We conducted an assembly with our 8th graders on Wednesday, March 30, and because of the emotional depth that surrounds the Holocaust, we only exposed our 8th grade students to our guest speaker, Ms. Kati Preston, but we certainly hope to bring Ms. Preston back for our current 6th and 7th graders in the future.
To: All BCMS 8th Grade Parents;
On Wednesday, March 30, we were extraordinarily fortunate to
have students attend a presentation by Kati Preston who was a “hidden child” of
the Holocaust. Author of the book Closing
the Circle: From Holocaust to Healing, Kati’s message was met by our
students with overwhelming engagement, respect, and admiration. Seldom have we seen students hug a presenter
out of their resonance and gratitude.
Among some of the poignant topics and points Kati spoke
about:
- Kati described what it was like to have to hide indefinitely in a straw barn to avoid being sent to the concentration camp Auschwitz, where many of her family and friends were sent
- Kati talked about what a wonderful opportunity it was to come to the United States and raise her children
- She created an appreciation for the value of being educated and that only through education can people come together and learn tolerance
- Kati described overcoming hatred in being able to move forward in life and to eventually forgive the crimes committed during the era
I often speak to close out presentations done in our
assemblies only to highlight how the presenters’ messages resonate with our
educational and character ideals but with Kati this wasn’t necessary. It is however why I and Mr. Nick Petraccione, our K-12 Social Studies supervisor, are sending this note out to you.
We hope you’ll take a moment to ask your 8th
grader how they felt about the presentation.
We would enjoy receiving any reflections that students care to forward
to us and we will send these to Kati.
Feel invited to forward to either or both of us at; (npetraccione@bcsd.neric.org, or mklugman@bcsd.neric.org).
The Urgent Call to Replace Fear
with Curiosity
On March 22, 2016, Education Week published an article by this title and in it, the authors, Maya Soetoro-Ng and Alison Milofsky,
put out a global call to teach this generation of children to see through
political and cultural messages that control populaces through the use of
fear.
“In the name of cultural or physical survival, it
[fear] can be manipulated to fuel tensions that can spiral into cycles of
violence. Taken to extremes, the results are evident—from sectarian divisions in
Iraq and Syria, to religious divides in Nigeria or Myanmar. Tensions still
threaten in Bosnia Herzegovina more than 20 years after the end of that
crushing war. Fear also contributes heat to the political debates about
terrorism and refugees in the U.S. presidential campaign.”
Among the more poignant
responses of the students to Kati Preston’s presentation was a standing ovation to Kati’s
very similar challenge to our students to educate themselves to the point where
truth, ethics and conscience cannot be diffused by any leadership that uses
fear to do so.
“By helping children practice from an early age
how to critically examine their own needs and identities and understand those
of others, we could better ensure that, as adults, they have the ability to engage
in disputes without turning to violence.”
With gratitude we thank
Ms. Kati Preston for her outstanding presentation grounded in peace, love and
the value of education!
Sincerely,
Mike Klugman Nick
Petraccione
MS Principal K-12
Social Studies Supervisor
End of Week Notes
Well done! A Phenomenal 8th Grade Concert!
- To all of our 8th grade choral, band, and orchestra students for a great concert this past Thursday night (April 7) and thank you to our music teachers, Ms. Daly, Ms. Taylor, and Ms. Van Voris for their leadership!
- Also... A WONDERFUL BAND FESTIVAL!
- Our music festivals make my top 5 'BC favorite events' each year and I shared the following with ALL of our middle school last week:
- I related a story about how a student from another school, when he showed up to a state-level honors band, asked his mother why every other kid in his section was from Bethlehem! YES, the program is that good!
- If you haven't been to one of our festivals and you have little kids who you're interested in inspiring to music, get them to the festival each year!
Impressed by our students
- This past week I was continually impressed by our students throughout our ELA testing
- They demonstrated resilience, grit, patience and an amazing amount of impulse control in being respectful to /of their peers concentration. Even students whose parents made the choice to opt them out of assessments demonstrated tremendous respect for the testing environment by not being disruptive, by following directions and we are grateful to both them and you, their parents! ALL of our students demonstrated a maturity and resolve to act in their best interest that was inspiring!
Reminder - NYS Math Assessments begin Wednesday
The Pavilion Project is well under way
- The BCMS Pavilion promises to be a great addition as a teaching space and as a recreation space for our community. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
- Please visit our PTO fundraising page to read more about the project and make a donation
The Week Ahead
Monday, April 11- Last week of the third quarter
Tuesday, April 12
- Late Buses
Wednesday, April 13
- Day 1, NYS Math assessments grades 6, 7, 8
- Late Buses
Thursday, April 14
- Day 2, NYS Math assessments
- Late Buses
Friday, April 15
- Day 3, NYS Math Assessments
- Friday After School Support (3:00 - 5:00)
