October 1791 Letter

October 2009

Arts Boosters Variety Show

1791 Letter ~ October 2009

These electric days of autumn on the seacoast continue to move my soul. The number of recent days infused by azure skies and vibrant foliage have been truly amazing. I have had the pleasure of spending two of these dazzling afternoons at one of my favorite places: walking the fairways of The Ledges Golf Club in York. Golf represents many things in my life; joy, perseverance, and escape might be the top three. My first trip to The Ledges was inspired by our incredible Athletics Boosters golf tourney, where many Berwick friends enjoyed a perfect day filled with great laughs and perhaps just a few words that will not be repeated in this missive. We certainly left a few wayward shots in the woods. All of this went towards supporting our students in athletics, and I was so impressed by the efforts of the community as well as our amazing volunteers. One of the joys of working at a day school is the chance to partner with our parents, and events like the Bulldog Classic remind me just how lucky we are in this regard.

My second trip to The Ledges was to get my annual fix. Every fall, I make sure to head over to see at least one of our varsity golf matches. I go mostly out of a genuine desire to support our boys, but I must confess that I go partly out of sheer and unbridled envy. Let’s just say that the quality of golf was a bit more impressive on my second trip to The Ledges this fall. We happen to have an exceptional golf team this year, and my jaw dropped as I watched the youthfully coiled shoulder turns and Tiger-esque short games unfold before me. I quickly realized that fatherhood and becoming a Head of School have certainly accelerated my decline in muscular flexibility.

One of the greatest things about golf is that it is truly a game of integrity. Each time one decides to play, there are literally a limitless number of opportunities to take shortcuts without observable repercussions. As someone who loves the game, I often find myself embroiled in internal soliloquies about adjusting lies or whacking a quick mulligan for whatever reason or rationale. It is also hard to express to non-golfers the sense of sheer agony and frustration that the game can bring when things are not going well. Even the very best golfers seemingly lose their games for stretches of time for no apparent reason. When one competes on the Berwick Golf Team, one has to both play well, and manage emotion, frustration, and disappointment with dignity and grace.

At the match I happened to watch a few weeks ago, I could sense the determination emanating from our squad- they believed this was a match they should win. Although I bounced around amidst the three foursomes, I quickly settled on watching our top two golfers in competition. One of our team leaders found himself in a surprising battle midway through his match. The score was even as we walked up to the sixth hole; one that I happen to think is among the hardest on the course. While his opponent striped a perfect tee shot, our Berwick golfer watched as his ball hopped into a vicious hazard – a spot on the course that I know all too well. I slunk into the umbrella of technicolor trees to see what kind of drama would unfold from a distance.

After a longish search, our player miraculously found his ball in 1791 Letter ~ October 2009

the hazard; I was surprised that he was actually going to hit it. The ball was seemingly nestled between a bit of fescue and an outcrop of rocks. As he took a step towards the rocks, our player stumbled, and his club went into some neighboring weeds to brace a potential fall. An animated disagreement ensued, as the opponent argued that our player had grounded his club in the hazard and needed to take a penalty stroke.

To be honest, I have no idea what the rules of golf suggest in this case, but it was obvious to me that our player fell inadvertently down this rocky path. At a minimum, this was an excruciatingly frustrating situation. I knew that the coaches were available to settle just this kind of rule dispute, which is what I assumed would have to happen given the intensity of the match and the emerging controversy. But I watched as our player literally bit his lip and made the internal decision to accept his fate and move forward. He absorbed the penalty stroke in question, even though I could tell it was eating him up below the surface. He proceeded to hack his ball further into the hazard but hit a miracle third shot onto the green. He ended up losing the hole by the one penalty stroke and walked off the green down one with only three holes remaining.

As many of you may know, we spent our K-12 Tenth Day Assembly this fall exploring what a commitment to integrity means at Berwick Academy.

We discussed what it means to be a person of character, and what it meants to do the right thing when no one is looking. Our young Berwickian did not know that I was so engrossed with what was unfolding in this case, and I was amazed by what I had seen. What

I witnessed was someone who found a way to move past what he thought was right, or just, or even fair. In fact, he was able to moderate his emotional response to a degree that he did not even seek an adult to resolve his frustration; I took this to be a compelling example of resiliency: resolving his problem on his own. As I mentioned earlier, I still had no idea what the rules would have suggested; I only knew that I couldn’t help but smile as I walked towards the next tee.

Of course I had to stay for the final three holes, even though dinner with the Schneider girls was simmering on the stove at the Hayes House. I actually made eye contact with our player as he headed for the next tee, and I simply said “hang in there.” A fantastic birdie, a gritty bogey, and a rock solid closing par emerged under my watch. Our leader had won the match by a full two strokes, rendering the rule dispute moot in the end. As the two competitors shook hands on that ninth green underneath a setting seacoast sun, I simply turned towards my car and headed home in silence. As parents, children can often challenge us and frustrate us. As teachers, they puzzle and confuse us. Children also remind us why we work so hard at being parents and teachers. Berwick Academy assures me that students can exceed even the highest of standards, including the ones that only they themselves can measure and judge.

Safe in Place

I am happy to report that we completed our first ever Safe in Place lockdown drill for the entire campus K-12 with the help of our new communication system. This is the result of multiple years of working on safety planning, and we learned a great deal from the experience. I have appreciated all of the support of our

parents as we have worked through important challenges with safety in age- appropriate ways.

Admissions Open House

We enjoyed a wonderful Lower School nature activity afternoon on Sunday, October 18, and now we are turning our focus to the extremely important Admissions Open House on Wednesday, November 11. I would encourage all Berwick families to consider reaching out to a friend or neighbor who might be interested in having a first glance at our community on this day. There is no better way that our families can further the mission of our School than by spreading the word about what the Berwick experience has meant to their children.

Book Fair

Our annual Lower School Book Fair and Bake Sale will take place during the first week of November. Please come and enjoy incredible baked goods, and browse through the wide assortment of books brought to us through the efforts of the many volunteers that make this event possible.

Seacoast United Soccer Tournament

A hearty thank you to Rob Quinn, the Athletic Department, and our Athletics Boosters for hosting an expansive Seacoast United Soccer Tournament on our campus during Columbus Day weekend.

Congratulations to all who were involved in preparing for this wonderful event that brought families to campus from throughout New England.

Burleigh-Davidson Reunion

On the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend, we also hosted the Burleigh and Davidson families as they celebrated their first family reunion.

