Poet Enzo Silon Surin, Sturgis Charter West student Amelia Stoots, Stugis Charter East student Tilly Peet, Falmouth High School student Marcello Roggiolani, Bourne High School student Abby Crook, Bourne High School student Atlas Anderson, Poet Michelle LaPoetica Richardson (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools)

BOURNE -- Bourne Public Schools is pleased to share that students from multiple school districts participated in a poetry workshop and poetry slam at Bourne High School this week.

On Tuesday, April 9, 33 students from Bourne High School, 25 from Bourne Middle School and 27 students from visiting school districts came together to participate in a poetry workshop and slam poetry contest. Visiting schools consisted of Falmouth High School, Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, Mashpee Middle-High School, Sturgis East and Sturgis West. 

The event was emceed by guest poets Enzo Silon Surin and Michelle “LaPoetica” Richardson. Both guest poets led the morning poetry workshop. They shared how they became involved in poetry and expressed to students the power of poetry to voice unspoken fears and reframe from life struggles.

Surin is a Haitian-born award-winning poet, author, educator, speaker, publisher and social advocate. Richardson is a North Shore poet and spoken word artist who has been involved with Peabody TV, WGBH, and other arts organizations. Both guest poets led the morning workshop.

During the workshop students worked on a variety of writing exercises, including some poems that were read at the poetry slam. Examples of writing included a list poem inspired by the prompt "Who do you bring into a room?" and "I'm pretending not to know ..."

"Poetry gives us a beautiful opportunity to connect with others without fear of judgement," said BHS student Atlas Anderson. "Many poems were incredibly personal and emotional-- including my own. The point of the Slam was to keep our poems within that safe space, so that's where mine will remain."

Following the workshop, 30 students in total including 15 BPS students participated in the poetry slam. From those students, five finalists were chosen. Finalists were tasked with creating two original lines to present in the final round of the poetry slam. The finalists were judged by a panel made up of teachers who rated both content and delivery.

The top five poetry slam finalists were:

• Atlas Anderson, Bourne High School - Grade 10
• Abby Crook, Bourne High School - Grade 9
• Marcello Roggiolani, Falmouth High School - Grade 11 
• Amelia Stoots, Sturgis Charter Public School West - Grade 9
• Tilly Peet, Sturgis Charter Public School East - Grade 10

Sturgis Charter Public School East student Tilly Peet was chosen as the grand champion.

“I am proud of Bourne High School for taking a leadership role and providing space and time for uplifting student voice. Poetry is a powerful and positive form of self-expression and I am thrilled to celebrate and share the success of our school's poetry workshop and outstanding student performances at the poetry slam,” Principal Dr. Lisa Maguire said. “The creativity displayed by our students is truly inspiring. Their hard work, passion, and unique voices have not only enriched our community, but also inspired us all to appreciate the power of poetry."

Bourne Public Schools thanks the Nye Foundation and Market Basket for generously sponsoring the poetry event.

Over 80 students from Bourne Public Schools and five visiting schools came together to participate in a poetry workshop and slam poetry contest. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools)

Bourne High School student Abby Crook was chosen as a finalist in the poetry slam contest. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools)

Bourne High School student Atlas Anderson was chosen as a finalist in the poetry slam contest. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools)

Grade 6 teacher Olivia Rauss demonstrates microscope use. (Photo Courtesy Bourne Public Schools)

BOURNE - Bourne Public Schools hosted a highly successful 3rd annual STEAMPosium event last week at the Bourne Intermediate School where students got to take part in a variety of fun activities and games while learning about STEAM-based topics.

Each year, the annual STEAMPosium event features a variety of hands-on activity stations for students and their families to enjoy. The goal of the evening is to promote interest in various topics in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. BPS staff and volunteers promote an understanding of how all of these subject areas can be connected.

Organized by PreK-5 Curriculum Director Lisa Dix and elementary STEAM teachers Antonia Perry and Sherri Correia, the big-top circus-themed night entertained more than 300 student participants and their families, while highlighting the interconnectedness of STEAM. 

“Once again the STEAMPosium did not disappoint, as we saw a record number of families in attendance," said Bourne Intermediate Principal Jane Norton.

