BB 05-23-25

BRADFORD BULLETIN

VOLUME XVII, ISSUE 42

MAY 23, 2025

 

FROM THE OFFICE

FOR ALL: 

 

FRI, JULY 4TH:  Bradford will be participating in Mebane’s 4th of July celebration downtown.

  • 9:00 – 12:00
  • Students will help Mr. Johnston recite the Declaration of Independence
  • Students can bring their bikes or scooters to the decoration station and then join in the parade.
  • Please let us know if you can join us by emailing office@bradfordacademy.org

Bradford Books:  Please look through your home, your child’s room, the car for any books that belong to Bradford and please return them by Thursday next week.

Summer Soccer Camp Registration: 

  • Week of June 23rd-27th 
  • Rising K5-6th grade students – 8:30am-12:30pm
  • Rising 7th-12th grade students  – 6:00-8:00pm
  • Additional information about the camp can be found at this link.
  • Invite a friend to attend camp with your son or daughter. 
  • REGISTER HERE before June 5th and each camper will receive a free soccer camp t-shirt!

Immunizations:  REQUIREMENT – All students in rising Kindergarten, 7th grade and 12th grade are required to receive and submit updated immunizations.  These must be on file with the school prior to the first day of the 25/26 school year.  Please schedule appointments and submit the records via TADS.  

LOWER SCHOOL- IMPORTANT NOTES: 

There are still 3 spots available for volunteers for Field Day.      Click here to sign up.  Check the grade level before signing on.

FROM MRS. MITCHELL:  

Wondering how to keep kids engaged over the summer? The first house competition of the 2025/2026 school year begins on May 31st, the first official day of summer break.  Lower school students can check out books from the school’s library, which directs reading appetites to curated fiction, historical fiction, nonfiction and biographies.  Look for library availability and books lists in your student’s red folder on Thursday of next week.  Click on the link to view the contest titles from the Bradford Library.  Many of these series are available at local libraries or used book stores.  We also hope that families will enjoy reading aloud together from some great classics.

NEXT WEEK:
    • Mon, 5/26:  Memorial Day – no school
    • Wed, 5/28:
      • K – 4th grades:  Verse Bee
        • K – 1st:  9:00 
        • 2nd – 3rd:  10:00
        • 4th: 11:00
      • 11th – 12th grades:  4:45 – Gala at the White House on Washington
    • Thurs, 5/29:
      • 10:00 – Baccalaureate (upper school)
  • Fri, 5/30:  Last day of school!  *Students may wear t-shirts in house colors and black athletic shorts. *  
    • 6:45 – Seniors – Breakfast with the Headmaster at Hursey’s BBQ
    • 7:30 – Drop off begins for all students (K-12th) at the lower school campus
    • 8:00 – Forum in the auditorium
    • 8:30 – Kindergarten certificate ceremony.  Kindergarten parents are welcome to join us!  
    • 9:00 – Field day for lower school and ultimate frisbee for upper school
    • 11:30 – House cup winner announced, closing ceremony, countdown to summer!
    • 12:00 – All students dismissed!  No afterschool care!!
    • 7:00 pm – GRADUATION for Class of 2025

 

FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK

 

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

 

Transitional Kindergarten (Mrs. Grubb and Mrs. Weber)

       TK students spent the last week of the year with many fun activities! We had a movie day and watched the Veggietales version of the Jonah story. Students also had the opportunity to listen to the kindergarten students read to them and then ask questions to the students and kindergarten teachers about kindergarten life. We took one last walk in the woods with our boots before bringing them back home. Students loved clean up day on Wednesday and worked hard to clean up both classrooms. The last day of school was spent outside playing games and having recess with the rest of the academy students at lower school. Thank you for joining us yesterday to celebrate this wonderful year in TK! We are so proud of each and every student. We hope you all have a wonderful summer break!

 

Lower School P.E. (Mrs. Bennington)

K – 4th
  • As a fun reward for a great year in P.E., students were able to pick a game of their choice. Students have made massive strides in sportsmanship and teamwork. 

  Lower School Music (Mrs. Bennington)

K-4th 
  •  Students did a great job this week in music reviewing all of the songs that we have learned this year! I am so proud of the growth that these young musicians have made. 

