August 1791 Letter

August 2011

BERWICK A C A D E M Y

1791 L e t t e r Save

the Date!

September 22, 2011

Berwick Academy Athletics Boosters invite you to mark your calendars for the 21st Annual Bulldog Golf Classic at the Ledges in York, Maine.

- Excellent day of golf!

- Sponsorship packages available - Great raffle prizes Visit www.berwickacademy.org/boosters for more information and to download the registration and sponsorship forms. Contact Rob Quinn with questions at rquinn@berwickacademy.org or 207.384.2800

w w w. b e r w i c k a c a d e m y. o r g / b o o s t e r s

1791 Letter ~ August 2011

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MESSAGE F R O M

A New Day for Berwick Academy By the time August arrives, my thoughts have turned fully to the arrival of your children once again. My battery has been recharged, and the strategies and plans have all been fully debated and analyzed. I find myself glancing out my window wondering when I will see that first frisbee or soccer ball vaulting across Fogg field. I am up here trying to convince myself that I can somehow plan my way into serenity during the frenzy of opening School events, and most importantly – I anxiously await the day when Bruce Orr and SAGE dining start serving lunch once again.

Needless to say, I have much to be excited about.

Summer offers a chance for us to ponder not only future changes to Berwick, but it provides me a chance to reflect fully on all that transpired during the past academic year as well. One area where Berwick experienced an incredible amount of change was within our dynamic parent organization. The new BPC (formerly BAPA) has moved the School forward in some compelling ways during the last twelve months, and certainly BPC president Lesli Friel deserves significant credit for all that has been accomplished. In the whirlwind of May and throughout the graduation season of 2011, BPC worked diligently to support some incredible initiatives on this campus that will make the Berwick experience even more superlative for all students.

While I am sure Lesli will outline these additions in more detail in her 1791 installment, suffice it to say that the 2

Greg Schneider

Head of School

infusion of support has energized our faculty in unexpected ways. For the benefit of the parent community – whether you are a veteran or entirely new to Berwick - I thought it might be helpful to summarize the journey of BPC over the course of the last year, as I truly think our parents have created a new standard for impactful volunteer work on behalf of this community.

Coming into the 2010-2011 school year, there were two separate issues that Berwick Academy’s Board of Trustees knew needed to be addressed in considering Berwick’s relationship to our generous parents association moving forward. The first had to do with a collective sense that Berwick Academy needed to find a way to absorb any aspects of the BAPA budget that were deemed to be operational in nature.

For many years, our parents have been funding a number of programs that we truly needed to support through the operating budget of the school. Roughly twenty years ago, BAPA stepped in to fill some gaps in the program that needed attention, and the Board of Trustees has essentially confirmed through their actions that these programs have become entirely essential to the Berwick experience. In particular, BAPA has funded the bulk of our student activities budget for a long period of time (orientation trips, field trips, dances, etc.). While this support has always been appreciated, it also had the impact of putting even more pressure on auction fundraising.

What would we do, in a given year, if the auction did not in fact cover BAPA’s ever expanding budget? So during 2010-2011, the Board of Trustees absorbed approximately $50,000 of BAPA’s annual budget. This freed up 1791 Letter ~ August 2011

BAPA funds to be put to use in new ways, and I hope it relieved some of the pressure surrounding the auction as well.

BAPA had been originally founded in 1988 as its own independent 501(c)3, but after some detailed analysis by BAPA leadership, the Board of Trustees, and legal counsel from both organizations, it became clear that operating as an auxiliary of the School would be a preferable step for our parent organization and for the Academy. This decision allows all BAPA activities to fall under the Academy’s liability insurance, whereas previously BAPA board members operated with no such protection. It allowed BAPA to use the School’s sales tax exempt status freely as well as use all of the Academy’s infrastructure once it was clearly articulated as part of the same organization. Finally, it allowed us to create important synergies with the Business Office and Development Offices, assisting our parent volunteers in new ways. Berwick donors now know that their contributions are always going directly to the Academy, and our Development Office can document and steward these gifts appropriately.

This spring, BPC enjoyed another incredibly successful benefit under its new model and its new name. On the heels of this community benefit, BPC launched an online grant application program to which all Berwick employees were invited to apply for funding. Employees were encouraged to think outside of the box and to consider how they might improve the experience for our students in powerful ways. Out of this process, we received over 43 BPC

BERWICK A C A D E M Y grant requests totalling over $270,000 from the employee community, and BPC was able to award 21 grants for a total of almost $40,000. What was amazing for me as Head of School was to know that each of these ideas had come right from the employees themselves for BPC’s consideration.

In addition to the amazing proposals that were funded, I was dazzled by the creativity and passion of our teachers in general. The BPC grant process became a catalyst and a tool for me to tap into the collective ingenuity of our teachers so that I might understand what some of their dreams were for Berwick. Even those who were not funded this year have planted seeds for future ideas. While we know that the process felt a bit hurried, and perhaps just a touch confusing, this year on account of it being the first year of the program, the results have been superb.

