November 1791 Letter

�1791 Letter ~ November 2009

November 2009

The Upper School Play: The Perfect Alibi

� 1791 Letter ~ November 2009

September 11, the Tenth Day Assembly, our Blue and White Day, the MLK Assembly, the pep rally, and Earth Day are all powerful examples of when our students are keenly aware that they are a part of something far larger than their own class or division. Unbeknownst to many of my colleagues, these moments are some of the most emotional for me as I address the community as Head of School, peering out into a varied sea of learners and attempt to articulate what binds us together as one collective. Separate from whatever value we emphasize at a particular moment, I am uniformly amazed at the respect our older students present when our Lower School students address the entire community or lead us in their rendition of “This Pretty Planet” on Earth Day.

Compared to other K-12 schools that I know, I believe that we do a great deal to take advantage of the various opportunities for “cross-pollination” within our program. Our seniors become buddies for our kindergarten students, our team captains address our Lower Schoolers, and our Lower and Middle School students often participate in our Upper School musicals. Talented Middle School athletes occasionally play up to our varsity level teams. Our recent Step Up Day allows eighth grade students to fully experience a day in the life of our Upper Schoolers. As the sheer number of these examples continues to grow, the events become far less noteworthy as they evolve into part of the fundamental fabric of our educational mission.

Recently I returned from an insightful NEASC accreditation visit at an independent school in suburban

Boston. I was reminded both about how different schools are and how incredibly lucky I am to enjoy the Berwick Academy experience each and every day. Over the next two years, our community will embark on a massive journey that will lead to our own ten-year accreditation process, which will culminate by welcoming our own NEASC visiting team to campus in the fall of 2012. With that goal approaching more and more quickly, I continue to see our school through a new lens, and I am confident that our K-12 identity will shine through as a great source of strength throughout this process.

Although our faculty is deeply embedded in the early stages of a project preparing us for this visit, our parents may not be aware that we have embarked on a comprehensive K-12 curriculum mapping exercise that will ultimately document our program in a dynamic and evolutionary way for the accreditation visit and beyond. By deciding to map our curriculum K-12, we are challenging ourselves to articulate the essential pieces of knowledge that we want our students to acquire and in what specific sequence. Through the lens of our Mission and Core Values, we are clarifying the goals of every class that we teach. We embark on this project in the spirit of understanding our program first and foremost through the eyes of our students. Mapping expert Heidi Hayes Jacobs helped us launch this initiative in the fall, and we have made substantial progress in loading our curriculum onto a web-based tool for continued refinement and analysis.

There are two primary reasons that I am so excited about this project,

With the year underway and the holidays quickly approaching, I often find myself in the role of Berwick Academy ambassador, speaking to prospective families about the myriad ways in which I believe our school is so special. One of the key points that asserts itself each year in this regard is the strength and power we derive from being a K-12 institution. We are one of the very few K-12 independent school options in our local area, and I often think that families underestimate the value students and families can derive from this essential institutional element. Our Mission Statement espouses that we are “one school with three divisions,” and I would love to offer a few thoughts this month behind the essential nature of this claim.

At its most elemental level, we are a family school. Berwick is a place where siblings and families are able to share in the collective highlights, disappointments, and progress that occur in all three divisions. It is truly moving to see an older or younger sibling from a different division appear at various concerts, athletic events, or other division-specific celebrations. Older siblings nostalgically remember the “Predator and Prey” museum or the eighth grade documentary, and our seniors find it surreal when suddenly Convocation and the Senior Walk are intended for them rather than some older group of students who seem to occupy a distant place in time. The cycle of the K-12 educational model is uniquely powerful.

From a community standpoint, the power of this institutional strength is harnessed at a number of formal events. The community circles of


and I say this recognizing that it is a significant additional burden on our employees. The first rationale is this practical idea of being sure that our K-12 identity, already seen as a cultural strength, is also a deeply imbedded programmatic and curricular strength as well. We want to be sure that our programs avoid redundancy, build on prior course work appropriately, and capitalize on all interdisciplinary and/or cross-divisional opportunities that may exist. The second reason I am so excited about this project is that I believe it represents a tangible move towards a culture of continued professional development and collaboration as a community of learners. By mapping our program, all teachers can view the curriculum K-12 at any moment, searching for unforeseen opportunities but also launching into important conversations with colleagues about the essence of great teaching and learning at our school.

This mapping project is one that will admittedly take multiple years to put fully in place. We also know that the project, by definition, will never be complete: it is founded on the premise that the curriculum and program will need to constantly be tweaked and revisited to be sure that we continue to deliver the “useful knowledge” for which our Mission strives. As parents, I hope that you might join me in thanking our faculty for their efforts in making this vision become a reality in the coming years, as I believe it will have the potential to make us even stronger. We are so blessed with a group of teachers who go above and beyond expectations in the interest of improving the experience for your children.

I will close by saying that I am constantly reminded of the power of a K-12 school in my daily existence. In

the span of two days this past week, I swung through an extraordinary Lower School Book Fair, congratulated an undefeated eighth grade soccer team after teaching a thought-provoking Middle School Ethics class; was presented with a trophy from our EIL Champion Golf Team and had the distinct pleasure of meeting our new Upper School Robotics Team robot named “Skipper.” Skipper seems remarkably facile at firing whiffle balls into moving targets for an upcoming Robotics Team field of play, and I continue to be moved by the ingenuity and integrity of our students, K-12. Our youngest students at Berwick always have someone to look up to, and our oldest students walk into our lunch room knowing that five and six-year-olds always wait in awe of their every move. This makes all of us better, and for that I am grateful.

