Education/Sports – Lucky Students: BPS students visited by Celtics stars

The following piece originally ran in the newsletter for the American Federation of Teachers MA (AFT MA) for which Matt served as editor for six years:

Thank Your Lucky Stars: Celtics rookies visit Boston public school

On June 28, the newest class of Boston Celtics joined classes at the Ohrenberger School in West Roxbury to open a new “Music Zone” which had been paid for by a grant from the team’s Shamrock Foundation.

According to the Celtics’ Director of Public Relations Heather Walker, The Shamrock Foundation (www.nba.com/celtics/community/bcsf) is the team’s official charity and raises money through such popular events as their annual Foundation Gala and Shamrock Classic Golf Tournament.

“The players vote and decide where the money will go,” Walker explains, “and in this case, it was the Ohrenberger.”

As the funds went to support the school’s music program, one of the point people for the project was Ohrenberger music teacher Kendrick John.

“Two days before our initial meeting with the Celtics Foundation, I was told to think of what my dream classroom would look like,” John explains, noting that this was the first time the team had decided to support a music program. “I told them that I had been dreaming for many years, and presented them with my list.”

In addition to requesting a student-centered music lounge where students could collaborate creatively and express themselves, John also asked for a teacher-centered area where the elements of music would be taught.

“I explained that my goal was to bring music education and the classroom into the 21st century,” he says. “I wanted to have a digitally-interactive learning environment to deliver instructions and assessments…more efficiently with the aid of music technology, instruments and production equipment.”

In addition to 17 new MacBooks containing musical software, the Ohrenberger was given new instruments and even a portable stage.

“We were incredibly fortunate in that the [team] actually found us,” said Principal Naomi Krakow, noting how the team was apparently seeking an opportunity to support a local music program. “They reached out to the arts department of the Boston Public Schools and the arts department put them in touch with us.”

As part of their debut community appearance, Celtics draftees Kadeem Allen, Jabari Bird, Semi Ojeleye, and Jayson Tatum signed autographs, played with students. And jammed along on the new instruments that had been purchased as part of the seventh annual Players’ Choice Grant.

“I believe we were selected because we have a very robust music program at the school with facilities that were in significant need of renovation,” Krakow reasons.  “We had a clear need for improvement, but also had the pre-existing infrastructure of a music program, so the Celtics could be assured that the renovations and donations would be put to good use immediately.”   

When asked how the new equipment will be put to use, Krakow mentioned such groups as the acclaimed Ohrenberger Ensemble, as well as the school’s regular music classes.

“Today’s students are tech savvy,” John observes. “I believe that using integrated music technology would increase the fun and motivate our diverse population of students to create and analyze their own music and the music of others.”

At the official announcement ceremony, the four members of the Celtics’ 2017 draft class played and sang along with Ohrenberger students before signing autographs, taking questions, and playing with the students in the school’s gym.

“The Celtics wanted the new players to mingle with the students as they used the donated technology and instruments,” John explains, recalling a jam session during which the players and students played together on a high-energy version of the classic arena rock anthem “We Will Rock You.” “They did a really good job playing along with some of our students!”

“It’s great to be able to get out here and begin making a difference within the community that welcomed me in just last week,” said Tatum. “To have the opportunity to participate in an event like this with the other members of this draft class, it’s a good feeling to be giving back right away!”

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