Bristol County Agricultural High School: November 2017

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Thursday, November 30th

There are 5:00 late buses today.
The girls basketball team and wrestling team are looking for team members. If you would like more information please speak with Mr. Poloskey.
The Peer Mentor Program will meet next Wednesday December 6th at 2:30 in the library.
The senior class will be holding a bake sale at the Bonfire & Ice and are looking for volunteers. If you are interested, please see Mrs. Coderre.
Tomorrow's Lunch is: Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza or Loaded Fish Stick Sub, Roasted Green Beans, Fresh Garden Salad & Assorted Fresh & Canned Fruits.

Local equestrian Logan DeCourcey, 14, comes home world champion

By Kathryn Gallerani kgallerani@wickedlocal.com. For the full story, please click here.

For this three-time World Champion, it’s the partnership she has with It’s Only Butter that makes them a great team.

KINGSTON – For this three-time World Champion, it’s the partnership she has with It’s Only Butter that makes them a great team.

Logan DeCourcey, 14, of Kingston, can be found most days at Horseplay Stables in Middleborough, doing chores and working with Butter and her owner and trainer, Terri Hoy. She’s been going to Hoy’s farm since she was 11 after taking up riding the year before.

There’s no secret to her success at Worlds at the junior basic level. DeCourcey puts in the time and effort with Butter, a 10-year-old Palomino quarter horse mare.

“I spend almost every day here, and I put in a lot of hard work,” she said. “I learned that hard work really pays off.”

It was DeCourcey’s first time at the fifth annual Western Dressage World Championship Show, so while hopeful they would do well, she didn’t expect to do as well as she did.

“It was crazy,” she said.

The show was held Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 at Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. She was happy to have mother, Katie, and grandmother, Paula Secia, there with her to watch her win the three world championships and two reserve world championships.

Her accomplishments include grand world champion in the junior basic division, grand world champion overall as the junior rider with the highest score, grand world champion with the overall highest score for a quarter horse and the highest score of all 817 rides of the entire show at all levels.

More than 800 riders participated in a long weekend filled with exhibitor parties, fun costume freestyle competitions and stall and golf-cart decorating contests. The show drew exhibitors from 29 states from coast to coast, five Canadian provinces and New Zealand.

The educational not-for-profit Western Dressage Association of America welcomed nearly 40 horse breeds and both beginner and expert riders to Oklahoma for the show.

DeCourcey said she wanted to do well in the competition, but she went into it focusing on the experience so she can get better. She’s already looking forward to next year.

“Even if you don’t win, it’s good experience for the next time,” she said.

Hoy said she expected maybe a top 5 finish, but Logan and Butter were perfect. She said Logan has worked hard to earn Butter’s trust. She said they have a very strong connection.

“I think it’s made Logan a better rider and a better person,” she said.

DeCourcey said Hoy can be hard on her at times, but that’s because Hoy knows what she’s capable of, and it all pays off in the end. Hoy said it’s rewarding as DeCourcey’s coach to see how confident and focused she was in the ring and how Butter responded to her and their training together.

She’s passionate about what she’s doing, DeCourcey said, because she just loves horses and loves to be around them.

She attends Bristol County Agricultural High School for its large animal science program. She wants to go veterinarian school and hopes to own her own barn some day.

Follow Kathryn Gallerani on Twitter @kgallreporter.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Sun Chronicle Article- Bristol Aggie staffers, student live the farming lifestyle year-round in Westport

By Brian J. Lowney / Chronicle Correspondent. Click here for the full story (and more pictures) on the Sun Chronicle.

WESTPORT — When three hardworking employees call it a day at Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton, they head home to Westport where they continue to develop strong family bonds and maintain important ties with the community.

Ryan Miranda, facilities manager at the high school, and brothers Ben and Kyle Medeiros all share a passion for agriculture, respect for natural resources and a deep appreciation for the lessons the high school passes to the next generation of farmers.

Miranda, who graduated from Bristol Aggie in 1996, grew up in Dighton. His mother is a Westport native.

The Medeiros brothers, Westport High School alumni, have strong roots in town. Their grandfather, George Medeiros, who died in 2003, started the family dairy farm on Sodom Road. The property was recently sold and is agriculturally protected.

