@schoolyardnews.bsky.social
Special Education Parent Council blasts BPS administration's proposal to close schools that educate large numbers of children with disabilities.
Proposed closures include the high school grades of the Henderson Inclusion School, a national model.
schoolyardnews.com/special-educ...
Proposed closures include the high school grades of the Henderson Inclusion School, a national model.
schoolyardnews.com/special-educ...
Special Education PAC blasts plans to close schools that educate large numbers of children with…
“Why close the only successful inclusion high school in Boston?”
schoolyardnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Special Education Parent Council blasts BPS administration's proposal to close schools that educate large numbers of children with disabilities.
Proposed closures include the high school grades of the Henderson Inclusion School, a national model.
schoolyardnews.com/special-educ...
Proposed closures include the high school grades of the Henderson Inclusion School, a national model.
schoolyardnews.com/special-educ...
What did you learn in school about the Black Panther Party’s Boston branch?
Edith Bazile, a former Black Panther Party member and retired BPS educator, talked with Mary Lyon High School students about what the Party did and how their work is relevant today
schoolyardnews.com/what-were-yo...
Edith Bazile, a former Black Panther Party member and retired BPS educator, talked with Mary Lyon High School students about what the Party did and how their work is relevant today
schoolyardnews.com/what-were-yo...
What were you taught about the Black Panther Party in Boston?
A Black Panther talks with with Mary Lyon High students
schoolyardnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:21 AM
What did you learn in school about the Black Panther Party’s Boston branch?
Edith Bazile, a former Black Panther Party member and retired BPS educator, talked with Mary Lyon High School students about what the Party did and how their work is relevant today
schoolyardnews.com/what-were-yo...
Edith Bazile, a former Black Panther Party member and retired BPS educator, talked with Mary Lyon High School students about what the Party did and how their work is relevant today
schoolyardnews.com/what-were-yo...
Parent activist Suleika Soto tells the media why a standardized test can’t measure her daughters’ skills:
“Are we measuring a student’s ability to think critically, to collaborate, to persevere, ... or just their ability to fill in the right bubble on a test?”
schoolyardnews.com/suleika-soto...
“Are we measuring a student’s ability to think critically, to collaborate, to persevere, ... or just their ability to fill in the right bubble on a test?”
schoolyardnews.com/suleika-soto...
Suleika Soto speaks out against adding new high-stakes standardized tests
“I’m here today as a mother of two amazing daughters … who remind me every single day that no single test can define a child’s brilliance…
schoolyardnews.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Parent activist Suleika Soto tells the media why a standardized test can’t measure her daughters’ skills:
“Are we measuring a student’s ability to think critically, to collaborate, to persevere, ... or just their ability to fill in the right bubble on a test?”
schoolyardnews.com/suleika-soto...
“Are we measuring a student’s ability to think critically, to collaborate, to persevere, ... or just their ability to fill in the right bubble on a test?”
schoolyardnews.com/suleika-soto...
Proposed changes in exam school admissions will hurt equity, data analysis shows.
“It’s clear that the BPS administration is proposing a giant step backwards. The question is, why?”
schoolyardnews.com/data-show-pr...
“It’s clear that the BPS administration is proposing a giant step backwards. The question is, why?”
schoolyardnews.com/data-show-pr...
Data show proposed exam school admissions changes would increase inequities
Equity Coalition asks the School Committee to vote them down
schoolyardnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Proposed changes in exam school admissions will hurt equity, data analysis shows.
“It’s clear that the BPS administration is proposing a giant step backwards. The question is, why?”
schoolyardnews.com/data-show-pr...
“It’s clear that the BPS administration is proposing a giant step backwards. The question is, why?”
schoolyardnews.com/data-show-pr...
BPS Black students’ grades seem to be falling. A BPS official told the School Committee that’s part of why there was a sharp drop in exam school admissions for Black students this year.
But why?
schoolyardnews.com/black-studen...
But why?
schoolyardnews.com/black-studen...
Black students’ grades seem to be falling. Why?
Black students were 15 percent of those invited to exam schools for this year, down from 22 percent the year before. Officials say grades…
schoolyardnews.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:30 AM
BPS Black students’ grades seem to be falling. A BPS official told the School Committee that’s part of why there was a sharp drop in exam school admissions for Black students this year.
