Weekly Update: September 11, 2026

On the heels of Brantwood, our 1st week in the building was as full as ever!

This afternoon we wrapped up the week with a Dendrites Conference - a two hour all-school experience focused on becoming metacognatively aware. We learned that becoming “metacognatively aware” means that we are actually THINKING about how we are thinking! What better way to start a school year than to increase our awareness about our brain function?! For new OSS students this was likely all new; for returning students, this was a refresher. All year we’ll continue to pay attention to how we learn, and how we can be intentional about things like study strategies and work habits. We hope you will ask your student about our Dendrites Conference, and what they learned or remembered.

This week we also kicked off our traditional partnership with the Community Boating Center. All students enjoyed a beautiful day on the water - and for our new students, sailing during the school day was a welcome delight!

Our first week included Community Meetings, a peer-led exploration of our Outdoor Classroom, settling into our classrooms and digging into academic content! Check out the joy…

Important Info Below:

TRANSPORTATION :

*For any bus related questions or concerns please contact Ms. Herman directly (sherman@oursistersschool.org).

*Dismissal for Evening Study and Clubs will work the same way as regular dismissal: students will come outside and be dismissed directly to their vehicles.

*Morning and Evening Study is only offered Monday through Thursday.

*The afternoon bus only runs Monday through Thursday.

Do you want tools to help limit screen time? This NYT article has ideas for all of us.

Community Resources:

In the gallery below you can see events taking place in our community that we have noticed and think are high interest! For example, we want to be sure you are well informed about the STEM for Girls event taking place at UMD on Sat. Oct. 17th. Also September 19th and October 17th are Open Farm Day at Round the Bend Farm. Maybe drop your OSS student off at UMD and take your family to RTB for an nature and culture-filled day!

It was exhilarating to be back at school. It was also exhausting to return to a full school day, so this weekend we hope everyone will find time to rest because on Monday morning we’ll wind it all back up again!

Ms. Herman and the OSS Team

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Weekly Update: September 7, 2026

Our first week of school was both short - and long!  It was only 3 days, but a day at camp is so full that it feels like a week!

We slept in cabins and listened to the rain fall gently, we walked through the wet morning grass to the dining hall for French toast with syrup and sat with our bunks, chatting about the campfire, warm s’mores, singing with Fitzy and drumming and dancing with Sidy. Over lunch-time grilled cheese sandwiches we reflected on days full of games and gatherings. We hiked, found our balance on wet rocks, logs and ropes – enjoyed the high ropes course and mountain views. We avidly discussed the differences between salamanders and newts.  Do you know the difference?

Most of all we connected and re-connected.  We kicked off the school year with togetherness. We launched our study of OSS Community Core Values and Tools. We prepared ourselves to arrive at school on Tuesday September 8th ready for a first day on the OSS campus. 

As you can clearly see, our Brantwood experience allowed for memorable outside time focused on community building, collaboration, communication and nature exploration. A few photos are below, and next week we’ll post a big Brantwood collection, so keep your eyes open for that.  This week our big collection is from summer ‘26 on-campus programming.  Can you find yourself in there?

Bus updates are always interesting!

Thank you for completing the form letting us know about your student's to and from school plans. Note that slight changes will inevitably occur as we settle into the school year. The bus will arrive at the first stop at 7:30am - all other times are approximate. The bus will leave OSS at 4:15pm - similarly, all other times are approximate. Please check your email for most updated bus routes, and if you need to make any changes email Maia Shwartz at mshwartz@oursistersschool.org.

Speaking of updates…. here are some key reminders for tomorrow:

Our first day in the building means we begin with fresh OSS uniforms. We bring in our summer homework, and both Morning and Evening study programs begin this week for those who are signed up. Programming at the Community Boating Center also kicks off this week, and students are reminded to bring a positive attitude and Crocs to wear there - but not at OSS, of course!

