Academy Each meeting drew 80-100 people. originally from Kenya, is attending development and personal growth of meet with Eric Nadelstern, the Chief Special thanks to Wheelock College St. Michael’s College on a full Community Academy had the honor of middle school and high school Academic Officer for New Schools for providing the grand space. scholarship. Ashley Savannah of sending two of its students to students. and the founding principal of the Community partners included Dana- Dorchester is attending Bryn Mawr Massasoit Community College for first International High School. The Farber Cancer Institute, Project HIP College on a full scholarship from Diploma Plus’ Student Exhibition day continued with a meeting at the HOP, the Museum of Science, and the Posse Foundation. Sharnique Day in May. Each year Diploma International Network for Public the Pfizer Research Technology Beck of Mattapan is attending Plus organizes a major exhibition of Schools and ended with a group Center. Smith College on a half-scholarship. dinner in Greenwich Village. student work from alternative schools across the area. Senior Tina 18 — The Boston Educator Autumn 2006

Elementary, Early East Boston Early Education Center Haley Elementary School Lee Elementary School Ohrenberger Elementary School Olga Frechon, Principal Ross Wilson, Principal Kimberly Curtis, Acting Principal Anita Moore, Principal Childhood and K-8 135 Gove St., East Boston 02128 570 Am. Legion Hgwy Roslindale 02131 155 Talbot Ave., Dorchester 02124 175 W. Boundary Rd., W. Roxbury 02132 (617) 635-6456 (617) 635-8169 (617) 635-8687 (617) 635-8157 Adams Elementary School East Zone Early Learning Center Hamilton Elementary School Lyndon K-88 School Orchard Gardens K-88 Pilot School Grace Madsen, Principal Ben Russell, Acting Principal Ruby Ababio-Fernandez, Principal Kate Johnson, Teacher-Coordinator Yolanda Burnett, Principal 165 Webster St., East Boston 02128 370 Columbia Rd., Dorchester 02125 198 Strathmore Road, Brighton 02135 20 Mt. Vernon St., W. Roxbury 02132 906 Albany St., Roxbury 02119 (617) 635-8383 (617) 635-8604 (617) 635-8388 (617) 635-6824 (617) 635-1600 Agassiz Elementary School Eliot Elementary School Harvard/Kent Elementary School Lyon K-88 School Otis Elementary School Alfredo Nunez, Principal Antoinette Brady, Principal Richard Martin, Principal Deborah Rooney, Principal Sunny Bianca Astorga, 20 Child St., Jamaica Plain 02130 16 Charter St., Boston 02113 50 Bunker Hill St., Charlestown 02129 50 Beechcroft St., Brighton 02135 Acting Principal (617) 635-8198 (617) 635-8545 (617) 635-8358 (617) 635-7945 218 Marion St., East Boston 02128 Alighieri Elementary School Ellis Elementary School Haynes Early Education Center Manning Elementary School (617) 635-8372 Anthony Valdez, Acting Principal Carlos Gibb, Principal Valerie Gumes, Principal Genteen Lacet Jean-Michel, Perkins Elementary School 37 Gove St., East Boston 02128 302 Walnut St., Roxbury 02119 263 Blue Hill Ave., Roxbury 02119 Acting Principal Barney Brawer, Principal (617) 635-8529 (617) 635-8257 (617) 635-6446 130 Louders Lane, Jamaica Plain 02130 50 Burke St., South Boston 02127 Baldwin Early Learning Center Ellison-PParks Early Education School Hennigan Elementary School (617) 635-8102 (617) 635-8601 Graciela Hopkins, Principal Nora Toney, Principal Eleanor Kearse-Perry, Principal Marshall Elementary School Perry Elementary School 121 Corey Rd., Brighton 02135 108 Babson St., Mattapan 02126 200 Heath St., Jamaica Plain 02130 Teresa Harvey-Jackson, Principal Mary Jane Dotson, Acting Principal (617) 635-8409 (617) 635-7680 (617) 635-8264 35 Westville St., Dorchester 02124 745 E. Seventh St., S. Boston 02127 Bates Elementary School Emerson Elementary School Hernandez K-88 School (617) 635-8810 (617) 635-8840 Catherine James, Principal C. Sura O’Mard-Gentle, Principal Margarita Muniz, Principal Mason Elementary School Philbrick Elementary School 426 Beech St., Roslindale 02131 6 Shirley St., Roxbury 02119 61 School St., Roxbury 02119 Janet