FROM THE HEADMASTER

Cultural Expressions and Community Identity

On the one side we have the “Halloween”/fall traditions of pumpkin carving. On the other we have “El Día De Los Muertos” – families lifting up their ancestors and loved ones. We could find many more juxtaposing images of the expressions of who we are individually and as a group.

These two different expressions are an expression of who we are as a community – a blend of cultural and linguistic experiences that form our identities and shape our understanding of the world. It’s in this blended world, that an embrace, a word of support, empathy and compassion are so very important as we navigate each day the challenges in a complex world.

THE CITY AS CAMPUS

Exploring Career Paths: Guest Speakers Inspire Students

This last month we saw representatives from several work sectors come into the school and speak to our students elucidating what different careers could be mean for them.

1. TD Bank, the Academy’s partner in Jamaica Plain, sent two loan Officers to speak to Ms. Molly Pratt’s math classes about how to build good credit and the specifics of different kinds of loans.
2. Choate, Hall & Stewart, prestigious Boston law firm, sent three of its Associates to speak about the different types of lawyers and the particular part of the law they practice, different avenues for becoming a lawyer and sharing their own personal journeys that led them to the types of law that they practice.
3. Lawyers for Civil Rights, an organization that works with communities of color and immigrants to fight discrimination and foster equity through creative and courageous legal advocacy, sent two lawyers to our 1st Parent’s night of the year and answered questions pertaining to different situations with immigration.

Extraordinary Expedition

Butterfly Mural Project: Exploring Identity in Ms. Lucia's 10th Grade Class

In Ms. Lucia’s 10th grade Spanish class, students began a project with the organization I Learn America. Using drawings of butterflies to serve as a template for building elements of their identity, in every segment of the butterfly wing they wrote something unique about themselves. This exercise of writing something very personal about themselves was the first step to writing their own stories and how they arrived here.

These butterflies will become part of a mural outside of the school building facing the playing field. The creation of the mural by the students will done in the Spring.

We are happy to welcome the Muniz Academy’s new roster of Student Council members.



12th grade reps are:

Yanna Shaily Peña Ruiz

Yeimi Martinez Sosa

11th grade reps are:

Yarianny Sanchez

Brittany Perez

10th Grade Reps are:

Dereck Medina

Carliz Mañana

9th Grade reps are:

Emily De pina

Janae Barros

Kaylin Diaz

In speaking to the reps, they said they like Student Council because they:

• Like to advocate for their fellow students.
• Like to have a voice in the activities that take place at school
• Like sharing their ideas with the other Council Members
• Like working together to bring about some changes
• Like helping other students

Student Council members feel that they are learning responsibility, self-confidence and how to be an example to others in important areas like: attendance, punctuality, getting good grades and listening to others.

Have a great 2023/2024 year Student Council!!!

When you give to Margarita Muñiz Academy, you provide resources that enable our Boston youth to experience the power of playing a musical instrument, finding the intellectual thrill of solving a math equation or writing a poem and becoming a leader in the community.