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Headmaster's Letter
Dear Bancroft Friends:
As I compose this short note, I am struck by the fact that time is flying, and, if the groundhog is right, we have only a few more weeks until spring-like weather arrives. Let’s hope so. When snowstorm Nemo dumped a record 28 inches of snow on our campus, and despite bringing in extra crews and working ‘round the clock, we still couldn’t ensure the safety of our students to return on Monday morning. Few people were as disappointed as I was to make that call. As of this writing, according to my count (and school practice and policy), one more snow day will trigger our taking back an upcoming holiday or two….let’s hope that doesn’t have to happen.
Since my last writing in Shorelines, besides massive snowfall, change has been in the air. The Vision 2016 brochure has arrived in your home; we have held several gatherings to discuss the implementation of the strategic initiatives, including my well-attended “State of the School Address” on January 29th; we have named a new head of middle school, Trevor O’Driscoll, whose appointment has been greeted with much support; and I have announced that next year is my final as headmaster of Bancroft.
On the last score, I have been truly honored and moved by the good wishes and kind words from students, faculty, parents, and alumni. I am so grateful to all of you.
There is, however, a great deal to do between now and my departure from Bancroft in late June 2014. We are moving forward to make our Vision 2016 a reality by opening the Hope Graham Program at Bancroft School this fall. (You will have many opportunities in the coming months to learn even more about this new program for students with diagnosed language-based learning differences.) We are concentrating on next steps to bring to fruition the other four Vision 2016 initiatives, too, within the time frame set forth by the Board.
We have also been grateful to the many parents and friends of the school who have commented on Bancroft’s future. Please know that it is our intention to include the feedback, talents, and insights of our overall community in making our future efforts a reality.
Enjoy this edition of Shorelines, and let’s hope we have seen the last of the snow for this winter. By the way, when you see the Maintenance Crew, thank them for their overtime work this winter, and for cleaning up this campus during truly trying times.
Yours,
Scott Reisinger, Headmaster
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Heinricher Named VEX Robotics
Teacher of the Year
Nominated by Bancroft Team Members
 Elisa Heinricher, Bancroft’s Director of Academic Technology and the faculty mentor for the Upper School’s VEX Robotics Teams, was named the 2012-2013 VEX Robotics Teacher of the Year. Keith Connors of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and the MA STEM Pipeline Fund presented the award at the New England Regional VEX Robotics Competition held at Quinsigamond Community College in January.
The Teacher of the Year Award is presented to an individual who “shows true leadership and dedication to his or her group of students [and] continually exceeds expectations to ensure a safe, enjoyable and educational experience for all students.” The students on her team nominated Elisa for the award. As part of the nomination process, they submitted a written description of “how the teacher inspires, motivates and educates students in a positive, enthusiastic and challenging atmosphere.”
“I am very fortunate to work with such an amazing group of students. Their positive attitudes and determination make my job easy. We have a lot of fun together,” says Elisa, “and we have an amazing parent fan base, as well.” ♦
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Students Earn Spots in Central District Orchestra
Bancroft Musicians Invited to Play
 Belated congratulations to Kristina Danga (pictured) for her Senior Central District Orchestra violin concert at Mechanics Hall in January.
And additional congratulations to the following students, who were just accepted for the Junior Central District Concert on April 27: Jacob Freedman, Sarik Goyal, PJ Mara, and Joe Ricca (Violins); Ethan Lutz (Cello); Olivia Spagat (French Horn); and Eve Phillips (Voice–Soprano). ♦
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Young Alumni Day a Great Success
College Students Reminisce and Offer Advice
 More than 30 college-age alumni returned to Bancroft in January to reconnect with old friends, teachers, and classmates. Even Spike, the new Bancroft bulldog mascot, showed up! This annual event, organized by the Alumni Office, has become a favorite for our young alumni. Current seniors gained insights into the transition from Bancroft to college at a luncheon featuring a panel of four college alumni. Their advice included: Get out of your dorm room; Listen to your “Jiminy Cricket” voice; use the time management skills (and apps!) you’ve learned at Bancroft; and relax and appreciate your friends during these last months of senior year. ♦
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3rd Grade Ellis Island Immigration
Learning through Experience
 Immigration is one component of the 3rd grade's central subject, and Mrs. Jackel’s 3rd grade students got to experience a taste of the immigrant experience when they participated in a simulated arrival at Ellis Island. Dressed in typical turn-of-the-century immigrant garb, each had an identity, and when they were called by the “officials” they had to answer questions on their health, their employment prospects, and other subjects. Reading helped pass the time as they waited their turn. ♦
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MS Band, Chorus, & Strings Play at Retirement Community
Entertainment Across the Generations
Bancroft's Middle School Band, Chorus, and Strings performed at the Briarwood Retirement Community in Worcester in January. Shown here is the MS Concert Band entertaining the residents. ♦
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Globe Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards
Students Recognized for Creative Talents
 Kudos to the following Bancroft students who were honored in the Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards! The work will be on exhibit until April 19 at the State Transportation Building in Boston, with an Awards Ceremony for Gold and Silver Key recipients on March 3.
