Nearly 100 eighth grade scholars graduated from Alma del Mar this month.

These graduates will now matriculate to the high school of their choosing, including Greater New Bedford Voc-Techl, the Academy of Honors at New Bedford High, Bishop Stang, Bristol Aggie, and Old Colony.

Alma del Mar operates two charter public schools in New Bedford: the flagship Sarah D. Ottiwell Campus educates 450 scholars each year and the new Frederick Douglass Campus will grow next year to serve 594 scholars.

Forty-two eighth grade scholars graduated from Alma’s Sarah D. Ottiwell Campus; 20 of whom were also recognized as part of Alma’s “Nine Year Club” as they had attended Alma since they were in kindergarten. Those graduates’ names are in bold below:

Belle Almeida
Denisse Alvarez Figaro
Adrien Alves
Alaina Alves
Taylor Amaral
Nourrhya Antoine
Natalie Cardona Ramirez
Alison Carranza
Josue Carranza
Janiah Cooper
Julliano Costa-Melendez
Johan Delvalle
John DeMello
Angelea Depina
Brianna Dias
Lily Dias
Joshua Fernandes
Micaella Goncalves
Aaliyah Hook
Edna Hurtado-Leon
Michael Jimon-Garcia
Tatiana Jovel
Matthew Kirby
Avery Lopes
Nora McClurkin
Anthony Neto
Jasmine Ocano
Chelsee Ordonez-Morales
Johanelys Ortega
Kali Rodrigues
Aryen Rodriguez
Nevaeh Roman
Jyliana San Pablo
Davi Santiago
John Santiago Alvarado
Kaylianie Evelis Santos
Mateo Santos
Myles Silva
Liani Tavares
Eduardo Trinidad
Maxbell Urbina Garcia
Yinaira Ware

Principal Nicole Ouimet was joined by staff keynote speaker Justin Edwards (Middle School Assistant Principal) and scholar keynote speakers Matthew Kirby and Davianis Santiago.

“Over the past few years this school has taught me how to be more responsible and the teachers have helped a lot with that,” said Kirby. “The Alma community believed in me and pushed me to reach my full potential and I will be forever grateful for that.”

Santiago also reflected on her time at Alma: “Being a part of the Alma community has impacted me in many ways both as a scholar and as a young adult. As a scholar I have the ability and opportunity to think critically and speak up for what I believe in. I also have the motivation and support to guide me on the right path, for which I’m very grateful.”

The Frederick Douglass Campus graduated 47 eighth grade scholars in its first ever commencement ceremony since opening in August 2019. Principal Taylor DeLoach took the opportunity to thank all of the school’s community members for their hard work and dedication.

“To our families, thank you for your partnership over the years. We know this work takes a village, and we have needed your support and guidance along the way to help us get to this beautiful moment. You made a conscious choice to send your scholars to Alma, and we are honored that you put your trust in us. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for sharing your incredible children with us.”

Ms. DeLoach, who will succeed Will Gardner as Executive Director on July 1, was joined by staff keynote speaker Adam Mercier (eighth grade ELA teacher) and scholar keynote speakers Nevaeh Escobar and Ishmael Lewis, who both reflected on the very different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning impacted their learning experiences.

“It was an unexpected experience that hit most of us badly,” Lewis said. “It was supposed to be a week or two, but then we just didn’t end up coming for the rest of the school year. During that time, though, we had the most time to reflect and change if we wanted to … I hated online learning, but I also love the person I became once I was out of it.”

“We all took the opportunity to improve ourselves which led the way to our relationships,” Escobar said. “That contributed to my growth academically and personally. Which is why I’m truly grateful for the time I’ve spent growing with my classmates under the guidance of Alma’s teachers and staff. You have all helped me realize that life, not only now but in the future, is challenging, but what I do from that point on is what matters most.”

Below is the full list of Douglass Campus 8th grade graduates, along with any special recognition:

Kaylin Almeida
Lizzy Antúnez Caceres
Daniel Arevalo Guevara
Anderson Arnoux
Kacie Carvalho
Yerianne Colon Rodriguez
Rotwin Cruz Diaz, Excellence in Demonstrating Service
Andrew Daigle
Gabriel Dejesus-Diaz
Jamyeson Delaney
Nevaeh Escobar
Zanayha Fernandes, Excellence in Demonstrating Responsibility
Aydan Forty Cardenas
Karin Garcia, Math Academic Excellence
Jennaya Gomes
Jesus Illas Colon
Genesis Joseph, ELA Academic Excellence
Ishmael Lewis
Izahan Lopes, Science Academic Excellence
Maia Lopes
Aaliyah Lopes
Angelie Lopez
Nayesca Manzanarez
Mark Mccra
Nayeli Melendez Pagan
Alivia Miller
Darrin Navin
Hailey Diana Nieves
Mileyris Oquendo Osorio, Excellence in Demonstrating Consideration
Izelle Padua
Christian Patterson
Andrea Perez
Brayden Pires
Logan Ransom
Caleb Rivera
Richard Rojas
Jeznal’i Ruiz
Lilly Salvador
Triston Silva
Cindy Tevelan-Vicente
Mark Tiffany
Yadiel Torres Ramirez
Noah-Royce Tripp, Social Studies Academic Excellence
Lucas Valente
Yamarie Vega
Aiden Vieira
Abigail Villinea