It became clear to us that we wanted to award BPC grants before the summer so that we could install certain things to be up and running for the arrival of the students in the fall. Next spring, we expect to launch into this grant process once again immediately on the heels of the benefit, and I know that our teachers are already considering another incredible range of ideas.

the bus drop-off, and even a series of new projector screens for the campus.

BPC grant funds have also helped us transition into an entirely new vision and layout in Jackson library, with our Upper School collections moving to the top floor. While admittedly still in its infancy, I believe this new BPC grant model has inspired our community in unexpected ways.

While Lesli will document the awards in detail, I can tell you some of the highlights from my perspective.

Last year BPC funded a number of interactive whiteboards in our Lower School, and this summer BPC grant funds allowed us to install four of these units in the Middle and Upper Schools. Berwick Academy will be funding a number of additional boards in the Lower School as well. BPC was able to support our new Lower School playground addition, extra supplies for robotics initiatives, a new basketball hoop for our paved play area near

The amount of change within our parent organization has felt monumental this past year – the progress and the ability to adapt has been inspiring. I want to thank this group of volunteers not only for their tireless efforts to work on behalf of the Berwick community, but also for their willingness to model our core value of stretching through engagement.

We constantly encourage our students to take risks and try new things, and I feel like our BPC parents have been modeling this entrepreneurial spirit in some powerful ways. My hope is that

Let’s also not forget that the BPC fund-a-need campus preservation fund has also assisted us with the rather daunting renovation of Fogg Memorial this summer. This massive project has allowed us to rebuild, seal, and preserve Fogg in a comprehensive manner, truly protecting the building that we all consider to be the soul of the campus.

While this project will continue into September as the final elements of pointing will be completed, the amount of work that has been accomplished on this building has been staggering.

While some of this work may not be entirely obvious to the naked eye, I hope that you all know that our Board of Trustees has stepped forward to do the right thing on behalf of our Upper School community given the deteriorating condition of this campus jewel.

1791 Letter ~ August 2011

1791 Letter

this article helps summarize and clarify the numerous changes that went on last year. However, there is even more that remains unchanged when it comes to considering the powerful day school partnership between school and parents at Berwick: the generosity of time, talent, and treasure on behalf of the Berwick experience is nothing short of humbling. Lesli Friel and the BPC Board truly deserve our gratitude for their generosity and their courage.

On behalf of the Berwick Academy faculty and staff, let me be the first to publicly thank all of you for what you have done for our students.

The only question that remains is what might the 2011-2012 academic year throw our way? If there is one thing I have learned as I now enter my fifth year as Head of School at Berwick, it is that no day, never mind a given year, is ever the same.

Perhaps what I love most about my job is its inherent requirement to multitask, utilize diverse skills and interests, and the need to consider creative solutions to unexpected challenges. That, in the end, is the essence of working with young people – reveling in their spirit, their passion, and their spontaneity.

Suffice it to say that I cannot wait to see your children (and you) again soon.

Health Forms

Please remember that all health forms need to be on file with our nurse and other departments before your child may attend classes on September 6. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any question regarding the status of your forms.

Bus Schedule

I wanted to notify parents once again that the bus departure times have continued on pg 10...

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Peter Saliba - Upper School Director

Upper School News It is that time of the summer when I start to get excited about the upcoming year. The campus has started to come alive with faculty as they begin to prepare for the year, and students seem to be trickling in to finalize their courses and schedules. I can almost smell September, and it is a great feeling!

Part of the great feeling is the familiarity and routine to the opening of the year. We have our faculty meetings, students arrive on opening day, we have an assembly, we go to class, etc… I’ve opened school a number of times and some of the routines are quite familiar. However, I learned a lesson last week that I promise to take with me as I go into this year.

Growing up, I never went to summer camp. It simply was not part of my family history, and that was just fine. However, it is definitely part of the culture here in Maine and my kids decided that they wanted to go this summer. So last week, we packed up the trunks and I went up to central New Hampshire to drop off my sons for two weeks. I will admit that I was a bit excited to have the kids away for two weeks, but I will also say that I was a little apprehensive, and my nervousness got worse as I approached camp.

Standing in the big dining hall for registration, the camp director welcomed us all to his fine institution and took us through the routine that he had done for twenty years. My nervousness was partly assuaged by his 4

wise words, but I have to remark that he just seemed a bit too casual. This seemed a bit too routine for him. Yes, I know he had done it before, but did he he know that my boys were first year campers, that they might get homesick, or scared during a thunderstorm? Did he know that one of my boys can make friends with a lamppost in two seconds and the other takes at least an hour to warm up? Was he going to take care of them, my pride and joy? Did he realize that it is a huge leap of faith to drop off my kids at a strange place for two weeks? After a few minutes, I talked myself off the ledge and realized that things were going to be OK. Although I am still anxious about my boys as I write this letter, I know that they are fine and having fun. In all likelihood, they haven’t thought about home at all and are enjoying their new experiences.

