SPORTS SPOTLIGHT
belonging
Derryfield freshmen Tori Sipes and Jakob Murray share a passion for gymnastics. Since Derryfield does not offer the sport, both students receive independent sport credit for competing with local gymnastics training centers. Tori and Jakob each spends about 20 hours a week training and, while finding a balance between rigorous academics and a demanding sports schedule can be a challenge, it has paid off for both in a big way. Both athletes have won their individual state meets this year and are building on that success at the regional level. Tori, a WMUR Hometown Hero and NH All-Around Gymnastics Champion, had a personal best at the New England meet. Jakob has made it to the Junior Olympic Nationals twice already, and hopes to secure a spot again this year. We look forward to seeing what these freshman accomplish next.
THE DERRYFIELD SCHOOL 2108 RIVER ROAD, MANCHESTER, NH 03104
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANCHESTER NH PERMIT NO. 290
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
belonging
THE DERRYFIELD SCHOOL
WINTER 2016
THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS TRADITION PHANTOM OF THE OPERA The Derryfield performing arts department presented another epic musical this winter with their production of Phantom of the Opera. A talented cast of over 25 students was led by Brock Higley ’16 as the Phantom, Kelly Collins ’17 as Christine, Nick Briccetti ’18 as Raoul, and Maddie Kasten ’17 as Carlotta. With profesisonal choreography, stunning costumes, and a set that utilized the entire auditorium, a transfixed audience felt they were transported to a nineteenth century Parisian opera house. Once again, the Derryfield Players knocked it out of the park. After standing ovations for all three shows, the consensus was these thespians have talent.
a global classroom During spring break, 20% of our students had the opportunity to participate in a global program. Groups this year went to Washington, D.C. (history and politics); North Carolina (Habitat for Humanity); Eleuthera, Bahamas (Island School marine biology research); and Spain (language immersion). Students had experiences that included meeting with our Congressman, having a tour guide who only spoke Spanish with the group, and catching and tagging sea turtles as part of a local research project. In the words of a student on the Spain trip, “I am extremely grateful for this experience, and it has influenced my future already... Traveling has value and, just like a book, can be interpreted thousands of different ways, y para mi, I want to keep expanding my perception of the earth.”
Volunteering at Special Olympics State Winter Games has become a long-standing tradition Derryfield students—beginning over twenty years ago as a Key Club activity. “I keep going back because it is so amazing to see the pure, unadulterated joy that the athletes show when they compete. They are so enthusiastic and positive, even when they don’t win. They truly embody the positive essence of sportsmanship,” shared Ms. Mimi Coombes, faculty chaperone. Derryfield students assume important roles at the competitions and have become an integral core group among the annual volunteers. Year after year, the game organizers share that the winter games simply would not run without Derryfield students. The Derryfield group escorts all the teams through the opening ceremonies parade, registers athletes, assists with staging and setup of race courses, acts as cross-country course guides, and helps athletes fasten their skis and snowshoes in the staging area. They are also official timers, starters, cheerleaders, runners, and coach liasons before and after races.
changes them in the best possible ways. Ms. Coombes shared, “I wish every Derryfield student could experience Special Olympics at least once in their Derryfield career. Our kids seem ‘changed’ when they take part. They seem truly exhilarated and happy as they interact with the athletes in such positive, cheerful, helpful, and goofy ways. I think the entire experience gives our kids a new perspective on their own lives, reminding them of their gifts and blessings.”
Beyond volunteer athletic duties, the team attends the annual dinner, sitting at tables with the teams, and even doing some dancing! Tyler Crews ’17 had the honor of dancing with one of the athletes, Andrew. At the end of the evening his mother approached Tyler saying, “You have no idea how much this means to us. This is probably one of the best nights of his life.”
The Phantom and Christine in a scene from this winter’s upper school musical. Belonging: Winter 2016
Parents of Alumni: If your child no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Advancement Office of the correct mailing B e l o n gaddress i n g : W i nat t e603.669.4524 r 2016 or email advancement@derryfield.org.
Volunteering at the Special Olympics gives students a chance to step outside of their comfort zone and develop empathy, patience, kindness, and responsibility—all hallmarks of a Derryfield education. It exposes them to a world outside their own and Belonging: Winter 2016
Maddie Pierson ’16 celebrates with two Special Olympics athletes.