Palmer-Owens, Principal Stephen K. Zrike, Jr., Principal (617) 635-8064 (617) 635-8507 (617) 635-8187 150 Norfolk Ave., Roxbury 02119 40 Philbrick St., Roslindale 02131 Beethoven Elementary School Everett Elementary School Higginson Elementary School (617) 635-8405 (617) 635-8069 Eileen Nash, Principal Nicole Mack, Principal Joy Salesman-Oliver, Principal Mather Elementary School Quincy Elementary School 5125 Washington St., W. Roxbury 02132 71 Pleasant St., Dorchester 02125 160 Harrishof St., Roxbury 02119 Alenor Abdal-Khallaq Williams, Suzanne Lee, Principal (617) 635-8149 Acting Principal (617) 635-8779 (617) 635-8247 885 Washington St., Boston 02111 Blackstone Elementary School One Parish St., Dorchester 02122 Farragut Elementary School Holland Elementary School (617) 635-8497 Mildred Ruiz-Allen, Principal (617) 635-8757 Rosemary Harmon, Principal Michele O’Connell, Principal Roosevelt Elementary School 380 Shawmut Ave., Boston 02118 Mattahunt Elementary School 10 Fenwood Road, Boston 02115 85 Olney St., Dorchester 02124 Emily Glasgow, Acting Principal (617) 635-8471 Gloria J. Woods, Principal (617) 635-8450 (617) 635-8832 95 Needham Road, Hyde Park 02136 Bradley Elementary School 100 Hebron St., Mattapan 02126 Fifield Elementary School Holmes Elementary School (617) 635-8676 Anne Kelly, Principal (617) 635-8792 Craig Lankhorst, Principal Catherine Constant, Principal Russell Elementary School 110 Beachview Rd., E. Boston 02128 McKay K-88 School 25 Dunbar Ave., Dorchester 02124 40 School St., Dorchester 02124 Norman Townsend, Acting Principal (617) 635-8422 Almudena Abeyta, Principal (617) 635-8618 (617) 635-8681 750 Columbia Rd., Dorchester 02125 Channing Elementary School 122 Cottage St., East Boston 02128 Gardner Extended Services School Hurley Elementary School (617) 635-8803 Deborah Dancy, Principal (617) 635-8510 Erica Herman, Principal Marjorie Soto, Principal Pauline A. Shaw Elementary School 35 Sunnyside St., Hyde Park 02136 McKinley Elementary School 30 Athol St., Allston 02134 70 Worcester St., Boston 02118 Maudlin Wright, Principal (617) 635-8722 Christine Stella, Program Director (617) 635-8365 (617) 635-8489 429 Norfolk St., Dorchester 02124 Chittick Elementary School 90 Warren Ave., Boston 02116 Garfield Elementary School Jackson/Mann K-66 School (617) 635-8719 Michelle Burnett-Herndon, Principal (617) 635-9978 Victoria Megias-Batista, Principal Joanne Russell, Principal Stone Elementary School 154 Ruskindale Rd., Mattapan 02126 Mendell Elementary School 95 Beechcroft St., Brighton 02135 40 Armington St., Allston 02134 Patricia Niles-Randolph, Interim (617) 635-8652 Vera Johnson, Principal Principal (617) 635-8351 (617) 635-8532 Clap Elementary School 164 School St., Roxbury 02119 22 Regina Road, Dorchester 02124 Elihu Greenwood Elementary School John F. Kennedy Elementary School Mary Tormey-Hamilton, Principal (617) 635-8234 (617) 635-8773 Ida Weldon, Principal Eileen Morales, Principal 35 Harvest St., Dorchester 02125 Mission Hill K-88 School Sumner Elementary School 612 Metropolitan Ave., Hyde Park, 02136 7 Bolster St., Jamaica Plain 02130 (617) 635-8672 Ayla Gavins, Principal Lourdes Santiago, Principal (617) 635-8665 (617) 635-8127 Condon Elementary School 67 Alleghany St., Roxbury 02120 15 Basile St., Roslindale 02131 Sarah Greenwood K-88 School Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School Ann Garofalo, Principal (617) 635-6384 (617) 635-8131 Isabel Mendez, Principal Marice Diakite, Principal 200 D St., South Boston 02127 Mozart Elementary School Taylor Elementary School 189 Glenway St., Dorchester 02121 343 Saratoga St., East Boston 02128 (617) 635-8608 Albert Taylor, Principal Elie Jean-Louis, Principal (617) 635-8710 (617) 635-8466 Conley Elementary School 236 Beech St., Roslindale 02131 1060 Morton St., Mattapan 02126 Grew Elementary School Kenny Elementary School Kathleen Armstrong, Principal (617) 635-8082 (617) 635-8731 Ronald Jackson, Principal Suzanne Federspiel, Principal 450 Poplar St., Roslindale 02131 