Art—Upper School
Abigail Fowler: Gold Key–Digital Photography
Nicita Mehta: Gold Key–Ceramics
 Danya Li: Silver Key–Painting
Elana Kates: Honorable Mention–Film Photography
Jackie Loring: Honorable Mention–Digital Photography
Skerdi Senko: Honorable Mention–Digital Photography
 Art—Middle School
Ben Landry: Silver Key–Drawing
Robbie Scudder: Honorable Mention–Ceramics
Writing
Naomi Fischer: Silver Key– Persuasive Writing, "On Twilight"; Honorable Mention–Flash Fiction, "The Youth"; Honorable Mention–Poetry, "Untitled" ♦
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Drama Teachers Design Sets Using iPad
App Helps 'Guys & Dolls' Sets Come Alive
  Drama teacher Margaret McCandless found a wonderful way to collaborate with Director Chris Sheldon on set design for the upcoming US production of Guys & Dolls.
Using an iPad app called Paper, Margaret or Chris could  create a sketch, color it and email their ideas back and forth. They could then easily, revise the design, move elements around, and play with it electronically until they got just the right vision for each scene. Then they were able to send the final sketches to the theater tech students to guide them in constructing and painting the sets. This method saved trees, and a lot of time and frustration as well. ♦
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Bancroft Senior is National Merit Finalist
Nimisha Patil Advances toward Goal
 In October we reported that Bancroft senior Nimisha Patil had been named a Semifinalist for a National Merit Scholarship, and this week we learned that her status has advanced to Finalist. Upper School Head Roy Gillette (pictured here with Nimisha), who presented her with the Finalist certificate, said, "Nimisha is not only a tremendous scholar at Bancroft School, but more importantly a good person who hopes to make this world a better place in which to live. On behalf of all of our faculty and students, we congratulate her and her family on such an honor and distinction." ♦
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Two Members of Speech Team Qualify for Nationals
Marcelo Ferrari & Peter Mann Earn Top Spots
 The Bancroft Speech Team went to the NFL qualifying tournament in early February and two students qualified for the National Tournament in Birmingham, AL, in June: Marcelo Ferrari in Dramatic Interpretation and Peter Mann in Humorous Interpretation. Only two other Bancroft students have qualified for this tournament in the past 10 years! Pictured above, left to right, are Speech Team members Salamita Diakite, Marcelo and Peter with their trophies, Katherine Landry, and coach Chris Sheldon. ♦
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Kindergarten Students Learn Chinese Brush Painting
US Students Assist with Traditional Art
With help from some of our international students from China, and Mandarin teacher Fanfei Kong, the Kindergartners in Mrs. Truesdell's class learned traditional Chinese brush painting as a part of their Chinese New Year celebrations. ♦
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5th Grade Bake Sale
Sweet Fundraiser Brings in $800
 The students in Betsy Rocha and Lisa Kunhardt’s classes held their annual 5th Grade Bake Sale on February 5th to raise money for the upcoming 5th Grade Play: “Bear’s Gift of Fire” (May 2-3, 2013 — mark your calendars)! The amazing variety of treats helped make this always-popular event a huge success. ♦
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Skiers Liam Shanahan & Abby Ebb
Win Gold
Bancroft Alpine Ski Team Has Brilliant Season
  With a total of 13 skiers (seven of whom were new this year), the Bancroft Alpine Ski Team just completed an excellent season, with some amazing results.
Liam Shanahan and Abby Ebb led the Central Mass League (CML) for boys and girls respectively, each taking the 1st Place spot in both Giant Slalom (GS) and Slalom. (Abby came in first in all 8 races.) At NEPSAC, Liam Shanahan took the Gold for Slalom and the Bronze for GS, and Abby Ebb took Bronze in both events.
Meanwhile, Allison Ebb (Abby’s sister) took 4th in GS and Slalom (CML); as well as 8th in GS and 10th in Slalom (NEPSAC). And Casey Lewis, who was named the CML’s Most Improved Skier, took 9th in both GS and Slalom (CML) and 5th in GS (NEPSAC).
 And the Bancroft Girls Team placed 2nd for NEPSAC and 3rd in the CML.
As proud coach Kevin Spreadbury said, “These are huge results. We are the smallest and youngest team in the league and to have this many finishes is just unbelievable.” ♦
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Upcoming Events
Dates and times are subject to change. Please check the school calendar to confirm prior to event.
Mar. 1: 7th/8th Grade Parent Workshop on
Sexuality Education, 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 7: iPad Parent Training, 8:00 a.m.
Mar. 7: Pre-K–12 Community Dinner, 5:30 p.m.
Mar. 7: US Musical–Guys and Dolls, 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 8: US Musical–Guys and Dolls, 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 9: US Musical–Guys and Dolls, 1:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 11: MS Sports Award Assembly, 2:30 p.m.
Mar. 11: Recital, 4:30 p.m.
Mar. 11: US Winter Sports Night, 6:00 p.m. *
Mar. 12: Admission Coffee, 9:00 a.m.
Mar. 13: MS Parent Connection & Social, 8:00 a.m.
Mar. 14: Varsity Sports Awards, 8:00 am
Mar. 15: Spring Break Begins at 2:45 p.m.
Mar. 18-29: SPRING BREAK
Apr. 2: Classes Resume
* The US (Varsity) Sports Awards ceremony has been changed to March 14 at 8 a.m.
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