Weekly Newsletter | February 26, 2025
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Dear Bromfield Middle School Families,
Welcome back from break! This week I want to highlight our school report card from DESE. Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. A link to our school’s report card is available at: Bromfield Middle School
The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more.
Report cards are designed to be useful tools for everyone connected to our school. Families can use the information to have meaningful conversations with us about what the school is doing well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the information to better understand how to support students and our school.
You will notice on our report card that our MCAS scores were exceptional in 2024, with 80% of 8th graders achieving scores of Meeting or Exceeding Expectations in math, 90% doing so in English language arts, and 95% doing so in science.. Even with this success, we continue strive for improvement. We have continued our focus on Universal Design for Learning, so that we can better meet the needs of ALL students. We have re-envisioned our Flex period for students to better access academic supports while also developing social-emotional skills. And we are actively implementing systems to use data to better find students in need of support and establish structures to meet those needs with efficiency.
We encourage you to become involved in helping us improve our school. We see parents as critical partners in the success of our students and school, and we are grateful for your continued support.
If you have questions about our school’s report card, would like to become involved in school improvement activities, or would like to request information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher, please contact me or Dana Labb. To see our district’s report card or to search for other schools’ report cards, visit reportcards.doe.mass.edu.
I did also want to mention that Grade 7 will be starting the SoS (Signs of Suicide) program as early as this week. If you have questions, please reach out to Ms. Faulconer or Ms. Steed, or please see the email sent to all Grade 7 parents and caregivers this week.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mr. Daniel Hudder
Bromfield Middle School Principal
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WEEKLY UPDATES
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SIXTH GRADE
In ELA, we are in the middle of a mini argumentative writing unit where we are looking at the benefits of recess through a variety of multimedia sources and articles. Benefits we've discussed so far include physical activity, SEL benefits, and increased focus in the classroom. Class discussions so far have been lively! The two main assignments for this unit will be a class debate and writing an argumentative email where students use evidence from the sources we went through in class to argue for what they think the perfect recess looks like for TBMS students. This week they also completed their vocabulary quiz for this unit, and the average score was much higher than normal—great work! Quick reminder that students' notes for their nonfiction independent reading project are due 3/3 and their final project is due 3/10.
In Flex, students have continued to make progress on their Black History Month projects. Student presentations are scheduled for Friday, February 28th. During this time, students will engage in discussions with their classmates about the notable Black figures they researched. These informal conversations will expose students to numerous outstanding achievements and challenges that these individuals accomplished and overcame.
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SEVENTH GRADE
In social studies, students examined and analyzed primary sources that describe the philosophies of rulers from India’s ancient empires. In doing so, they considered characteristics of good leadership, and discovered ways that modern day India has honored its early statesmen. Over the next few days, the roles and contributions of common people will also be evaluated as students visit a series of stations about India’s Golden Age.
This week brought an end to a series of STEM team-building challenges during FLEX. The pictures to the right provide a sampling of the hands-on activities that students worked on in small, cooperative groups. In addition to providing academic support, time will be dedicated to address the importance of a positive school environment and our roles within the school community.
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UNIFIED ARTS
Middle School choruses are currently working on skill-building, vocal technique, and new repertoire in preparation for the May 7th Spring Concert. We are improving reading skills/music literacy, and connecting notation to solfege. We have had several students audition for Central Jr. District chorus and band, with 5 accepted. This is a wonderful achievement, and we are proud of all who made the commitment to audition!
Theatre classes continue to work on creating characters, and writing their own plays in small groups. They are doing wonderful creative work!
Bromfield's production of The Addams Family is a wonderful work in progress - we are getting closer to our performances on March 14-16. Students are working hard memorizing lines, songs, and choreography, while the crew readies all the details and moving parts. We are excited to share this show with the greater community, and celebrate the hard work of everyone involved!
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PTO NEWS AND EVENTS
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Calling all Harvard Public Schools families!
Join us March 12 7PM for our PTO Winter Meeting
We’re trying something NEW (that’s old) and having an IN-PERSON meeting this March 12th at 7-9 pm at the TBS library. This meeting is an opportunity for you to:
learn about our district’s organizations and committees that support the schools (including PTO, Harvard Schools Trust, and the School Committee) connect with other parents share your ideas and feedback see how you can get involved and stay informed enjoy some snacks This meeting is open to the HPS parent, caregiver, and teacher and staff community. If you've ever wanted to learn more about the PTO, Harvard Schools Trust, or School Committee and how their work relates to the educational experience in Harvard, this meeting's for you! For questions, email info@harvardpto.org. RSVPs appreciated but not required.
Please see the attached flyer as well.
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COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS
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Try rowing this spring!
Spring programs are on our website and include the programs below - no experience needed for any of these:
- Saturday 6th/7th grade is for Harvard residents and Bromfield students, and is on Saturdays.
- 8th Grade Middle School rowing - For Bromfield or Acton-Boxborough students and Harvard residents - this meets three days a week after school, so athletes can continue to pursue other activities
- Novice Competitive High School Team - For Bromfield or A-B students and Harvard residents - this meets five days a week with weekend races for all athletes. Typically athletes join Freshman or Sophomore year, but Juniors jump in too! It's never too late to start rowing!
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The Review is excited to announce that we've opened submissions for this year’s literary magazine!
If you have any sort of written essays, poetry, short stories, physical or digital art, or photographs that you’d like to share, then we encourage you to submit them to us! There’s no sort of criteria on what to send in-- if you like what you’ve created, then we suggest that you share it with others by submitting it to The Review Google Classroom (Classroom code 6jkbr5i) by FEBRUARY 28th 11:59 PM. All of the submissions will be printed in a physical magazine that will be available schoolwide free of charge. You can either submit material anonymously or choose to be credited.
Please keep in mind that if your submission is art or photography, it will automatically be considered a contender for the Review's cover and the student whose art is chosen will receive a $10 Dunkin' gift card. If you would like to be excluded from the competition, however, you may indicate so in the "Private Comments" section of your Google Classroom submission.
If you have any questions, please contact Isaiah Geraldez (25igeraldez@psharvard.org), Del Howland (25dhowland@psharvard.org), or Mr. Murphy (pmurphy@psharvard.org).
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New Moon Hike: Explore the Night Sky!
Join the Harvard Conservation Trust for an unforgettable New Moon Hike on Friday, February 28, at 7:00 pm! This is your chance to step into the magic of a starlit night, discover constellations under the dark sky, and enjoy refreshments with family and friends. Don’t miss this special opportunity to connect with nature and your community.
Event Details:
• Date: Friday, February 28
• Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Location: Meet at the Bromfield Tennis Courts - Barba's Point Trail
Reserve your spot here
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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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