Exciting update: This fall our 6th graders will join World Ocean School on a 3 day, 2 night schooner expedition. We are excited for their amazing adventure and proud that they are prepared to embrace this learning experience!

Community Opportunities:

Project Adventure is opening its 3-acre ropes course in Beverly, MA to the public for the first time! Join to climb, play, and explore - climbing wall, zip line, ground games, and more!

The first ever Community Day will be held at Project Adventure in Beverly, MA on Saturday, September 19th, from 9am to 2pm. Families and adventurers of all ages will have the opportunity to experience the Project Adventure ropes course, including ground-level games, low and high climbing elements, community, food trucks, raffles, prizes & fun!

REGISTER NOW TO SAVE YOUR SPOT: $20 for adults, $10 for kids (under 5 is free).

Lastly, a special nod to Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem, two women who chased their dreams and lived long, full, and deeply impactful lives; two women who, in very different ways, were powerful advocates for women's rights. 

With great enthusiasm for the school year,

Ms. Herman and the OSS Team

P.S. If you would like a free OSS t-shirt, please fill out this survey so that we are prepared for distribution.

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Weekly Update: August 30, 2026

‍ ‍ Summer 2026 included essential time for reflection, preparation and beautiful programming.

All Things Art, Cape Verdean Culture Club, Cartoon Lab, Crafty Corner, Garden Care, Spanish Language Club, Safe Sitter Training and SPARK are examples of on-campus programming. Students also attended off-campus day and sleep away camps ranging from New Bedford’s very own Sea Lab, to residential sleep away camps in New Hampshire and Maine!

Enjoy photos below from our SPARK program, where OSS mentors help “littles” experience a taste of what we are all about.

Our 2026-2027 school year begins on Tuesday September 1st.

Remember your bag lunch and sleeping bag - we are going camping!

We will gather in the OSS Outdoor Classroom at 8am, and loaded busses depart promptly at 8:30am.

We will travel 2 hours north to the base of Mt. Monadnock and stay at Brantwood camp for 3 days of community building. We’ll enjoy nature, meals, games, activities, bunk life, camp fires and togetherness to set the stage for our school year. Wet weather is in the forecast so do plan for rain. You can see our packing list below. In addition to remembering a lunch for Tuesday and a sleeping bag, you should pack light (we only have so much space on the bus!) and bring stuff that can get dirty. Wear your old summer sneakers and leave the new ones for next week. Remember your pillow, hat, flashlight and warm layer.

Remember your lunch for Tuesday. Pack light - but dress for weather.

Pack old sneakers that can get dirty. A hat, rain coat and a warm layer will all be handy.

Perhaps while your child is at Brantwood you’ll have a rare moment to read this NYT Step by Step Tech Guide for Parents who Live in the Real World on the topics of managing social media and use of electronic devices with kids. Essentially, how to nurture a tech-wise teen. You can explore topics including: How to manage screen time. Assessing your child’s readiness for a smartphone. Helping your child develop healthy social media habits. We hope you’ll explore these ideas proactively.

It is not too late to receive a fresh backpack stuffed with school supplies! Just fill out this survey and volunteers from Grace Church will have one ready for your family!

This book collection box lives on our farmstand and we welcome everyone to help us fill it! If you have books to donate, just drop them into this box and your contributions will help keep our Little Free Library in Riverside Park stocked with pages to share!

Use your voice and follow the QR code above to share opinions about what type of programming the New Bedford Cultural Council should invest in.

Our staff did summer learning plans too! We read books, wrote summaries, attended workshops, practiced new skills, organized our school supplies and prepared lessons. As you can see below, we are wildly excited to get back into the rhythm of the school year and to spent our days with all of you!

With great enthusiasm for the school year ahead,

Ms. Herman and the OSS Team

We are super excited to start the new school year with YOU!

Weekly Update: June 6, 2026

Yesterday our school community gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026! Surrounded by family, friends, staff, volunteers, and board members, our graduates reflected on their OSS journey and shared a collective "Swan Song" as they looked ahead to the exciting opportunities awaiting them in high school. We are incredibly proud of these young women.

