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September 14 update

September 14 update

September 14 update September 14 update

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Updates | September 13, 2023

Table of Contents

Dear Families,


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


  1. Back to School Night

  2. Families Focus Group

  3. Grade 6 Application has Re-Opened

  4. Boston Prep Club Sign Up and Enrichment

  5. BPS Exam School Application Process

  6. Latinx and 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. Back to School Night

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Back to School Night is September 14th from 4:30-6:30PM at Boston Prep: 885 River Street, Hyde Park, MA


We invite all families from Middle School and High School to attend. There will be time to meet your students' teachers and learn about their classes, get information on school policies, and ask questions.

There will be an initial presentation in the cafeteria sharing about the school mission, reviewing attendance, grading, and culture policies. Families will follow their students' schedule and attend all of their classes for 10 minutes.


Please take some time to RSVP here: https://forms.gle/pjSBbmd5JDBkfJTj8

**Note all after school activities for students will be CANCELED on Thursday, 9/14.


We look forward to seeing you!

2. 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!

3. Grade 6 Application Re-Opened

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If you have a child or know someone who has a child who is CURRENTLY in 6th grade and is interested in attending Boston Prep, apply today at: www.bostonprep.org/enroll. The application will be opened through September 20th. Lottery will be held on September 21, 2023.


If you need help or have any questions, please contact enrollment@bostonprep.org or call and speak to our family Operations Manager, Ms. Madelyn Ruizdeporras 617-910-5333.

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.


What is the difference between Hispanic and Latinx countries?

While Hispanic and Latino are sometimes used interchangeably, they have different meanings. Hispanic refers to individuals who are Spanish-speaking or have a background in a Spanish-speaking country. Latino refers to those who are from or have a background in a Latin American country.


List of Modern Hispanic Countries:

Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela


List of Modern Latino Countries:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua

Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela

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. Please reach out to Director of Athletics Ricky Igbani at rigbani@bostonprep.org with any questions or concerns. First week of preseason is the week of 8/21 for HS and the second week of school for Middle School Athletics.

9. Nurses Corner

  • 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 or faxed to the Nurses at 857-702-0736.

10. Middle School Announcements

None available at this time.

11. High School Announcements

Uniform Policy Expectations: We ask that all of our HS students meet dress code expectations daily. We understand that it is going to be hotter than usual but we will continue to stand true to our uniform policy. Any students in biker shorts or shorts shorter than knee length will be stopped at the door upon entry. Parents / guardians will be called and a change of clothes will be requested by the culture team. We commit to maintaining a professional community and being in uniform is a major part of what professionalism looks like and our values.


If you have questions, please reach out to HS Dean of Students: tsantos@bostonprep.org

We appreciate your support of ensuring your child is ready to learn every day! We remain committed to your child’s success at Boston Prep.


High School Promotion Policy: Please take some time to carefully read our updated: High School Promotion Policy here. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our High School Principal, Mr. Eric Tabb at: etabb@bostonprep.org


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.

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

  • During Back to School Night, the CCO will have a table in the HS cafeteria. Please be sure to stop by to say hello and collect some resources/information on how we can partner and support you this academic year!

APPENDIX: FAMILY QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Upcoming Dates:


  • Thursday, September 14: Back to School Night for Families 4:30 - 6:30pm
  • Friday, September 15 - Sunday, October 15: Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Monday, October 9th: Indigenous People’s Day - No School
  • 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