Model UN Members Debate Options for Helping Refugees

Jen Friborg, French teacher and middle school club advisor
October 6, 2023

On Saturday, September 30, three intrepid middle school students–eighth graders Gideon Borisy and Tadhg O’Sullivan and seventh grader Vatche Balikian–took part in the Greater Boston Model UN Conference sponsored by the United Nations Association of Greater Boston. They participated with about 150 other middle school students from around Massachusetts, who came together to discuss the topic of finding durable solutions for refugees, in particular refugee children.

Our students represented El Salvador and Brazil and they took part in debates over how to craft solutions. What should the priorities be with our global solutions? From housing to education to economics, our students were committed to proposing creative solutions. They thought through the interconnected nature of both the problems and the solutions. Model UN conferences around the globe are dealing with this topic this year, invited by the UN High Commission on Refugees to have a say in solution-oriented plans and policies.

Our students were active and engaged, and they gained a solid foundation for other conferences that will come up later this year. Watch this space for more news from this term’s Model UN club, which includes 17 students in grades 6-8.

By Kassie Bettinelli, music teacher |

November 17, 2023

In March of last year, a few students approached the music teaching team about the possibility of organizing a talent show. Knowing one hadn’t been scheduled for the spring, and that planning one for the future could be an awesome…

BDS

November 17, 2023

Second Grade’s New Mural Is a Feast For the Eyes For our summer reading book this year, second graders read Tomatoes for Neela, written by Padmi Lakshmi and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. It is a story about a young girl…

By John O'Neill, director of athletics |

November 3, 2023

This fall, BDS piloted an intramural volleyball team that spent the season learning the game, practicing skills, and holding weekly scrimmages. Over the course of the season, players improved tremendously and are prepared to step into a more competitive environment…

BDS

November 3, 2023

Spanish Students Learn, Share About El Días de los Muertos Spanish students learned about and celebrated the traditional Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Through different audio activities, students engaged in hands-on projects. Sixth grade…
Scroll to Top