F
E DERRY TH
D SCHOO
A PROGRESS REPORT ON DERRYFIELD’S STRATEGIC PLAN
L
IEL
Manchester
• Breakthrough Manchester develops • Breakthrough students on campus two populations of young people at the same time through its dual mission: supporting and launching high-potential middle school students with limited resources on the path to college and supporting and inspiring high school and college students as emerging teachers.
Did you know?
this summer will represent 22 countries of origin, including the United States, Bosnia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
Celebrate 25 Years!
“ Invest in a sequence of multiple physical plant upgrades by following a traditional master planning, campaign and construction cycle.”
Aligning with Derryfield’s core value of Family, the Parent/Faculty Association (PFA) has been bringing the Derryfield community together for years through collaboration and celebration. Run by parents, the group is responsible for some of Derryfield’s biggest and most popular celebrations, including the Back-to-School Picnic. Not only do they lead, though; they also provide the volunteers who help keep Derryfield ticking—you can see PFA volunteers at every event: welcoming grandparents on Grandparents’ Day in September and prospective students at Admission Open Houses. And without the phenomenal theater liaisons, the show might actually not go on!
• Recent Teaching Fellows (if they
are not returning to teach at Breakthrough) have been accepted to graduate schools at Harvard and UPenn, to Teach for America and CityYear programs, to Fulbright Teaching Fellowships in Malaysia and South Korea, and to competitive teaching residency programs such as Boston Teacher Residency.
goal 1: belonging
“ Unify the Derryfield family by strengthening connections with our extended community, including alumni, alumni parents, and emeritus faculty and staff.”
STUDENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Breakthrough Manchester at The Derryfield School announced an exciting new partnership with Southern New Hampshire University at its Back to Summer Breakfast on April 20. SNHU will develop and implement a high school program to support Breakthrough students in grades 9–12, up to and including matriculation to college. Breakthrough Manchester at The Derryfield School will continue to serve middle school students, while Breakthrough Manchester at Southern New Hampshire University will support these students as they move through their high school years. This partnership will create a fully supported pathway for students with high academic potential who may not otherwise matriculate to college.
During the week leading up to spring break, 35 Derryfield students had the opportunity to attend two conferences focused on issues of student identity, ethics, and leadership in the world today, The New England Youth Identity Summit (NEYIS) at Waynflete School in Portland, ME, and the HYPE (Hosting Young Philosophy Enthusiasts) Conference hosted by Souhegan High School at University of New Hampshire.
Friday, July 15; 3:00–8:00 p.m.
Teaching fellow Christie Roy leads a lesson during the 2015 session.
PFA volunteers work the bake sale at the 2015 Country Fair.
identity and expression; use creative media to reflect on and share thoughts about expression and oppression in our world; and consider the extent to which free speech is shaped by power, control, and fear.
“ Develop a cohesive, coordinated middle and upper school program with an emphasis on academic and co-curricular skills most relevant to a 21st Century education.” Belonging: Winter 2016
Plans for a roundabout at the intersection of Bicentennial Drive and River Road.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT SERIES
As we work to develop the capacity of all our students to be leaders in a variety of contexts, external conferences like these are a unique chance to develop Both of these conferences self-awareness and a globenabled our students to al understanding beyond engage with peers from our classrooms, theaters, around New England in or playing fields. To date dialogue about important this year, we have provided issues such as race, genopportunities for 87 high der, ethics, free speech, school students—almost Derryfield students at the NEYIS conference in Portland, ME. and leadership. a quarter of the student body—to engage internally or externally in formal leadership workshops. We look forward to Students were encouraged to ‘dialogue across difference;’ view increasing the opportunities in future years and raising the number leadership as a ‘we’ proposition instead of ‘I, me, or they;’ ‘smash of participating students to closer to 100%. the stigma’ of mental health in our society; understand issues of
goal 2: leading
Attendance is free, but we do need you to register at bit.ly/BTM25thAnn.
