BB 04-30-26

BRADFORD BULLETIN

VOLUME XVIII, ISSUE 38

April 30, 2026

FROM THE OFFICE

LOWER SCHOOL IMPORTANT NOTES:

- 3rd & 4th grade Classic Learning Test testing times:
  - May 12, 8:30 & 10:45
  - May 13, 8:30 & 10:45

Please have your children at school at 7:55 sharp in order for them to unpack, settle in, and be ready to receive the instructions needed to be successful on these yearly, standardized assessments.

FROM MRS. MITCHELL: I Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” One of the building blocks for future testimony is the development of meaningful thoughts into sentences through the slow skill of writing. At Bradford we value the process of putting pencil to paper as well as the skill of editing for an outcome of reasoned and excellent work. Last week at the Burlington Writers Club awards ceremony, Bradford’s grammar, logic and rhetoric students claimed 15 of the 21 awards. It delighted us that 9 of the winners were young men! We pray that these skills will transfer to fulfill the scripture mentioned above, to the glory of God. We also want to recognize the giftedness of our teachers who have supported this work.

`UPPER SCHOOL IMPORTANT NOTES:

FROM DR. SMITH: While it is true that it is important to make a good first impression, and so starting well is a significant accomplishment, so too is finishing well. As one who has run many races and coached many runners, I can tell you that while it is easy to speak of having a good finish, it is much more difficult to actually achieve. All the adrenaline and excitement of the start has gone, the entire ordeal has worn on you. We face our finish in a tired state and not the energized excited one of the beginning. It takes determination, courage and resistance to finish well. You must fight to finish well. Ask your son and/or daughter how they are doing in their finish. Their true character is revealed in their finish.

UPCOMING

NEXT WEEK:

Tues, 5/5: 7th CLT testing – 8:00 – 10:30 *Please make sure your students arrive to school on time! And avoid scheduling appointments this day.*
Wed, 5/6: 8th CLT testing 8:00 – 10:30 *Please make sure your students arrive to school on time! And avoid scheduling appointments this day.*
Thurs, 5/7:
- 6th grade: Field trip to NC Transportation Museum
- 12:00 – National Day of Prayer (chorale and choir students will participate) – all parents are welcome to join us at Mebane Presbyterian Church
Fri, 5/8:
- Teacher appreciation day
- Student Council Presidential Elections

IN THE NEAR FUTURE:

Tues, 5/12:
- Student Council Elections
Tues – Wed, 5/12 – 5/13: 3rd – 6th CLT testing
Tues, 5/19:
- 5:45 – Rising 5th and new student: Band meeting – at lower school
- 7:00 – Sports Award Ceremony (Varsity sports) – at lower school pavilion
Thurs, 5/21:
- Last day of TK
- 5:30 – 6:30 – Upper school Art display at upper school campus
- 6:45 – Doors open at Mebane Presbyterian Church for the concert
- 7:00 – Patriotic Program (5th – 12th) at Mebane Presbyterian
Mon, 5/25: Memorial Day – no school
Wed, 5/27:
- Lower school Verse Bee
  - K – 1st: 9:00
  - 2nd – 3rd: 10:00
  - 4th: 11:00
- 11th – 12th Gala
Thurs, 5/28: 10:00 Baccalaureate
Fri, 5/29: LAST day of school
- Noon dismissal
- 7pm – Graduation

SUMMER:

Week of June 22-26: Bradford Summer Soccer Camps
- Rising K5-Rising 6th Grade = 8:30a-12:30p at Walker Field and Old Rec gym
- Rising 7th-Rising 12th Grade = 6:30p-8:30p at MACC Baseball Fields
- Same Prices as last year: $35/day, $125/wk
- Registration coming soon! And other summer sports camps being developed
Saturday, July 4th: City of Mebane Parade and celebration downtown
Saturday, July 25th: 7pm – Sockpuppets game – 40% of sales go to Bradford. Purchase tickets here

FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Transitional Kindergarten (Mrs. Grubb & Mrs. Weber)

The theme for the week in TK was community jobs. Students were joined by the Fire Chief of the Elon Fire Department, an ER nurse, and a nurse/personal trainer. We were able to hear about these jobs and ask questions. Students also listened to several books about jobs and wrote a journal entry about what he/she would like to be when they grow up. The highlight of the week was certainly show & tell where each student dressed up as what he/she would like to be when they grow up. In math this week students practiced identifying left and right and also learned to compare numbers by playing the game of war. This is an excellent opportunity to begin playing the game of war at home! We did not have centers this week due to our community job presentations, but we will have centers again next week. After learning about the Fruit of the Spirit last week, we learned about the story of Saul this week and how the Lord changed his heart and his name to Paul. Students also began learning the last Bible verse of the year, John 3:16. Next week, we will finish the Jesus Storybook Bible with A Dream of Heaven.

