Middle School

Dear BVP MS Families,

Welcome to the 12-13 school year at our new site in Lincoln! This bright and spacious campus is truly one that our hardworking scholars deserve. Our location may be new, but our mission remains the same...for 100% of our scholars to experience success in college and beyond. Our model is built on strong school culture, academic rigor, extended learning time, the use of data, and exemplary teaching. With your help, I am confident that we can look forward to a memorable, rigorous and successful school year.

Mrs. Joy Souza
Head of School
Blackstone Valley Prep Middle School

Homeroom Names for the 2012-13 School Year

Class of 2024, 5th Grade:
Keene State
Rhode Island College
Clark University

Class of 2023, 6th Grade:
Amherst College
Providence College
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
University of Michigan

Class of 2022, 7th Grade:
The University of Rhode Island
Rutgers University
Brown University
Indiana University

Sample Daily Schedule

7:45-8:00	Arrival and Breakfast
8:10-8:30	Advisory
8:30-9:15	Period 1: Literature Study
9:15-10:00	Period 2: PE
10:00-10:15	DEAR (Drop Everything And Read)
10:15-11:00	Period 3: Science
11:00-11:45	Period 4: Social Studies
11:45-12:30	Lunch
12:35-1:20	Period 5: Writing
1:20-2:05	Period 6: Math
2:05-2:20	PM Break
2:20-3:05	Period 7: Dragon Math
3:05-3:50	Period 8: Guided Reading
3:50-4:15	Advisory
4:15-5:05	Homework Club/Tutoring/Enrichment

Meet Our Middle School Team

Joy Souza, Head of School

Mrs. Souza is a founding team member who has held many roles at BVP. After spending her first three years with BVP at the Elementary School, she is now the Head of School at the Middle School. She holds a BA from the University of Rhode Island and is completing her final graduate class at Rhode Island College. Mrs. Souza lives in Cranston with her husband and four daughters. As a veteran Kindergarten teacher, she has twice been nominated as Teacher of the Year in Exeter-West Greenwich, Rhode Island and was nominated for the Rhode Island Amgem Award for Science and Teaching Excellence. Since beginning her career at BVP, Mrs. Souza has been nominated for the Rhode Island Teacher of the Year, and twice been nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching, for which she is currently a state finalist. Mrs. Souza has represented BVP and RI Charter Schools by attending Education Nation in New York City and visiting RI Senators and Congressmen in D.C. She has been invited to present professional development programs at schools and conventions across the country. Mrs. Souza has been a youth soccer coach for many years and enjoys reading and discussing books in her spare time.

Angie Cruz, Office Manager

Ms. Cruz, a parent herself, knows the value of a strong home-school connection and is committed to making sure all of our scholars and families continue to have a positive relationship with the school. Ms. Cruz brings her extensive experience in operations and administration. Ms. Cruz is bilingual English/Spanish.

5th Grade

Kareesh Bour

Mrs. Bour holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College. She also concentrated in English, specifically Shakespeare and Renaissance literature. When she graduated, she taught in public schools in Lincoln, RI as a substitute teacher. She has worked at The Learning Community Charter School in Central Falls teaching fourth grade. Mrs. Bour is very excited to be back for her second year of teaching fifth grade ELA with this dedicated middle school team!

Marielle Emet

Ms. Emet is excited to return to BVP for her third year to ensure that all students are on the path to meet success at the college of their choice! She earned a history degree from Towson University in 2006 and received a Master’s in teaching from John Hopkins University in 2008. Ms. Emet was a Teach for America 2006 Baltimore corps member and taught at her placement school, Digital Harbor High School, for four years. There, she taught US History, American Government and AP Psychology. She also worked as a mentor teacher for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, for two years. After writing curriculum both for Teach for America and her school, she worked as a Curriculum Specialist for Teach for America during the summer of 2010. Ms. Emet is eager to continue this important work with an amazing team of teachers, staff, parents and scholars!

Elianny Camilo

Ms. Camilo was born and raised in Washington Heights in New York City. She graduated from Tufts University with a B.A in Clinical Psychology and Child Development. She enjoys singing, dancing, reading, and going to the gym. Ms. Camilo returns to BVP excited to work closely with scholars and families to close the achievement gap and assure that all scholars reach their full potential.