But why?
schoolyardnews.com/black-studen...
But why?
schoolyardnews.com/black-studen...
“Inclusion” can be wonderful when done well, but there are pitfalls to avoid.
BPS parent Charlie Kim warns that changes in budget reporting make it hard to tell whether students with disabilities and multilingual learners are getting the resources they need.
schoolyardnews.com/the-hidden-c...
BPS parent Charlie Kim warns that changes in budget reporting make it hard to tell whether students with disabilities and multilingual learners are getting the resources they need.
schoolyardnews.com/the-hidden-c...
The hidden cost of “inclusion”
Are Boston Public Schools potentially undermining special education and ELL students?
schoolyardnews.com
April 28, 2025 at 10:36 PM
“Inclusion” can be wonderful when done well, but there are pitfalls to avoid.
BPS parent Charlie Kim warns that changes in budget reporting make it hard to tell whether students with disabilities and multilingual learners are getting the resources they need.
schoolyardnews.com/the-hidden-c...
BPS parent Charlie Kim warns that changes in budget reporting make it hard to tell whether students with disabilities and multilingual learners are getting the resources they need.
schoolyardnews.com/the-hidden-c...
Locked bathrooms, access for disabled students, and teacher diversity:
Boston youth question Mayor Wu and Superintendent Skipper at a packed town hall meeting.
[Reprinted from @teensinprint]
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/bostons-firs...
Boston youth question Mayor Wu and Superintendent Skipper at a packed town hall meeting.
[Reprinted from @teensinprint]
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/bostons-firs...
Boston’s first youth town hall kick-starts a passionate dialogue between teens, BPS, and Mayor Wu
They raised a wide range of issues, from bathroom access to teacher diversity
schoolyardnews.com
April 8, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Locked bathrooms, access for disabled students, and teacher diversity:
Boston youth question Mayor Wu and Superintendent Skipper at a packed town hall meeting.
[Reprinted from @teensinprint]
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/bostons-firs...
Boston youth question Mayor Wu and Superintendent Skipper at a packed town hall meeting.
[Reprinted from @teensinprint]
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/bostons-firs...
The debate over locking student phones in “Yondr pouches” during school:
The Boston Student Advisory Council responds to Patricia Kinsella
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/the-controve...
The Boston Student Advisory Council responds to Patricia Kinsella
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/the-controve...
The controversy over phones in school: BSAC responds to Patricia Kinsella
They say the needs of BPS students are very different from those of Pioneer Valley
schoolyardnews.com
March 26, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The debate over locking student phones in “Yondr pouches” during school:
The Boston Student Advisory Council responds to Patricia Kinsella
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/the-controve...
The Boston Student Advisory Council responds to Patricia Kinsella
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/the-controve...
Spanish class at Mary Lyon High School interviews a virtual visitor from Colombia: actress, immigration activist, and former BPS student Diane Guerrero
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/a-virtual-vi...
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/a-virtual-vi...
A virtual visitor from Colombia
Actress, immigration activist, and former BPS student Diane Guerrero shares her story with Mary Lyon High School students
schoolyardnews.com
March 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Spanish class at Mary Lyon High School interviews a virtual visitor from Colombia: actress, immigration activist, and former BPS student Diane Guerrero
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/a-virtual-vi...
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/a-virtual-vi...
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Parents, teachers, and staff from the Dever School community demonstrated at the Boston Public Schools Nubian Square headquarters Tuesday calling on the School Committee not to close their school.
The vote is scheduled for Thursday, March 20.
Parents, teachers, and staff from the Dever School community demonstrated at the Boston Public Schools Nubian Square headquarters Tuesday calling on the School Committee not to close their school.
The vote is scheduled for Thursday, March 20.
March 19, 2025 at 8:06 PM
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Parents, teachers, and staff from the Dever School community demonstrated at the Boston Public Schools Nubian Square headquarters Tuesday calling on the School Committee not to close their school.
The vote is scheduled for Thursday, March 20.
Parents, teachers, and staff from the Dever School community demonstrated at the Boston Public Schools Nubian Square headquarters Tuesday calling on the School Committee not to close their school.
The vote is scheduled for Thursday, March 20.
