Junior Nick Barrett had never been inside Pilgrim High School until yesterday morning and, given the upcoming consolidation of secondary schools, he’ll be spending a lot of time there next …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
|
Junior Nick Barrett had never been inside Pilgrim High School until yesterday morning and, given the upcoming consolidation of secondary schools, he’ll be spending a lot of time there next year.
Barrett was one of about 25 Vets students who spent the day at Pilgrim in the first of several waves of Vets students who will visit the school this month as part of a student-shadowing program created by acting Pilgrim Principal Pam Bernardi and assistant principal Chip McGair.
“The idea for this voluntary shadowing program was born when the Pilgrim and Vets junior class officers met together at Pilgrim. The students enjoyed the opportunity to meet future classmates, saw what a typical day at Pilgrim looks like, and began to build relationships,” said McGair.
For Barrett it was instant acceptance. In fact, his reputation preceded him.
As the Vets students arrived they were ushered into the cafeteria to be paired with their Pilgrim mentor for the day. Although the Vets students sat on one side of the cafeteria and the Pilgrim students on the other, some students didn’t wait for directions. They had found one another and were ready for a day of school.
Barrett was paired with Mary Mullane, also a junior. As the two headed down the corridor, Mullane said they would be going to chorus.
Barrett was incredulous.
“You’re in chorus?” he said.
Mullane nodded. Barrett is a member of the Pilgrim choir and active in the school’s music programs.
Already Barrett was starting to feel like he was a part of Pilgrim and he hadn’t been in the school for 10 minutes. Then he walked onto the Pilgrim stage where chorus director Jacqueline Soares was at the piano in front of students standing on risers. She stopped playing and looked in amazement. She had spotted Barrett at the all-state competition. This was terrific.
“He’s a tenor!” she exclaimed to the group as if she had just picked up a silver dollar from the floor. “He gets us. He understands what we’re all about.”
Barrett was handed a sheet of music and joined the chorus.
The shadowing is being conducted on Wednesdays and will continue as long as Vets students want to spend a day at their future school.
Barrett welcomed the opportunity, observing, “I’ll be a freshman as a senior.” Apart from his interest in music, Barrett wants to study botany and is exploring where best to study that after graduating from high school. Mullane is thinking of furthering her study in English or maybe psychology, preferably in the Boston area.
The shadowing program will continue as long as there are students at Vets who are volunteering to come over, but there will be a two-week break after March 23 for state testing (PARCC).
2 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Justanidiot
I am hoping that in the spirit of consolidation that the team name become the Hurricanes. That way the Pilgrim Hurricanes could make a nod to both institutions.
And not be confused with Portsmouth.
Thursday, March 10, 2016 Report this
richardcorrente
Progress is being made and that is a good thing, but what we need next is a contract for our hard-working teachers and Chromebooks for EVERY student. The taxpayers spent $160,000,000 of their hard-earned money and they are waiting patiently, but their patience is running out. The cowardly Mayor says he has a hands off policy.
Folks, that hasn't worked! As Mayor I will sit with the union, the teachers and the parents and help as much as they allow.
We can't borrow $25,000,000 to repair the school buildings that are owned by the city and then make the school department pay the interest. As Mayor I will refund all that money!
We have to attract new students, not discourage them. The policy of today NEEDS to be corrected.
A "hands off" policy says "I don't care". That won't happen in my administration. Neither will thousands of items be stolen as David LaPlante did. If Avedisian truely didn't see that amount of theft happening right under his nose, he is blind. If he did see it he is an accomplice to a felony, in my opinion. Visit www.correntemayorwarwick.com
Richard Corrente
Democrat for Mayor
Sunday, March 13, 2016 Report this