page background

September 14 update

September 14 update

September 14 update September 14 update

  • To translate this newsletter to your preferred language, please click the translate button at the top of this page.
  • Para traducir este boletín a su idioma preferido, haga clic en el botón traducir en la parte superior de esta página.
  • Pou tradwi bilten sa a nan lang ou pi pito, tanpri klike sou bouton tradui ki anlè paj sa a.

Updates | October 4, 2023

Table of Contents

Dear Families,


Please see below for the announcements for this week’s family newsletter!


  1. Updated: School Calendar 2023_2024

  2. Indigenous People’s Day: No School

  3. MBTA Resources

  4. BPS Exam School Application Process

  5. Latinx Movie Night

  6. Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

  7. Athletics Corner

  8. Nurses Corner

  9. Middle School Corner

  10. High School Corner

  11. CCO (College Counseling Office) Corner



Sincerely,


Madelyn Ruizdeporras
Family Operations Manager

1. Updated: School Calendar 2023-2024

Our School calendar has been slightly updated. Please take some time to review here.


One major update: One Team PD Day has now been changed to: Wednesday, October 18th (No School for Students) on this. It will no longer be October 16th. School will be in session on October 16th.

2. Indigenous People’s Day - No School

There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 9th in observance of Indigenous People’s Day. All students are expected back in school on Tuesday, October 10th!

3. MBTA Resources

Below you will find resources to support families and students with MBTA transportation needs.



Hope this information helps your students and families!

4. BPS Exam School Application Process

Important information for your current grade 6, 8, and 9 students applying to the BPS Exam Schools for the 2024-25 school year.


For the 2024-25 admissions cycle, the requirements are:

  • Test scores from the MAP Growth admissions test offered by BPS

  • GPA of a B or higher

  • Residence in the City of Boston


Students have two opportunities to take the test and use the higher score for the application. The next test administration date is Saturday, December 9, 2023. A Sunday test date will be offered for students with religious observances. The December test is open for students interested in taking a second test, and for students that are taking the test for the first time.


Next Steps for Families:

  1. Register for December 2023 test by submitting an online registration form (preferred) or submitting a paper registration form by fax or email. Both registration options will be available on our website beginning October 11th.

  2. Families are required to complete the residency verification process at a BPS Welcome Center between October 11 and November 9, 2023. The list of required documents is linked here, and available on our website.

  3. Attend a virtual Information Session on October 12 or November 2 to learn (flyers available here)

5. Latinx Movie Night

zoom_out_map

On October 4th, Phoenix Senate will be hosting a LatinX Movie Night.


We will be watching In the Heights from 4:15-6:30.

6. Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.


Each week we will share some information regarding Hispanic Heritage.


The number of Hispanic/Latinx/a/o K-12 students in U.S. schools was less than 10% in the 1980s, and this has since increased three-fold, with these students now making up approximately one third of total public K-12 enrollment nationally ¹. However, Hispanic/Latinx students are least likely to have a teacher that shares their racial/ethnic identity ². While there is still a lot of work to do to close the gap in Hispanic/Latinx/a/o leadership, we also celebrate progress and those who have helped to increase access and provide more equitable pathways for students in this community.

Boston Prep is proud to introduce to you some of our Hispanic faculty members. We will share more each week, stay tuned!

Latinx Heritage Month Poetry Contest


If your student is interested in participating, they must create a poem or original work of art that celebrates Latinx culture and/or the achievements and contributions of Latinx champions who have inspired others to achieve success.

  • Prizes will be awarded in both Middle School and High School


Contact Ms. VaLonda Harris for more information at: vharris@bostonprep.org

7. Athletics Corner

All interested student-athletes must register online at FamilyID.com in order to participate in sports this Fall. This Boston Prep Athletics Department will offer the following sports:


Girls Volleyball (Grades 8-12)

Girls Soccer (Grades 9-12)

Boys Soccer (Grades 9-12)

Padded Football (Grades 8-12)

Boys and Girls Cross Country (Grades 8-12)

Co-Ed Middle School Soccer (Grades 6-8)


All interested student-athletes MUST register on FamilyID and upload a copy (or provide a physical copy) of your child’s most recent physical. Physicals must be within 13 months of August 21st, 2023.

