Education Commissioner Jeff Riley announced today from he Beardsworth-Gonsalves Gymnasium at New Bedford High School that New Bedford High School very own ’s Mr. Takeru Nagayoshi is the Massachusetts teacher of the year. Mr. Takeru Nagayoshi teaches Advanced Placement English.
New Bedford High School Jazz Band wins 1st place Division AA “Superior” rating, Chorus and Chamber Orchestra win “Excellent” rating.
The New Bedford High School Jazz Band won First Place in the High School Jazz Division AA with a rating of “Superior,” the NBHS Chorus earned a Second Place in the High School Chorus Division with rating of “Excellent” and the NBHS Chamber Orchestra earned a rating of “Excellent” at the Six Flags New England Music in the Parks Festival in Agawam, MA. It is the first time the Jazz Band has earned a “Superior” rating since 2016.
On Saturday, May 11th, the New Bedford High School Jazz Band, Chorus, and Chamber Orchestra traveled to the Six Flags’ Music in the Parks Festival at Westfield HS and Westfield University.
“This festival provides a great opportunity for our ensembles to receive feedback from renowned adjudicators,” said jazz band director Timothy Mason. “It’s important musically, but it’s also really nice to reward the students for their hard work with a fun performance and trip to a theme park.”
After performing at Westfield High School and Westfield State University, the students and staff attended Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA.
“It was a very great experience and I was glad I was able to perform in the festival for the past six years with various ensembles,” said Sarah Fernandes, senior percussionist and drum set player of the NBHS Jazz Band.
Tyler Rose, senior tenor saxophonist and clarinetist, stated, “I couldn’t ask for a better way to conclude my musical career at New Bedford High School,” when asked about receiving a rating of “Superior”.
“Music in the Parks is a cool festival that I look forward to every year,” said Steven Brum, junior guitarist in the jazz band.
The Chorus and String Ensemble have their Cabaret performances at NBHS May 16th and May 17th in the Little Theatre, and the Jazz Band has their final performance of the year at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House Jazz in the Gardens night on Tuesday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m.
UMass Dartmouth held two Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies today, awarding approximately 1,450 undergraduate degrees to the Class of 2019 at Cressy Field on the university’s 710-acre main campus.
“This is your time to seek out and build a better world that is grounded in civil discourse, civility, mutual respect, and a strong sense of humanity,” Chancellor Robert E. Johnson said. “I now charge you, the Class of 2019, to take your collective genius and go forth with a strong sense of humanity and an unyielding faith to transform the world as a global citizen.”
“I am the first president to graduate from UMass and I know what a UMass education means firsthand. I also know what a UMass Dartmouth education does and the impact it will have on your life. You have the tools, you got the education, now you can set out and accomplish anything in your careers.” said UMass President Marty Meehan.
The afternoon undergraduate ceremony for the College of Engineering and the College of Arts & Sciences featured Congressman William R. Keating, who received the Chancellor’s Medal and delivered the commencement address. Congressman Keating told students “the first thing to remember in this changing world when people say to you that you’re too young for a certain job or to follow a certain path – don’t concede that, don’t be swayed by that. There’s no time for that.”
At the morning undergraduate ceremony for the College of Nursing, Charlton College of Business, and the College of Visual & Performing Arts, commencement speaker Ellen M. Zane, Chief Executive Officer & President Emeritus of Tufts Medical Center, received an honorary doctorate degree and addressed students. Speaking on her groundbreaking career, Zane told graduates “risk is good. If it were easy, anybody can do it. Taking jobs that are hard, harder than other people will want, will differentiate you and will give you opportunities others won’t have…But be cautious, though not cowardly. Be courageous, because courage is contagious.”
The morning student speaker was Silavong Phimmasone (Management Leadership) of Springfield, MA. A student member of the UMass Board of Trustees, Phimmasone told his fellow graduates, “It is a time to embrace the idea that every experience will make us stronger and prepare us to achieve our dreams. And remember, even when life is hard and it rains on us, we will continue to grow from it and the sun will shine again.”
