Adam Chiocca shares and blogs here.

Hello, Ok, just a quick update.  Here at Burlington High School, last week, we had the state-mandated MCAS English Exam, for all current sophomores and some juniors.  Here is a link, to  learn more about MCAS testing. In ELL, we often try to cover current events, in modern American culture, and so here is a link to learn more about  Easter's symbols and traditions, as told by the History Channel. In March, each year, I enjoy watching "March Madness," which is the largest college basketball tournament each year; as they say, it's "one and done."  This means that when a team loses, they are "knocked out" of the tournament.  It is certainly a big part of popular modern American culture, and so we talk about it in class.  Here is  a link to learn more about this fun annual tournament. Good to see you! Come back soon!  Thanks, https://twitter.com/MistaChocka

Hello parents, I wanted to share a quick post, to get me back on to a more regular schedule of blogging; let me share an update of some events, plans, and things "going on" here at Burlington High School. January 19 - 22, 2016 was Mid-Year Exams ----- Here is a great blog post Ms. Scheffer wrote, about some apps our students could use to help prepare for big exams, like the "Mid-Years."   Here is her BHS Help Desk blog. February 2 - 10, 2016 was WIDA ACCESS Testing. ----- Here is info from  the DESE page on ACCESS Testing. ----- Also, here is the  WIDA page, which guides our teaching, and aligns to ACCESS. February 2 - 10, 2016 was also Poetry Out Loud. ----- This national competition is a way that high schools can make poetry exciting, by putting it into a performance format, in which each and every student must memorize and recite a poem in class.  Students who do well then can advance to recitations, in front of the student body.  Our winner this...

I was so fortunate to be able to attend the Annual METCO Directors Assoc. Conference again, which was down at the Four Points, Norwood, Mass. on Friday, December 4th, 2015. It proved again to be the highlight of my school year.  The METCO Directors do a great job of organizing this wonderful day of relevant workshops, inspirational and informative speakers, music of the African American tradition and vendors with fantastic wares, art, jewelry, and inspirational, helpful literature. First, if you're not familiar with METCO, let me share two links.  Here is the official  DESE link,  and here is a basic  history and overview of METCO. The keynote speaker was  Dr. Omari Simmons , and my take-away was learning the importance of a K-16 bridge.  He came to us this day, as an advocate, but to learn about his current professional work, you can look here. His family started a wonderful non-profit, the Simmons Memorial Foundation , which helps high scho...

This week, the Multicultural Club (along with the Spanish Club & Art Dept.), here at Burlington High School, enjoyed running a new fundraiser, which we named the "Day of the Dead Body Art Fundraiser." Students came up with the idea, of connecting traditional Halloween school spirit with the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos.  Club members sold face painting designs, during both lunches, all week, in order to raise money for an orphanage in Mexico. Here are two cute designs, modeled by Trish and Timmy.  Thanks to all who helped & supported this new fundraiser. --Mr. Chiocca

First, two great ways to see what's going on: -- Click here. ... or click here. --

Learning In Burlington: Some Concrete Steps on the Path to Digital Leaders... : This post originally appeared on my EdWeek Blog In my last post , I focused on the importance of school leaders being digital leaders a...