The ceremony itself was simply beautiful, and we want to shout out Ms. Sangiolo and Ms. Eugenio for the initiative, planning and focus that began in earnest last summer at Brantwood, in conversations with our 8th graders about leadership and goals for their school year. This level of attention to detail and intention is an example of what we believe makes the OSS experience so meaningful. We also want to acknowledge the number of graduates who were present for the ceremony. It was truly heartwarming to feel the strength of their continued connection to our school. Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

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On Wednesday our Field Day sizzled with camaraderie. Students were divided into eight vibrant color teams to tackle a series of action-packed, 30-minute station rotations. Strong spirit and collaboration was front and center as students navigated brain challenges, sped through hilarious cotton ball and Tic-Tac-Toe races , mastered a tactical Spider Web team challenge, and dodged flying water balloons during epic “battleship” matches on the basketball court.

Portfolio Presentations

Our Student-Led Portfolios continue to be an important time for students to reflect, engage, and take ownership of their learning. Each student created and presented a slideshow highlighting their growth across their core classes, sharing glows, grows, meaningful artifacts, and a Community Core Tool that exemplified their work and contributions. Students also thoughtfully documented their thinking around their Habits of Learning - identifying strengths, areas for continued growth, and setting goals and action steps for the future.

Measurement Extravaganza

Our fifth and sixth grade students experienced a “Measurement Extravaganza” on Tuesday. Dr. Roberts and Ms. McGonagle noticed that students might benefit from extra practice with skills related to measurement - like choosing a useful tool and an appropriate unit of measurement for a unique situation.

With eight stations set up in the Community Room, there was ample opportunity for students to get their hands on various challenges. Mixed groups of fifth and sixth graders traveled from station to station working on tasks involving area, volume, mass, speed and temperature change.

When the timer started for each station, students dove right into the challenge before them, and the room exploded with activity. Students shared expertise with each other and rotated active group roles, taking turns with jobs like organizing the group, collecting data and recording results.

The stations spanned quite a range. There was a short race track to measure the speed of a toy car. Nearby, a large container of water and ice was steadily warming up to room temperature. Students used a thermometer to measure the warming temperature over incremental periods of time. Across the room, other stations had water-filled graduated cylinders to find the volume of irregular shaped objects through displacement. You might ask your student why you need two measurements to find the volume of an object this way.

After visiting every station, students shared appreciations recognizing each other’s contribution. They noted how much they appreciated the chance to work with students from a different grade. They also celebrated how much they learned from each other as different students had strengths and expertise as they moved from task to task.

Over the summer, you can keep the learning going. Look for natural moments to recognize measurement in the world around us. For example when dealing with food, like at the grocery store or while preparing a snack, note the various units used to measure foods made of solids and the foods made of liquids. If you use measurement in your daily life, share those stories. In a time dominated by digital tools and experiences, it is still valuable for students to know how to manipulate rulers, scales, timers, thermometers, measuring cups and many other tools found in daily life and in the work of design and data.

OSS students were recently featured in a First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union commercial that will air soon. Watch the commercial here.

Summer Programming

We are excited for summer fun to begin! We will send reminders for upcoming programs to families registered for our summer programs. Please communicate with Ms. Sanders (asanders@oursistersschool.org or call/text 774-328-6694) 24 hours in advance if a student is not able to attend a session. Thank you.

Breakfast and Lunches provided

Over the summer, in the Outdoor Classroom, breakfast and lunch will be provided by New Bedford Public Schools Summer EATS Program. Breakfast  8-9:30 am and Lunch 11-12:30 Mon- Fri. July 1 - August 21.

