Middle School is a time for learning new skills. Participating in Modified Sports allows students to dip their feet in a sport and experience what it is like to be on a team.

Briarcliff Middle School Modified Sports recently began its fall season.

Briarcliff Middle School is all about having a growth mindset. That means students embrace challenges, learn from failures and are inspired by others’ success.

To promote the growth mindset teacher across the building began the new year with special activities.

Nicole Hesari, a third-grade teacher at Todd Elementary, has a small statue on her classroom bookshelf inscribed with “World’s Best Teacher.” This memento, given to her by a student, seems fitting given her recent recognition. Last week, during the district's Superintendent Conference Day, Superintendent Dr. Jim Kaishian honored her with the Briarcliff Teacher of the Year Award.

One of the best parts about high school is participating in after-school clubs, where students can expand their horizons, learn new skills and form new friendships.

Although small in size, Briarcliff High School boasts 38 official clubs, with several unofficial clubs as well, each one offering opportunities to connect with other students with a shared interest.

The school held a club fair yesterday, where students could learn about all the different after-school club offerings.

A new school year is just around the corner, with new teachers and new coaches, but one thing has stayed the same at Briarcliff School District; the school spirit is as strong as ever and students participating in Fall Sports are motivated to excel and have a great time with their teammates.

For 27 years, Namphong Nguyen, the Briarcliff Middle School custodian, has been passing by the art room, admiring students’ works in Jessica Dubin and John Brooks’ art classes.

This has inspired him to make his own creations and he began making sculptures out of driftwood, recycled metal and oyster shells.

He has gifted his sculptures to some of the school staff and was recently invited to hold a shell sculpture workshop during May’s Wellness Day at the school.