School News

Seekonk Public Schools Recognizes Student and Staff Accomplishments

Superintendent Dr. Rich Drolet would like to recognize the many accomplishments of students and staff throughout Seekonk Public Schools.

“Throughout the year, we have an endless stream of exciting accomplishments to the point where it becomes hard to share all the positive news surrounding our district’s staff and students,” Superintendent Drolet said. “I would like to take this opportunity to publicly recognize some of the great accomplishments to celebrate within our district.”

Jennifer St. Michel Named Recipient of MassCUE Pathfinder Award

In October, Hurley Middle School (HMS) library/media specialist Jennifer St. Michel was presented with the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE) Pathfinder Award at the annual MassCUE Conference at Gillette Stadium.

St. Michel was nominated by her peers for this award for going above and beyond to share with her colleagues including building websites for teacher’s classrooms, promoting cultural diversity in the middle school library, encouraging teachers to use technology such as the green screen in their classrooms, help with the use of interactive panels for the Drama Club, and more. She also volunteers her time at the Seekonk Public Library.

In addition to her recognition at the MassCUE Conference, St. Michel also presented a session with Suzanne Larson called “From Fee to Free: Moving to Google Sites for your District Web Platform” as well as another session with Kimberly DeLeo called “The Shark Infested Waters of Google Workspace & Free Graphic Design Apps.” In addition, HMS teacher Tammi Miller presented a session, as well as Director of Technology and Digital Learning Colleen Terrill and Superintendent Drolet.

Marine Science Class Incorporates Scuba Diving Into Curriculum

This year marked the first year in which Seekonk High School (SHS) marine science teacher Matthew Wills invited students’ families to participate in his class’s scuba diving experience. Additionally, Michael Lombardi, SHS Class of 1997 and professional diver, was also invited to join Wills’s class underwater.

For the past sixteen years, Wills has incorporated scuba diving into his marine science class in collaboration with East Bay Dive Center in Warren, R.I. The program, Seekonk’s Discover SCUBA Diving, is a modified introduction to a scuba diving course that connects to the class’s curriculum. The East Bay Dive Center has volunteered its time and equipment 18 times since its collaboration with the school began.

Following his visit, Lombardi wrote an article about his experience scuba diving alongside Seekonk High School students. To read the article, click here.

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2nd Annual Seekonk Veterans/Seniors Community Leaf Rake

For the second year in a row, Seekonk High School Assistant Principal Matt Bosh has led and coordinated a leaf raking/yard cleaning volunteer event in which some staff, parents and many high school students rake and clean the yards of Seekonk Veterans and seniors in need.

Last year, five adults and 37 students raked five yards. This year, the effort has more than doubled with 17 adults and 151 students that volunteered to rake 13 yards on Saturday, Nov. 19.

Student Shoutouts

Seekonk High School junior Jack Hoskins is being recognized for his great show of sportsmanship during a volleyball match at Fairhaven.

On Oct. 19, Hoskins genuinely and wholeheartedly congratulated a player on the other team after the player hit Hoskins’s backward shot and scored a point instead of Hoskins. After witnessing this show of sportsmanship, a Fairhaven parent emailed Athletic Director John Moran praising Hoskins. Hoskins was then also acknowledged by Principal William Whalen in the SHS Newsletter for his empathy, which is one of the district’s Vision of Success competencies.

Seekonk High School sophomore Josh Toledo is also recognized for his selfless and very caring act of helping a staff member in need in November. A staff member was experiencing a medical emergency when Toledo broke her fall and then provided her comfort. The following day Toledo and Dr. Rosamaria Carlozzi checked up on the staff member as well. Toledo was also acknowledged in a November SHS Newsletter by Principal Whalen for exemplifying resilience, which is another one of the core competencies in the district’s Vision of Success.

This year, 17 adults and 151 students from the Seekonk High School community volunteered to rake 13 yards on Saturday, Nov. 19. (Photo courtesy Seekonk Public Schools)

Seekonk High School Announces 2022 Recipient of Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Award for Academic Excellence BankFive and SouthCoast Community Foundation Launches $1.2 Million President’s Scholarship Fund

Seekonk -- Superintendent Rich Drolet and Principal William Whalen are pleased to announce that Seekonk High School senior Ava Lyon was selected as the district’s 2022 recipient of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Award for Academic Excellence. The M.A.S.S. Award of Academic Excellence is presented by the superintendent to a deserving

SHS Senior Ava Lyon student in each school district throughout Massachusetts. To be considered for the award, the student must be a member of the senior class with a cumulative GPA that places them in the top fifth percentile of their class. The nominee must also consistently demonstrate leadership, social responsibility, respect for their fellow students and involvement in various aspects of the school community.

Lyon has been recognized for her academic success, dedication to school organizations and leadership roles, and community service.

Lyon is currently ranked at the top of her class having taken numerous honors and AP courses throughout her time at Seekonk High School. Her strongest coursework is in math and science as she hopes to work in the medical field upon her college graduation.

Lyon is involved in many activities and extracurriculars at Seekonk High School, such as the Student Council and serving on the Executive Board for the National Honor Society. She also has been a varsity athlete on the fall soccer team and spring girl’s tennis squad since her sophomore year.

