November and the cooler weather has arrived!  I wanted to update you on current news and exciting developments around the district:

• October was MASS STEM Month: BPS students participate in SE Mass Aviation Career Fair and Mass Zero Waste Challenge
• BPS Achieving Excellence Spotlight: BHS' Shawn Calle wins scholarship at WPI Invitational Math Meet
• Reminder-Focus Groups BIS & BUE: Sign up now for parent focus groups at BIS and BUE on November 12 and 14.

Southeastern Mass Aviation Career Fair

Over the past few years, Barnstable Municipal Airport has made it their goal to get more kids interested in aviation by hosting various events. This year, Barnstable Municipal Airport (Hyannis Airport), in conjunction with Massachusetts Air And Space Museum, Inc. (MASM), airport tenants and other aviation professionals hosted a Workforce Development Expo: “Southeastern Massachusetts Aviation Career Fair” on October 15, 2019, held at the terminal building. 

Exhibitors demonstrated how STEM can help develop workforce leaders of the future. 45 BHS Computer Science and Engineering students attended the Aviation Career Fair. BPS students were able to explore career opportunities/pathways, speak with adults in various industries, participate in flight simulations and tour facilities and equipment. Many connections were made and more opportunities will be available to our students in the near future.  

BHS Students Participate in Zero Waste Challenge

Hosted by Project Lead The Way, TD Garden, MA Department of Environmental Protection, and MA STEM Hub, Engineering Design students at Barnstable High School participated in the "zero waste" real-world design challenge that included K-12 students throughout Massachusetts.

BHS' Shawn Calle Wins Scholarship at Invitational Math Meet

A big shout out goes to our Barnstable High students - members of Mu Alpha Theta - at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Invitational Math Meet, and Shawn Calle, whose scores earned him a scholarship for having the highest ranking on the team. Way to go Shawn and BHS!

The contest held on October 15 consisted of two rounds of competition. The first round was an individual competition and the second round was a team effort. Both rounds consisted of interesting and challenging questions based on the secondary mathematics curriculum up to, but not including, calculus. A short program introduced the students to WPI, as well as a talk about pursuing degrees and careers in the mathematical sciences. 

Those who participated in the math meet are from left to right: Chime Pelzom, teacher Carol Chamberlain, Tyler Bricklin, Shawn Calle, Daniel Silva, and teacher Marlo George.

Join BPS as we conduct parent focus groups in early November at BIS and BUE. 

The goal of the focus groups is to give BIS and BUE parents the opportunity to provide feedback to the district about how BPS can create a more positive learning environment for your child at these schools. The focus groups will be held at BIS and BUE in the evening, and include light refreshments. Sign up at www.barnstable.k12.ma.us under the Families tab.

The BIS focus group will be held on Tuesday, November 12, and at BUE on Thursday, November 14 from 6:30p.m.-8:00p.m.

Superintendent of Schools