Representatives of Falmouth Public Schools and the Cape Cod Cape Verdean Museum and Cultural Center told the school committee on Oct. 27 that the district's second-grade curriculum now includes structured visits to the museum, student activities that integrate math and social studies (including Mancala variants), and cultural programming tied to English-language-learning (ELL) supports.

Barbara Burgo, cofounder and curator of the museum, described the museum's role in creating hands-on, multi-subject units for second graders and the museum's broader partnerships with Bridgewater State University and the Mass. Maritime Academy. The museum and district also reported a sister-school exchange in which ELL teachers and program leaders from Cabo Verde visited Falmouth schools and museums; district staff noted the exchange included joint curriculum planning and teacher development.

Laurie (superintendent) and museum partners emphasized the program's curricular fit: students rotate through museum exhibits, play traditional games that build math and strategic thinking, and study local environmental ties such as sea turtles that connect Cape Cod to Cabo Verde. The presenters said the program has brought visiting delegations, university researchers and U.S. officials to Falmouth and has resulted in classroom resources and author visits for students.

"You should be proud," museum cofounder Barbara Burgo told committee members, recounting the museum's work with Falmouth schools and citing recent international invitations. Committee members commended the partnership and asked that the district continue to bring back updates on program reach and curriculum integration.

The presentation included photos and descriptions from the sister-school trip and noted plans for further exchanges and materials purchases to support classroom instruction.