Murphy K-88 School Tobin K-88 School 40 Gordon Ave., Hyde Park 02136 19 Oakton Ave., Dorchester 02111 (617) 635-8099 Mary Russo, Principal Cheryl Watson-Harris, Principal (617) 635-8715 (617) 635-8789 James M. Curley Elementary School 1 Worrell St., Dorchester 02122 40 Smith St., Roxbury 02120 Guild Elementary School Kilmer Elementary School Mirna Vega-Wilson, Principal (617) 635-8781 (617) 635-8393 Simon Ho, Principal Mairead Nolan, Principal 40 Pershing Rd., Jamaica Plain 02130 O’Donnell Elementary School Trotter Elementary School 195 Leyden St., East Boston 02128 35 Baker St., West Roxbury 02132 (617) 635-8239 Robert Martin, Principal Corrinna Holloway, Principal (617) 635-8523 (617) 635-8060 Dever Elementary School 33 Trenton St., East Boston 02128 135 Humboldt Ave., Dorchester 02121 Hale Elementary School Lee Academy Pilot School Guadalupe Guerrero, Principal (617) 635-8454 (617) 635-8225 Sandra Mitchell-Woods, Principal Kyle Dodson, Principal 325 Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester 02125 O’Hearn Elementary School Tynan Elementary School 51 Cedar St., Roxbury 02119 155 Talbot Ave., Dorchester 02124 (617) 635-8694 William Henderson, Principal Carlene Shavis, Principal (617) 635-8205 (617) 635-6619 Dickerman Elementary School 1669 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester 02122 640 East Fourth St., S. Boston 02127 Jessica Bolt, Principal (617) 635-8725 (617) 635-8641 206 Magnolia St., Roxbury 02121 (617) 635-8253 The Boston Educator Autumn 2006 — 19

Warren/Prescott K-88 School Lewenberg Middle School Madison Park Technical Vocational High Domenic Amara, Principal Myrtlene Mayfield, Principal 2006 Teachers of the Year Charles McAfee, Headmaster/Director 50 School St., Charlestown 02129 20 Outlook Road, Mattapan 02126 Theodora Abdur-RRahim, Community Academy of Science and Health at 75 Malcolm X Blvd., Roxbury 02119 (617) 635-8346 (617) 635-8623 Hyde Park — US and World History (617) 635-8970/635-9802 West Zone Early Learning Center Lewis Middle School Roland Hayes School of Music Eunice Da Silva Fernandes, Principal Ronald Spratling, Principal Janet Amrock, Agassiz Elementary — Instructional Technology George Simpson, Director 200 Heath St., Jamaica Plain 02130 131 Walnut Ave., Roxbury 02119 (617) 635-8973 Jane Bodner, Bates Elementary — Special Education/Resource Room Horace Mann School for the Deaf and (617) 635-8275 (617) 635-8137 Hard of Hearing Winship Elementary School McCormack Middle School Blanca Burgos, Hernandez Two-Way Bilingual K-8, Spanish and History Jeremiah Ford, Principal Antonio Barbosa, Principal Jane King, Principal 40 Armington St., Allston 02134 54 Dighton St., Brighton 02135 315 Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester 02125 Claudia Chaffe, Horace Mann School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, (617) 635-8534 (617) 635-8399 (617) 635-8657 Instructional Technology McKinley South End Academy Winthrop Elementary School McKinley Middle School Jerry Chu, Kenny Elementary, Music Christine Stella, Program Director Emily Shamieh, Principal Joseph Brown, Program Director 90 Warren Ave., Boston 02116 35 Brookford St., Dorchester 02125 50 St. Mary St., Boston 02215 Maureen Costa, Hennigan Elementary, grades 4/5 Advanced Work Class (617) 635-9976 (617) 635-8379 (617) 635-9853 McKinley Prep High School Young Achievers K-88 School Middle School Academy Maureen Gannon, Beethoven Elementary, Instructional Technology Joseph Brown, Program Director Virginia Chalmers, Principal Yvonne Vest, Director 97 Peterborough St. Boston 02215 25 Walk Hill St., Jamaica Plain 02130 2 McLellan St., Dorchester 02121 Raul Garcia, Boston Arts Academy, Humanities/Writing (617) 635-9907 (617) 635-6804 (617) 635-1534 Angela Hedley, Health Careers Academy, History New Mission High School Mildred Avenue Middle School Naia Wilson, Headmaster Kennietha Jones, Acting Principal Middle Schools Edna Rodrigues Keefe, Murphy K-8 School, grade 2 67 Alleghany St., Roxbury 02120 5 Mildred Ave., Mattapan 