What's+the+411?

The Dean of Students Office at Boston University is sponsoring an institute for teachers called "Civic Voices: An International Democracy Memory Bank" project, which I am organizing (I am the professional development coordinator for the project, which is managed by the American Federation of Teachers with funds from the U.S. Department of Education). As part of that institute, we have invited Min Zin, a former student activist in Burma, an associate of Aung San Suu Kyi, and a journalist. He will give a presentation, open to the public, on Saturday, April 10, at 7:00 PM at Morse Auditorium (602 Commonwealth Avenue). Please see the attached flyer for more information: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/Min Zin.pdf.
 * Civic Voices: An International Democracy Memory Bank: **
 * Contact: ** Robby Chisholm, 635-9659, rchisholm@boston.k12.ma.us

The Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Rho Epsilon Omega Chapter, in collaboration with The Greater Boston Morehouse College Alumni Association present BROTHA (Brothers Reaching Out To Help Another). Invite you to a panel of men speaking to middle and high school boys on the Power of Brotherhood. This event is FREE! Saturday, April 24, 2010 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Harvard University Graduate School of Education: Larsen Hall Each year, the Boston Bar Association sponsors Law Day in the Schools, a program that brings lawyers into classrooms around the city to speak to young people about the law. This year, we will hold Law Day in the Schools on the following dates: **May 4, 5, & 6**. Last year, over one thousand students met with attorneys from the Boston Bar Association. We would like to include your class in this year’s project. Please see the attached for more information: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/BarAssocation.doc. To apply online, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/boha/parkmgmt/jobs-for-youth.htm
 * Exciting Opportunity for middle and high school boys over April vacation: **
 * Contact: ** Laina Cox ( lcox2@boston.k12.ma.us ) or visit www.rhoepsilonomega.com for further information.
 * The Boston Bar Association‘s Law Day: **
 * Contact: **   Department of Community Affairs, Boston Bar Association, Pdullea@bostonbar.org
 * // deadline: Friday, April 16, 2010  //**
 * §  ********  Jobs for Youth on the Boston Harbor Islands:  ****
 * Island Ambassadors - ****  Island Ambassadors is a program of the National Park Service and Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center which offers full-time summer employment opportunities for Greater Boston youth, ages 15 - 18. Island Ambassadors explore careers in science and environment, gain leadership skills, and participate in environmental stewardship and public outreach.
 * Contact: **  Kristen Wyman, 617.223.8588,  Kristen_Wyman@partner.nps.gov
 * // DEADLINE: Thursday, April 15, 2010  //**

The Accelerated Academies will take place April 18th-23rd. The Academies will take place in the following 9 schools: Dearborn Middle School, Tobin K-8 School, Emerson Elementary School, Dever Elementary School, Harbor Middle School, Guild Elementary School, Trotter Elementary School, JF Kennedy Elementary School, and Blackstone Elementary School for more info-- http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/node/3875

Given that Exemplary Teachers have been selected to teach the Academies, Jeff Riley (Academic Suptd K-8/Middle Schools), would like to invite 8 novice teachers (years 1-3) to participate in the academies. The novice teachers will receive a stipend of $1000 to participate in 4 days of the Accelerated Academy.
 * 2 days (4/17 and 4/18) to attend professional development and networking at Harvard Business School and Harvard School of Education
 * 2 days (4/19,4/20) at the school observing master teachers and participating in cross site visits

16th Annual Youth Arts Month Festival ** You are cordially invited to Boston Public Schools’ 16th Annual Youth Arts Month Festival, Curriculum & Instruction for Arts in partnership with Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism & Special Events. This event will take place April 3, 2010-May 21, 2010. Please see the attached flyer for more information: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/YAMFlyer.pdf. § **Boston Youth Zone: April Resources & Opportunities:**
 * Contact: ** Nicole Prefontaine, 635-9653, nprefontaine@bpsarts.org

Attached you will find activities, opportunities, and other fun stuff for kids and teens. There is also important information and resources for parents. It’s also a cool way to connect to you people all over the city. Please share the attached document with your students: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/YZApril.doc.