Lower School Art (Mrs. Knight)

3rd & 4th

This week in art, our classes worked on an acrylic painting of Renoir’s Woman in a Garden. We are seeking to show light and color the way the Impressionists did.

Kindergarten (Mrs. Rivera and Miss Burdeshaw)

This Week: Our kindergarten scholars are already halfway through the fourth quarter! Time has flown by so fast. As we draw near to the end of the school year, please be working with your child on their bible verses, as we have our Bible Bee in the last week of May. Academically, it was a short week, but we still learned several new things. In math, we learned how to order by length, how to describe and compare by height, how to describe temperature, how to describe and compare by weight, and how to describe and compare by more than one attribute. In phonics, we continued reading “Runs from Guns,” and worked on our spelling list and phonograms. In history, we discussed explorers, specifically the Italian explorer and navigator, Christopher Columbus. We learned about his discovery of America and his adventures along the way! In science, we introduced our unit on the human body and started working on a special project. The students have been excited to learn about the different systems in our bodies and how they work together. God is such an amazing creator who has designed humans and the world around us in such intricate detail!

Memory Work: John 1:1 and review

1st Grade (Mrs. Cantaffa & Mrs. Smith)

This Week:

This week in math, we continued working in Chapter 13 of our Sadlier curriculum. Students have been developing a deeper understanding of the relationship between addition and subtraction through facts. They are learning to use related facts to solve problems more efficiently and to recognize patterns within numbers. This helps strengthen both their problem-solving skills and overall number sense. In reading, we enjoyed Frog and Toad: Ice Cream. Students practiced listening carefully, engaging with the story, and discussing its themes and events. In grammar, we continued learning about abbreviations, focusing on initials and the proper way to abbreviate names. We also introduced abbreviations for months and discussed the seasons, helping students make connections between time, language, and everyday use. In history, we finished reading about George Washington and began reading about the winter at Valley Forge. Students are gaining a deeper understanding of perseverance and leadership during difficult times. In science, students were introduced to the scientific method. They practiced thinking like scientists through a hands-on Skittles experiment, making predictions and observing whether the candies would sink or float in water. In art, students learned how to draw using a one-point perspective. They worked on creating depth in their drawings and carefully coloring their work, producing some wonderful results.

Memory Work: 2 Corinthians 6-7

Upcoming:

Friday 5/1 Teacher Work day
Friday 5/ 8 Teacher Appreciation Day
Monday 5/25 NO SCHOOL
Wednesday 5/27 Bible Bee
Friday 5/29 Last day of school NOON DISMISSAL

2nd Grade (Miss Verroi & Mrs. Eng)

This Week:

The goal in second grade the next few weeks is to finish well. The students have grown so much since August, and it has been such a joy to share in this year of their lives. We have studied the life of King David and Solomon and challenge the students to also choose to obey and follow God. A big part of that is hiding God’s Word in their hearts. It is amazing how many Bible verses the students have learned this year. We are wrapping up our Latin curriculum and will enjoy reviewing over the next few weeks. The students have started writing a personality poem and descriptive paragraph which has allowed them to use the many grammar skills they have learned as well as using their think-to-spell skills along with their creativity. We have spent time reviewing the many multiplication facts we have learned this year. Continue reviewing these over the summer so the students have a quick recall of all the math facts. We are enjoying our adventures with Laura and Mary in their Big Woods of Wisconsin. Once we finish this book it would be a great summer activity to read the other books in this set, which are available at the public library. We encourage you to set some goals for summer reading for your child and enjoy some adventures with them.

