June 2016
Parent Newsletter
Commencement 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Dear Bancroft Friends:

Trey Cassidy, Commencement 2016

As I reflect on another school year come and gone, I am overcome with pride and gratitude for all the members of this wondrous community.

First, as always, are the students. It was a joy to look out at them as they gathered for the various end-of-year celebrations. They are not the same children we welcomed last fall. They are smarter, stronger, and more aware of their own talents. They have gained a vast amount of new experience and knowledge. In so many places, in so many ways they have wondered, discovered, attempted, failed, reflected, persevered, and triumphed. And by doing so they have come to understand themselves not just as students, but as artists, musicians, actors, athletes, scientists, authors, mathematicians, makers, and leaders. Throughout the year they served as teammates, allies, and mentors for each other, and they reached out to serve others. They are at the heart of all that we do, and we are all proud of them.

But, the students are not alone. They are able to excel because of you, the adults in our community who support them in every way. I offer my most sincere thanks:

  • To the parents, for entrusting us with these amazing young people, and for your bold decision to invest in a Bancroft education.
  • To our coaches, faculty, and staff, for the incredible devotion, creativity, and thoughtfulness you bring to your work each day.
  • To the Board of Trustees, for your leadership, vision, and thoughtful stewardship as we chart a course for the future of this terrific institution.
  • To our dining hall staff for nourishing us every day, and for providing the food and hospitality that make our special events so special.
  • And to our facilities and security teams for making our campus a safe, clean, comfortable, and beautiful place to learn and work.

At this year's Commencement, I shared a quote from our School's namesake — 19th century diplomat, educator, and historian George Bancroft: “There is nothing half so delightful to me as the hope of being a useful citizen; of contributing in my humble sphere to disseminate the principles of justice, liberty, and learning.” I believe he, along with the Worcester parents who founded this School and chose him as its eponym, would agree that Bancroft School in the 21st century more than embodies those principles.

Together we are actively living our mission — fostering good people who are lifelong learners, teachers of others, and citizens of the globe. It is because of your dedication, service, and commitment that we stand out as the best school in this region.

Sincerely,


Trey Cassidy
Head of School

 
     

 

 

 

 

In This Issue:

115th Commencement

MS & LS Closings

MS Award Recipients

Faculty Honors

Senior Dinner

Year-End Classroom Spotlight:

LS Field Day

Gr. 6 and AP Biology Juniors Crime Lab

Student PSAs Spotlight
Endangered World Heritage Sites


Faculty Gallery

This month's gallery is dedicated to Bancroft faculty. This sampling of candids, taken throughout the school year, capture the spirit of our faculty. We are reminded that the good work our students do every day would not be possible without their expertise, support, and inspiration.




 

 




 



 





New People - New Roles

Last month we introduced
many of our new faculty and staff for 2016-17, and this
month we are pleased to announce a few more new people and/or new roles.


Tracy Jones, Athletic Director

A seasoned athlete, coach, and administrator, Tracy’s 20 years of professional experience includes four years as Athletic Director at St. Mark’s School and four years as a trainer with Positive Coaching Alliance. She has an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from DePaul University and a B.A. in International Relations from Brown University. Read more about Tracy on our website.

Marlon Perez, LS Spanish Teacher
After ably serving as our interim LS Spanish teacher for most of this year, Marlon will now take on the role long-term. Marlon taught science and social studies in his native Venezuela, and served as a substitute Spanish teacher in the Worcester Public Schools before joining Bancroft. He has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education from the University of Carabobo.

Kendra Davis, Student Billing
The newest face in the Business Office, Kendra will be your contact for all student billing responsibilities. With her strong bookkeeping and management background, she is already making a difference in the department.

Steve Kelley, Facility Manager & Program Director
After an amazing 26 years as athletic director, Steve will take on the new role of Facility Manager & Program Director for the Bancroft Field House, opening this fall at 100 Shore Drive. He will also continue his duties as a physical education teacher and coach.

Thara Hamza, Staff Accountant
With eight years of experience handling accounts payable in our business office, Thara is now in charge of all aspects of payroll. She will also continue her work managing budget reports and numerous accounting functions.