 

Kindergarten (Mrs. Rivera and Miss Burdeshaw)

This Week
  • Our kindergarten scholars are so close to finishing the school year! Only one week away! In math, we learned how to subtract a number from ten, how to divide a set of objects by sharing, and we went over some new addition facts. In phonics, we reviewed all of our phonograms, some spelling words, and practiced reading as a class. In art and science, most of the students completed their human body projects. They have worked so hard on them and have been so excited to show them off!
Memory Work:   
  •  Review all bible verses for our upcoming Bible Bee

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

This Week
  • This week in Math, we have been busy building on our subtraction skills by working with facts for subtracting 5 and 6, as well as subtracting two-digit numbers. We also explored writing number sentences to show equal groups, multiplying by 10, counting quarters, and rounding numbers to the nearest 10. It’s been a full and exciting week of growth in numerical understanding! In Reading, we enjoyed another delightful story from Frog and Toad, titled The Swim. The students loved following along as we discussed character choices, story elements, and the joy of friendship reflected in the narrative. In Grammar, we continued strengthening our sentence-writing skills, focusing specifically on statements and the proper use of periods. The students are learning how clear communication honors the order and beauty God has given to language. In Science, we built upon our knowledge of the states of matter, observing how God created the world with structure and patterns, even in the tiniest particles of His creation. In History, we are continuing our journey through the life of Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin, learning how God uses individual gifts—like Benjamin’s artistic talent—for His purposes throughout history. As always, thank you for your continued partnership and support. It is a joy to watch your children grow academically and spiritually each day.

 

 2nd Grade (Mrs. Hedgecock & Mrs. Eng)
This Week
  • This last full week of the 2024-2025 school year has been a full week of review.  We have spent a good amount of time preparing for the Verse Bee.  It is amazing to hear the students recite the verses so well!  For our Latin review the students are drawing pictures that include many of the 100+ words that we learned.  What a creative group of students!  At the conclusion of this new spelling list the students will have learned more than 75% of all the words we read and write.  Keep up the good work by reviewing the words.  Our last book of the year, Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat, has been a fun adventure with Billy and his two pet owls.  A highlight was dissecting owl pellets.  It was a challenging puzzle trying to decipher what the owl might have eaten from the bone parts in the pellets.  We encourage the students to go on many adventures this summer with some of the characters we introduced them to during second grade.   We have ended our study of Ancient Egypt by reading how the Egyptians were conquered by the Persians, Macedonians and finally the Roman Empire.  The history adventure will pick up where we left off next year in third grade.  WOW – what a year it has been for second graders!

 

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

This Week
  • We examined various factors that led to the Western Roman Empire’s downfall this week, including weak emperors after Constantine. There were also  internal problems like corruption, overexpansion, and economic difficulties, as well as external pressures from Germanic tribes and other groups. These factors contributed to a gradual decline and ultimately led to the empire’s collapse. In 476 AD, the Germanic leader, Odoacer, deposed the last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, marking the symbolic end of the Western Roman Empire. This led to a period of significant change and upheaval in Western Europe, often referred to as the “Dark Ages.” This era was marked by the breakdown of centralized government, a decline in trade and learning, and the rise of various Germanic kingdoms. While the Eastern Roman Empire continued as the Byzantine Empire, the Western Roman Empire’s fall ushered in a period of fragmentation and instability. We finished the week listening to students present their creative writing capstone projects using a creative writing prompt. We also finished the last of our math curriculum and learned how to find the area and perimeter of two dimensional figures. It was a busy last full week of the school year!

 

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

This Week
  • What a full week in fourth grade! We began by reviewing our history timeline, tracing the story from Augustine to John Knox– covering the Middle Ages and the Reformation. The students impressed us by putting all the major events we’ve studied this year in order with accuracy. We celebrated the completion of our autobiographies by sharing them with classmates. In Latin, we wrapped up our final vocabulary review, and in science we explored Newton’s Laws by building and testing medieval machines. The catapult was the most successful, launching projectiles with impressive force! A special thanks to the seniors who helped the students construct the catapult, trebuchet, and ballistas! In math, we completed the year by learning how to calculate the area and perimeter of various shapes using formulas with confidence. This week was packed with review and hands-on activities, giving students the opportunity to use all the learning tools they’ve collected throughout the year. We’re proud of their hard work– and now we are all looking forward to the final week of school and the upcoming Bible Bee!
Upcoming:  
  • Bible Bee

LOGIC SCHOOL

 

Mrs. Bennington

5th-10th Band
  • Students worked hard at Dress Rehearsals this week preparing for the Spring Concert. The Spring Concert this past Thursday evening was a great success. All of the band and choir students performed well. It has been an honor and a privilege to teach all of the band students from 5th grade-10th grade. I am so proud of all of the accomplishments that these young musicians have made this year. Thank you students for all of your hard work, perseverance, individual accountability, and teamwork. I am already looking forward to next year and discovering what we can accomplish. Thank you parents for supporting your child in their musical endeavors. 

Mrs. Johnston

5th – 8th Chorus, Bradford Chorale

To say that I am proud of you all for your concert performance would be an understatement. You were given incredibly challenging pieces and you not only rose to the occasion but did an outstanding job. Thank you for your hard work, your perseverance, patience, and joy. I count it a privilege to teach each and every one of you.

