Message from Headmaster
Scott R. Reisinger
Dear Bancroft Parents
and Students:
Yesterday, March 2, 2010, was Theodore Geisel’s 106th birthday: a.k.a.
Dr. Seuss. Born in 1904 in
Springfield, Massachusetts, Dr. Seuss’s influence was pervasive in my
generation, and it continues at Bancroft and thousands of other schools in
celebration of “Read Across America Day.” Over twenty “cats in the hat” (a.k.a. Lower School faculty members
and yours truly) adorned with signature red and white top hats gathered with
their students at lunch yesterday to hear the formal reading of the
perennial favorite:
I Can Read With My
Eyes Shut. And earlier yesterday I visited the kindergarten and first grade who
were preparing for “hundreds day” to recognize the hundredth day of school—that
doesn’t count snow days! Just two brief vignettes of a day in the life of the
Headmaster.
I had occasion this past week to meet with two Bancroft
alumni, part of a series of visits each year. I am impressed, time and again, how
our mission of life-long learning and teaching has not changed.
Read Scott's entire letter
Thoroughly Modern Millie 
Premieres on Thursday
March 4, 5, 6 at 7:30
March 6 at 1:00 pm
Tickets $10: Call Vickie at
ext. 205
Tickets are going fast so call now to reserve your seat! (Tickets available at the door) Always a highlight of the year, this winter's musical will not disappoint as Powder & Wig presents
Thoroughly Modern Millie,
a light-hearted comedy about a small-town girl who takes New York by
storm in search of a job—and a husband. A talented Upper School cast
will transport the audience back in time to the Roarin' 20's for four
fabulous performances of this Broadway classic.
PFA Community Dinner
Friday Night
Start your Friday night off with a delicious dinner and great company at the community dinner sponsored by the PFA.
Friday, March 5 at 5:30- 7:00 pm
For a reservation, call Vickie at ext. 205
Bancroft Welcomes Starry Night
Students Study North Atlantic Right Whales
The newest member of Bancroft's community is a 70 ton, 55-foot right
whale named Starry Night, aptly named for the series of white spots on
his head that remind one of a star-filled night. Bancroft became one of
the official sponsors of Starry, a resident of the Bay of Fundy, after
participating in New England Aquarium's Right Whale Education project.
In
February, the Aquarium staff brought the Whale Day project to the
Bancroft gym where they incorporated several interactive exhibits with
a life-size inflatable right whale. They set up learning stations
around the room and trained ten parent volunteers who then worked with
the students, grades 1-6, throughout the day. The project is designed to
teach students about the intelligence and biology of marine mammals, as
well as how researchers study them. "The stations were professional,
student driven, and hands on," says sixth grade science teacher Carrie
Whitney. "It fit right into our life science curriculum. We learn about
food chains and webs, adaptations, and scientific tools. All of these
were represented there. And the inflatable whale gave us a great
perspective."
Cultural Events Coordinator Hannah Hall-Alicandro organized the efforts to bring the project to Bancroft. "We want to
thank Bruce and Joanne Fortin and Irving Oil for recommending our
school to participate in the project," she says. "The aquarium is
involved in a comprehensive research program to protect the right whale
from ship strikes, and sponsoring Starry will allow our students to
follow along with his story." Books and a small version of Starry Night are on display in the LS library. (Photo: Grade 6 poses with the life-size whale)
Hope for Haiti
Bancroft Unites to Help
At
today’s Upper School assembly, seniors Olivia A. and Sarah S. presented a
$4,000 check to Headmaster Reisinger for Hope
for Haiti, a 20 year-old non-profit organization in Naples, Florida
committed to providing medical and educational support for children in Haiti.
The money was raised by Lower, Middle, and Upper School student efforts that
included food and flower sales, dress-down days, class gifts, division
collections, Bulldog Bedlam player sponsors, and donations from student clubs
YMCI and US Student Council and the Bookstore. Two US clubs, Table de Francais
and Social Concerns, formed a student committee to coordinate the efforts. Says
Table de Francais advisor Nicky Puccio, “The response has been impressive, and
students, faculty, staff, and families have all been extremely generous.”
After a conference call with the executive director of
Hope for Haiti, the student-led committee agreed to send all $4,000 to the organization.
They were impressed that Hope for Haiti was able to provide emergency relief
kits the day of the earthquake and get a US medical team into Port au
Prince a few days later. Hope for Haiti has since shipped more than 320 tons of
medicine, medical supplies, clothing and small necessities to those in need. The
students were also very pleased to learn that 100% of every dollar donated for
earthquake relief is being used for that purpose. For more information visit:www.hopeforhaiti.com
(Photo: Nicky Puccio, Olivia A. ’10, and Sarah S. ’10, with Headmaster Reisinger and the $4,000 check for Haiti relief)
Student to Student
Fifth Grade Writes Poetry
The students in Betsy Rocha and Lisa Kunhardt’s fifth grade classes
were treated to a poetry workshop conducted by Kristin Rocha, a senior
at Trinity College (and Betsy’s daughter) who was recently named to the
Connecticut Poetry Circuit. As one of five winners of the competition
she tours the state of Connecticut, reading and sharing her poetry.
This is
the third year Ms. Rocha has worked with the students as part of their
unit on poetry, in which they create their own poetry collection.
“Remember each word in a poem matters,” said Ms. Rocha in the workshop
that combined practical techniques of writing good poetry with
understanding the importance of creating an image in the mind of the
reader. Individually, students read their working drafts of their poems
and talked with her about how they could make it more powerful.
As
the unit concludes, the students choose five of their poems to create a
collection, some of which will be published in the LS Literary
magazine, Paw Prints 2010. Following is a sample of fifth-grader Jacob F.'s poetry collection:
Holocaust
When I hear the word Holocaust
I think of my relatives who died in it.
Auschwitz and more,
At least a score of camps of death.
If this memory could be abandoned,
It would be like an empty space in Jewish history.
If Hitler were to come back for more damage,
He would be hung before he could reign.
If more people had been enlisted,
Judaism would not have been
A religion.
By Jacob F. ’17
Soca Warriors Defend World Cup Trophy
US Club Becomes a Winter Craze 
On
Thursday, February 25th, Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors—after narrowly escaping
the semifinals with a penalty-kick shootout victory over
Ireland—soundly defeated India 4-1 to successfully defend their World
Cup trophy.
This year, dozens of Bancroft
students have participated in World Cup MMX, the second annual
installation of the indoor soccer tournament held at the newly dubbed Stadium of Dreams
(100 Shore Drive). It was transformed from a postseason soccer idea
between players Matt K. ’11, Alex L. ’11, Matt M. ’11, and former coach
Mark Taylor, into a school-wide craze, with 80 players, and plenty of
ardent spectators. The co-ed teams are formed in a draft by their
respective captains, who also get to designate their team’s home
country. The ensuing tournament is comprised of bi-weekly, 20-minute
games, decided by the eight players donning their homemade uniforms,
representing their countries in a quest for the championship trophy,
and more importantly, national glory. (Photo: Team Trinidad and Tobago celebrate victory/ story written by Matt K.’11 and Alex L. ’11)
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