Today is Monday, March 14. Here are five things you need to know today.
1. If you’re a parent and you’ve yet to navigate the Boston Public Schools lottery system – or if you have already and have a strong opinion about the experience – you may be interested in a series of stories the Globe started on Sunday about the infamous process. Reporters are following 12 families, including one from Charlestown, in the pursuit of their top choice school and in complicated debate about whether to stay in the city. With the prominence and popularity of the Warren-Prescott, Charlestown families have a unique positioning when it comes to school choice. But what this story sheds light on – inadvertently – is the flip side of the lottery: what happens at schools that aren’t top choices and what happens to children who don’t have strong parental advocates guiding them along the way. Definitely worth a read.
2. Last week our columnist Jack Kelly, like most of America, took in interest in the comedy of errors that is Charlie Sheen. And in typical Jack Kelly fashion, he treated the great unraveling of Mr. Sheen with amusement, a thoughtful critique and wisdom. In the process of so doing, Jack mentioned Monument Ave., a straight-to-TV movie (1998) about Charlestown starring Dennis Leary and Martin Sheen. Well, a few of us who read the column got kind of hung up on that point and a bit preoccupied with the need to see this film. There’s now a dialogue about this happening in the comments section of the column and Jack’s proposed this: “I never thought when I wrote this it would turn into a revival of Monument Ave. I guess this is something Charlie Sheen has indirectly affected. But, if people are interested [in screening this], let's do it and attach it to a fundraiser for a local group with CHAD, Kennedy Center and CSAC leading the way.” Anyone up for it?
3. Tax Day is now about a month away. But good news: If you’ve got a complex return and you’re looking for help, volunteers at Bunker Hill Community College are available to help, for free, now until April 15. For more details on when you can make appointments and how, click here.
4. So the city’s got this great app for smartphones where you can report things like potholes, graffti and vandalism, to help public works crews stay on top of what needs attention. One of the finer things about this app, called Citizens Connect, is you can see what other users have reported – so as to not duplicate efforts. On the Universal Hub blog, this Citizens Connect complaint out of Charlestown got some attention this weekend. Want to see it? It’s a baby stroller chained outside a townhouse. According to the complaint, it’s chained there nightly. Not sure exactly what the city can or will do about this, but here’s a head’s up if the owner of that stroller is reading this.
5. Today’s forecast: Mostly cloudy with a high near 39. Tonight: more clouds with a low around 30. Scurvy alert is medium.
For more info on what's happening around the neighborhood, check out our events calendar.
David Evans
6:35 am on Monday, March 14, 2011
I mentioned movie screening at a dinner last night and 5 people said they would definitely want to watch. Count us in.
Lisa McGoff Collins
7:43 am on Monday, March 14, 2011
Why again, every time I read an article about Elementary Schools they leave out the Harvard Kent as a choice. We have a good school, with good scores, Great hardworking teachers. Is it because we only go to fifth grade, or because we are located across the street from a project? What does the Warren Prescott have to offer besides it going up to the 8th Grade? This is the kind of stuff that creates animosity between people in this Community. Please someone from the Warren Prescott please let me know why? What do you have to offer young children in this Community that the Harvard Kent doesn't offer. Just asking.
Debbie Evans
1:59 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
Good question Lisa, and one that was raised by the Mayor’s office in 2008 when WP and the Kent had huge waitlists and recently by City Councilor John Connolly, Chair of the City Council’s Committee on Education. Among the factors that draw some parents to the WP are (i) WP is K-8, (ii) WP’s heavy parent involvement; (iii) Dr. Amara’s willingness to welcome and work with parents; (iv) WP programs designed to replicate an “advanced work” curriculum; and (v) an 8:30 (vs. 9:30) start time. Recently, WP parents met with Kent Principal Martin and Mr. Connolly for a tour of the Kent, which is a far nicer facility. Mr. Martin shared a letter he submitted requesting that the Kent be designated an Advanced Work School and granted additional K-1 classrooms and strand clarity (right now the number of classes per grade inexplicably drops in 3rd grade). We WP parents stressed that the Kent would be more attractive if it went through 6th grade. For those aspiring to BPS exam schools, it is unappealing to attend one school from K2-5th grade and then transfer for 6th grade-the year in which top grades and ISEE scores are imperative. If the Kent receives an Advanced Work designation and is extended through 6th grade, it will be every bit as appealing as WP, if not more so. Mr. Connolly is committed to making this happen. The proximity of the Kent to the housing development is a non-issue. Anyone who is concerned about that is better off at a private school or in the suburbs.
Katherine Alitz
9:59 am on Monday, March 14, 2011
Hi Lisa, having a 6th grade is important to some parents, but beyond that I don't think WP has anything to offer over the Harvard Kent, and Harvard Kent certainly has nicer facilities. When we decided to send our daughter to WP 8 years ago, we made the decision because we met a group of parents who raved about the school. If their kids happened to be going to the Kent we would have gone there and been just as happy, I'm sure. The point being we made the decision because of the people we met. WP parents have been actively recruiting new families over the last several years. A couple of years ago when the wait list for K2 had well over 20 kids on it, some of us asked why no one was choosing the Kent. It's silly not to, really. There are a number of WP parents who now encourage younger parents to make the Harvard Kent one of their top choices for kindergarten. Some of these WP parents also meet regularly with the Kent principal in the effort to help promote the Kent. I'd be happy to give you their names as I'm sure they would love to join forces with you in promoting the Kent. We are lucky to have two great elementary schools in Charlestown.
David Evans
1:23 pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I talked to George at the Bunker Hill Museum. They have a great room for watching movies. Should consider screening Monument Ave. there as well as the other locations that have been mentioned.