Community Events

World Ocean Day at BWP zoo - June 6th 10am

AHA! - June 11th & July 9th

CBC Festa by the Sea (rain date)- June 13th 10am

Free day at the Buttownwood Park Zoo - June 14th 9am

Cape Verdean Recognition Parade

OSS is excited to participate in this year’s Cape Verdean Independence Recognition Parade. All OSS students and their families are welcomed and encouraged to join us in honoring Cape Verdean culture and heritage: Sunday, July 5th with check-in at 10am.

If you are interested in participating in the parade or helping with the float, please contact Ms. Pires at tpires@oursistersschool.org.

Don’t want to walk but still want to be involved? We would love your help designing and building our float. Put your creativity and design skills to work while supporting your community!

If you want to give back to OSS, one of the best things you can do is help us spread the word. And good news, we’ve got 2 more Admissions Presentations to advertise!

Summer Learning Plans: Dig in!

OSS Festival of Arts and Student Achievement

Enjoy this photo gallery. We are piloting this approach to sharing pictures - and hope you like it. See button below.

CONGRATULATIONS to ALL on the completion of a remarkable school year. This is the final weekly update for a while - but you know we’ll always be in touch!

With enthusiasm for summer break,

Ms. Herman and the OSS Team

See you next year!!!!

Weekly Update: May 31, 2026

We have just officially wrapped up our 4th quarter.  Report cards will be mailed home June 18th. This coming week includes Field Day and Portfolio Conferences as we ease our way into summer vacation. 8th grade graduation is Friday June 5th at 5:30pm, and all sorts of summer programming facilitated by and through OSS is on the horizon.

The week of June 8th our staff begins a thorough reflection process as we carefully consider the school year completed and, if you can believe it, begin planning for next year!  Everyone needs to reflect, rest and prepare!

This past Friday our Festival of Arts and Student Achievement provided a powerful reminder of the breadth and depth of our teaching and learning. We were so honored to have New Bedford Public Schools Superintendent Andrew O’Leary in attendance, and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell speak at our opening. Her personal story is awe inspiring, as is her message encouraging resilience - a quality our students pursue and demonstrate daily.

Below you can enjoy a collage of photos from our event. Family moments captured, student learning on display, and exploration in the science and math classrooms - using microscopes to look at nature, families joining in math games, the creation of cold packs and solving a home-made Pangaea puzzle - to illustrate a few moments of goodness:

Aracelly graciously shares 5th grade explorations of National Parks.

Savannah hosting family members for games in her math classroom.

‍ ‍ Katie Soares, Martha Sullivan, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, Lisa Alvord, Margaret McSweeny

7th grade businesses - The Young Entrepreneurs Marketplace - created immense buzz. There was so much purchasing of lovingly produced product going on that students needed to recruit help from friends and family to help manage the demand!

8th graders, graduates, and our archive. A celebratory collection that reminds us of time passing - recognized.

Calendar Highlights

TODAY ~ Family Service Credits due for grades 5-7

June 3 ~ Last day of School, Field Day, ½ Day

**The bus will run Wed June 3rd. It will depart OSS at 12:10.**

June 4 & 5 Portfolio Presentations

June 5 ~ 8th graduation 5:30-6:30

June 9 ~ OSS Admissions Presentations, 4:30pm

June 20 ~ OSS Admissions Presentations, 10am

Teacher Appreciation Month

We felt VERY appreciated during our month of May Teacher Appreciation festivities. Countless snacks, meals, flowers and thoughtful touches. Thank you to the Family Engagement Committee parent leaders, to Ms. Hachem for facilitating the treats, and to our caring parents for their generous support. We feel the love - and we really, really appreciate it!

Summer SPARK:

Reminder that if your student has signed up to serve as a mentor for our summer SPARK program, a contract was sent home in Friday folders. Please ensure that this form is returned by Monday, June 1st.