Family members clearly enjoyed the opportunity to view the Burleigh1791 Letter ~ October 2009

Davidson Building throughout and thanks to the efforts of Patricia McManus and Rachel Saliba, were able to have their many questions answered. Thanks also to Seth Hurd for his extra efforts in making visitors feel welcome.

Berwick Academy Campus Store

SHOP Online!

Offering a selection of products from the school store including sweatshirts, hats, mugs, and more.

Log on to www.berwickacademy. org and click on Community to find the Berwick Store

Peter Saliba

The most important asset of any educational institution is its people.

In my role, I get the chance to see each one of our teachers in action, mostly in their classrooms. Most of the time, these are glimpses, but at other times it is part of our formal evaluation system.

Everyday I’m reminded how lucky we are to have our faculty, and the skills they bring to our campus. I know all of you appreciate the complexity of human relationships, and while good teaching navigates this fact with a great deal of difficulty, our jobs are also helped immensely by this reality. Yes, teaching is a tough job, but it’s made easier by the complexity of the task.

Of course, the answer is “it depends.”

If a student happens to be a geography nut or someone passionate about exploration, you’ve hooked them into your class, at least temporarily.

The permutations of “it depends” are infinite, and highlights the fact that one exercise or approach that might work really well for one student many not work for others in the classroom.

I’m sure some of us think that this geography exercise in a Western Civ class is useless or unfair. I’m not going to try and tackle that issue here, but I will use it as a foil to highlight why the complexity of the situation helps us at Berwick.

The volume of research on good teaching is staggering. A student of pedagogy could spend an entire career simply reviewing all that has been written. From my perspective, there are three generally accepted truths of exceptional teacher performance in the classroom: Good teaching is whenever students are learning; excellent teachers reflect regularly on their practice; and the best teachers are acutely aware of how their students are experiencing their learning. Although these tenets of teaching sound simple, their execution is complex.

For example, if you happen to be teaching Western Civilization, how important is it that your students know the location of the Sea of Tranquility? It’s probably not that essential if you are focused on how the Hebrew vision of God provided the basis for monotheism, and its role as an essential building block for both Christianity and Islam. But, students were learning in this exercise of geography. Is that good teaching?

The complexity of teaching means that no matter what you do, some students will struggle with the goals of a lesson. This is because we often have multitudes of learning styles in the classroom. This in turn makes faculty think about adjustments because ultimately, we have the students at the center of our focus. Adjusting approaches, trying new things, learning from our experiences all describe a faculty member’s experience on a daily basis. We try to encompass everyone in the class. This situation, although difficult, also empowers the students because they know that they are not alone in grappling with challenges.

They see us, like their peers, wrestle with our approaches and experiments, and witness our successes and failures.

Empathy is a powerful tool in the world of teaching, and the recognition that all of us experience joy and frustration in our complex relationships makes our job as educators easier. Of course there are 1791 Letter ~ October 2009

differences in how we (faculty and students) express our highs and lows, but the message is the same- we are all in this together.

If teaching was simply about retaining content, then the Internet would have put schools out of business.

What keeps us going is the fact that human beings need more care, support and nurturing than the LCD screen in a vacuum can provide. By making this journey together, the bonds of the complex relationship are strong and meaningful, and define our school.

And, if you happen to know where the Sea of Tranquility is, give yourself a point of extra credit on your next test.

Warmly,

Several years ago, Hap Ridgway remarked upon what he called my “Mother Bear” responses when students or teachers needed protection of some sort. I am still unsure, given his experiences with grizzlies in Wyoming, if I was really quite that scary. I imagine that each parent among us can recall moments when we have felt that our children have been unfairly treated and we have raised ourselves up in high dudgeon against those who posed the threat.

Protecting our children from danger is probably one of the hardwired responses in our brains that has continued to promote our successful evolution as a species. And while the world is a safer place in many respects than it was 400,000 years ago, the wiring remains the same. And so it seems that we parents see threats to safety even when there are none to the physical well-being at all. We can focus upon challenges, insults, exclusions, gossip, and even grades.

Somehow, we read a threat when our children might be better served by having to struggle without our hovering. For example, a low performance on a test might be expressed as a matter of, “Mom, the teacher doesn’t like me.” While we may know better on an intellectual level, it can be all too easy to head down the road of blame. That road is perilous and frequently finds young adults who blame their bosses, the faulty radar gun of a police officer, or an unfair justice system. Moreover, the blaming pattern interrupts the development of honest self-reflection and mature acceptance of responsibility. I often tell students about the fine I once deserved (and paid) for

driving 67 miles per hour on Route 95.

I was angry for having been caught by a state police officer, but I paid the fine because I had been driving above the speed limit. The responsibility and not the blame belonged on my shoulders, and only mine.

Another threat that certainly raised my hackles were mean, heartless, cutting words; the social cruelty that tends to diminish if not disappear in the young adult years. How often I was tempted to pick up the phone and demand a apology and a promise to “keep your distance.” Instead, I permitted the struggle with the words to happen. Asking, “Do you know those words to be true?” about a rumor has been a reliable starting point.

Statements may be unfair, untrue, and unkind. The world is all of those.

Developing resilience is perhaps our best defense. Analyzing the other’s motivations is also an exercise in empathy.

Ultimately, the development of good character is the job of one’s entire community. At the micro level, the early years at home are times when the foundation is established and set. School years are the times when the foundation is tested. The adults in one’s community model, foster, and celebrate the integrity of the individuals. More is gained through those three behaviors than through approbation. The community at large, local or global, still presents threats.

Some of these are frighteningly real.

Others demand the protection of thick skin and a clear-eyed view of making right choices.

As we embark upon a year that 1791 Letter ~ October 2009

explores our core value of integrity, the Middle School students and faculty will be busy. We shall be self-reflective and sometimes struggle with choices.

I recommend Leo Tolstoy’s story, “The Three Questions,” as a place to start.

The story can be read by children or adults, for its message is timeless. Here are the three questions asked by a king of a very old hermit: “How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time?

Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I, therefore, pay more attention than to the rest? And, what affairs are the most important, and need my first attention?” The hermit permits the king to answer his own questions, just as we each must, in our time. I hope that our year allows for some enlightenment and brings us further away from taking the stance of the mother grizzly bear. Governing through size and fear is a hard way to live, and there are no truly easy roads to integrity.