Lower School Book Fair and Bake Sale I would like to thank Pamela Oberg and Beth Tykodi along with other BAPA members for an incredible Lower School Book Fair and Bake Sale, filled with great reads for students of all ages as well as wonderful homemade treats. The Schneider girls are particularly thankful for their new books.

Athletic Success As I alluded to above, our Boys Middle School Blue Soccer Team just wrapped up an undefeated season, and our varsity golf team won the EIL Tournament by two strokes – adding a second trophy to their recently acquired regular season co-champion title. My personal EIL Championship trophy will be proudly displayed on the mantle in my office until further notice.

Annual Fund Underway As most of you are aware, our Annual Fund initiative is in full swing and we are implementing a new approach which consists of condensing this effort into the time prior to Thanksgiving as much as possible. The early results have been encouraging, and I want to thank all of our donors and volunteers for their exceptional work during a year when the need is as great as it has ever been.

The Perfect Alibi Congratulations to the cast and crew of our Upper School murder mystery who performed in and worked on this event! As always, Liz-Anne Platt and her many helpers put together a show to help our students shine in incredible ways.

Upcoming Events Please check the calendar for the plethora of events that come our way in November and December. Concerts, musicals, awards ceremonies, and other exciting events abound, and we encourage families to be involved with these incredible events.

Happy Thanksgiving Perhaps most importantly, I would like to wish our entire community a restful and Happy Thanksgiving (Can you believe that it is here already?). Perhaps during this year, more than any other, I am keenly aware of all that I have to be thankful for, and I hope that we will all pause and reflect upon the blessings on our families and our remarkable community.


Peter Saliba

Human beings, and especially Americans, have a fascination with what is new. We seem to crave the newest gadget, read the latest words on leadership, philanthropy, or parenting, or purchase a new floating swimsuit that gives you a ½ second edge in a swim race of two minutes. I would call this largely an American trait which probably stems from our history as a nation that has conquered frontiers, both on earth and beyond.

With this fascination for finding the “new” new thing (a phrase from best-selling author Michael Lewis), we often miss the old things. This is discouraging to me as a history teacher because dismissing our human history can have significant consequences, no matter if you are a teenager or the President of the United States. Today in assembly, we had a reminder of some of the old things which struck a note in all of our hearts.

Jim Sullivan has been at Berwick since 1974, and is currently our senior master. His distinction as our longest serving faculty member serves many purposes. Some of them are ceremonial (being first in line for our Commencement Processional), and some of them are more mundane (being a resource to figure out why we do things the way we do). Jim’s position as senior master is multifaceted, and he serves with distinction in this role.

In September, Jim approached me and asked if he could take responsibility for our Veterans Day observances. It was an easy decision, and honestly, I had forgotten about it until a week ago when he asked me if we could have a dress-up day

on Wednesday, November 11. I asked him why and he told me that it would be fitting for his remarks, and that it was appropriate on a day when we were honoring all of those who are serving, or had served, our country. Of course, being a fan of any opportunity to be dressed up, I immediately acquiesced.

In today’s morning assembly, before a student body looking much sharper than usual, Jim delivered a superlative oration that was done the old-fashioned way; his words were succinct, his delivery impeccable, and his message clear. It was one of the best orations I had experienced in recent memory. If you were sitting in the front half of the auditorium, you could literally feel his every word.

Some of his success is due to his experience as an educator, and his renown for verbal tirades against corrupt Roman emperors. Most of us who work in Fogg have had the distinct pleasure of listening to his lectures which fill the second floor. However, his success today was not so much from his style, but his choice of words. Today, Jim read two poems with different perspectives on war.

It was nothing short of magical. Here you have an auditorium filled with 280 people who were forced to dress up in a tie or skirt, and they were being forced to listen to the “old guy” in the tweed jacket. In most situations, students would have been distracted and disinterested - not today. People were riveted by Jim and his words. In short, everybody experienced the poems together in the way that poems are meant to be

delivered, orally.

Today’s assembly was a great testament to the people who serve their respective countries, including those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I am thankful for Jim’s words. But I am also thankful for his reminder about the power of the spoken word, and the beauty of poetry.


As we enter a time for planning and sharing family traditions, it occurs to me that a challenge for each of us this year is to shake off the worry of the economic past and consider charitable giving. For folks like me who eliminated drives through Starbucks and Friday nights out for dinner, resuming spending on ourselves is not quite that easy. I changed some habits with a few grumblings and perhaps a moment or two of pique. Now that the news tells me that indicators like the Dow Jones Average are worth celebrating, I am left thinking about shifting a few more self-indulgences to more charitable aims.

The early years of adolescence are typically times marked by passionate arguments over issues of justice. What parent today can claim to never have heard, “That’s not fair!” as a response to some adult-placed restriction? Some things in life are not fair. Homelessness is one of those. This morning in South Berwick, I saw a woman whom I had seen for the previous two days in Dover. She was young and pushing an aluminum shopping cart filled with her earthly belongings. I have been worrying about her now for forty-eight hours. None of the three places where I have seen her was near a homeless shelter. I know I must act on her behalf and I shall.

As a new 3-D version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol arrives in movie theatres this month (tickets will probably cost about $10 each) and viewers will be reminded of the line Scrooge delivers to the characters collecting money, “Are there no alms houses?...Then they had better die and be done with it!” I am always chilled by his heartlessness and miserly ways. His

transformation is a powerful reminder of our human capacity for altruism and the joy that it brings.