Any mentor who is interested in helping Ms. Eugenio and Ms. Pires plan for SPARK over the break is more than welcome to join us! We would love ideas, creativity, and support as we prepare for an exciting summer program! Please email Ms.Pires with your interest: tpires@oursistersschool.org

Dartmouth High School’s Robotics team, led by OSS alumni Kassidy ‘26, hosted a robotics showcase for our 5th grade. Students engaged with lego robotics, robotic cars, competition level robots, and engineering challenges.

May 2026 Calendar Raffle

This Week’s Winners

Winners and prizes this week:

5/23 Grace Rego - $50 Servedwell

5/24 Michael Lefebvre - $50 Servedwell

5/25 Fernanda Silveira - $50 Domino’s

5/26 Ashlie Monteiro - $25 Amazon Gift Card

5/27 Angela Fisher - $50 Servedwell

5/28 Paula Monteiro - $20 Ming Sushi

5/29 Maria Leite - $50 Domino’s

5/30 Roxane Lopez - $30 Panera Gift Card

5/31 Romayne Grace - $50 Servedwell

Thanks for participating. We raised over $1,500!

Community Choice Awards

Reminder: Voting is now open for the South Coast Today Community Choice Awards. We’re thrilled to have been nominated as one of the best schools in the region. Consider voting for OSS, so we can finish in the top three spots!

See you tomorrow for our last week of school!

Ms. Herman and the OSS Team

Weekly Update: May 23, 2026

In Science, 5th graders presented their nurse log  models to each other.  A nurse log is a fallen tree that supports other things to live and grow. Then, we made a consensus model that we all agree on. Come see our final model at the FAA next Friday!

                                                     Visibility is important and we are excited to share:

‍                       ‍OSS has been nominated as South Coast Community Choice Award Best Private School.

                               Now we need to vote and earn the title.  Please help our effort.  Thank you! 

The OSS Board is in the early stages of a long-term planning process with five working groups dividing the labor. The Strengthening and Preserving OSS’s Culture working group wants your feedback on OSS’s culture via a very short survey. Responses are confidential. Thank you for your time and feedback! ‍ ‍Here is a link to the survey.

Our spring Performing Arts Showcase is a wonderful precursor to the Festival of Arts and Student Achievement. As the photos illustrate, our Showcase is a culmination of collaborative and high spirited musicality, physicality and fun. Each Friday morning throughout the school year all students participates in programming including African drumming, guitar, uke, wind instruments, violin, dance, digital music production, voice and 5th grade music fundamentals.

We are so grateful to our amazing Performing Arts team of teachers and proud of our brave and resilient students.

Calendar Highlights

May ~ TEACHER APPRECIATION MONTH

May 25 ~ Memorial Day; No School

May 29 ~ End of Q4; make sure to submit all work!

May 29 ~ Festival of Arts and Student Achievement 3:30-6pm

May 31 ~ Family Service Credits due for grades 5-7

June 3 ~ Last day of School, Field Day, ½ Day

June 4 & 5 Portfolio Presentations

June 5 ~ 8th graduation 5:30-6:30

Community Service Credits

If you refer a family to OSS and they attend an admissions event and complete an application, you can earn a service credit. The more families you refer, the more credits you can earn! Click here to learn more.

Upcoming Events

May 2026 Calendar Raffle

This Week’s Winners

Winners and prizes this week:

5/16 Helen Ackah - $50 Domino’s

5/17 Patrick Pankowski - $50 Domino’s

5/18 Danielle LaTulippe - $50 Vault Performance & Pub

5/19 Stephanie Semedo - $50 Servedwell

5/20 Kerri Gomes - $20 Dairy Maid

5/21 Danielle LaTulippe - $50 Domino’s

5/22 Paula Monteiro - $25 Apothe Corner

It isn’t too late! Use the QR code above and join in!

Community Choice Awards

Reminder: Voting is now open for the South Coast Today Community Choice Awards. We’re thrilled to have been nominated as one of the best schools in the region. Consider voting for OSS, so we can finish in the top three spots!

See you Tuesday for another exciting week. The FAA is on Friday!

Ms. Herman and the OSS Team