The afternoon student speaker was Nneoma Ugwu (Civil Engineering) who came to UMass Dartmouth from Nigeria. Ugwu spoke of overcoming societal hurdles to becoming a black female engineer. “In Igbo, my mother tongue, there is a saying which is ‘Nwa Agu anaghi ata ahihia’ – meaning a lion’s child does not eat grass,” she said. “You see, a lion always knows they are a lion, even as a child. The lion in me is an engineer. Looking at all of us graduating today, I see a pride of lions.”
The university expects to confer nearly 2,000 undergraduate, graduate degree, and law degrees to the Class of 2019. The graduate and law ceremonies will take place on Monday, May 13 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. respectively.
More about the UMass Dartmouth Class of 2019:
• Graduates come from more than 33 countries, 34 states, and 257 Massachusetts communities.
• The average age of graduating undergraduate students is 24.5 and graduate and law students 30.3.
• Male graduates made up 48.2% of the class of 2019, while 51.8% of the class is females.
• Students of color made up 31% of the Class of 2019.
• For undergraduates, the most degrees were conferred in Psychology, Marketing, Nursing, Accounting, and Crime & Justice Studies.
• The most graduate degrees were conferred in Computer Science, Business Administration, Accounting, Teaching, and Mechanical Engineering.
• The university awarded 32 Ph.D.’s and 48 Law degrees.
New Bedford Public Schools’ annual District-Wide Art Show opened to the public Thursday evening, an annual feature of the May AHA! New Bedford, the popular monthly downtown arts night. More than 2,000 people attended opening night festivities, which included live music by the New Bedford High School Jazz Combo and the NBHS Steel Drumming Ensemble, a talk by local artist Fitzcarmel LaMarre, an awards ceremony and refreshments.
This year’s show features more than 3,000 pieces of student artwork from every New Bedford Public School and grade level. Mounted on dozens of 8-foot tall panels and display tables, art of every medium occupies the length of the first and second floor hallways of the Paul Rodrigues Administration Building, located at 455 County Street at the head of William Street.
The ceremony “is a wonderful display of the hard work and dedication from both our students and teachers,” said Lynn Souza, the district’s Director of Fine Arts.
Throughout the 2½ hour opening celebration, hundreds of attendees streamed up from City Hall Square to the former high school building, as the NBHS Steel Drumming Ensemble, its tropical tunes reverberating throughout upper William Street Arts District, performed on the front lawn of the former NBHS building.
Members of the NBHS JROTC manned the entrances and acted as guides, providing directions and assistance to guests. For opening night only, an exhibit in the main foyer which drew special attention was the New Bedford High School Art Team’s design prototypes for the Vans Custom Culture Competition, a national art contest in which the NBHS footwear designs for Vans have placed in the top five.
The Awards Ceremony was held in the auditorium to recognize recipients of ‘Best in Show for Middle School’ and ‘Best in Show for High School’ awards, as well as Special Judges’ Awards (Gold Key and Silver Key) given to middle school and high school artists with exemplary work. Winners were determined prior to the ceremony by a panel of judges from the New Bedford community.
94 Gold Key and 121 Silver Key Awards were given across the district.
The night belonged to senior Quinn Mulvey, who was awarded New Bedford High School Best of Show and also named NBHS Artist of the Year, for winning several gold key and silver key awards. Quinn’s mixed media painting of the Samuel W. Rodman House, an 1842 Gothic cottage, which houses the Offices of the Inter-Church Council of Greater New Bedford, won NBHS Best of Show.
Notable NBHS Artists (winning 3 or more awards) included Jaylah Castillo, Carolina Sam Lazaro, and Ana Gonzalez. The photography display won Best Collaborative Artwork, which recognized all of the students involved.
At the middle school level, Best in Show went to Makenna Connell, Normandin, for her Women’s Rights portrait. Middle School Artist of the Year went to Omar Ortiz, Normandin, for winning several gold and silver key awards. Notable Middle School Artist went to Siomarilis Santos, Normandin, for winning at least 3 awards.