Can we teach altruism, or is greed so hard-wired into our brains that we have become impervious to efforts aimed at generosity and kindness? I believe and I hope that we can model and foster altruism so that our children and students can see that the giver emerges far from harmed by the act of sharing one’s wealth. Wealth does not have to be limited to cash. I would place greater emphasis on sharing wisdom, experience, time, and talent. Indeed, givers generally feel a flood of endorphins when they have made another person happy. Generosity may be highly contagious, spreading good will among friends and friends of friends. As some people seek isolation from flu, others may increase their immune systems through those “feel good” chemicals that are the result of exercising both the mind and the body.

In a book called, Fish! (by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen ©2000) one of the business principles that led the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle to new heights was the encouragement to “Make their day.” Far from the Clint Eastwood challenge, this principle asks one to set aside one’s personal desires for a moment to give selflessly, and without monetary value, to help make another person happy. Generosity of this kind includes active listening, sincere compliments, moments of empathy, and small acts of kindness. Tourists to Seattle typically rave about the cultural phenomenon of the Pike Place Fish Market. Imagine the good

will that ripples out from that spot!

Altruistic people do more with their time to make the lives of others better. Consider that no day extends beyond twenty-four hours. In that time, minutes can be spared to share a smile, to share one’s largesse, or even to seek justice from oppression. And so, I promise to take steps today to assist the young woman who was fighting against a stiff wind this morning. Your gifts of time and attention can be powerful. Can you make someone’s day? What will you and your family decide?

BERWICK ACADEMY

CAMPUS STORE

SHOP Online!

Start your holiday shopping early!

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

Visit www.berwickacademy.org and click on the Berwick Store link.


Our kindergarten, first, and second grade students, along with the third and fourth grade Mini-Blues, recently performed in our Autumn Concert. From song to movement to teamwork, the students, led by Mrs. Isaak and accompanied by Mr. Reynolds, enjoyed an afternoon performance for an appreciative group of family, faculty, and classmates. The audience marveled at their various music-oriented skills, but just as importantly expressed an appreciation for the poise they displayed in our intimate Lower School setting.

In its basic form, instruction and learning can be broken down into several key phases, with performance being an integral component of the cycle. While there are several variations of the learning cycle, I consider the basic model to include:

1) Introduction of skills or objectives through a combination of exploration and discovery.2) Direct use of the skills or objectives in controlled and sequential learning applications.3) Extension of the skills or objectives through performance-based activities (ranging from an open-ended final classroom assignment to a game in physical education class to…a concert).

While we naturally think of performances connected with arts and athletics, it is critical to employ variations of performance-based experiences across the curriculum. Through such activities, students often see the bigger picture of why they are learning a certain skill or where they

will use the objective in the future. The ability to perform, to compete, and to demonstrate brings potentially abstract ideas into a more concrete, relevant and confident focus.

As is true with any curriculum component, the instructional challenge becomes balancing these different learning cycle stages in a manner that is meaningful to the student and to the program. This sense of balance is evident over the course of the year in our division. For example, over the course of this year, you will either see or hear about variations on the performance phase of the learning cycle in the following areas:

The kindergarten through fourth grade social studies projects range from the alien-building kindergarten theme to the fourth grade colonial craftsman event with stopover projects related to the rain forest, predator-prey relationships and the State of Maine in grades one through three, respectively. Other levels of performance in the homerooms include, but are not limited to, interactive math labs, creative writing projects or engaging reading book follow-ups. Service projects also bring school-wide core values to life in the Lower School. Each grade takes on a hands-on project over the course of the year—adding to the students’ sense of accomplishment and contribution. As an example, we currently are looking forward to the third grade faculty and student efforts in recording, packaging and selling CD’s to an upcoming Lower School singalong.

Art projects, physical education games, and French class interactive dialogues highlight an obvious and

important form of performance in the Lower School. In this approach, our students quickly gain appreciation for artistic expression, for physical fitness and for world languages.

In science, library, and technology instruction, our creative teachers also find approaches to developing the final stage of the learning cycle. A fourth-grade favorite currently “in progress” (with the addition of art class skills) is our annual fourth grade tide pool project.

Returning to my opening Autumn Concert remarks, music classes naturally lend themselves to the performance process, and I am grateful that we have added Lower School concerts to this year’s calendar. Thus, I will take this opportunity to remind our Lower School community that the third and fourth grade concert will be held on May 13, from 2:00 to 2:45. Likewise, our ultimate Lower School performance (Production) will occur on April 9, with shows at 4:30 and 6:30. The Production will effectively blend dance, song, and speaking parts, not to mention fourth grade leadership.

As I conclude this 1791 Letter piece, allow me to stretch the idea of performance to include our recent Halloween Parade. It was a pleasure to see the costumes, the students’ pride (and, of course, the follow-up classroom parties!) on a beautiful fall afternoon as our parade circled Fogg Field with appreciative onlookers - Middle and Upper Schoolers, families and friends. Many thanks to all for supporting the varied forms of learning that take place in the Lower School.


