Each month we are highlighting a different department and providing exciting news about the activities occurring within that department. This month we highlight the World Language Department.

World Languages Department Information:

Number of Department Members: 6

Languages Offered: Portuguese and Spanish

Collective Years of Teaching: 114 years

Collective Years at SBRHS: 92 years

Degrees Held:

• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations

• Bachelor of Arts in Portuguese

• Bachelor of Arts in Portuguese and French

• Bachelor of Arts in Portuguese and Spanish (2 teachers)

• Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

• Masters in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies

• Master of Arts in Teaching

• Master of Arts in Portuguese Studies (2 teachers)

• Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish

Department Members:

David Gleason, World Languages Content Coordinator

Gaby Arsenault

Kelly Camara-Araujo

Matt de Matos

Carmen Francisco

Natalia Goncalves

World Languages Vision Statement:

In the World Language Department, ALL students will be exposed to a high level of proficiency in a world language. Our students will be Resilient as they encounter a rigorous Academic program that challenges them to be Independent critical thinkers, problem solvers, and strong communicators in real-world situations. Students will strive to be world-ready Digital-citizens who display Empathy and Respect to those people and cultures of the world.

Important Information from the World Languages Department:

• At least two consecutive years of study in Portuguese or Spanish is encouraged to satisfy most college’s entrance requirements for world languages. Three and four years of a language are also offered and are preferable in the eyes of college admissions counselors.

• World Languages Academic Support is offered on Tuesdays after school in the library free of charge. Students can receive extra help and make up missing assignments during academic support. Mrs. Arsenault, Mrs. Camara-Araujo and Mr. de Matos are the instructors this year.

Looking ahead:

• The World Language Department, SBRHS and the school districts of Somerset and Berkley will be celebrating Multicultural Week April 10, 2023 - April 14, 2023.

• A group of SBRHS students will be traveling to Portugal and Spain in February 2024, led by group leaders Mrs. Camara-Araujo and Mr. Talbot.

School Roles of our Department Members:

Academic Support and Tutoring

Boys Varsity Soccer Coach

Baseball Volunteer Coach

Future Teachers of America Advisor

Interdisciplinary Travel Team

Scheduling Committee

World Language Club Advisor

Department members have lived in or visited:

Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bolivia, Canada, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Haiti, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Monaco, Portugal, The Azores, Madeira, Puerto Rico, Spain, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Thomas, Switzerland, Turks and Caicos, US Virgin Islands.

Fun Facts - Guess Who? (Answers Can be found at the end of the Raider Family News)

1. ?- I played basketball in Middle School and played accordion in High School.

2. ? - I can play a variety of musical instruments, including the pipe organ, piano, trombone, clarinet, tuba, saxophone, baritone and trumpet. I've worked as a bank teller, barista and substitute teacher.

3. ? - I love World War II movies.

4. ? - I have taught grades 5 up to the university level. I was the first Spanish professor of a current colleague of mine. I did both undergrad and graduate work in Spain. I have walked on the equator. I have stood in the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time. I love reading historical fiction. I am a fan of the Godfather movies (1 and 2). I have led student and adult groups through Spain, France, England, and Ecuador.

5. ? - I have had the honor of coaching over 400 games for the Blue Raiders. I've climbed an active volcano. I've seen both Messi and Ronaldo play in person, unfortunately not against each other. I've been to 15 different MLB stadiums. My favorite dessert is Gregg's chocolate cake and my favorite ice cream flavor is coffee.

6. ?- I developed a love for languages at a very young age. French was my first passion. I studied in Lisbon and Madeira before coming to the US, as a young adult. In 2016, I saw Cristiano Ronaldo and his family in his homeland - Funchal, on Madeira island - during the opening of his own Pestana CR7 Hotel. I have always loved poetry, music, dancing, and swimming.

I am blessed to have a few lifelong friends - some, living in different parts of the world - with whom I have kept in close contact for over 40 years, in spite of the thousands of miles that separate us. I cherish every moment and treasure each memory with my loving family and friends.

