BB 11/17/23

BRADFORD BULLETIN

VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 18

Nov 17, 2023

 

FROM THE OFFICE

IMPORTANT NOTES:  

  • Tuition Rates for Next Year (2024/2025 School Year)
    • TK 3 Day:  $3,625
    • TK 5 Day:  $5,700
    • K 1/2 Day:  $5,450
    • K Full:  $8,000
    • 1st – 8th:  $8,500
    • 9th – 12th:  $9,000
  • NC Opportunity Scholarship Program: After weeks of discussion and prayer, the board voted to very guardedly begin participation in the program for the 2024/2025 school year.  Since this program was significantly overhauled in recent legislation, there are still many unanswered questions.  We will post information and resources on our website as information becomes available.  For now, please note these highlights…
    • ALL NC families are now eligible to receive funds from the state to help parents pay for private school tuition regardless of income level.  The funds will be distributed on a tiered priority. See here for more information.
    • The application to receive these funds opens FEBRUARY 1, 2024.
    • The awards do not cover all of our tuition, so any difference between the award and the tuition is still the family’s responsibility.
    • We will ask every family who would ask for financial aid or scholarship money to first apply for the Opportunity Scholarship.
    • We will not change our admission standards.  We hope that participation in this program will be a blessing to our current families and to families who may not have ever considered applying to Bradford Academy.
    • Please read about the program here and here and let the office know if you have any questions at this time.  I may not have the answers yet, but I will try to keep you all as informed as possible.  Watch for more information to come.

 

UPCOMING

 

IN THE NEAR FUTURE:

  • Tues, 11/21: 
    • Thanksgiving Feast and activities (TK – 5th) at lower school campus
    • 9:15 – Declamation at upper school – Parents are invited!  
    • Varsity Girls (5pm) and Varsity Boys (6:30pm) basketball team games at Friendship Christian School (Raleigh)
  • Wed, 11/22 – Fri, 11/24:  Thanksgiving break
  • Wed, 11/29:  Picture orders are due
  • Fri, 12/1 – Applications open for NEW students
  • Thurs, 12/14 – Christmas Concert (Upper school)
  • Wed, 12/20 – TK Nativity Play
  • Thurs, 12/21 – 
    • End of 2nd quarter
    • NOON DISMISSAL – Christmas break commences!
LOWER SCHOOL:
  • FROM MRS. MITCHELL:  If you haven’t watched the opening scenes of The Fellowship of the Ring, I recommend it to you (once the kids are in bed).  It opens by tracing the origin of evil related to the “one ring,” then switches to an idyllic scene in the Shire.  Following an introduction to Frodo, the main character, it provides a window into the lives of hobbits.  These happy, sturdy creatures, through their many adventures and the guidance of Gandalf, learn resilience beyond what they could ever have imagined.  As we’ve prepared Bradford Night this week, it struck me that we are on a similar quest: training students, in our own little Shire, to go out and be a force for good.  We’re so grateful to partner with you all in this calling.  Mark your calendar for 02/29:  Bradford Night 2.0 with 3rd & 4th grades.

 

FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK

 

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

 

Transitional Kindergarten (Mrs. Grubb and Mrs. Weber)

This Week
  • TK students enjoyed learning about the first Thanksgiving and preparing for our Thanksgiving celebration next week. We talked about what life was like in the 1600’s. Our letters of the week were I and U. We discussed their sounds and practiced writing and making these letters with play dough. In math, we focused on writing number 7, played bingo, and introduced pennies. During centers this week we drew Mat Man and turned him into a Pilgrim or Indian. We also practiced counting syllables in words and made a turkey craft with our names. A highlight this week was making butter in a jar. Students learned the process the cream goes through to then become butter. We then flavored the butters with herbs and cinnamon sugar. We will enjoy the butter on Tuesday with bread during our snack. This week we learned about courageous David and the defeat of Goliath. Students were able to watch the Veggie Tales version of this story. Next week our focus will be on thankfulness. 