02126 (617) 635-6437 Cleveland Middle School (617) 635-1645 Maria Leite, Dearborn Middle School, History John D. O’Bryant High School of Andy Tuite, Acting Principal Rogers Middle School Mathematics & Science Tony Robinson, J.F. Kennedy Elementary School, Physical Education 11 Charles St., Dorchester 02122 Andrew Bott, Principal Joel Stembridge, Headmaster (617) 635-8631 15 Everett St., Hyde Park 02136 Oliver Sicat, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, Math 55 New Dudley St., Roxbury 02119 Mary E. Curley Middle School (617) 635-8700 (617) 635-9932 Michelle Madera-Cepeda, Timilty Middle School Josiah Quincy Upper School Acting Principal Valeria Lowe-Barehmi, Principal Boston International High School Noonan Business Academy Bak Fun Wong, Headmaster 493 Centre St., Jamaica Plain 02130 205 Roxbury St., Roxbury 02119 Oscar Santos, Headmaster John Leonard, Headmaster 152 Arlington St., Boston 02116 (617) 635-8176 (617) 635-8109 25 Glen Road, Jamaica Plain 02130 (617) 635-9730 (617) 635-1500 Dearborn Middle School Umana/Barnes Middle School (617) 635-9373 TechBoston Academy Snowden High School Teresa Soares-Pena, Principal Jose Salgado, Principal Boston Latin Academy Mary Skipper, Chief Education Officer Gloria Coulter, Headmaster 35 Greenville St., Roxbury 02119 312 Border St., East Boston 02128 (617) 635-1615 Maria Garcia-Aaronson, Headmaster 150 Newbury St., Boston 02116 (617) 635-8412 (617) 635-8481 East Boston High School 205 Townsend St., Boston 02121 (617) 635-9989 Edison Middle School Wilson Middle School Michael Rubin, Headmaster (617) 635-9957 South Boston Education Complex Elliot Stern, Principal Claudette Mulligan-Gates, Principal 86 White St., East Boston 02128 Boston Latin School 95 G St., South Boston 02127 60 Glenmont Road, Brighton 02135 18 Croftland Ave., Dorchester 02124 (617) 635-9896 Cornelia Kelley, Headmaster Excel High School (617) 635-8436 (617) 635-8827 English High School 78 Ave. Louis Pasteur, Boston 02115 Ligia B. Noriega, Headmaster Edwards Middle School Jose Duarte, Headmaster (617) 635-9870 (617) 635-8895 Michael Sabin, Principal 144 McBride St., Jamaica Plain 02130 Monument High School High Schools and Brighton High School 28 Walker St., Charlestown 02129 (617) 635-8979 Jonathan Pizzi, Headmaster Toby Romer, Headmaster (617) 635-8516 Special Programs Fenway High School (617) 635-9865 25 Warren St., Brighton 02135 Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School Peggy Kemp, Headmaster Odyssey High School (617) 635-9873 Debra Socia, Principal 174 Ipswich St., Boston 02215 Virginia Ordway-Macrina, Headmaster Another Course to College Jeremiah Burke High School (617) 635-9860 270 Columbia Road, Dorchester 02121 (617) 635-9911 Gerald Howland, Headmaster Carol Bradley Moore, Headmaster West Roxbury Education Complex (617) 635-1650 Greater Egleston Community High 20 Warren St., Brighton 02135 77 Lawrence Ave., Dorchester 02121 1205 V.F.W. Parkway, W. Roxbury 02132 Gavin Middle School Julie Coles, Headmaster (617) 635-8865 (617) 635-9837 Brook Farm Business and Service Alexander Mathews, Principal 3134 Washington St., Roxbury 02119 Boston Adult Technical Academy Carter Developmental Center Career Academy 215 Dorchester St., S. Boston 02127 (617) 635-6429 Rachel Bonkovsky, Headmaster Marianne Kopaczynski, Principal Edmund Donnelly, Headmaster (617) 635-8817 Health Careers Academy Madison Park Complex (617) 635-6956 Harbor Pilot Middle School 396 Northampton St., Boston 02118 75 Malcolm X Blvd., Roxbury 02119 Albert D. Holland, Director Media Communications Technology Amy Marx, Principal (617) 635-9832 (617) 635-1540 360 Huntington Ave., High School 294 Bowdoin St., Dorchester 02122 Charlestown High School Boston Arts Academy 502A Hayden Hall, Boston 02115 Sung-Joon Pai, Headmaster (617) 635-6365 Michael Fung, Headmaster (617) 635-8935 Linda Nathan, Headmaster (617) 373-8576 Irving Middle School 240 Medford St., Charlestown 02129 Parkway Academy of Technology 174 Ipswich St., Boston 02215 Hyde Park Education