Upcoming:

5/14 – Ancient Egypt Project due

3rd Grade (Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Meredith)

This Week

This week, we explored how Constantine the Great rose to power through a combination of civil wars, strategic political decisions, and key alliances that ultimately led to the collapse of the Tetrarchy established under Diocletian. Constantine’s ascent began when his troops proclaimed him emperor, followed by a successful military campaign in Italy and the defeat of rival leaders. A major turning point came with his victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. Constantine later attributed this victory to a vision of a burning cross in the sky, accompanied by the phrase “In hoc signo vinces” (“In this sign, you will conquer”). Constantine had his troops paint the Chi-Rho emblem (the Latin symbol for Jesus Christ) on their shields before winning the pivotal. After securing control of the Western Roman Empire and eventually the entire empire by 324, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, granting religious tolerance and transforming Christianity from a persecuted faith into a favored religion. To connect with this history, students designed their own versions of Constantine’s shields, inspired by the symbols and stories we studied. In math, we focused on identifying and classifying geometric figures, especially two-dimensional shapes, as we explored different types of polygons. In science, we investigated whether molecules are constantly moving and whether they are small enough to pass through materials that appear solid. Ask your student what they discovered!

4th Grade (Mrs. Graham and Mrs. Rankin)

This Week

In history, we studied the life of John Calvin and his influence on the Reformation, alongside earlier figures such as Huss, Zwingli, and Wycliffe. Math lessons focused on data—how to display it and how to choose the most appropriate type of graph, whether a line plot, bar graph, or line graph, depending on the data. Students are continuing to refine their biography reports and are now nearing completion. We also had a special guest in class on Monday—Mr. Vogel, the school’s COO. He taught the students a history timeline and introduced a new term: CAMDREC. Ask your child to explain what it stands for and see if they can draw out the timeline for you. In science, we continued our study of simple machines, focusing this week on pulleys and the wheel and axle. Students were especially interested to learn how Archimedes used a complex pulley system to move a ship single-handedly—something that would normally require many men. It has been a joy to see your children grow in intellect, character, and confidence, and we look forward to finishing the year strong

Upcoming:

CLT – 5/12 – 5/13
Verse Bee – 5/27

LOGIC SCHOOL

Mrs. Johnston

5th – 8th Choir

5th and 6th Grades combined this week to start putting parts together. 7th and 8th continued working to solidify parts. We all combined at lunchtime with the Bradford Chorale to start putting together our combined choirs piece. It was a lot of fun to start hearing the full ensemble!

5th Grade (Mrs. LaTour and Miss Johnston)

This Week

This week in 5th grade, we learned more about our founding father, George Washington. After visiting Monticello last week, students have been even more engaged in learning about the beginning of our nation and our founding fathers. In reading, we are continuing through Treasure Island and wrapping up Chapter 17. Students are enjoying the suspense as Jim and the others remain in the stockade while tensions rise with Long John Silver and the pirates. In math, we began a new chapter on dividing decimals. We are also excited about our Midland Games today and this fun new tradition for the middle schoolers! With only a few weeks left of school and CLTs right around the corner, I am thankful for students who are continuing to work hard and finish the year strong!

Memory Work: “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Speech for Patriotic Program (May 21st)

Upcoming: CLT’s: Week of May 11th

Mrs. Knight

5th Art

This week fifth graders learned about and practiced oil pastel techniques. We are working on copying Renoir’s Cliffs painting.

Mrs. Crotts

6th Math

We concluded Chapter 12 which involved measurements–customary and metric, fluid and solid. (Also, did you know that at this stage the 6th graders’ wingspan equaled each student’s height? This was not true for the current 10th grade and 12th grade!)

Mrs. Palmer

6th Art

Students began a new project this week. We talked about various pen techniques and put them to practice working on pen and ink insect drawings!

Mrs. Frueh

7th Science

This week, students worked hard on their Astronomy presentations. Over the next week, they should practice teaching their lesson several times to parents, siblings, or even just the bathroom mirror.This process of practicing involves timing themselves and determining the best way to use reference notes during the act of presenting. They will continue to work on these skills over the next five years as they prepare for the capstone assignment of their education: senior thesis!

7th Pre-Algebra

Bradford Games and a teacher workday shortened our week. We did have time to practice calculating compound interest. We ended our short week with a unit test.

Mrs. Palmer

7th Art

We reviewed all artists of the quarter this week. Additionally, students worked on a graphite still life drawing. They are aiming to achieve grayscale, smooth blending and accuracy for this project.

Mrs. Frueh

8th Science

We continued our discussion of the six metal groups on the periodic table. Ask your student why the metals in Groups 1 & 2 are extremely reactive, while the transition metals (such as gold, silver, and copper), are much less reactive.