According to the three men, working at the agricultural high school has many benefits.

“The dynamics allow interpersonal relationships to happen on a day-to-day basis,” Miranda said, adding that the Bristol Aggie community is similar to the Westport in that both embody community spirit and strong family values.

“People aren’t afraid to share their lives with each other,” he said. “When people get together there is no hierarchy.”

Miranda’s wife Jacci is employed at Westport Rivers Viineyard and Winery and at Eva’s Garden in Dartmouth. The couple’s son Caleb attends Westport Public Schools.

Miranda said his daughter Sage, a floriculture major who serves as sophomore class president, is carrying on a family tradition by attending the agricultural school.

Foreman Kyle, who takes care of all livestock and other animals at Bristol Aggie, works with Miranda in operating BA Grows, the school’s farm stand. When school is in session, the produce is harvested and used in the cafeteria.

“Sometimes in the busy season I am here seven days a week,” Kyle said. During the summer, he helps with crop production, but when temperatures drop, he can be often found outdoors before dawn shoveling snow and plowing sidewalks.

Growing up on the family dairy farm, the two brothers milked cows twice daily until 1999.

“I’m back to waking up at 5 a.m. every day and back to milking cows,” Kyle said, laughing, adding that the school’s animals must be cared for 365 days a year.

The other Medeiros brother, Ben, who wears many hats as the school’s floating foreman, works in maintenance and carpentry and is charge of shipping and receiving. He also assists his brother with milking chores at the dairy farm.

In addition, Ben serves as Bristol Aggie’s boy’s soccer and basketball coach.

The Medeiros’ cousin, Katie Zuber, works as a special education teacher at Bristol Aggie and lives on her family’s farm in Dartmouth.

Another cousin, Meghan Sherman of Westport, is a student at Bristol Aggie. She is a student worker and cares for farm animals before and after school.

“It’s in our blood,” Ben says about his family’s passion for farming and longtime commitment to agriculture. “My young son is also obsessed with cows and farm equipment.”

Both Kyle and Ben are active participants in the Westport Fair, for which their grandfather served as a founding member.

“Everyone in our family has some role in making sure that the fair continues,” Kyle said. “We need younger generations to ensure that agriculture will continue in Massachusetts. It’s a huge network of people who care about and support local agriculture.”

Wednesday, November 29th

There are 5:00 late buses today.
The girls basketball team and wrestling team are looking for team members. If you would like more information please speak with Mr. Poloskey.
Yoga club will be held in the Auditorium today from 3:00-4:00.
US Navy will be here during lunches today.
The Peer Mentor Program will meet next Wednesday, December 6th at 2:30 in the library.
Tomorrow's Lunch is: Grilled Cheese or Bagel Lunch w/yogurt & cheese stick, H.M. Soup, Cucumber & Carrot Sticks, Fresh Garden Salad & Assorted Fresh & Canned Fruits.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Bonfire and Ice

Monday, November 27, 2017

2018 Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Student Ambassador Application

Do you LOVE Bristol Aggie? Do you want to share that PASSION with others?

If so, we need YOU!

What is a Student Ambassador?

Bristol Aggie Student Ambassadors play a vital role in the future of our school. By assisting the Admissions Coordinator during Student Tours & Events, you will have an opportunity to welcome future students, and their families, into our school and tell them your story. You will have an opportunity to talk about why Bristol Aggie was the right choice for you, what you learned throughout your freshman experience, what you are currently learning in your majors, your community involvement, your plans for the future, and much more!

***The Student Ambassador role is a volunteer position, within the Admissions Department.

Student Ambassadors are expected to:

Be a friendly & welcoming face

Build a connection with visiting families by sharing their passion for Bristol Aggie

Have a strong working knowledge of BA Programs & Offerings

Maintain a positive attitude

Maintain a high-level of professionalism & reliability

Have a desire to practice leadership skills, including public speaking

How to Apply: Click here

To Apply, fill out this Google Form no later than Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 2:30 P.M . All applications for the Student Ambassador position will be reviewed. If your application is accepted, you will be contacted for an interview.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Tuesday, November 21st

There are NO 5:00 late buses today.
Wed. Nov. 22nd early dismissal @ 11:47 a.m.
Field trip w/ Ms. Harootian from 8:30-2.
Balfour will be here during lunches today & tomorrow.
Tomorrow's Lunch is: Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza or Fish Sandwich on ww roll, Honey Glazed Carrots, Fresh Garden Salad & Assorted Fresh & Canned Fruits.

