Weekly Newsletter | May 27, 2026
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Dear Bromfield Middle School Families,
We are truly in the home stretch now! As the end of the school year approaches, nearly every day brings either a culminating experience - such as upcoming class-specific field trips - or an opportunity for students to look ahead to next year. I want to highlight a few of those experiences in today’s newsletter.
In the coming weeks, students in Grades 6 and 7 will have opportunities to submit their preferences for next year’s classes. Our rising 8th graders will be asked to rank their preferred Fine & Performing Arts courses from among Art, Band, Chorus, and Theatre. Students may take up to two of these courses - one each semester. Based on lessons learned this year, we have made adjustments that should allow more students to participate in Art, Band, or Chorus for both semesters if they choose. (Full-year Theatre is not an option at this time.)
Our rising 7th graders will also select their Fine & Performing Arts courses, and will choose whether to continue their world language study in either French or Spanish.
While our current 8th graders have already completed the course selection process for their transition to Grade 9, they are nonetheless among the busiest students in the building as we approach the end of the year. Next Tuesday, June 2, 8th graders will complete their final MCAS of the year - the Civics exam. As with all testing days, students should plan to get a good night’s sleep, arrive on time, and come prepared with a fully charged device, writing utensils, and a water bottle.
Of course, the year will culminate with our Grade 8 Celebration, where we will honor the hard work and accomplishments of the Class of 2030 as they complete their middle school experience and transition to TBHS. The Celebration will take place on Wednesday, June 17 at 1:00 PM in the Cronin Auditorium and will conclude at approximately 2:15 PM. Following the ceremony, we will gather for light refreshments with students, families, and guests.
If any parents or caregivers of Grade 6 or 7 students are interested in helping to organize refreshments for after the ceremony, please feel free to reach out to me at dhudder@psharvard.org.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mr. Daniel Hudder
Bromfield Middle School Principal
Upcoming Events:
Fri, May 29 Grade 6 field trip: Museum of Science Tue, Jun 2 Civics MCAS - grade 8 only Fri, Jun 5 TBHS Graduation Wed, Jun 11 Grade 7 field trip: Boundless Adventures Thu, Jun 12 Grade 8 field trip: Old Sturbridge Village Tue, Jun 16 TBMS Field Day Wed, Jun 17 Grade 8 Celebration at 1:00 PM Thu, Jun 18 Half day and last day of school!
Upcoming Celebrations & Observances:
Wed, May 27 Eid al-Adha Mon, Jun 1 First day of Pride Month Mon, Jun 1 First day of Caribbean-American Heritage Month
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WEEKLY UPDATES
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SIXTH GRADE
Science
Over the past several weeks in science, students have been exploring space science and physics concepts that help explain how our universe works.
We began by studying gravity through the lenses of both Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein. Students explored Newton’s understanding of gravity as a force of attraction between objects, followed by an introduction to Einstein’s revolutionary idea that gravity is connected to the bending of space and time. Through discussions, demonstrations, and models, they examined how gravity affects motion throughout the universe.
Students also investigated the basics of inertia and motion, learning how objects resist changes in movement unless acted upon by an outside force. These concepts helped them better understand everything from moving vehicles to planetary orbits.
Building on these foundations, students then connected gravity to the science behind tides. They discovered how the gravitational pull of the Moon—and, to a lesser extent, the Sun—creates the daily rise and fall of Earth’s oceans as our planet rotates into and out of tidal bulges.
From there, we will transition into studying moon phases and eclipses. Students will examine how the changing positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun create the lunar phases we observe each month, as well as the conditions needed for solar and lunar eclipses to occur.
For our final science topic of the school year, students will investigate the causes of the seasons. They will explore how Earth’s tilt and orbit around the Sun create seasonal changes in temperature, daylight, and climate patterns across the planet.
It has been wonderful watching the students ask thoughtful questions, challenge ideas, and make connections between the concepts that explain the world around them.
Flex
After watching a video about Chinese vs American Mahjong, students wrote short paragraphs about the impact of the game. Then, volunteers from Harvard's COA came to teach a few students the game during FLEX.
 