My take away from this has been that it is an incredible leap of faith for you to entrust the education of your children with us. Yes, we’ve had some experience educating students and have a group of adults who care deeply about each of our students. However, I now can empathize more fully with how important this upcoming year is to you and your whole family. I have great faith that all of us have the best interests of your children in mind, and we will keep a watchful eye on them during the upcoming year.

I look forward to seeing your kids in about three weeks, and I am looking forward to seeing you as well.

Enjoy these last weeks of the summer!

1791 Letter ~ August 2011

Rosemary Zurawel - Middle School Director

Middle School News This autumn marks the 40th anniversary of the Middle School Division at Berwick Academy. Thanks to the wonderful research of Rachel Saliba, our Archivist, this month’s 1791 Letter traces some of the interesting history of the school.

It is no secret that Berwick Academy hit some very difficult financial times in the early 1970’s – so bad that the members of the Board of Trustees even considered a motion to close the Academy at the end of the 1971 school year. Fortunately, cool heads prevailed and the Academy was saved with a dramatic economic plan that included the selling of dorms, artwork, acres of land, and most importantly, the establishment of the Middle School.

In September 1971, three girls and forty seventh and eighth grade boys were enrolled at Berwick Academy, each paying $3,500 as boarders or $1,200 as day students.

Their daily lives were very different from the 184 students enrolled as I write this. They had a dress code that required a tie for the boys and a dress or dress slacks for the girls. The dress code included ties and sports jackets for nearly thirty years. Girls had to wear a blazer whenever they wore slacks. The Division Director, on hot days, could announce a “no jacket” time, but the ties stayed on.

Students were given demerits for minor discipline infractions such as running to the Commons for lunch or throwing snowballs within 50 feet of a building. The students did not

initially have their own sports teams or theatre productions and those who were boarders lived on the second floor of the Hayes House before it was converted into the Head of School House in 1973.

While the establishment of the Middle School helped to relieve the economic troubles facing the Academy, the main purpose of the new school was to “. . . provide a better academic and social base from which they will find it easier to move into the more rigorous atmosphere of the Upper School” (Admissions Catalog 1973).

The curriculum was considered to be “interdependent” with the existing program in the grades 9 – 12. The daily schedule was very much like an Upper School student’s, including five courses and two study periods. Exams were administered each December and June.

During exam week, students gathered in the Commons Dining room at long refectory tables. An exam was handed out to all students who worked silently while the duty teacher patrolled the space between tables to ensure silence.

By the late 1990s, this practice ended, along with the standardized testing that was conducted in the dining hall at those same tables.

Initially, the Middle School faculty consisted of only three individuals -- Director W. Herbert Standen and two teachers. In addition to running the new school, recruiting students and teaching algebra, Mr. Standen was also hired to operate the bus that ran from Exeter-HamptonPortsmouth-South Berwick and back every day.

During the summer of 1972, the Middle School got its own home when the first and second floors of the Burleigh-Davidson House were remodeled to “permit greater concentration on the specific needs of this age group.” (Berwick Briefs, Summer 1972) The Burleigh-Davidson House would remain the home of the Middle School until 1994 when the Middle School got its third home, the Clement Middle School; built within feet of the razed Vaughn-Eastman Building.

Life was a little different for the average Middle School student back in the early 1970’s. The Academy was a boarding school for mostly boys and owned many of the buildings on Academy Street. It had a radio station.

The students had a dress code that required the boys to wear a shirt and tie or a turtleneck. The girls could wear dresses, culottes, pant suits, jumpers, skirts, and dress slacks. School blazers were available for purchase for both girls and boys. In response to students’ complaints about the dress code, Head of School, Andrew Holmes wrote, “If you dress sloppy, you feel sloppy, and your sloppy habits tend to become lax also.” (Middle School Journal, Oct. 1975)

The Middle School students produced their own newspaper called the Middle School Journal. It contained news about the school, Upper School sports briefs, word games, jokes, artwork and literature. The Middle School students also produced their own theatrical production and first Minstrel Show in 1974. continued on pg 10...

1791 Letter ~ August 2011

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Joel Hawes - Lower School Director

Lower School News Passing time by playing counting games during long-distance travel across Maine isn’t new to me. Years ago, visiting relatives in Bangor and Hampden from childhood homes in Quebec and later Iowa necessitated creative time-passage approaches ranging from recording VW’s and exit markers on the Interstate to counting livestock and pine trees on backcountry roads. (Well…maybe not pine trees, although there were many.)

While making a recent cross-state drive to visit family and friends, a yearend sign placed beside an elementary school building caught my eye. I recorded its message, and I have since taken to noting a number of school summer vacation signs in ways that I might once have recorded cars and cattle during past holiday drives.

This travel game began on a fourth of July weekend trip from Hampden down-coast to New Harbor for a cousin’s fiftieth birthday celebration. The abrupt message, featuring traditional white lettering on black background, jumped out at my wife and me as we drove Route 9: Back to School—Aug 29. No room for yearend congratulatory remarks or summer event descriptions on this sign, just a condensed return-to-school reminder.