Monday, November 20, 2017

WRWA Gooseberry Island

On Saturday November 18th three BCAHS juniors: Cameron Oliveira, Emma Palermo & Lacey Parker as well as Cameron’s Grandfather, joined more than 50 other volunteers for a beach clean-up on Gooseberry Island in Westport, sponsored by the Westport River Watershed Alliance. The group was able to pick up more than 40 bags of Styrofoam, plastics, bottles, ropes, and other trash. Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) disposed of the 20-something lobster pots, beach chair, boat radar, and other large items they carried off the beach.

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Figure 1: Emma Palermo & Lacey Parker brining an escaped lobster pot to the collection area. Photo WRWA Facebook page

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Figure 2: Cameron's Grandfather & Cameron Oliveira. Photo: WRWA Facebook page

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Figure 3:Lacey Parker & Emma Palermo at the registration table. Photo: A. Caswell

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Figure 4: Cameron Oliveira picking up trash from the dunes. Photo: A. Caswell

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Figure 5: Lacey Parker & Emma Palermo pick up an escaped lobster pot. Photo A. Caswell

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Figure 6: Some of the larger material collected. Photo: A. Caswell

Friday, November 17, 2017

Aggie Weekly- November 17th

Aggie Weekly

Good Afternoon Students, Parents, and Community Members:

Thursday, November 9th officially ended term one. Students had until Tuesday to make up grades. Earlier this week, families received their report cards indicating their grades. We hope that everyone used this opportunity to reflect on their hard work; or conversely use it as motivation to step up their studies to ensure they stay on track to be successful at Bristol Aggie. Monday, we are hosting Parent-Teacher Conferences and we look forward to meeting with parents. Since next week is a short week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Aggie Weekly next week. We wish everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Homecoming: Tickets are available at the door for purchase for Bristol Aggie students. Tickets are $10.00 for tonight homecoming dance. If your child does not drive, please arrive on time to pick up your child. The dance will be over by 10:00 pm sharp. Thank you

Dr. Johnson visits Bristol Aggie:

On Thursday we hosted researcher and molecular biologist Dr. David C. Johnson, who is the Director for the Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Research at New Mexico State University, present his research to students and staff regarding his Compost Bioreactor. The results of his study with no fertilizer was absolutely revolutionary for agriculture. Less money ( no cost for fertilizer at all) spent and greater yield. Here is a video on how to create the Compost Bioreactor. He is one of the keynote speakers at the Climate Reckoning, “Paths to an Earth Restored” conference at Harvard this weekend from November 17-19th. For more information go to www.bio4climate.org/climate-reckoning.

Information for Families:

This week we received the following documents (below) regarding “food insecurity and other health concerns.” We wanted to provide you with the flier that was sent to us to encourage families to apply for WIC if assistance is needed at home. If anyone would like more information, please contact the main office. Thank you

School Building Committee Update:

On Tuesday, the School Building Committee met to discuss the rendering(s) as well as floor plans for Gilbert Hall. Below is a preview of the rear of Gilbert Hall.

Hidden in Plain Sight:

The display is a mock teenage bedroom that is designed to raise awareness about the signs of addiction or drug use a parent might or might not notice in their child’s room. The items in the room can range from alcohol, tobacco and marijuana related paraphernalia to items associated with prescription drug and heroin use.

The Hidden In Plain Sight initiative will assist parents spot signs of at-risk behaviors by using an interactive display of a teenager’s bedroom. The display will be staffed by volunteers from the district attorney’s office. The volunteers, through the use of the interactive display, will teach parents to see the signs of hidden substance abuse. The program uses a re-created bedroom of a typical teenager to test parents’ knowledge of common items that can be signs that the teen is using drugs or drinking alcohol.

Field trips: On Sunday, part of the Ocean Bowl team went to the Harvard Museum of Natural History to attend the microbe festival. We learned a lot about microbes, attended a microbe story time, and got to make our own drawings of glow-in-the-dark microbes.