Bradford Chorale – we will be rehearsing again next week Tuesday and Thursday in preparation of graduation. Please note that while Tuesday will be our usual lunchtime rehearsal, Thursday will be a graduation dress rehearsal at the lower campus (details to come). Graduation call time will be 6:15PM on Friday (May 30).

5th Grade (Mrs. LaTour and Miss Johnston) 

This Week
  •   This week flew by, but the students worked hard and are closing out the year well! We finished chapter 14 in math and took our test on Friday. In history, they studied their last history card which talked about the Missouri Compromise. They presented their science projects and took their last test. In reading, we continued trekking through Treasure Island, discussing the characteristics of admirable leaders in all the books we have read, designing our treasure map and, finally, creating the map. 
Memory Work:  
  • Studied for the end of year memory test.

6th Grade (Miss Stevenson)

6th Reading and Literature
  • We finished Around the World in 80 Days this week! I hope that your kids are able to enjoy reading many books over the summer.
6th Grammar and Writing
  • Since we have finished up learning about commas, this week we jumped into rules concerning apostrophes.
6th Bible
  • In Bible this week we read the book of Hebrews. 
6th History
  •  We spent this week looking at several major events in post-Cold War America. Monday we learned about Y2K, and Wednesday and Friday we watched several videos about 9/11 and the events surrounding it.
6th Science
  • Students finished up our Science curriculum with their genetics test on Friday. 
6th Logic
  • Students gave Propaganda Fallacy presentations this week. That’s a wrap for Logic for this year!
6th Latin
  •   Students completed the final Latin test this week. They can look forward to having a brand new Latin teacher next year.

Mrs. Crotts

6th Math
  • Students are enjoying working through lessons about the area of 2 and 3 dimensional shapes (i.e. rectangular  prism) and surface area.  It is actually fun to cut a cereal box open neatly and lay it flat–this is called netting; and then determine the different shapes that make up the whole.

Mrs. Palmer 

6th Art
  • We finished up our final project this week.  All of our art is on display and will soon be handed back to students. 

Dr. Wright

7th Composition 
  • Students continue building vocabulary, and will have their final quiz next week.  “Lament” is our final poetic form to study this year; students composed their own laments, received comments, and have artistically illustrated their final drafts.  
7th Omnibus – Literature, History, Bible
  • Students have have completed their summative questions covering the books we read this year.  We continue to work through The Screwtape Letters.  A final reflection on one of the year’s key Scripture passages, coupled with an artistic illustration of that passage, will complete our year’s work. 
7th Logic
  •   Students have worked hard to complete work in all 28 fallacies, and we will have our final assessment next week. 

Mrs. Frueh

7th Science
  • We had a shortened science week due to music rehearsals,  but we were able to complete our final astronomy presentations in our short time together.
7th Pre-Algebra
  • How many unique arrangements can you come up with for six different items? Answering this question requires the use of mathematical permutations. This was our topic of study for this week. Ask your student how you could determine the answer. Mathematical permutations are an important part of understanding Dorothy Sayers’ murder mystery, The Nine Tailors, one of the summer reading books for the rising 8th graders. They have already received their copies of this excellent novel. Check in with your student over the summer and see if they can explain how permutations contribute to finding out “whodunit?”.

Mrs. Palmer 

7th Art
  • We finished up our final project this week.  All of our art is on display and will soon be handed back to students. 

Dr. Wright

8th Omnibus 
  • History:     Student presentations on biographical research papers continue.
  • Literature:      We are rounding out our thematic analysis of Return of the King, and will be watching the movie in class next week. 
  • Composition:   Students have a final summative analysis of themes in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.  Though rough drafts may be typed and printed, the final copy must be handwritten.  

Mrs. Frueh

8th Science
  • We put our periodic table knowledge to the test by creating an “alien periodic table”. This logic exercise allowed students to use their knowledge of the periodic table groups to solve clues that would help them create a table with elements named by a different, imaginary civilization.  We also wrapped up our final unit with a quarterly exam.  The students are now well-prepared for future chemistry classes as they have a thorough understanding of the organization of the periodic table and the groups of elements classified within it.
8th Algebra I
  • What a joy it was to finish our very last Algebra I lesson this week on using the Quadratic Equation! The students have worked so hard this year and have learned a tremendous amount in their first high-school level mathematics course. There is a great sense of accomplishment in finishing a year-long course of study and finishing it well. They should be commended for a job well done!

Mrs. Palmer 

8th Art
  • We aimed to finish up our final project this week.  It is down to the wire!  Next week we hope to have everything finished and all work handed back to students.  Please ask them about their artwork!

Mr. Crotts

8th Logic
  • We completed an oral examination of our understanding of our introductory logic course. Students did well!

