| Musicians & Robotics Champs Shine
at All-School Assembly
 Our post-Winter Break all-school assembly on January 8th brought Bancroft’s entire student body and faculty — Pre-K to 12 — together to reconnect and get our heads back in the game. Mr. Cassidy helped us think about the good work to come this year. Student Council President David T. reminded us of upcoming events, and US students Simone B. and Alejandra W. reprised the beautiful song they had first performed at Winter Concert (click the video image to watch their duet).  Next, our champion Robodogs robotics teams demonstrated the mind-blowing skills that helped them bring home the Tournament Championship Trophy, Excellence Award, Design Award, Judges Award, and Innovate Award from the VEX Robotics Championship in December. And musicians Noah K., David T., and Michael L., closed out the assembly with an upbeat sing-along of The Beatles’ classic, “Here Comes the Sun” — an aspirational song choice, given the brutally cold temperatures outside! Visit Bancroft's Facebook page for more photos of these events!
Winter Concerts Bring Warmth
to the Season  The Winter Concerts were a fabulous send-off for the break. The students exhibited their many musical talents playing various instruments and singing songs. Watch a video here from the US, MS, and LS winter concerts and see some photos from the concerts in the Student Gallery bar on the left.
Your Gift Matters–Please Support the Bancroft Fund The Bancroft Fund is moving along! We have reached 55% of our goal with $221,127 raised as of January 6! See how your class stacks up below:
Kindergarten, with Andrew & Julie Salmon as Team Captains, was the first class to exceed 50% participation. Grade 8, with Ellie Winthrop at the helm, has the highest level of participation (so far!) with 58%. Our senior class parents, led by Gigi Lewis, made the biggest end of the year leap, increasing participation by 10%! Our thanks to all those who already made a gift.
Overall, parent participation stands at 34% — higher than last year, but we're not done yet! Make sure you get counted, and make your gift today!
DONATE NOW
PFA Brings West African Drumming to Campus
 It’s freezing outside, but the Bancroft campus has been sizzling with the art, music, and dance of West Africa! Master drummers Issa Coulibaly and Zach Combs, along with fellow musicians performed Trinidad 2 Timbuktu in the Harrington Theatre (three separate performances for the US, MS, and LS).
 Sponsored by the PFA Cultural Series, the musicians are here on a school residency program that included drumming workshops using authentic instruments (one day of 6-8 workshops) and an African Art installation in the main lobby, on loan from the Gallery of African Art in Clinton, MA. Watch the entertaining video above from the LS performance!
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Powder & Wig Club Presents Harvey
 We had a delightful theatre experience in mid-December when the US Powder & Wig Society actors performed Harvey. In this classic comedy of errors, main character Elwood P. Dowd (Kieran S.) happily goes through life accompanied by an “invisible” 6-foot rabbit named Harvey — much to the chagrin of his sister Veta (Vjola J.) and her daughter Myrtle Mae (Monica C.).  From the lighting to the scenery to the acting and stage direction, the entire production was spectacular. Bravo to every student involved, and to director Paul Belanger and producer Chris Sheldon. Many legs were (figuratively) broken in this delightful show.
Charlie A. Basketball Tournament
 On Dec. 12 and 13, the Fletcher Athletic Center was packed with fans for the annual Charlie A. Varsity Boys Basketball Tournament, which is named for Charlie Aleksiewicz, longtime Bancroft faculty member, current director of the Bancroft-Elm Park Worcester Partnership, and the founder of Bancroft’s varsity basketball program in the 1970s.  This year, the 8th grade attended the pre-tournament pep rally, and the Middle School "A" basketball teams played Fay School before Friday’s main event. (And they won!) The varsity boys beat Eagle Hill School 77–36, but lost by one point on a buzzer beater to Watkinson School the next day (44–43).
In the Middle of It All: MS Head’s Blog
 Head of Middle School Trevor O’Driscoll is a huge fan and a keen observer of the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in his charge. His blog, “In the Middle of It All,” is a collection of his Middle School musings. His December 19 post, titled “Doing Good,” talks about a special lesson the students learned while shopping for holiday gifts for local children in need. When some boys found themselves with a cash shortfall, they reached out to a store manager, explaining that they were trying to make a child’s wish come true. Read about the heartwarming outcome on the blog!
3rd Graders Experience Ellis Island  Each year Bancroft’s third graders learn about our nation’s history, including the immigrant experience. One of the most beloved traditions is the Ellis Island simulation, in which each student is assigned an identity as an immigrant. Dressed in the period garb of their home countries, they arrive at “Ellis Island” and experience the examinations and questions that immigrants faced more than 100 years ago. Watch the video above of this wonderful learning event.
Kindergartners Make Paper Cranes  On December 8, Kindergarten teacher Jo Truesdell invited the Upper School Asian Club, led by Mandarin teacher Fanfei Kong, to visit her classroom and help the K students make paper cranes using origami paper.
 This fun activity took place after the Kindergarten students read the book Tree of Cranes by Allen Say as part of their unit on Holiday Traditions Around the World.
Middle School Hosts IMLEM
Math Competition
 Sixth through eighth grade math enthusiasts gathered at Bancroft on January 8th as our MS Math Team, led by Coach Corina Palmer, hosted the Intermediate Math League of Eastern Massachusetts (IMLEM) Competition. Guest teams came from Gibbons Middle School (Westborough), Worcester Academy, Melican Middle School (Northborough), and Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (Marlborough). Bancroft is in its first year participating in IMLEM, and this is one of the 10 math competitions we have scheduled for the year. Each meet offers five categories: Mystery, Geometry, Number Theory, Arithmetic, and Algebra. Students compete in individual rounds, then collaborate as part of a 10-person team to solve problems. GO MATHDOGS!
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An annual celebration of the musical and performing artistry of Bancroft students, parents, faculty, alumni, and friends.
New This Year:
A Little Night Music–7-8pm
A Post-Playathon US Concert
Also:
Pre-Concert Dinner–6-7pm
For More Details Click Here
Winter Admission Open House — Jan 15, 2015
Upcoming Important Dates:
Dates and times may be subject to change.
Family Night at the Worcester Sharks Game – Jan. 10, 2015
PFA Community Yard Sale - Drop-Off Date – Jan. 12, 2015
100 Shore Drive (see ad below)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – NO SCHOOL—Jan. 19, 2015 State of the School Address—Jan. 27, 2015
Reception: 5:30–6:30pm • Meeting: 6:30pm, Harrington Theatre
Playathon—Jan. 29, 2015
3:35pm–6:00pm, Harrington Theatre
Bancroft Clothing & Yard Sale
A NEW PFA SPRING EVENT
NEXT DONATION DROP-OFF DATE
MONDAY, JANUARY 12
1–4 PM
Items can be dropped off at
100 Shore Drive
(Building next to Bancroft Campus) Any questions please contact:
Kye Flotte OR Beckley Gaudette
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| 
rying new things. Changing the status quo. Transitions. Many occasions in life leave us standing on the edge, worried about what happens next. Accepting that nervousness and trepidation—using it to step outside your comfort zone—is all part of learning and growth. It’s part of school. When we finally take the leap and invest ourselves in the task, we’re filled with energy and confidence.
