BPS District Newsletter
Superintendent's Message
Dear Bourne Public Schools Community,
Although February was a short month, it was full of student achievement! From winter athletic accolades and playoff games to BMS students attending the Cape Cod Junior Band Workshop, our students continue to excel in many areas.
In this issue of the District Newsletter, you’ll find updates on the budget process, our ongoing strategic planning efforts, and exciting student opportunities, including career-connected learning at BMS and BHS interns visiting the middle school. We also share a staff update on Dr. Starkie, who has been named a finalist for the Freetown-Lakeville Superintendent position.
Additionally, I want to acknowledge recent concerns in the community regarding high school choices for our current eighth-grade class. While I have had individual conversations with several parents and students about this topic, I encourage you to read below for more details on our eighth-grade enrollment process, our strategic planning efforts, and upcoming opportunities to engage in these discussions. I also invite you to explore all of the great programs and opportunities available within Bourne Public Schools.
As always, thank you for your continued support of Bourne Public Schools!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou
Superintendent, Bourne Public Schools
Winter Athletic Accolades
Bourne High School is celebrating a successful winter athletics season, with two newly broken basketball scoring records and a total of four Canalmen teams clinching a spot in the playoffs.
Both the boys and girls basketball teams have secured impressive rankings in their respective divisions, with the boys basketball team earning the No. 2 seed and the girls basketball team claiming the No. 4 seed. In addition to their success on the court, multiple athletes have been recognized with South Coast Conference honors for their outstanding performances this season.
“For a small high school, BHS had a big impact on the basketball court this year,” said Principal Maguire. “We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes, not only for their athletic achievements but also for the sportsmanship and teamwork they have displayed throughout the season.”
Playoff Picture
Congratulations to the boys basketball team that took on Rockland High School at home on Friday for an exciting game! Their next match up will be against Littleton on Tuesday at 6:30 at home as they advance in the tournament.
Congratulations to the girls basketball team who faced Tri County/Easthampton at home and won. Their next match up is Wednesday at 6:30 at home vs. Frontier.
Congratulations to the girls hockey team co-op with Sandwich who beat Melrose and will be advancing in tournament play vs. Marshfield on Sunday 3/2 at 7:00 at the Bog Ice Rink.
A round of applause to BHS Boys Hockey for a solid season including solid power rankings that resulted in some exciting tournament play against Littleton HS last Thursday. Congratulations on a great winter season.
Record-Breaking Achievements
This season has been historic for Bourne High School basketball, with two Canalmen athletes breaking all-time leading scorer records:
Paige Meda set a new girls’ scoring record, surpassing the previous mark of 1,364 points held for about 27 years by Heather Chase, Class of 1997.
Nate Reynolds broke the boys’ scoring record, previously held by Jacob Ashworth, a 2017 Bourne High School graduate, who set the record at 1,585 points.
South Coast Conference Awards
Five Bourne High School boys basketball players were recognized, and the entire team was credited for good sportsmanship by the South Coast Conference (SCC) Awards.
Nate Reynolds — League MVP (second consecutive year)
Mikey Dankert — SCC All-Star
Emery Robbins — SCC All-Star
Quinn Moriarty — Honorable Mention All-Star (led the league in assists)
Ethan Fox — Honorable Mention All-Star and Sportsmanship Award Winner
Bourne High School Boys Basketball Team — Team Sportsmanship Award
Six members of the Bourne High School girls basketball team earned recognition for their performance and sportsmanship.
Paige Meda — League MVP (second consecutive year)
McKinley Wenzel — SCC All-Star
Reaghan Blake — SCC All-Star
Aubrey France — Honorable Mention All-Star
Olivia Meda — Honorable Mention All-Star
Nola Timo — Sportsmanship Award Winner
Athletic Director Ashworth reflected on the winter season, emphasizing the discipline, dedication, and teamwork that contributed to Bourne's collective and individual success.