BUILDING NEIGHBORHOOD RELATIONS One of Derryfield’s objectives under strategic plan goal three involves “fostering relationships with neighbors;” but this is not a new concept for the School. As part of an initiative led by Associate Head Jennifer Melkonian and Director of Facilities Gary Harper, Derryfield has been reaching out to neighbors for years. The purpose of this outreach is sometimes to inform the community of projects that may impact them, and often to ask for their feedback. As we have implemented our strategic enrollment plan, celebrated our 50th anniversary, and most recently started to plan for new facilities, outreach with Derryfield’s neighbors continues to be crucial. Sometimes the community will object to a proposal, such as banners on River Road celebrating our 50th. Neighbors felt the banners would commercialize the area, so we listened by decreasing the size of the banners and only hanging them internally. More recently, we asked the community about installing a granite post and rail fence along River Road. There was strong support for this project, with neighbors feeling it adds value to the community. This fence has been installed, looks great, and we have received only positive feedback from our neighbors.
As the 2015–2016 school year draws to a close, the PFA is saving its biggest and best for last. This year’s spring benefit, “Catorce de Mayo,” is being held on May 14 at the Manchester Country Club. A casual evening of fun and games, it’s meant to celebrate the family to which we all belong. And if we raise some “dinero” for Derryfield along the way, that’s just an added bonus!
A NEW PARTNERSHIP
Whether you remember it as Summerbridge or Breakthrough Manchester, come back and celebrate 25 years of learning, teaching, and leading!
B e l o n g i n g : W i n t e r 2 0 16
goal 3: building
PARENT/FACULTY ASSOCIATION
Last year, Derryfield’s Alumni Council hosted its first ever Networking Breakfast, where Gary Hirshberg ’72, co-founder and current Chairman of Stonyfield Farm organic dairy products, and David Snow ’72, medical services entrepreneur and current CEO of Cedar Gate Technologies, talked about their paths from Derryfield to the CEO’s office. It was such a success, we’re doing it again this year! So please join us for the second annual Alumni Spotlight breakfast on Monday, May 9, when we’ll learn the ins and outs of starting a new company from this year’s group of alumni entrepreneurs. Enjoy a morning of noshing and networking, and hear from this exciting group of alumni who have built businesses from the ground up: Evelyn Brensinger Aissa ’99 (Aissa Sweets, LLC), Cam Brensinger ’94 (NEMO Equipment, Inc), Ellen Parkhurst-Jipson Kelly ’00 (Champagne and Ink, LLP), and Justin Shaka ’00 (REBIScan, LLC). Join us from 7:30-9:00 a.m. in the Nancy S. Boettiger Theater lobby. We hope to see you there! RSVP at rsvp@derryfield.org.
Belonging: Winter 2016
Derryfield’s consistent outreach and willingness to listen has allowed us to build a relationship of trust with the community. As we move forward with proposed capital improvement projects, we will keep our neighbors updated and continue to ask for their feedback; building bridges and more.
goal 4: elevating
“ Increase public awareness of Derryfield as the premier day school in the region and as an integral community convener.”
SPORTS SPOTLIGHT
belonging
Derryfield freshmen Tori Sipes and Jakob Murray share a passion for gymnastics. Since Derryfield does not offer the sport, both students receive independent sport credit for competing with local gymnastics training centers. Tori and Jakob each spends about 20 hours a week training and, while finding a balance between rigorous academics and a demanding sports schedule can be a challenge, it has paid off for both in a big way. Both athletes have won their individual state meets this year and are building on that success at the regional level. Tori, a WMUR Hometown Hero and NH All-Around Gymnastics Champion, had a personal best at the New England meet. Jakob has made it to the Junior Olympic Nationals twice already, and hopes to secure a spot again this year. We look forward to seeing what these freshman accomplish next.
THE DERRYFIELD SCHOOL 2108 RIVER ROAD, MANCHESTER, NH 03104
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANCHESTER NH PERMIT NO. 290
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
belonging
THE DERRYFIELD SCHOOL
WINTER 2016
THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS TRADITION PHANTOM OF THE OPERA The Derryfield performing arts department presented another epic musical this winter with their production of Phantom of the Opera. A talented cast of over 25 students was led by Brock Higley ’16 as the Phantom, Kelly Collins ’17 as Christine, Nick Briccetti ’18 as Raoul, and Maddie Kasten ’17 as Carlotta. With profesisonal choreography, stunning costumes, and a set that utilized the entire auditorium, a transfixed audience felt they were transported to a nineteenth century Parisian opera house. Once again, the Derryfield Players knocked it out of the park. After standing ovations for all three shows, the consensus was these thespians have talent.
