Scouting Around Town

Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England Celebrates Cookie Season with Seventh Annual Cookies & Cocktails Event!

On March 9, 2023, Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England is celebrating Girl Scout cookies with our delicious annual fundraising event, Cookies & Cocktails!

Once again, the festivities are shaping up to be an incredible evening celebrating 106 years of Girl Scouts selling cookies. Local chefs will be creating scrumptious desserts using everyone’s favorite treat—Girl Scout Cookies! We have partnered with some of your favorite restaurants: Hemenway’s, Boat House, Res American Bistro, Ellie’s, Safehouse, Barnaby’s Public House, and Crepe Corner to showcase our cookies “out of the box”.

Proceeds from Cookies & Cocktails will directly support our high-level programming focusing on mental health and well-being, camperships for youth in foster care, and making Girl Scouting accessible to all who want to participate. We want to ensure that everyone who wants to be a Girl Scout can be a Girl Scout. In today’s environment with increased inflation, we understand the impact this has on many families’ ability to take on additional expenses such as their children’s activities.

Attendees will enjoy savory hors-d’oeuvres, tasty Girl Scout Cookie creations, the opportunity to bid on silent and live auction items, and live music. Tickets to this event are $75 per person. The evening will be emceed by the one and only Mario Hilario WJAR—a treat in itself! Chef Frank Terranova will once again be joining us for a live recipe demonstration with Mario Hilario. (Please note this is a 21+ event.)

The event is scheduled for Thursday, March 9th from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at the Crowne Plaza (Plaza Ballroom) located at 801 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, RI.

Free ample parking is available for your convenience. Purchase tickets and learn more about the event at gssne.org/cookiesandcocktails!

We Are Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs across Southeastern New England, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit gssne.org, follow @gssne on Instagram, follow @GirlScoutsofSNE on Twitter, and like us on Facebook at www. facebook.com/GSSNE.

Pack 1 Rehoboth Celebrates Annual Blue and Gold Ceremony

The Cub Scouts of Pack 1 Rehoboth held their annual Blue and Gold ceremony at the Dighton Rehoboth High School on Wednesday February 15th. They had a busy night with about 130 people in attendance and started things off by presenting four special awards: Aiden Shaw received the Den Chief Service Award, Dane Medeiros and John Cameron V both received the God and Family Awards, and the final award was given by the Leaders of Pack 1 to John Cameron IV, the Volunteer of the Year Award. After eating supper, they presented the five oldest Cub Scouts, Benjamin Bourgoin, Dane Galloway, Kassin Lewis, Dane Medeiros, and Jordan Nguyenle with their Arrow of Light badges. In keeping with tradition this was their final Cub Scout rank and it marked the end of that journey. Those five boys then crossed over the Pack 1 bridge out of Cub Scouts and were met on the other side by members of the Boy Scouts in Troop 13. This ceremonial act also marks the beginning of their Boy Scout journey and was the final event of the evening.

Once again, Pack 1 Rehoboth congratulates all the award recipients, especially the Arrow of Light boys, and wishes them well in their future adventures with Troop 13!

Thanks to the most recent advances in laser dentistry, many dental procedures can now be completed without the need for anesthetics, vibration or the disconcerting whine of the dental drill. Dr. Alan Merchanthouse employs just such technology in a relaxing country setting in Rehoboth. For the highest quality dental care – furnished by a highly trained and friendly staff of dental professionals – call (508) 252-6121 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Alan Merchanthouse.

Rehoboth Girl Scouts Troop 494

Seekonk Public Schools Awarded Multiple Grants

Seekonk -- Superintendent Rich Drolet is pleased to announce that Seekonk Public Schools (SPS) has been awarded grants from the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE) and the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS).

“I want to thank the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security and the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators organization for these generous grants that will provide new opportunities to the students and staff members of Seekonk Public Schools,” said Superintendent Drolet. “I am thankful for our Director of Technology and Digital Learning Colleen Terrill and Mr. Weissman for their willingness and enthusiasm to support these programs for the overall betterment of our school community.”

MassCUE Classroom Grant

SPS was awarded $2,900 in funding from the MassCUE organization as part of the MassCUE Classroom Grant program.

SPS plans to use grant funds to purchase equipment and materials to support the integration of the new State Robotics Program at the Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School.

Equipment and materials being purchased include VEX Robotics electronics and sensors to increase the capacity of robots students will build in class. Specifically, optical sensors will be purchased to provide sight for the robots, distance sensors to provide more accurate movements and GPS sensors for location-based programming.

The Robotics program will also utilize funding to purchase the Vexcode V5 programming system, a python based language. With the integration of this program, students will learn about the foundations of the programming language in order to create code to make the robots functional.

With this new equipment, teachers will have the opportunity to increase their knowledge through more advanced coding and provide students with the opportunity to design, build, program and test working robots to perform different tasks.

The MassCUE Classroom Grant intends to provide recipients with an opportunity to bring new innovative ideas into their classrooms.

Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant

SPS was also awarded the Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant from the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) as part of the Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant program. These grants are awarded to government agencies in Massachusetts to improve cybersecurity posture through end-user training, evaluation, and threat simulation.

Beginning in March, SPS will participate in the Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant program’s Abbreviated Training Track Option 2, one of three training tracks offered by the program in 2023.

With the help of the grant, the school district will educate approximately 300 staff members on cyber threats and provide training and best practices for keeping the community’s data as secure as possible.