 * Contact: ** Mayor’s Youthline, 635-2240, www.bostonyouthzone.com

NASA’s Simulation-based aerospace engineering teacher professional **** development program - deadline extended: ** This unique program, developed by NASA, will provide teachers with the opportunity to experience cutting-edge technology, explore aerospace engineering concepts, and develop hands-on lessons that will engage and inspire their students. NASA is committed to making a significant impact on building an educator workforce that is skilled in teaching innovative engineering design and simulation-based engineering. Toward that end, NASA Langley Research Center has developed a **Simulation-Based Aerospace Engineering Teacher Professional Development Program**. The program will offer 16 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics middle and high school teachers a unique opportunity to work beside NASA engineers and mentors during a //paid// two-week internship at a NASA facility during July 2010. The internship will focus on aeronautics modeling and simulation at the following Research Centers: Ames Research Center (near San Francisco, California) and Langley Research Center (Hampton, Virginia). Each of these centers extensively employs modeling and simulation tools to perform their research and technology development activities. More information about the program as well as the application packages can be found by visiting https://stemaero.rti.org
 * Contact: ** Olivia Rice, RTI International, 919-541-7011, www.rti.org
 * // DEADLINE: Thursday, April 8, 2010 //**

ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math & Science Scholarships:

The Council of the Great City Schools is pleased to announce a new scholarship program exclusively for Great City schools graduating seniors who plan to pursue postsecondary education in STEM fields. Named for the first African American to walk in space, Bernard Harris, the new scholarship is now available to encourage minority students from the Great City Schools to pursue college degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Please see the attached for more information: http://boston.k12.ma.us/ bulletins/HarrisScholarship. pdf. Contact: Henry Duvall, 202-393-2427, hduvall@cgcs.org DEADLINE: Friday, May 14, 2010

§ "THOMAS W. PAYZANT PUBLIC SERVICE IN EDUCATION" SCHOLARSHIP:

Graduating members of the Class of 2010 are invited to apply for the Thomas W. Payzant Public Service in Education Scholarship, named in honor of the former BPS Superintendent. Qualified candidates with a solid academic record, who have been accepted to an accredited college or university, and who have made significant contributions to improving education in the Boston Public Schools, are eligible to apply for the one-time $2,000 award. See the attached information sheet and application form for details and instructions: http://boston.k12.ma.us/ bulletins/PayzantScholarship. pdf.

Contact: Elizabeth Sullivan, 617-635-9015, esullivan3@ bostonpublicschools.org

Deadline: Tuesday, June 1, 2009

§ Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program:

This is to inform you that the 2010 applications for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program are now available. The Department of Elementary & Secondary Education are requesting your assistance in nominating outstanding senior students. This federal scholarship program wan enacted in 1984, and annually provides recognition and a $1,500 scholarship to exemplary senior students who are bound for higher education from each of the nation’s congressional districts. Please visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/ iduesbyrd/index.html for more information.

Contact: Sally Teixeira, 781-338-6304, steixeira@doe.mass.edu DEADLINE: Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Grant Opportunities:

Please see the attached document for the latest grant opportunities for the Boston Public Schools: http://boston.k12.ma.us/ bulletins/GOIssue11b.pdf.

Contact: Federal and State Programs, 635-9700

§ ** FUN RUN/FUN FAIR for Kids: **

The Wellesley Community Children’s Center’s 30th Annual Fun Run/Fun Fair will take place on Saturday, April 10, from 8:30-12:00pm in the Field House of Wellesley College’s Keohane Sports Center (Please note the new location and event weekend!) Races for children 3-12 years old from 9 am-noon. Entry fee: $6 in advance; $7 on race day; $3 for siblings. Entry forms available after March 22 at Thunder in Wellesley, Little Bits Toy Store in Wellesley Hills or at www.wccc.wellesley.edu. Rides, activities, food, races, raffle, silent auction, book sale, and face painting for all ages. Admissions representatives from area independent schools will also be present. Proceeds benefit Wellesley Community Children’s Center’s early childhood and after school programs.

Contact: The Wellesley Community Children’s Center, 781/235-7667, www.wccc.wellesley.edu.

Summer Stuff 2010.

The Communications Office is pleased to announce that Summer Stuff Jr. 2010 is now available on the BPS website . It’s full of ideas for summer fun, recreation and learning for elementary age students. Some programs reach into the middle school years as well.

Check back late next week for Summer Stuff 2010 for middle and high school students. The print editions of both will be distributed in schools, libraries and community centers later this month.