a global classroom During spring break, 20% of our students had the opportunity to participate in a global program. Groups this year went to Washington, D.C. (history and politics); North Carolina (Habitat for Humanity); Eleuthera, Bahamas (Island School marine biology research); and Spain (language immersion). Students had experiences that included meeting with our Congressman, having a tour guide who only spoke Spanish with the group, and catching and tagging sea turtles as part of a local research project. In the words of a student on the Spain trip, “I am extremely grateful for this experience, and it has influenced my future already... Traveling has value and, just like a book, can be interpreted thousands of different ways, y para mi, I want to keep expanding my perception of the earth.”
Volunteering at Special Olympics State Winter Games has become a long-standing tradition Derryfield students—beginning over twenty years ago as a Key Club activity. “I keep going back because it is so amazing to see the pure, unadulterated joy that the athletes show when they compete. They are so enthusiastic and positive, even when they don’t win. They truly embody the positive essence of sportsmanship,” shared Ms. Mimi Coombes, faculty chaperone. Derryfield students assume important roles at the competitions and have become an integral core group among the annual volunteers. Year after year, the game organizers share that the winter games simply would not run without Derryfield students. The Derryfield group escorts all the teams through the opening ceremonies parade, registers athletes, assists with staging and setup of race courses, acts as cross-country course guides, and helps athletes fasten their skis and snowshoes in the staging area. They are also official timers, starters, cheerleaders, runners, and coach liasons before and after races.
changes them in the best possible ways. Ms. Coombes shared, “I wish every Derryfield student could experience Special Olympics at least once in their Derryfield career. Our kids seem ‘changed’ when they take part. They seem truly exhilarated and happy as they interact with the athletes in such positive, cheerful, helpful, and goofy ways. I think the entire experience gives our kids a new perspective on their own lives, reminding them of their gifts and blessings.”
Beyond volunteer athletic duties, the team attends the annual dinner, sitting at tables with the teams, and even doing some dancing! Tyler Crews ’17 had the honor of dancing with one of the athletes, Andrew. At the end of the evening his mother approached Tyler saying, “You have no idea how much this means to us. This is probably one of the best nights of his life.”
The Phantom and Christine in a scene from this winter’s upper school musical. Belonging: Winter 2016
Parents of Alumni: If your child no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Advancement Office of the correct mailing B e l o n gaddress i n g : W i nat t e603.669.4524 r 2016 or email advancement@derryfield.org.
Volunteering at the Special Olympics gives students a chance to step outside of their comfort zone and develop empathy, patience, kindness, and responsibility—all hallmarks of a Derryfield education. It exposes them to a world outside their own and Belonging: Winter 2016
Maddie Pierson ’16 celebrates with two Special Olympics athletes.
F
E DERRY TH
D SCHOO
A PROGRESS REPORT ON DERRYFIELD’S STRATEGIC PLAN
L
IEL
Manchester
• Breakthrough Manchester develops • Breakthrough students on campus two populations of young people at the same time through its dual mission: supporting and launching high-potential middle school students with limited resources on the path to college and supporting and inspiring high school and college students as emerging teachers.
Did you know?
this summer will represent 22 countries of origin, including the United States, Bosnia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
Celebrate 25 Years!
“ Invest in a sequence of multiple physical plant upgrades by following a traditional master planning, campaign and construction cycle.”
Aligning with Derryfield’s core value of Family, the Parent/Faculty Association (PFA) has been bringing the Derryfield community together for years through collaboration and celebration. Run by parents, the group is responsible for some of Derryfield’s biggest and most popular celebrations, including the Back-to-School Picnic. Not only do they lead, though; they also provide the volunteers who help keep Derryfield ticking—you can see PFA volunteers at every event: welcoming grandparents on Grandparents’ Day in September and prospective students at Admission Open Houses. And without the phenomenal theater liaisons, the show might actually not go on!
