Be sure to check out the new NIE Teacher Blog post about National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, celebrated in May. It highlights First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move program, which aims to fight childhood obesity, and includes useful websites and resources for keeping students active and healthy.
Find the blog post here and be sure to subscribe for more helpful tips!
Image from National Wildlife Federation
Today starts the 75th annual National Wildlife Week, themed “Branching out for Wildlife.” Check out the NIE Teacher Blog for activity guides from the National Wildlife Federation that will inspire your students to appreciate and sustain local wildlife and the environment.
Read the blog here.
Thank you to all of the students who created art for Eyes of a Child and the teachers who took the time to send in submissions. Our special holiday section came to life with your wonderful art, poems, and stories.
Although we received many excellent submissions, we had to limit the number of entries published in the Boston Herald. You can view all of the amazing entries online. Follow this link to enjoy the 2012 Eyes of a Child submissions.
A new study ranks Massachusetts 8th graders among the world’s top performers in math and science. A Trends in Mathematics and Science study found the Commonwealth’s students tied for 2nd place in science behind Singapore and 6th place in mathematics, behind South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan.
The academic performance tests were given to 2,075 students in 56 randomly selected public schools across the state, participating with 8 other states in the country. Students competed with over 600,000 students worldwide.
The United States ranked 9th overall in math and 10th overall in science.
Read the full article here.
Brianne Costa
Boston Herald NIE Associate
The Boston Herald is calling for student art for its annual holiday section called “Eyes of a Child” which will appear in the newspaper on December 24. We gladly welcome drawings, poems, prose, and essays inspired by the holiday season. Only submissions sent via email by teachers or principals will be accepted. The deadline is December 17.
1. All entries must be sent via email by a teacher or principal. We are unable to accept submissions directly from students.
2. Entries must be emailed to brianne.costa@bostonherald.com by December 17. Artwork should be scanned at its best resolution.
3. Written entries must not exceed 300 words. Editorial reserves the right to edit if necessary.
4. In the email include the name, grade, school, city, teacher name and contact number for each student.
5. Entries will be selected by the editorial department of the Boston Herald.
Teachers and principals–please email entries to
brianne.costa@bostonherald.com by December 17.
Image by AP
Massachusetts is one of 5 states participating in a new educational program planning to add 300 hours of learning time to the school calendar starting in 2013. The program will add hours to the school day and days to the school year to enrich students’ education and success rate.
Administrators and parents believe less unstructured time after school and more quality learning time with teachers will greatly strengthen the public education system. There will be more time for art, music, and extracurricular activities and individualized time for students with learning disabilities. Students will also easier keep their momentum from the school day before.
Read the full Boston Herald article here.
Brianne Costa
Boston Herald NIE Associate
The Boston Herald is calling for student art for its annual holiday section called “Eyes of a Child” which will appear in the newspaper on December 24. We gladly welcome drawings, poems, prose, and essays inspired by the holiday season. Only submissions sent via email by teachers or principals will be accepted. The deadline is December 17.
1. All entries must be sent via email by a teacher or principal. We are unable to accept submissions directly from students.
2. Entries must be emailed to brianne.costa@bostonherald.com by December 17. Artwork should be scanned at its best resolution in PDF form.
3. Written entries must not exceed 300 words. Editorial reserves the right to edit if necessary.
4. In the email include the name, grade, school, city, teacher name and contact number for each student.
5. Entries will be selected by the editorial department of the Boston Herald.
Teachers and principals–please email entries to
brianne.costa@bostonherald.com by December 17.
Students can help end bullying in schools and communities across the nation by participating in the Stop Bullying Video Challenge. Youth ages 13-18 are invited to create a 30 to 60 second video that will motivate their peers to prevent bullying and promote an environment where kindness and respect matters. The video’s focus should be on how youth can be more than a bystander.
The contest is hosted by The Federal Partners for Bullying Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration. One grand prize winner will receive a $2,000 cash prize and their video will be featured on the Stop Bullying website. Two honorable mention winners will receive a $500 cash prize and their videos will be featured online as well.
Submissions are being accepted now through October 14, 2012. Visit the Stop Bulling Challenge website for complete information.
Photos by Chuck Burton and Josh Reynolds
Boston Public School students will gain real-world political experience as they participate in events in preparation for U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren’s televised debate on Oct. 1.
The more than 600 student members of the Boston Debate League have a chance to take part in mock debates that will be available on bostonherald.com, and will attend a UMass-Lowell/Herald Debate that will be broadcast on television.
Read the full Boston Herald article Boston kids to play key role in UMass/Herald debate here.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will address educators in Washington, D.C., and nationwide via video conference, on August 7, 2012. His live message for teachers will focus on the need for personal financial education in the wake of the recent financial crisis. After his remarks, Chairman Bernanke will take questions from K-12 and post-secondary educators of economics, personal finance, and related disciplines, who will be gathered at Federal Reserve Bank offices across the country.
The event takes place from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 7, 2012.
Watch the online webcast of the event at http://www.ustream.tv/federalreserve 
. Twitter users can also follow the Federal Reserve Board’s feed, @FederalReserve, and join the discussion about the event by using the hashtag: #FedTownHall.
