June archive

Hebron Academy Athletic Hall of Fame

June 30, 2008

The first-ever Hebron Academy Athletic Hall of Fame has recently been established to honor former teams, student athletes, coaches, administrators and supporters who have brought distinction to themselves and Hebron through their achievements, contributions, sportsmanship and/or leadership in athletics.

Eligibility:

• Alumni who have participated in Hebron athletics and graduated at least ten years prior to the year of election.
• Coaches and Athletic Administrators whose careers have spanned at least ten years at Hebron.
• Faculty and supporters who have made a significant contribution to Hebron athletics for at least ten years.
• Teams that distinguished themselves through significant achievement.

Inductions will take place during Homecoming/Reunion Weekend.

To learn more about what Hebron Academy has to offer in addition to athletics click here.

St. Andrew's-Sewanee Faculty Family Involved in Sichuan Quake Relief

June 30, 2008

It has been a year since Chinese instructor Bob Edwards took a group of SAS students on a tour of China, including a lengthy stay in the his wife's hometown of Chengdu, just 50 miles from the epicenter of the 7.9 earthquake which struck Sichuan Province on May 12. While in Chengdu the SAS students visited Yang Yangchu Engineering School in Dujiangyan, a technical school that serves 317 students from rural Sichuan. The SAS students played soccer, ping-pong and basketball with the students from Yang Yangchu.

On May 12, the day of the quake, Yang Yangchu celebrated graduation ceremonies and just hours before the quake, many of their students departed campus. The ensuing quake and aftershocks left 70,000 dead, 17,000 still missing, and millions homeless. Many of the fatalities occurred in area schools that crumbled during the tremors. Although Yang Yangchu escaped the fatalities that many school's in the region suffered, most of their campus was destroyed. Now Mr. Edwards, his wife Jan Zhan-Edwards, and the U.S. China People's Friendship Association of Chattanooga are working to help rebuild the school.

“For me it’s very personal (to see how devastated the school is after the earthquake)," said Mrs. Zhan-Edwards who grew up in nearby Chengdu and returns there each year to visit her family. "I had just seen how happy the students were last year, but suddenly their life has been shattered.”

The Edwardses are involved with the Chattanooga chapter of the U.S.-China People’s Friendship Association. The group is hoping to contribute to the relief effort in Sichuan Province by helping to raise funds to rebuild schools. "The recent earthquake has brought our hearts back to this school in Dujiangyan," said Mrs. Zhan-Edwards. "The pictures we received describe the horrible scene of the school after the earthquake. It’s heartbreaking to see how much damage the disaster has done to the students and the school. If we can rebuild the school, we can help the area because every society needs education.”

About 30 refugees are sheltered on the Yang Yangchu campus and many of the students and teachers suffered losses at home. According to Mrs. Zhan-Edwards, "They are struggling to put their shattered lives back together, at the same time, to get the buildings in a shape to receive the students in coming school year."

If you would like more information about the efforts of the Edwardses and the U.S. China People's Friendship Association, go to www.dujiangyandiary.org.

To learn more about the teachers at SAS, and the school itself, go to St. Andrew's-Sewanee School.

Mercersburg Academy student names 2008 Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year.

June 29, 2008

James Finucane ’08, from Mercersburg Academy, who broke school records at the 1600-meter and 3200-meter distances this spring, is the Hagerstown Herald-Mail’s choice as its 2008 Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year.

Finucane was also honored last fall as the Herald-Mail’s Cross Country Runner of the Year. He will compete in both sports at the University of Pennsylvania.

Including Finucane (and his sister Lena ’09), 15 Mercersburg student-athletes earned All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League honors in their respective sports this spring. Among the honorees is Jenn Dillon ’09, who set a single-season women’s lacrosse school record with 61 goals (which ranked first in the MAPL); she was joined by three of her teammates on the Herald-Mail’s all-area first team.

To learn more about the sports and what else is offered at Mercersburg Academy, a co-ed boarding school, click here.

Our website is now available in Russian!