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SEVENTH GRADE
In English, seventh graders are half way through the final novel study of the year: The Outsiders. This unit provides many opportunities for review of seventh grade ELA standards, along with creativity and collaboration. While reading the text, students complete four bookmark assignments to learn new vocabulary, identify main ideas, analyze important quotations, and check comprehension. In addition, students have already completed two creative assignments. In the first, students completed a narrative retelling of events from the story. The catch was they had to rewrite the story from the opposite character’s perspective. A second creative activity asked students to create a visualization drawing of Robert Frost’s poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” To accompany their illustrations, students explained their artistic choices and how their art depicted both the meaning of the poem and the connection to The Outsiders. Looking ahead, students will have opportunities for collaboration when we complete a station activity to analyze the symbols within the text. Finally, upon ending the book, students will write a reflection on what it will mean for them to “stay gold” as they enter their final year of middle school!
In Flex, seventh graders are about to embark on teambuilding challenge activities. Each Flex teacher has prepared a collaborative competition that requires students to work together to complete the challenge. We will have our first two rotations this week, and the final three rotations next week. Two of the challenges include: building the tallest freestanding tower with the given materials and designing catapults with the goal of launching a given item the furthest. Look out for next week’s newsletter to read about the three remaining challenge activities!
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EIGHTH GRADE
In the eighth grade hallway, students recently co-created a visual representation. The design is a tree. It is Jem’s tree -- the trunk, the leaves, the knot-hole, and the treasures which are fixtures of Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. We asked, and students responded: what makes Jem Finch happy? What are his ambitions? Now, as we finish reading Lee’s novel, in the aftermath of the trial, Jem has entered the adult world, and Lee’s genres are in full view. This is a crime novel and a mystery novel. We have known from the first sentences that Jem will have his arm badly broken. We also know he will survive. We know he will continue to play football -- he can pass and punt. As the students finish reading Lee’s novel this week, they are focusing their reader radars once again on Jem Finch. At the novel’s end, what makes Jem happy? What are his ambitions? And now, two additional questions: What are Jem’s struggles? And who are the figures who keep his dreams alive?
In Flex, students had a wonderful opportunity to continue their attunement on love, inclusion, and trust late last week. In and out of Flex, students continue to model these values in so many ways, including in their warm reception of our new food drive on behalf of Loaves and Fishes. The drive is our final formal service drive this year, and it is for kid-friendly summer foods and swim diapers. All donations are welcomed through June 5. (Please see the flyer below, and please reach out to Ms. Hodgens with any questions.) Also in Flex, students have read To Kill a Mockingbird and prepared responses for fishbowl discussions in ELA. Additionally, students have used Flex time to study and to work on group assignments in academic support.
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UNIFIED ARTS
Hey everyone it's Kae Pierron the art teacher here with your UA update for this week's newsletter!
Students are working on some fun projects!
6th grade is working on Portrait Projects!!
They are drawing a self portrait and then painting it with water color. Finally they finish the artwork by collaging images they made or found that they feel connected to their identity.
 
7th grade finished their repetition projects! They came out great!
  
And finally 8th grade just finished their choice projects and are creating dream landscapes!
 
 
Thank you to anyone who came to support the arts for the Fine art reception on the 13th! It was a beautiful night and the children’s art really shone like stars.
Hope you enjoyed a peek into the art room. Have a wonderful rest of the school year everyone!!
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PTO NEWS AND EVENTS
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LAST CHANCE
Harvard Public Schools PTO – Annual Spring Soirée Fundraiser (2026)
Theme: School Spirit!
Get ready for a fun night out with friends, neighbors, and the Harvard school community! The Harvard Public Schools PTO invites you to our Annual Spring Soirée Fundraiser—a high-energy evening celebrating School Spirit while raising critical funds for PTO programs that support our students and teachers all year long.
Wear your favorite school colors, college gear, spirit wear, or your best “school pride” look and join us for a night of food, drinks, and fundraising for a great cause.
Friday, May 29, 2026 - this week!
5:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Craft Food Halls, Boxborough
$115 per ticket - still on sale!
https://secure.givelively.org/event/harvard-pto-inc/2026-pto-spring-soiree-tickets
The PTO supports the whole Harvard Public School community. Even when your children transition to TBMS and TBS, the PTO is still hard at work supporting them! From academic enrichment and classroom resources to student programs and special events, PTO-funded grants make a real impact at every grade level. We invite all school community members to be part of this work. Curious how PTO funds are used? Check out recently funded grants here. Ready to make a difference today? Join the PTO and help continue these valuable programs by becoming a member here. Want to get involved, or have questions? Email info@harvardpto.org
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COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS
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Select Board Survey
The Harvard Select Board is hoping to increase participation in Town Meeting by making it more accessible, particularly for families with children. Please take a minute to complete this Town Meeting Scheduling Survey: https://www.harvard-ma.gov/798/Please-take-our-survey
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Charter Review Committee Seeks Feedback
Please provide input to the Charter Review Committee by taking a short survey. The committee is working to identify what's working and what needs improvement with the Charter that has been in place for about 10 years. Responses will help guide the committee in determining what needs to be amended, discarded, or introduced. Please take 5-10 minutes to respond using the link below. It can also be found on the town website. The survey will be open until the end of May, but don't wait! Thank you for your help.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaW0FzbQAgnAmGZyC7cS2lRvZAdEIVanv8DMVAdA-jR-V4UQ/viewform
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Learn to Row on Bare Hill Pond this summer!
Join us rowing for fun and fitness! Grades 6 to Adult. 2-day classes start in June. Some classes will fill, so register early to get the sessions you want. Register at www.barehillrowing.com/summer Email cbsands-bohrer@barehillrowing.com with questions.
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The Harvard Ultimate Club, or HUC, is a high school ultimate frisbee team located in Harvard Massachusetts that strives to promote the rapidly growing sport of Ultimate within our community and to enhance a sense of camaraderie, competition and the spirit of sportsmanship in young athletes. Open to students in grades 6 - 12 Website
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THE BROMFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Daniel Hudder, Principal
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| 14 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard MA, 01451 | (978) 456 - 4145 |
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