• Recent Teaching Fellows (if they
are not returning to teach at Breakthrough) have been accepted to graduate schools at Harvard and UPenn, to Teach for America and CityYear programs, to Fulbright Teaching Fellowships in Malaysia and South Korea, and to competitive teaching residency programs such as Boston Teacher Residency.
goal 1: belonging
“ Unify the Derryfield family by strengthening connections with our extended community, including alumni, alumni parents, and emeritus faculty and staff.”
STUDENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Breakthrough Manchester at The Derryfield School announced an exciting new partnership with Southern New Hampshire University at its Back to Summer Breakfast on April 20. SNHU will develop and implement a high school program to support Breakthrough students in grades 9–12, up to and including matriculation to college. Breakthrough Manchester at The Derryfield School will continue to serve middle school students, while Breakthrough Manchester at Southern New Hampshire University will support these students as they move through their high school years. This partnership will create a fully supported pathway for students with high academic potential who may not otherwise matriculate to college.
During the week leading up to spring break, 35 Derryfield students had the opportunity to attend two conferences focused on issues of student identity, ethics, and leadership in the world today, The New England Youth Identity Summit (NEYIS) at Waynflete School in Portland, ME, and the HYPE (Hosting Young Philosophy Enthusiasts) Conference hosted by Souhegan High School at University of New Hampshire.
Friday, July 15; 3:00–8:00 p.m.
Teaching fellow Christie Roy leads a lesson during the 2015 session.
PFA volunteers work the bake sale at the 2015 Country Fair.
identity and expression; use creative media to reflect on and share thoughts about expression and oppression in our world; and consider the extent to which free speech is shaped by power, control, and fear.
“ Develop a cohesive, coordinated middle and upper school program with an emphasis on academic and co-curricular skills most relevant to a 21st Century education.” Belonging: Winter 2016
Plans for a roundabout at the intersection of Bicentennial Drive and River Road.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT SERIES
As we work to develop the capacity of all our students to be leaders in a variety of contexts, external conferences like these are a unique chance to develop Both of these conferences self-awareness and a globenabled our students to al understanding beyond engage with peers from our classrooms, theaters, around New England in or playing fields. To date dialogue about important this year, we have provided issues such as race, genopportunities for 87 high der, ethics, free speech, school students—almost Derryfield students at the NEYIS conference in Portland, ME. and leadership. a quarter of the student body—to engage internally or externally in formal leadership workshops. We look forward to Students were encouraged to ‘dialogue across difference;’ view increasing the opportunities in future years and raising the number leadership as a ‘we’ proposition instead of ‘I, me, or they;’ ‘smash of participating students to closer to 100%. the stigma’ of mental health in our society; understand issues of
goal 2: leading
Attendance is free, but we do need you to register at bit.ly/BTM25thAnn.
BUILDING NEIGHBORHOOD RELATIONS One of Derryfield’s objectives under strategic plan goal three involves “fostering relationships with neighbors;” but this is not a new concept for the School. As part of an initiative led by Associate Head Jennifer Melkonian and Director of Facilities Gary Harper, Derryfield has been reaching out to neighbors for years. The purpose of this outreach is sometimes to inform the community of projects that may impact them, and often to ask for their feedback. As we have implemented our strategic enrollment plan, celebrated our 50th anniversary, and most recently started to plan for new facilities, outreach with Derryfield’s neighbors continues to be crucial. Sometimes the community will object to a proposal, such as banners on River Road celebrating our 50th. Neighbors felt the banners would commercialize the area, so we listened by decreasing the size of the banners and only hanging them internally. More recently, we asked the community about installing a granite post and rail fence along River Road. There was strong support for this project, with neighbors feeling it adds value to the community. This fence has been installed, looks great, and we have received only positive feedback from our neighbors.
As the 2015–2016 school year draws to a close, the PFA is saving its biggest and best for last. This year’s spring benefit, “Catorce de Mayo,” is being held on May 14 at the Manchester Country Club. A casual evening of fun and games, it’s meant to celebrate the family to which we all belong. And if we raise some “dinero” for Derryfield along the way, that’s just an added bonus!
A NEW PARTNERSHIP
Whether you remember it as Summerbridge or Breakthrough Manchester, come back and celebrate 25 years of learning, teaching, and leading!
