May 2017 Newsletter

Dear Bancroft Friends:

Speaking at the recent Cum Laude Society ceremony, Shubh Agrawal '11 recalled studying for an AP exam and feeling so stressed and overwhelmed that she dropped everything, went to the kitchen, and whipped up a pan of Lemon Squares. It proved to be an effective coping mechanism. With that small success under her belt, she felt more confident walking into the exam the next day, and knew that her peers would welcome the sugar fix, as well.
     

High stress is part of the fabric of our society, and learning to manage it is one of the most important skills we can teach our students. So much of the pressure to achieve is based on some future goal — getting an A, acing the next exam, getting into the "right" college. Study after study has shown that people are happiest when they feel that they're doing something that has meaning; that they're making an impact. You can't feel that way if you're focused solely on long-term goals.

At Bancroft, we build in opportunities for students to experience success now, while also preparing them for the future. Our new schedule and our teaching strategies are carefully designed to support our students' sense of control and ownership of their learning. What they're doing today matters to them. Every project includes elements of choice, and occasions to reflect on what went well, what didn't, and what could be improved the next time.

Examples abound at this time of year, but three stand out because they are culminating experiences for the three divisions:  the Fifth Grade Play, the Eighth Grade World Fair, and the Senior Cooperative.

• Last week's performances of Space Pirates! gave fifth grade students a role in something much larger than themselves. They were committed and engaged, and it had a huge impact on their audience of families, faculty, and fellow students. As these performers head toward sixth grade, they are armed with strong bonds of friendship forged through this collective success.
  
  
• At the end of eighth grade, each student draws on a year's worth of knowledge to research, write, design, and present an English/History project at the World Fair, complete with international culinary delights. World Fair adds one more experience into their success bank, while strengthening the individual talents and growing independence they will carry into ninth grade. (This year's World Fair is May 25th.)
  
  
• Our seniors are heading out into the Worcester community for their Senior Cooperative projects this month. They'll complete up to 60 hours of onsite, project-based work for local organizations. The Co-op experience gives these soon-to-be graduates a remarkable chance to make deeply meaningful contributions to the community, develop skills, and plant the seeds of a mentor network. They leave Bancroft for the next leg of the journey with a stronger sense of self-efficacy, confidence, and pride.  
  
  

There is a philosophy behind the teaching and learning that takes place at Bancroft; a context that informs our decisions. We intentionally create occasions for students to experience success now, both individually and collaboratively, in ways that are meaningful and impactful.  

Enjoy the final weeks of school and the opportunities it brings for our students to display their talents. 

Best, 

Trey Cassidy

Head of School

CUM LAUDE CONVOCATION 2017

ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND 2017

5TH GRADE PLAY–SPACE PIRATES!

PIN SERVICE AWARDS

PLEASE GIVE.  IT MATTERS.

Kindergarten is first class to reach 100% family participation in the Bancroft Fund!
A heartfelt thanks to all donors and K class captain Padgett Berthiaume! Second grade is close to the finish line with 85% participation! Your class could be next! The Bancroft Fund closes on June 30. Make a gift today!

Shorelines is produced by Bancroft's Marketing and Communications team. If you have questions or story ideas please contact shorelines@bancroftschool.org.

Bancroft School

110 Shore Drive • Worcester, MA 01605 • (508) 853-2640