Summer 2025: Notes and Accolades

IB Learner Awards Ceremonies - East

IB Learner Awards Ceremonies - West

CAS Teams at East and West

(Emerson/Wojtowicz and Briggs/D’Innocenzo)

We were thrilled with the enthusiastic participation of our almost 200 graduating seniors at the annual Senior Service Day, held this year on May 28. Our students and faculty chaperones pitched in at 22 locations all over Cape Cod: A Baby Center, Audible Local Ledger, Barnstable County Fairgrounds, Barnstable Historic Society, Barnstable Land Trust, Belonging Books, Boys & Girls Club Mashpee, Camp Greenough, Family Table Collaborative, Fishing for the Mission 22, Hyannis Public Library, Independence House, Meetinghouse Farm, MSPCA, Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, Red Cross Hyannis, Sage Montessori School, Salvation Army, The Cordial Eye, Yarmouth Town Libraries, YMCA Camp Lyndon, and Whelden Memorial Library. We are proud of our seniors for their commitment to their community. Check out more pictures here!

School Counseling - East/West

This month, we celebrate our seniors as they prepare to graduate at the end of May. Students from both East and West campuses will be heading off to colleges and universities across New England, New York, Oregon, Kansas, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Utah, Tennessee, Florida, Illinois, California, Hawaii, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland and Spain. The Class of 2025 is filled with exceptional students, and while we’re sad to see them go, we’re incredibly excited to see what the future holds for each of them.

Multilingual Learner Department

The State Seal of Biliteracy is an award that recognizes high school graduates who attain high functional and academic levels of proficiency in English and another world language, in recognition of students having studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages. This year, graduating 12th graders have qualified for the Seal of Biliteracy in Korean, Latin, Modern Greek, Nepali, Portuguese, and Spanish.

38 graduating 12th graders across both campuses (18 @ East, 12 @ West) received the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy on their Sturgis diplomas. Of special note:

7 will receive the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction.
3 will receive the Seal of Biliteracy in 2 languages.

One of Sturgis’ objectives for Key Design Element (KDE) #3 is to focus on developing the traits of the IB Learner Profile. One measure of this objective, aligned with the IB Learner Profile Trait of communicator, is to have 15% of 12th graders earn the Massachusetts’ Seal of Biliteracy. This year, Sturgis exceeded that goal, with 19.6% of the upcoming graduating class earning the Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation in May.

School Counseling/MLD

Students from the Multilingual Learner Departments at both Sturgis East and West had the privilege of visiting Bridgewater State University on June 2. The visit included a customized Admissions presentation focused on supporting first-generation college students. Students also had the incredible opportunity to meet with Sharon Pitterson-Ogaldez, Director of the Lewis & Gaines Center for Inclusion and Equity, who shared insight into the resources and welcoming community available on campus. We are so grateful to BSU for their hospitality and for inspiring our students as they explore the next steps in their educational journeys!

10th grade History West

Suzanne Caruso’s 10th-grade history class showcased their civics project to peers and administrators on Wednesday, June 4. The civics project is a DESE requirement, in which each student completes a project that aligns with the history curriculum frameworks. This project requires students to identify a non-partisan civic issue, research it, develop an action plan, take action, reflect on their experience, and showcase their work. Some examples of projects in Ms. Caruso’s class included:

A study of pesticide and fertilizer use on Cape Cod, their implications, + ideas for alternatives
A study of PTSD among military veterans in the US + info on a local organization’s work
An investigation into bullying at Sturgis and other Cape Cod schools + ideas for addressing it

Class of 2026 Collaborative Sciences Project East and West

One requirement of the IB sciences is a collaborative group project across the science fields, aimed at problem solving through experimentation. The project focuses on experimental design and collaboration. The following elements are expected from the Collaborative Science Project (CSP):

Interdisciplinary collaboration
Appreciation of the implications of science and the limitations of scientific study
Development of teamwork
Development of planning skills
Exchange or sharing of both data collected and issues raised
Approximately 10 hours of involvement time

The class of 2026 took a break from their normal routine at both East and West on May 5 and May 27 to complete the CSP, culminating in a poster presentation in which the students enthusiastically shared their experimental designs and findings.

Hope Squad

Hope Squad is a nationally recognized program that uses a peer-to-peer model to spread hope and education about suicide awareness and mental health among students. The program empowers members to intentionally reach out to peers to create and foster connections. This year at Sturgis East, Hope Squad members facilitated some school wide activities including a high five Friday, created a playlist for when students were walking into school before classes, and created a positive paper chain to be displayed in the pit. Members of the Hope Squad also helped in arranging for a few therapy dogs from Hearts and Paws Comfort Dogs, a local non-profit, to visit the school during lunch time throughout the spring. Back in March, students attended the annual Hope Squad summit put on by Sharing Kindness where all of the Hope Squad's across the Cape gathered for a day of together at Cape Cod Community College. The various Hope Squads shared both successes and challenges they face in their schools, as well as ideas for the future on how to make the program more visible within their communities. The Sturgis East Hope Squad has some incredible ideas for the future, and we are looking forward to watching the program grow!