Contact: communications@boston.k12.ma. us

The Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program: ** The //Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program// is a state-supported program whose mission includes providing educational opportunities to Commonwealth students who demonstrate academic promise and desire to attend post-secondary institutions. The //Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program// was established in 1972 by the Massachusetts State Legislature as an early identification program to recruit students in the 10th and 11th grades whose socio-economic backgrounds and environmental conditions may inhibit their ability to persevere and attain educational goals. To accomplish its mission, the //Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program// has developed an extensive partnership of representatives from social service agencies, public and private secondary institutions, civic agencies, religious organizations, and the educational community. For more information visit: http://www.osfa.mass.edu/default.asp?page=herterScholarship
 * Contact: ** Robert Brun, 617-727-9420, Ext. 1311, rbrun@osfa.mass.edu or Dr. Clantha McCurdy, 617-727-9420, Ext. 1205, cmccurdy@osfa.mass.edu
 * // DEADLINE: Thursday, April 1, 2010 //**

B.E.A.M. Conference: UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL: KEYS TO ELIMINATING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP  The 2010 BEAM Annual Conference features a dynamic keynote speaker and outstanding national and local workshop presenters. The workshops focus on strategies that educators can use to access the strengths of children, in order to achieve higher performance. The theme of this year's Conference is Unlocking the Potential: Keys to Eliminating the Achievement Gap. You can register by mailing the enclosed form or by completing the on-line registration form.

__BEAM, Black Educators' Alliance of Massachusetts__, An Affiliate of NABSE Annual Conference 2010, Saturday, March 27, 2010 Marriott Hotel, Quincy, MA

On-line registration and payment: Pre-registration must be either postmarked or completed on-line by Wednesday, March 17, 2010. Registration forms must be accompanied by full payment with checks made payable to B.E.A.M. Please send Registration Form and remittance to: BEAM Conference Committee P.O. Box 191014,Roxbury, MA 02119. For information or questions, please call (617) 296-3042 or (617) 296-4413.

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//** Commonwealth **** Museum **** : **// // It’s time, once again, to think about fieldtrips. Did you know you don’t need to bring your class to Washington, D.C. and wait in long lines to see an original copy of The Declaration of Independence ** and ** The Bill of Rights  ? You can come to Columbia Point in Dorchester instead. And it’s FREE. The Commonwealth Museum, the Museum of Massachusetts History, located on Columbia Point in Dorchester, has finished a major renovation and put on display some of the most significant historical documents in the country including. Please see that attached flyers for more information: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/FieldTrip.pdf and http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/FieldTrip.pdf.
 * Contact: ** For further information or to schedule a field trip please contact its field trip staff at **617-727-9268**. //

//** The Neely SK8 Challenge: ** Join the Boston Bruins Foundation and the Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care for The Neely SK8 Challenge this January and February at rinks across the state. Please see the attached flyer for more information: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/Neely.pdf.
 * Contact: ** for more information, visit www.bostonbruins.com

Please see the attached flyer for the 84 Film Shorts Contest: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/FilmShorts.pdf.
 * THE 84 FILM SHORTS CONTEST 2010: **
 * Contact: ** Meg Myer, 617-279-2240, Ext. 373, mmeyer@hria.org

Common Writing Assignment - History and Humanities Professional Development ** For 2009-2010, all schools with grades 6-12 should be participating in the Common Writing Assignment in either History or Humanities. Professional Development for the CWA is now posted on My Learning Plan and is summarized in the attached document ( http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/PDHistoryHuman.doc ). In addition, the CWA administration details for History and Humanities are described in the attached memos ( http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/HistoryMemo.doc and http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/HumanitiesMemo.doc ) which were previously distributed to principals and headmasters. Please share this information with your teachers and staff. We appreciate your help in making the CWA a success and look forward to working with you all as the CWA rolls out this year.


 * Contact:** Robby Chisholm, 635-9659, rchisholm@boston.k12.ma.us or Matt Holzer, 635-1503, mholzer@boston.k12.ma.us ,

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=** "And Justice for All? The Courts and American Civic History": **= This wonderful PD opportunity is open to all social studies teachers. It is a graduate history course for which you will earn 4 Graduate Credits from Boston University. The meeting dates are listed below. Please access mylearningplan.com: **History: HIST 752- "And Justice for All? The Courts and American Civic History"**. This is a $4000 course which you get for FREE!!!!!!

Please contact Robby Chisholm to reserve spots for social studies teachers in particular. If you would like him to pre-register you, please let him know. Please send him your name, BPS ID, and the name of your school. The details are being finalized now, but it will likely meet from 4-6pm at English High School in JP. There is plenty of parking and is accessible on the Orange Line- Green St Stop.

January 13 January 27 February 3 February 10 March 3 March 10 March 24 April 7 April 14 May 5 May 12 June 26 June 2
 * Contact: ** Robby Chisholm, 635-9659, rchisholm@boston.k12.ma.us

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=Notice to Employees - please post:= Attached is a “Notice to Employees” ( http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/LaborRelations.pdf ) issued by the Division of Labor Relations in a matter between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Teachers Union. The Division of Labor Relations found that the Boston School Committee violated M.G.L. c. 150E by not providing information to the Boston Teachers Union upon request. As part of the order from the Division of Labor Relations, the School Department is required to post the “Notice to Employees” in all conspicuous places where members of the Union’s bargaining unit usually congregate or where notices are usually posted for a period of thirty days. You are directed to post the attached “Notice to Employees” in your school on teachers’ bulletin boards, in lounges, and break rooms for thirty days.