Rob Quinn

An Athlete of chArActer understAnds And models integrity

Integrity is a choice of behaviors displayed in small daily decisions. Athletes have actions that follow their words and beliefs. Their core covenants and behavior align. Their yes means yes and no means no. Athletes of integrity say what they mean and follow that exact path. Their word is good, their handshake confirms the deal, and their signature is worth something. They are worthy of respect. The first step to building a successful team is surrounding yourself with people of integrity. Integrity is a simple concept. For the person of integrity, life may not be any easier, but simpler. It’s not always easy to do what is ethically correct, but it is simple to know which path is most ethical and exercise that option. A great example of integrity was at West Point during a men’s lacrosse game when a cadet was recognized for a choice he made during the game. While playing goalie, the cadet witnessed a clear goal into his own net, however, the official ruled that the shot did not cross the line. The cadet called the official over and told him that the goal should have counted. The appreciative official signaled the goal and the game continued. Integrity is a simple concept that never changes.

New Winter Sports Bag Routine There is always the issue of hockey and ski bags in the winter months that are sometimes left in the lobby of the theater during the academic day. We have come up with a new routine for our students to make it easier for these bags to be stored in the field house. We have a new trailer

that will be situated between the Upper School and Middle School for our students to place their bags as they exit the bus while arriving on campus. We will then bring the bags over to the storage areas in the field house. We ask our students to cooperate with this new routine.

Facility Use As the winter season is upon us, more students will be using the athletic facility than in recent months. In order to maximize the usage of the facility we are encouraging students to utilize the locker rooms and lockers that are provided. Often students leave belongings scattered throughout the locker rooms instead of storing their clothes and belongings inside the lockers during practice. By utilizing these lockers, it will be much easier for students to keep track of their belongings, and hopefully they will be less likely to contribute to the ever growing heap of lost and found items that are collected daily throughout the facility.

Please remember that food and drinks (water is the only exception) are prohibited in the Wood Gym, the Blue Gym, and the Fitness Center. Restricting food and drinks allows us to keep our facility cleaner and in working order by eliminating the need to clean up spills.

Off the Hilltop Senior Melissa Beckett, and her American Saddlebred, Revelation’s Braveheart have finished a very successful show season. At the Pine Tree Sizzler held at the Hollis Equestrian Center in Hollis, Maine

on August 8, Melissa finished first in the ASB Country Pleasure Hunter Championship and Junior Exhibitor Hack; and Reserve Champion in Youth Activity. At Autumnfest, the final Maine show this year held in Skowhegan on September 12-13, she placed first in the ASB Country Hunter Qualifier, second in Junior Exhibitor Hack and first in Youth Activity. She was Champion for the Country Hunter and Reserve Champion for the Junior Exhibit Hack. Her last show was Octoberfest, held in West Springfield, Massachusetts on October 22-25, where she placed first in the qualifiers for ASB Country Hunter and Junior Exhibitor Hack and she was Champion of the ASB Country Hunter and Reserve Champion for Junior Exhibitor Hack. Melissa will be awarded first place year end awards from the Maine Horse Association, the American Saddlebred Association of Maine, New England Horsemen’s Council, and the American Saddlebred Association of Lexington, Kentucky. Congratulations!

Upcoming EventsNovember 16: Late Bus Schedule BeginsNovember 18: Upper School Winter Sports BeginNovember 19: Upper School Fall Sports Awards 7 p.m. (Date Change from November 17 on calendar).


you gottA’ hAve Arts

Arts Boosters

Arts Boosters Variety Show The annual Arts Boosters fundraiser took place on Friday, October 16, and was a great success. Faculty and staff members representing all three divisions presented performances that ranged from silly to serious and everything in between. The proceeds from this event were $1110 which will benefit enrichment programs in the visual and performing arts. Thank you to everyone who supported the fine arts at Berwick through their participation and attendance.

dAnce

There will be several dance happenings this December in the Seacoast region and beyond, featuring many of our talented Berwick Academy dancers.

Berwick Academy Company dancers in the Middle and Upper Schools will travel to Kittery Estates on December 2, to perform for the residents there. This outreach performance will be a first for the dancers at Berwick and was arranged by Company Blue captain, senior Chelsea Johnson. Students of the Portsmouth School of Ballet Student Company and Classical Ballet Program will perform an all-student production of the Nutcracker on December 5 and 6, at Exeter High School Auditorium. Choreographed by the school’s artistic director, and in its sixteenth season, it is a holiday classic that you do

you gotta have Arts

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not want to miss. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by phone at 603-436-5993.

Great Bay Academy of Dance will present their 1836 Portsmouth Nutcracker at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on December 11, and Friday December 12. For tickets call the Music Hall at (603) 436-2400. Several students from Berwick’s Lower and Middle School have roles in the cast of this professionally produced performance.

Sole City Dance is presenting The Nutcracker at Rochester Opera House December 4 and 5. Come see Upper School student Taryn Decker light up the stage as she dances with the Sole City Dance ensemble. For ticket information call Sole City Dance at (603) 330-0111.

Faculty members Sasha Randall and Gina Hesse and their dance company Sonar Dance will be presenting choreography by former Berwick dance faculty, Heather Baur on December 4, as part of Portland, Maine’s First Friday Art Walk. First Friday Art Walk is a monthly tour of Portland galleries where artists exhibit their work in the backs of roving trucks, at street performances, in open artist’s studios and traditional galleries. This exciting event offers a diverse night of formal and spontaneous experiences. Sonar Dance will also perform choreography by Sasha and Gina at Terpsicore Dance on December 5. Visit firstfridayartwalk.com or www.terpsicoredance.com for more information or e-mail [email protected]

music

Four Berwick Academy musicians were accepted by audition to participate in the Maine District 1 High School Honors Music Festival this year: Mary DePascale, Justin Koppstein, Asher Siegel, and Skyler Stern. They each auditioned for a judge on October 20, at Thornton Academy. Skyler Stern, violinist, scored a 97.5 out of 100, which earned him the position of Concertmaster of the orchestra. The festival will take place on January 22 and 23, at Noble High School, with a concert beginning at 3:00 p.m. on January 23, 2010.

visuAl Art

Berwick’s Portfolio Day Grace Hopkins Lisle, Director of Admissions from the Maine College of Art, conducted a portfolio review and discussion in early November, presenting how art portfolios serve college applicants in the admissions process. Students in the Studio Art Honors class along with AP 3D artists viewed multiple images of two and three dimensional art, comparing their strengths, weaknesses and visual impact during the informative critique.