Biology 9: Field trip to Waquoit Bay National Estuary Research Reserve - West

As a part of our Ecology unit, we learned about the connections between western science and indigenous traditions. All freshmen went on a ½ day field trip to WBNERR in East Falmouth on May 9th. Staff members from DCR, educators from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, and volunteers from the science community in Woods Hole provided an enriching experience where students learned more about ecological relationships, Wampanoag traditions, and indigenous approaches to nature and living organisms. We also seined in the water for living organisms to determine trophic levels and food chains in real time. Students also conducted experiments about coastal community resilience in relation to rising sea levels and discussed how the fragile ecosystem in the bay is already affected by climate change. The trip was completely free for the school and the students because Ms. Allen received a grant from Friends of Chatham Waterways. We had a beautiful day in nice weather, and we hope to return next year!

Biology 9: Field Trip to Mass Audubon Long Pasture - East

Biology students from Sturgis East visited Mass Audubon Long Pasture. They learned about native ecology and conservation, with a focus on horseshoe crabs. They also participated in tagging horseshoe crabs as part of a long term study!

Science East and West

Some students brought their research to the State Science Fair at Gillette Stadium! They had a great experience, and had the opportunity to see what students across the state have accomplished. East Freshman Emily Ward did a particularly nice job on her independent research. One judge wrote that her “research was effective in investigating a closed loop carbon mitigation system utilizing hydroponic farming... Investigating these types of closed loop solutions will be crucial for solving climate change.” Another judge wrote that “presentation of the data was clear and rigorous, as was [her] explanation of statistical significance.” West SL Chemistry students Asha Patel, Tess Armstrong, and Grey Courchesne were also excited to share the culmination of their multi-month project on Red 40. One judge said they “applied a strong scientific approach and presented a well-considered discussion of the results.” Another said it was a “well researched and deserving project, [and a] highly motivated team.”

Science - East

Senior SL2 and HL2 Biology classes created hats to represent organisms studied in the course. Students made information cards with an exam-style question to review for mock and IB exams.

Sturgis Travels - Iceland

Although you will be reading this after we have returned to the U.S., this entry is being added from Iceland! 21 students from both campuses and 3 chaperones are participating in an EF Educational Tour of glaciers, geysers, and more in Iceland this April vacation. Students have enjoyed learning and experiencing the natural history of one of the most geographically fascinating regions of the world. The trip has consisted of trips to multiple waterfalls, a glacier hike, a visit to a geothermal plant and a lava center, a day at the famous blue lagoon, and more.

ELD - East/West

In their Language of Math unit in ELD, students gathered data about current challenges students face at Sturgis to present to Administration. Their proposals focused on ideas they believe could help improve Sturgis. These suggestions included a free breakfast program, more elective options, the creation of an art society, enhancements to the wellness program, upgrades to the heating systems, and more.

Equity Teams - East & West

Sturgis hosted the Barnstable Human Rights Commission’s spring Human Rights Academy at 529 Main St on 4/15. About a 100 students from all over Cape Cod and their faculty advisors attended the conference and shared how their schools are promoting and protecting human rights. Sturgis East and Sturgis West each presented the work of their Equity Teams. Mari Keleshian, a 10th grader at Sturgis East, is also the student representative to the county planning and advisory committee for the Human Rights Commission. She gave a welcome and closing address to the gathering. Iona Masil is the advisor for the East Team and Savannah Moynihan is the advisor for the West Team.

Mecca & Briggs Advisory (West)

Our Advisory has enjoyed visiting our third grade pen pals at Centerville Elementary School. Throughout the year we have enjoyed sending and receiving letters in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian with them, so meeting in person was a great treat. Together we learned a dance, read a book aloud, played a game, and played on the playground. Our students were wonderful role models who also got to have fun feeling like kids again.

Welcome Event for Incoming Students

All incoming students, including waitlisted students, were welcomed to 529 for an opportunity to meet students, discover more about academics and the IB, learn about logistics such as transportation, and explore the co-curricular opportunities available. Students were welcoming new families, sharing their experiences and providing art, sports, and musical expertise and examples

IB Office and Arts Department

On Tuesday, March 4th Sabina Sorrentino (IB DP/CP Curriculum Manager for: Visual Arts, Art History, Literary Arts, World Arts and Cultures) from the Education Office in the IB Global Center in The Hague, visited Sturgis. She had lunch with the IB Coordinators, Arts Lead Teachers and the Visual Arts team and later visited Visual Arts classes at both campuses. She was very impressed with the Arts program here at Sturgis and with our Art Studios. She had the opportunity to talk to students and see them working on amazing pieces. In her words "by just spending an afternoon here, you can tell that this place is very special!".

Pottery Club (East– Prantis)

A small group of students have been able to do handbuilding at school and the Cotuit Center of the Arts has allowed us to fire and glaze the pieces at their studio. The students were excited to see their finished pieces!

Sturgis East Math Team

On Wed. March 12th, the Sturgis East Math team competed in the Southeastern Massachusetts Conference Mathematics League playoff meet after qualifying for the third consecutive year. This has been the team’s most successful season since the team’s reestablishment after Covid, winning the Cape Division and finishing 3rd out of 17 teams in the league.

This is the culmination of a true team effort led by co-captains Audrey Wankel and Steph Uribe and featured three students recognized as League All-Stars for being in the top 4 scorers for their grade (Seniors, Juniors, Underclassmen):

Vlad Truhanov - 2nd highest scoring Junior

Ray Zhang - 3rd highest scoring Junior

Ben Bearse - 3rd highest scoring underclassman

Mock Trial Team - East

The Sturgis East Mock Trial Team has successfully completed their season. This year’s case involved a civil case about Social Host Liability. The team argued the case three times in the Barnstable District court, sometimes as the Plaintiff and sometimes as the Defense. Congratulations to all involved!

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