W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School
Week at a Glance, News and Notes
June 9, 2023
Note from the Principal:
Things are really getting busy as we wrap up the school year. Only two weeks left until the summer!!! Our fifth graders and seventh graders did their annual treks to Pleasant Valley for the Audubon field days. Our sixth graders had their annual field day at French Park. The eighth graders go next week to Catamount and the Cove, and the afternoon at French Park. The seventh grade is on their Boston field day today! And I just returned from a trip to Philadelphia with the Du Bois Legacy Project. So much learning happens in the classroom, but so much also happens when kids can get real with field study. That is where content comes alive, and where students have to put their social-emotional learning to work. I am so indebted to the educators in this learning community who are creative and develop these intensive learning experiences for our students.
Please drop me a note if you have feedback or questions at ben.doren@bhrsd.org.
Be well,
Ben Doren
Principal
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Monday, June 12
Regular School Day
Tuesday, June 13
Regular School Day
Wednesday, June 14
Regular School Day
Thursday, June 15
Regular School Day
Friday, June 16
Regular School Day
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Families of 5th-7th graders: DBM is thrilled to launch a One School, One Story program for the fall of 2023 with the novel Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. This is a wonderful, funny book about empathy, friendship, and perseverance that we know families will enjoy. We are asking ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF to read the book this summer, so that when we return to school in August we can host discussions, activities, and even an author visit! Next week, students will be introduced to the book and given their copy during crew. It is also available as a free audiobook online, by logging into our school’s digital Sora library at soraapp.com/welcome. Stay tuned this summer for info about 2 read-aloud events at school with faculty members as well! Please look for the book coming home with students on June 14! E-mail Jennifer Guerin at jennifer.guerin@bhrsd.org with questions.
BHRSD Bike Rodeo:
Please join us on Saturday, June 10 from 9:00-12:00 for a Bike Rodeo with the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Program, Berkshire NEMBA, and other Berkshire bike organizations! We will have several on- and off-bike activities for students to participate in to help them have fun and be safe on their bikes! This is a free event, but please register so that we can plan our activities. Students should bring their bikes and helmets… we will have safety gear to provide to those in need, but will do a lot of activities that require a helmet!
Important information:
- When: Saturday June 10 from 9am – 12pm
- Where: W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School (back of school)
- Parking: DBRMS Back Parking Lot
- Who: ANY BHRSD Students (all ages) and family members
- What to Bring: Bike, helmet, water
- Check-In: Basketball Court Entrance
- Activities: Playground/picnic area, courts, and field
- Rain Plan: Light Rain we will continue as planned, persistent/heavy rain or thunderstorms will cancel (check EventBrite for updated information)
Chorus Concert
The Spring Chorus Concert is coming up on Wednesday, June 14 at 7:00PM in the Du Bois cafetorium. Singers arrive to warm up at 6:30PM wearing black bottoms and red or maroon tops. This will be a free concert of about a half hour length with a variety of music and even a soloist or two. We hope to see you there!
Summer Project Connection registration and information
Hello DBM Project Connection Family: We are happy to let you know that Project Connection’s Summer Program at WEB Du Bois is scheduled for July 10th – August 10th, 2023. This 5-week program combines the magic of camp with the excitement of learning through activities centered around social emotional/physical wellness, STEAM, and nature exploration.
DBM Summer Program Information:
Dates: July 10th – August 10th
Days/Times: Monday – Thursday
Grade Level: Students entering grades 5th – 8th in Fall 2023
Times: 8:45 am-3:00 pm. Drop Off: 8:45 – 9:00 am. Pick Up: 3:00 pm *Limited bus transportation will also be available.*
Please click on this link for information and the registration form.