June 29, 2008

You can now read all the boarding school program and the boarding schools we are work with in Russian! We hope this will aid many of our website visitors in learning more about the schools and this amazing program. Our goal for the future is to offer the websites in several other languages.

South Kent has a new basketball coach

June 26, 2008

South Kent Names Colgate’s Kelvin Jefferson As New Head Basketball Coach South Kent School announced that Colgate University assistant coach Kelvin Jefferson has been named head basketball coach at this New England preparatory school.

Coach Jefferson -- who has extensive college-level coaching experience -- is well suited to carrying on the SKS tradition of athletic achievement. In recent years the SKS Prep Basketball team has consistently ranked among the top 10 secondary school basketball teams in the nation.

For the past two years -- and in 2005 -- the South Kent Prep Team reached the playoffs of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class A division. South Kent routinely sends seven to nine players to Division I college basketball programs.

Coach Jefferson joins SKS after a season as assistant coach of Colgate’s third-seeded Patriot League team. Colgate reached the 2008 league championship finals March 14 before losing to American University. Prior to serving at Colgate he spent two seasons as assistant coach at Stony Brook University, where he was responsible for recruiting, training post players, scouting and game preparation. Before Stony Brook, he spent four years as an assistant coach at American University. While at American, the Eagles won the Patriot League regular season title in 2002 and went on to play in three consecutive Patriot League Tournament title games from 2002-2004. Coach Jefferson also served two seasons under former Vermont head basketball coach Tom Brennan.

A 13-year coaching veteran, he began his coaching career as an assistant at Wesleyan University during the 1995-96 season. He then spent a year at Salem State and went to serve as the top assistant at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy for two years. During his tenure at Salem and U.S.M.M.A, Jefferson helped lead his teams to the NCAA Division III Tournament each season.

A native of Norwalk, Conn., Coach Jefferson is a 1995 graduate of Southern Connecticut State University where he earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism. A standout on the men’s basketball team, he led the New England Conference (NECC) in rebounding as a senior at SCSU, while also serving as team captain.

Commenting on Coach Jefferson’s appointment, South Kent Headmaster Andy Vadnais said: “We are thrilled to announce that Kelvin Jefferson and his family will be joining us here at South Kent. We chose Kelvin from a large field of highly talented and experienced applicants. But even among this distinguished group of sports professionals, Kelvin stood out. In addition to his very impressive interpersonal skills, his extensive coaching experience and recruiting experience at the college level made him a great fit for the college-bound athletes at our school. We are both pleased and honored that he has chosen South Kent.”

To learn more about South Kent School click here.

Christchurch Basketball Players named First Team All-State

June 25, 2008

Christchurch School basketball coach Glen Taylor has announced that Christchurch basketball players Martiz Washington (senior, Hopewell) and Coron Williams (junior, Midlothian) were named to the VISBA First Team All-State. It is a very rare and unusual circumstance for two players from the same team to receive this honor. The Seahorses, who were VA Prep League Season and Tournament Champions, made it all the way to the state semifinals, finishing third in VISBA Division I.

To learn more about sports offered at Christchurch and the school as a whole click here.

Residential Life at Oakwood Friends

June 22, 2008

About half of the upper school students at Oakwood Friends School choose to board on campus either because their families live too far away from the school, or because they wish to use the time that would be otherwise spent commuting for study, athletics, arts and recreation. The residential community on campus numbers over 100 students and faculty, 12 dogs, many cats, and several farm animals.

The on-campus community becomes especially close by virtue of living together and sharing so many daily experiences. Many students find boarding life an excellent way to begin preparing for the independence of college. At the same time, travel home for weekends or vacations is convenient, given the school's proximity to train lines and other forms of transportation.

Boarding students are housed in Craig Dormitory, a friendly residence located near the campus dining hall. The dorm is also home to four faculty families who serve as dormitory parents, supported by four other teachers who live on campus. Students live in double rooms on single-sex hallways, with easy access to lounges, a kitchen, and laundry facilities. There is a computer laboratory in the dormitory as well as a wireless network.