Bristol Community College celebrated High School Equivalency (HSE) graduates with its first in-person ceremony in two years, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at 6 p.m., in the Commonwealth College Center, on the Bristol Fall River Campus. Recipients from 2020 to 2022 were recognized for their dedication to successfully completing Bristol’s HSE classes and state-wide examination credential.

Bristol Community College’s complete 2022 High School Equivalency Graduation Ceremony can be viewed here: www.bristolcc.edu/adulteducation

The celebration was facilitated by Bristol Community College Director of Adult Education Nancy Labonte and included greetings from Bristol Community College President Laura L. Douglas. The 2021-22 Diane McMullen Scholarship recipient was awarded by the McMullen family to HSE student Pascale Lattouf, who has shown extraordinary dedication and perseverance in achieving her HSE credential and will continue her education at Bristol Community College in the general studies program beginning this summer.

“It is a delight to have been able to bring the ceremony back here on campus to honor not only 2022 graduates, but those from 2020 and 2021 as well – giving everyone the chance to walk on stage and receive their HSE credential in person,” said Nancy Labonte, Director, Adult Education, Bristol Community College.

Bristol HSE Instructor Carol Ginsberg presented the names of this year’s 29 HSE graduates, whose achievements were celebrated alongside graduates’ families, friends and the Bristol community.

In Massachusetts, the High School Equivalency (HSE) tests (which include both the GED and HiSet) provide a state-issued, alternative credential to a high school diploma. The HSE high school equivalency diploma is essential for a student’s pathway to obtain a college degree, training programs, military careers and employment opportunities.

Bristol’s High School Equivalency (HSE) classes are competency-based, allowing students to register for, finish classes and take tests when they are ready.

For more information about Bristol Community College’s Adult Education programming, please visit www.bristolcc.edu/adulteducation or contact Nicola Machado by email at nicola.machado@bristolcc.edu or call 774.357.2270.

“Bristol Community College’s Foundation is pleased to announce a generous donation of $50,000 per academic year in support of students participating in Bristol’s innovative offshore wind programs. The donors of this gift, who wish to remain anonymous, are deeply passionate about renewable energy and, as the offshore wind industry comes to the United States, they purposefully selected Bristol Community College as a gift recipient to encourage more students to enter this exciting and well-paying career field.

The donation will subsidize the college fees of full-time and part-time students enrolled in the college’s Certificate of Achievement in Offshore Wind Power Technology and Associate in Science Technology /Offshore Wind Technology programs. The donation is currently supporting the first class of students this summer semester enrolled in these programs.

With the offshore wind sector poised to create thousands of job opportunities across a wide range of disciplines, Bristol Community College’s offshore wind programs and its National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) play a critical role in developing a strong regional workforce and local infrastructure to support the burgeoning industry and the resulting economic development in Massachusetts. Thanks to our area’s natural resource of steady wind volumes, the regional offshore wind industry is developing new projects and attracting international wind energy companies to enter the U.S. market, both of which are spurring opportunities for increased training, recruiting, and hiring of workers to support the industry.

“Becoming part of the offshore wind industry has been some of our most exciting and valuable work here at the college,” says Dr. Laura L. Douglas, President, Bristol Community College. “We are thrilled to be able to build the trained workforce that will be supporting local jobs that are coming, and that students are ready to invest their time in learning valuable skills to enter this new sector.”

The Bristol Community College Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization with the express purpose of raising funds to support the important work of the college. The college’s Foundation is supported by its own board of directors and all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. For information or to support the Bristol Community College Foundation, please visit www.bristolcc.edu/foundation.”

Funding from industry partners and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center will allow students to expand their skills in the growing offshore wind sector.

UMass Dartmouth was recently awarded $373,048 by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and $375,000 in matching dollars from partners BankFive, BayCoast Bank, and Bristol County Savings Bank, to offer career-relevant paid internship and experiential learning opportunities to students in offshore wind through a program entitled Closing the Experience Gap.

UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College students will gain hands on experience through paid internships and project-based learning experiences with offshore wind developers and supply chain partners. The program aims to offer opportunities to more than 120 students from UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College to help accelerate talent pipeline development for the fast-growing offshore wind industry. The funding will also provide financial support for senior capstone and other project-based learning opportunities informed by the pressing technical problems confronted by offshore wind and related firms.

“There are very significant, experienced players in the deep-water offshore wind industry spending a lot of money on infrastructure here in the Commonwealth,” Governor Charlie Baker said today in his opening remarks. “In addition to continuing to make infrastructure investments, we also need to be making investments in our people. This grant is part of a series of proposals to continue putting resources into our very robust educational community so that we can create the talent, skill base, and workforce we need to maintain our leadership position in clean energy and offshore wind.”

“We work best when the private sector, government, and academia work together,” Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito added in her remarks. “Our partners in education are essential to this whole process. It is the people who are our incredible assets, with talents and skills that nowhere else in the country has really developed yet. It is critically important that students can see themselves in this industry.”

“We can be confident that our workforce will be well-equipped with knowledge, safety, and certifications needed to work in this specialized field,” said MassCEC CEO Jen Daloisio. “Investments like this have made Massachusetts a leader in offshore wind. With industry commitments and funds provided through the FORWARD (Future Opportunities for Resiliency, Workforce, and Revitalized Downtowns) act, we can expand this workforce development role and ensure that more valuable opportunities meet more of our residents.”

“Given UMass Dartmouth’s distinctive capabilities and research accomplishments in marine science and technology and engineering, we are uniquely positioned to support the Commonwealth’s offshore wind initiatives,” said UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark A. Fuller, PhD. “I want to thank the Baker-Polito Administration for their continued support of public higher education and attention to the evolving needs of workforce development in our region.”

“Bristol Community College is grateful for the Baker-Polito Administration and MassCEC’s support of innovative student opportunities within the growing offshore wind industry. In line with the mission of the college’s National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) and offshore wind technology degree program, Bristol and UMass Dartmouth will further our region’s expertly trained workforce,” said Dr. Laura L. Douglas, President, Bristol Community College.

The $375,000 in commitments from three area community banks reflects their forward-looking perspective on the regional economy, and the need to build awareness among students about the jobs of tomorrow. BankFive, BayCoast Bank, Bristol County Savings Bank, area offshore wind companies, and workforce development organizations will be involved in an advisory council for Closing the Experience Gap.

The initiative, led by UMassD Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Estuarine & Ocean Sciences Dan Macdonald, is designed to supplement existing workforce training and degree and certificate options at both UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College. The only research university on the SouthCoast,

UMass Dartmouth is a national leader in launching first-generation college students and those from modest backgrounds into successful, highly paid careers—ranking #2 in Massachusetts and #59 nationally for social mobility, according to US News and World Report. The university is home to nearly a dozen existing degree and certificate programs that help meet offshore wind workforce needs in Mechanical Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Operations Management, Marine Science and Technology, Environmental Policy, Engineering and Applied Science, Supply Chain Management and Information Systems, and Industrial and Systems Engineering.

Bristol is a national leader in offshore wind relevant workforce development and academic programming through its two-year business and engineering programs and the National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI).

Carney, DeValles and Ashley Elementary Schools to meet/greet leaders for SY2022-2023.

New Bedford Public Schools welcomes three new principals for the 2022-2023 school year at Carney Academy, Ashley and DeValles Elementary Schools, Superintendent Thomas Anderson announced publicly yesterday and said that, “it is always exciting to welcome new team members into such important roles.” The three were introduced at the June 13 meeting of the New Bedford School Committee.

Principal Daniel Mckoy
Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy

Mr. Daniel Mckoy, Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy Principal, starts on July 1, 2022. Mr. Mckoy joins the Carney Academy community from Boston Public Schools, where he has served in multiple capacities including a Grade Team Leader, classroom educator, and Principal. Mr. Mckoy states, “My core belief is that all students no matter how they look or where they are from deserve educators that have high expectations in them. Educators that believe in their innate ability to achieve academic success and to be valuable contributors to our future society. I’m grateful today that I had educators in my life that represented these beliefs when I was a struggling student and my mission and dream is to be that representation for all of the children and families that I serve.”