Throughout the night, families made their way through a maze of activities. Activities included elementary student-made math and midway games, as well as engineering design and creative arts stations staffed by Bournedale and Bourne Intermediate teachers and support personnel.

Grade 7 science teachers Eve Vidito and Sarah Lavoie demonstrated magnetism and static charge at their station, while their colleagues Marissa Parrish and Shaunna Aflague led students through virtual reality adventures. 

Curriculum Director Dix, reflecting on the night’s success, said "This event has quickly become a student favorite." “I had a student tell me, ‘This was so fun. I wish we had this (night) every week.’”

Grade 6 science teacher Olivia Rauss demonstrated a high-resolution microscope, while Bourne High School students from Aimee Jarominski’s AP Biology and Anatomy and Physiology classes showed their younger peers how to pipette using colored water, how to assemble show anatomical models and how to measure CO2 production with Vernier probes.

“Teachers and students from Bourne Middle School and Bourne High School joined this year’s STEAMPosium resulting in a real sense of unity," said Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Barbara Starkie. "They took over parts of the ‘big top’ in support of the importance of STEAM education from Pre-K to graduation.”

Superintendent Quinlan-Zhou, Pre-K-5 Curriculum Director Dix, teacher Perry, and teacher Correia thank the Bourne PTA for volunteering their time and equipment, as well as the many staff and students who contributed to the night’s success.

Grade 7 Science Teacher Sara Lavoie, demonstrates magnetism and static charge. (Photo Courtesy Bourne Public Schools)

Bourne High School AP Biology and Anatomy and Physiology students hosting a table at STEAMPosium. (Photo Courtesy Bourne Public Schools)

Noelle Colbert has been hired as the new principal of Bourne Intermediate School. (Photo Courtesy Bourne Public Schools)

BOURNE -- Superintendent Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou is pleased to announce that Noelle Colbert has been hired as the new principal of the Bourne Intermediate School.

Colbert will begin her new role on July 1. She will replace current Bourne Intermediate School Principal Jane Norton, who will retire at the end of the school year after serving the district for 31 years. 

“I am excited and honored to take this next step in my career and begin my position at Bourne Intermediate School,” Colbert said. “I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working with the faculty and teachers, as well as getting to know the students and their families.”

Colbert brings a wide range of educational experience to her new role. From 2014-2020 she served as principal of Benjamin Phelps School for the Agawam School District where she established a building-wide strategic plan, and developed a Multi-Tiered System of Support, focused on developing proactive practices to support all learners, staff, and school community members- academically, behaviorally, and social-emotionally. 

Colbert is the owner of Colbert Educational Consulting, founded in May of 2022. Colbert Educational Consulting works to provide ongoing professional development, coaching, and strategy plans to school districts. As part of this work, Colbert collaborates with schools to establish and develop Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and MTSS leadership teams. In addition, the organization provides training opportunities for schools to develop an effective understanding of how to respond to students presenting with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. This consulting work focused on issues of importance to the role of principal such as promoting positive school climates and meeting the needs of all learners. 

Colbert has also held the title of educational consultant at James Levine & Associates and as assistant principal of the Bellamy Middle School for Chicopee Public Schools.

She holds a Masters of Education from the College of Our Lady of Elms, a bachelor's degree from Westfield State University, and is currently enrolled in American International College to earn a doctorate in mental health counseling. 

“Noelle will be a wonderful addition to our team at Bourne Intermediate School and we are thrilled to welcome her,” Superintendent Quinlan-Zhou said. “She has invaluable experience as an educational consultant and principal, and we are confident that she will be a great leader for our students, parents and faculty.”

Along with Superintendent Zhou, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Barbara Starkie, who led the search for Bourne Intermediate's new principal, extends her thanks to the students, parents/caregivers, staff, administrators, and Search and Recommendation Committee Members for their time and commitment to the search process.

"This process, which involved several rounds of candidate interviews and presentations, was both inclusive and thorough," said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Starkie. "All members of the BIS community had the opportunity to participate. Our combined efforts yielded an instructional leader who meets the candidate profile we developed collaboratively. Welcome, Mrs. Colbert, to BPS!"