 

Lower School P.E. (Mrs. Bennington)

K – 4th
  • Students did a great job in P.E. this week! Students completed activities and games that allowed them to focus on following directions and controlling their body.  First through fourth grade students even got to play a couple of rounds of Capture the Flag!

Lower School Music (Mrs. Bennington)

K-3rd
  • Kindergarten, First and Second grade students did a great job this week working on the following songs: “I Need Thee Every Hour”, Trust and Obey”, and “Tis So Sweet”.  Students worked hard at all of the Bradford Night Rehearsals leading up to Bradford Night. Bradford Night was a great success and all of the students should be proud of their hard work.  Third grade students  worked on singing several Christmas Carols out of the hymnals this week. Students worked on singing the soprano and alto lines. 
4th 
  • Students have been working on recorder songs that reinforce their ability to correctly read and play songs with the notes: G, A, and B. We spent a lot of time working on rhythm and note recognition.  Students have been encouraged to take their recorders home and practice their music three to four times a week. Students did well on their playing test on “Merrily We Roll Along”. 

Lower School Art (Mrs. Palmer)

3rd
  • This week students began working on self-portraits.  We worked on finding the correct placement, proportions and positioning of facial features. We will be completing these in watercolor and I am excited to see how these turn out!
4th
  • Students continued to work on their oil pastel pumpkin drawings this week.  We have worked on color mixing, blending and finding highlights in our oil pastel drawings.  

Kindergarten (Mrs. Rivera and Miss Burdeshaw)

This Week:
  • Our kindergarten scholars had a busy week as we spent several hours preparing for our Bradford night on Thursday. In math, we learned how to identify the even numbers to 20, how to identify and locate numbers on the hundred number chart, how to count with dimes and pennies, and we created a design with a line of symmetry. In phonics, we learned two new phonograms, “oy” and “oi.” In history, we discussed Alexander the Great and made motion puppets. Bradford night was sweet to watch as the kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students showed us what it means to be joyfully obedient. 
Memory Work: 
  • Review all verses

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

This Week: 
  • Bradford night was the highlight of this week! We spent a lot of time practicing how to enter, exit, sit, stand, and understand when to start singing. We were so proud of them as I am sure each of you were! In math the students learned to identify similarities and differences among coins and how to count nickels. We also worked on practicing their measurement skills when making Apple Jack cookies on Friday! We continued reading about Pocahontas in history. The students did a fantastic job speaking about their state and presenting their dioramas for geography. In Science we practiced being Zoologists by distinguishing and identifying differences between the various classes of animals. We finished up artwork to show off for Bradford Night. 
Memory Work:  
  • Review all verses and catechism 13 & 14
Upcoming:     
  • Don’t miss Monday and Tuesday next week as we learn about the pilgrims and Indians, what the first Thanksgiving really looked like,  and celebrate Thanksgiving with our own Bradford Feast!  

 

2nd Grade (Mrs. Hedgecock & Mrs. Eng)

This Week: 
  • It has been another busy week in second grade.  After studying Abraham the past 5 weeks, we were excited to read of the birth of Isaac.  We didn’t wait as long as Abraham waited, but it did seem like a long wait.  We are up to verse 19 in Hebrews 11 and many of the students can recite the whole passage.  In math we have reviewed how to find the perimeter of any shape and the uses for this calculation.  We introduced constructing a number line and identifying points on that line.  We have moved from addition to subtraction and are working to remember our fact families.  Adding two-digit numbers using the addition algorithm was introduced and we will continue to add to this foundational skill.  Thank you to all the parents for the assistance you gave your students with their Middle East project.  This is the part of the world where our ancient history lessons take place. We hope Bradford Night was a blessing for each of you.  We truly enjoyed the excitement and preparations.   
Memory Work: 
  • Review Hebrews 11: 1- 19

 

