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September 14 update

September 14 update

September 14 update September 14 update

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Updates | September 21, 2023

Table of Contents

Dear Families,


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


  1. Families Focus Group

  2. MBTA Resources

  3. Family Committee Sign Up

  4. Boston Prep Club Sign Up and Enrichment

  5. BPS Exam School Application Process

  6. Migratory Student Screener

  7. Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

  8. Athletics Corner

  9. Nurses Corner

  10. Middle School Corner

  11. High School Corner

  12. CCO (College Counseling Office) Corner



Sincerely,


Madelyn Ruizdeporras
Family Operations Manager

1. Families Focus Group

We are in the Charter Renewal Process. This means the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) conducts a charter school review and site visit every 5 years to ensure we meet the 3 key criteria charter schools are to follow – Faithfulness to the Charter, Academic Program Success and Organizational Viability. We are now in Step 4 - Site Visit (see the graphic below). We are scheduled for an October 11 site visit that entails focus group conversations which are important elements to our renewal determination.


What we are asking from you? Your voice and participation! We are seeking up to 10 family participants to share on your knowledge of and experience at the school in the Families Focus Group to be held via Zoom, Oct 11, time TBD.


If you are interested, please contact our Family Operations Manager, Ms. Madelyn Ruizdeporras at mruizdeporras@bostonprep.org no later than EOD Friday, Sept 15. Please note we will confirm the final Focus Group selection by Monday, Sept 18. We wish we can include all but your RSVP does not guarantee participation as we need to ensure we have a composition of families from various grade levels in MS and HS.


Once selected, we will follow up with a Focus Group preparation meeting via Zoom the week of Sept 25 to educate you further on expectations and questions. We thank you in advance for your participation!

2. MBTA Resources

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



Hope this information helps your students and families!

3. Family Committee Sign Up

The First Family Committee Meeting is here! This meeting will be in-person, zoom option is also available on this date.


Date: Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Time: 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Location: 885 River Street, Hyde Park, MA 02136

  • Light dinner will be served

  • Childcare: TBD


Are you interested in joining our Family Committee? Our Family Committee is a chance for our families to play a big role in our school community! Family voices are extremely important in helping shape our school and being a part of this committee provides a crucial platform for parent-school communication.


If so, this is your chance! The Committee’s main goals are to provide a meaningful impact in their child's school experience; while also having the opportunity to create activities and events for families to connect and build stronger relationships with one another. We want to hear from you! Your voice and your support matters and is needed. All families are welcome and encouraged to participate!

If you are interested in learning more and getting more involved, sign up now!

4. Boston Prep Club Sign Up and Enrichment

  • After-School Clubs: After-school clubs happen on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:15pm – 4:20pm. To join a club, no sign-up is required. When a student sees a club that interests them, they can visit them during their meeting time and see what it'll be like to be a member. The Club Advisor (teacher) will take attendance of your membership each time the club meets. To find out when a club meets and what a club is all about, please use the SY24 Boston Prep Clubs_ Public to learn about the club description, meeting day and time, location, and advisors. Please note that due to Back to School Night on Thursday, September 14, there will be no after-school activities, including clubs.


  • School-Year Enrichment & Summer Enrichment Opportunities: Throughout the school year, students will receive several emails about enrichment opportunities that happen during the school year and summer. These enrichment opportunities will range from academic/precollege programs to employment opportunities/internships. It is crucial for students to check their email regularly for these opportunities. Every enrichment program opportunity shared with students will be posted here: Enrichment Opportunities. There are two tabs on the sheet. The first tab (School-Year '23-24) provides a list of opportunities offered during the school year. The second tab (Summer 2024) provides a list of opportunities offered during the summer.

5. 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)

6. The Massachusetts Migrant Education Program (MMEP) Student Screener

The Massachusetts Migrant Education Program (MMEP) supports migratory children and youth to overcome educational disruption, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, various health-related problems, and other factors that may inhibit their ability to succeed in school. Children and youth are eligible for services if they or their parents/guardians are migratory agricultural workers, migratory fishermen, or work in agricultural and fish processing plants, and if they have moved school districts in the preceding 36 months to obtain temporary or seasonal employment.


More information can be found here

7. Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month

Do you consider yourself Latinx/a/o /Hispanic?


If so, we would LOVE to honor you during this month. In order to do so, please answer questions on this link: https://forms.gle/AF9g9sj5HtACUUYm9. We will then reach out to you individually with further details.


Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM) is celebrated annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to acknowledge the history, culture, and contributions of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to over 20 countries in Latin America, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.


Each week we will share some information regarding Latin/a/o/x and Hispanic Heritage.


Quick Fun Facts:

  • The United States has had a total of 62.1 million Hispanic Americans under its care since 2020.

  • Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world.

  • California is the state with the most people of Hispanic heritage in the United States.

  • Hispanics have won the FIFA World Cup 5 times.

  • Hispanic comes from the ancient Roman territory Hispania, meaning the Iberian Peninsula.



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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. Middle School Announcements

None available at this time.

11. High School Announcements

  • 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.


  • Fall Ball: Phoenix Senate will be hosting this year’s Fall Ball. Fall Ball is a semi-formal dance that will be celebrating students returning to school. The hope is to build community, spread joy in the beginning of the year and ensure students feel more connected to their peers and the school community in general. It will take place from 6:00-10:00 on September 29th.

12. (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
  • Friday, September 29: High School Fall Ball - 6pm-10pm
  • 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)
  • Monday, October 16: One Team Faculty Professional Development Day - No School



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