Complex James Watson, Principal (617) 635-9914 and Health (617) 635-6470 655 Metropolitan Ave., Hyde Park 02136 114 Cummins Hghwy, Roslindale 02131 Community Academy Barbara Ferrer, Headmaster Boston Community Leadership Acad. Community Academy of Science (617) 635-8072 Lindsa McIntyre, Principal and Health (617) 635-6732 Nicole Bahnam, Headmaster Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School 76 Shirley St., Roxbury 02119 Linda Cabral, Headmaster Urban Science Academy 20 Warren St., Brighton 02135 Audrey Leung-Tat, Principal (617) 635-7734 (617) 635-8950 Rasheed Hakim Meadows, (617) 635-8937 Headmaster 100 Maxwell St., Dorchester 02124 Dorchester Education Complex Social Justice Academy Boston Day and Evening Academy (617) 635-8930 (617) 635-8212 9 Peacevale Road, Dorchester 02124 Winston Cox, Headmaster Margaret Maccini, Headmaster Academy of Public Service (617) 635-6960 20 Kearsarge Ave., Roxbury 02119 Zachary Robbins, Headmaster The Engineering Academy (617) 635-6789 (617) 635-8910 Mweusi Willingham, Headmaster (617) 635-6425 20 — The Boston Educator Autumn 2006

The Boston Educator

Longtime Boston English coach goes out on top

BY DAN VENTURA Stewart in 1984. “We had a great enthusiastic crowd and they got to see some great baseball.” John Rooney is a survivor in every sense of After two weeks of rain, the baseball gods the word. more than made up for it in the sunshine A 34-year veteran of the Boston City League department when Boston English and Brighton baseball wars, the longtime Boston English head met on Memorial Day for the City coach went out in style last spring. His team Championship. The only thing hotter than the gave him his first BCL title in 15 years and a weather was the Brighton bats as it jumped out very respectable showing in a 7-4 loss to to a 9-0 lead in the second inning. Chelmsford in the state tournament as a nice But the hallmark of the 2006 Boston English departing gift. team was resiliency, and a nine-run deficit failed “You start thinking about a lot of things when to scare the Bulldogs. Zapata keyed the the final out comes,” said Rooney. “That’s when comeback as his majestic three-run homer into it first hit me that I was Washington Street keyed taking the uniform off the an eight-run second final time. It’s not easy to inning. coach in the city, but I The frantic early- enjoyed my experience at inning pace settled down, Umana (1978-1982) and but the Bulldogs were Boston English (1984- still faced with a 13-11 2006) a great, great deal.” deficit as they batted for Boston English was the final time. Team one of the surprise stories Destiny capitalized on of the 2006 high school every Brighton mistake, baseball season. Behind including four hit the pitching of Roberto batsmen and a wild pitch Zapata, Starling Arias and which allowed the tying Yearis Sanquintin, the and winning runs to Bulldogs raced through score, setting off a mob the early portion of the scene at the plate. schedule with an The Bulldog players undefeated record leading quickly spotted their into the first major leader and unleashed a challenge of the year, a Boston English’s Roberto Zapata well-deserved Gatorade non-league battle with throws against Chelmsford. shower on their beloved BCL power Brighton. 57-year-old coach. In a Brighton was the measuring stick, a team career full of wonderful memories, that single which made a magical run to the Division 2 moment rated as Rooney’s personal best. North sectional final in 2005. For one afternoon, “The kids were so excited that they won, but Boston English was more than ready for the they said they were just as excited for me and challenge, rising up and knocking off the that meant a great deal,” said Rooney. “I told Bengals, 10-7. them at the breakup dinner that this was very “That was great for the city of Boston,’’ said special for me, something I will take to my Rooney, who took over for the legendary Bill grave.” Retiring Boston English coach John Rooney led his team to the City Championship.