June 2017 Newsletter

Dear Bancroft Friends,

Our lives are framed by music and movement. The philosopher Nietzsche said, "We listen to music with our muscles." It's true. We sway, tap our toes, and nod our heads in time with music. We smile, sing along, and dance. Music also has the power to move us physically and connect us emotionally. This theme kept reasserting itself as I moved through the flurry of end-of-the-year activities.

From string ensembles, handbells, and ukuleles to choruses of voices in harmony, music showed up at every event. At Commencement, the sound of the bagpipes lent solemnity and power to the occasion. From the very first notes, Pomp and Circumstance infused the room with a collective sense of pride and nostalgia. Our students singing the Bancroft Alma Mater connected us to the thousands of alumni who have graduated from this School in the past.

Music and movement, play and motion. These are part of Bancroft every day. Students engage in music-making from the youngest ages — singing, clapping, drumming, learning to play instruments. Alongside their musical skills they build self-discipline, creativity, collaboration. They learn that you take more out of an experience if you put more in.

Movement, too, is woven into each of our shared experiences. Our daily schedule moves students from class to gym, to library, to art studio, to music room, and out into the community. Families flow on and off campus, serving as the audience, taking pride in their children's growth and accomplishments. Children head outdoors multiple times a day; their voices and laughter are music to our ears.

How fitting, too, that our first two summer programs, taking place as we speak, are Strings Camp, led by retiring music teacher Marilyn Butler, and Bulldogs Basketball Camp with Coach Mark O'Brien. Music and movement. 

I hope you enjoy the videos below, which capture highlights of our Lower and Middle School Closings and Commencement. Music was a big part of these ceremonies, as was the symbolic movement of each child's rise to the next grade. For fifth and eighth graders, it means a whole new division. For seniors, a whole new world.

May you enjoy a summer filled with the joy of music and movement.

Best,

Trey Cassidy

Head of School

BANCROFT SCHOOL 116TH COMMENCEMENT

On June 9, Bancroft celebrated the graduation of the 47 members of the Class of 2017. This fall, these young adults will matriculate at the following institutions: American University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis University, University of California, San Diego (2), Carnegie Mellon University, California College of the Arts, Carleton College, University of Chicago, Colby College (2), University of Connecticut, Drexel University, Endicott College, Fairfield University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, College of the Holy Cross (2), Laboratory Institute of Merchandising, Loyola Marymount University, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2), University of Miami, Middlebury College, University of New Hampshire (2), New York University (2), Northeastern University, Oberlin College/ Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Quinnipiac University (2), Simmons College, Skidmore College , University of Southern California, Suffolk University, Temple University, Trinity College, Tulane University, Wellesley College (2), Wesleyan University, Westfield State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Congratulations to all of these new Bancroft Alumni! Enjoy this video of highlights from Commencement 2017.

MIDDLE & LOWER SCHOOL CLOSINGS

Bancroft had a doubly exciting day on June 6th, as the Lower and Middle School Closing Ceremonies put the final exclamation point on the end of a wonderful year. In the morning, Lower School Head Beth Beckmann spoke of the amazing learning, kindness, and growth she witnessed this year from all of the children, especially our 5th graders, who departed the ceremony as Middle Schoolers. In the afternoon, we shepherded the Class of 2021 into high school. Articulate 8th graders reflected on the deep friendships they forged, and the "wild ride on a roller coaster" they took together in Middle School. Congratulations to all! Enjoy these scenes from the day!

BANCROFT SUMMER PROGRAMS

There are still spaces available in many of the Bancroft summer camps and programs ! Visit our website for details and sign up today!  

Discovery Program for Gr. K–7

Day camp with a range of enrichment choices and daily swim!

Project Inspiration for Gr. 1–12

Focused programs in sports, science, robotics, music, and more!

Bancroft Summer Institute for Gr. 9-12

Intensive credit and non-credit learning for teens!

JUST 4 MORE DAYS!!!

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