Aggie Weekly

Good Afternoon Students, Parents, and Community Members:

Next week brings on October, and that means that our school community is fully involved in preparations for Fall Show 2017! It has been exciting to see all of the students working together in their Vo-Ags. With approximately three weeks away, make sure you mark your calendar to witness this year’s Fall Show.

Midterms: We are currently evaluating formal midterms that have been sent home in past years. With teachers updating their grades at a minimum of 10 days (many update daily), it appears that it is duplicating efforts. We will be evaluating this process in the next few weeks and we will be holding a ParentPorals training on Monday, November 20t at 5:00 pm. This is prior to the scheduled Parent-Teacher Conference that has been scheduled. More information will be coming soon.

83rd Annual Fall Show: Friday, October 20-Sunday, October 22 from 11:00 am-5:00 pm

Rehoboth Scout honoring firefighters: Full article courtesy of The Sun Chronicle by Laura Calverley For The Sun Chronicle

Eagle scout Michael Koussa and Assistant Fire Chief Mark Haskell.

REHOBOTH -- A local Boy Scout is honoring fallen town firefighters for his Eagle Scout community service project.

Michael Koussa, 17, a junior at Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton, is reaching out to the community to find where more than 120 deceased Rehoboth firefighters are laid to rest so he can mark their graves with a firefighter memorial flag.

“It is important to recognize the firefighters because they risked their lives to help other people,” Koussa said.

Koussa also plans to enhance the current Firefighters Memorial located at Station No. 3 on Pleasant Street by adding landscaping and seating “so that residents may visit and reflect upon the lives of these honorable firefighters,” he said.

Scouting is a big part of Koussa’s life. He started in the Cub Scouts when he was 6 years old.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts and all Eagle Scout applicants are required to organize a community service project.

When Koussa was trying to decide what to do for his project, Assistant Fire Chief Mark Haskell presented the idea to him. The Rehoboth Fire Department had planned on doing this and they were looking for it to be a potential Eagle Scout Project.

Koussa is now trying to locate the grave sites of the firefighters on a list of 121 names provided by the department, but he is finding it a challenge and is asking for the community’s help.

“There may also be many names of firefighters from years past which don’t appear on this roster. If anyone knows of firefighters which should be on the list, I would appreciate the information,” Koussa said.

In his research, Koussa has already found a few names that weren’t on the list.

“One of the firefighters that has been added to the list used to house the fire truck in his barn at his farm and keep the fire truck warm by a wood stove, so it wouldn't freeze in the winter. What dedication!” Koussa said.

Koussa said he is realizing how important this is to the families of the firefighters, and to the community. He’s received many heartwarming emails from family members.

“I'd like to thank all the people who have already reached out to me by giving information, emotional stories, and just letting me know how much this project means to them. I really didn't realize the impact this project was going to have and I feel honored to be able to do it,” Koussa said.

Koussa hopes to have the project completed by spring. If you know any of the names on the list, contact him at Mjk7780@comcast.net.

Congratulations to Mr. Flynn in Animal Science: Full article courtesy of The Valley Breeze

New Butterfly Farm owner plans to add grass-fed beef to the offerings

Dan Flynn, the new owner of Butterfly Farm in Lincoln, stands with his cows that are named after “The Golden Girls” TV show. Flynn’s hoping to expand the herd and offer grass-fed beef to the community, in addition to chicken and lamb. (Breeze photos by Brittany Ballantyne)

By BRITTANY BALLANTYNE, Valley Breeze Staff Writer

LINCOLN – Dan Flynn cruises around the rolling hills of Butterfly Farm on an ATV, two of his herding dogs running in sync with one another alongside the four-wheeler.

He points out a donkey that protects his sheep, grown for lamb meat, and calls for the “girls,” a herd of cows that run up to a fence and nestle their heads in Flynn’s hand as he pets them. This is the first year Butterfly Farm is raising cows, all grass-fed bovine, for beef.

Last May, Flynn purchased Butterfly Farm from Joyce Smith of Lincoln, who still helps out at the farm every day.

Flynn said taking over the farm has been a dream come true. Since he was about 7 years old, he’s helped out at the farm, selling hot chocolate, cider, candy and muffins with his childhood friend, Bryan Stachurski of Lincoln, during Christmas tree tagging season.

“I think we ate half the profits,” he said, laughing.

Flynn, the son of former Town Council member John Flynn, started working the land at the farm when he was older, carrying Christmas trees down to the 102-year-old barn where the trees are wrapped for customers, and helped pick pumpkins.

When he was about 14, Flynn said, he picked up more work, doing everything from maintenance painting to caring for the farm’s animals.

At 27, he began pursuing the purchase of the 77-acre property sitting beside Chase Farm and the Hearthside House, once Smith announced she was looking to retire about four years ago. As of May 2016, Flynn said, the farm was his, and he’s been juggling running the property with wo rking full-time as a teacher at Bristol County Agricultural High School in Massachusetts, teaching agricultural science and equine practices.

Butterfly Farm now sells chicken, goat and sheep meat, and will offer beef once the cattle have matured, as well as eggs, firewood, pumpkins, mums and a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers, the owner said.