I enjoyed hosting the Lower School Curriculum Night on Tuesday, October 6. The presentation combined aspects of a Lower School Coffee and a Lower School Forum as we discussed segments of our division’s curriculum on the heels of our Back-to-School Night. During the evening, I presented and led a discussion on the math and health/wellness programs; Maria Isaak did the same for the music program.

Certainly, a division’s curriculum is a regular and essential school focus. In the Lower School and across campus, it has taken on greater importance this year with our efforts in curriculum mapping and instructional differentiation.

As I mentioned during the presentation, curriculum mapping is a process by which the faculty is reviewing the daily, weekly and year-long curriculum by entering critical information into an electronic database. We are using templates that display key curriculum components including units of study, essential questions, student skills proficiencies, student knowledge proficiencies and assessment. The curriculum mapping approach uses real-time curricular data about what is taught over the course of the year in order to promote further scope and sequence decision making.

We are using the Atlas curriculum mapping program, which is supported

by Rubicon (educational services).

This Internet-based program will allow for greater faculty review of curricular goals at specific grade levels, within divisions and across our kindergarten through grade twelve spectrum.

I also defined and reviewed our approach to differentiation which is one of the primary Academic Affairs

Committee agenda topics this year, with important implications at the division level as well. In brief, differentiation involves adapting teaching and learning materials to account for individual differences in learning style amongst a given group of students. At Berwick, as with any other school, it is important to identify areas in which we can successfully differentiate within the instructional realm in a manner that promotes greater levels of student achievement.

In the remainder of this column, I hope to give greater focus to the math program by using Curriculum Night talking points. As I work with the faculty—and ultimately the students—my overall Lower School math goals are threefold: to develop a meaningful network of skills and subject knowledge; to develop number sense and mathematical thinking and to develop awareness that math makes sense as a specific subject area, across the curriculum and in “real life.”

We use the second edition of the Investigations math program as a foundation for our instruction.

Investigations is based on the national math standards developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Through a nine-unit per grade level focus (seven units at kindergarten), the skills and objectives spiral coherently across and within grade levels in relation to number sense, algorithms and problem solving. It is crucial to have a program that promotes consistent language, activities, scope and sequence and assessment, while allowing for teacher flexibility in tailoring lessons to specific classroom 1791 Letter ~ October 2009

needs.

During the evening, we looked at Lower School examples of math curricula and curriculum mapping approaches.

I am eager to help facilitate the merger of these two areas over the course of the year. As we progress, we will also continue to make natural integrations between the math program and technology, science and special projects across the curriculum.

As we look to the future of math education in the Lower School, I am working actively to ensure that our grade-level schedules allow for one hour of math instruction per day.

We are also increasing our assessment focus by adding the Terra Nova test at the third grade level, so that we have standardized test scores across the second, third and fourth grade continuum. Another important goal this year involves looking at ways in which we can offer more depth and possibilities to summer math experiences. Finally, we are addressing the manner in which we can connect and integrate math skills and objectives across the curriculum into other subject areas.

Curriculum mapping, instructional differentiation and the math program have connected in important ways at the beginning of this academic year. I was pleased to lead the math presentation during our Curriculum Night, and I welcome any related thoughts from the Lower School community related to the math program.

Rob Quinn

Letter to the Berwick Community

Murray, Erica van Dissel, Abby Martinen, Cora Ordway, Ellie Penati and Mike Henry.

Dear Berwick Community,

Columbus Day weekend in October always proves to be a very busy time in New England with leaf peepers traveling north to get a glimpse of the natural beauty of all the fall foliage in our area. However this particular weekend is also quite popular for soccer tournaments being hosted in the local area, which also draw large crowds of visitors. At Berwick Academy this held true and Seacoast United Soccer Club held its tournament for the very first time at BA with 35 teams visiting our beautiful campus over the long weekend.

A soccer tournament being held at our campus gave the BA community an opportunity to showcase our school, students, parents and all the beautiful facilities we have.

Also, this was an opportunity for our Athletics Boosters to use their time and talents to raise funds in a concessions tent. With the help of many, many parent and student volunteers, the Athletics Boosters were successful in their quest for fundraising. It is with great pleasure that I recognize those BA student-athletes who gave their time to BA on a very breezy, brisk fall weekend to work on the Hilltop for the greater good of all our BA athletes and athletic programs.

Andrew Hawkins, Leigh Chilton, Kyle Mullaney, Jim Sherbahn, Max Werman, Ethan Hawes, Skyler Stern, Parker Woolley, John Reinhardt, Blake Downey, Jamie Meader, Katy Davis, Will Reis, Lydia Waldo, Alex Devine, Win Hahn, Michael Keefe, Gabbie Wiggin, Averill Daly, Kelsey Hayden, Alex Wood, Rachel Ikegami, Patrick Nichols, Simon Corson, Jamie Wilson, Chelsea Vanderlinde, Elias Thayer, Abby Thayer, Jordan Katz, Lee Tsairis, Alicia Springer, Julia Kokernak, Nate Potter, Samantha Sullivan, Sarah Murray, Jess

Please forgive me if I’ve missed recognizing any student. All of your efforts are greatly appreciated by many. For all the parents who drove our volunteer athletes to campus and for those parents who gave of their time to work in the concession tent; THANK YOU!!

It is for these reasons that I am so proud to serve as the President of BA Athletics Boosters. Enjoy the remainder of our teams’ games, matches and meets and we look forward to joining in the fun of Winter Sports.

Warm regards and many thanks, Kim Mills and the BA Athletics Boosters Bulldog Classic

The weather was spectacular for the 19th Annual Bulldog Golf Classic that featured the participation of nearly 95 golfers, including 11 alumni; everyone enjoyed the opportunity to gather, golf, and meet new people and/or reconnect with classmates. A special thank you to so many people who made this event successful. Golf Committtee adviser Cider Berry; Boosters members Terri Atwood, Lisa Harris, Jim and Diane Wheeler, Steve Grenier, Chris Nichols, Joyce O’Day, Paula Reid, Stephanie Lawrence, Andy Lathrop and Marilena Canuto. Your work is truly the backbone that makes this event a reality.