Aly Chatham

Ms. Chatham graduated from Clark University with a degree in Psychology and concentrations in Peace and International Studies. She recently completed her M.A. in Teaching with a specialization in Urban Education at Clark. Previously, Ms. Chatham worked for the Public Defender Service in Washington, D.C. and in Rhode Island at the Probation and Parole Offices of Pawtucket and Central Falls. Ms. Chatham is an accomplished musician and has directed youth choruses in both Worcester, MA, and Pawtucket. She is looking forward to her second year at BVP and can’t wait to inspire a love of reading and writing in all fifth grade scholars!

Alyssa Church

Ms. Church is excited to start her first full year at BVP. Born and raised in RI, she attended Providence College for Elementary and Special Education. While at Providence College, Ms. Church played for the PC Pep Band and dedicated a lot of her time volunteering in neighboring Providence schools. Her half -year at BVP last year made her extremely excited to work with scholars from their BVP beginning and to share her love of math. Math is the key to the universe, and Ms. Church hopes to show all scholars how to use that key to open doors.

Shannon McCoy

Mrs. McCoy is excited to be returning to BVP for her third year! She is an enthusiastic and creative teacher committed to ensuring that each of her students have the tools they need to succeed in college and life. Raised in Rhode Island, Ms. McCoy received her undergraduate degrees in Communications and Education at Keene State College in New Hampshire. She completed her graduate work at Rhode Island College earning a Masters degree in Elementary Education. Ms. McCoy is an experienced teacher and performer in the art of Irish Dance. Ms. McCoy returns to BVP eager to instill a love of science that is hands-on and minds-on.

6th Grade

Marlena Afonso

Ms. Afonso is a Central Falls native who attended Providence College where she received her B.A. in Psychology and Spanish. She then went on to join Teach For America in Phoenix, AZ, where she taught kindergarten through fourth grade special education at Conchos Elementary School. She also coached middle school basketball, started a peer-tutoring program, and began the “Blooming Kindness at Conchos” project with her students. In 2010, she received her M Ed. in special education from Arizona State University. Ms. Afonso returned to RI to work on the Teach For America Rhode Island staff. She is excited for another school year of working with the amazing scholars from the Blackstone Valley!

Bekah Bergman

Ms. Bergman is originally from Massachusetts, but now considers Rhode Island her home. After graduating from Brown University with a B.A. in Literary Arts, Ms. Bergman became a Teach for America Rhode Island Corps Member. Last year she taught sixth grade writing at BVP. She is very excited to begin another year and is looking forward to sharing a love of both reading and writing with her sixth grade scholars.

Glynis Fagan

Ms. Fagan graduated from the University of Chicago with a double major in Anthropology and International Studies. While in Chicago, she worked in the Chicago Public School systems in a variety of contexts. She is a 2012 Teach for America Corps Member and is extremely excited to be returning to the East Coast to teach English at BVP. She is looking forward to sharing her passion of writing and reading with her scholars this year.

Josh Giraldo

Mr. Giraldo is a Central Falls native who currently resides in Pawtucket. A graduate of Providence College with degrees in Elementary and Special Education, he comes from Dorcas Place, where he taught and coordinated the Family Literacy program and was nominated for the National Center of Family Literacy Teacher of the Year award in his first year. He also served as Campaign Manager and Lead Advisor to James Diossa in his successful bid for Central Falls City Council. Mr. Giraldo is the Vice President of the CF Library Board of Directors and coordinates numerous community events. He is excited to return to BVP!

Stephanie Goyette

Mrs. Goyette has spent the last 15 years working in Education. She attended UMass Dartmouth where she earned her BA in Psychology and Elementary Education. She has previously taught Grades 5, 4, and 2 in Nashua, NH and Watertown, MA. She also served as Chief Operating Officer at Capital City Community Centers in Providence and as Director of Supplemental Education Services for both Edison Schools and The Princeton Review. Mrs. Goyette is thrilled to return to the classroom as a Science Teacher and can't wait to inspire all BVP scholars!

