December 2018 Newsletter

Dear Bancroft Friends,

As I write this, we are gearing up for an incredible evening of student talent on Friday night here on campus.  I hope you will join us for some or all of these events. The "Triple Play" includes the opening round of the Charlie A. Basketball Tournament at 4:30 p.m., the Community Dinner hosted by the Alumni Association at 5:30 p.m., and the Upper School Drama Almost Maine at 7:30 p.m.  Let's fill the facilities for these great events on Friday!

I want to thank the more than 60 people who participated in our recent Strategic Planning Think Tanks. These gatherings of parents and faculty provided valuable insight to the Strategic Planning Committee and helped strengthen their perspective on the School's trajectory. As this team looks to point the compass for our journey ahead, they have benefited from the contributions of many. Look for updates on this work on the Strategic Thinking page of our website. We invite you to set aside February 9 to join us for the Community Design Day when we expect to work with you in building a strategic plan for the years ahead. 

We are thankful for the many ways that our faculty and staff create a dynamic and engaging learning community for all of our students. Their good work is ever visible across the School in examples of students collaborating in meaningful ways. This month's Shorelines highlights some of this work, but there is more around every corner as we walk through campus. I know that you share my pride in our faculty who work hard all year to ensure that our children are provided an outstanding environment for the growth of each child.

Join us on one or more of our social media platforms to learn more about the interesting and important work our students are doing every day here at Bancroft.     

Trey Cassidy
Head of School

8TH GRADERS BRING "BEDTIME STORIES" TO LIFE ON STAGE 

 This year's 8th Grade Play, Bedtime Stories (As Told by Our Dad) (Who Messed Them Up) was a fun, collaborative learning experience for the eighth graders. When a dad tells his four children their bedtime stories with fuzzy details, the classics get creative–and the students got creative with their interpretation of this comedy. They made it their own by helping in the development of the songs, designing and decorating the panels of the set, playing in the pit band, and designing and painting the outdoor billboards. Mr. Belanger boasted "the students achieved more than even they thought they could do when we started the process! During rehearsals, the director would get ideas for staging and style from students and use many of their ideas. For example, having the sheep dance to the Macarena was a student idea. Having Rumpelstiltskin put the baby in a BabyBjorn in the final story was a student idea and some of the slapstick bits that the Militia did on stage came from their good suggestions." Through this experience the students were empowered to do their best and audiences watched them rise to the challenge! Click on the green watch button above to enjoy a slideshow from the dress rehearsal on November 7th.

LOWER SCHOOL BULB PLANTING

In early November, all Lower School students were eager to go outside to participate in the 2nd annual campus bulb planting. The School provided bulbs, supplies, and tools needed to do the job, as the students collaborated with their teachers and methodically dug a hole 8" deep, dropped in their bulb, and covered it back up. The students will easily identify the flowers they planted since each grade was assigned a special area to place their bulbs. The flowers will include a mix of varieties and will add a splash of color to the campus this spring. This activity is a big success in enhancing the campus and inspiring the students as they look forward to the flower extravaganza in the spring! Click the green watch button above to watch a slide show.

FALL SPORTS AWARDS & HONORS

The Bulldogs finished the fall 2018 Athletics season in strong fashion, and many of our student-athletes were selected for All-New England and All-EIL recognition.  The Varsity cross country team turned in solid performances at the EIL Championships and the NEPSTA Division 4 Championships.  Junior Page Cassidy paced the Bulldogs, finishing 4th at the EIL Championships to earn First team All-EIL and then placing 8th a week later at the NEPSTA Division 4 Championships on a muddy, rain-soaked course at Marianapolis Prep, earning First team All-New England honors.  Senior Jack Boyd capped off his final season as a Bulldog golfer, winning his flight at the EIL tournament and earning First team All-EIL honors.  Jack committed to spend another four years as a Bulldog, signing a National Letter of Intent to play Division I collegiate golf for the Bulldogs of Bryant University.  Senior Milo Chase was selected to play in the NEPSSA Senior All-Star soccer game, and Julianna Boyson was selected to the All-New England Honorable Mention team in volleyball.  Several Bulldogs were also selected First team All-EIL in their respective sports: Andrea Marguerite '20 (field hockey), Daniel Freedman '20 (soccer), Chris Sholla '21 (soccer), Maya Gaines '21 (soccer), and Julianna Boyson '19 (volleyball).  Several more Bulldogs received All-EIL Honorable Mention recognition: Kassandra Sakhat '20 (field hockey), Alex Duval '19 (golf), Tristan Roberts '19 (soccer), Danielle Sangermano '21 (soccer), and Paige Dawson '19 (volleyball).  

Our winter teams have now been practicing for a few weeks, and our US basketball teams begin playing games this week!  We will once again be hosting the Charlie 'A' Boys' Basketball Tournament this weekend (Dec. 7-8) in the Blake Gymnasium - tipoff for the first game (Bancroft vs. Dublin School) is 5:00pm on Friday night.  Hope to see you there!

Follow @SportsBancroft on Twitter for the latest news and updates on Bulldog Athletics.

WHAT'S WITH THE BLOCKS?

Bancroft School announced the launch of an

$8 million capital campaign this fall

entitled OUT IN FRONT.

The campaign will fund:

Flexible learning environments

Areas for collaborative work

Spaces for student services, students, and faculty

(more details at: www.bancroftoutinfront.org)

To date, Bancroft friends and family have

already contributed

$6.5 million.

 Share your Bancroft pride and be a part of the campaign!
Place your block on the tower when you make your gift! 

We invite you to make a Bancroft Fund commitment first.

Your dollars will help support students, faculty,

and programs, right here, right now.

(campaign pledges are payable over 1–3 years)

NOT TO BE MISSED!

IMPORTANT DATES - December through January

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