Off the Hilltop Senior Rose Elkins is working on her concentration of clothing design in Advanced Placement Art. Her designs are limited to the use of paper cards as the material. Rose submitted one of her designs made of playing cards to the Farnsworth Museum for consideration in their upcoming show, “Fashionably Late”, that is a contemporary show in response to Farnsworth’s exhibit


you gotta have Arts

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Presidents notes

The fall at Berwick is coming to an end and we are already looking toward the holiday season. I want to thank the many parent volunteers who helped make the BAPA supported events successful. Without our dedicated parents we could not do all the things we do at Berwick. I myself witnessed tireless parent volunteers transform the Commons into our annual Book Fair. I saw parents in all divisions come and purchase books and baked goods with all proceeds benefiting the Katz Lower School Library. It always warms my heart to see our community come together to support each other.

Halloween was another success with the weather cooperating while the Lower School students paraded around the campus cheered on by Middle and Upper School students, faculty, staff, and many proud parents. It is wonderful to watch the sense of community that makes Berwick Academy such a special place.

There are more events coming up so please look at the portal for BAPA updates and news, and also look in the weeklies for volunteer opportunities and events in your children’s divisions. Mark Your Calendar - BAPA Holiday Coffee with guest Greg Schneider Don’t miss BAPA’s third Annual Holiday Social on Tuesday, December 1 at 8:15 a.m. in the Commons followed by class rep meetings. We will have coffee and homemade treats made by our own board members. This is an opportunity for those who cannot attend evening events to catch

up with old friends and meet some new ones. Please join us for some good conversation and holiday cheer. We look forward to seeing you there. Lost and Found Clean Out! Please check the Lost and Found located in the basement of the Commons. The organizers do a regular clean-out of the Lost and Found, so if you are looking for that raincoat or favorite sweatshirt please have a look in there. All unclaimed items will be cleaned out and donated to charity after the Thanksgiving break. Where Can I find BAPA Budgets? All budget information from each month can be found under the BAPA Downloads section on the portal. These downloads reflect the most recent expenditures in the general and schools budget. Please look at these budgets as you will be able to see where BAPA spends the money we raise during the year. Whether it is money for a field trip, parent socials, or enrichments, these budgets will help you understand why we need parent participation to help support these various activities. BAPA Board Openings for 2009-2010 The BAPA Board is looking ahead to next year. If you are interested in getting involved in 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 at [email protected] or letter (Mail to the Academy, Attention: BAPA), by February 2010. The openings for next year are: Middle School Coordinator, Upper School

Coordinator, and Auction Chair(s). Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding these openings, or log on to the portal for complete descriptions of board positions under BAPA Downloads. Upcoming EventsMonday, November 23- BAPA Board Meeting at 8:30 a.m.Tuesday, December 1 - Holiday Coffee in the Commons at 8:15 a.m. followed by Class Rep Meetings Thursday, December 3 - Auction Meeting at 8:30 a.m. in the BAPA office in BD

treAsurer’s rePort

October 31, 2009

Expenses against income:

Grade 8 Barbeque supplies and sound system $200.00

Cash advance for LS Book Fair and Bake Sale cash boxes $366.40

BAPA Expenses:

Lower SchoolPizza, cookies and paper goods for LS Potluck $242.79

Total LS $242.79

Middle School5/6 Grade Social at Skate Newington $275

Total MS $275

�0 1791 Letter ~ November 2009

Upper SchoolClubs/Extracurricular – Chess boards and clocks $151.27Fall play and February musical expenses $750 Social/Dances – DJ for dance $250 Total US $1151.27

Total BAPA Expenses 10/1/09– 10/31/09 $2,035.46

Net BAPA support 10/1/09 – 10/31/09 $2,235.46

Nancy [email protected] Treasurer

lower school news

The Lower School Book Fair and Bake Sale was a huge success due to the hard work of our amazing parent volunteers, the facilities staff, Sondra Farrell, Judith Claveau, and Pat McManus, as well as the support of the Lower School faculty and staff. In this time of economic unease and with the impact of H1N1 on our community, we are very pleased with the results. The final fundraising results will be posted on the BAPA bulletin board in the Lower School. In addition, the third grade is halfway to their goal of providing tuition to one Haitian student as part of their third grade service project - all thanks to the BA community’s support. We cannot thank our team of volunteers enough for their hard work and we are so grateful for their participation. A special shout-out is due to several Middle School parents who kindly helped out with this event and shared their considerable knowledge from previous years with us. Thank you!

Pamela Oberg and Beth [email protected]@comcast.netLower School Coordinators

middle school news

Can you believe the first marking period is behind us? How time flies! Parent/teacher conferences were well underway during the first and second week of November.

A warm thank you to Dr. Zurawel for hosting a Middle School Coffee and to all who attended on October 28. It was a great way to share ideas and know what our Middle School children are doing as well as enjoying some coffee and baked goodies. There will be another Coffee hosted by Dr. Zurawel on December 4. Please join us, we look forward to seeing you.