After pondering the message board, I became curious about other school signs over the coming days and weeks.

My short-list highlights include a schoolyard clean up reminder and an August family picnic notice at two different central Maine schools.

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With plenty of time on my

hands during summer travel, I also began considering how a similar sign outside of our own Lower School building might read. The result of my hard work follows—three different ideas and the context by which each came about: Every day is student day in the Lower School.

A Lower School student spoke these words to me during last year’s faculty/staff appreciation week.

In discussing the significance of the week’s events, the student and I were joking that we should add a student appreciation week to the calendar— hence the response by the second grader that every day is, in fact, a special day for our students. This would certainly make for an appropriate message board phrase signaling the exciting year ahead.

Time to draw the curtains.

I recently heard this phrase at a technology-based 21st century learning skills leadership conference I attended at Harvard. One of the conference presenters used the message in reference to pulling away the fancy covering around a theme or idea and getting to the heart of the matter—such as quality curricular, teaching and learning goals (which, in this conference case, supersedes any choice or use of technology tools).

After many forms of summer schoolyear preparation, the faculty and I are excited to draw the curtains as we get the 2011-12 program underway.

Happy New Year!

1791 Letter ~ August 2011

Inherent in New Year ’s Day is a chance to begin anew, while building on past achievements. January 1st may not be just around the corner, but I hope the spirit of a new year lies within all of us as we begin this academic year. Undoubtedly, it is an appropriate time to welcome the refreshing opportunities and change that are possible as we rethink past assumptions and ride the wonder of a new year.

By the way, I actually found my favorite roadside school message at a Newport, Maine Tim Horton’s coffee shop, of all places. As I waited for my coffee, I read a flyer that advertised summer camps sponsored by the franchise and used the tag-line: Make summer 2011 the best summer ever for your child. And while we do not have a message board outside of the Lower School, I hope that the spirit of a welcome sign is apparent in this entry and in the sincere excitement that I share with faculty, staff, and administration in preparing to make this a wonderful new year for our Lower School students!

Rob Quinn - Athletic Director

Summer on the Hilltop The campus was alive again this summer with multiple camps. We had our dance camps and multi-sport camps that were a great success. We also had a terrific boys lacrosse, field hockey, and girls lacrosse camp. The Seacoast United Soccer Club had its Training Academy on campus for the third consecutive year. The numbers were up from last year with over 140 campers attending each week. Among those campers were many BA students from the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. This camp has taken off and the partnership between SUSC and Berwick Academy is going very well.

We have also enjoyed a busy summer schedule with Integrity Hoops, which is a basketball clinic that offers specialized training. This group is lead

by Noah LaRoche who created this concept and has done similar work with numerous professional basketball players. We are excited about this partnership and look for great things in the future.

Bulldog Golf Classic

The Athletics Boosters are hosting their Annual Bulldog Golf Classic at The Ledges Golf Club in York, Maine, on Thursday, September 22, 2011; it is an 8 a.m. shotgun start.

Save the date, and plan to join in the fun with the many members of our Berwick community. We are currently coordinating sponsors and prizes, if interested please contact Rob Quinn rquinn@berwickacademy.org.

Athletic Booster Resource

The Athletic Boosters will

Athletics News

have a US parent representative at the MS/US Parent Coffee on BD porch September 6 at 8:30 a.m. and at the September 17 New Parents Dinner in the Commons at 5:30 p.m. before the dinner to assist new parents with information about the Boosters and athletic teams.

Tryouts will continue during the first week of school.

Preseason Fall Sports Update: Boys Soccer: Coach Patrick Connolly pconnolly@berwickacademy.org Preseason: Varsity candidates will be leaving for the team prep trip at noon on Monday, August 22 and return on Friday, August 26 at noon. On campus preseason will run from Monday, August 29 until Thursday September 1, 5:30 - 7:00. These sessions are for anyone looking to try out for the varsity team. Tryouts will continue during the first week of school. Note: During this week we will have a scrimmage vs. Thornton Academy in Saco at 6 p.m. on Tuesday August 30. There will be a select number of players chosen to attend this contest.

That will be determined at Monday, August 29 practice.

Girls Cross Country: Coach Reagan Russell rrussell@berwickacademy.org Preseason: Practices begin on Monday, August 29 and run through Wednesday Aug 31 from 5-6:30 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Head Coach Travis Derr email: emailderr@yahoo.com Preseason: Coach Travis Derr will be taking a group of soccer athletes to camp. The group will be attending the SoccerPlus Camp from August 12 -15 on the campus of the Northfield Mt Herman School. This preseason camp is optional and open to any interested soccer athlete.

On campus preseason will run from Monday August 29 until Thursday September 1, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. These sessions are for anyone looking to try out for the varsity team.

1791 Letter ~ August 2011

Boys Cross Country: Coach: Jon Davie jdavie@berwickacademy.org Preseason: Practices begin on Monday, August 29 and run through Wednesday, August 31 from 5-6:30 p.m.