B e l o n g i n g : W i n t e r 2 0 16
goal 3: building
PARENT/FACULTY ASSOCIATION
Last year, Derryfield’s Alumni Council hosted its first ever Networking Breakfast, where Gary Hirshberg ’72, co-founder and current Chairman of Stonyfield Farm organic dairy products, and David Snow ’72, medical services entrepreneur and current CEO of Cedar Gate Technologies, talked about their paths from Derryfield to the CEO’s office. It was such a success, we’re doing it again this year! So please join us for the second annual Alumni Spotlight breakfast on Monday, May 9, when we’ll learn the ins and outs of starting a new company from this year’s group of alumni entrepreneurs. Enjoy a morning of noshing and networking, and hear from this exciting group of alumni who have built businesses from the ground up: Evelyn Brensinger Aissa ’99 (Aissa Sweets, LLC), Cam Brensinger ’94 (NEMO Equipment, Inc), Ellen Parkhurst-Jipson Kelly ’00 (Champagne and Ink, LLP), and Justin Shaka ’00 (REBIScan, LLC). Join us from 7:30-9:00 a.m. in the Nancy S. Boettiger Theater lobby. We hope to see you there! RSVP at rsvp@derryfield.org.
Belonging: Winter 2016
Derryfield’s consistent outreach and willingness to listen has allowed us to build a relationship of trust with the community. As we move forward with proposed capital improvement projects, we will keep our neighbors updated and continue to ask for their feedback; building bridges and more.
goal 4: elevating
“ Increase public awareness of Derryfield as the premier day school in the region and as an integral community convener.”
F
E DERRY TH
D SCHOO
A PROGRESS REPORT ON DERRYFIELD’S STRATEGIC PLAN
L
IEL
Manchester
• Breakthrough Manchester develops • Breakthrough students on campus two populations of young people at the same time through its dual mission: supporting and launching high-potential middle school students with limited resources on the path to college and supporting and inspiring high school and college students as emerging teachers.
Did you know?
this summer will represent 22 countries of origin, including the United States, Bosnia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
Celebrate 25 Years!
“ Invest in a sequence of multiple physical plant upgrades by following a traditional master planning, campaign and construction cycle.”
Aligning with Derryfield’s core value of Family, the Parent/Faculty Association (PFA) has been bringing the Derryfield community together for years through collaboration and celebration. Run by parents, the group is responsible for some of Derryfield’s biggest and most popular celebrations, including the Back-to-School Picnic. Not only do they lead, though; they also provide the volunteers who help keep Derryfield ticking—you can see PFA volunteers at every event: welcoming grandparents on Grandparents’ Day in September and prospective students at Admission Open Houses. And without the phenomenal theater liaisons, the show might actually not go on!
• Recent Teaching Fellows (if they
are not returning to teach at Breakthrough) have been accepted to graduate schools at Harvard and UPenn, to Teach for America and CityYear programs, to Fulbright Teaching Fellowships in Malaysia and South Korea, and to competitive teaching residency programs such as Boston Teacher Residency.
goal 1: belonging
“ Unify the Derryfield family by strengthening connections with our extended community, including alumni, alumni parents, and emeritus faculty and staff.”
STUDENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Breakthrough Manchester at The Derryfield School announced an exciting new partnership with Southern New Hampshire University at its Back to Summer Breakfast on April 20. SNHU will develop and implement a high school program to support Breakthrough students in grades 9–12, up to and including matriculation to college. Breakthrough Manchester at The Derryfield School will continue to serve middle school students, while Breakthrough Manchester at Southern New Hampshire University will support these students as they move through their high school years. This partnership will create a fully supported pathway for students with high academic potential who may not otherwise matriculate to college.
During the week leading up to spring break, 35 Derryfield students had the opportunity to attend two conferences focused on issues of student identity, ethics, and leadership in the world today, The New England Youth Identity Summit (NEYIS) at Waynflete School in Portland, ME, and the HYPE (Hosting Young Philosophy Enthusiasts) Conference hosted by Souhegan High School at University of New Hampshire.
Friday, July 15; 3:00–8:00 p.m.
Teaching fellow Christie Roy leads a lesson during the 2015 session.
PFA volunteers work the bake sale at the 2015 Country Fair.
identity and expression; use creative media to reflect on and share thoughts about expression and oppression in our world; and consider the extent to which free speech is shaped by power, control, and fear.