During the month of November some BAPA sponsored events included the following:

Our grade 5 classes enjoyed a trip to Lowell to visit the Mills on November 3. This class trip was the second in a two-part series where they learned about the area and the environment and what life was like when the mills employed many people in the community. On November 5, BAPA sponsored the grade 8 class to see a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at UNH. This trip enabled the students to enjoy a production of the book they are currently reading. On Friday, November 6, a DJ helped spin some music for grade 7 and 8 during their Social on campus and it was also an Upper School Parent Night for grade 7 and 8 parents.

In addition to student socials we have parent socials. There were several this month which consisted of an evening at Rudi’s in Portsmouth for the seventh grade parents. On November 5, all grade 5 parents enjoyed a night out at The Shipyard Brew Pub in Eliot and on November 12, the grade 8 parents will attend their Parent Night Out. The grade 6 Parent Night Out has not as of yet been rescheduled. We

will notify you when a new date has been set.

Do not forget to mark your calendar for November 20 and 21. The Middle School has been working so hard on the musical You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown! Ticket order forms can be downloaded from the portal. This will be a great night out with the family so come and see our children perform.

Please contact Middle School coordinators Andrea Bristol at [email protected] or Joanne Meyer at [email protected], with any questions, concerns or thoughts.

uPPer school news

As I sit down to write this, I realize that in exactly six weeks the Upper School will have finished their exams and will be departing for winter break! Where did the fall go?

Please help me in giving a big thank you to Leigh Ann MacFarlane, Kathy Voss, Brad Fletcher and Ted Sherbahn for all their efforts and organization of the magazine drive, another round of applause for all who participated and helped to raise the necessary funds for the junior class. However, I am glad to announce that this was the last year of the magazine drive and we will be moving on to a different fundraiser next year.

The items that you have funded this past month were the renting of the professional lights for the play, The Perfect Alibi, the DJ for the dance, chess boards and clocks for the Chess Club and supplies for the Lassiter Buddy Program. Looking ahead, the sophomore parents will be supplying the food for the November 20 Coffeehouse; we will once again be providing the comedian in December for some comic relief, snacks for exam time, and freshman exam packets.

��1791 Letter ~ November 2009

A huge thank you goes to Lynanne Haley who coordinated all the various side items for the fall play and to all the parents who volunteered for the various jobs and supplied a wonderful potluck dinner for the students after the Saturday night performance. Robin Merrow decorated the pit with a fall theme for the potluck dinner which helped create a festive atmosphere.

The next six weeks will be busy for the US students and balancing can be tricky as they will end one sport/activity and begin another while preparing for their midterm exams, performing in holiday concerts and performances, participating in community service and maybe even a little shopping for presents. The BAPA Holiday Coffee will be held on Tuesday, December 1, at 8:30 a.m. in the Commons Lounge. All US parents are invited to attend and we look forward to having the opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. The US class representatives will meet immediately following the coffee.

A heads-up for the Winter Semi Formal which is scheduled for Friday, January 8, at the Portsmouth Sheraton Harborside. Please look for the invitation in your mailbox during the month of December. This event has always been a favorite and promises to be an enjoyable, elegant evening.

E-mail either of us with any questions or comments.

Suzanne McFarland Mary Pat [email protected] [email protected] School Coordinators

Auction news

The Berwick Academy Parents Association Community Benefit It is never too late to join the Auction Committee! We are always looking for volunteers to help in many areas. Our next auction meeting will take place in the BAPA office on Thursday, December 3 at 8:30 where you will be able to meet Joe Shanley, this year’s auctioneer. We hope you can join us! If you have any questions regarding the Community Benefit, please contact Lesli Friel at [email protected].

BAPA communicAtions

Do not forget to check the new BAPA portal often for all the latest news, events and volunteer opportunities!If you would like to volunteer to help with occasional mailings, please contact me.

Sarah Hebert, [email protected] Communications Coordinator

BAPA is excited to announce a new way that you can support our school AND send your holiday greetings. Order holiday photo cards, greeting cards, and other stationery products from William Arthur, a local business known for their exquisite quality.

For every order placed via Berwick Academy’s web site, 30% of the transaction will go to BAPA. Funds will support the Junior class prom, field trips, and other events that enrich our children’s experience at BA.

To ensure that your purchase benefits the Junior class, you must click on the link from the Berwick Academy website. It can be found on the School, BAPA, and Parent portals as well as the division e-news weeklies.

If you enter theWilliam Arthur website from another means your purchase will not be linked to our account. Please be sure to visit through the BA website.

Purchase holiday cards and Benefit the Junior class

�� 1791 Letter ~ November 2009

Be the chAnge thAt mAkes the difference

Last Tuesday evening, four junior Student Wellness Advisory Team members (SWAT) and I returned home from a two-day conference in Augusta, Maine. Berwick Academy was fortunate to receive funding from York Hospital and the Choosing to be Healthy Program for two students and one adult to attend the 26th Annual Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) Conference. With the help of additional funds from Berwick Academy, Eliza Jacobs, Connor Haley, Cristina Salvador and Max Werman joined me for this awesome conference.

Our journey began on Monday morning, when the five of us packed into my car, drove two hours north to Augusta, Maine, and jumped feet first into something we had never done before. These four SWAT members were among the one hundred plus students from all over the State of Maine attending this leadership conference. The primary goal of the conference was (as the title states), “Being the Change that Makes the Difference” within your school communities.

