Early Child Development Parent Support Group: "Thrive in 5" seeks parents and caregivers of children (birth to 5 years old) to help carry out Community School Readiness Wiring (CSRW). CSRW will work in each Boston neighborhood to provide families with the information and resources they need to best support their children's healthy development. Learn more about monthly meetings: Katie, 617-624-8196, katie.madrigal AT thrivein5boston.org
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
BPS 5-Year Acceleration Agenda & Feeback Forums
The Boston School Committee will hold a feedback forum from 5-6 pm prior to the start of the School Committee meeting on Wednesday, December 2 and Wednesday, December 16, 2009.
The forums will provide parents and other BPS stakeholders with an opportunity to weigh in on the
Superintendent's Five-Year Acceleration Agenda presented on November 18th. All are welcome.
These forums are in addition to the 14 school-based community meetings which will be held at each of the following proposed Turnaround Schools. All meetings are from 6 - 7:30 pm:
Monday, November 30: The English High School, Curtis Guild Elementary, Maurice Tobin K-8
Tuesday, December 1: Odyssey High, William Monroe Trotter Elementary
Thursday, December 3: John Holland Elementary
Monday, December 7: William Blackstone Elementary, Henry Dearborn Middle, Harbor (Middle) School, John F. Kennedy Elementary
Tuesday, December 8: Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary, Elihu Greenwood Elementary
Wednesday, December 9: Paul Dever Elementary
Thursday, December 3: Orchard Gardens K-8
The forums will provide parents and other BPS stakeholders with an opportunity to weigh in on the
Superintendent's Five-Year Acceleration Agenda presented on November 18th. All are welcome.
These forums are in addition to the 14 school-based community meetings which will be held at each of the following proposed Turnaround Schools. All meetings are from 6 - 7:30 pm:
Monday, November 30: The English High School, Curtis Guild Elementary, Maurice Tobin K-8
Tuesday, December 1: Odyssey High, William Monroe Trotter Elementary
Thursday, December 3: John Holland Elementary
Monday, December 7: William Blackstone Elementary, Henry Dearborn Middle, Harbor (Middle) School, John F. Kennedy Elementary
Tuesday, December 8: Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary, Elihu Greenwood Elementary
Wednesday, December 9: Paul Dever Elementary
Thursday, December 3: Orchard Gardens K-8
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Diamond Educators
Diamond Educators Mentoring is committed to the development of young men in the City of Boston by building relationships and inspiring them to attain educational, social, cultural, and financial growth through mentoring.
The founding members of the Diamond Educators grew up in the City of Boston and are dedicate to:
Phone: 617-291-3851
The founding members of the Diamond Educators grew up in the City of Boston and are dedicate to:
- The educational and social development of all students
- Supporting social, emotional, and educational growth in which each member is connected and dedicated to the community
- Providing quality instruction to foster the need of social, cultural and financial stability
- Building respect, integrity and success through education and mentoring
Phone: 617-291-3851
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sydney Finkelstein on "Think Again: Why Good Leaders Make Bad Decisions" (Thu, Nov 19)
Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University presents Sydney Finkelstein
“Think Again: Why Good Leaders Make Bad Decisions and How To Keep It From Happening To You”
Moderated by Sally Jackson
Thursday, November 19 at 6:30-8:00 pm
C. Walsh Theatre, Suffolk University
(Boston, MA) Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University presents Sydney Finkelstein on “Think Again: Why Good Leaders Make Bad Decisions and How To Keep It From Happening To You;” moderated by Sally Jackson. Thursday, November 19, at 6:30-8:00 pm. Followed by an open discussion. Admission is free and open to all.
C. Walsh Theatre, Suffolk University, 55 Temple Street, Boston, MA.
Wheelchair accessible and conveniently located near the Park Street MBTA station.
For more information, call the Ford Hall Forum at 617-557-2007 or visit www.fordhallforum.org.
“Think Again: Why Good Leaders Make Bad Decisions and How To Keep It From Happening To You”
Moderated by Sally Jackson
Thursday, November 19 at 6:30-8:00 pm
C. Walsh Theatre, Suffolk University
(Boston, MA) Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University presents Sydney Finkelstein on “Think Again: Why Good Leaders Make Bad Decisions and How To Keep It From Happening To You;” moderated by Sally Jackson. Thursday, November 19, at 6:30-8:00 pm. Followed by an open discussion. Admission is free and open to all.
C. Walsh Theatre, Suffolk University, 55 Temple Street, Boston, MA.
Wheelchair accessible and conveniently located near the Park Street MBTA station.
For more information, call the Ford Hall Forum at 617-557-2007 or visit www.fordhallforum.org.