“These accomplishments are a product of the dedication and hard work of our student-athletes, coaches, and supporters,” said Athletic Director Ashworth. “We are excited to see what we achieve in the postseason.”
BMS Students Attend the Cape Cod Junior Band Workshop
On Wednesday fourteen BMS band students joined with musicians from across Cape Cod for a day of music making and an afternoon performance. Congratulations to our student musicians for their hard work and for representing BMS well. Also, thank you to BMS Band Director, Mrs. MacKenzie for organizing this event for our students.
BHS Competes in the MTEG Drama Festival with an Adaptation of 'Emma'
Congratulations to Director Tristan Burke and the BHS Drama cast and crew for their impressive performances at the METG Festival! After a successful public sneak peek of their adaptation of Emma on February 27, they took the stage again on March 1, showcasing their talent and dedication.
BHS Drama earned several awards, including:
- Abbie Smith – Lighting
- Shea Reilly – Acting
- Keilah Rauch – Costumes
- Keilah Rauch – Acting
- Miranda Rossignol – Scenic Design
Well done to all involved in bringing this production to life!
Pictures from throughout the district
Dr. Starkie is chosen as the new Freetown-Lakeville Superintendent
BHS Interns Visit BMS for Career Connected Learning
Bourne Middle School (BMS) was awarded a Career Connected Learning Partnership Grant from DESE to support student exploration of interests, skills, and career pathways. This initiative enhances the relevance of middle school learning through hands-on experiences.
Recently, 6th grade students attended a Lyric Stage field trip as part of this program, while 7th grade students engaged with BHS Senior Interns to learn about high school internships and career exploration. These 100-hour internships, available to all BHS seniors, provide valuable real-world experiences and help build community connections that benefit students whether they pursue college, the workforce, or military service.
Looking ahead, BMS will host a Career Fair next month for all students. Special thanks to Ms. Strode, Ms. Iannucci, and the BHS Senior Interns for their role in fostering these meaningful learning experiences!
Addressing Enrollment Concerns & Strategic Planning
As we continue our commitment to transparency and collaboration, we want to take a moment to address the concerns raised about the current 8th-grade enrollment and share updates on our broader strategic planning efforts.
Strategic Planning & Enrollment Considerations
Over the past year, Bourne Public Schools has been engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning process to guide our district’s future. This work began with a district-wide survey on grade allocation, which explored options such as universal PreK expansion and the potential inclusion of 8th grade at the high school. While no decisions have been made, enrollment trends and facility usage remain at the forefront of our discussions.
It is important to note that declining enrollment is a trend happening across Cape Cod due to lower-than-average birth rates and a shortage of affordable family housing. The current class of 2029 is a smaller-than-average cohort, but we believe this will not become a long-term trend due to large-scale building projects in town and the hands-on programs at Bourne High School. These include Innovation Pathways, senior internships for all, early college opportunities, AP offerings, and outstanding co-curricular and athletic programs that make BHS a vibrant and engaging school.
The Strategic Planning Steering Committee, which formed in response to last year’s survey, has been meeting monthly for several hours since September to analyze data, explore solutions, and define priorities for the district. The committee includes broad stakeholder input, consisting of parents, teachers, administrators, students, School Committee members, and community representatives, ensuring that multiple perspectives are considered. To gain deeper insights, the committee has conducted focus groups and additional surveys, which have helped refine the district’s priorities. As a result, we are now in the final phases of drafting a new five-year strategic plan, which will address multiple key areas, including teaching and learning, communication, and facilities usage.
8th Grade Enrollment Process: What’s Happening Now?
Each year, the process of enrolling 8th-grade students at BHS follows a timeline that includes multiple opportunities for students and families to learn about the high school experience. While initial enrollment numbers are still in flux, past trends indicate that more students will commit to BHS as the year progresses.
Here’s a look at what has already taken place and what’s ahead:
✅ Past Events:
BHS Open House (Fall) – 7th and 8th graders toured the school, experienced classes, and met student ambassadors.
Program of Studies Night (Winter) – Families learned about academic offerings, pathways, and extracurricular opportunities.