Golf: Coach John Downey jdowney@ berwickacademy.org Practices will begin the first day of classes.

Field Hockey: Head Coach Tracey Boucher tracey.boucher@ berwickacademy.org Summer: Coach Boucher is offering PRE-preseason workout sessions from 8:30-9:30 M-F, from now through August 26 with the exception of Wednesday, August 24. No sticks required, the sessions are offered to help athletes get into shape before preseason. All new and returning field hockey players are welcome and encouraged to attend.

We will be holding a warmup clinic on August 24 from 4-7 p.m. at Berwick Academy. We will work on basic field hockey skills and drills and finish up with a scrimmage and pizza.

Please keep this date in mind, and we will be sure to contact you as we get closer to the date.

Preseason: Will be here on campus from August 29 - September 1 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. All athletes hoping to continued on page 11...

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you gotta have Arts

Deloris White - Fine Arts Director

Arts Boosters Arts Boosters’ Variety Show

Performances for the Arts-Remember to mark your calendar to attend the Berwick Academy Arts Boosters Variety Show. This annual fundraiser for the arts will take place on Friday, October 14, 2011, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with Arts in the Lobby followed by performances at 7:00 in the Patricia Baldwin Whipple Arts Center Theater. This night will be filled with song, instruments, dance, laughter, and much more presented by staff, faculty, and administration from each division.

Dance Dance Classes

Berwick’s dance classes will begin on Monday, September 12.

You may register for dance classes any time prior to September 12.

Please refer to the dance section (Programs>Arts>Dance) on the Berwick Academy website for detailed descriptions of the various dance classes.

Music Applied Lessons

Berwick’s private music lesson program will begin on Monday, September 19. You may register for lessons with one of Berwick’s many professional musicians any time prior to September 19. Please contact Chip Harding - charding@berwickacademy. org, the Applied Lesson Program Coordinator for more information.

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Arts News

After School Ensembles

Music teacher Stephanie Sanders will offer Musicianship after school on three days TBD to Upper School students. This performancebased offering will give students the opportunity to develop both technical and musical skills through individual or group practice and occasional performance.

Musicianship is an ideal opportunity for students to hone their audition skills for music festival auditions that will take place in the fall or musical theater auditions. It also provides a place for students who would like to form their own band. Participation in this activity fulfills a one season afternoon activity requirement. Please contact Stephanie Sanders - ssanders@berwickacademy. org for more information regarding possible themes or concentrations for Musicianship during this school year. Also, please contact Ms. Sanders for more information regarding the Middle School Jazz Band.

Festivals

Any Upper School student interested in auditioning for the Maine District I High School Honors Festival for the Maine All-state festivals should check with Sally Wituszynski - s w i t u s z y @ b e r w i c k a c a d e m y. o r g regarding music preparation for these auditions. Students must be enrolled in a Berwick music course in order to audition.

Theater Shakespeare’s

A

Midsummer

1791 Letter ~ August 2011

Night’s Dream will kickoff the 2011 performing arts schedule at Berwick Academy. Auditions for the Upper School Drama Department production will take place Thursday and Friday, September 8 and 9, at 3 p.m., on the third floor of Fogg Memorial.

Auditions are open to everyone in the Upper School. This timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, a troupe of bungling amateur actors, and dueling supernatural spirits will be staged Friday and Saturday, November 11 at 12, at 7 p.m. both evenings in Fogg Memorial. For more information, please be in touch with Liz-Anne Platt, director at lplatt@berwickacademy. org.

BPC Notes - from the BPC Board Members

I am hoping this printing of the 1791 finds you enjoying these last weeks of summer. For me and my family it has been a whirlwind of camps, swim team, surfing, family gatherings and time with friends. Personally, I have also had the time to reflect upon what amazing accomplishments the BPC has made in this last year.

As many of you know, at this time last year BPC (formerly BAPA) chose to further align themselves with the School to eliminate some duplicative financial burdens that existed or would potentially be incurred by both BPC and BA, and to find the most effective way to streamline our fundraising efforts.

More importantly, the School’s Board of Trustees approached the Parent Community with the offer to absorb a large portion of our expenses by taking financial responsibility for many items that BPC had funded for many years. It was truly exciting to see that most of the enrichment activities that BAPA had identified as important, and therefore funded for many years, had become such an integral part of our students’ lives. At that time, the Board of Trustees offered to absorb these items into their operating budget, essentially freeing up approximately $40,000 of the BPC’s budget. It was then that BPC was able to think outside of the box, to find a new way to distribute the funds we collect from our fundraising efforts.

With the help of our incredibly dedicated and dynamic group of volunteers, BPC restructured the Board and identified a new governance structure that allowed us to create a

Parent Community News

grant proposal process that would give us the ability to award a large portion of our fundraising dollars to extremely specific and important projects that would benefit our children directly.

In this new structure, we called upon the faculty and staff to apply for grant money through a very rigorous application process.