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

This Week
  • We have enjoyed another full week in third grade. This week, students were eager to present their Greek Mythology projects to both third grade classes. All of the students did a wonderful job designing and presenting their projects! In Latin, we listed adjectives with all of the possible endings, which was a lot! Ask your students how nouns and adjectives show that they agree with one another in Latin! We began multiplying using an algorithm that will come in handy as we continue to solve harder and bigger math problems. Using a variety of strategies to attack problems helps us to get faster in solving them. Everyone is  excited to celebrate Thanksgiving next week! 
Upcoming:
  • Bradford Thanksgiving Feast: 11/21

 

4th Grade (Mrs. Burtram and Miss Abrahamsen) 

This Week
  • Between our studies of the Middle Ages and reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (LWW), fourth grade sometimes feels as if our classes have been transported to another time! The kids have been excited about their Castle Adventure Brochure projects that they have worked on throughout this week; they all presented their projects on Friday! We have continued to focus on the character traits of obedience and courage as we read LWW, and it is beginning to become very apparent that these traits (and their negative counterparts- disobedience and cowardice) go hand in hand. Our science studies in buoyancy saw the kids making boats as each group endeavored to create and design a boat that would float the longest. Math concepts have continued to focus on applying things we have learned to everyday life. Everyone is looking forward to the Thanksgiving Break later next week!
  • Upcoming: Ephesians 4: 4-6 (due 12/1)

 

LOGIC SCHOOL

 

Mrs. Bennington

5th-6th Band
  • Students did a great job turning in their fourth practice record.  Students are encouraged to continue practicing, but will not be given another practice record to turn in until after Thanksgiving Break. Students worked hard on all of their concert music this week
7th-9th Band 
  • Students did a great job turning in their fourth practice record. Students are encouraged to continue practicing, but will not be given another practice record to turn in until after Thanksgiving Break. Students diligently worked on their Christmas Concert Music this week. A lot of time was spent on correctly reading and applying key signature changes in the music. 

 

Mrs. Campbell

5th-8th Chorus
  • This week we welcomed Mrs. Beth Gardner, a local soprano soloist, in our class to work on voice technique.  You might see your student practicing with a silicone straw!  We enjoyed gleaning from her expertise and look forward to another visit after Thanksgiving break.  

Mr. Webster

5th-8th Boys’ PE
  • This week we ran a mile and played both basketball and soccer.

Miss Stevenson

5th-8th Girls’ PE
  • This week middle school girls started our soccer unit.

 

5th Grade (Mrs. Owens) 

This Week
  • This week our students began learning about different types of sentences such as a simple sentence, simple compound subject sentence, and a simple compound verb sentence.  They also learned how to correct run on sentences and have continued to add to their vocabulary list.  In math the students continue to learn about finding unknown numbers, specifically in fraction and decimal problems.  We are nearing the end of Voyage to Freedom and have had great conversations about trusting in the providence of God.  We have seen the Pilgrims endure a massive storm as well as respond to insults and attacks from others.  We will finish Voyage to Freedom on Monday and start our new book, Witch of Blackbird Pond after our Thanksgiving break.  
Memory Work:
  • Isaiah 40:3-4 (this week)
  • Isaiah 40: 5-6 (after Thanksgiving break)
Upcoming:
  • Element Project – more details to come

Mrs. Palmer

5th Art
  • This week we worked on our monochromatic atmospheric perspective drawings.  Students chose one color to create tints and shades with and will use those hues to create perspective. 
Mrs. Kromhout
5th Latin
  • Fifth graders continued practicing the perfect tense and began learning about the pluperfect tense!

 

6th Grade (Miss Stevenson)

6th Reading and Literature
  • We are continuing to work our way through Across Five Aprils. We had the opportunity to take a closer look at the significance of Harper’s Ferry and the Battle of Antietam. 
6th Grammar and Writing
  • Students’ research papers were due this week! I am looking forward to reading about what they learned about their  assigned Civil War figure.
6th Bible
  • We are continuing to work our way through the Gospel of Mark.
6th History
  • This week we took a closer look at the War Between the States.
6th Science
  • We started looking into the structure of bacteria this week. Much of the vocabulary from this section of notes will roll over nicely into our 3rd quarter unit on cell biology.
6th Logic
  • This week in Logic we continued to look at the reasons to avoid making assumptions.