The Art Show is open to the public, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through Friday, May 17. Admission is free.
New Bedford High School officially began construction of its High Tech Finance Lab with a celebratory groundbreaking ceremony this morning. Attended by school and district stakeholders, city officials, and industry partners, the event kicks off the building of the laboratory, made possible by the school’s grant award of $125,000 by the Baker-Polito administration’s Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet in January.
Superintendent Thomas Anderson noted the Finance Lab project is an example of New Bedford High School’s ongoing improvement initiatives and also expressed appreciation to the many partners involved. “Today’s beginning is the latest example of our intensified focus on capacity building across the district. This high-tech facility will enhance the high school’s accelerated course offerings emphasizing Chapter 74-approved vocational technical education programs. It is being made a reality thanks to our dedicated finance industry partners who serve on NBHS’ Education and Industry Coordinating Council. We thank them for their expertise, time and support at every point in this process.”
The laboratory, which will be located in the high school main core across from the school store, will feature high definition stock tickers, market data walls, advanced technology, and collaboration stations. The laboratory will provide project-based finance and business experiences for students in the Finance Academy, as well as the new Chapter 74 Vocational program in Business Technology, anticipated to begin in the fall.
Headmaster Bernadette Coelho observed “The Finance Lab will expand our ability to provide students the most up-to-date learning environment for the business finance and investing industries. This lab comes on the heels of our new Biotech Lab, which provides students interested in the life sciences industry with a university caliber facility to study and practice the newest laboratory techniques. We want to ensure our graduates are career-ready and have had opportunities for hands-on experience in their chosen fields of interest as they enter college or the workplace.”
New Bedford High School has enhanced its existing Career Vocational program with new programs and equipment over the past year. School officials have identified the construction of the finance lab as a hallmark of this initiative.
“Today’s ceremony is another example of our new program offerings affiliated with Career Vocational Technical Education, said Christopher Cummings, Manager of Career Vocational Technical Education. “Our lab will support our commitment to providing realistic workplace experiences and will provide exceptional preparation for careers in finance and business. We intend the lab to serve as the flagship financial training center for high school students.
The planning for the laboratory involved school staff and industry and civic partners from advisory committees that support the integration of instruction for vocational education at the school. Notably, the school’s general advisory committee, the finance advisory committee, and the finance lab construction subcommittee all provided guidance on equipment and curriculum that will serve as the foundation of the activities.
Berta Varao, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of New Bedford Credit Union expressed appreciation for the unique project. “We are honored to be part of the soon to be constructed Finance Lab at New Bedford High School. Students will benefit greatly from this state-of-the-art-facility. We join the community in celebrating this important accomplishment for New Bedford High School.”
The event was facilitated by students from New Bedford High School’s new Hospitality program, who planned the celebration and served breakfast to attendees. The Hospitality program previously facilitated the Mayor’s State of the City address, also hosted at the high school, in March.
New Bedford High School’s Business, Finance and Hospitality program is part of the school’s offerings of Career Vocational Technical Education programming and is affiliated with the National Academy Foundation’s Academy of Finance. In addition to Finance, the school offers career pathway programs in Instructional Technology, Health Sciences, Engineering, Early Childhood Education, and Criminal Justice. For more information about Career and Technical Education at New Bedford High School, please contact Christopher Cummings, Manager of CVTE at 508 997 4511, ext. 20799
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This is a FREE basketball clinic at New Bedford High School for all New Bedford students in grade 2-grade 7 (ages 7 – 13). This will be a great opportunity for our youth to become familiar with the high school basketball program while providing our high school student-athletes an opportunity to teach a passion of theirs and give back to their community.