Although we were not sure what to expect in our first year, we were thrilled to see 43 applications covering academics, arts, athletics, and facilities enhancement.

Unfortunately, BPC was not able to grant all requests, but we were able to grant approximately half of these requests in full or in part, totaling approximately $37,500.

During the review process, which involved further discussions with applicants, division heads, Administration and BPC Board members, we were afforded an opportunity to see just how our fundraising dollars impact our children’s experience at BA, and were thrilled to see the effect our fundraising efforts can have on the teachers at our beloved School. It was confirmed, our organization is vital to the growth and longevity of BA. It was with great pleasure that I was able to announce that BPC would be funding materials for our LS French program, Interactive White Boards, a rotating history gallery for the School, robotics equipment, yearbook equipment and supplies, projector screens, Lower and Middle School playground and basketball court enhancement, Jackson Library renovations, snowshoeing equipment, amps for the music department, and dance studio updates among other

1791 Letter ~ August 2011

things. And any request we were not able to grant, we encouraged all applicants to reapply in future years as we hope to continue our efforts of providing true enrichment funds for our faculty and students.

In retrospect, I was so proud to be involved with such an incredible group of volunteers this past year.

We accomplished so much in a short amount of time, and I very much look forward to working with all of you in the coming year. It is with great confidence that I say BPC makes a difference in our children’s lives. I welcome any of you to join us in our efforts of providing the true enrichment programs for our children that assuredly make their BA experience extremely unique and special.

I look forward to seeing all of you in September.

Lesli Friel BPC President

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Message from the Head of School... cont. from pg 3

been altered slightly this year to offer us a bit more flexibility in our daily academic schedule. Buses will leave this year at 3:15 p.m. on all days but Wednesdays, when they will depart at 2:20 p.m. There will be a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday late bus which will depart at 5:00 p.m. during the fall and spring seasons and at 5:30 p.m. during the winter season.

Middle School Art

In the recent parent mailing it was noted that Laura Jacquays would be teaching Grade 5 art, however due to Middle School scheduling contraints, Teaya Fitzgerald will be teaching the Grade 5 and Laura will be teaching Grade 4.

Diversity Work at Berwick

I wanted to let the community know that our faculty has done some incredible work considering the issue of diversity at Berwick Academy.

The conversation has allowed us to consider our programs in a new light given our commitment to preparing our graduates for success in an incredibly diverse world. Teachers did summer reading on a host of related topics, and a number of our faculty will lead challenging conversations with our community before classes begin. As we begin to conclude our self-study for our upcoming NEASC accreditation, we know this is one area that we are committed to working on in creative ways.

Amazing Bequest

I am pleased to announce that over the summer, Berwick Academy was the beneficiary of another remarkable estate. This time we need to thank Anna May Flynn Smith, Class of 1931, for her extraordinary gift of $840,000. These funds offered critical support to our need to do extensive work on Fogg this summer. We look 10

forward to celebrating the work on Fogg Memorial more formally during Blue and White weekend this fall.

Twitter

I recently created a Twitter account that I will use to update followers of my daily activities.

Please follow me by searching @ BAHeadofSchool on Twitter. If you do not already have an account, it’s free and easy to join. Contact Tracey Boucher (formerly Tracey Kelly) at tracey.boucher@berwickacademy.org if you need assistance.

Middle School News...cont. from pg 5

There was a system of demerits where points were given to students based on minor rule infractions, for things such as ‘illegal’ smoking, yelling in school buildings, wrestling (horseplay) in school buildings, throwing snowballs within 50 feet of buildings, lateness to class, or running to Commons at lunch break. Each infraction had a 1 – 2 demerit value.

Every 2 demerits meant 2 ½ hours of detention study hall. The Director in 1974, William Matthews, once referred to his students as “little monsters” who were “going to kill him one of these days” in an interview for the school paper, Berwick Briefs. (Berwick Briefs, winter 1974) Timeline: Sept 1971 - Grades 7 and 8 were added – attended classes in Fogg Sept 1971 – Approximately six MS students boarded in Vaughan Eastman with some US students.

Sept 1972 – Middle School classes moved to BD – most/all were day students Sept 1974 - Grades 5 and 6 were added (per Board of Trustees meeting June 7, 1974) 15 students were accepted in each class 1791 Letter ~ August 2011

Two additional teachers were hired.

BD was remodeled to increase classroom space for the additional grades.

June 1976 – the last boarder /PG graduated.

Sept 1977 – Lower School opened in Vaughan Eastman (it was used as a dorm until then).

1988 – Lower School building was built, and room for grades 5 and 6 and a computer room was on the 2nd floor.

Sept 1991 - Grade 5 moved back to Middle School.

1994 - Clement Middle School was built in place of Vaughan Eastman.

2006 – The Jennifer Smith addition was added, increasing the classrooms in the building by eight to accommodate the growing numbers of students.