Mr. Hunter

6th Latin
  • This week the students completed a test and began learning about relative pronouns. They also learned a bit about Lucretius and his De Rerum Natura. 

Mrs. Frueh

6th Math
  • This week we practiced several different ways to write the answers to division problems that don’t come out to a whole number quotient. We discussed why it is appropriate to report money answers with decimal digits, but that we can’t use decimals or fractions for items being divided that are indivisible, such as people, vehicles, or classes.

Mrs. Palmer 

6th Art
  • We spent this week wrapping up our colored pencil landscape drawings and matting them.  We will begin working with watercolor next week!

Mrs. Crotts

7th Grammar and Writing
  • Students began editing their neighbor’s papers. They also 
7th Omnibus
  • Literature: Students learned about citing a source specifically in Chicago style. We referred to Western Oregon University’s citation resources (wou.edu)
  • History: Students viewed a documentary on C.S. Lewis’ life.  The research paper rough draft was due Friday.
  • Bible/Theology: Student’s heard an overview of the Old Testament book of Isaiah.  They took a quiz from their notes.  We also listened to selections of Handel’s  Messiah focusing on the selections based on verses from Isaiah.  (There will be a live community presentation of the Messiah on Sunday, December 3 at 3 PM at Mebane Presbyterian Church on 5th Street.)

Mr. Johnston

7th Logic
  • We wrapped up Chapter 2 fallacies with the final appeal to emotion called Chronological Snobbery.  This fallacies argues for something being true because of its age (whether young or old).

Mrs. Frueh

7th Science
  • We reviewed for and took our unit exam on the structure of the Earth.
7th Pre-Algebra
  • We took a short break from math this week as we applied our math skills toward calculations, graphing, and data analysis for our soil lab reports. Final drafts are due on Monday.

Mrs. Palmer 

7th Art
  • Students have been hard at work on using charcoal to create a drawing of an Ionic column.  We have focused on creating details in this drawing and students are doing well.  We look forward to displaying these drawings soon. 

Mr. Hunter

7th Latin
  • This week the students reviewed for their test on the verb matrix and the relative pronoun. They were also introduced to some new third declension nouns and learned about Lucretius’s De Rerum Natura. 

 

Mrs. Kromhout

8th Omnibus
  • History: Students reviewed for and took their history test covering from the fall of the Roman empire to the rise of the Islamic empire. 
  • Literature: We have come to the end of Beowulf! Students have been doing a fantastic job presenting their projects – Anglo Saxon swords, Heorot models, old English recitations, and skits of scenes.
  • Composition: We have continued our poetry exploration, learning about what makes a strong poem and beginning to brainstorm writing our own poems. 

Mr. Hunter

8th Latin
  • This week the students completed their test on the verb matrix and the verbs sum and possum. We also began reviewing third declension nouns and briefly discussed Lucretius’s De Rerum Natura. 

Mrs. Frueh

8th Science
  • We reviewed for and took our unit exam on Newton’s laws of motion.
8th Algebra I
  • The students were introduced to polynomials and polynomial expressions this week. We practiced adding like terms and writing our answers with descending order of the variable. We also learned how to apply the FOIL method of polynomial multiplication.

Mrs. Palmer 

8th Art
  • Students worked on finishing up their charcoal landscape drawings this week. Blending, details and using the grayscale effectively have been our main goals.  These are coming along nicely.

Mr. Crotts

8th Logic
  • We have discovered the square of opposition and contradiction tool for seeing relationships between categorical statements.