“ Develop a cohesive, coordinated middle and upper school program with an emphasis on academic and co-curricular skills most relevant to a 21st Century education.” Belonging: Winter 2016
Plans for a roundabout at the intersection of Bicentennial Drive and River Road.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT SERIES
As we work to develop the capacity of all our students to be leaders in a variety of contexts, external conferences like these are a unique chance to develop Both of these conferences self-awareness and a globenabled our students to al understanding beyond engage with peers from our classrooms, theaters, around New England in or playing fields. To date dialogue about important this year, we have provided issues such as race, genopportunities for 87 high der, ethics, free speech, school students—almost Derryfield students at the NEYIS conference in Portland, ME. and leadership. a quarter of the student body—to engage internally or externally in formal leadership workshops. We look forward to Students were encouraged to ‘dialogue across difference;’ view increasing the opportunities in future years and raising the number leadership as a ‘we’ proposition instead of ‘I, me, or they;’ ‘smash of participating students to closer to 100%. the stigma’ of mental health in our society; understand issues of
goal 2: leading
Attendance is free, but we do need you to register at bit.ly/BTM25thAnn.
BUILDING NEIGHBORHOOD RELATIONS One of Derryfield’s objectives under strategic plan goal three involves “fostering relationships with neighbors;” but this is not a new concept for the School. As part of an initiative led by Associate Head Jennifer Melkonian and Director of Facilities Gary Harper, Derryfield has been reaching out to neighbors for years. The purpose of this outreach is sometimes to inform the community of projects that may impact them, and often to ask for their feedback. As we have implemented our strategic enrollment plan, celebrated our 50th anniversary, and most recently started to plan for new facilities, outreach with Derryfield’s neighbors continues to be crucial. Sometimes the community will object to a proposal, such as banners on River Road celebrating our 50th. Neighbors felt the banners would commercialize the area, so we listened by decreasing the size of the banners and only hanging them internally. More recently, we asked the community about installing a granite post and rail fence along River Road. There was strong support for this project, with neighbors feeling it adds value to the community. This fence has been installed, looks great, and we have received only positive feedback from our neighbors.
As the 2015–2016 school year draws to a close, the PFA is saving its biggest and best for last. This year’s spring benefit, “Catorce de Mayo,” is being held on May 14 at the Manchester Country Club. A casual evening of fun and games, it’s meant to celebrate the family to which we all belong. And if we raise some “dinero” for Derryfield along the way, that’s just an added bonus!
A NEW PARTNERSHIP
Whether you remember it as Summerbridge or Breakthrough Manchester, come back and celebrate 25 years of learning, teaching, and leading!
B e l o n g i n g : W i n t e r 2 0 16
goal 3: building
PARENT/FACULTY ASSOCIATION
Last year, Derryfield’s Alumni Council hosted its first ever Networking Breakfast, where Gary Hirshberg ’72, co-founder and current Chairman of Stonyfield Farm organic dairy products, and David Snow ’72, medical services entrepreneur and current CEO of Cedar Gate Technologies, talked about their paths from Derryfield to the CEO’s office. It was such a success, we’re doing it again this year! So please join us for the second annual Alumni Spotlight breakfast on Monday, May 9, when we’ll learn the ins and outs of starting a new company from this year’s group of alumni entrepreneurs. Enjoy a morning of noshing and networking, and hear from this exciting group of alumni who have built businesses from the ground up: Evelyn Brensinger Aissa ’99 (Aissa Sweets, LLC), Cam Brensinger ’94 (NEMO Equipment, Inc), Ellen Parkhurst-Jipson Kelly ’00 (Champagne and Ink, LLP), and Justin Shaka ’00 (REBIScan, LLC). Join us from 7:30-9:00 a.m. in the Nancy S. Boettiger Theater lobby. We hope to see you there! RSVP at rsvp@derryfield.org.
Belonging: Winter 2016
Derryfield’s consistent outreach and willingness to listen has allowed us to build a relationship of trust with the community. As we move forward with proposed capital improvement projects, we will keep our neighbors updated and continue to ask for their feedback; building bridges and more.
goal 4: elevating
“ Increase public awareness of Derryfield as the premier day school in the region and as an integral community convener.”