Sebastian Herdt

Mr. Herdt was born in Colorado and moved with his family to Massachusetts soon after. He graduated from Amherst College, a liberal arts school in Massachusetts. While at Amherst, he double majored in Economics and History and played on the Lord Jeffs’ varsity lacrosse team. Mr. Herdt is now an enthusiastic Teach for America corps member who is passionate about inspiring his scholars to push beyond where they thought possible – and to learn a bit of math, too!

Allie Mohnk

Ms. Mohnk is excited to be at BVP for her second year . She was born in Michigan, then moved with her family to Montana, and then to Massachusetts. She graduated with a degree in Business from the University of Rhode Island and is a Teach for America Corps member. Ms. Mohnk is very excited to bring all those experiences with her into the math classroom to get scholars excited about all the places math can take them!

7th Grade

Beth Bishop

Mrs. Bishop is a native Rhode Islander who graduated from Rhode Island College with her Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education and History. She also earned a Middle School Endorsement in Social Studies and is currently working toward her Middle School Math Endorsement. In her spare time Mrs. Bishop loves to cook, take her dogs for walks and spend time with family and friends rooting for her favorite sports teams. Mrs. Bishop is very excited for her first full year at BVP and can't wait to help scholars to reach their full potential and put them on a path to the college of their choice!

Aungar Chatterjee

Mr. Chatterjee was a middle school founding teacher and is joining BVP for his third year. He is moving into the 7th grade ELA position in order to continue teaching his founding class of scholars. Although he will miss the class of 2023, he is excited to delve into a whole new world of ideas with the 7th grade. Mr. Chatterjee is also working to create a fun and hardworking environment where scholars treat each other with kindness and respect

Jessica Donovan

Ms. Donovan teaches 7th grade science. Originally from Mass., Ms. Donovan graduated from New York University with a B.A. in environmental studies. Her interests include environmental education through experiential learning and fostering sustainable communities. She enjoys hiking, running, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family. Ms. Donovan is a 2012 Teach for America corps member and is eager to cultivate a love for science and inquiry among all scholars!

Drew Madden

Mr. Madden is a proud third year BVP team member. He was also a charter member of Teach for America Rhode Island. Mr. Madden was raised in Holliston, Mass. and recently graduated from Brown University with an A.B. in Political Science and a focus in American Politics. There, he was on the executive board of student government and was involved in the theater community, working in various technical positions. In his free time, he enjoys attending sporting events and trying new restaurants. He is looking forward to continuing to build the math curriculum and put all BVP scholars on the path to the college of their choice.

Sara Shapiro

Ms. Shapiro is thrilled to be joining the BVP team! Originally from Newton, Ma, Ms. Shapiro is a recent graduate of Indiana University with degrees in Economics, Philosophy, and Management. A 2012 Teach for America Rhode Island Corps Member, she looks forward to joining an energetic math team and continuing to push scholars to excel in mathematics and beyond!

Lou Tamposi

Mr. Tamposi is excited to start his first year at BVP, and especially to help start the 7th grade team! Mr. Tamposi was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, but soon moved to Citrus County, Florida, where he was raised with a mix of New England flair and Southern sensibility. Upon graduation from Lecanto High School, he attended Tufts University and graduated with a degree in English and Entrepreneurial Leadership. He also swam distance freestyle and IM on the varsity Swim and Dive team. Go Jumbos! Mr. Tamposi is a 2012 Teach for America RI Corps Member and is ready to devote his time and energy to our great Rhode Island scholars!

Art, Music and P.E.

Steven DaRosa

Mr. DaRosa is excited to start his second year at the BVP middle school. He graduated from Rhode Island College in 2011 with a B.S. in Physical Education. He is also certified in Health Education and endorsed in Adapted Physical Education. He is excited to share his passion of living a physically active and healthy lifestyle. He is also looking forward to helping coach and prepare the soccer team for a great season.