We would also like to recognize the parents that participated in this event by coming out to play golf and support our athletic programs. Upper School parents: James Dolan, John MacFarlane, Kevin Reinhardt, Ron 1791 Letter ~ October 2009

Siegal, Jay McFarland, Neal Wittet, John Zannos, Mike Claire, Jimmy Wheeler, Steve Grenier and Middle School parents: John MacFarlane, Andrew Siegal, Jay McFarland, Mike Claire, Chris Grassie and Richard Salvati. Lower School parents: Vic Sunshine, Brooke Storey, Thomas Hourihan, Chip Gaudette, Nickie Gaudette, Scott Knightly.

Special thanks to our student athletes who came to the course early in the morning before school to welcome our guests and carry their golf bags to the assigned carts. John Reinhardt, Mike Grenier, Jamie Wilson and Derek Lavigne- Job well done!

Finally, a tremendous thank you to our sponsors and prize donors who we would like to recognize below: Tournament Sponsor Head & Neck Specialty Group of N.H. Tournament Sponsor – UBS Wealth Management Cart Sponsor – Atlantic Sportswear Putting Green Sponsor – The Benson Family Beverage Cart Sponsors – Atwood Carpentry Breakfast Sponsors – Sports Medicine Atlantic Orthopaedics Master’s Sponsor – Eastern Propane and Oil PGA Sponsor – Budel PGA Sponsor – Emerson Technologies Lunch Sponsor – Muddy River Marketplace U.S. Open Sponsors George Blaisdell Insurance Brock’s Building Materials continued on pg. 15...

you gotta have Arts

Art Society Inductions

A number of serious Upper School visual artists and musicians will be inducted into the National Art Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society during a reception in the Commons Dining Hall at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 5. Light refreshments will be available for the inductees and their guests during the ceremony.

Dance

The dance program is pleased to announce the captains for the 20092010 academic year. From a unanimous vote of the Upper School dance company members, Chelsea Johnson and Mollie Stolzer emerged as the student leaders of the Berwick Academy Dance Program. As captains, Mollie and Chelsea will assist the faculty in preparations for the dance performance in May, as well as act as student liaisons, promote the presence of dance in our community, look for opportunities for outreach, and contribute choreography to the Company Blue repertory.

Congratulations, Chelsea and Mollie!

Director of Dance Sasha Randall has continued her work with the Maine Arts Commission and Maine Alliance of Arts Education by working closely with the groups at their recent conference in Northport, Maine. The Arts Connect conference brought three hundred arts educators from the state of Maine together to discuss advocacy, adversity, opportunities, connections and pedagogical tools.

During this conference, Sasha was introduced to blogging and has

started a blog discussing the state of dance throughout New England, primarily focusing on dance education in the private school sector. You can contribute to the conversation at www. nedance.wordpress.com Drama

Fall Drama Production-- The Upper School Drama Department will kick off the performing arts season with The Perfect Alibi, a detective mystery in three acts, by A.A. Milne. This production will be staged by the Upper School Drama Department on Friday and Saturday, October 30-31, in Fogg Memorial. Admission is $5 Adults, $3 Students, at the door, no reservations required.

Visual Arts

Five Artists Who Teach— Melissa Hannon, Teaya Fitzgerald, Raegan Russell, Deloris White and Lynn Wildnauer are in the process of hanging and presenting works that represent them as visual artists. The exhibit will be in the Jackson Library Gallery through December.

These artist/teachers recently attended the annual Maine Art Educators Conference at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts on Deer Isle.

This year’s emphasis was on art and the environment and the keynote address as well as the workshops reflected this theme, utilizing recycled and natural materials in the creation process.

Winterfest

Winterfest Auditions—January 7, 12, and 14, 2010-- It is not too early to begin thinking about Winterfest 1791 Letter ~ October 2009

2010. The auditions will take place the first two weeks after we return from the winter holiday break. We continue to look upon the auditions as an educational experience. Last year, seventy-six individual performers or groups auditioned.

The final selection of twenty-two performers was very difficult. Winterfest 2010 will represent our “One School” philosophy.

Therefore, Berwick students in kindergarten through grade twelve who excel in their performing arts concentration must submit a Recommendation for Audition Form, signed by their performing arts instructor in early December to sign up for a five-minute audition time slot.

Students will be informed of their assigned audition time the first week in January. Auditioning before a jury is a competitive process, therefore, performing arts students are encouraged to prepare early and thoroughly for the Winterfest audition days in January.

Because of the numerous students auditioning, each student may audition only once, either as a solo performer OR part of a group. If selected, each student may perform ONLY as accepted by audition. Everyone must decide exactly what they will be performing prior to the audition.

Please note that Winterfest 2010 will take place on Friday, January 22, at 7:00 p.m., with a snow date planned for Sunday, January 24, at 2:30 p.m. Any student interested in signing up for an audition should check with parents and coaches to determine if they have any conflict with the performance date or the snow date. Please contact Deloris White dewhite@berwickacademy.org if you have any questions regarding this process.

President’s Notes

Thanks to the many volunteers who helped make the busy first 6 weeks of school a little easier for everyone.

BAPA has already supported many events and activities: parent coffees, Picture day, team building trips and socials, Upper School wilderness trips, fourth Grade Seacoast Science Center trip, Upper School magazine sale, and more. We want to thank everyone who helped, whether it was by supporting our fundraisers or by volunteering their time; we can’t do what we do without you. Everyone makes a difference when they volunteer, so thank you very much.

There are more events coming up so please look at the NEW BAPA portal for BAPA updates and news, and also look in the weeklies for volunteer opportunities and events in your children’s divisions.

BAPA Social at the Redhook Brewery

We’re trying something totally new for this year’s BAPA Parent’s Fall Social and we are having a casual event at Redhook Brewery. Join us for beer, wine, and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres.

A one-hour brewery tour will be offered if there is enough interest. The tour will include tasting several beers and a complimentary tasting glass to take home.

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Place: Redhook Brewery, 35 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH (Pease Tradeport) There is no charge to attend this event. BAPA is sponsoring the hors d’oeuvres and brewery tour.

There will be a cash bar. Watch your email for your invitation!

Magazine Sale

Please remember to support the magazine sale still going on to benefit the Junior and Senior Prom. This is the only fundraiser for the prom so please help support it by buying or renewing a magazine subscription. Thanks so much for your support.

Lost and Found

Have you checked out the Lost and Found lately? By this time of the year our precious children have usually lost something. If you can not find a raincoat or that favorite sweatshirt, look in the Commons (bottom floor).

Please remember to label your children’s clothes to help identify items.

BAPA Board Opening for 2009-2010

The BAPA Board is looking ahead to next year.

