January 2021 Newsletter Dear Bancroft Friends,
I was moved by the words of Amanda Gorman, the youngest-ever inaugural poet in U.S. history. At last week's presidential inauguration, she challenged us saying: "The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it — if only we are brave enough to be it."
Optimism, compassion, and the work to make them manifest are principles we always value at Bancroft, and this season our community showed the power of a collective sense of purpose.
The strength of voice was on the minds of our fourth graders who are currently studying elections. After researching candidates' positions on certain issues, students wrote their well-reasoned suggestions to President Biden.
In the Middle School, students initiated a drive for essentials (food, socks, toiletries) for some of their Worcester neighbors, whose needs are even more palpable in the midst of this pandemic. And the students really delivered, measuring their success by the numbers: 120 pounds of canned goods and 60 pounds of socks and toiletries.
Upper School students were also in the spirit of giving this holiday season, reaching out (via old-school pen and paper) when it became clear they'd be unable to meet in person with their friends at Burncoat Prep Elementary. Ninth grade students made cards for each and every first and second grader at Burncoat — proof that it's possible to maintain a sense of community even when we can't be together in person.
Even when students move on from the halls of Bancroft, that sense of being citizens of this community endures. We were reminded of that by the generous donation of alum Mackenzie Melemed '13, who gifted his piano, a Yamaha baby grand, back to the school that inspired him to pursue his passion in the arts.
At a time when we are separated by distance, it's essential to remember the joy of creating connectivity, which is why I suspect the words of the young poet will stay with many for a long time. The combination of challenges our students and families face can seem daunting. And yet, as 2021 takes shape, I am deeply inspired by the Bancroft community. It seems a good moment to remember the importance of empowering students to use their voices to lead themselves, and the rest of us, with compassion.
Best, Trey Trey Cassidy
Presidential Letters It's one thing to learn about elections. It's another thing to participate, even as a fourth grader. This year's fourth grade students capped their study of presidential candidates with a cache of letters to President Joe Biden.
The spark of the idea was letting students know they're not too young to make a difference. "No matter what your age, your voice matters," says fourth-grade teacher Ali Chappell.
Chappell explains that students followed the election closely and researched the candidates' positions on a variety of issues, including immigration, racial justice, climate change, and the pandemic. Students chose which issue they wanted to explore more deeply, and formed their own opinions. "For example, the group researching the pandemic began to question, 'why aren't there more testing centers accessible?' and a student in the racial justice group asked, 'wouldn't it help if there were more people of color on the police force?'" she explains.
As a next step, students, who had been working on persuasive writing during Writer's Workshop, framed their opinions in letter form. "It was powerful to see young children voicing their ideas so passionately and eloquently," says Chappell.
The collection of letters — signed, sealed, delivered — are awaiting President Biden at his office in Washington, D.C.
COLLECTING FOR GOOD Middle school students took a pragmatic and philanthropic approach to the holiday season by combining spirit week — the Seven Days of Bancroft — with collections for their neighbors in need.
Here's how middle school student council presidents Andrew B. and Lilianna B. describe their success: "The student council wanted to make everyone's holidays a little brighter this season by incorporating a fun spirit week into a week of giving back to those less fortunate. With the amazing leadership of our student council we were able to get around 120 pounds of canned goods and 60 pounds of socks and toiletries for families during the cold winter months! The middle school is extremely proud of every donation because we know how much someone cold or hungry will appreciate a gift like this to brighten their spirits this season."
The canned goods were delivered to St. John's Food Pantry while the socks and toiletries headed to the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester. Andrew, who made the delivery of socks and toiletries with his mom, reported the organization "was surprised at how much we accumulated and they wanted to say a huge thank you."
"It really was nice to see this student-led initiative energize our school, and in turn, really make a positive impact in our community," says Middle School history teacher and Student Council advisor Michael Urban.
CARING CARDS In a typical year, Bancroft's ninth graders visit with first and second graders at nearby Burncoat Prep Elementary during the holiday season—reading books, running around on the playground, and generally connecting with their Burncoat buddies.
But how to bond in this atypical year? Ninth graders took an old-school approach with pen and paper.
"This year, we felt strongly about maintaining the connection between the two schools so in lieu of an in-person visit, every ninth grader created a special card for each Burncoat 1st and 2nd grader," says Robin Silverman, dean of students and Upper School Latin teacher. "All of the cards were mailed directly to the homes of the Burncoat students as they remain fully remote for this school year."
The snail mail was a big hit. Deborah Catamero, the Principal of Burncoat, wrote, "This is wonderful and so exciting for our students. Isolation is a serious concern we share during Covid and I'm sure this will help brighten many spirits."
Alum Mackenzie Melemed '13 credits Bancroft's music/theater departments for inspiring his career as a professional musician. So, when it came time to donate his personal piano (he was ready to pursue a newer model), the decision was easy. Melemed's Yamaha baby grand is now in residence in the Harrington Theatre.
Watch as we check-in with Mackenzie, currently based in Finland, as he discusses how his time at Bancroft shaped him — and how he hopes his musical donation might inspire others.
ART CORNER We're adding the Art Corner to Shorelines to highlight some of the amazing student work coming out of Bancroft art classes. This time, we're highlighting work from Middle School artists. Enjoy!
"Khaaliyah and Natalie created perspective drawings about the different ways in which our communities are connected," says Middle School Art Teacher Michael Roche. "They explored both the natural and conceptual resources people share, and how they can support and unite different parts of the world." Monochromatic Art by Vivian M. "Vivian pushed herself to create a dramatic image using only shades of blue," says Roche. "She focused on using her knowledge of value to generate contrast and intrigue while experimenting with mono-chromatic art. Having made monochromatic landscape drawings in the past, Vivian wanted to try something new by creating portraits that would resemble stained glass." Shorelines is produced by the Marketing and Communications Office at Bancroft. If you have questions or story ideas please contact jcarlton@bancroftschool.org. Bancroft School 110 Shore Drive • Worcester, MA 01605 • (508) 853-2640 |