History is full of brilliant leaders making incredibly poor choices. From President John F. Kennedy’s Bay of Pigs invasion to Wall Street’s heavy bets in the mortgage market, we see people with extraordinarily powerful cognitive abilities make terrible decisions. Why does this happen? Sydney Finkelstein, bestselling author and Steven Roth Professor of Management for the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, joins Sally Jackson, public relations consultant and founder of Jackson & Company, to addresses the specific ways our minds are lured into making misguided judgments, and why organizations so often fail to correct the mistake. Most importantly, he identifies the way wise leaders sidestep these pitfalls, and how you can do the same.
The Ford Hall Forum is the nation’s oldest continuously operating free public lecture series. The Forum promotes freedom of speech and fosters an informed and effective citizenry through the public presentation of lectures, debates, and discussions. Its events illuminate the key issues facing our society by bringing to its podium knowledgeable and thought-provoking speakers, including some of the most controversial opinion leaders of our times. These speakers are presented in person, for free, and in settings, which facilitate frank and open debate.
The Forum began in 1908 as a series of Sunday evening public meetings held at the Ford Hall, which once stood on Beacon Hill in Boston. While the original building no longer exists, the public conversations have continued throughout the Greater Boston area with the generous support of foundations, corporations, academic institutions, and individuals. As the Forum marks its 100th Anniversary, it is embarking on a new partnership with the Suffolk University College of Arts & Sciences. Suffolk is now housing the Forum’s administrative offices just a block away from where the original Ford Hall once stood.
Free Presentation: Social Media for Nonprofits
Free Presentation: Social Media for Nonprofits
Thursday, November 19 from 6:30 to 8 pm
The Arlington Entrepreneurs is hosting an interactive session on Social Media at the Robbins Library on Mass Ave (Arlington Center). Bring your laptop so you can implement or test drive what you are learning 'real time'.
The session will be hosted by Barbara Clarke.
This event is free. Please RSVP to margy AT arlington-entrepreneurs DOT com
Thursday, November 19 from 6:30 to 8 pm
The Arlington Entrepreneurs is hosting an interactive session on Social Media at the Robbins Library on Mass Ave (Arlington Center). Bring your laptop so you can implement or test drive what you are learning 'real time'.
The session will be hosted by Barbara Clarke.
This event is free. Please RSVP to margy AT arlington-entrepreneurs DOT com
Sunday, November 15, 2009
In His Shadow
the phone rang as he approached the onramp
two minutes after coasting
on cruise control on the interstate
came news from out of state
that the state of the world done changed
impending transitions
fretting over fatherhood
millions of thoughts racing through fast lanes
and beyond breakdown borders
one word stood out
get this right
and in that instant
he disappeared into the night
peer pressure gave way to a culture of expectations
to be continued...
two minutes after coasting
on cruise control on the interstate
came news from out of state
that the state of the world done changed
impending transitions
fretting over fatherhood
millions of thoughts racing through fast lanes
and beyond breakdown borders
one word stood out
get this right
and in that instant
he disappeared into the night
peer pressure gave way to a culture of expectations
to be continued...
Friday, November 13, 2009
Black Men’s Leadership Breakfast
Dear Brothers,
The need for us as black men to become involved in the issue of public education is obvious.
In a global economy, the need for a strong educational foundation is essential for our children if they are to compete for the jobs and careers of the future. Yet in the city of Boston, a school district proclaimed by urban education experts as the best public school system in America;
* More than 50% of young men and women fail to graduate with their freshmen class,
* Virtually every graduate of Boston Public Schools who attends college are required to take remedial classes before their official matriculation, and
* Less than 3% of African American males who graduate from BPS secure their college diplomas within 8 years of graduating high school.
Boston may have the best urban system in America, but the above statistics in and of themselves must be unacceptable to us as black people.
And where our collective voices as black people should be raised in outrage, we as an entire community are virtually invisible in the halls of government or in school committee meetings where decisions as to how to educate our children are made.
Brothers, we write to you because the time has come for responsible men to stand up, take leadership, demand accountability, and provide direction to our community on the issue of how black children are being educated in the city of Boston. We know two things to be real…that education is the method by which we rise and grow as a people, and that securing a quality education for our children is indeed the civil rights issue of our lifetime.
Please join us for a black men’s leadership breakfast on Monday, November 23rd at the Boston Foundation 75 Arlington Street 10th floor at 8:30AM. We will discuss strategies, ideas, and determine a process by which we may become engaged in a meaningful way to assure that black men are providing leadership in the effort to educate our children.
Union of Minority Neighborhoods
http://www.unionofminorityneighborhoods.org
The need for us as black men to become involved in the issue of public education is obvious.