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REMINDERS:
BERKSHIRE HILLS YOUTH SOCCER CLUB
Berkshire Hills Youth Soccer Club will be having a Summer Clinic! Players from pre-K – 8th grade are encouraged to sign up and play! All sessions will be held at Monument Mountain Regional High School on the back fields. Will be held the week of June 26th-June 30th. Each day will run from 9:00am-12:00pm. The cost for the single week session will be: $250. Space is limited to the first 80 grade 3 to grade 8 players and the first 20 pre-K to 2nd grade players. REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON MAY 1, 2023. Sign up today! Please reach out with any questions: Matt Naventi – mnaventi@gmail.com. Brendan Heck – speedyheck@yahoo.com. Sean Flynn – sean.flynn@bhrsd.org
Berkshire Humane Society donations
The Berkshire Humane Society in Pittsfield is in urgent need of supplies. Please send the following items into the school if possible, and we will get the donations to the organization: Pupperoni or soft treats, laundry detergent, floor cleaner, paper towels, garbage bags, dry dog kibble, liquid hand soap, new dog toys, rabbit and guinea pig toys and chews, absorbent bedding, disinfecting wipes, cat litter, dry cat food, and Lysol.
Black Arts Council Grant
For those who don’t already know us, the Berkshire Black Economic Council, Inc. (BBEC) would like to introduce ourselves to you as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that aids and advocates for economic development with respect to education, neighborhood revitalization, arts and culture, business ownership, social programming, environmental justice, and the recruitment and retention of Black businesses in the Berkshires. As a means of accomplishing our mission with respect to arts and culture, the BBEC has an intergenerational Black Arts Council that actively works with and for the community to respond to the Black community’s need for an inclusive and trustworthy arts sector. The BBEC’s Black Arts Council is thrilled to announce the launch of its Black Arts Council Grant, a funding opportunity designed to support Black youth pursue their passion for the arts. The Black Arts Council Grant program will award funds to finance the purchase of art supplies and equipment for youth ages 7 – 22 years old. All forms of art are welcome and celebrated including but not limited to music, visual arts, photography, textiles, theatre/performing arts, graphic design, mixed media, and more. Promotional materials are attached to be shared with your Black art students. Applications are open to Black youth, and close on Monday, May 15, 2023, at 11:59 PM EST. The grant application is live on Submittable (an online submissions platform that saves your work as you go). Younger applicants (ages 7-14) may complete the application in person with a parent/guardian at the BBEC office on select Sundays between the hours of 10 am – 12 pm. Advanced scheduling is required for in-person applications. In-person application sessions will take place on:
- Sunday, Apr 23, 2023
- Sunday, Apr 30, 2023
- Sunday, May 7, 2023
To schedule an in-person appointment, please contact Erica Barreto (assistant@berkshirebec.org, (413) 441-0111). To view the application online, visit: https://berkshirebec.submittable.com/submit/260421/black-arts-council-grant-2023 If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact us directly. Thank you, in advance, for your consideration!
2023 Days in the Arts (DARTS): Berkshires Student Registration Form
BSO Days in the Arts: Berkshires 2023, A collaboration between the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Association of Volunteers. Dates and Times: Tuesday, June 27- Friday, June 30, 9:00am – 3:30pm
Link for registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEB9xPLPiNnjrVfj3BIfkDIEWw6ut04h86SLs03o6K4NmKHQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0
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Flyers and School Letters
Flyers and School letters are available on our website at this link: https://dbrms.bhrsd.org/category/families/flyers/
This week’s flyers:
- Housatonic Party in the Park
- GB LIbraries Summer Reading Program
- GB Libraries Newsletter
- Project Connection Spring Showcase
- Bike Rodeo
- BHTA Youth & Adult Summer Programs
- Community Conversations–The Brien Center
- Monument Girls Cross Country Team Interest Meeting
Recent flyers:
- Eisner Day Camp
- GB LIbraries Newsletter
- Smile like Jack Fishing Contest and Road Race
Older Flyers:
- Youth Flag Football 4/30
- GB LIbraries April Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/townofgb/gblibrariescovertocover-april2023-8278153
- BSO Days in the Arts: Berkshire 2023
- Flying Fish Swim Team: BSRCC
- GB/Housy Earth Day Town Wide Clean Up
- Swim America Lessons
- Boys & Girls Basketball at Berkshire South
- Project 351 Clothing Drive
- Get Boosted Gift Card Appointments