SPORTS SPOTLIGHT
belonging
Derryfield freshmen Tori Sipes and Jakob Murray share a passion for gymnastics. Since Derryfield does not offer the sport, both students receive independent sport credit for competing with local gymnastics training centers. Tori and Jakob each spends about 20 hours a week training and, while finding a balance between rigorous academics and a demanding sports schedule can be a challenge, it has paid off for both in a big way. Both athletes have won their individual state meets this year and are building on that success at the regional level. Tori, a WMUR Hometown Hero and NH All-Around Gymnastics Champion, had a personal best at the New England meet. Jakob has made it to the Junior Olympic Nationals twice already, and hopes to secure a spot again this year. We look forward to seeing what these freshman accomplish next.
THE DERRYFIELD SCHOOL 2108 RIVER ROAD, MANCHESTER, NH 03104
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belonging
THE DERRYFIELD SCHOOL
WINTER 2016
THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS TRADITION PHANTOM OF THE OPERA The Derryfield performing arts department presented another epic musical this winter with their production of Phantom of the Opera. A talented cast of over 25 students was led by Brock Higley ’16 as the Phantom, Kelly Collins ’17 as Christine, Nick Briccetti ’18 as Raoul, and Maddie Kasten ’17 as Carlotta. With profesisonal choreography, stunning costumes, and a set that utilized the entire auditorium, a transfixed audience felt they were transported to a nineteenth century Parisian opera house. Once again, the Derryfield Players knocked it out of the park. After standing ovations for all three shows, the consensus was these thespians have talent.
a global classroom During spring break, 20% of our students had the opportunity to participate in a global program. Groups this year went to Washington, D.C. (history and politics); North Carolina (Habitat for Humanity); Eleuthera, Bahamas (Island School marine biology research); and Spain (language immersion). Students had experiences that included meeting with our Congressman, having a tour guide who only spoke Spanish with the group, and catching and tagging sea turtles as part of a local research project. In the words of a student on the Spain trip, “I am extremely grateful for this experience, and it has influenced my future already... Traveling has value and, just like a book, can be interpreted thousands of different ways, y para mi, I want to keep expanding my perception of the earth.”
Volunteering at Special Olympics State Winter Games has become a long-standing tradition Derryfield students—beginning over twenty years ago as a Key Club activity. “I keep going back because it is so amazing to see the pure, unadulterated joy that the athletes show when they compete. They are so enthusiastic and positive, even when they don’t win. They truly embody the positive essence of sportsmanship,” shared Ms. Mimi Coombes, faculty chaperone. Derryfield students assume important roles at the competitions and have become an integral core group among the annual volunteers. Year after year, the game organizers share that the winter games simply would not run without Derryfield students. The Derryfield group escorts all the teams through the opening ceremonies parade, registers athletes, assists with staging and setup of race courses, acts as cross-country course guides, and helps athletes fasten their skis and snowshoes in the staging area. They are also official timers, starters, cheerleaders, runners, and coach liasons before and after races.
changes them in the best possible ways. Ms. Coombes shared, “I wish every Derryfield student could experience Special Olympics at least once in their Derryfield career. Our kids seem ‘changed’ when they take part. They seem truly exhilarated and happy as they interact with the athletes in such positive, cheerful, helpful, and goofy ways. I think the entire experience gives our kids a new perspective on their own lives, reminding them of their gifts and blessings.”
Beyond volunteer athletic duties, the team attends the annual dinner, sitting at tables with the teams, and even doing some dancing! Tyler Crews ’17 had the honor of dancing with one of the athletes, Andrew. At the end of the evening his mother approached Tyler saying, “You have no idea how much this means to us. This is probably one of the best nights of his life.”
The Phantom and Christine in a scene from this winter’s upper school musical. Belonging: Winter 2016
Parents of Alumni: If your child no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Advancement Office of the correct mailing B e l o n gaddress i n g : W i nat t e603.669.4524 r 2016 or email advancement@derryfield.org.
Volunteering at the Special Olympics gives students a chance to step outside of their comfort zone and develop empathy, patience, kindness, and responsibility—all hallmarks of a Derryfield education. It exposes them to a world outside their own and Belonging: Winter 2016
Maddie Pierson ’16 celebrates with two Special Olympics athletes.