=** The Pirandello Lyceum Annual Scholarship: **= The Pirandello Lyceum of Greater Boston is seeking qualified high school students for its annual scholarships. Applicants should be college-bound high school seniors with high academic averages, high SAT scores, involvement in extracurricular activities and financial need. It is also seeking students who have studied in Italian language, intend to study Italian in college, or wish to spend their junior year abroad in Italy.


 * Contact: ** For more information, visit www.pirandello.com

// **DEADLINE: Thursday, April 1, 2010** //

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=** Boston **** Lyric Opera: **= The Boston Lyric Opera is giving away free tickets for the Boston Public Schools to see the Barber of Seville at the Strand Theatre. Please see the attached flyer for more information: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/BLOTickets.pdf


 * Contact: ** Boston Lyric Opera, 617-542-4912, Ext. 242, jhouse@blo.org.

Laptops for learning (L4L) Update: Annual Laptop Registration **

On December 3rd, OIIT launched an updated registration application to all L4L laptops as part of the annual L4L laptop registration process. **All L4L users are required to update their laptop registration information by Friday, February 5th.** Registering laptops enhances laptop security, runs routine laptop maintenance, ensures accurate user information, and provides updated laptop inventories to schools.

All users will need to register laptops while hard-wire connected via an Ethernet cable to the BPS Network. The registration application requires the user to log into the BPS Network. If the user is already logged into the laptop, s/he will need to log out of the laptop and log back in while connected to the BPS Network. Upon log-in, the application will automatically launch. Users are able to by-pass registration up to 5 times. After the 5th time, the application will lock users out of the laptop until registration is completed. Registration takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and requires a reboot of the laptop. Step-by-step instructions and a video tutorial are provided on the L4L website: http://boston.k12.ma.us/techhelp/L4L.htm. Upon successful completion, users will receive a date & time stamped registration PDF confirmation on the laptop desktop. To ensure a successful registration process, users must have recently run software updates (Mac, Windows & Parallels). Software updates should be run regularly (i.e. weekly) while connected to the BPS Network to ensure laptops run at peak performance. Visit the L4L website for tutorials on running software updates.

Please note that after the February 5th deadline, OIIT will need to collect laptops that have not been registered to run routine maintenance and software updates. As part of this process, data will unfortunately be lost. OIIT will redistribute laptops to teachers in the winter.

//**Contact:**// OIIT Service Desk, 635-9200.
TechBoston training during December recess: ** OIIT's TechBoston unit is holding a 3-day course for BPS high school students to build and program their own electronic devices. Students will write computer programs to control these devices using the C programming language. The mini-course will be held Monday through Wednesday, December 28th to 30th, from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. There is no cost for a student to participate, but pre-registration is required as space is limited. Please see the attached permission form for more information: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/OIITPermission.pdf.
 * Contact: ** Eric Esteves, 617-908-1565, eesteves@techboston.org ,

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December 4, 2009
 * [[image:http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=238b342bd4&view=att&th=1255b6fa75350f81&attid=0.2&disp=emb&zw width="177" height="424"]] ||

Greetings,

The fourth convening of the Achievement Gap Initiative Parent Leadership Network (PLN) will take place at Harvard on Saturday, January 9, 2010, from 10am until 4:00 pm at the Kennedy School of Government. If you plan to attend and have not sent an RSVP please respond as soon as you can to agi@harvard.edu. The location and directions will be sent to those who RSVP.

This is an update on the agenda.

The title for the day is, “Using Media to Influence Parents and other Key Stakeholders.” By media, we mean film (including documentaries), the internet, texting, photography and other modes of communication. The presentations and discussions on January 9th will explore the ways that all of us can use media more effectively in our collective quest to raise achievement levels and close achievement gaps. Call John Martin at 617-495-1615 with any questions.