8. Nurses Corner

  • Please remember to submit an up-to-date physical exam/immunization record for your student. It is a yearly requirement that must be completed for every student!


  • Take some time to complete the Medical Information Packet prior to the start of the school year. Click here for: Medical Information Packet


  • The physical exam and Medical Information Packet can either be dropped off at the school, faxed to the Nurses at 857-702-0736 or emailed to: nurses@bostonprep.org

9. Middle School Announcements

  • ROCKtober is a Boston Prep tradition to celebrate the hard work of our students and bring joy to our community. As we celebrate ROCKtober, Middle School students will have dress down days and themed community activities to show school spirit and learn more about our commitments. One Team and Middle School Students are encouraged and welcomed to participate - Rise like a Phoenix!

  • Please review the attached calendar and information below on ROCKtober events! Students who chose not to participate in the dress-down themes are expected to be in full uniform.

  • Please ensure all dress-down theme attire follows the Boston Prep dress code.

12. High School Announcements

zoom_out_map
  • Fall Ball: We had so much fun at last week's Fall Ball! Shoutout to Phoenix Senate for putting together such a memorable and joyous event!


  • PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test): The PSAT is a practice SAT, usually taken by juniors, whereas the SAT is a college entrance exam. The SAT is slightly more challenging than the PSAT. While the PSAT is scored between 320 and 1520, the SAT is scored between 400 and 1600

    • Time: Doors open at 7:30am for students, test begins at 8am; end time varies, but no later than 1:30pmGrades: 10 and 11 only


  • Detention Process, Uniform, and Lunch Policy: The culture team wants to thank you all for your partnership in making the start of this school year joyous. We are happy to see students coming to school in uniform, on time, and ready to learn. With that being said the High School Culture Team would like to give a friendly reminder on the Detention Process, Uniform, and Lunch Policy. Please reference the document attached for further details on our school policies. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O41jHIHt34Exn47P9EKsQyCSR6fNqyaH4EcTjQ14nlw/edit



  • Summer Enrichment Verification: Boston Prep's high school graduation policy requires that high school students participate in a summer enrichment opportunity each summer of high school, for a total of 3 summer enrichment credits. Students earn the summer enrichment credit the summer after 9th grade, 10th grade, and 11th grade. Here are some examples of summer enrichment opportunities: participating in an academic camp or pre college program, completing an internship program, volunteering a minimum of 40 hours of community service, enrolling in a leadership training institute or summer camp, and obtaining summer employment through SuccessLink, ABCD, or other youth employment opportunities. For students currently enrolled in 10th, 11th and 12th grades, they will need to have their summer supervisor complete this Summer Enrichment Verification Form to receive the credit. The deadline for the Summer Enrichment Verification Form is Friday, October 13, 2023.

13. (CCO) College Counseling Office Corner

Class of 2024:



  • College Visits: From Monday, September 11th through Friday, October 27th, the CCO will be welcoming a variety of colleges and universities to Boston Prep. Seniors are invited to attend these sessions to explore these schools. If there are any questions about these visits, please reach out to the Director of the Persistence Project, Aaron Canto, at acanto@bosotnprep.org
  • Throughout September and October, the CCO is looking to connect with each senior family about the post-secondary process. In those meetings, we will discuss the college/career process, as well as answer any questions families may have about the process. To sign up for a meeting, please use our College Counselors schedule link:



General Counseling Updates:

  • Ryan Cutillo, our 9th and 10th School Counselor, has been busy meeting with and supporting students around the transition to high school, as well as understanding the necessary Boston Prep graduation requirements. If you would like to connect with him about your specific student, please use his scheduling link to sign up for a family meeting: ryancutillo.youcanbook.me

APPENDIX: FAMILY QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Upcoming Dates:

  • Friday, September 15 - Sunday, October 15: Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Monday, October 9th: Indigenous People’s Day - No School
  • Thursday, October 12: Latinx Heritage Month Dinner Celebration - 6pm-7pm
  • Saturday, October 14: PSAT 7:30 am at Boston Prep (Grades 10 and 11 Only)
  • Wednesday, October 18: One Team Faculty Professional Development Day - No School
  • Thursday, October 26: Picture Day


Have questions?

Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out with questions! You can contact your child’s advisor or utilize any of the emails/websites below.


Boston Prep