Closing Excel won’t reduce the number of BPS high schools — so why do it?
Skipper says they'll open a new “anchor” HS in the same building after renovations.
But it won't be Excel.
Some staff say the closure has been in the works for years.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/closing-exce...
Skipper says they'll open a new “anchor” HS in the same building after renovations.
But it won't be Excel.
Some staff say the closure has been in the works for years.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/closing-exce...
Closing Excel won’t reduce the number of BPS high schools — so why do it?
Skipper plans a new “anchor” high school in the South Boston High School building after renovations
schoolyardnews.com
March 18, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Closing Excel won’t reduce the number of BPS high schools — so why do it?
Skipper says they'll open a new “anchor” HS in the same building after renovations.
But it won't be Excel.
Some staff say the closure has been in the works for years.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/closing-exce...
Skipper says they'll open a new “anchor” HS in the same building after renovations.
But it won't be Excel.
Some staff say the closure has been in the works for years.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/closing-exce...
Former BPS parent, now a superintendent, responds to BSAC’s opposition to locking student cell phones in pouches.
Patricia Kinsella explains why she thinks schools should be phone free.
She says Yondr pouches can get schools most of the way to that goal.
schoolyardnews.com/western-mass...
Patricia Kinsella explains why she thinks schools should be phone free.
She says Yondr pouches can get schools most of the way to that goal.
schoolyardnews.com/western-mass...
Western Mass superintendent, a former BPS parent, says schools should be phone free
Responding to BSAC, Patricia Kinsella says Yondr pouches are working well in her district
schoolyardnews.com
March 10, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Former BPS parent, now a superintendent, responds to BSAC’s opposition to locking student cell phones in pouches.
Patricia Kinsella explains why she thinks schools should be phone free.
She says Yondr pouches can get schools most of the way to that goal.
schoolyardnews.com/western-mass...
Patricia Kinsella explains why she thinks schools should be phone free.
She says Yondr pouches can get schools most of the way to that goal.
schoolyardnews.com/western-mass...
Seventeen organizations slam BPS school closure plans.
Education and community groups say low-income Black and Latino children will be hurt.
(Read their statement in English or Spanish)
#bospoli #bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/seventeen-or...
Education and community groups say low-income Black and Latino children will be hurt.
(Read their statement in English or Spanish)
#bospoli #bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/seventeen-or...
Seventeen organizations slam BPS school closure plans
Education and community groups say low-income Black and Latino children will be hurt
schoolyardnews.com
March 5, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Seventeen organizations slam BPS school closure plans.
Education and community groups say low-income Black and Latino children will be hurt.
(Read their statement in English or Spanish)
#bospoli #bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/seventeen-or...
Education and community groups say low-income Black and Latino children will be hurt.
(Read their statement in English or Spanish)
#bospoli #bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/seventeen-or...
Globe column: Restore funding for parent mentors
“This program is helping to change so many people’s lives,” [the teacher] said.
“I don’t think we could have survived to the point that we are right now without [the parent mentor’s] help, there is no way.”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/04/o...
“This program is helping to change so many people’s lives,” [the teacher] said.
“I don’t think we could have survived to the point that we are right now without [the parent mentor’s] help, there is no way.”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/04/o...
‘A ladder of opportunities’: This parent mentor program works — but its funding is in danger - The Boston Globe
Operating in six schools, the Parent Mentor Program has quietly transformed classrooms across the city.
www.bostonglobe.com
March 4, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Globe column: Restore funding for parent mentors
“This program is helping to change so many people’s lives,” [the teacher] said.
“I don’t think we could have survived to the point that we are right now without [the parent mentor’s] help, there is no way.”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/04/o...
“This program is helping to change so many people’s lives,” [the teacher] said.
“I don’t think we could have survived to the point that we are right now without [the parent mentor’s] help, there is no way.”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/04/o...
Lock your phone in a pouch during school?
The Boston Student Advisory Council says No!
A BSAC member explains why.
Read the petition that BSAC launched, which has 1200 signatures so far.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/lock-your-ph...
The Boston Student Advisory Council says No!
A BSAC member explains why.
Read the petition that BSAC launched, which has 1200 signatures so far.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/lock-your-ph...
Lock your phone in a pouch at school? BSAC says No!
