Middle School at Bentley's Dream Symposium

Middle School students traveled to the Lafayette Campus today for the annual Bentley Dream Symposium. It was an amazing day filled with inspirational conversation, thoughtful workshops, and time spent in community with one another. The morning started with a welcoming assembly for students in grades 6-12. Middle School had a chance to hear from Dr. Kimberly Johnson, who joined us from the King Center in Atlanta.

The messages Dr. Johnson shared with our community throughout the day centered on the idea that students have the power to change the world to what they want to see. For Bentley’s MS students specifically, King centered on the theme "Impress Yourself"– what are the choices you are making? Are you representing who you really are and who you want to be? We feel really lucky to have had Dr. Johnson join our community for this event and in celebration of the MLK Jr. Holiday this coming Monday.

Following the session with Dr. Johnson, students in grades 6-8 split up to attend various small workshops with teachers from the Upper and Middle School Divisions. Session assignments were based on preferences set by each advisory group. After lunch, middle schoolers concluded the day with a workshop led by Bentley’s partners at Be The Change. Students had a chance to participate in an activity similar to one all faculty participated in last August surrounding equity and inclusion. It was wonderful to see and hear students engaging in these important topics, and we look forward to using this symposium work as a platform to further conversations in our classrooms and beyond.

We encourage you to ask your students about their day and to continue these conversations at home!