 * Note: In addition to the topic of the day, an hour after lunch will be devoted to any updates from PLN communities that wish to report on (or seek feedback on) their progress. **

Hope to see you there in January!
 * Also, videos from all three featured presentations at the September 2009 workshop are now on the AGI website at . **

Ronald F. Ferguson, PhD AGI Faculty Co-Chair and Director AGI website: www.agi.harvard.edu

Here is the schedule for January 9th. Bios of featured presenters appear at the end. |||| ** AGI Parent Leadership Network Workshop ** Agenda for Saturday, January 9, 2010 || **Registration and Continental Breakfast** || You are invited to briefly introduce issues you believe your community could better address through more effective use of media. Featured presenters will keep these issues in mind as they make their presentations and respond to questions. || (See bios at below.)
 * ** 9:00-10:00 ** ||
 * ** 10:00-10:45 ** || ** Introductions & Framing, Ron Ferguson **
 * ** 10:45-12:30 ** || ** Presentations and Discussions with Featured Presenters **


 * An American Promise **** - the documentary project and interactive website ** . Explanation of the film and screening of trailer and scene selects - Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson, co-directors/co-producers, the Rada Film Group (radafilm.com)


 * The New Media/Social Networking Universe** - Overview of current and emerging technology for social networking, new media and youth engagement, including mobile web technology. Examples of current projects - Chris Hastings, who supervises the Lab @ WGBH http://lab.wgbh.org/


 * What is Documentary Outreach?** The history, success stories, strategies and current examples of documentary film community outreach - Anna Lee, Working Films (workingfilms.org)

Note: we may add a presenter on how communities are using media in the “Parent University” sites that are springing up in cities around the nation. ||
 * ** 12:30-1:00 ** || Lunch Begins ||
 * ** 1:00-2:00 ** || Lunch Continues, with progress updates from PLN communities ||
 * ** 2:00-2:10 ** || Break ||
 * ** 2:10-2:40 ** || Discussion of work with the Rada Film Group ||
 * ** 2:40-3:30 ** || How can the creative use of media help increase parent and family engagement in your community? Discussion of possibilities for media projects in participating PLN communities ||
 * ** 3:30-4:00 ** || Wrap-Up and Next Steps ||

Michelle and Joe would like to collaborate with you and others on a range of activities. They write, “We are in the planning stages of creating, in partnership with key stakeholders, a unique and exciting freestanding website that will serve as a scaleable social network platform, engaging young people, parents and educators in discussions about specific issues and challenges facing African American boys in the educational arena.” The presentations and discussions on January 9th will explore the ways that all of us can use media more effectively in our collective quest to raise achievement levels and close achievement gaps, especially for black boys.
 * Featured Presenters**
 * Michelle Stephenson and Joe Brewster.** Their production company, the Rada Film Group, has spent the last decade documenting their son’s experiences along with those of his close friend. Both boys are black males. Filming began when they entered school at age five and will conclude at their high school graduation. The film is entitled An American Promise.
 * Chris Hastings** is an expert on new media. In addition to his leadership in the WGBH Lab (WGBH is the public television and radio station in Boston), Christopher is also the Post Production Supervisor for Boston Media Productions. Chris' background in public media includes a stint on the children's television show //ZOOM// and various projects with WGBH's Educational Productions. His roots in media began in Washington, DC where he was the Associate Producer for Black Entertainment Television's //BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley//. Chris is a graduate of Kutztown State University in Pennsylvania and holds a master's degree in Film from American University in Washington DC.
 * Anna Lee** is the Filmmaker and Partner Services Manager at Working Films—an organization that links nonfiction film to cutting edge activism. Working Films leverages the power of storytelling through documentary film to advance struggles for social, economic, and environmental justice, human and civil rights. With offices in the U.S. and London, they offer consultation, strategic planning for alternative distribution, website and social media development, and complete campaign management services to filmmakers to ensure the content of nonfiction media truly meets the intention for change. Additionally, Working Films supports the communication needs of nonprofit organizations and others working for social change. Since joining Working Films in 2005, Anna Lee has coordinated and managed targeted audience engagement campaigns for theatrical releases such as //The Real Dirt on Farmer John//, //After Innocence//, and //The Blood of My Brother//. She currently directs the outreach for a multi-media curriculum project, New Faces: Latinos in North Carolina and has collaborated on the development of the outreach campaigns for Everything’s Cool and the Iraq Media Action Project. As a corps member of the nationally recognized program Teach for America she taught first grade in a bilingual program in Phoenix, AZ for two years.

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= //** NE LRIG Teacher Fellowship **// = // The New England Chapter of LRIG will award up to $2,000 each in 2010 to those science teachers in public schools throughout New England who best meet the criteria below. The objective of this grant is to provide funds to expand project based activities during their laboratory periods. We believe hands on activities will increase enthusiasm among students and demonstrate the fun side of learning science. If you know of teachers (maybe your kids') who would benefit from this award please pass along this email. // = =

=//** Requirements: **//= // Each candidate is required to submit a proposal which includes: · A lesson plan highlighting the goals and objectives which focuses on what the students will do to acquire further knowledge and skills in the particular area or concept. Special consideration will be given to those teachers who incorporate automation concepts in their plan. · A description of the main lab activity. · A list of needed materials with cost. · An assessment criterion which will provide evidence that the students have arrived at the intended destination.