The Boston Student Advisory Council is leading a movement to abolish the BPS Yondr Pouch policy
schoolyardnews.com
March 3, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Lock your phone in a pouch during school?
The Boston Student Advisory Council says No!
A BSAC member explains why.
Read the petition that BSAC launched, which has 1200 signatures so far.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/lock-your-ph...
The Boston Student Advisory Council says No!
A BSAC member explains why.
Read the petition that BSAC launched, which has 1200 signatures so far.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/lock-your-ph...
Are they going to close my school?!
Ruby Reyes' guide to which schools are most vulnerable, and what you can do if you think yours may be next.
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/the-bps-scho...
Ruby Reyes' guide to which schools are most vulnerable, and what you can do if you think yours may be next.
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/the-bps-scho...
The BPS School Closure Playbook
Is your school next?
schoolyardnews.com
February 25, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Are they going to close my school?!
Ruby Reyes' guide to which schools are most vulnerable, and what you can do if you think yours may be next.
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/the-bps-scho...
Ruby Reyes' guide to which schools are most vulnerable, and what you can do if you think yours may be next.
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/the-bps-scho...
An "inclusion" reality check:
What can happen in a class when one teacher is supposed to provide general ed and special ed services at the same time - and also help multilingual learners?
Hear it from a teacher who is trying to do it all.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/staffing-for...
What can happen in a class when one teacher is supposed to provide general ed and special ed services at the same time - and also help multilingual learners?
Hear it from a teacher who is trying to do it all.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/staffing-for...
Staffing for inclusion: The battle in contract talks reflects problems in the classroom
Can one teacher provide both general education to the whole class and special education to students who need it?
schoolyardnews.com
February 24, 2025 at 10:00 PM
An "inclusion" reality check:
What can happen in a class when one teacher is supposed to provide general ed and special ed services at the same time - and also help multilingual learners?
Hear it from a teacher who is trying to do it all.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/staffing-for...
What can happen in a class when one teacher is supposed to provide general ed and special ed services at the same time - and also help multilingual learners?
Hear it from a teacher who is trying to do it all.
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/staffing-for...
Photos by Ruby Reyes from yesterday's rally to save the Dever School
February 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Photos by Ruby Reyes from yesterday's rally to save the Dever School
Telemundo report on the rally at the Dever School yesterday where parents, children, and teachers called on the School Department not to close their school.
www.telemundonuevainglaterra.com/noticias/loc...
www.telemundonuevainglaterra.com/noticias/loc...
Familias frustradas por decisión de cerrar escuela primaria en Boston
En la escuela hay casi 400 estudiantes y más del 60 por ciento son de origen de hispano, la mayoría viven a escasos metros del plantel, un lugar que ven como un segundo hogar.
www.telemundonuevainglaterra.com
February 13, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Telemundo report on the rally at the Dever School yesterday where parents, children, and teachers called on the School Department not to close their school.
www.telemundonuevainglaterra.com/noticias/loc...
www.telemundonuevainglaterra.com/noticias/loc...
Boston25News report on the rally by Dever School parents, children, and teachers against closing the school.
"It’s a second home to all of our kids. It’s not just a building, it’s family, it’s a community for us. We’re here to fight for it.”
-parent
www.boston25news.com/news/local/s...
"It’s a second home to all of our kids. It’s not just a building, it’s family, it’s a community for us. We’re here to fight for it.”
-parent
www.boston25news.com/news/local/s...
‘Community could be splintered’: Parents rally to keep Dorchester school from closing
Parents say they’re frustrated since their children have been thriving at the school.
www.boston25news.com
February 13, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Boston25News report on the rally by Dever School parents, children, and teachers against closing the school.
"It’s a second home to all of our kids. It’s not just a building, it’s family, it’s a community for us. We’re here to fight for it.”
-parent
www.boston25news.com/news/local/s...
"It’s a second home to all of our kids. It’s not just a building, it’s family, it’s a community for us. We’re here to fight for it.”
-parent
www.boston25news.com/news/local/s...
NBC10 report on yesterday's rally at the Dever. Parents, children, and teachers called on the School Committee not to close their school.
"It’s not fair for these kids to be losing their community, all their friends that they started in kindergarten with."
-parent
www.nbcboston.com/news/local/f...