Online registration is open: https://forms.gle/xU47tLnbzVfsJjZFA
WHEN:
May 11, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Registration begins at 12:30
Three firefighters arrived at Bishop Stang today, not in response to a fire alarm, but instead for a very positive reason. Students at Bishop Stang, under the guidance of the National Honor Society Advisor, Donna McDougal, and the leadership of National Honor Society President Gage Ramsden, raised funds in support of the Dartmouth Fire Department and presented a check in the amount of $1,000 today in memory of fallen firefighter Christopher Roy. Fire Chief Richard Arruda, Captain Cory Pimental, and Assistant Chief Theodore Borges were on hand to receive the check from Gage and Mrs. McDougal.
For his efforts in raising the money for this donation, Senior NHS President Gage Ramsden was awarded the South Eastern Region NHS Student of the Year at the State Leadership Conference at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester on Wednesday, April 3rd 2019.
Gage created a fundraiser in memory of fallen firefighter Christopher Roy, who was killed in the line of duty this past December. Gage explained his motivation, “I myself am a firefighter, on call in my hometown, and worked that day so that others from my department could attend his funeral. Chris was a model fireman, a great learner and friend, and watching his funeral on tv and watching his daughter, now with no parents, cry, I was moved to act. I could only imagine that being one of the people I work next to every day. I approached the NHS executive committee and administration at my school, and together we decided to hold a fundraiser to raise money for the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, which could benefit his family, and for Dartmouth Fire Department, for any training and equipment that would better prevent another tragic situation.”
The fundraiser was held on St. Patrick’s Day, when Bishop Stang students were invited to dress out of uniform, and the event raised more than $1,000 for the cause (remaining funds were donated to the the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation). Gage related “This is a very personal fundraiser for me, and I am very proud of being able to do something to benefit his memory.” In addition to the accolades of being named the regional student of the year, Gage received a plaque and a check for $500 from the MSAA that can be used towards his college expenses.
[Photo attached] Pictured left to right: Kathy Ruginis, Assistant Principal for Academics, Donna McDougal, NHS Advisor, Gage Ramsden, NHS President, Fire Chief Arruda, Captain Pimental, and Assistant Chief Borges
Bishop Stang High School has announced the launch of a Learning Differences Program, offering students with special education needs the opportunity to experience the school’s tradition of excellence in Catholic, college-preparatory education. Through a generous grant from the SEAL (Specialized Education For All Learners) Foundation, the program will provide the necessary resources to help Bishop Stang students reach their full potential.
President/Principal, Peter Shaughnessy noted: “We are tremendously excited to offer this program to students with learning differences and their families. The development of this opportunity is rooted in our mission to be a diverse and inclusive community that serves all of God’s children. Through the generosity of the SEAL Foundation, and with the support of our diocesan Catholic Schools Office and Bishop da Cunha, we now have the resources to support students with learning differences so that they might thrive and flourish.”
SEAL Founder and President, Kerry Peroni also commented on this new partnership: “The goal of SEAL will be to provide schools with affordable resources, support for children who have identified learning differences and the hiring of personnel to teach them. In the spirit of the Catholic Church’s mission to love and accept all, SEAL will bring in and utilize services for children with learning differences.”
Katherine Gaudet, formerly of Friends Academy as the Assistant Head of School and the founder of the Sally Borden Program enthused, “I am thrilled to have been appointed SEAL’s Executive Director to lead Bishop Stang High School in this inspiring endeavor. SEAL will work together with the entire community to shape a Learning Differences Program that engages its students, faculty and the greater community in understanding learning differences so that the school community embraces this educational approach.”
The following was submitted in response to the comments on the recent story: Congdon School teacher details rodent infestation, severe mold and bats at school:
“After reading online stories and comments implying that the James B. Congdon Elementary School just needs a good cleaning, I felt a responsibility to address some of the misconceptions that are out there.
The reasons we need a new building for the students at Congdon (and at John B. DeValles) are not related to the building being unkempt. The issue is that the building is too old to accommodate the educational and social-emotional needs of students living in the 21st century.
A look inside Congdon further proves my point.