Avi David, Enrichment

Mr. David graduated from Colby College in 2008 with a B.A. in music performance, history, theory and composition. Living in Providence, he has taught music over the past 4 years in urban and special ed. classrooms (K-12) in multiple school districts. Additionally, he has studied, taught and performed music across India, Nepal, Europe and Latin America. Primarily an electric guitarist and percussionist, he performs regularly with various musical groups locally and nationally. Mr. David believes deeply in the transformative and therapeutic power of the arts to bring people together, strengthen communities and enrich lives!

Edmund Laskowski, P.E./Health

Mr. Laskowski graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2006 with a degree in Kinesiology, concentrating in Physical Education, Health Education and an endorsement in Adapted Physical Education. Now in his third year, he has been named the Athletic Director for the network and, along with his experience in coaching, is working to put together a comprehensive program for the scholars at BVP. Mr. Laskowski is excited to be on the BVP team and provide the scholars with an enthusiastic, health enhancing and physically fit environment.

Student Support Services

Kevin Plunkett, Special Educator

Mr. Plunkett is a Cranston native who attended the University of Connecticut where he received B.A.'s in History and Political Science. He was professionally trained as an engineer by Microsoft, Oracle, Digital, and Compaq Corporations for ten years and worked as a system engineer for CVS/Caremark and GTech Corporations. During this time he became an adjunct professor at Johnson & Wales University where he obtained a Masters in Business Administration. In 2006, Mr. Plunkett graduated from Rhode Island College where he received advanced degrees and certification in secondary education in Social Studies. He went on to teach in the Chariho and South Kingstown School Districts until receiving his Masters of Art in Teaching in Elementary Education and Special Education from Johnson and Wales University. Most recently, he has worked as a behavioral and transitional special educator with St. Marys School, The Bradley School, Middletown Public Schools and at J.Arthur Trudeau Pathways PSTC where he served as a supervisor of severe and profound special educaton and transition. Over the years, he created the school community gardener program in South County, the science and technology club in Chariho, and the Johnson & Wales marketing Alliance with Providence Schools, which created mentorships between university students and Providence scholars. Mr. Plunkett is extremely excited to join BVP and add to the extremely talented staff and students this year.

Susan Bagaglia, Nurse

Mrs. Bagaglia, a native Michigander, has a diploma from Blodgett Hospital School of Nursing in Grand Rapids Michigan, an Associates Degree in Education/ Special Education from CCRI and a BSN from Salve Regina University. She is currently working on her Master's Degree at Rhode Island College. After working many years in hospital settings, she changed careers and began her dream job: school nursing. She worked as a school nurse in Cranston, North Providence and Henry Barnard School in Providence before joining the PRIDE team at Blackstone Valley Prep. This is her third year with BVP. Mrs. Bagaglia, her husband and two sons reside in North Providence.

Sarah Hayhurst, LCSW Social Worker

Mrs. Hayhurst was born and raised in Manhattan, Kansas…a.k.a. “The Little Apple!” She received her BS from Kansas State University-GO CATS! She then completed her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and worked as a School Social Worker in elementary and middle schools on the Fort Riley military base in Kansas for 5 years. Sarah moved to RI in 2011 and worked at Gateway Healthcare Inc., coordinating community and home-based services for RI children with special needs. Sarah is SUPER excited to work with BVP scholars and families!.

Erika Sanzi

Ms. Sanzi supports behavioral expectations and other responsibilities at the Middle School.

Per Diem Network Substitutes

Ashlee Whitehead

Ms. Whitehead was born and raised in Lincoln, RI where she still resides. In 2011, she graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a BA in Elementary Education and Psychology and a minor in Spanish. During her time at URI she was the student manager of the women’s softball team. After graduating she was a substitute teacher at Narragansett Elementary School. Prior to working at BVP, she was a lead preschool teacher at the Goddard School in South Kingstown. Ms. Whitehead is so excited to get to know the scholars at all 3 BVP schools and have the opportunity to work with scholars from her own community.

Amanda Brannigan

Ms. Brannigan is a network substitute. She will be joining the 2013/14 MS team as an ELA teacher.

Andrea Narkiewicz

Ms. Narkiewicz is a building substitute. She holds a Secondary Ed Cert in English from Providence College.

Nancy Tobin

Ms. Tobin is a building substitute. She also works with intervention groups at the Middle School.