April archive
Stick Horses in Pants - Why is Improv Good for Learning?
April 25, 2008
On the last Saturday evening of each month, CSS is sponsoring a performance of the improvisational theater group, Stick Horses in Pants. (The name is entirely whimsical and fun; I'm told there is no sense in trying to find any meaning in it.) These performances are one of the new community partnerships that they have established that ultimately help promote healthy relationships and good learning at CSS.
You might ask, "How does a set of zany performances with strong audience input promote good learning?" First, the events give families with children of all ages a place where they can go and be entertained together, which builds family bonding, which directly impacts learning potential in children. The performances also model improv games that families could use during whole family parties. Such exercises are very fun, and they build confidence, mental agility, and listening skills. As a father in a family that enjoyed improv games during family get-togethers throughout our kids' childhood, I can vouch that these skills are lifelong, transferable to many applications in life, and a lot of fun to build. Perhaps the most important benefit of improvisational games-whether we bring them home to use or simply come to the shows: they help us laugh, enjoy the company of others, and provide a window to not take ourselves to seriously -and that is good for the soul. It is a great experience that we all can enjoy together, and it promotes good learning, too! Upcoming Shows: April 26 and May 24
To learn more about The Colorado Springs School click here.
Spring is here!
April 24, 2008
Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and spring events at schools across the country are in full preparation. Class events especially for seniors, who have already begun their countdown to graduation, are in the works. Many private and public schools organize various events such as barbeques, community service days, class trips and the most famous of all - PROM!
These are some of the best memories of high school, whether at a private or public high school.
Colorado Springs School's fun events
April 24, 2008
Colorado Springs School hosts Sight and Sound Spring Band Concert and Art Department Open House on Thursday, May 1 at 6:00 p.m. on the lawn of the Carriage House. Families are encouraged to bring picnic dinners. Concessions (drinks and snacks) will be available for purchase.
To learn more about The Colorado Springs School click here.
Christian Unified School's New Chemistry and Physics Lab
April 15, 2008
New Chemistry and Physics Lab Dedicated
The ribbon cutting and dedication of the new Mark A. Gilmore Chemistry and Physics Learning Laboratory was held on March 27th, 2008. Dr. Gilmore was a medical doctor with grandchildren who attend Christian Unified Schools. His wife, Brenda Gilmore, underwrote the renovation of the lab as a gift to Christian High in honor of her late husband’s passion for education, especially in the sciences.
The renovation was coordinated by Chemistry and Physics teacher Mr. Bill Smith. Each lab station includes a new laptop computer loaded with advanced software that enables real-time graphical and numerical analysis of experimental data. The software and related equipment allows students to perform numerical and graphical video analysis of any type of motion and measure chemical compositions. The room has four state-of-art fume hoods that allow students to safely perform college-level chemical experiments. It also includes a 54” plasma screen, dual projectors for PowerPoint and document camera demonstrations – and much more.
This new facility is a great enhancement to the students’ academic experiences. To learn more about Christan Unified High School in San Diego, CA, click here.
Matt Nathanson to perform at Cheshire Academy
April 15, 2008
MATT NATHANSON CONCERT TO BENEFIT PETIT SCHOLARSHIP
“Three Schools, Three Lives” Concert - Friday, April 18, 2008
Three Connecticut schools – Chase Collegiate School in Waterbury, Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, and Miss Porter’s School in Farmington – are joining together to sponsor a spring concert that will honor the women of the Petit family who lost their lives in a home invasion last summer. Proceeds from “Three Schools, Three Lives” will benefit scholarships established at the request of Dr. William Petit in memory of his wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit (health center director at Cheshire Academy),and his daughters, Hayley (a 2007 graduate of Miss Porter’s School) and Michaela (a student at Chase Collegiate).
Solo guest artist for the event will be singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson, whose work blends both folk and rock music. His music has been featured on the American Wedding and American Pie Presents Band Camp soundtracks and on the TV shows NCIS, Private Practice, One Tree Hill, Big Shots, and Scrubs. Earlier this year, Matt appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
To learn more about Cheshire Academy, click here.
Burr & Burton Academy win 2007 Governor's Award for Envirnomental Exellence
April 15, 2008
Burr and Burton Academy’s Help Our Planet Service Learning project, implemented last year under the direction of Vermont musician and activist Don Knaack, has been selected to receive the 2007 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence & Pollution Prevention in the Environmental Excellence in Education & Outreach category.
Burr and Burton Academy students are in their second year of the Help Our Planet (HOP) Program. The HOP program is the work of Vermont musician Donald Knaack, who supervised the inauguration of his program at the school in 2006. After a year of planning, the students worked to implement the pledges they made to improve the environment.
This year the students were able to begin several key initiatives, including the establishment of a full composting program in the cafeteria that will yield a savings in hauling fees of approximately $1994 per year, and the use of biodegradable plates, cups, wrappers and cutlery in the cafeteria.
Students have also been asked to save about 460 gallons of water, through simple steps such as spending less time in the shower and turning off the water when not needed. More recycling bins were placed throughout the school and grounds to help students recycle easily. “We are very grateful to Don for bringing his program to Burr and Burton students,” said Headmaster Chuck Scranton. “Everyone has enthusiastically embraced these initiatives and we have seen significant results.”
HOP founder Donald Knaack, a Manchester-based composer and percussionist, who does music residencies in schools said he noticed many years ago there was no program to teach the basics of better environmental citizenry to students anywhere in the country. He began developing the HOP Program seven years ago and decided to bring the pilot program to Burr and Burton. The program was supported in part by the Association of Vermont Recyclers, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, USDA, and Casella Waste Management.