If you are interested in becoming involved in the BAPA leadership and would like to be considered for a position, please submit your name along with the position or positions you are interested in, to my attention, via e-mail or letter (Mail to Berwick Academy, Attention BAPA.)

by February 2010.

BAPA Gardens

I want to thank Kristin Wiese Adelman for taking care of the BAPA gardens. They look great. We really appreciate your time and energy.

Jean Jarvis BAPA President Jean.jarvis1@myfairpoint.net

Treasurer’s Report September 30, 2009 Gr. 8 BBQ Income

$2755.96

Expenses: Middle School Gr. 5 Team Building $300 Gr. 6 Team Building Workshop $1,200 Enrichment – River as a Classroom $560 Enrichment – Bale to Bolt $390 Enrichment – Midsummer Night’s Dream at UNH Gr. 8 $504 Total MS

$2,954

Upper School Clubs/Extracurricular Lassiter Buddy Supplies Junior Magazine Drive Lunch Enrichment -Isles of Shoals trip Freshman Orientation Pizza Total US

$60.48 $51.90 $1,800 $467

$2,379.38

Total BAPA Expenses 9/1/09 – 9/30/09 $5,333.38 Net BAPA support 9/1/09 – 9/30/09 $2,577.42

Nancy Noyes nnoyes@comcast.net Schools Treasurer Lower School News

The school year has gotten off to a wonderful start! The leaves are falling, the weather is turning colder, and that means that we are gearing up for the annual Lower School Book Fair and Bake Sale. The event will take place November 2 through November 6 in the Commons Lounge. We will feature books from both Scholastic and Usborne aimed at a wide range of ages continued...

1791 Letter ~ October 2009

and interests. Books for children of preschool age through grade 8, as well as adult best-sellers and cookbooks (Think Rachel Ray!) will be available.

We will also feature autographed copies (and possibly a live signing or two) of books by local authors, including: Michele Werwein Albion, Jeannie Brett, Jane Cowen Fletcher, and Tracy Kane.

Lower School classroom teachers, unified arts teachers, and the Middle School librarian will be filling out wish lists. Please stop by the Teacher Wish List Booth at the book fair and purchase a book for your child’s teacher. You and your child can fill out a bookplate sticker indicating the book is a gift from your child.Lower school children will be going over to the Book Fair with their teachers and filling out wish lists of their own. Your child’s wish list will be sent home the week of the Book Fair and can be used to help you shop.

BA is again participating in One for Books, a charitable giving program aimed at donating one million books to schools in disadvantaged areas.

Drop your spare change in the box or let your children do so. Look for more details on the portal and in the LS Weekly.

Please stop by and support the Book Fair and Bake Sale! All proceeds benefit the Lower School and the Lower School Library.

In addition to the Book Fair and Bake Sale, we have a few other upcoming activities: October 29, 2:00 p.m.: Lower School concert for grades K-2 and grades 3-4 Mini Blues concert.

October 30, 2:00 p.m.: Halloween parade.

November 10, 5:30-8:00 p.m.: BAPA Parents’ Fall Social. Join us for beer, wine, and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres.

10

A one-hour brewery tour will be offered if there is enough interest. The tour includes tasting several beers and a complimentary tasting glass to take home.

BAPA is looking for volunteers to help with the Lower School Book Fair and Bake Sale. We are also looking for a coordinator for the Lower School Book Club. If you are interested, please contact the Lower School coordinators.

Pamela Oberg pamela@hike-nh.com Beth Tykodi bptykodi@comcast.net Lower School Coordinators Middle School News

The crisp and cool air of Fall has hit New England once again. We have jumped back into the school year with many activities underway. The buzz of learning and happenings is clearly underway when you step beyond the doors of the Middle School.

The Eighth Grade BBQ was quite a success. Thank you to all the parents and students who came out to support our eighth graders during Blue and White week.

Grade 5 students enjoyed a class trip to Lowell on October 1.

They learned about the Merrimack River and performed some interesting experiments. Our fifth and sixth graders had a wonderful first social of the year at Skate Newington, zipping around in their skates and roller blades.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following upcoming Parents Night Out: On October 22 the seventh grade will have a Parent Night Out at Rudi’s in Portsmouth.

1791 Letter ~ October 2009

On November 5 all fifth grade parents can enjoy a night out at The Shipyard Brew Pub in Eliot.

The grade 6 Parents Night Out has been rescheduled. We will notify you when a new date has been set.

We are still hoping to organize a Grade 8 Parents Night Out. Any volunteers to assist in this would be greatly appreciated.

Our next Middle School Coffee will be on October 28 at 8:30 in the Commons Lounge. This meeting will be followed by a class rep meeting.

Come have some coffee and goodies while we gain more knowledge about all that is going on in the Middle School.

On November 5, BAPA will sponsor the eighth grade class to see a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at UNH. This will be a wonderful trip for the students and an opportunity to tie into their reading of this classic story.

Come join us on November 10 for the Parents Fall Social that BAPA will host at the Redhook Brewery (Pease Tradeport) in Portsmouth from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. It is a great way to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

This will be a casual get together at the Brewery and there will be a cash bar, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and a tour of the Brewery for all who are interested.

We hope that you can attend!

On November 20 and 21 the Middle School will be performing the musical “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown!”

The play will be a fun night out and a venue to see our children become rising stars as actors and singers.

There are still volunteer positions available whether you want to help out with the auction, the upcoming Middle School Play, a Parents Night Out or in joining some

of our Middle School reps. There is something for everyone. Just let us know your preference and we will point you in the right direction. Please contact Andrea Bristol at malted 92@comcast. net or Joanne Meyer at jomeyer777@ aol.com.

Email either of us with any questions or comments.

