New Bedford Public Schools

NEW BEDFORD, MA – This week, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education publicly released MCAS results for all schools and districts across the Commonwealth, including tested grades 3–8 in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, Grade 5 & 8 in Science, and Grade 10 in ELA, Mathematics, and Science. This week also brings the release of state accountability determinations, which show how schools are progressing in meeting academic and school improvement targets. Added to the College Board’s recent release of Advanced Placement performance, the results will be presented to the New Bedford School Committee at its upcoming October meeting.

Fernando, a Brooks Elementary School student, cuts the ribbon on New Bedford Public Schools’ Central Kitchen during opening ceremonies held today. (NBPS photo)

The New Bedford School Committee has ratified new contracts with the district’s two largest educator unions: the New Bedford Educators Association (NBEA) and the New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessionals (NBFP).

Congdon and DeValles students join city, state and school leaders in a groundbreaking for their new combined school building, the Congdon-DeValles Elementary School. They will be among the first students to occupy the new school, slated to open in 2027. (New Bedford Public Schools photo)

Keith Middle School staff celebrate their school’s certification as an International Baccalaureate World School. The result of a 2 ½ year review and vetting process, the coveted credential marks the school’s adoption of the I.B. Middle Years Program, the highest standard of teaching and learning based on international criteria.

The largest such event in the region, New Bedford High School’s Annual Fall College Fair is expected to draw students and families from the city and across greater New Bedford, Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Beardsworth-Gonsalves Gym, New Bedford High School, 230 Hathaway Blvd., New Bedford, Mass. 02740. Featuring more than 75 institutions, the College Fair is free and open to the public. Ample free parking is available. “The participating organizations include traditional colleges, technical schools, and military branches. It is important that our students know that there are many different pathways to choose after graduation. We are here to help all our students be Opportunity Ready!” states Jennifer McGuire, NBPS College & Career Information Coordinator. The event provides an opportunity for all students to speak with multiple representatives under one roof regarding their future college-career planning. Recommending the College Fair as an efficient and productive use of time, Ms. McGuire noted, “it’s not too early for ninth and tenth graders to start exploring options for after high school. Speaking with representatives at a college fair helps younger students to understand how to prepare themselves—what courses to take, why it is important to be involved in school and community activities, and how to best set themselves up for success in the admissions process.” Attendees may register in advance at www.strivefair.com/newbedford.

Students first inspired a group of teachers to organize and fundraise for a new playground at Sgt. William Carney Academy. The existing playground was decades old and very small. School counselor Heather Macedo recalls, “One day in a fourth grade class, students asked, ‘when are we going4 to get a new playground? We can’t play on it because it’s too small and there’s many students.’ More questions from the class included concern for their fellow students who were cognitively and physically limited and had less access. I said Wow!” Ms. Macedo reached out to her Carney colleagues, Special Education Teacher Katelyn Poitras, and Teaching & Learning Specialists, Jodie Maitoza and Gina Amancio. The group agreed that based on student input, what was needed was a greatly expanded playground to accommodate the entire student population and neighborhood children for off-hours use. Ms. Maitoza agreed, “It was a wow moment for me, too. It was clear this needed to be a playground for the community as well.”

2,500 backpacks from Cradles to Crayons Massachusetts had the staff of NBPS Family Welcome Center busy Friday morning receiving the huge donation. NBPS Registrar Julie Mador notes, “For nearly ten years, they have continued to support our students by providing thousands of backpacks and very necessary school supplies. Cradles to Crayons and their corporate donors’ steadfast generosity have helped so many New Bedford families and we are so grateful for their continued partnership.”