Scholarship Committee c/o Marsha Paul: marsha.paul@lab-robotics.org //
 * Applications to be submitted by January 15th, 2010 to: **

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= //Museum of Science// =


 * ||  || Dear Educators:

The winter is upon us. Warm up with our $2 special field trip pricing and the return of Free Film Fridays in January. And don't forget to check out our current exhibits, Running the Numbers and Harry Potter™: The Exhibition, as well as the rest of our winter lineup. For up-to-date information, check out our website: mos.org/educators.

Best, Educator Programs Group educator-email@mos.org ||  ||   || ||  ||   ||
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$2 Field Trips Take advantage of special pricing when Exhibit Halls admission is $2 per person for students and chaperones during January. Some restriction apply. Learn More

Free Film Fridays Thanks to generous support from Museum Premiere Partner The MathWorks, when you purchase Exhibit Halls admission on the last four Fridays in January, you can also book one free Omni show per student. Learn More

Scholarships Remember to request funding when making your field trip reservation. Scholarships for Exhibit Halls admission and bus funding are still available for qualifying groups. Some restrictions apply. ||  ||   || Friday, January 29 At this special overnight, middle and high school students enjoy workshops and drop-in activities that address hunger, poverty, and related science topics with the help of City Year mentors. Activities also include the regular overnight favorites. Learn More ||  ||   || Opens Sunday, February 7 Included with Exhibit Halls admission
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Students explore their unique physical, psychological, and social identities with a series of hands-on and interactive activities and discover how science is providing new insights into the way we think about our personal identity. Learn More ||  ||   || Opens Friday, February 12 in Omni
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Travel to the exotic and fascinating land of Arabia. Explore the ancient tombs of a lost city; dive through the reefs of the Red Sea; and experience the Hajj - the largest gathering of people on Earth. Learn More ||  ||   || ||  ||   || Through Sunday, February 21
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Experience the amazing craftsmanship of more than 200 authentic costumes and props from the Harry Potter films. These artifacts are displayed in settings inspired by the film sets -- including the Great Hall, Hagrid's hut and the Gryffindor™ common room. Learn More

TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s10) ||  ||   || Open through Sunday, May 9 Included with Exhibit Halls admission
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Photographer Chris Jordan's large-format prints, assembled from thousands of smaller photographs, dramatically translate the raw language of statistics into powerful images of global mass culture. Learn More ||  ||   ||

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= //Here is an opportunity for your 11th grade female students for next summer at MIT!// = //MIT SUMMER PROGRAM FOR HS GIRLS The MIT Women's Technology Program (WTP) is a four-week summer residential academic experience that introduces high school girls to engineering and computer science. Our goals are to interest girls in studying engineering and computer science, and to help them recognize their potential for success in these fields. We would like to invite your female students now in grade 11 to apply who: // //prior experience in engineering or computer science// //engineering projects// //making friends with girls from around the U.S. who share their math and science interests Sixty students are selected each year from a nationwide applicant pool; they attend WTP in either Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) or Mechanical Engineering (ME). Our classes are taught by female MIT graduate students, and involve team-based projects and college-level material. A poster describing WTP is available at our website http://wtp.mit.edu and can be printed out for posting on your school bulletin boards or for distribution to interested students. Interested students can apply by downloading the WTP Application from our web site; the application deadline is January 15, 2010. Please contact us if you have any questions. We hope to see some of your female students apply for summer 2010! Sincerely, Cynthia Skier WTP Director and EECS Track Coordinator Dr. Barbara Hughey WTP Associate Director and ME Track Coordinator//
 * //love and excel at advanced math and science but have very little or no//
 * //would like to experience hands-on activities where they design and build//
 * //enjoy problem solving and collaborative learning//
 * //want to spend 4 summer weeks challenging their minds, working hard, and//