MS Directors: 1971-1973 – W. Herbert Standen 1973–1976 - William Matthews (65 students) 1976-1993 - Terry Doggett 1993-2000 – Jonathan Witherbee 2000- present - Rosemary Zurawel

In summary, the history of meetings the needs of students has made our division one that has flourished in an educational climate where so many public systems and districts have been deleting programs. Today, our students have transitioned to one-to-one technology, to differentiated learning activities, and to assessment practices the look very different from those of four decades ago. Forty years from now, who knows what our building and programs will look like? It is my hope that the students will still be held at the center of all plans.

Athletics News...cont. from pg 7

be on the Varsity team are required to attend. For all other players, you are welcome to attend as our new JV coach Kim Kryder will be here as well.

It will be a good opportunity to get acquainted with your teammates, learn basic and intermediate skills, work on conditioning, and show a commitment to the team. Please let Coach Boucher know if you will be unable to attend pre-season.

Middle School and Junior Varsity sports begin on the first day of school.

Fan, Follow, Connect!

Berwick Academy is on Facebook!

Become a fan to see daily updates, photos, videos, and more. www.facebook.com/berwickacademy

Berwick Academy is using Twitter! Create a profile and choose to “follow� Berwick Academy. Opt to receive updates via phone and you will receive a text message every time we post something new! www.twitter.com/berwickacademy New this year, Head of School Greg Schneider is on Twitter. Follow Greg for updates on his weekly activities and school news and information. www.twitter.com/BAHeadofSchool

Connect, reconnect, and engage with Berwick Academy alumni, parents, and friends. www.linkedin.com Search for Berwick Academy under Groups

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Cindy Briggs - Assistant Head of School

Faculty and Staff Summer Reading One of the things I love about summer is having the opportunity to read for pleasure. All year long I jot down suggested books from my colleagues.

Strangely enough, I also look forward to the required Berwick Academy faculty/staff book and the Upper School book.

This summer, I feel like I hit the jackpot! Instead of offering the typical single reading choice for the faculty and staff, the Administrative Team put together a list of seven books. The overarching school theme of the 2011-12 school year is diversity.

This year’s list includes a variety of books, both fiction and nonfiction, that explore this theme. The faculty and staff had the option of reading one or more books from this list which included: Outcast United, by Warren St. John; Covering, by Kenji Yoshimo; White Like Me, by Tim Wise; Why Do All the Black Kids Sit Together, by Beverly Tatum; A White Teacher Talks About Race, by Julie Landsman, The Help, by Katherine Stockett, and Half Broke Horses, by Jeanette Walls.

An unexpected perk of my new role as Assistant Head is collating the final faculty/staff reading list to create summer reading discussion groups. I find myself responding to many of the emails in my inbox informing me of a summer reading choice. I am either asking a colleague what they thought of the book or advising them to read another by the same author.

Even before sitting down to discuss the individual books or the theme of 12

We l l n e s s N e w s

diversity on September 1, I get to do what I love, talk about books with my colleagues! At last count, Covering is the most read book, with The Help and Half Broke Horses tied for second. A number of individuals in the community have read more than one of the suggested books and a few have read more than three!

Another new and exciting endeavor takes place on the afternoon of September 1. For a number of years, Berwick Academy has brought in outside professionals to present to the faculty/staff during opening meeting week. After much discussion this past spring, the Administrative Team decided to turn to our “internal professionals”-- the faculty and staff -- to present on the year’s theme. Over the past three months, ten of our faculty and staff members have been meeting to design a half-day diversity training.

Each of the presenters has chosen a specific area of diversity to research and are now busy preparing their individual seminars. The ten presenters are Chris Onken, Karen Chiang, Marielle Johnson, Brad Fletcher, Mary Anker, Reagan Russell, Lisa Wagner, Andrew Kasprzak, Marguerite Genest, and Kelly Martin. Although I am not yet aware of all ten seminar topics, I do know that one will cover socioeconomic diversity, while another will focus on gender diversity. I must say that I am excited to participate in this afternoon event, and will certainly have trouble deciding which seminar to attend. My overall hope is that we have started a new tradition at Berwick and will continue hearing from other “internal faculty/staff professionals” on 1791 Letter ~ August 2011

various topics.

Probably my favorite summer read is the Upper School book, The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie. If you haven’t read it, I suggest you borrow it from an Upper School student or faculty member.

It is the story of a native American teenager named Arnold “Junior” Spirit and the challenges he faces because of his decision to attend a high school located outside of his reservation. Like the other books recommended this summer, The Absolute True Diary of a PartTime Indian touches upon the theme of diversity (or lack of in Arnold’s new school). Even though this book will not officially be a part of the summer reading discussion groups on Thursday, September 1, my guess is that it will be brought up and connected to the seven other books that the entire faculty and staff are reading. I am fortunate because I will get the chance to discuss this great book with a group of Upper School students their first week back to school. I am anxious to hear what they thought of Arnold “Junior” Spirit and his decision to have “hope.” I am also interested to discuss the topic of diversity with this important Berwick constituency. I am certain that they will have much to add and will possibly lead the way in exploring the 2011-12 school theme.

Enjoy the final few weeks of summer and happy reading!