RHETORIC SCHOOL

 

From the COLLEGE COUNSELING Office:

9th-12th: 

  • Career Day was quite enjoyable last Friday.  The volunteers were enthusiastic and clear about how they found themselves in their careers, what education is required and also how to glorify God in their chosen fields.
  • Juniors and Seniors had the opportunity to visit with a representative from Thales College this Friday.
  • Students are continuing to finalize elective choices both ones offered at Bradford and from participating universities.

Mrs. Palmer 

9th Spanish 
  • Students spent time reviewing this week.  We worked with the four pillars of language learning: reading, writing, listening and speaking this week as we begin to wrap up the year. 

Mrs. Frueh

9th Geometry
  • The students were hard at work this week building balsa wood bridges that will be tested for weight-bearing capacity next week. It has been rewarding to watch them work collaboratively and to listen to them debate the value of isosceles triangles versus equilateral triangles in their truss designs. This has been an opportunity for them to apply hands-on knowledge of angles in a practical way while using the engineering design process. Stay tuned to hear which truss design was strongest!

Mr. Crotts

9th Logic
  • Students wrote their final examinations this week. They formed a thesis statement and defended it in at least three ways.  They have recently learned a creative process of jotting  down ideas, doodling through ideas for a bit to gain clarity, discussing their ideas with others, and finding a distraction-free place to think & write well.

Dr. and Mrs. James

9th Biology
  •  This week the students took their third test of Q4, which covered the topic of God as Creator.  
  • They also took the final exam, which covers material from Q4 only.  The final exam score on their report card will be the higher of 1) the cumulative final exam or 2) the average of their three tests this quarter.

Mrs. Crotts

9th Literature
  • Students concluded reading and discussing The Old Man and the Sea.  They also drew symbolism art to represent as much of the story in one word artistically drawn.

Dr. Byrd 

9th Bible 
  •  This week we have finished the three letters of John. 
  • We had our memory verse II Thessalonians 3:16.

Coach Johnston

9th History
  • We concluded our quick overview study of the Modern Civil Rights movement (1954-1968), and spent a couple of days jumping ahead to 9/11 and the Global War on Terror. It has been fun to discuss events that were occurring right before and during their lifetime.

Coach Johnston

10th History
  • Students reviewed for their ancient history final exam. This was also a week where band and chorale students especially focused on preparing for their concert Thursday night. The students did terrific work in both advanced band and chorale!

Coach Johnston

9/10th PE
  • Students caught up on missed morning work due to concert rehearsals while also being introduced to our new gym!

Dr. James

10th Chemistry
  • This week we reviewed for the acid-base test, and the students took their third test of Q4.   There will be no cumulative final this quarter.   The final exam score on their report card will be the average of their two highest test scores this quarter.
  • Next week the students will work with students at the lower campus, teaching them how to make molecules with molecular model sets and showing them differences in molecular geometries.

Mrs. Palmer 

10th Spanish
  • Students spent time reviewing this week.  We worked with the four pillars of language learning: reading, writing, listening and speaking this week as we begin to wrap up the year. 

Mrs. Byrd

10th Algebra II
  • We wrapped up our unit on matrix operations, completed a CSI style conic sections project, and did a mini unit on the hexadecimal numbering system. 

Mrs. Crotts

10th Literature
  • Students concluded research and shared information about “the yellow house.”  Finally they worked on a phrase or art symbol that would explain what a work is about–the Iliad, Metomorpheses.

Miss Oldham

10th Rhetoric I
  • Students have been presenting their Teeny Tiny Theses. I am impressed with the depth of knowledge your students have gained over this year. 

Dr. Smith

10th Historical Theology
  • Students finished reading and discussing Christianity and Liberalism and took a test on it.   

Mrs. Palmer

11th Spanish III
  • Students spent time reviewing this week.  We worked with the four pillars of language learning: reading, writing, listening and speaking this week as we begin to wrap up the year. 

Mrs. Byrd

11th Precalculus
  • We wrapped up our unit on Conic Sections as well as completed a CSI style project on Matrix Operations.
11th Physics
  • Students took their final test on the topic of current electricity.  We also learned a little more about earth’s magnetic field and completed a project using magnetism simulators.

Miss Oldham

11th Literature
  •   Students took their final exam on Wednesday. On Friday, we talked through what Senior Thesis looks like next year. Their summer reading assignment is tied to their theses and they can begin it as soon as they would like. 

Dr. Smith

11th NT Greek
  • Students completed translating 1John 2 and took a test on it.  

Mrs. Fairchild

11/12 Art History Elective

We ended our discussion on artists from the modern era.

Coach Johnston

12th History
  •  We concluded our very quick overview of the Cold War (1945-1991) and students are finishing the year by considering some of the people we are called to remember on Memorial Day before then having a final discussion about our Memorial Day reflection and we’ll also look ahead towards some “upcoming history.”

Miss Oldham

12th Literature
  •    Students took their final exam this week. Thank you for the privilege of teaching your senior this year. It has been my honor to learn from them as well.