On the weekends she works at the Flatbread Pizza Company in Providence. She also has volunteered at the Miriam Hospital in Providence where she discovered her interest in pursuing a career in the medical field, and at the Rhode Island SPCA as she has a long-standing love for animals. Lyon is also a strong supporter of environmental and conservation causes, as she and her mom have been members of the World Wildlife Foundation.

“Ava stands out in the Seekonk Public Schools community not just for her academic excellence, but also for her leadership and enthusiastic participation in several different clubs and sports, in addition to her after-school job and volunteer work,” Superintendent Drolet said. “Best of all, Ava exudes positivity and promotes excitement in everything she does, which is admirable. I would like to thank her for her contributions to our Seekonk school community, as well as congratulate her on the scholarship.”

Added Principal Whalen, “Ava is an important piece of the puzzle that makes up Seekonk’s 2023 senior class. Not many students graduate with the list of accomplishments that Ava has accumulated, however, she is modest about it all. On behalf of the high school community, I would like to congratulate Ava on her many accomplishments.”

Lyon will be presented with the award and a $1,000 Francis W. Gallishaw Memorial Scholarship alongside her family, Principal Whalen and Superintendent Drolet at the South Coast Educational Collaborative’s Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 15 at Bridgewater State University.

Fall River-based community bank, BankFive, and the SouthCoast Community Foundation have teamed up to create the President’s Scholarship Fund. The scholarship was established to honor the memory of past presidents & CEOs of BankFive.

BankFive and its leadership value the importance education plays in an individual’s career. As an organization dedicated to serving and improving its community, the Board voted to allocate $1.2MM to establish a scholarship fund. Scholarships will be available to students from BankFive communities that are pursuing a college education and provides a four-year scholarship to a graduating senior from Bristol County, MA, Bristol and Newport County, RI, to attend an accredited college or university. This scholarship is awarded with consideration of either academic achievement or financial need. The scholarship is renewable each year that the student is enrolled full-time and meets eligibility requirements.

“BankFive has always been committed to reinvesting in our communities, and that includes investing in the futures of the children and young adults who live here,” said BankFive CEO Anne Tangen. ”We are so proud to partner with BankFive in offering scholarships to South Coast students. The foundation is committed to improving education opportunities in our region, and this is a huge step in that direction,” said SouthCoast Community Foundation President Leonard Lee.

Interested students can apply online by visiting www.southcoastcf.org/scholarships. The scholarship application period is January 9- March 1, 2023.

St. Luke’s School Announces Honor Roll

The following Seekonk residents have achieved Honor Roll status at St. Luke’s School in Barrington for the recently completed trimester. Grade 7: Second Honors: Cyanna Devaney.

The following Rehoboth residents have achieved Honor Roll status at St. Luke’s School in Barrington for the recently completed trimester. Grade 6: First Honors: Liam Kelley, Chloe Ruehrwein. Grade 7: First Honors: Joseph Ptaszek. Second Honors: Max Buckley Grade 8: Second Honors: Luke Moitoso.

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The Beckwith Middle School Winter Chorus Concert was December 12th at 6:30 p.m. at the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School Auditorium. Beckwith Middle School Chorus leader Lynnette Lopez led the fifth grade, sixth grade, and combined seventh and eighth grade chorus groups. The performance began with a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and continued with many memorable selections including “Dominick the Donkey,” “Bring on the Snow,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “Let it Go.” The chorus members did a great job showcasing all of their hard work!

The Beckwith Middle School Band Concert was December 13th at 6:30 p.m. at the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School Auditorium. Band leader Jesse Francese and the Beckwith band students were excited to finally be able to perform the music that they have been working hard to prepare. Students performed solos and small group and grade level ensembles

Beckwith Middle School Band Concert

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On Monday, December 19, 2022, D. L. Beckwith’s Community Service Group sang holiday songs for the seniors’ luncheon at the Rehoboth Council on Aging, 27 Francis Farm Road- Francis Hall, Rehoboth, Massachusetts. In addition to singing, the children gave each senior a handcrafted snowman that they diligently created over the past several weeks. Approximately, eighty seniors attended the luncheon.

Beckwith’s Community Service Group at the Rehoboth Council on Aging,

Palmer River News Update

The months of December and January have been very busy at Palmer River. Under the direction of Mrs. Grant, our music teacher, 70 fourth graders performed a percussion/bucket drumming show at Home Depot in Seekonk. They raised money and donated canned goods to the Rehoboth Food Pantry. Additionally, Mrs. Grant worked with our second-grader teachers and students to perform a cup routine to the song “Hot Chocolate” during their Polar Express celebration. A special thanks to Home Depot for allowing our students to perform.

Also, during the month of December, our Student Council held a spirit week. Students celebrated spirit week by dressing in their pajamas, wearing their favorite color, and showing off their DR Pride and their wacky winter wear. A great time was had by all that participated.

Our students also visited the Snowflake Shop and the Scholastic Book Fair. At the Snowflake Shop, students were able to purchase gifts for their loved ones that they picked out. They also enjoyed shopping for new books at the Scholastic Book Fair. A special thanks to our PTSA for hosting both the Snowflake Shop and Scholastic Book Fair.

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