Cindy Briggs Assistant Head of School

Rachel Saliba - School Archivist

If you’ve visited campus this summer, you probably noticed the scaffolding covering almost every inch of the Fogg Memorial building. Contractors have been working since June to preserve its granite façade and maintain the structural integrity of Fogg’s external walls. While this wasn’t a “planned” project, it is reflective of the importance of Fogg to the community as well as our facilities philosophy that honors our rich history while remaining relevant to the needs of today.

Prior to Fogg Memorial, the Academy was housed in three different buildings in the same location. The first was sold and moved downtown after it was deemed too small, the second was burned by arsonists, and the third building was moved a few hundred yards to make room for the construction of Fogg. So why spend almost $1 million to undertake such a massive restoration project? Since its completion in 1894, Fogg has become the “soul of the school” as Greg Schneider said recently in his closing remarks to the faculty in June and has become an iconic symbol of the Berwick community and our rich history.

Just two months prior to Berwick Academy’s Centennial Celebration on July 1, 1891, Mrs. Elizabeth Perkins Fogg bequeathed $50,000 to Berwick Academy to build the William Hayes Fogg Memorial Library in honor of her late husband William Hayes Fogg. Mr. Fogg was a Berwick native and descendent of BA founder Judge Benjamin Chadbourne.

Archives News

Within a year, many Fogg family members, alumni, and trustees raised enough funds to also build a new academy building.

The third Berwick Academy building was dubbed as “lacking imagination” by alumna Sarah Orne Jewett and was replaced by Fogg Memorial Building.

The trustees and donors were determined to “do it right this time” when they built Fogg. They hired Boston’s best, including Boston’s first City Architect George A. Clough, the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, and the first professional female artist in Boston, Sarah Wyman Whitman, to design the interior and most of the stained glass windows. They also used the best materials available to them, including a slate roof, locally quarried granite, mahogany trim, and marble entryways and statues. They also made sure all “modern” conveniences including running water, indoor plumbing, heat and electricity were included in the design.

continued on pg 14...

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Archives News...cont. from pg 13

Fogg c 1894. The third building was moved a few hundred yards behind Fogg to be re-fitted into a gymnasium, but this never happened due to the cost of building Fogg. Note the driveway in the photo was part of the original Olmstead design.

While Fogg will continue to require great care and resources, it will remain the center of campus. Generations of students for the past 117 years have attended classes in Fogg Memorial and many alumni consider Fogg and Berwick Academy to be one in the same. The School’s investment in Fogg will keep us true to our history and even though there will be no visible sign of how $1 million was spent when the scaffolding comes down next month, I am confident the building will be just as important to the Berwick community in the next 100 years.

Attention NEW Parents:

The Athletic Boosters will have an Upper School parent representative at the MS/US Parent Coffee on BD porch on September 6 at 8:30 AM and at the New Parents Dinner in the Commons on September 17 at 5:30 PM to assist new parents with information about the Boosters and Athletic Teams.

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1791 Letter ~ August 2011

Website and Portal Information for Parents Whether you’re a new parent or have been at BA for years, it’s always good to be reminded of the following information regarding the website and Parent Portal:

Log in information: If you have never logged into the online community, visit our homepage and click on the Log In button on the bottom right portion of the page. You will be brought to our School Portal where you will see login boxes on the left side menu bar.

Username - FirstnameLastname Password - home address zipcode Once you log in for the first time, you will be prompted to change your password to something else. Usernames and passwords are case sensitive. You will be brought to the Parent Portal after changing your password.

Parent Portal The Parent Portal is where you can find important information regarding your children. Once school begins, your children will be enrolled in courses in our online database. This will allow you to see announcements, links, homework assignments, and more from their online course pages. Take some time to look around and if you have questions about where you will find certain information, click on the Help/Portal 101 button.

Contact Information To update your contact information, click on My Profile from the left side menu bar.

Please take a moment to edit your email address, mailing address, phone number, and other information. Please do not enter the same email address in more than one profile (for example, in your own profile as well asyour spouse or child.) If your email address is used in more than one profile, you will receive all email communications more than once.

Please contact Tracey Boucher with any questions regarding our website or the portal or if you’d like a training session - tracey.boucher@berwickacademy.org

w w w. b e r w i c k a c a d e m y. o r g 1791 Letter ~ August 2011

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Jedd Whitlock - Director of Advancement

Alumni and Development News Follow Head of School Greg Schneider on Twitter Berwick Academy Head of School Greg Schneider now has a twitter account. Greg leads a very busy and interesting life during the School year, follow him and find out what he does throughout the week!

Already have a Twitter account?

Simply search BAHeadofSchool to follow.

Need a Twitter account?

Visit www.twitter.com

Create a free account Once your account has been created, search for BAHeadofSchool in the search bar.

Click “follow” Create settings to receive notifications via text when Greg tweets. Need assistance? Contact Tracey Boucher at tracey.boucher@berwickacademy.org

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1791 Letter ~ August 2011