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BPS celebrates the opening of the Chittick Library, a vibrant new space made possible through the extraordinary dedication of school librarian Kadian Simmons.

New Chittick School Library Comes To Life Thanks To Librarian's Dedication

A bright, new chapter has begun at Chittick Elementary School. This spring, Boston Public Schools (BPS) celebrates the grand opening of the Chittick Library, a vibrant new space made possible through the extraordinary dedication of school librarian Kadian Simmonds.

For Simmonds, this milestone is more than a professional achievement, it’s a full-circle moment. A former Chittick student herself, with siblings, cousins, a niece, and nephew all having attended the school and one of her parents living nearby, she returned to the community that helped shape her.

“This is my community,” said Simmonds. “I’ve always wanted to teach here, to give back to the school that helped inspire me to be an educator. Being able to give these students something we never had -- a real library – is incredibly meaningful.”

When Simmonds arrived in September 2025, the school had no functioning library. What existed was an empty modular room with just a few chairs and no books. A small collection of donated materials – unearthed from a basement – served as a temporary “satellite library.” But Simmonds saw potential where others saw limitations.

Through persistence and passion, she led the transformation of a former music room into a fully realized library space. When permanent furniture arrived in February, Simmonds marshaled a three-week effort to paint, organize, and prepare the room for use. Students walked into the space in March for the first time, with many in awe of what they were seeing.

“Their reactions were unforgettable,” said Simmonds. “They couldn’t believe it was theirs. Now they can check out books, sit and read, and truly experience what a library should be.”

“Kadian’s vision and commitment have been nothing short of transformational," said Chittick Elementary Acting Principal Matt Ginsburg. "She didn’t just build a library, she created a culture of literacy and belonging. Our students now have a space that reflects their potential."

With author visits planned throughout April -- including one from illustrator Khary Randolph, whose father is an educator at Chittick Elementary -- the new library is already becoming a destination, where imagination, curiosity, and opportunity come to life, thanks to one educator who believed her community deserved nothing less.

Wellpoint Recognizes MA Teacher of the Year Finalist at Mario Umana Academy

Wellpoint, a Massachusetts-based health benefits company, visited the Mario Umana Academy to honor English and history/social studies teacher Thomas Simmons, who was named a finalist for the 2026 MA Teacher of the Year.

Wellpoint Recognizes Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Finalist Thomas Simmons at Mario Umana Academy

April 9, 2026 - Wellpoint, a Massachusetts-based health benefits company, visited the Mario Umana Academy in April 2026 to honor English and history/social studies teacher Thomas Simmons, who was named a finalist for the 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in December 2025. Wellpoint awarded the school a $5,000 grant to support enhancements to the school’s learning environment, including flexible seating and updated classroom materials to better engage students and support their success.

“Wellpoint is proud to recognize Tommy Simmons as a finalist for the 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year,” said David Morales, general manager of Wellpoint. “The connections he builds with his students and the environment he creates for them to succeed are truly inspiring. At Wellpoint, we’re focused on making the healthcare experience simpler and supporting the whole health of the people we serve – including the educators who play such an important role in our communities.”

Simmons, who was nominated in January 2025, advanced through a rigorous statewide selection process that included classroom observations, interviews, references and the review of teaching materials. He is recognized as a lifelong learner who builds on students’ strengths and fosters a classroom environment where students learn from and support one another.

“I’m honored to be recognized alongside so many dedicated educators across Massachusetts and to represent the students and community at the Mario Umana Academy,” said 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year finalist Thomas Simmons. “I’m grateful to Wellpoint for this recognition and investment in our school, which will help us continue creating engaging, student-centered learning environments. This work reflects the students, families and colleagues I learn from every day. Every student in BPS deserves nothing short of excellence and I look forward to promoting my colleagues who continue to push towards this goal. Umana UNIDOS!”

The Mario Umana Academy is a dual-language school serving a diverse community of students and families in East Boston, where Simmons’ work reflects a deep commitment to inclusive, student-centered learning.

Simmons’ recognition reflects the dedication of Boston Public Schools educators and their ongoing commitment to creating engaging, equitable learning environments where all students can thrive.

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Umana Academy Student Senate Welcomes Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley visited Mario Umana Academy, where she met with Student Senate members for a thoughtful discussion centered on student voice, civic engagement, and community impact.

Umana Academy Student Senate Welcomes Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) visited Mario Umana Academy on March 20, 2026, where she met with members of the school’s Student Senate – specifically the Policy & Outreach Committee – for a thoughtful and energizing discussion centered on student voice, civic engagement, and community impact.

Launched in the 2024–2025 school year, the Umana Academy Student Senate is a cornerstone of the school’s commitment to elevating student leadership. Rooted in the school's values of Joy, Respect, Inclusive Community, and Bilingualism, the Senate serves as a bridge between students and school leadership, ensuring student perspectives shape the school experience.