Upper School News

New Family News

First, I would like to thank Kim Mills the past Upper School Coordinator for leaving the books in such good order so that when the school year began we hit the ground running. For those parents who are not aware, the BAPA US parents support quite a bit for the school. So far, we have supported the Freshmen Wilderness Trip (including the pizza and t-shirts upon their return), and the ninth grade parent gathering on the BD porch. We helped support the Upper School trip out to the Isles of Shoals and the senior parents were in charge of all the food at the first coffeehouse. Many thanks to all who contributed as the kids were impressed by your generosity. We provided the juniors with a lunch while they helped organize the magazine drive and we will provide the DJ and some fundraising for the US dance on October 23. We contribute to the fall play with lighting, costume or other requested needs. Come see the play on the third floor of Fogg on the evenings of October 30 and 31. For November, the sophomore parents will be in charge of the food for the November 20 coffeehouse. Please save the date for an informal, BAPA sponsored Parents Fall Social at the Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth on Tuesday, November 10 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

So how’s it going? Are you overwhelmed or in the groove? The good news is you made it through to Columbus Day weekend, the first major milestone in the school year! If you are in the MS or US, you know that the first term has just ended and the first grades of the year will be out soon. If you are in LS, you are half way through the first semester. Next stop, the winter break! However, let’s not wish the time away. There is so much to enjoy in the next month…

So, please take the time to enjoy the fall season because before we know it we will be sending out semiformal invitations, putting together the ninth graders special exam packets and picking up the Upper School’s exam snacks!

Suzanne McFarland suzannerye@comcast.net Mary Pat Dolan Marypat.dolan@comcast.net

For all Berwick Academy parents, there are the following events: Tuesday, Oct. 21 – Picture Retake Day. If you would like your child’s school picture retaken, please bring in the photo packet you received to school, and the pictures will be retaken on that day. Please retain class photos as they will not be returned.

Thursday, Oct. 23 – Susan G. Komen Fundraiser for breast cancer awareness.

Each student wishing to participate in this event is recommended to bring in $1 and enjoy a dress down day.

Friday, Oct. 30 – Lower School Halloween Parade at 2 p.m. For Lower School parents, this is a must-see event.

The children all look so fantastic in their costumes and the teachers go all out to make it a great day. At 2 p.m. the Lower School children will parade through the quad. If you are on campus that day, please steal a look. It’s too cute!

Week of Nov. 2 – Lower School Book 1791 Letter ~ October 2009

Fair and Bake Sale. Even if you are not in the Lower School, this is a great opportunity to buy books and get a jump on your Christmas shopping.

Books will be on sale for all reading levels – even adults! You can donate books in your child’s name to the library, and there will be sweet treats to keep you motivated as you shop.

Please don’t miss it. Proceeds go to buy books for the Lower School library.

Tuesday, Nov. 10 – BAPA Social 5:307:30 p.m. at the Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth. As a parent at Berwick Academy, you are automatically a member of BAPA. This event is for you!

It is a great casual affair, and everyone is invited. We hope you will stop by and check it out. In addition to drinks and food, there will be an opportunity to take the Brewery tour!

Just a few other things going on at school you should know about…

The Middle School will present a musical production, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” on November 20 and 21. If you would like to help out and volunteer with this theater production, your help would be most appreciated. Your child need not be in MS to help! Please contact lwagner@berwickacademy.org or call 207-384-2164, ext. 2911.

BAPA Auction – BAPA is looking for auction volunteers at all levels. Please consider putting your hand up for any spare time you have. It’s a great event, and so important to making Berwick Academy the great school it is. Please contact Lesli Friel mfriel@comcast.net, Jean Jarvis jean.jarvis1@myfairpoint. net or Mary Towey marytowey@ comcast.net.

Integrity Theme – If you never go to the Middle School, you really should take a look. Don’t be scared.

You’re allowed. On the wall as you continued on pg 14...

11

Understanding Friendships

Student friendships are usually a primary focus of my work at the beginning of each school year. Parents of many new (and returning) students are as concerned about this aspect of their child’s school experience, as they are about their academics. Division directors, deans, advisors and teachers are not only tracking their students’ academic progress at the beginning of the school year, but they are also keeping a watchful eye on the formation of friendships.

Friendships or peer relationships between children are more than just fun; they are an important part of a child’s social and emotional development. In fact, the single best predictor of adult adaptation is not school grades, classroom behavior, or popularity, but rather, the adequacy with which a child gets along with other children. Like adults, children need positive friendships. These childhood friendships lay the foundation for future same-gender and opposite-gender relationships. Research shows that children with friends have a greater sense of well-being, self-esteem and fewer social problems as they move through life and into adulthood.

The characteristics of friendships, or how friends are described, changes dramatically as a child moves through childhood, early adolescence, and finally late adolescence. There are even differences seen with gender.

The way a male adolescent describes a friend is very different than the way a female adolescent describes one. These differences do narrow as 12

adolescents become older and approach adulthood, but even in adulthood some gender differences are seen. Another interesting finding is that parental influence on friendships doesn’t stop at the “play date” stage. It is important for parents to provide encouragement, support, direction and modeling for their children’s friendships throughout childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. But before highlighting more of these important findings, let me break down “friendships through the ages.”

According to Michael Thompson, Psychologist and School Consultant, a mother is usually a child’s first friend. A baby who feels securely attached to their primary caregiver develops an “internal model of relationship” which includes intimacy, security, safety and the pleasure of interacting with another human being. This first friendship becomes the child’s template for future friendships.

Thompson believes that children develop friendships at different rates. In his book, Best Friends, Worst Enemies~Understanding the Social Lives of Children, Thompson describes a unique friendship between an eightmonth-old boy and a ten-month-old girl. Of course this friendship looks dramatically different than one we might see in preschool or in high school, but the qualities of warm interactions and smiles of pleasure are common links.

During elementary school years children generally choose friends who are similar to themselves and share their interests. The accounts of first and second graders of the children 1791 Letter ~ October 2009

they like, reflect the concrete and the here-and-now. A friend is a playmate, or someone who is fun to do things with; “nonfriends” are those who are different or not fun to be around.

The most important factor in defining a relationship at this point is how satisfying the relationship is personally.

Friendships become increasingly group oriented as a child grows older and moves through elementary school. The most well-liked children are those who can manage social relations and think of activities that are fun. It is during the latter part of elementary school that teachers and parents get their first glimpse of some of the social problems that exist in all relationships - inclusion/ exclusion, conformity, independence, fear of rejection and popularity.

Starting around age ten or eleven, more abstract notions begin to emerge about friendships. An individual is defined as a friend “because he sticks up for me,” or “because we share values” or “because we think the same things are important.” Later still, on the verge of adolescence, friendships include elements of empathy. Some adolescents begin to develop what is called “a best friend” - an individual with whom he/ she enjoys a kind of relationship not previously experienced, not even with a parent. But like everything in life, we must take the good with the bad. At the same time these wonderful bonds begin to emerge between adolescents, cliques begin to form. Cliques can be based on appearance, athletic ability, academic achievement, talent, ability to attract the opposite sex, or seeming sophistication. Cliques peak in middle continued on pg. 14...