🔄 Recent Events:
Guidance Visits – High school counselors visited BMS to guide students through the course selection process. This process continues throughout the year as course sections are refined. Stay tuned for exciting information about next year's electives.
Grade 8: Course Selection Social Breakfast – A huge thank you to BHS Principal Dr. Maguire and the BHS students who joined Grade 8 on Thursday morning for a course selection social. Students were treated to donuts for breakfast and had a chance to hear about electives, internships, AP courses, athletics, and other opportunities at BHS. This social was the final event in our course selection process.
📅 Upcoming Events:
Shadow Days – Interested 8th graders will have the opportunity to spend a day at BHS to experience classes firsthand.
Step-Up Day – A full-day transition program designed to help incoming freshmen feel comfortable in their new school.
Class of 2029 Welcome Events – Various gatherings throughout the spring and summer to build excitement and ease the transition.
Next Steps & Opportunities for Community Involvement
We recognize that decisions about enrollment, facilities, and strategic planning impact the entire Bourne community. We encourage continued participation in the following key events:
📌 March 5th School Committee Meeting – A facilities and enrollment audit will be presented, considering all district buildings and the potential impact of new housing developments in Bourne.
📌 April 2nd School Committee Meeting – The draft of the district’s five-year strategic plan will be presented for community feedback.
📌 Community Forum (Late Summer/Early Fall 2025) – A dedicated space for discussion about long-term planning and district priorities.
We appreciate the ongoing engagement from families and community members. Your input is critical as we shape the future of Bourne Public Schools. If you have any questions or want to stay involved, please attend our upcoming meetings or reach out to district leadership.
Thank you for your partnership in making BPS stronger for all students!
School Committee Update
The Bourne School Committee held two meetings in February, covering important district updates and decisions.
At the February 5 meeting, presentations included a Student Advisory Spotlight on recent events and Spirit Week, an update on Competency Determination Class of 2025, and the adoption of the UFLI Phonics grades K-5 The Committee also announced the full ratification of all four union successor contracts, including agreements with AFSCME Council #93, Local 30, and the Bourne Educators Association (BEA) for support personnel, administrative assistants, and teachers. Additionally, votes of support were taken to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the MSBA for possible funding for the BMS Roof Project, revise several policies—including one related to Artificial Intelligence, and accept a $50,000 grant to collaborate with Mass Maritime Academy on early college program planning.
The February 26 meeting focused on the FY26 Budget Hearing, as required by MGL Chapter 71, Section 38N, following a Superintendent Evaluation workshop. The School Committee voted favorably to move the budget forward to Town Meeting. The Bourne Selectboard will hear the budget presentation on Tuesday, March 4. See the full Presentation here.
The next School Committee meeting is March 5, 2025. The agenda can be found here - agenda link.
Upcoming Events
- March 1, BHS METG Competition Performance Emma 2 p.m. in the Auditorium
- March 1, BES Challenge 21!
- March 3-7, BES Read Across America Week - Bournedale Book Train
- March 5, Best Buddies/SEPAC Zoom
- March 6, Screen Time Parent Workshop
- March 6, BMS 6PM -BINGO Night
- March 7, BES Dress As Your Favorite Book Character
- March 11, BHS Spring Meet the Coach Night
- March 13, BIS Knock Down Hunger
- March 13, BES PTA Family Fun Night - DJ Ooch!!!!
- March 14, BMS 6PM - PTA March Madness
- March 21, BHS Credit for Life Fair for Juniors
- March 21, World Down Syndrome Day Rock Your Socks!
- March 21, EARLY RELEASE DAY
- March 27 STEAMPosium
- See the BPS District Events Calendar on the website for all upcoming events
- Click HERE to access our Bourne For Children website and information
- The PTA press -https://secure.smore.com/n/2dtce-bourne-pta-press
***Looking for information and fliers about community events? Check out the BPS "Digital Backpack" on our website. The backpack is a one-stop-shop for all upcoming events!***