RHETORIC SCHOOL

 

From the COLLEGE COUNSELING Office:

Juniors:
  •  Several Juniors reported that they received their PSAT scores this week! 
  • In January and February we will plan to have SAT study sessions once a week in the afternoon to study for the SAT. 
  • I would also like to begin meeting individually with juniors throughout December and January to begin nailing down and planning next steps.
  • Also, as a reminder: 
    • Their PSAT score is an indication of how they might do on the SAT or ACT; they can look up colleges of interest and see how their scores compare to the average students accepted to that school
    • I recommend that all students take at least the SAT or ACT in March, though they could also take both tests
    • Taking the tests in March will give them time to evaluate where they are and make appropriate study goals for taking the test again either later in the spring or in August
    • The goal is to have a strong score in hand by October before they apply to colleges
      • Applying to many college’s scholarships requires applying to the college in October or November to qualify!
Seniors:
  • Now is the time to focus on applying for scholarships! Parents, you can be of help to your students by helping them to research scholarships that fit their qualifications. 
    •  College Essay Guy’s Scholarship Info – here is more detailed information and exercises for finding scholarships; he also has information about filling out the FAFSA and other financial matters
    •  Scholarship Tracker – students can make a copy and keep track of scholarships you have found and want to apply to on this document

Mrs. Palmer 

9th Spanish 
  • Students did test review this week and then took their chapter 3 test.  We also started new vocabulary and learned to conjugate the verb “ir” which means “to go.” 

Coach Johnston

9th History
  • 9th grade students completed our brief overview of the American Revolutionary War’s key people, events, causes and outcomes and they took a test on Friday. Ask your students about the complicated legacy of Benedict Arnold, the importance of a small battle like Trenton and what caused the battles of Saratoga and Yorktown to have so much effect (and what were they). Next up we will begin a short unit that compares (but mostly contrasts) the nearly simultaneous nation building of America (Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution) and France (French Rebellion, Republic, and Empire).

Mrs. Frueh

9th Geometry
  • We wrapped up our unit on  triangle congruence, took a unit exam, and prepared for our next unit .

Mr. Crotts

9th Logic
  • We have completed our first unit of study and are reviewing for a unit test.

Mrs. Fairchild

9th Advanced Art
  • Our students are putting the finishing touches on their first plein air painting.  We are praying for good weather. 

Mrs. Hicks

9th Biology
  • This week students completed their test on Biochemistry. Grades are in Educate. We also completed our first escape room about Bacteria, Protista, and Fungi as a fun review. Students loved it! After break, we will start reviewing The Cell. Students have a small project due about various cell structures due on Tuesday, November 29th. They also had some time this week to work on this in class. 

Mrs. Crotts

9th Literature
  • Students turned in rough drafts of essays anchored in Shelley’s Frankenstein.  They worked quickly and completed final edits before turning in final drafts as well this week!  These essays overall were an improvement from the previous ones in the first quarter!  Looking ahead, they will write a research paper on an author from the modern history time period.  Also, they are to begin reading Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.  (Fun note: we plan to have a gingerbread house competition on Thursday, December 21 as part of our 9th grade class Christmas party.)

Dr. Byrd

9th-10th Bible Survey
  • This week we have been challenged and blessed to study the lives of Elijah and Elisha. We have seen how the Lord used each of them in unique ways for His glory. God uses each of us in unique ways for His glory too; and we must take up those particular assignments. We have almost finished II Kings. 
  • Students are choosing their book for our book analysis project that we will begin in earnest in the third quarter. 

 

Dr. James

10th Chemistry
  • This week the students were introduced to chemical bonding and molecular geometry.
  • Next week the students will take their second test of Q2.  After that, I hope they enjoy Thanksgiving break.

Mrs. Palmer 

10th Spanish
  • Students did test review this week and then took their chapter 3 test.  We also started new vocabulary and learned several irregular verbs in the preterite tense. 

Mrs. Byrd

10th Algebra II
  • Topics of the week include solving equations using the difference of two squares theorem, more unit conversions, simplifying nested radical expressions, and solving radical equations.

Mrs. Crotts

10th Literature
  • Students worked on an author research paper; the rough draft was due by the week’s end.  The author could either be from ancient history/literature time period or could have written mythology/fairy tales.  The students learned about Chicago style footnotes/citations and annotated bibliographies. 