Multicultural Week is sponsored by our World Language Department and will be the week of April 10-14th. During this week, we will be celebrating various cultures including presentations by staff and students on countries such as Bolivia, Italy and Germany. Partnering with our food service team, we will also have lunch items in the cafeteria that focus on different cultures and ethnicities around the world.

On April 10, 2023, there is a half day dismissal at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will not be served on this day due to town voting in our student dining center.

Somerset Berkley DECA students competed against over 3,000 students in the Massachusetts State competition. We are proud to announce that Henry James and Abigail Kettle will be moving on to the the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida. There they will each be competing in their respective categories against the top students in the country. Congratulation and Good Luck to Henry & Abigail!

The Will McDonough Writing Contest, named in honor of the legendary Boston Globe sportswriter, takes place every year.

In 2022, over 1,000 students from across New England participated in the contest. The winners are chosen by The Globe sports writers and editors. The contest is open to all students in grades 4 through 12. This year Somerset Berkley had a very impressive showing. We congratulate all of our honorees:

Grade 11

Second Place: Kyle Comeau

Honorable Mention: Rylee Resendes, Ryan Rose and Sam Trenholme

Grade 12

Honorable Mention: Brooke Bernier, Gabby Fernandes, Kylie Green, Serena Da Silva, and Emma Preston

On Saturday, March 25, Somerset Berkley Regional High School’s Model UN took three teams to Bunker Hill Community College to compete in the twenty-first annual Academic WorldQuest, sponsored by the World Affairs Councils of America. At the event, SBRHS was joined by thirteen other teams competing from around the Commonwealth. Academic WorldQuest is a team game testing high school students' knowledge of international affairs. In the game, four-person teams compete by answering questions divided into ten unique and engaging thematic categories.

Teams that participated:

Lexi Avelar

Andrea Santos

Madison Fisher

Zachary Dauphin

Nathaniel Melo

Ryan Rose

Rylee Resendes

Jacob Newman

Abigail Kettle

Allison Kettle

Paul Castonguay

Ryan Vieira

Although SBRHS did not win the event, we brought three teams that are dedicated to international affairs, motivated to engage in the Model UN, and made SBRHS proud!

The PSAT's will be offered to any sophomore interested in taking the test on Friday, April 28, 2023. There is no cost for taking this test and it will be administered during the school day. Be on the lookout for signups from Mrs. McCarthy via email. If you have any questions or would like more information, please email Mrs. McCarthy.

The annual Peer Leadership SBRHS-Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023.

Students who scheduled an appointment for our last drive, which was cancelled due to inclement weather, can reschedule their appointments at: Schedule appointment.

If students didn't get a chance to sign up last time, please schedule an appointment using this link.

If you are 16, please see Ms. Copeland in room 235 for the parental consent form that is mandatory for 16 year-old donors. Any questions should be directed to Ms. Gosson in room 237 or Ms. Copeland in 235 or see Ms. Copeland and Ms. Gosson during their scheduled lunch.

Please be aware this blood drive is for STUDENTS AND STAFF OF SBRHS ONLY. There is no availability for outside guests to participate during this event.

Abbie O'Brien and Madison Fisher represented SBRHS at Student Government Day today at the State House.

On April 10, SBRHS will be running our first Career Fair. Students were sent a link via email to sign up. If any person/ business is interested in obtaining a booth for this fair, please contact Ms. Tina Shorette.

Any students looking for hours of community service are invited to volunteer at the 5K Run/1 Mile Walk and Community Clean-up, immediately following the race. Hours of the event are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information or to volunteer please contact Mr. Robert Gaw, Mrs. Jennifer Gaw, Ms. Sasha Horton, or Ms. Cindy Munroe.

1. Ms. Goncalves

2. Mr. de Matos

3. Ms. Arsenault

4. Mrs. Camara-Araujo

5. Mr. Gleason

6. Mrs. Francisco