Stacey Christiano, Human Resource Manager

Formerly splitting her time between student billing and HR, Stacey is now our full-time HR Manager, using her MBA in Human Resources to support our employees and guide us through HR laws and rulings.



Bancroft Summer Programs

♦ K-8 Day Camps
♦ Specialty Programs
♦ Teen Enrichment

 

Summer Teen Enrichment
at Bancroft!


Introduction to Computer Programming, a 2-week class taught by Mrs. Heinricher (July 18-29)

Introduction to Arduino Programming, a more advanced 1-week course with Mrs. Heinricher (August 1-5)

SAT Prep Class, a 12-session course that teaches academic skills and strategies for the
SATs (July 25-Sept. 18)

 

 

Help Us Cross the Finish Line!

Bancroft Fund

With only one day left, we are just $4,000 and 10 Parent Gifts away from our Bancroft Fund goals of $500,000 and 60% parent participation! Together we can do this! The impact of your gift to the Bancroft Fund is direct and immediate – it supports curriculum innovation, faculty salaries, financial aid, and so much more. Our fiscal year ends tomorrow — Thursday, June 30, 2016. Please give today and help us cross the finish line! Visit www.bancroftschool.org/giving to donate by credit card or PayPal!


Bancroft School 115th Commencement

Commencement 2016With the beautiful afternoon sky providing a brilliant backdrop, Bancroft School’s 115th Commencement Exercises took place on The Green behind the Upper School on June 10. The 53 graduates in the Class of 2016, now our youngest alumni, were represented by student speakers Luke Alley, Collin Shanahan, Carleigh O'Connell, and Ben Wagner, and by faculty speaker Alexis Stevens. The Bancroft Orchestra provided the processional and recessional music, and The Decibelles performed an a cappella number arranged by senior Simone Brown. Hundreds of family members, friends, faculty, and students shared hugs, smiles, and tears at this momentous milestone occasion. WATCH 2016 COMMENCEMENT VIDEO.


MS & LS Closings & MS Awards

LS & MS Closings

Stirring piano music courtesy of talented students Androniqi D. and Li L. bookended the Middle School Closing on June 7. Also featured in the ceremony were student speakers Chloe S., Andrew S., and Page C., along with musical performances by the Sixth Grade Handbells, MS Strings Ensemble, and MS Chorus. With certificates in hand, our 38 eighth graders, the Class of 2020, are now rising freshmen!

Bancroft’s Lower School officially closed the 2015-16 school year on June 7 with a lovely ceremony filled with joy, laughter, and music. From PreK through five, each grade in turn performed a song for the audience. In the end, 38 members of the fifth grade class received their certificates and balloons, and departed as rising Middle Schoolers.

WATCH MS & LS CLOSINGS VIDEO


Middle School Award Recipients

MS Award RecipientsBancroft congratulates the following students, who earned awards for outstanding achievement in academics, art, music, and athletics during the 2015-2016 school year. WATCH SLIDE SHOW.

Bancroft Scholar: (7th Grade): Emma P.
Barrington Music Award:
Androniqi D.
Blake Family Trophy
:
(Male Athlete): Michael K.
Casey Health Award:
Darren B.
Daniels Family Bowl
:
(Female Athlete): Andrea M.
Daniels Family Bowl
:
(Female Athlete): Page C.
English Award:
Chloe S.
French Award:
Chloe S.
Gage Medal:
Kaya D.
History Award:
Andrew D.
Latin Award:
Jonah S.
Mandarin Award:
Cora M.
Mathematics Award:
Aryan C.
Physical Education Award:
Brian D.
Principal's Cup (Boy):
Maxwell O.
Principal's Cup (Girl):
Androniqi D.
Robbins Creative Writing Award:
Samantha E.
Science Award:
Maxwell O.
Spanish Award:
Page C.
Technology Award:
Abigail S.
Tsang Poetry Award:
Li L.
Visual Arts Award:
Violet V.