Rachel Saliba

Over 100 Burleigh-Davidson family members visited campus for their family reunion last weekend.

Their visit included tours of BD as well as lunch in the Commons and a tour of South Berwick. Pat McManus and I were on hand to answer questions about the Burleigh-Davidson Building, but quickly realized that the family knew a lot more than we did – even if some of them asked us if we were still a boarding school. The following is a brief history of the Burleigh-Davidson family and their splendid home.

John Holmes Burleigh 1822-1877 Captain John Holmes Burleigh attended Berwick Academy, but left in 1837 to work on a clipper ship at the age of 16. He became a captain by 21 and even took his bride, Matilda Buffum Burleigh to sea with him for a few years.

When the couple returned to South Berwick, John purchased the Newichawannock Woolen Mills (the old mill on the river on Brattle Street) and renamed it Burleigh Mills. Burleigh Mills made woolen blankets for the Union soldiers during the Civil War and then became famous for producing

auto robes and blankets. Captain Burleigh became one of the wealthiest men in Maine and he had a home to reflect his success. Below is a sketch of the Burleigh Mansion located on the site where BD currently sits

The First Burleigh Mansion – built c. 1864 and destroyed by fire in 1892

Captain Burleigh, like three of his descendants, was a member of the Berwick Academy Board of Trustees.

He was also the President of the National and Savings Banks, served four terms in the state legislature and served two terms as a U.S. Congressman until his untimely death when his horse and carriage bolted off the bridge between South Berwick and Salmon Falls in 1878.

Captain Burleigh was survived by his wife Matilda Buffum Burleigh and their five children, all of whom graduated from Berwick Academy.

After their mansion was destroyed in 1892, Matilda built the current Burleigh Davidson building. The bannisters went all the way to the third floor. One could stand at the bottom and look all the way up to a stained glass sky light.

Matilda’s youngest daughter, Elizabeth Burleigh Davidson, and her 1791 Letter ~ October 2009

six children came to live with her after Elizabeth was also widowed in 1901.

Eventually, all of Elizabeth’s children graduated from Berwick Academy and two served on the Academy’s Board of Trustees. A portrait of Thomas Davidson (Class of 1915) is hanging in the BD Conference Room.

Berwick Academy purchased the Burleigh-Davidson Estate in 1945 from the family to prevent it from being turned into a turkey farm. The estate included a tennis court, a pool and a coach house. It has gone through many transformations since then, but that is another story.

As always, please contact me at rsaliba@berwickacademy.org if you have any questions or if I have made an error. You can also visit the archives on Mondays and Fridays from 8:30 – 2:30 each week.

Library Volunteer Opportunities

All Middle School students are invited to volunteer in the library and the archives after school on Wednesdays from 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.

Eighth grade students are also invited to volunteer during their study hall on Fridays. A volunteer sign-up sheet is located at the front desk of the library.

If you are an adult, and you’d also like to volunteer your time in the library or archives, please contact Rachel Saliba at rsaliba@berwickacademy. org or Jennifer Brewer at jbrewer@ berwickacademy.org. We’d appreciate your help.

13

BAPA News...cont. from pg 11

Wellness News...cont. from pg 12

walk in is a huge banner with the word, “INTEGRITY”. The students have been encouraged to write on the banner their personal definition of the word “integrity”. The writing is inspiring, humbling and very interesting.

Make time to see it. You won’t be disappointed. As always, if you need help or have a question with anything at all, please contact me. I’m happy to help you.

school as peer relationships and acceptance augment family relationships and (the good news) then decrease in high school. Cliques are a common phenomenon during adolescence; many of us were part of one during our middle or early high school years. It is important for a parent to remember that the best defense to the rejection or aggression that sometimes negatively erupts from cliques is a “good quality” friendship. Thompson reminds us in his book that when it comes to friendship, quality is much more important than quantity.

Katie Clark Kclark_uk@hotmail.com BAPA New Families Coordinator (207) 698-0080 Auction News WE’RE MOVING! The BAPA Benefit Auction is moving to a new venue.

Join us April 24, 2010, at the Links at Outlook (www.outlookweddings.com).

There are lots of ways to volunteer for this exciting event. Please contact Lesli or Mary if you would like to get involved.

Lesli Friel m.friel@comcast.net.

Mary Towey marytowey@comcast.net Auction Co Chairs BAPA Communications

Check out BAPA on the Portal!

We have a new ‘BAPA Portal View’ where you can find all the latest BAPA news, announcements, events and volunteer opportunities. Thank you to volunteers Linda Lyon, Paula Hoy and Mary Towey for their help with an admissions mailing in September.

More great volunteers helped stuff packets in October. Thank you to new parents Emily Urquhart and Kate Thut and to Kim Levy and Diane Walker.

If you would like to join the fun and volunteer an hour or two please contact me.

The amount of time spent with friends is greatest during adolescence. High school students spend more than twice as much time with their friends as they do their parents. The bottom line is that teenagers want to be with other teenagers.

They depend on each other to lend a sympathetic ear and offer emotional support when they are faced with dilemmas about relationships, school, siblings, parents, or life in general. But contrary to psychoanalytic theory, adolescents do not have to “turn against their family” as they move toward their friends. Contemporary, nonpsychoanalytically- oriented thinking suggests that transition to adolescence is nowhere near as problematic for parents or for adolescents. Even though teens may see a lot less of their parents, they continue to rely on them, not only for guidance, but also for support in friendships and activities. In fact, when real hardships arise; most teens turn to their parents. In his book, Michael Thompson describes the importance of connecting with your child’s friends particularly during adolescence.

This does not mean carrying on an hour conversation with them, but what it does mean is that you acknowledge their presence and make them feel welcomed in your home. Friendships in later adolescence are described as strong, stable and intimate bonds that last over time. These friendships, along with healthy parental relationships lead to social competence in adulthood.

From playing peek-a-boo with your infant to the planning of a surprise eighteenth-birthday party, parents are a key component. Michael Thompson, as well as other researchers suggests that a parent’s role in helping to develop and refine their child’s friendship-making skills may be greater than we once thought. Not only do children need a safe and secure environment, and loving and encouraging parents to develop social competencies, they also need “friendship” role models.

Studies have shown that parents, who have good friends themselves, raise kids who make good friends. There is ample reason to believe that the reactions of parents with their own friends provide children and adolescents with models and cues about the social skills involved in making friends. Children who see their parents respecting each other, and valuing their own friends have an easier time establishing friendships.