In a global economy, the need for a strong educational foundation is essential for our children if they are to compete for the jobs and careers of the future. Yet in the city of Boston, a school district proclaimed by urban education experts as the best public school system in America;
* More than 50% of young men and women fail to graduate with their freshmen class,
* Virtually every graduate of Boston Public Schools who attends college are required to take remedial classes before their official matriculation, and
* Less than 3% of African American males who graduate from BPS secure their college diplomas within 8 years of graduating high school.
Boston may have the best urban system in America, but the above statistics in and of themselves must be unacceptable to us as black people.
And where our collective voices as black people should be raised in outrage, we as an entire community are virtually invisible in the halls of government or in school committee meetings where decisions as to how to educate our children are made.
Brothers, we write to you because the time has come for responsible men to stand up, take leadership, demand accountability, and provide direction to our community on the issue of how black children are being educated in the city of Boston. We know two things to be real…that education is the method by which we rise and grow as a people, and that securing a quality education for our children is indeed the civil rights issue of our lifetime.
Please join us for a black men’s leadership breakfast on Monday, November 23rd at the Boston Foundation 75 Arlington Street 10th floor at 8:30AM. We will discuss strategies, ideas, and determine a process by which we may become engaged in a meaningful way to assure that black men are providing leadership in the effort to educate our children.
Union of Minority Neighborhoods
http://www.unionofminorityneighborhoods.org
Friday, November 06, 2009
My elders all feel the same there's no bravery
We're suposed to fight for freedom not just the end of slavery
-Akrobatik, "Remind My Soul"
With the local municipal elections now behind us, life has calmed down a bit for many. For others, it is picking up pace at even faster levels. Regardless, I needed to decompress from the madness and wonder of it all. Take a walk with me.
My friend Carlos Henriquez lost his 2nd attempt to unseat Chuck Turner for the District 7 spot. My Boston peoples know the incredible legacy of Mr Turner has as a community activist and organizer. Many of yall also know how real Mr Henriquez keeps it as well. It's just unfortunate that the election became a more of a referendum on Mr. Turner's guilt/innocence than on the actual issues that confront the district.
Personally, I feel Mr Turner was more effective as a activist in his pre-city councilor days than he is now. But to each his own, right? But the main thing that really troubles me is the lack of introspection on the part of many of the elders in the Black community who saw the election as battle between us versus them, when in fact we all rep the Bury and not the fruit yall.
It is often said that the young folks have not done enough to step up to the mantle of leadership. But in my eyes, it has been tried on several occasions only to be stymied by an unwillingness to let go of the baton and pass it on with accompanying guidance and "pushing." It is my hope that our community soon comes to realize that if we are not developing new leaders, ideas, and visionaries yearly, we are doing ourselves a disservice by simply granting authority to a sleet few because of their presupposed experience.
As many of the sons of Roxbury fall victim to its streets, other sons are stepping up in many different ways to make their impact. It is time for the mature generations to recognize and embrace this passion wit earnest encouragement.
-Akrobatik, "Remind My Soul"
With the local municipal elections now behind us, life has calmed down a bit for many. For others, it is picking up pace at even faster levels. Regardless, I needed to decompress from the madness and wonder of it all. Take a walk with me.
My friend Carlos Henriquez lost his 2nd attempt to unseat Chuck Turner for the District 7 spot. My Boston peoples know the incredible legacy of Mr Turner has as a community activist and organizer. Many of yall also know how real Mr Henriquez keeps it as well. It's just unfortunate that the election became a more of a referendum on Mr. Turner's guilt/innocence than on the actual issues that confront the district.
Personally, I feel Mr Turner was more effective as a activist in his pre-city councilor days than he is now. But to each his own, right? But the main thing that really troubles me is the lack of introspection on the part of many of the elders in the Black community who saw the election as battle between us versus them, when in fact we all rep the Bury and not the fruit yall.
It is often said that the young folks have not done enough to step up to the mantle of leadership. But in my eyes, it has been tried on several occasions only to be stymied by an unwillingness to let go of the baton and pass it on with accompanying guidance and "pushing." It is my hope that our community soon comes to realize that if we are not developing new leaders, ideas, and visionaries yearly, we are doing ourselves a disservice by simply granting authority to a sleet few because of their presupposed experience.
As many of the sons of Roxbury fall victim to its streets, other sons are stepping up in many different ways to make their impact. It is time for the mature generations to recognize and embrace this passion wit earnest encouragement.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Volunteer Opportunity: Boston Tech Day
Are you interested in using your tech skills to make a difference in our community? If so, we have an exciting volunteer opportunity that we think will interest you.
