October  2018 Newsletter

Dear Bancroft Friends,

This opening month of school has been filled with exciting activities and positive energy across the campus. Each time I walk the halls I am struck by the good work going on in every corner, from lower school scientists dissecting trees to upper school historians critiquing revolutions, our students are actively engaged in meaningful work. In a dynamic and vibrant learning environment like ours, you can always find examples of students demonstrating their prowess and testing their limits. We have much to be proud of here at Bancroft; I invite you to look out for these positive moments and share them with others in your community.   

I hope that you have enjoyed reading through the "Own Your Learning" brochure we handed out during back to school nights. This material was designed for those who know and love Bancroft and articulates the core values we see in action every day. I trust you will recognize the story it tells about who we are. If you didn't get a copy or want another, please stop by the admission office. 

This week we welcomed a team of nine educators from other New England independent schools for our Decennial Evaluation visit. The NEASC team was impressed by our school culture and commented on the friendliness and positive vibe during their visit; one member noted the countless smiles he observed during his visit. In addition, they appreciated the flow of our campus design and how it helps facilitate interactions and movement. The team spent considerable time meeting with our faculty and staff, asking questions, and digging into our strengths and challenges. The students were also incredible ambassadors, consistently stepping up to share ideas and respond to the questions posed by this group.  I expect the committee's report will echo our strengths and encourage us to continue to take steps to improve. When their report is complete, I will share it with all of you so we can work together to continue to develop our program and our community. 

In that vein, we are inviting everyone to help us build a strategic plan for the future. We had an incredible response to our call for strategic planning team participants. This helped us identify a team of 22 people and has led us to organize several constituent forums to gather and share ideas. Keep an eye out for invitations from the team in the months ahead.  In the meantime, you can follow the process and get more information by going to the Strategic Thinking page of our website. 

Finally, I encourage you to join us in the Field House for a special event on the evening of Saturday, October 27. This celebration of our school will be a dynamic, engaging evening and will serve as the formal launch of the "Out in Front" capital campaign. This is our first major capital fundraising effort in nearly 20 years, and its success will help us continue to be the leading school in the region and ensure that all of our students have an outstanding experience. Please plan to spend this festive and informative evening with us.

Thank you for helping us welcome the school year, 

Trey Cassidy
Head of School

HOMECOMING & FAMILY FESTIVAL 2018

Spirited Bulldogs packed the athletic fields for our 2018 Homecoming and Family Festival on Saturday, September 22. Bancroft students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends enjoyed the festivities on a beautiful Indian-summer day. Activities included fun games and contests, a 5K race, fundraising bake sales, a delicious cookout, and this year, there was even a petting zoo with adorable bunnies; a big draw for the children! 

On the Athletics front, coach Dipersia reports: "With the Fall Season well underway for Bulldog Athletics, here's a look back on some of the action that has happened so far this season! Thanks to a great turnout in numbers from the student body, we've added JV Boys Soccer and JV Volleyball teams to the slate this Fall. It is that kind of student support that led to another wonderful showing at our Homecoming versus LCA. MS Boys 'A' Soccer and MS Cross Country both won, while MS Girls and JV Boys Soccer earned hard-fought ties! Great efforts from our Varsity Teams as well, as both Boys and Girls Cross Country team won! Girls Varsity Soccer earned a tie, 0-0, while the Boys Varsity team battled, but fell 2-4. Varsity Volleyball continued to develop their game, as they took on the Winchendon School.

A handful of Bulldogs earned their "firsts" in their respective sports! Hayden Sorli (BVS), Anna Madonia (GVS), Tasha Tonna (VFH) and Anna Hayward (VFH) all notched their 1st Career Goals this season! Tim Melley also won his 1st Varsity Golf match v. Marianapolis! Great achievements with a lot of season left to add to their tallies!

Don't miss the "Play 4 The Cure" games on Saturday, October 20th at 2:30pm v. Portsmouth Abbey! Make sure to come out and support not only a great cause, but also your Bancroft Bulldogs! #OnePack."

College Counseling Update:

Phyllis Barra (top right) joined the College Counseling Office in August, bringing with her almost 20 years of experience in college and law school admissions and private college advising. She is excited about teaming up with Tim Townley and for the work they are doing with our students and their families. At the end of the day, her hope is to make a difference in the life of a child, no matter how small. Her greatest joy is her family, especially her husband Joe and their sons Joseph and Daniel. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, the arts, walking and a well brewed cup of tea.

Tim Townley (top left) is the new Director of College Counseling, and you'll also find this office in a new location. Now located across from the MPR, in the previous Advancement Office, is the new College Counseling team. Tim has worked in the field of college admissions for 17 years, spending time at The George Washington University, Boston University, and even a boarding school in Switzerland. He most recently worked for an independent college counseling company before coming to Bancroft.

Tim has loved getting to know your students in the short three months he has been here and is looking forward to continuing that work far into the future!

Business Office Update:

This summer brought about some changes in the Bancroft School business office, including a new location and some new faces. Stop by and say hello to the team now located across from their old offices on the second floor of McDonough. And, if you find yourself at their old space, you can simply stop in and say hello to the Advancement Team who now occupies that area.

Here's a quick highlight on the new employees who joined Trish Doon, Director of Finance and Administration, in the Business Office recently:

Cindy Morrissey (top left) began her 15 years in independent schools at Phillips Exeter Academy, and then moved to Ohio to work at Western Reserve Academy. She and her husband are happy to be back in New England now and she says Bancroft is a refreshing change. "The younger kids are so full of energy and fun; I enjoy seeing them every day and being a part of this wonderful community."

Karen White (top right) serves the Bancroft employee community through the Human Resources function. Karen brings many years of experience in her work with other independent schools across the country. Karen shares a passion for the work, and mission of Independent Schools.

Rich Rogan (bottom left) comes to us most recently from American Public Television. He has many years of experience on the finance side of education, having worked at WPI and Mount Ida College. "I'm not only glad to be back in Worcester, but also to be back in the education world," says Rich.

BRAND VISION BROCHURE RELEASED 

A message from the Admission Office:  We are continually exploring new ways to bring the Bancroft School story to life. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce that we have a new brochure that demonstrates the Bancroft brand. At the heart of Bancroft are four key themes - empowerment, engagement, enrichment, and movement. You will see these themes in this new brochure and they will take shape on our website and in other communications throughout the coming year. Some of you – our faculty, staff, and current parents – have already received this new, exciting brochure. Others should keep an eye on their mailbox. We hope this brochure will help you continue to tell the Bancroft story.

NOT TO BE MISSED!

Childcare is available for Bancroft students – please indicate in your RSVP

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN LAUNCH CELEBRATION

IMPORTANT DATES - October through November

Shorelines is produced by the Marketing and Communications Office at Bancroft. If you have questions or story ideas please contact kcinquanta@bancroftschool.org.

Bancroft School

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