Miss Oldham

10th Rhetoric I
  • Students received their final speech project for the quarter and began working on it in class. I am excited to hear their opinions, so make sure to ask your students what they’re doing. 

Coach Johnston

10th History
  • Students completed their unit material on Ancient Israel, Phoenicia and Persia. We spent time on Tuesday/Thursday reviewing for a test on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (11/28). Students also received their copies of Thucydides’ Peloponnesian War to begin reading (Appendix E-G).
10th PE
  • Students competed in two days of hockey which is quickly becoming a class favorite sport.

Mrs. Byrd

11th Precalculus
  • We’ve begun a study of exponential and logarithmic functions.  We’ve evaluated various expressions, graphed and transformed the functions, and considered some basic applications like radioactive decay, compound interest, and population growth.
11th Physics
  • Our study of Newton’s Three Laws of Motion concluded this week.  We’ll be moving on to a unit on work and energy.  Students also kicked off our annual egg drop device construction project/contest by bringing in supplies and working up initial design ideas.  More points are awarded for using a minimum of materials and maintaining a compact profile.

Miss Oldham

11th Literature
  • We wrapped up Much Ado About Nothing and will finish the film on Monday. After break: Romeo and Juliet!

Mr. Webster

11th History
  • This week we finished up the unit and took our unit test. 

Mr. Hunter

11th NT Greek
  • The students took a test on the present active and middle-passive indicative verbs. They were also introduced to the imperfect active and middle-passive, and we briefly discussed Callimachus and Mark the Deacon. 

Mrs. Fairchild

11th Elective: Portfolio
  • Block printing is complete and the students are designing their medieval embroidery project.  They were given the assignment to create something based on Genesis chapters 1-4.  They have sketched out their designs and are now working on planning and learning the different stitches they will be using to create textures and varied interest in their work.

 

Coach Johnston

11th-12th Elective: Military History
  • We completed our study of the European theater, conflict with Germany last week, and so we’ve returned our attention to the Pacific theatre. This week our particular study and discussion revolved around carrier battles (Midway) and the first major land battles (Guadalcanal) between America and Japan.

Mrs. Palmer

11th-12th Elective: Spanish 3 
  • Students worked on writing assignments this week.  We also reviewed past vocabulary and classified several parts of grammar.  As we do weekly, we had a concentrated time of speaking specifically in the target language and tried to do so with accuracy. 

 

Dr. Smith

11th-12th Apologetics & Philosophy
  • I am writing this from San Antonio, TX. We did not meet today for class, but I will be back on Friday and we will resume going over the requirements for their book review and discussing Christianity as a worldview.

Coach Johnston

12th History
  • Students have been studying and discussing the lessons that we can learn from the causes, leaders and battles of the Revolutionary War. General Causes existed and intensified for twelve years. An event that could have become an immediate cause occurred, but did NOT lead to war. Then a different, but also very similar event occurred, and it DID lead to war. England needed to accomplish certain things in order to win, America could win other ways. Why? Why did England fail to accomplish its strategic goals? We have not finished the war yet, but how is America already on the path towards victory by the end of 1777? The students have struck a good balance between learning valuable lessons, not getting overwhelmed with history work and having fun in class this week.

Miss Oldham

12th Literature
  • Students had a few study halls during literature class this week since their theses are due this weekend. 
12th Rhetoric II
  • Senior thesis rough drafts are due! Please be in prayer for our seniors during this time. And if you have a senior, please know that they have no work to do over Thanksgiving break! 

Mrs. Byrd

12th Calculus
  • We’ve finished our unit on Contextual Applications of Differentiation and are moving on to Analytical Applications – things like locating extrema, increasing and decreasing behavior, concavity, optimization, and interpreting and connecting f, f’, and f” graphs.

Mrs. Hicks

12th Anatomy
  • This week students completed their test on the Respiratory System. Grades are in Educate. On Thursday, we covered nutrition. After break, we will start learning about blood components. Students have a short presentation due once we arrive back on Tuesday, November 28th about various blood components.