Pictured at right are Hannah Medeiros, Hannah Kaliton, Austin Gaw, Abby Bruno, and Hope Siddall.

Pictured at below are Abby Bruno and Hope Siddall, showing off their microbes.

FFA Field Trip:

On Wednesday, students from the Bristol FFA Chapter took a trip to a local nursing home to make crafts with the elderly. Students and the elderly made pine cone turkeys to celebrate the upcoming holiday. A focus of FFA’s mission is service and giving back to the community. We are always looking for ways to help our community. If you are interested in participating on our next visit to the nursing home on Wednesday, December 13, please contact Hannah Medeiros or Kyle Mazzola.

From Student Services:

Hello Parents and Guardians of Students at Bristol County Agricultural High School,

I am writing to invite you to attend our next scheduled BCAHS SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) meeting for the 2017-2018 school year on December 12, 2017 at 6:00pm in the library of Bristol County Agricultural High School. At this meeting the district will provide a workshop on student and parent/guardian rights. We are also fortunate that a representative from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) will also be joining and presenting information about the services they offer.

At our first BCAHS SEPAC meeting, we developed bylaws and updated our Mission Statement. Thank you to all those who attended! As a reminder, this is a parent led group so you are also encouraged to share ideas for any topics you would like us to discuss at future meetings. Please feel free to send me any topics or agenda items!

If you are interested in joining the SEPAC but are unable to attend this scheduled meeting, we will be looking to schedule a couple more meetings this school year and I encourage you to reach out to me anytime to share your thoughts, questions, or concerns.

I look forward to working with each of you and continuing to grow our BCAHS SEPAC!

Thank you,

Dr. Marie-Juanita D. DiGioia

In the Classroom:

Animal Science: The Animal Science Department is pleased to announce that they once again have been selected to receive the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Horse Farm of Distinction Award for the coming year. Our farm was nominated for the award after a very thorough inspection of facilities and our horses. Only farms that score above an 85 are eligible to receive the award. Congratulations to the students and staff that work so diligently to keep our facilities in pristine condition.
Animal Science: Below, students from Small Animal Science cleaned up the Bird Room on Friday afternoon.

Landscape: On Friday, students in Landscape were preparing the loam to lay sod.

Ag Mechanics: As winter is approaching, students were working on equipment to ensure we are ready for the snow season.

Flori Juniors Releasing BCA’s (Biological Control Agents) in Greenhouse

The Junior Floriculture students are learning about extending the growing season through the winter months. They all have been running science experiments, since September, to study and learn about the many different flower and vegetable crops that can be grown in a cool environment. They are growing 18 different vegetables and 14 different flowers that can tolerate a minimum temperature of 45℉. Their goal is to produce a sustainable organic flower and vegetable crop that can be harvested, in an environment that conserves heat. They have their crops growing in organic media and in biodegradable pots. In their attempt to control insect pests in the greenhouse (aphids and thrip) they have released predatory mites, wasps and nematodes. They will continue to collect data throughout the term to report their findings. When reporting on releasing the predatory wasp, student Sydney Hussey said “That was so cool. I actually saw the wasp attack another insect on the gerbera daisy!”

ELA: This week students in Mrs. Noel’s freshman honors English class acted as mentors for Mrs. St. Germain’s grade three students at Dighton Elementary School. Mrs. Noel partnered up with Mrs. St.Germain for a collaborative creation of a WebQuest. The topic is The Pilgrims and the Wampanoags and the First Thanksgiving. The 3rd graders were building background knowledge for their field trip to Plimoth Plantation. Mrs. Noel’s students were technology assistants and facilitated the 3rd grader’s navigation through the WebQuest. The freshman tutored their proteges on the art of note-taking from the online sources. They used this information to answer questions, take an assessment, and plan questions for their upcoming field trip. All the students stated how much they LOVED the experience and wish to do more of this in the future. They clearly indicated it enhanced their learning experiences; it was a win-win for all involved. Mrs. St. Germain reported they demonstrated greater proficiency at retaining the information and applying it later. Mrs. Noel’s students gained teaching experience and improved their social skills and teamworking abilities. And to add to that the 9th graders expressed how rewarding it was to be able to assist and have some fun in the process. Thank you to all involved for helping to make this opportunity possible!