Beacon Bulletin
January 2019
Recap & Forecast
December brought plenty of cheer to our schools, and our students and faculty were certainly in the giving spirit. Founders' "Warm Their Soles" Drive collected an abundance of socks and toiletries to a local shelter. The Beacon team collected over 100 pairs of gloves, hats & scarves that were donated to the local organization Connecting for Children & Families, which aids families in need in the Woonsocket community.
There was also time for enriching experiences beyond our schools' doors. Beacon students had the amazing opportunity to attend a performance of Hamilton in Hartford, Connecticut. Founders students also went on a theatrical excursion to see Trinity Rep's, A Christmas Carol. That trip is an annual Founders tradition that the students always enjoy. 8th graders attended the Junior Achievement Convention where they explored educational and occupational options for the future.
Founders Academy students were given a taste of one of Beacon's meaningful rites-of-passage. 8th graders hosted their Culinary Arts Night at the Millrace Kitchen in Woonsocket. They spent the whole day cooking in a commercial kitchen and served their families their delectable dishes in the evening. Founders Culinary Arts teacher Chef Park worked hard to make the event a success, and to give the students the opportunity to cook in the Millrace Kitchen space. Thank you, Chef Park for all of your hard work and dedication! The students did an excellent job!
Beacon Seniors worked tirelessly to make their final Arts Night a shining success, complete with exquisite culinary creations, compelling theatrical performances, and expressively creative works of art. We are so proud of our graduating Seniors for being such dedicated and determined student artists. Their future is certainly bright!
January will be centered around academics and preparing for mid-term exams. With the first semester of the school year coming to a close, we hope all of our students are committing themselves to their studies and art, and embracing and overcoming all of the challenges the coming months might bring.
We wish the entire Beacon Community a Happy and Healthy New Year! Bring on 2019!
Senior Arts Night
Hamilton
The Hamilton Education Program invites Title I–eligible high schools to integrate Alexander Hamilton and the Founding Era into classroom studies, and then allows students to see the musical for only $10. The Hamilton Education Program is part of the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s broader mission to improve the teaching and learning of American history.
In order to attend the show, students needed to create a two minute performance project highlighting the events of the American Revolution. This was a mandatory requirement, given by the Gilder Lehrman Institute, that ensured the experience was educational. The institute asked each school to submit a recording of one student's performance project to be entered into a contest, where the winning submission would be performed live at the theatre, prior to the Hamilton performance.
Beacon student, Kyarah Rosa's project was chosen, and she performed it proudly in front of the entire audience at the Bushnell Theatre. Brava, Kyarah! Your riveting monologue was powerful and heartfelt. A video of Kyarah's performance is featured below.
The experience was enriching and exciting for all of our students artists. Thank you, Mary Melo, for making it all possible.
Founders Culinary Arts Night
2019-2020 Admissions Application Available
Information for Families/Siblings:
If you have a student currently enrolled, and you would like for their sibling to attend our schools next year, please go to beaconart.org/admissions to apply. Siblings are not automatically accepted without an application. If there are available seats in that grade, siblings of active students (who have completed an application) take first priority.
Information for Applicants:
All applicants must fill out a new application every year until they are granted a seat. You may apply online at beaconart.org/admissions. The application is available in English or Spanish. Applicants who do not have access to a computer may come to either school during normal business hours and will be provided a computer to fill out an application. We will also have computers available at open houses for applicants to use. All applications must be submitted before February 28 at 4:00pm, no exceptions.
Open House Information
Families of current eighth graders are encouraged to attend the Beacon Open Houses to learn about the Beacon high school experience.
FINAL Open House Dates 2018-2019:
Beacon Open House
Tuesday, January 29th @ 7pm
Founders Open House
Tuesday, January 29th @ 5:30pm
We welcome all prospective students and families to join us for our Open Houses. We will be giving tours and there will be an information session to address any questions.
If you have any questions about Open Houses or Admissions, please contact: admissions@beaconart.org or call (401)6716261 ext 3000
Declaration Initiative
A play titled Declaration by California playwright, Jonathan Dorf, will be world premiered at the Beacon Theatre Workshop at Beacon Charter High School for the Arts on Jan. 10, 2019.
Beacon’s theatre students and theatre director, Jason Robert LeClair, will be given credit as the original cast, crew, and theater space in the publications of the play. Dorf will fly in from the west coast to be in attendance for the premiere. Beacon will be donating all ticket sale profits from the Declaration performances to the March For Our Lives organization.
The Declaration Initiative invites schools across the nation to take part in the premiere weekend by putting on their own performances or stage readings of the play. Schools from coast to coast have signed on to take part, putting on performances on the premiere weekend, and on the anniversary of the Parkland shooting. All schools who are a part of this prolific initiative have agreed to donate the proceeds of the performances to March For Our Lives, as well. The Declaration Initiative is a student driven theatrical revolution and demonstration that encourages change, hope, and spreads awareness of the effects of gun violence in schools.
Don't miss out on this powerful performance. To purchase tickets please visit: beacon.booktix.com
Beowulf Projects in Mr. Boland's English Class
National Honor Society Spreads Cheer
Founders Holiday Fun
Mrs. Strumolo’s 7th Grade Advisory (pictured below) worked hard on their 1st place winning Gingerbread Schoolhouse. They made careful plans beforehand and executed it masterfully! Congratulations!
Ms. Placido’s Advisory won 2nd place. It was a close call. Good work everyone!
Mayoral Inauguration Catered by Culinary Students
Beacon and Founders students helped serve cupcakes at Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt's inauguration. They were professional and polite, and the cupcakes were enjoyed by all.
Thank you to Chef Illum and her culinary student artists for making the delicious cupcakes!
Half-Days for Mid-Term Exams and Upcoming Days Off
On January 16th, 17th, and 18th students will be dismissed at 11:10am due to mid-term exams. There are half-days for exams so students can have plenty of time to study. Busses will be available as usual for students who take the bus. If you pick up your student, please make arrangements to have them picked up at 11:10am on those days.
On Monday, January 21st there will be no school in observance of MLK Jr. Day. The next day, Tuesday, January 22nd there will also be no school for students so that the faculty can have a Professional Development day. Please plan accordingly!
Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday, January 8th @ 6pm: PTSA Meeting
Wednesday, January 9th @ 6pm: Beacon Board Meeting
Thursday, January 10th @ 7pm: Declaration Performance
Friday, January 11th @ 7pm: Declaration Performance
Tuesday, January 15th @ 3pm: School Improvement Team Meeting
January 16th, 17th, and 18th: Dismissal at 11:10am for Mid-Term Exams
Friday, January 18th: Beacon Winter Ball @ Twelve Acres
Monday, January 21st: No School in Observance of MLK Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 22nd: No School-- Professional Development Day
Thursday, January 24th: Junior Arts Night (more details to follow)
Tuesday, January 29th @ 5:30pm: Open House-- Founders Academy
Tuesday, January 29th @ 7pm: Open House-- Beacon
Thursday, January 31st: Opening Night for Richard III
February 1st, 2nd, & 3rd: Richard III
Tuesday, February 5th: Senior Visual Portfolios
Wednesday, February 6th: Senior Theatre Portfolios
Wednesday, February 6th @ 6pm: Beacon Board Meeting
Thursday, February 7th: Senior Culinary Portfolios
Tuesday, February 12th @ 4pm: School Improvement Team Meeting
About Us
Website: beaconart.org
Location: 320 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI, USA
Phone: (401)6716261
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beaconart/
Twitter: @BeaconCharter