8th Algebra I

Our focus this week was on continuing operations with radicals. After practicing simplifying radicals, we also learned how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide radical expressions. Ask your student what it means to “rationalize” a denominator and how to do it.

Mrs. Palmer

8th Art

Students reviewed all artists of the quarter this week. We also learned about clay and some approaches to using this medium. Students will begin a project in clay soon.

Mr. Crotts

8th Logic

We have looked at everyday examples of informal fallacies.

RHETORIC SCHOOL

From the COLLEGE COUNSELING Office:

9th-12th: What are you going to do this summer?

Rest, read, spend time with family and friends, but also fit in something exceptional!
Mission trips are a great way to spend a week or more helping someone both physically and spiritually.
Attend conferences & camps to further your knowledge of the Bible or learn a skill.
Internships give you the opportunity to observe and even experience jobs in real time.
Work can help you get ahead financially towards “what is next” in life after high school.

Mrs. Palmer

9th Spanish

We spent time working with the preterite tense this week. We also practiced speaking (with proper grammar and pronunciation) in the target language.

Ms. Oldham

9th Rhetoric I

Students finished delivering their Tribute Speeches.

Mrs. Frueh

9th Biology

This week, we continued to analyze the evidence presented in defense of the hypothesis of macroevolution. The purpose of this study is to neither endorse nor ridicule evolution, but instead to understand its foundational tenets and the underlying assumptions made by its proponents. This week we assessed the evidence presented by the geological column, the fossil record, the Cambrian explosion, and structural homology. Ask your student what conclusions can be drawn about the hypothesis of biological evolution from each of these sets of data.

Mrs. Frueh

9th Geometry

Our last topic of study for the year is circles. This week we learned several theorems related to tangents, chords, and arcs. The students quickly realized how important their trigonometry skills are for solving circle problems. Even though there initially doesn’t seem to be a close connection between triangles and circles, many of our triangle calculation skills have helped us solve for unknown circle measurements this week.

Mrs. Crotts

9th Literature

Some of our class participated in the Art Foundations class’ mock Trial; while they were debating away the rest of the class watched the movie version of To Kill a Mockingbird with actor Gregory Peck. We only met one day this week due to the Bradford Games Thursday! (Go, Plymouth!)

Mrs. Fairchild

9th – 11th Art Foundations

We finally had our art mock trial this week. Dr. Smith, Mr. Johnston and Ms. Oldham were our panelists this year. The students presented their evidence and held up well under the rebuttals. It was especially intense when the panelists had their opportunity to question the students on their research and arguments. In the end, the team which argued that Holbein’s painting was about the division of Protestants and Catholics won. The panelists did admit that it was a very close competition and spent considerable time deliberating. It was a nerve-wracking and exhilarating experience for the students and some asked if we had time for one more mock trial before school let out. We do not, but we do have time for some plein air painting in downtown Mebane.

Mrs. Johnston

9th-11th Chorus/Bradford Chorale

We rehearsed with the junior high choirs and also spent some time in the stairwell working through our acapella pieces. Next week Thursday (May 7) we will be performing for the National Day of Prayer Service at Mebane Presbyterian Church. This service is open to the public and begins at noon.

Dr. James

10th Chemistry

This week the students took their second test of Q4 and participated in the Bradford Games.
Next week we will begin our last series of lessons, which will be an introduction to acid-base chemistry.

Mrs. Palmer

10th Spanish

Students reviewed past tenses and vocabulary this week. We spent intentional time speaking in the target language both with and without prompts.

Mrs. Crotts

10th Literature

10th graders read Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea and further discussed deism and what the Bible’s take is on such teaching. We concluded that we are thankful God is not distant, but shows good providence on his children. We only met 2 days this week due to the Teacher Work Day on Friday.

Miss Oldham

10th Rhetoric II

Students finished their Teeny Tiny Thesis rough drafts.

Dr. Smith

10th Historical Theology

We continue our study of Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism. We have been discussing the different views on doctrine, as well as those on God and Man that are held by those committed to Protestant Liberal theology and those committed to biblical Christianity.

Miss Oldham

11th Literature

I met with students about their senior thesis topics. Several have already chosen their topics, which is very exciting.

Mr. Webster

11th History

We finished our unit on the Late Middle Ages dealing with the Black Death, Hundred Years’ War, and the decline of the church.