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BUA NEWS AND NOTES
September 26, 2017
IN THIS ISSUE:
A Note from Dr. Ari M. Betof, Head of School 

Dear BUA Community,

Football is not frequently a topic of conversation at Boston University Academy.
 
Even after a Patriots victory, I hear only a small contingent of BUA students engage in Monday-morning banter about that weekend’s game. (For the record, I feel entitled to root for both the Patriots and my hometown Philadelphia Eagles, as they are in different conferences.) 
 
But yesterday I was part of five separate conversations in the Academy building about President Trump’s weekend comments about protesting during the national anthem and the subsequent reactions of NFL players and teams across the country.
 
If you think this topic is straightforward, I urge you to think again.  Issues like these are the reason we need to lean into messy and uncomfortable conversations about civil discourse and bias. 

Consider the following two quotes:
 

  • From John Kelly, White House Chief of Staff, "I believe every American, when the national anthem is played, should cover their hearts and think about all the men and women who have been maimed and killed. Every American should stand up and think for three lousy minutes." In addition to his own years of national service, John Kelly’s son was killed in combat in Afghanistan.
  •  
  • From Jeffery Robinson, ACLU Deputy Legal Director, “Kaepernick silently knelt, making no attempt to disrupt the singing of the anthem. He did not try to prevent anyone from standing. This textbook nonviolent protest is totally American.”

You could endlessly argue each point and never settle on which is “right.”  I think it’s possible that these two perspectives are not mutually exclusive.  They coexist, perhaps uncomfortably, in our country’s most cherished and protected freedoms: the rights to free speech and to peaceful protest.
 
Not every member of the BUA community is a citizen of the United States, but there are many reasons to be grateful for living in this country.  I saw that several weeks ago during our All-School Meeting given by Harvard Professor Alex Whiting on the creation of the International Criminal Court.  When faced with images and stories about the millions of people across the globe who cannot, in 2017, find even basic protections in the face of genocide and crimes against humanity, our students’ reactions of shock and revulsion were palpable.
 
Yet, we also know that our own justice system has inbuilt biases that disproportionately punish African-Americans and other minority groups in this country. Not just in the Antebellum South or in the Jim Crow era, but here, now, today.  
 
I feel pride for the country we are privileged to live in; gratitude to those who have fought and died to keep us safe; and responsibility to push back against the systemic racism that continues to propagate injustice for so many.  Let me wholeheartedly acknowledge that I struggle to bridge the gap of these realities.
 
We take on this work as a school community because our students deserve for us to equip them as best we can to go into this complicated world ready to listen deeply, question their beliefs, challenge the beliefs of others, and do the right thing – even if it is also a hard thing. 
 
And that is why I would like to end this week’s reflection with a different national anthem. During last Thursday’s ASM, Dr. Abigañ
a shared pictures and video from his trip to Trinidad and Tobago for the world debut of his commissioned piece, “An Equal Place.” At the start of another complicated week for our country, I hope you will take a few moments to watch the video of St. Margaret's Steel Orchestra’s nationally televised rendition of Dr. Abigaña’s composition inspired by the final lines of the Trinidad and Tobago national anthem:
 
Here every creed and race, 
Find an equal place, 
And may God bless our nation.


Best,


Dr. Ari M. Betof
Head of School

Pictures of the Week
Eve Wattenberg '18 and the BUA Jewish Students Association offer apples and honey in the lobby to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. 
Featured Event

Tuesday, September 27:
BUA Parents' Network Meeting
George Sherman Union, Room 310
8:00-9:00 a.m.


View the full calendar of upcoming events here.
Students packaged meals for the chronically ill of Massachusetts at the first Community Service Club outing at Community Servings on September 22.
Online Store
BUA's online store for branded gear and spirit wear includes T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, zip-up sweatshirts, vests, fleece jackets, tote bags, duffel bags, blankets, scarves, and a variety of hat styles. View items and make your purchases here.
Announcements and Accolades
  • Join the Community Service Club on their October outing to the Blue Hills in Milton, MA to help clean the trails with the Friends of the Blue Hills. Check out their website for more information.  
    • Saturday Oct 14, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (lunch is provided by FBH)
    • Please follow this link to fill out the permission slip by Wednesday, October 11.  Contact Ms. Perrone or Jessica Brown with any questions. 
     
  • Last call for for parent volunteers for our first Admission Open House THIS SUNDAY, October 1. Shifts are between 12:30-3:00 p.m.  If you are interested in volunteering, please email Nastaran Hakimi.  Thank you!
  •  
  • The link to the video of Dr. Betof's Head of School Address in last week's News and Notes was broken.  Apologies for the inconvenience.  To watch the video, click here
Updates from the Advancement Office

Last week, we were delighted to announce the establishment of the Boston University Academy Great Teachers Fund for Academic Enhancement.  A generous gift in the amount of $100,000 from Boston University Trustee Ruth A. Moorman (CAS ’88, SED ’89, SED ’09, P BUA ’15) and Sheldon N. Simon (P BUA ’15), parents of Sarah Simon ’15, will establish the permanently endowed fund in celebration and commemoration of Boston University Academy’s 25th anniversary year. 