SPS Director of Technology and Digital Learning Colleen Terrill has been designated as the local coordinator, responsible for overseeing local participation in the program.

Participation in the program is monitored by issuing regular progress reports and communicating regularly with the designated local coordinator(s) on program action items.

Seekonk Public Schools Awarded Grant Funding to Benefit Biomedical Innovation Pathway

Seekonk -- Superintendent Rich Drolet is pleased to announce that Seekonk Public Schools (SPS) have received grant funding from the One8 Foundation for Project Lead The Way to benefit the school’s Biomedical Innovation Pathway.

“I would like to acknowledge and thank Seekonk High School Principal, Dr. Bill Whalen, for writing this grant application and continuing to promote innovative programming that will benefit all students,” said Superintendent Drolet.

The $57,868.07 grant will be distributed over three years to help support Seekonk High School’s Biomedical Science programming. Grant funds will be used to implement three courses in the school’s curriculum and also fund the purchase of equipment and durable supplies, as well as teacher training. The three newly implemented classes include Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems and Medical Interventions.

All three classes are available to any Seekonk High School students and no prerequisites are required. Classes must be taken in progression.

The school’s current Biomedical Pathway will be modified to include the new courses, which will replace the programs’ existing Biotechnology and Human Anatomy courses.

“On behalf of the entire district, I would like to sincerely thank the One8 Foundation for this generous grant,” said Superintendent Drolet. “This funding will allow us to expand our curriculum and offer students new opportunities for a successful future.”

This is the second round of funding Seekonk High School has received from the One8 Foundation. In 2020, Seekonk High School was awarded funding from the One8 Foundation for Project Lead The Way to benefit the school’s engineering program. Grant funds were used to implement three courses in the school’s curriculum including Engineering, Principles of Engineering, and AP Computer Science Principles. The grant also funded equipment, durable supplies and teacher training.

“I would like to thank Science Department Head, Dave Bonneau, and Associate Principal, Erica Thomas for their collaboration and continued efforts to offer these courses to students as part of the master schedule at Seekonk High School,” said Superintendent Drolet.

About Project Lead The Way

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing students PreK-12 across the United States with courses in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. The main focus of PLTW is to provide an engaging classroom where students can develop and apply transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. To learn more about Project Lead The Way, visit www.pltw.org.

About the One8 Foundation

The One8 education team identifies, supports, and scales highimpact applied learning programs that engage students actively in their learning and prepare them for success in a rapidly changing, data-rich world. One8 is committed to building a future where highquality applied learning opportunities, oriented around STEM and Twenty-First-century skills, that make learning relevant, stimulating, and rewarding, are a regular part of the student experience driving impact for all students. The One8 Foundation currently supports four applied learning programs in the Commonwealth: OpenSciEd, PBLWorks, Project Lead The Way, and ST Math. To learn more about the One8 Foundation, visit www.one8.org.

Congratulations to the following chorus students who will be representing Beckwith Middle School in the annual Junior SEMSBA Music Festival: Olivia Couto, Claire Kiselica, Madeleine Nystrom, and Anne Reed. These singers auditioned against several middle and high school students from Southeastern Massachusetts and were selected to participate in the SEMSBA festival that will be held in early May. During this two-day festival, students will have the opportunity to rehearse a varied repertoire of music under the direction of a special guest conductor which concludes with a performance that family and friends can enjoy. Congratulations!

Local Students Receive Honors at Saint Raphael Academy

Saint Raphael Academy congratulates students from Bristol County who have achieved honor roll status for the second quarter marking period in academic year 2022-23. They are:

Highest Honors

• Grade 9: Emma Chartier (Rehoboth)

• Grade 12: Cooper Skenyon (Seekonk)

First Honors

• Grade 10: Amanda de Abreu, Lucas Rosa (Seekonk)

• Grade 11: Shiwei Carlson (Seekonk)

Second Honors

• Grade 9: Ashley Carpio (Rehoboth)

• Grade 11: Travis Chartier (Rehoboth)

• Grade 12: Evan Cady (Rehoboth)

Saint Raphael Academy is a diocesan, Catholic, college preparatory school founded in the charism of Saint John Baptist de La Salle and rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Academy provides a comprehensive and competitive college preparatory high school experience to about 500 young men and women from diverse backgrounds and prepares each student for a life dedicated to learning, leadership and service. Over 95 years, the Academy’s more than 8,000 graduates have gone on to careers in business, law, medicine, education, science and engineering. We are more than just a school community -- we are a family.

Bay View Students Shine at Northeast Scholastic Art Competition

East Providence, RI – St. Mary Academy - Bay View is proud to announce that students have received awards in the prestigious Scholastic Art Award competition. Two Bay View students were honored with coveted Gold Key awards, four students earned Silver Keys, and three students received Honorable Mention.

The nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were founded in 1923 and, for nearly a century, have inspired bold ideas in creative teens throughout the country.

Submissions are evaluated in numerous categories, including design, digital art, mixed media, painting, sculpture, and ceramics and glass. The entries are classified according to media, then sorted by grade level. Panels of regional jurors, made up of museum curators, college and university professors, and professional artists evaluate the work in a blind judging process with Gold Key works automatically advanced to the national level.

Students will be recognized at the Scholastic Awards Regional Key Celebration that will stream live on Wednesday, March 15 at 7:00 pm. Local winners’ art is pictured here.