To learn more about Burr and Burton Academy click here.
Blue Ridge School's Citizens of the World Club hosts sushi night!
April 15, 2008
Blue Ridge School
At the request of the Citizens of the World Club and with the help of sophomore Drew Locurto, the dining hall recently held a sushi night. The event was a hit with students and staff alike as they enjoyed a wide array of Asian food. Some students tried sushi for the first time. Drew says that rolling sushi has been a hobby forever, and he was happy to work with Chef Rob Stokes to make the night a success. The Citizens of the World Club is sponsored by the English as a Second Language staff. This year's president is Sean Lim '10. The Club celebrates the international diversity at Blue Ridge School. Membership is open to all students.
To learn more about the clubs offered an Blue Ridge School and what makes the school an excellent boys boarding school, click here.
Fryeburg Academy Senior Class Event
April 15, 2008
Every year Fryeburg Academy's graduating class of seniors are taken on a celebratory and chemical free trip called Project Graduation on the Friday before commencement. This is a great and important time for the senior class allowing them to be with their classmates for one of their final social events together. Every year the people who run Project Graduation need to fundraise almost $20,000 to put on this 24 hour long event.
To learn more about Fryeburg Academy click here!
Mercersburg Academy - Current International Student's point of view!
April 2, 2008
The best way to learn what it's like to study at a boarding school in the U.S., is to hear it straight from the current international students. Below is an interview with Magdalena Przystajn from Poland that attends Mercersburg Academy.
QUESTIONS
Why did you choose Mercersburg?
I had a very specific set of criteria, and not many schools met them. Of course, I wanted a very strong academic program with lots of AP courses. I also wanted nice athletic offerings. (I'm not athletic but I wanted to try new stuff.)
Extracurricular activities were important for me too. I can't just study. I need to do thousands of things at the same time. And I wanted a big, beautiful campus. I'm from a small town in the country in Poland with trees and fields everywhere, and I knew I couldn't study where it was cramped.
Who is your favorite teacher?
That's a terrible question! I love all of them. It's impossible to just distinguish one.
Was community service important to you?
When I first got to Mercersburg, the first thing I wanted to do was community service, so I worked at Mercersburg Elementary where I helped kids learn about coins. It was funny because, having just come from Poland, I wasn't familiar with American money yet myself. It was a great educational experience for both the kids and me. But that's what community service is about. You don't just help other people; you help yourself in so many ways.
What are you most proud of?
I'm proud of being a student at Mercersburg. Just three or four years ago, I didn't even speak English. I never thought I could be a student as such a great school. I've come a long way and it's just unbelievable.
What's the biggest challenge you've had at Mercersburg?
Speaking in English, especially public speaking. I know that I'm really hard on myself but sometimes I speak too quickly and not clearly enough.
I will say, when I went back to Poland over the summer, I found myself thinking in English. Even when I was discussing something, my arguments were more coherent in English than in Polish. So I'm better at debating now, at least in English.
What have you done that you never thought you'd do?
I never thought I would do art. I appreciate art but I have no talent for making it. But at Mercersburg, there was an art requirement so I tried computer art. It was very difficult but very satisfying. After a while, I sort of felt addicted to it. In fact, on weekends, I found myself doing art to relax. I was very surprised.
Also sports. Now I run and I play squash. It's really surprising. I was always just a book type of person.
I think the art was just a one-time experience, but sports will definitely stay with me. For example, when I went to Oxford over the summer the first thing I did was get a gym membership. I did yoga and just general fitness classes. It's something I wouldn't have done before Mercersburg.
What are you most looking forward to when you graduate?
I'm not looking forward to anything. The experience here is so amazing, I want to enjoy what I have now. I don't know what may be in the future. It could be the end of the world next week.
What do you think you'll miss the most?
I don't like thinking about that. I'm going to be here for two more years, and I want to live in the now. Maybe you could say I'm both a pessimist and an optimist. I mean, maybe I'll be dead next week, next month, next year. It makes me sad to think about it, so I just enjoy what I have now. I love everything here—my friends, my teachers, the campus, my classes. Everything, I just love everything.
What have been your favorite classes?
Even though I have been at Mercersburg only for a year, it is very hard to distinguish just three of my classes. I truly enjoy all of them. Certainly the German program is unique with its European atmosphere. It is demanding and intense, but the results are incredible; I think it gathers all the best Mercersburg has to offer, not only in terms of academics, but also personal growth. I would also warmly recommend taking Independent Study or Directed Study in a field of individual interest. I took AP Economics Directed Study, and it was one of the best educational experiences I have ever had.
What are your favorite places on campus?
The whole campus is truly exceptional! However, my most favorite place is definitely the library for its great character and architecture.
What's been your proudest moment at Mercersburg?
It is every time I give a tour to a prospective student. I am proud of belonging to this place, because of its excellence and because of my background—three or four years ago I didn’t speak English and I wasn't even dreaming about becoming a student at such a school as Mercersburg.
What's been your most embarrassing moment at Mercersburg?
Too embarrassing to tell ;)
If you could offer one piece of advice to an incoming student, what would it be?
Do what you love, open to people and activities, explore, take available opportunities–just enjoy your stay at Mercersburg!
Activities:
- Model U.N.
- Admission tour guide
- Community Service
- German club
To learn more about Mercersburg Academy, click here!