=//"Cheaters Never Prosper"//=

//Alicia Eames, Curriculum Connections -- School Library Journal, 12/1/2009//
// In **Cheating in School: What We Know and What We Can Do**// (Wiley-Blackwell, 2009), Stephen F. Davis, Patrick F. Drinan, and Tricia Bertram Gallant take a close look at what’s going on in today’s high schools and universities, offering an impassioned plea and practical plan for addressing an age-old problem made all the more tempting in a digital world. The authors define behaviors that constitute cheating, cite statistics that affirm its prevalence, and discuss why and how students are dishonest. They also describe methods to minimize the practice, and argue the need to go beyond stop-gap measures in addressing the issue. Instead of relying on punitive measures, Davis, Drinan, and Gallant recommend that the “most critical problem facing education today” be met with a long-term plan for teaching students to embrace ethical behavior. Enlightened, proactive conversations among educators, parents, and students are suggested. The authors also note that policies about academic integrity must spell out what is considered unacceptable, along with thoughts on what students “should do instead of cheating.” Incidents of unethical behavior can be turned into “teachable moments” that allow all involved to examine the cause of the behavior and address how the school should respond. The book offers sample conversations to spark discussion and specific tips and strategies for getting concerned parties on board. The authors also identify the Josephson Institute’s Center for Youth Ethics and Institute of Global Ethics sites as sources of lesson plans and curriculum suggestions for teaching about ethics. They refer readers to the work of Clemson University's Center for Academic Integrity (CAI) and its publication //The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity// for help in developing a positive approach to a complicated problem. Finally, the authors speak about the courage it takes to behave ethically. For students, there’s Bruce Weinstein’s //**Is It Still Cheating If I Don’t Get Caught?**// (Roaring Brook, 2009; Gr 8 Up). Weinstein offers teens “The Five Life Principles,” his simple rules for living an ethical life. They are: “Do No Harm. Make Things Better. Respect Others. Be Fair. Be Loving.” After defining these principles, the author presents teen-friendly scenarios in a Q&A format, encouraging readers to think about what they would do in real-life, thorny situations involving teasing, cheating, dating, friendship, promises, sportsmanship, pirated DVDs, and Internet use. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations sprinkled throughout add a touch of levity to a volume filled with dilemmas requiring tough decisions.

© 2009, Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.

VEX Robotics Competition Teams:
We have some exciting news for you! The F.U.T.U.R.E. Foundation, in partnership with VEX Robotics, is pleased to announce the 2009 EMC Team Development Program. The Team Development Program has been made possible by EMC Corporation's Community Involvement Department and will focus on starting new VEX Robotics Competition Teams at schools in California, Missouri, North Carolina and Massachusetts. This grant will be made available to school and after school groups so that students have an opportunity be a part of the exciting VEX Robotics Competition. While the VEX Robotics Competition is very affordable and accessible, we know that it can still be tough in some circumstances to find the necessary resources to start a robotics program. We believe that this new Team Development Program can ease the burden that each school faces when starting their robotics program. Through the generosity of EMC Corporation, 48 new schools will be selected to receive start up grants worth over $800.which cover the following: 1) One Classroom Lab Kit: @http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex education.shtml 2) One copy of easy C software to pair with your Classroom Lab Kit 3) One copy of the popular STEM curriculum developed by Autodesk and Innovation First 4) One $75 Team Registration for the VEX Robotics Competition at www.robotevents.com To ensure that students and educators receive the full benefit of our exciting new partnership, potential grant recipients must meet the following criteria: 1) Your school must not currently have a competing VEX Robotics Competition Team2) You must register your team at www.robotevents.com 3) After official notification that your school is a grant recipient, you must register for and compete in at least 1 official VEX Robotics Competition Event in your area. We are looking forward to seeing everybody at the upcoming events! To get a list of events in your area, please go to: @http://robotevents.com/robot competitions/vex robotics competition. If your school is part of the Boston Public School system (or a Charter School in Boston) and you would like to receive one of these grants and/or get more details, please contact Gary Garber at Boston University Academy by sending an email to gary_garber@buacademy.org. Many Thanks! Gary Garber BU Academy Gary Garber Instructor of Physics Boston University Academy 1 University Road Boston, MA 02215

Gary_Garber@buacademy.org617-353-9000

Strengthening Your Financial Future Workshop:
Strengthening your Financial Future Letter: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/COBLetter.pdf Strengthening your Financial Future Flyer: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/FinancialStrength.pdf Understanding Credit Workshop Flyer: http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/CreditWorkshop.pdf

Teach Plus was created in response to growing evidence that promising, early career teachers are leaving the profession - and particularly urban schools - in ever-increasing numbers. Our ability to help all students achieve high standards depends on demonstrably effective teachers committing to stay on as classroom leaders through a second stage of their career. *The future of public education depends on those teachers who are just starting their careers now, and Teach Plus seeks to give voice to these teachers.* Teach Plus offers *two* ways for outstanding urban teachers in the Boston 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:

This fall Teach Plus will select 20 outstanding early career public school teachers from the Boston area to participate in an intensive policy fellowship designed to promote the retention of excellent teachers in urban schools and give them a voice in policy. Selected fellows convene monthly to study and discuss issues related to retention such as teacher effectiveness, compensation and incentives, and career growth. Teachers will meet with national, state and local education policy leaders; learn about innovative policies and practices from around the country; and develop policy proposals and position papers to share their own ideas for improving the retention of effective teachers. Eligible teachers are in the third through tenth year of their career, can show evidence of their effectiveness and leadership in the classroom and are currently teaching in an urban charter or district school in Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Quincy, Revere or Somerville. Teachers will receive $3,000 stipend over two years for their participation. The application deadline is *November 16, 2009.*
 * 1. Apply for the Teaching Policy Fellowship*

*2. Join the T+ Network * Reform-minded teachers can join the T+ Network and attend a quarterly seminar series to learn about policy issues and latest research from expert speakers and policy leaders, share their ideas and feedback through an interactive discussion and network with peers who share their passion for retaining effective teachers in urban schools. The first T+ Network seminar, to be held on *November 5, 2009*, is entitled *Teacher 2.0: A Profession that Retains Top Performers* and includes a presentation by Brad Jupp, Education Secretary Arne Duncan's top teacher quality expert (formerly a senior policy advisor in Denver Public Schools and creator of Denver's innovative ProComp teacher compensation system). The session will be a valuable opportunity for teachers to advance their thinking, connect with results-oriented peers and share their ideas for change in the profession.

WGBH and WGBY have partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to launch **Massachusetts Teachers’ Domain**. Now you can get direct access to free digital resources from public television related to the concepts and skills in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Over the next two years, **Massachusetts Teachers’ Domain** will: Everything is available for __**FREE**__! Only users with an account registered in Massachusetts will be able to access Massachusetts Teachers' Domain. Now you can easily take advantage of professional development courses and training workshops offered by WGBH, WGBY, and PBS TeacherLine. Teachers’ Domain currently offers K-12 science educators courses in Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science, with a new Biotechnology course launching Fall 2010. For more information on **Teachers' Domain Professional Development**, please go to http://www.teachersdomain.org/collection/pd/lnd/. For questions about **Massachusetts Teachers’ Domain** or to arrange a __FREE workshop__ for your staff, please contact Daniella Quiñones at 617-300-3995 or daniella_quinones@wgbh.org. Upcoming FREE Workshops will be offered at the following conferences:
 * correlate Massachusetts educational standards to __all resources__ in Teachers' Domain;
 * incorporate Frameworks as they are updated by the Massachusetts DESE;
 * add a single sign-on to Teachers’ Domain for educators using __MassONE__.
 * MassCUE
 * American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
 * Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference
 * or **contact us** for one in your district!

 The first National Gallery of Writing opens for visitors on October 20—America’s //National Day on Writing//. On this site, authors of all ages from communities large and small have gathered to celebrate the power of words. There are over 5000 compositions from nearly 1500 local and partner galleries that have already been recognized.

GRANTS$$$$
Grant: ING Unsung Heroes for 2010 - For innovative classroom projects. Funder: ING. Eligibility: Full-time educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals or classified staff with effective projects that improve student learning. Amount: 100 finalists will receive an award of $2,000. From that group, three winners will receive $25,000, $10,000 and $5,000

Contact: www.ing-usa. com/us/aboutING/ CorporateCitizen ship/Education/ INGUnsungHeroes/ index.htm. // Deadline : **Friday, April 30, 2010 .** //

The U. S. Census Bureau recently launched its free and exciting K-12 on-line lesson plans, maps, worksheets, and classroom resources at www.census.gov/schools. The lessons, developed by Scholastic, adhere to national standards and support specific goals common to state and local curriculums. Several lesson plans are interdisciplinary and will help students to sharpen their skills in map literacy, graphing, math, reading, writing, history, and civic responsibility.

Pay it Forward is a program designed to show high school students of color, particularly those who possess a socio-economically disadvantaged background not only the value of higher education but to make it more accessible to them. The program will also help participating students develop life and career plans and uplift them through mentorship. Please see the attached proposal ( http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/PIFProposal.doc ), calendar ( http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/PIFCalendar.doc ), curriculum ( http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/PIFCurriculum.pdf ), and flyer ( http://boston.k12.ma.us/bulletins/PIFFlyer.doc ) for more information,
 * Pay it Forward: A Boston University Law Mentoring Program: **
 * Contact: **PIFMentorProgram@gmail.com & join its Facebook group: “Pay It Forward Mentoring Program”