During the first day and a half, the students and I participated in various workshops focusing on numerous health issues facing high school students today. Workshop topics included dating violence, stress management, adolescent substance abuse and suicide prevention. Along with these educational workshops, the four students and I had the opportunity

trip and orientation, and scheduling specific activities throughout the year that will enable the youngest class in the Upper School to come together. Our long-term “action plan” goal is much loftier and we realize that it will take years to accomplish. Our ultimate goal is to create a caring and respectful Upper School community where all teenagers can be themselves. Don’t get me wrong, Berwick Academy’s Upper School is a wonderful place. SWAT believes that we can make it even better by continuing to model and build caring and respectful relationships within our student body.

I want to close by again thanking Eliza Jacobs, Connor Haley, Cristina Salvador, and Max Werman for taking time out of their busy academic schedules (right at the beginning of the Thoreau Project) to attend this leadership conference with me. I truly enjoyed our time together and look forward to our next leadership conference. Hopefully it will be in Hawaii! You four are the change that will make the difference.

Warmly,Cindy Briggs

to network with other Maine high school students and adult leaders. Berwick Academy’s Core Value of “stretching through engagement” was in overdrive at this conference. The students were not only participating in new and challenging activities, but they were also developing meaningful relationships with teens from all over the State of Maine. The students worked together during the day at the conference and played together at night in the hotel.

The final half day of the conference focused on creating an “action plan” to take back to your school. I won’t deny the fact that we struggled with this part of the conference. Unlike other schools, we couldn’t find a specific topic such as alcohol or marijuana abuse to focus on. I believe our hope for change was much bigger. Instead of working on symptoms, we wanted to address a problem -a cultural change within our community. After a great deal of conversation and assistance from the MYAN staff, the students decided to continue to focus on SWAT’s original mission – mentoring the youngest members of the Upper School community. The juniors and I both believe that if you want “real” change within a community, you must focus on and strengthen the relationships within the community. The short-term goal of our action plan is to assist this year’s freshmen and future freshmen in becoming comfortable and secure within their new Upper School environment. Specifically, we will be designing a resource manual for incoming freshmen, making recommended changes for the freshman


Rachel Saliba

continued on pg. 15...

fAculty Artists

The wonderful “Five Artists Who Teach” Art Show hanging outside the Archives in the Jackson Library Art Gallery is a testament to the talented artists who have taught at Berwick Academy since the mid-1850’s, including the nationally acclaimed artist, Marcia Oakes Woodbury (BA Class of 1882).

S. Marcia Oakes Woodbury BA Class of 1882, Art Teacher 1886-1888.

The Berwick Academy Art Department has come a long way since 1855. When the art program first started, Berwick Academy was still divided into two schools – the South Berwick Female Seminary and Berwick Academy. Both schools were housed in the same academic building, but had separate principals, different starting times and separate classrooms. There was even a partition that separated the building’s main recitation room. The purposes of the Academy and the Seminary differed greatly as explained in the school catalog from 1855: “This Institution, the most venerable of the Academies in the State of Maine,

was founded in 1791, for the purpose of affording a complete education, both in the useful and ornamental branches, to young ladies; - preparing, thoroughly, young men for entering College, either as Freshmen or at a more advanced standing, - or fitting them for the duties of active business life.” (1855 Berwick Academy Catalog)

Berwick Academy’s third academic building (the 1853 Building) in which Susie Oakes taught drawing and painting from 1886 to 1888 to girls for the purpose of “affording a complete education, both in the useful and ornamental branches, to young ladies.” (1855 Catalog)

After graduating from Berwick Academy in 1882, Marcia (or Susie as she was known at Berwick) moved to Bos,on to live with her married sister and enrolled in art classes taught by Italian master Tommaso Juglaris. Here she first met her future husband, Charles H. Woodbury who was also studying art with Juglaris while he was finishing his degree in engineering at MIT.

Even before Charles matriculated at MIT, he was making a name for himself as an artist in Boston. He was presented with an award at the Boston Art Club by Winslow Homer a few months before his classes started in 1882. Upon graduation, Charles opened his own art studio in 1886 and offered art classes there. Susie took art classes from him until she returned to Berwick Academy to teach drawing and painting in the fall of 1886. Charles eventually followed Susie to Maine where they were married in 1890 at her parents’ home on Academy Street in South Berwick.


achieve success in visual expression or music performance and academic achievement but also contribute to the increased awareness of the fine arts at Berwick Academy. Berwick Academy has maintained a chapter of these two national honor societies since the 1990’s.

National Art Honor Society Inductees Seniors - Anya Burzynski, Derek Lavigne, Rose Elkins, Margaret Sutherland, Sojourner Fletcher, Lee Tsairis, and Juniors - Amelia Hazen, Elizabeth Hopkins, and George Horrocks. These students epitomize the dedication, commitment and artistic vision to warrant membership in this prestigious organization.

Tri-M Music Honor Society Inductees The Tri-M Music Honor Society welcomes the following new members: Juniors-Trestan Matel and Freddy Diengott; Sophomores- Nicole Kleinmann, Henry Young, Justin Koppstein, Asher Siegel and Ian McFarland. These students were recognized for their musicianship, scholarship, cooperation, leadership, and service to school and community.

winterfest

Winterfest Auditions January 7, 12, and 14, 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

BaPa news...cont. from pg 11wellness news...cont. from pg ��

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 as 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 [email protected] if you have any questions regarding this process. Our music faculty and private lesson teachers will have the audition recommendation forms.

arts news...cont. from pg 8

“Elegantly Attired.” Rose’s piece has been selected for exhibition that will showcase work of teen artists from around the state who explore themes of identity, history, and culture through the lens of fashion. These objects will be on exhibit at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine, from November 21 through December 31, 2009. Congratulations, Rose!