On Saturday, November 21st, Open Air Boston, TechBoston, and the Castle Square Technology Center will be hosting Boston Tech Day at the John D. O'Bryant High School in Roxbury.
During this event, computer-savvy volunteers will offer free computer repair services and provide one-on-one computer training to low-income Boston residents. A lack of affordable computer repair services and a lack of knowledge about how to make use of relevant programs and Internet services are two of the most significant barriers to technology use for low-income families.
We are looking for:
To sign up, please contact me with your name, email address, telephone number, whether you want to volunteer for training or repair work, and a very brief statement about your relevant experience.
Also, please feel free to forward this email to anyone you know who might be interested.
On Saturday, November 21st, Open Air Boston, TechBoston, and the Castle Square Technology Center will be hosting Boston Tech Day at the John D. O'Bryant High School in Roxbury.
During this event, computer-savvy volunteers will offer free computer repair services and provide one-on-one computer training to low-income Boston residents. A lack of affordable computer repair services and a lack of knowledge about how to make use of relevant programs and Internet services are two of the most significant barriers to technology use for low-income families.
We are looking for:
- Volunteers who are experienced with PC maintenance and repair and feel comfortable working on other people's computers. We will supply tools and software, but please feel free to bring your own.
- Volunteers who feel comfortable working one-on-one with families with little or no computer experience and can demonstrate technologies such as email and web browsing and useful websites such as as Google
and Google Maps. - Volunteers who can help with the logistics of the event - signing people in, offering directions, etc. It would be particularly helpful if you speak a second language.
To sign up, please contact me with your name, email address, telephone number, whether you want to volunteer for training or repair work, and a very brief statement about your relevant experience.
Also, please feel free to forward this email to anyone you know who might be interested.
Monday, November 02, 2009
I was that tree that grew from the weeds and wasn't meant to be
"I find greatness in the tree, that grows against all odds
It blossoms in darkness, and gives birth to promising pods"
-Tupac, "Family Tree"
I've participated for many years as a pen pal in the Timilty Middle School's Promising Pals program and it is a great way to connect with a young person. I encourage you to Get connected!
It blossoms in darkness, and gives birth to promising pods"
-Tupac, "Family Tree"
I've participated for many years as a pen pal in the Timilty Middle School's Promising Pals program and it is a great way to connect with a young person. I encourage you to Get connected!
Dear Promising Pal,
We are writing to invite you to participate in the 24th Annual Promising Pals Program at the Timilty Middle School in the Boston Public Schools. This year’s theme, The Dream Lives On, celebrates the legacy of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, continues our focus on community, and reinforces our emphasis on peace. As you know, this program is unique to the Timilty and we look forward to forging multi-year relationships with our Pals. As in previous years, the letter writing will begin in January and conclude with the Promising Pals Breakfast on June 4, 2010. Please mark this date in your calendar, to be sure you can attend.
Please respond by emailing Promising Pals Coordinator Laryssa Doherty at LDohertyBPS AT gmail.com or filling out the online registration form by November 13, 2009. All Pals must re-register each year so we have an accurate list of participating Pals.
In a few weeks, we will send out a letter confirming your participation in the program and introducing you to your new pal. This mailing will also include a writing calendar and Promising Pals Writing Handbook to help in writing to your Student Pal. We appreciate your continued support of this program in advance and hope you will refer others to participate as well. We look forward to another successful year of writing!
To register for Promising Pals, please click the following link: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFFxVEh1UWI4ZjlUWDhfb0N5THdyMmc6MA
Teach Plus Boston
Teach Plus Boston is offering two exciting new opportunities for teachers interested in education policy and reform. Teach Plus works to retain outstanding teachers by giving them a chance to: CONNECT with reform-minded peers and national and local education policy leaders, LEARN about innovative policies to empower and retain effective teachers, and BE A VOICE for change within the teaching profession.
To learn more about the Teaching Policy Fellows (a selective fellowship program for teachers within years 3-10) and the T+ Network (a series of events meant to engage a larger number of teachers), visit: http://www.teach-plus.org/work/boston.htm. The T+ Network is kicking off November 5th, 2009, featuring Brad Jupp, Teacher Quality Expert, US Department of Education.
Contact: Julie Sheffer, jsheffer@teach-plus.org
To learn more about the Teaching Policy Fellows (a selective fellowship program for teachers within years 3-10) and the T+ Network (a series of events meant to engage a larger number of teachers), visit: http://www.teach-plus.org/work/boston.htm. The T+ Network is kicking off November 5th, 2009, featuring Brad Jupp, Teacher Quality Expert, US Department of Education.
Contact: Julie Sheffer, jsheffer@teach-plus.org
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