The purpose of the BUA Great Teachers Fund for Academic Enhancement is to support BUA initiatives while honoring the school’s retiring master teachers.  The founding gift is made in tribute to Mr. Phil Gambone.  Phil’s exemplary teaching and warm, gracious presence in the BUA community for thirteen years, until his retirement in the spring of 2017, makes him a fitting first honoree of the Great Teachers Fund.
 
The Moorman-Simon Family is offering their $100,000 gift as a challenge to the BUA community, with the goal of raising at least an additional $100,000 from current parents, parents of graduates, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends. Click here to read the full announcement.


Please consider making a gift today!  

BUA will celebrate the launch of the Great Teachers Fund for Academic Enhancement with a fundraiser brunch on Sunday, October 29 at Flour Bakery + Cafe in Cambridge.  You have received an invitation to this event through Paperless Post, and event details are below.  If you did not receive an invitation or have questions, please contact Katie Kozin at kkozin@bu.edu or 617-353-4951. 

Sunday, October 29, 2017 
12:00-2:00 p.m. 
Flour Bakery + Cafe 

40 Erie St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Tickets: $200 (individual); $250 (couple) 
Space is limited, please RSVP by Oct. 5 
$150 of each ticket will be a tax-deductible contribution to the BUA Great Teachers Fund

Updates from the College Counseling Office 
  • Senior Parent Coffee for parents of BUA Seniors – Tuesday, October 17, 3:00 p.m., at BUA.  See email (sent on 9/18) for more information.
This Week's All School Meeting 

There is no ASM this week due to Camp Burgess.
Message from the Yearbook Club
 
Celebrate and Remember with Your 2018 Yearbook 

Ordering your book is easy and secure: go to www.jostensyearbooks.com to get started. Place your order by Friday, September 29 to save $5! During this promotion, we offer our book for $55.  (You may also order optional cover personalization, for a small additional fee.) From September 30 to the end of our sale, we offer our book for our regular price of $60. It's our goal to craft a book that represents all students—freshmen through seniorsThe book is for everybody! Books are delivered in May. Order now to make sure you get yours! Contact Kristin Jewell, Yearbook Advisor, with any questions.

Yearbook Recognition Ads 
 
Yearbook recognition ads are a great way for parents, families, and friends to commemorate student achievements and important milestones. In addition, revenues from recognition ads help our school to create a better yearbook. Jostens is managing our school's yearbook ad sales, so please do not contact or send materials to the school.  Go to www.jostensadservice.com to purchase and create your ad.  (See the form here for more information.) All ad orders must be placed online by 12/15/2017
Spring Break International Trip to Japan

Each year, BUA runs an international trip during our March spring break.  In odd numbered years, we visit Rome and Greece in order to complement the humanities curriculum in History, Classics, and English.  In even numbered years, trips can vary in location.
 
We are planning to visit Japan for our 2018 trip!  I know spring break (March 3-11, 2018) seems far away right now, but please take a moment to think about it.  The trip will be approximately $4,000, and will be nine days instead of our usual eight-day trips (to allow a little more time to enjoy Japan after the jet lag!) 
 
Mrs. Olive Brown is the contact person for the trip, so feel free to email her with your questions! Some frequently asked questions with answers from Mrs. Brown are HERE.
 
Updates from the BUA Parents' Network (BUAPN)
 
  • The next BUAPN Meeting will be held tomorrow Wednesday, September 27, 8:00-9:00 a.m in the GSU Room 310.  Guest Speaker: Ari Betof. Those that are unable to join in person may join the meeting remotely
BU Events

BU Academy is fortunate to have the resources of Boston University at its fingertips.  To help you get connected to all the University has to offer, we suggest a free event happening around campus each week.  (Please note that these events will not be staffed by BUA).  The full calendar of events happening at BU can be accessed HERE.  

Faculty Recital: Gila Goldstein, piano

School of Music faculty member Gila Goldstein and guest pianist Tal Zilber will play works for two pianos and four hands by Bach, Arensky, Poulenc and Zilber's original Jazz composition and his arrangements of popular themes. This event is free and open to the public.

When: 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, 2017
Where: 855 Commonwealth Avenue
Fees: Free 
Dr. Betof's Media Pick of the Week

Each week in this space, Dr. Betof will recommend an article, book, podcast, or Ted Talk to share with the BUA community. Selections come from broad varieties of professional publications, BU Today, articles sent to him by students and parents, and his personal readings. 

This week's media pick is:

Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?

 

(Publication: The Atlantic, September Issue | Author: Jean M. Twenge)
Dr. Betof's Open Office Hours 

Stop by for a chat with Head of School Dr. Ari Betof:

  • Monday, October 2: 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 12: 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
  • Monday, October 16: 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
  • Monday, October 23: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
One University Road  |  Boston, MA 02215  |  617-353-9000 |  Fax: 617-353-8999  |  email BU Academy






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