The Beckwith Chronicle

Dates to Remember

• April 26        School Pictures (Optional)
• May 3 - 6      Scholastic Book Fair 
• May 6           Math Meet in Seekonk
• May 6           Beckwith Bash
• May 6           School Dance 
• May 26         Beckwith Talent Show
• May 27         Grade 7 Field Trip
• May 30         No School – Memorial Day

Learning in Action!

Students in Mrs. Bilentschuk and Ms. Arnaldo’s 8^th grade ELA class learn about the horrors of the Holocaust in a project-based learning format. 7th graders in Mr. Kenny’s STEM class design hydraulic arms using creative problem solving and recycled materials.

Student of the Month

The following students were presented with Student of the Month Certificates for the month of March: 

• Gr. 8 - Vanessa Ripley / Nicholas Ross
• Gr. 7 - Samantha Marsella /Marshall Morgado
• Gr. 6 - Kristin Corvi / Brandon Johnson
• Gr. 5 - Tallula Miller / Hayden Bessette
• Related Arts - Pilar Beerman-Rodriguez / Robert Azevedo

Celebrating Middle Level Education at Beckwith Middle School

During the month of March, Beckwith Middle School celebrated Middle Level Education with fun activities and challenges that exemplify the essence of adolescence.  On Fridays in March, music resonated through the halls and students and staff stopped what they were doing and danced for 3-5 minutes.  Posters that celebrated the diversity of individual homerooms were displayed in the cafeteria.  Teachers wrote what they appreciated about teaching middle school students and posted their “speech bubbles” in the cafeteria.  Finally, teachers and staff brought in pictures from middle school and challenged students to correctly identify them in their retro pics.  Congratulations to 8^th grader Adam Housley for identifying the most teachers (10).  It was a very fun month and reminded the Beckwith community of the importance and uniqueness of Middle Level Education.  Special thanks to Ms. Crohan, 5^th grade teacher, for developing and managing this great initiative. 

5th Grader Kevin Moitoso, Acting Principal of the Day 

On Thursday, March 24, Kevin Moitoso had an opportunity to act as principal of Beckwith Middle School alongside Mr. Pirraglia.  Principal of the Day, an item in the PTSA silent auction, allows students to learn a bit about the professional as well as take part in the role of administrator for a school day.  On Thursday, Kevin assisted in the ordering of important resources, toured the grounds of the school, helped out at lunch duty, and visited several classrooms.  When asked what his favorite part of the day was, Kevin responded “Telling a joke to the 8^th graders during lunch.”  That is a very important part of being a principal.

Beckwith Middle School Students Win 1^st and 2^nd Place in Fire Safety Poster Contest

Adrienne Iafrate and Kristin Corvi won first and second place respectively in the Bristol County Fire Safety Poster Contest.  This important contest challenges students from all of Bristol County to create a poster that informs and is visually appealing.  Students win a plaque and cash prizes.  There is an awards luncheon on June 2^nd.  The Beckwith community is so proud to be represented with first and second place awards.  Congratulations Adrienne and Kristin!

SMARTS Collaborative Traveling Art Display Comes to Beckwith

The Southeastern Massachusetts Arts Collaborative, better known as SMARTS, is an educational collaborative serving eight public school districts: Attleboro, Dighton, Easton, Mansfield, and Rehoboth.  The goal of SMARTS is to set a pace and direction for public school arts education and serve as a regional model of innovation and integration among the arts.  The SMARTS Middle School Touring Art Exhibit was initiated by the SMARTS Collaborative in 1993 to provide SMARTS middle school teachers and students an opportunity to display their work to each other and to the community at large.  Selected pieces from the museum exhibit are assembled in a traveling display which moves throughout the SMARTS middle schools.

Students at Beckwith Middle School are “On a Roll”

Students improving 5 or more percentage points on the February STAR assessment were publicly recognized during lunches and given an award to celebrate their improvement.  The STAR assessment is a universal screener given to students in the fall, winter, and spring seasons.  It is a computer-based adaptive test that assesses both Math and Reading skills.  The STAR assessment is a reliable and valid assessment that is given to over a hundred thousand students throughout the nation.  Student percentage scores are nationally normed.  Therefore, students increasing scaled scores may not necessarily increase the normed, percentage score because the percentage score factors in growth.  Growth of 5 or more percentage points is impressive.  Over 400 On a Roll certificates were awarded to students for Math and Reading.  Beckwith students are On a Roll!

Principal’s Message

Dear families,

This past month, during a faculty meeting, I asked teachers to think about their favorite and least favorite teachers from elementary, middle, or high school.  What made the teachers unforgettable?  Was it their presentation style?  Personality?  Content knowledge?  Finally, I asked what they received as a grade in that particular class.  Not many, if anyone, could tell me specifically the grade he or she received. This exercise helps us reflect on our role as teachers. 

Teachers have existed since the first human demonstrated the effectiveness of a new tool to another human.  The role of teacher has been absolutely essential in human development.  Once instincts were no longer enough, teachers ensured that skills were passed on from generation to generation.  It is these essential lessons that prepare us to be successful members of society whether it is learning to find water in the desert, or learning to effectively collaborate in a group.

The lessons from our favorite teachers have had an impact on our lives much more than grades have yet grades continue to be sources of motivation and contention.  Grades should exist.  Students should be evaluated and scored.  However, feedback and coaching are much more important and should be the focus of teachers, parents, and students.  As much as it feels great to receive an A, the letter itself does not tell students what they did well.  As more assessments become open ended, giant Cs and checkmarks will be replaced by words and sentences, and letter and percentage grades will be replaced by rubric language.  Are we ready for that as a society?  Can we exist without the A-F scale?  Well, we have for centuries.  Teachers taught; students learned.  And students unable to learn the lesson to stay away from a hungry lion were not given an F.

Have a wonderful month.

Sincerely,

Joe

www.drregional.org.