If you haven’t already, I would highly suggest that you read Michael Thompson’s book Best Friends, Worst Enemies~Understanding the Social Lives of Children.

Sincerely, Cindy Briggs

Sarah Hebert hebertsh@comcast.net BAPA Communications Coordinator 14

1791 Letter ~ October 2009

Athletics News...cont. from pg. 7

The Bunny Clark Charter Oak Capital Management Diverse Networks LLC Ironman Fitness Lago’s Ice Cream Holly Malloy Jay McFarland The Millerick Family The Mills Family Reid & Company Ronn Woolley Somersworth Nissan The Springer Family Stage Neck Inn Strogen’s HVAC, LLC Summit Land Development Dr. Richard Zeff, Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Prize Donors Abby Chic Florist Bauer Hockey Heidi & John Bement Blackman Chiropractic Bob’s Clam Hut Celebrity Marketing Chuck Clement IV Cinnamon Rainbow Cumberland Farms Dick’s Sporting Goods Dover Wine Dunkin Donuts Eastern Propane & Oil Eight Winds Hair Salon Fischer Cats Kathy Ford Granite Steak & Grill Great Bay Pottery Steve Grenier Gustafson’s Gallery Hampton Airfield Hillcrest 3 Par Holy Rosary Credit Union Honore LaFlamme Kennebooks Lego Systems, Inc. Lindt Chocolates Mac Ford Custom Building Marriott Cambridge Dr. McQueeney The Music Hall My Liege Salon

NE Creations New England Skydive North Hampton Recreation The Old Salt Dr. Amy Pruszemski Ragged Mountain, Danbury, NH Red Sox Riptide Charters Robert Ryder Bulk Hauling Smuttynose Brewery The Wheeler Family Top Shelf Cigar, Dover USS Dallas Gifts Windjammers Seafood Restaurant York Harbor Inn The College Bound Athlete

Please join us on Tuesday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Patricia Baldwin Whipple Arts Center for an information session regarding the college-bound athlete. This presentation will help our studentathletes who are thinking about playing college athletics navigate the college search process. The program will include evaluation opportunities, contacting college coaches, citizenship and the college visit process. All athletes and parents are welcome.

The USATF Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships is the most visible youth athletic development program in the world. Over 7,000 athletes competed in the event held July 27 through August 2 at the Irwin Belk Field at North Carolina A & T University. Entry for this championship is based on athlete performances at preliminary, Association and Regional levels of competition. Zac finished an impressive 18th out of a field of 45 competitors.

Upcoming events

Thursday, November 5, Middle School Fall Sports Awards at 1:30 p.m.

Reminder - 5:30 p.m. late bus schedule begins Monday, November 16.

Courtside Café

As we head into the winter season we are looking for help from parents who have students playing basketball. We have an oustanding concession area in the Athletic Center that we use to raise money for our athletic programs. The Courtside Café is run by our Athletics Boosters group and they are currently looking for parents to donate their time and help with concession sales. You can sign up for a game or two during the season to help support your teams. Please contact Rob Quinn for more information.

Off the Hilltop

Berwick Academy Junior Zac Lawrence competed in the 2009 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships held in Greensboro, North Carolina.

1791 Letter ~ October 2009

15

Dear Berwick Community, October has been an energizing month! By now the Annual Fund has officially kicked off, and we are fortunate to have so many dedicated Annual Fund volunteers raising awareness of the importance of participating in the Annual Fund. I want to thank the over 50 parents and past parents who have volunteered to be a part of the 2009 - 2010 Annual Fund team! They are: Annual Fund Chair Holly Malloy, Trustee Annual Fund Team Lower School Holly Grimes, LS Division Leader

Grade 4 Costikyan Jarvis, Grade Leader Dee Whall Suzanne Richardson Middle School Margaret Talcott, Trustee MS Division Leader

Grade 1 Beth Lowenstein, Grade Leader Michelle Albion Michelle Hanson

Grade 5 Janet Stevens, Grade Leader John Barbour

Grade 2 Michelle Soares, Grade Leader Tom Parrott Heather Kodzis Betsy Rawlings

Grade 6 Lisa Anderson, Grade Leader Amy Criswell Paula Reid Laura Smith

Grade 3 Kristin Morales, Grade Leader Vic Sunshine

Grade 7 Betsy Coughlan, Grade Leader Stephen Young Jane Hourihan Deborah Walden Kendall Montouri

Grade 8 Holly Malloy, Grade Leader Nina Maurer Carol Welsh Tim Platt Adriana Cunha-Salomon Upper School Leigh Ann MacFarlane, US Division Leader Grade 9 Eliza Peter, Grade Leader Mary Boswell Molly Samson Gloria Legere Sue Downey Mary Connors Grade 10 Sheila Woolley, Grade Leader Jennifer Saulnier Mary Reinhardt Carolyn Woodward

Grade 11 Laurie Hair, Grade Leader Maria Moschetto Diane Mugford Susan Stedman Leadership Chair Debbie Bauder, Trustee Leadership Team Mark Tay, Chair, Board of Trustees Jamey French, Trustee Holly Malloy, Trustee Margaret Talcott, Trustee Lesli Friel Meg Cavanaugh Thomas Hourihan Jedd Whitlock, Director of Advancement Kathryn Strand, Development Office

By now, you should have received your Annual Fund appeal letter. Annual Fund volunteers will be contacting parents from October 19 through November 20, to ask them to participate in this year’s Annual Fund. As in past years, parents of the Class of 2010 will be asked to support an endowed fund in honor of the graduating class. Parents new to Berwick this year will be formally asked for their support in February of 2010.

The Annual Fund is Berwick’s number one fundraising priority. To learn more about the Annual Fund and how it directly impacts our most important resources – exceptional teachers, talented students, and a campus well-equipped for learning, please visit www.berwickacademy.org > Support BA > Annual Fund. Please note that secure online giving is available for your convenience at www.berwickacademy.org/giving.

Thank you again to all our Annual Fund volunteers for your time and effort on behalf of Berwick Academy, and thank you in advance to the entire Berwick community for considering participation in the 2009 – 2010 Annual Fund drive. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or feel free to stop by the 1791 House when you are on campus.

Best, Jedd Whitlock Director of Advancement jwhitlock@berwickacademy.org 16

1791 Letter ~ October 2009