Principal Mario Pires
John B. DeValles Elementary School Principal

Dr. Mario Pires, John B. DeValles Elementary School Principal, starts on July 18, 2022. Dr. Pires joins the DeValles School community from Boston Public Schools where he has served as the Assistant Head of School for the last six years. Prior to that Dr. Pires’ previous roles included being a Content Instructional Leader and educator in New Bedford Public Schools, and a visiting lecturer at Bridgewater State University. Dr. Pires states he is “excited to return home to serve students, educators, families, and community members. I look forward to leading as the Principal of the DeValles Elementary School and increasing access to educational opportunities so that all brilliant New Bedford scholars can shine.”

Principal Mark Souza
Charles S. Ashley Elementary School Principal

Mr. Mark Souza, Charles S. Ashley Elementary School Principal, starts his new role on July 1, 2022. Mr. Souza joins the Ashley Elementary School community after serving as an Assistant Principal at Normandin Middle School for the last four years. Prior to that Mr. Souza served as an Assistant Principal and an elementary school educator with Carver Public Schools and New Bedford Public Schools. Mr. Souza states, “I am honored and excited for the opportunity to serve as Principal at Ashley School. I look forward to working with our amazing students, staff, and community to continue to develop kind, curious, and thankful learners.”

Superintendent Anderson expressed sincere appreciation to the schools’ outgoing principals, for their dedicated service to the students and staff at their schools.

In the coming weeks, the new principals will announce opportunities to join them at their respective schools to meet and greet their students, staff and families.

Mayor Jon Mitchell awarded the top 10 academically ranked seniors in New Bedford High School’s Class of 2022 today in the school’s auditorium.

Today’s ceremony was the 10th annual Mayor’s List Awards, in celebration of the students’ extraordinary academic achievements. The ceremony also was an opportunity to learn more about and celebrate the students’ high school activities, higher education destinations, potential fields of study, and career goals.

Valedictorian Phillip Tran, for example, was a member of the high school’s Science Olympiad team and the Mayor’s Youth Council. He’ll be attending in Brown University and plans to major in computer science. Salutatorian Tari Pereira was captain of the high school’s varsity soccer and lacrosse teams, and plans to major in kinesiology on a pre-med track at UMass Amherst.

“This is an outstanding group of students who exemplify dedication and character, inside the classroom and outside,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “We’re very proud of them and all they’ve accomplished.”

The graduates and their higher education destinations are:

01: Valedictorian: Phillip Tran, Brown University.

02: Salutatorian: Tari Pereira, UMass Amherst.

03: Abigail Perry, Emmanuel College.

04: Lillian Gray, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
.

05: Angel Cruz, UMass Amherst.

06: Daija Nunes, UMass Dartmouth.

07: Sydni Colson, Gordon College.

08: Diego Serra, Emmanuel College.

09: Dona Bonnie, Boston University.

10: Saige Amaral, Bridgewater State University.

On June 3, 2022, Jeffery E. Riley Stadium at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech was filled with family, friends and members of our school community as the Class of 2022 Artisans crossed the stage at our annual graduation ceremony.

The ceremony was opened with a beautiful rendition of the national anthem performed by Deysia Andrade, a member of the class of 2022.

The Mistresses of Ceremonies were the valedictorian, Abigail Borges and salutatorian, Kara Koska. Both remarked on the value of career and technical education and discussed their involvement in the school community throughout the years. In their remarks, they focused on the value that their education at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech has afforded them.

The keynote address was delivered by Fairhaven Selectboard Chair, Stasia Powers. She expressed her wishes for the graduates, “May you have the confidence to always do your best. If you do the work, you will be rewarded. All you need to do is have the confidence to try. Look inside yourselves and find what makes your heart sing” she said.

In his welcome remarks, Superintendent Watson applauded the class of 2022 for their resilience in the face of adversity. “Reading, learning, and the relationships these artisans have built with one another are the tools that will build the foundation for everything they will do in their lives. Building this foundation has been nothing short of challenging” Mr. Watson remarked. He focused on how this particular class has overcome a myriad of challenges throughout their four years of high school as they had to adapt with the pandemic. In his closing, Mr. Watson urged the students to “Embrace your experiences, challenge yourselves every day with all your heart.”

All photos by Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech High School:

New Bedford Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Anderson has received the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) President’s Award for “his leadership, notably in the districts he has served in the statewide role around policy and support for his colleagues.”

M.A.S.S. noted Superintendent Anderson “represents superintendents on the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Board of Directors and the M.A.S.S. Legislative Racial, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. In addition, he is serving as co-facilitator for the Urban Superintendents Network.”

The award citation noted “despite the many responsibilities as New Bedford superintendent, Thomas has increasingly been a visible presence and influential leader with his peers and around state education policy. His collaborative style and openness is matched by his strong core values and willingness to challenge policies and practices, which are in the best interest of students and good education practice. M.A.S.S. is proud to recognize Thomas Anderson with the 2022 President’s Award.”

