BPON Accomplishments for School Year 2010-2011 | Boston Parents Organizing Network

BPON's Journey of Accomplishments for
School Year 2011

BPON parents held several focus groups for parents and students to gather input on the implementation of the new BPS Code of Conduct. Task Force parent leaders facilitated the focus groups that were held in several neighborhoods across the city.
BPON staff delivered four trainings on the new BPS Code of Conduct at the BPS Parent University. Over sixty parents participated on the trainings and learned about the new changes and their rights under the new code.

Bringing over thirty (30) parents and students together for a Day of Action that culminated in the collection of over one thousand (1,000) post-cards stating the priorities of the coalition.
Providing the second public platform for BPS Superintendent, BTU President and parent and student representatives to discuss Boston United for Students' priorities for the contract at a community forum in the spring that attracted over 250 parents, students community residents.

Celebrated the reorganization of the Special Education Department in BPS which included:
o The creation of 10 new inclusive schools for SY 2011 and
o New Highly Specialized Strands.
Held several meetings with the Deputy Superintendent for Special Education and successfully advocated to establish new processes to assist students transitioning into the new highly specialized strands.

BPON recently celebrated a historic statewide victory. The Massachusetts Board of Education now mandates the inclusion of student feedback as evidence in teacher evaluations. The state is studying the feasibility of including parent feedback in teacher evaluations. If approved, it will be implemented by SY 2013. The advocacy provided by the Boston United for Students Coalition was instrumental in this victory.
The Drop Out Prevention Committee of the BPON Task Force submitted recommendationson the Drop Out Prevention Bill introduced by Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz. The Committeeisworking with the Senator to spread the word about the bill and asking for support from other Representatives.

Attended the Nellie Mae Opportunity Fund Meeting with several groups from around the region and were featured in the Opportunity Fund Video Click here to see video: http://vimeo.com/25527488
Participated in a conference call with President Obama and his staff. Several BPON youth members along with students from around the countryheard President Obama congratulate all of them on the work they are doing at the local and national level.
Engaged in the Dignity in Schools National Campaign. For the week of action, BPON parent leaders held focus groups on the issue of the Code of Conduct.

BPON partnered with BPS Parent University delivering a total of seventeen (17) sessions throughout the school year. Topics varied from Seeing Ourselves as Leaders; to Creating a Movement for School Reform; to Knowing the BPS Code of Conduct: Educating BPS Parents and Students on the New Code of Conduct for BPS and their Rights.
Over thirty BPS parents graduated from the Advanced Session at the BPS Parent University. These leaders will become trainers for future sessions of Parent University. BPON was proud to be the trainer for the Parents as Organizers strand.
BPON is launching a pilot Parent Leadership Exchange training for parents of children ages 0-5 in collaboration with the City of Boston Thrive in 5 Initiative. The pilot will include ten (10) sessions and is scheduled to begin in the fall with participation of 10-12 parents.
BPON has been invited to join the BPS Parent Leadership Council along with other community groups representing parental voice in Boston. The initiative is being organized by the Office of Family and Student Engagement in the BPS.