"It’s not fair for these kids to be losing their community, all their friends that they started in kindergarten with."
-parent
www.nbcboston.com/news/local/f...
Families frustrated by decision to close Devers Elementary school in Boston
As Boston Public Schools looks to reduce the number of schools in the district and provide more complete offerings, several school communities are hurting. Among them are families from the Paul A. Dev...
www.nbcboston.com
February 13, 2025 at 5:20 PM
NBC10 report on yesterday's rally at the Dever. Parents, children, and teachers called on the School Committee not to close their school.
"It’s not fair for these kids to be losing their community, all their friends that they started in kindergarten with."
-parent
www.nbcboston.com/news/local/f...
"It’s not fair for these kids to be losing their community, all their friends that they started in kindergarten with."
-parent
www.nbcboston.com/news/local/f...
Do data dictate which schools BPS officials want to close?
Or do they decide for other reasons and find data to justify?
Dever Elementary should not be closed based on a BPS map posted in 2023. We look at a possible non-data explanation.
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/why-close-th...
Or do they decide for other reasons and find data to justify?
Dever Elementary should not be closed based on a BPS map posted in 2023. We look at a possible non-data explanation.
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/why-close-th...
Why close these particular schools?
BPS posted a mountain of data — but the decisions still don’t make sense
schoolyardnews.com
February 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Do data dictate which schools BPS officials want to close?
Or do they decide for other reasons and find data to justify?
Dever Elementary should not be closed based on a BPS map posted in 2023. We look at a possible non-data explanation.
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/why-close-th...
Or do they decide for other reasons and find data to justify?
Dever Elementary should not be closed based on a BPS map posted in 2023. We look at a possible non-data explanation.
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/why-close-th...
BPS officials’ insistence on keeping school closure plans secret means parents can’t plan.
Nobody wants to enroll their child in a school and then find out it’s closing.
A better approach that would attract families: Build new schools BEFORE closing old ones.
schoolyardnews.com/the-chaos-fa...
Nobody wants to enroll their child in a school and then find out it’s closing.
A better approach that would attract families: Build new schools BEFORE closing old ones.
schoolyardnews.com/the-chaos-fa...
The Chaos Factor
How BPS officials’ secret plans destabilize schools
schoolyardnews.com
February 10, 2025 at 11:25 PM
BPS officials’ insistence on keeping school closure plans secret means parents can’t plan.
Nobody wants to enroll their child in a school and then find out it’s closing.
A better approach that would attract families: Build new schools BEFORE closing old ones.
schoolyardnews.com/the-chaos-fa...
Nobody wants to enroll their child in a school and then find out it’s closing.
A better approach that would attract families: Build new schools BEFORE closing old ones.
schoolyardnews.com/the-chaos-fa...
With a parable about brushing teeth, cooking eggs, and writing a letter, a Boston teacher tried to explain to the School Committee why having multiple licenses doesn’t mean you can do several jobs at once.
schoolyardnews.com/scrambled-eg...
schoolyardnews.com/scrambled-eg...
Scrambled eggs and other stories about classroom reality from BTU educators
“Knowing how … [is] not enough.”
schoolyardnews.com
December 18, 2024 at 10:35 PM
With a parable about brushing teeth, cooking eggs, and writing a letter, a Boston teacher tried to explain to the School Committee why having multiple licenses doesn’t mean you can do several jobs at once.
schoolyardnews.com/scrambled-eg...
schoolyardnews.com/scrambled-eg...
How many jobs do you have to work to afford living in Boston? BPS paraprofessionals and teachers described the worsening economic squeeze on paras.
They told the School Committee, “One job should be enough.”
schoolyardnews.com/educators-ca...
They told the School Committee, “One job should be enough.”
schoolyardnews.com/educators-ca...
Educators campaign for a living wage for paraprofessionals
“I am making it work. How? I work two other jobs”
schoolyardnews.com
December 17, 2024 at 10:45 PM
How many jobs do you have to work to afford living in Boston? BPS paraprofessionals and teachers described the worsening economic squeeze on paras.
They told the School Committee, “One job should be enough.”
schoolyardnews.com/educators-ca...
They told the School Committee, “One job should be enough.”
schoolyardnews.com/educators-ca...