Students join the Senate through an interest-based selection process that begins with a schoolwide introduction during advisory. From there, students choose the committee that best aligns with their passions. The Senate is composed of four committees: Culture & Climate, Policy & Outreach, Events & Activities, and Beautification & Visibility—each playing a vital role in strengthening the school community.

During her visit, Congresswoman Pressley engaged directly with students from the Policy & Outreach Committee, who shared their work amplifying student perspectives, building community partnerships, and leading service initiatives beyond the school. The conversation highlighted the power of youth leadership and the importance of creating authentic pathways for students to influence decisions that affect their lives.

“Our Student Senate reflects the brilliance, leadership, and lived experiences of our young people," said Umana Academy Principal Akua-Nia Francillon. "Hosting Congresswoman Pressley affirmed for our students that their voices matter—not just within our school, but in the broader community and our democracy. We are incredibly proud of how our students are leading with purpose and vision.”

The visit underscored the impact of student-led initiatives at Umana Academy and reinforced Boston Public Schools' commitment to fostering inclusive, student-centered learning environments where every voice has the power to lead change.

We Change, We Grow: Remembering Dever Elementary School Through the Years

The Dever Elementary School held a Digitizing Day on March 26. The event was part of the Dever’s closing community engagement events to honor and celebrate the school’s legacy in its final year.

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We Change, We Grow: Remembering Dever Elementary School Through the Years

MARCH 26, 2026: As participants walked into the auditorium, they were met with an explosion of color. Two hundred individual student-made butterflies, organized by the Dever’s art teacher Ms. Hermann, covered the walls of the auditorium where Dever Digitizing Day was held.

“These butterflies reflect who our students are: growing, changing, and finding their way. And in many ways, they reflect this school. The Dever has continued to grow and change to become a place where students are supported, challenged, and have the opportunity to grow. Digitizing Day is about capturing that,” said Dever Principal Margaret Reardon.

On March 26, the Dever Elementary School in Dorchester held a Digitizing Day in partnership with UMass Boston and Boston Public School’s (BPS) Capital Planning Team. The event was part of the Dever’s closing community engagement events to honor and celebrate the school’s legacy in its final year.

“The Dever has been a cornerstone of the Columbia Point community for nearly seven decades and this event reflects the connections and memories it has created for so many people,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “It is incredibly meaningful to see former students, families and staff come together to share their stories and celebrate what this school has meant to them. By preserving these memories, we are honoring the legacy of the Dever and ensuring that its impact continues to be felt for years to come.”

Over a hundred people came to the event to share their memories with one another. Participants included multiple generations of students, staff, and family members as well as neighbors, community partners, and BPS central office staff. UMass Boston set up stations to gather and digitize attendees’ stories, photos, apparel, documents, and other artifacts, to be uploaded to a permanent, public collection in the UMass Boston online archives (openarchives.umb.edu) and be preserved for generations to come. When the collection is ready for public access in the coming months, all contributors and the current Dever community will be notified.

“La primera vez que caminé por los pasillos de esta escuela, sentí escalofríos. Me sentí conectada con los maestros, con los padres, con los estudiantes. Para mi, fue inspirador como la cultura de la escuela, como los padres y los maestros tenían esa conexión. Yo le decía ‘¿para quien juegan?’ Y dicen ‘somos lo mismo partido. Todos jugamos juntos.’” said Boston School Committee Member, Rafaela Polanco Garcia. “Sabemos que tenemos una comunidad fuerte. Unos maestros y padres unidos…Juntos podemos hacer la diferencia.”**

The Dever Community Engagement and Celebrations working group—a team made up of Dever staff, parents, and BPS Capital Planning—worked with UMass Boston over the past several months to plan the Digitizing Day. Mass Memories, the participatory archiving program based in University Archives and Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at the University of Massachusetts Boston, works with partners across Massachusetts to engage community members in contributing personal stories and photographs to a statewide digital collection. The UMass Boston archives also hold materials documenting the history of the Boston Teachers Union from two digitizing events in the past several years. The partnership between UMass Boston and the BTU prompted the Dever/UMass collaboration.

During the event, the new Dever memorial street sign was also unveiled to the community. The City of Boston installed the sign in honor of the Dever’s impact on the Harbor Point community.

“They all say all roads lead through [the] Dever, and for my family that’s certainly true. I attended here many years ago…and even more recently, my son [attended]. Watching him walk these halls, I could not be more proud. Today we are here celebrating a legacy of trueness, family, and community,” said Cheryl Buckman, member of the Dever Community Engagement and Celebrations Working Group and parent advocate, “The street sign is more than just a landmark. It’s a permanent tribute to history that we’re preserving, and a future that we’re building together.”

**“The first time I walked through the halls of this school, I felt chills. I felt connected with the teachers, with the parents, with the students. For me, I was inspired by the school culture, by the parents and teachers who had this connection. I said, ‘What team do you play for?’ They said, ‘We are on the same team. We all play together.’” said Boston School Committee Member, Rafaela Polanco Garcia. “I know that this is a strong community. Teachers and parents united. Together, we can make a difference.” (Translation from Spanish)

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