Five Artists Who Teach This exhibit by Berwick’s visual art faculty is currently on display in the Jackson Library Gallery through December 18, 2009. Teaya Fitzgerald, Melissa Hannon, Raegan Russell, Deloris White, and Lynn Wildnauer invite you to attend the gallery reception on Thursday, November 19, from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The artists will be present to answer questions about their work and will donate 10% of all sales to benefit the Arts Boosters.

visuAl And Performing Arts

Honor Society Inductions Nine Upper School students were inducted into the National Art Honor Society and seven students were inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society during a symbolic ceremony on Thursday, November 5, in the Commons. These organizations recognize students who not only


Susie changed her name to Marcia Oakes Woodbury after she was married and traveled with her new husband to Europe to study art in 1890. Marcia made nine trips to Holland and became known for her paintings of the villages and people of Holland. Her works were exhibited and honored throughout Europe and America including receiving awards at the Atlanta Expo in 1895 and the Tennessee Centennial in 1897. Her painting “The Game” painted during one of their trips to Holland, hangs in the Jackson Library today.

In addition to their studies in Europe, Marcia and Charles worked on a number of projects together and even held joint exhibitions. The couple collaborated on the illustrations for a few of Sarah Orne Jewett’s books including Deep Haven and Tory Lover, but their most famous collaboration was the founding of the first art school in Ogunquit in 1898. The Woodbury School is credited with establishing Ogunquit as the center of fine art in Maine. The

Ogunquit Museum of American Art is located on land donated by the Woodbury family in Ogunquit.

Upon Marcia’s untimely death at 48 years of age in 1913, her husband gathered more than 36 of her paintings that she created while she was living in Holland and arranged an exhibit of her works at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in the late winter of 1914. According to their son David, this exhibit was considered to be one of the most famous ever held in Boston at that time. Her works have since appeared in other galleries including the Vose Gallery in New York. Charles Woodbury continued to earn national acclaim for art and teaching. His portrait that was painted by his friend John Singer Sargent, is hanging in the National Portrait Gallery today - but that’s another story.

If you’d like to learn more about Marcia Oakes Woodbury and her husband Charles H. Woodbury, please come by the Jackson Library to see Marcia’s painting and to take a look at the book entitled, “Force Through Delicacy: The Life and Art of Charles H. Woodbury, N.A.”, authored by George M.Young, Berwick Academy parent and art auctioneer, that outlines their history.

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, questions and suggestions. You can reach me by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 207-384-2164. The Archives are open on Mondays and Fridays during school hours and are located on the second floor of Jackson Library, adjacent to the Jackson Gallery.

Marcia Woodbury Oakes’ childhood home was purchased by the Academy in 1957 to serve as a dormitory for boys during the school’s Boarding Era until 1976. The

Oakes’ barn was converted into the Jewett Art Center in1966.

Achives news...cont. from pg 13


Dear Berwick Community,

As I write this, I am still feeling the effects of the faculty/staff vs. girls field hockey game this past week (I need to get in shape badly!). Team “Staffulty” played hard and after regulation, the score was tied at zero. As the remaining daylight quickly disappeared on Fogg Field, it was time for a shoot out to determine the winner. Goalie Sarah Brodeur ’13 and players Alex Wood ’13, Jamie Wilson ’10, and Shannon Farrell ’12 prevailed in a shootout 2-1 to secure the victory. Andrew Kasprzak scored for us and goalie, Rob Quinn, remained strong in the net. I had so much fun interacting with these students and witnessing the impressive skills of the girls’ field hockey team. I am already looking forward to next year for some redemption, and I will be sure to start my training early this time!

A few days before the field hockey game, I was able to interact with another talented BA student when Noah Landis ’14 interviewed me for his upcoming Berwick Academy Podcast. I was quite impressed by Noah’s preparation and thoughtful questions, not to mention pleased with his interest in the Development Office and philanthropy here at BA. After the interview, I had the opportunity to learn about his passions for music, information technology, and going green.

These glimpses into the lives of our students and the vast array of opportunities available to them demonstrate the value of a Berwick education and the important role that the Annual Fund plays in keeping our program strong and vibrant. Annual Fund gifts provide the kind of flexibility that is vital in delivering the quality educational experience for our students that tuition alone cannot cover, especially during these economic times. Over the past week, I have witnessed firsthand how Annual Fund gifts impact our students; whether it’s on Fogg Field, in the Whipple Arts Center, or the new Berwick Innovation Center, your investment impacts every student, every day.

While unrestricted gifts offer the most flexibility, you may choose to designate Annual Fund gifts to the following areas: Athletics, Technology, Math and Science, or Visual and Performing Arts. If you have not yet made a gift or pledge to this year’s Annual Fund, please join me, parents, faculty, staff, grandparents, parents of alumni, and friends by making a tax-deductible donation today.

Gifts can be made online at www.berwickacademy.org/giving.

If you have any questions about the power of philanthropy at Berwick, please do not hesitate to contact me or visit me in the 1791 House. As always, thank you for your consideration and support!

Best,

Jedd WhitlockDirector of [email protected] more information on the Annual Fund, visit www.berwickacademy.org/annualfund

November 1791 Letter

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