Faculty Honors

Mary Edwards - 2016 Carpe Diem Award Recipient

Mary Edwards, 2016 Carpe Diem Award

Longtime art and ceramics teacher Mary Edwards was honored with the 2016 Carpe Diem Award for her outstanding ability to “seize the day” on behalf of her students. Bancroft faculty nominate a colleague for this prestigious award, and a Committee of past recipients and the Head of School select the winner based on four criteria: Service to Bancroft and the community; A classroom atmosphere distinguished by excellence, enthusiasm, challenge, nurture, and support; Participation in professional development; and Peer leadership. Mary's husband and two of her three children were on-hand to share in this much-deserved honor.

Gary Mathieu, 2016 Isa Bayon Bowl Recipient

Gary Mathieu, 2016 Isa Bayon Bowl

Named in honor of former faculty member Isa Bayon, the Isa Bayon Bowl was presented this year to Assistant Head of School Gary Mathieu for “sowing the seeds of a lifetime.” Few in the Bancroft community have equaled Gary’s dedication and commitment. For the past 47 years, he has dedicated his life to Bancroft School as a teacher, an administrator, and a global ambassador. This award recognizes the infinite times Gary has reached out to colleagues and students outside of the classroom, and served as a mentor to peers and a role model to students. He has sought ways to help others in the community in daily activities and major events, and shown through his own actions that caring and compassion do indeed reap long-lasting friendships and stronger feelings of belonging to a community. The Isa Bayon Bowl is another in a lifetime of well-earned awards and accolades, and we offer Gary Mathieu our heartfelt admiration and a world of thanks.

With his two brothers in attendance, Gary received the award at the end-of-year faculty/staff luncheon, an annual event which also provides the opportunity to recognize other faculty and staff for their years of service. WATCH SLIDE SHOW OF FACULTY LUNCHEON.


Senior Dinner

Senior Dinner

The Senior Dinner is an annual Bancroft tradition held to welcome our seniors into the Bancroft Alumni Association as they prepare to graduate. The seniors gather with current and former faculty to share a meal and reminisce, while members of the junior class serve as waitstaff. A candle-lighting ceremony and senior video presentation are the highlights of this special evening — one of the final times the entire class will be together. WATCH SENIOR DINNER VIDEO.


Year-End Classroom Spotlight

Lower School Field Day

Lower School Field Day

Physical education teacher Carol Ryan shared this delightful video of scenes from this year's Lower School Field Day, which featured a wide variety of games and activities including baseball, beanbag toss, cup stacking, egg relays, and hula hoops! Such fun! WATCH LS FIELD DAY VIDEO.

6th & 11th Graders Solve "Crime" with
DNA Fingerprinting
Student Crime Lab

In a blog post titled,“The Case of the Cross-Divisional DNA Lesson,” Middle School Head Trevor O’Driscoll recounted a cool and collaborative project between MS & US science students: 

“One of the many things that excites me about working at Bancroft is seeing how great teachers are always striving to engage and teach their students in new, exciting, and meaningful ways. Upper School science teacher MaryAnn DeMaria recently shared the story of how a chat with colleague Carrie Whitney, our sixth grade science teacher, resulted in her eleventh grade students concocting a crime scenario — let’s call it “The Candy Caper” — to illustrate current DNA analysis technology to the sixth grade students..." Read the full story on Mr. O’Driscoll’s blogWATCH SLIDE SHOW.

Student PSAs Spotlight Endangered World
Heritage Sites

Student PSAs

There are more than 1,000 man-made or natural places around the world that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated as World Heritage Sites because of their special cultural or physical significance. After learning that many of these sites are in danger, the students in Gail Buckley’s 9th grade history class created video public service announcements to raise awareness of their plight. After conducting thorough research, the students used creativity and humor to convey their important messages. Below are links to two of the student video PSAs:

Watch video PSA about the ancient city of Damascus, Syria

Watch video PSA about The Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan


Two Chances to Get Together
This Summer!

Bancroft parents are invited to join Head of School Trey Cassidy
for a relaxing gathering of Bancroft alumni, parents, and friends.
Click on images below to RSVP for either or both of these events.

Cape Cod Gathering on July 21

Maine Gathering on August 11

Bancroft Fund


Summer at Bancroft School

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BANCROFT SCHOOL
110 Shore Drive Worcester, MA 01605 | 508.853.2640
 

 


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