For example, the principal is unable to add more technology in the classrooms because the electrical system in the building is unable to support it. There is no access to student bathrooms or water fountains anywhere except the basement. The cafeteria is also in the basement of the building.
Four classrooms on the third floor have no windows and two offices on the third floor have no heat in the winter. The third floor is used as a library, a gymnasium, and an auditorium. The specialist teachers’ desks are on the stage in the auditorium/gymnasium/library because there aren’t enough classrooms for all teachers. There isn’t adequate office space; the main office and nurse’s office is a shared space.
There are two English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in one classroom. The special education teachers are doubled up in one classroom, and the reading specialist shares a space with an ESL teacher. There is limited space for speech therapy, occupational therapy, or counseling in the building. The classrooms don’t have drop ceilings, causing noise to travel and it to be noisy in the building at times.
The current principal at Congdon took the position almost five years ago. Since her first day, she has worked tirelessly to clean out the building and address and remedy any and all health and safety concerns.
The recent problem with rodents came about immediately following a pipe repair in the basement, which created easier access for rodents to enter the building. An exterminator is in the building weekly to address the problem, which is making trapped rodents more visible. The current custodial staff work very hard to maintain the cleanliness of the building and address any and all concerns.
Many visitors have come to Congdon this year after it was designated a school of recognition by the state. The Mayor, members of the school committee, the Commissioner of Education, delegates from many other districts, State Senators, newspaper, radio, and television reporters, Leadership Southcoast members, and New Bedford firefighters have all toured Congdon this year. Many of the visitors commented on how clean the building is despite its’ age and that they would love for their own children to attend Congdon.
Despite the limitations the staff and teachers face at Congdon, they do what is necessary to make the best of the facility and give the students what they need to be successful. Needless to say, I was disappointed with the city council’s vote not to send a statement of interest to the state to begin the process of building a new school.
I spend more time at Congdon than my home, by choice. Congdon is not my child’s neighborhood school, but I love Congdon so much I requested special permission for her to attend Congdon. It is an amazing place to work and have my child attend. I would never put my child or myself in a school that was dirty, unhealthy and/or unsafe. The teachers and staff work hard every day to provide the students with a great educational experience. Trust me, I know first-hand.”
Justine Santos – Assistant Principal at Congdon
New Bedford High School has been chosen as one of the top 50 schools in the 2019 Vans Custom Culture Competition, which carries a $75,000 grand prize. Vans Custom Culture was created to inspire and empower high school students to embrace their creativity through art and design and to bring attention to diminishing arts education budgets.
As one of the top 50 semifinalists selected from 500 schools around the country, NBHS art students are asking the community to vote for their design submissions for a chance at the Grand Prize. Vote online at customculture.vans.com. Voters may vote every day through Friday, May 3. Four runners-up will also be selected from the competing high schools, each school receiving $10,000. Vans will announce the winners on Monday, May 6th.
In addition to their design submissions, the NBHS team had to explain how the $75,000 grand prize money would be used to benefit their school community if they won. The NBHS team includes Lucas Amaral, Liliana Moreno Cornejo, Jennifer Dinh, Eryn Evangelho, Tiara Hatchett, Nicholas Letourneau, Keegan O’Malley, Aries Robertson, and Jerahmell Valentin.
High school art students across the country were commissioned with two pairs of blank Vans shoes, tasked with illustrating the themes of “Local Flavor” and “Off the Wall.”
Lynn Souza, NBPS director of fine arts, noted how art students applied their collective talents to the competition. “This has been a great opportunity for students to follow through on a project from drafts to a completed product. Students worked together to execute the designs and really had to think about the themes.”
Art teachers used the design templates given by Vans for the students to individually submit ideas. Teachers then discussed the work as a team and reached out to the students who incorporated the strongest design elements based on the themes. Those students, and others interested, chose to work after school to combine their ideas and execute the final designs on the shoes.
Vans, a Division of VF Corporation, is a “leading action sports lifestyle company and the original skate shoe manufacturer since 1966, designing, marketing, and distributing footwear, clothing and accessories.”