Flynn said he’s trying to keep the farm stand, which runs on an honor system, open daily, and in the future, he wants to sell beef and eggs throughout the four seasons and build the beef herd.

He said he wants Butterfly Farm to become a place where people can buy their food in addition to tagging and cutting down Christmas trees, a tradition the farm has kept up for decades.

He’s particularly looking forward to this year’s tagging and cutting season, given that last year the farm lost nearly 2,000 trees to drought.

“This year’s like a new year,” he said, and the farm will open its tree lot for tagging starting Oct. 7, on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A small pumpkin patch will also open Oct. 7, Flynn said.

Once it’s closer to the season, Flynn said, Santa will make a return to the farm.

Flynn, a Lincoln High School Class of 2004 graduate, also offers “puppy kindergarten” at the farm, where he helps dog owners train their pups during a seven-week course that meets weekly for an hour.

Flynn, who graduated from University of Rhode Island with degrees in environmental horticulture and animal science, said he’s hoping to offer various workshops and a children’s summer camp at the farm in the future, to provide educational sessions about composting, gardening, putting together planters, animal husbandry and other farming elements.

“It’s a lot of work, but I love it. It’s a labor of love,” he said of juggling his full-time teaching job with running the farm at 679 Great Road.

“If I didn’t have the friends that I have, I wouldn’t be able to do everything I do here,” he said.

About 15 people volunteer to help out at the farm, he said, and his right-hand man and woman are Russ Ridge and Charlene Stachurski, both Lincoln residents. Friends and family make it all possible, he said, and he shows his gratitude each year with a ham dinner for volunteer workers.

Knowing the farm is part of the food system, growing food and providing for the community, Flynn said, has been rewarding.

“It’s definitely been a dream come true,” he said.

Dan Flynn looks over his crop of Christmas trees at Butterfly Farm, where tagging season begins Saturday, Oct. 7.

Butterfly Farm offers puppy kindergarten, one of the new initiatives Flynn has launched since purchasing the farm in May 2016. He said he’s trained roughly 60 dogs since the program began.

Dan Flynn greets a donkey at his Butterfly Farm in Lincoln. Flynn says the donkey will protect sheep from any predators that may pass through the farm. Chickens, cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, and dogs all roam the farm Flynn purchased in May 2016.

PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST ADMINISTRATION (PSAT)

Sophomore and Junior students may sign up to take the PSAT beginning on September 25th. The sign up deadline is Thursday, October 5th. Students should go to the Student Services Office to sign up to take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test.

The cost to take the test is $16.00. Payment can be made via cash or a check made out to B.C.A.H.S. Students will receive a study and practice booklet upon registering for the PSAT. The PSAT will be given on Wednesday, October 11th, at 8:15 a.m. in the school auditorium. Additional information about the PSAT can be found at collegeboard.org

In the Classroom:

Animal Science: In Mr. Flynn’s Large Animal Science class, students brought in food that embedded dairy ingredients. Students also tried the food which provided for a classroom discussion on pasteurization.

Landscape: This week our students in Landscape started their Fall Show 2017 projects. It looks great so far! Keep up the great work!

Flori: Floriculture students harvesting pumpkins and sunflowers on campus

Floriculture Seniors had 2 parties this week. One features sunflowers, solidago in a cylinder vase and the other is white hydrangea, white roses in a gold terra cotta pot!

Math: After finishing math quiz, arbor and ag mech students collaborate to create a catamaran.

Safety Trainings:

Mrs. VanRotz conducted our safety trainings with our students today! Safety is our top priority! #SafetyFirst

Amaral Bus Company practiced evacuations today with our students

Activities and Athletics:

The Sophomore class is having a Yankee Candle fundraiser that will benefit their future expenses for prom, yearbooks, etc. Please click here to place your order. Thank you for your support. Any questions, contact Mrs. Davis at sdavis@bcahs.com

Swim Team??? Attention Dighton or Rehoboth Students: Any students who reside in Dighton or Rehoboth can join the DR Falcons Swim Team. There will be an informational meeting for anyone interested in joining the DR Falcons Swim Team for the 2017-2018 season on Wednesday, October 11th at 7:00PM in the D-R Cafeteria. The season runs from December through January. Refreshments will be served! If you have any questions, please contact DR Swim Team President Melissa Enos at melissa.enos@gmail.com
Athletic Boosters: HELP SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL SPORTS

Please join our Athletic Booster Club Booth and Support the Sports Programs and sell our Delicious STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES and RAFFLE BASKETS at our biggest fundraiser event during the 2017 Fall Show, October 20-22, 2017 11am-5pm.

Please Sign up to help work the booth, parents and students or donate a Raffle Basket!

We're using SignUp.com to organize our upcoming SignUps. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: http://signup.com/go/emOEBOw
Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.

Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually. Their next meeting will be October 17 in Room 109 at 6:30pm

Drill Team:

Volleyball: We hosted a few home games this week and they demonstrated a lot of hard work. Keep up the great work!

Boys Soccer: Our boys finally had a home game after the weather cancelled their first home game at Bristol Aggie last week. The boys showed a lot of heart on Monday and Wednesday. #KeepGrinding