The presentation took place on May 26 at the M.A.S.S. Annual President’s Spring Meeting in Marlborough, Mass.

New Bedford High School Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2022, originally scheduled to take place on Walsh Field, Thursday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m. has been postponed until Friday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. due to field conditions.

Heavy rains this morning and downpours forecasted for tomorrow have necessitated a 24-hour postponement to allow students to safely rehearse in dry conditions and to enable crews adequate time to set up for the event.

Graduating seniors are asked to report to New Bedford High School on Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. for rehearsal.

Which birds do you spot on your walks or visit your yard? Do you do anything to attract them like leave out a bird bath, a birdhouse, some seed? Have any pictures of the visits?

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Have you ever wondered how to attract songbirds to your yard WITHOUT birdseed? Planting natural food sources creates great birdwatching opportunities without attracting unintended wildlife like bears, coyotes, or rodents.

MassWildlife strongly advises the public to avoid providing supplemental food for wildlife—that includes backyard bird feeders. Feeding birds and other wildlife can often cause more harm than good. Feeding wildlife at any time of year teaches them to rely on humans for food, which puts them at a disadvantage for survival. Bird feeders may increase mortality from window strikes and predation by pet cats, some of the largest sources of wild bird mortality in North America. Supplemental feeding also congregates wildlife into unnaturally high densities, which increases the risk of spreading a variety of bacterial and viral diseases among birds. Bird feeders often draw wildlife other than songbirds including bears, coyotes, wild turkeys, and rodents closer to homes.

The good news is that bird and nature lovers can attract birds naturally throughout the year by adding native plants, bird houses, or bird baths. Read the suggestions below to create a bird-friendly yard.

Food
To attract birds naturally, first you need to attract insects. Birds, like the common chickadee, require native trees and plants close to their nest in order to find enough insects to feed their nestlings. To attract more birds to your back yard native fruit-bearing shrubs (like those listed below) are essential, both for the fruit and the insect fauna they support.

Insect friendly and therefore bird friendly vegetation that you can plant in your own yard:

• Oaks—white oaks are the best species to promote native insects
• Black willow and pussy willow
• Black cherry and common chokecherry
• Birches
• Dogwoods
• Hollies
• Elderberry
• Mulberry
• Juniper
• Viburnums
• Shadbush/serviceberry/amalachier
• Blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, and aronia berry

A healthy mix of native vegetation will draw a variety of species to your yard. Native trees and shrubs that produce berries (like dogwoods, serviceberries, cherries, blueberry) provide fruit in summer and/or fall and are much more nutritious (high in fats and lipids) than fruits of non-native plants. During the summer when birds are nesting, the young are fed almost exclusively invertebrates like caterpillars. Native plants support a much higher diversity and number of invertebrates than non-native plants. This is especially true with caterpillars, which are the preferred food for young songbirds. Growing native plants in your yard can be the best way to attract many species of birds to the area and increase nesting success for chickadees and other species.

Are you looking to attract hummingbirds? Native species of wild bergamot and red columbine have colorful, tubular flowers that will entice hummingbirds and butterflies! You might also include trumpet honeysuckle, cardinal flower, spotted impatiens, Canada lily, and native azaleas and rhododendrons.

Find a list of native plants to attract birds to your yard by soil type and sunlight preference here..

Water
Birds need water for drinking and bathing. To enhance your garden for birds, add a source of water for them like a birdbath or fountain. They are especially attracted to moving to dripping water. Ideally, the water level in artificial birdbaths should be no more than 2 inches deep. A gradual decrease in depth towards the edges allows birds of all sizes to drink and bathe in the depth they prefer. A water drip or wiggler may be added to create the sight and sound of moving water, while deterring mosquitoes. Water should be replaced weekly to keep it clean.

Massachusetts Div. of Fisheries & Wildlife photo.

Shelter
Shelter is as critically important as food and water. Birds need a safe place to rest, preen their feathers, and escape when predators are present. Each night, birds settle into dense shrubs or coniferous trees to sleep. Providing these refuges in your yard is another way to attract birds. Consider adding wood or wicker bird houses for nesting in the summer and roosting during cold winter nights.

Additional tips
We all like to keep a well-maintained yard. But birds like things a little more on the wild side! Leave small piles of branches and leaves around your yard. These will attract ground-dwelling invertebrates—perfect for birds like American robins and northern flickers. The brush piles provide shelter for bird species like the Carolina wren. Decomposing piles will replenish nutrients to your soil over time. When possible, don’t cut down dead trees, also called snags. Snags are favored foraging and nesting places for many species of birds.