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. Dr. Roberts and Ms. McGonagle appreciate the support of Ms. Morgan, Ms. Main, Ms. Pires, Mr. Moniz, Ms. Raposa, Mr. Diaz and Mrs. Hachem, in setting up and facilitating an event with so many different ways to practice measurement.

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!!!!