The dining hall serves three nutritious meals each day and is a happy gathering place for students and faculty. Weekends include a variety of activities, including trips to local museums and points of interest, hikes or ski trips, excursions to Manhattan, athletic and theater events, or simply sleeping late, watching movies, and studying quietly.

To learn more about Oakwood Friends School, click here.

The Fryeburg Academy Softball Team won the Maine State Class B Softball Championship

June 22, 2008

The Fryeburg Academy Softball Team won the Maine State Class B Softball Championship held at Brewer High School yesterday. A great game was played by FA girls as they beat Medomak High School (Waldoboro, Maine) 6-2. Many congratulations to the team and coaches.

To learn more about Fryeburg Academy and the sports it offers, click here.

Teachers vs. Students at St. Thomas More School (in tennis)!

June 22, 2008

Faculty & Students Tie Tennis Match

The St. Thomas More School's annual faculty and student tennis match ended in a tie at 6-6. Students won five sets of singles and one doubles match. Teachers took two doubles matches and four singles.

Winning for the students at singles were Rafael Arguelles Gutierrez, Cary Yi Hsieh, Isaac Kim, Sunny Lee and Kyung Won Suh. One students double team, Dong Gyun Jo/Sung Tae Kim, came thru to take the match. On the victorious side for the singles teachers were Mr. Hastings, Mr. Columbus, Mr. Modic and Mr. Viands. Teachers took two sets of doubles, the teams of Mr. Schlageter/Mrs. Autencio and Mr. Donahue/Mr. Tighe.

To learn more about St. Thomas More School and what it has to offer as a private boys boarding school click here.

George School Shares Green Efforts

June 17, 2008

A decade ago, George School changed its school colors to green and white, moving away from its longstanding buff and brown color duo. It was a prescient change.

The school went green on the athletic fields before it became officially green as an institution.

In September 2006, the school’s governing board, the George School Committee, set a goal to create policies to ensure that the school is following environmentally responsible practices in various areas from physical plant, to student life, to the curriculum.

In April 2007, articles about sustainability were featured in the school’s alumni magazine, the Georgian, and in August 2007, Head of School Nancy Starmer spoke eloquently about how young people challenged her to think about the topic of sustainability.

One of the first tasks of the new Environmental Sustainability Steering Committee (ESSC) that was launched in spring 2007 was to create a mission statement that would guide the work of the committee—a group made up of students, faculty, and staff—and the institution.

The students on the ESSC started sharing tips about sustainability on the school’s electronic bulletin board, Community News. One student suggested a website where classmates could check the College Sustainability Report Card to find out whether the college they were considering was committed to sustainability.

A co-clerk of the committee started installing weekly green tips on Community News with Myth Monday and Fact Friday contributions.

A staff member created a green bulletin board that featured green guidelines. A caption under a picture of one of the youngest members of the community urged students to compost: “Hey, if Milo can do it, everyone can.”

George School has been “green” since before green was green. The most dramatic case of sustainable reuse happened in the 1970s when the 1812 Central Philadelphia Meetinghouse was saved from destruction and moved thirty miles north of Philadelphia to be reassembled on the George School campus.

In 1980, the school built an Alternative Energy Center to show students how technologies such as solar and wind power, aquiculture, and organic gardening can contribute to the health of the planet.

In the 1990s, George School did a lighting study and retrofit that reduced campus energy needs dramatically.

In the 2007-2008 academic year, the Environmental Sustainability Steering Committee decided to track that year’s changes by creating both a short list of key changes and a running list of items that contribute to sustainability.

The committee also sponsored a green month of student activities in April 2008. In May 2008, the Class of 2008 celebrated the first green graduation.

To learn more about the George school click here.

Colorado Springs School's Homestay Program

June 17, 2008

The Colorado Springs School believes that diversity is essential in the development of lifelong understandings that serve a global society. Because of the global environment in which we live today and the experiential nature of ths school's program, international young men and women have chosen to attend The Colorado Springs School to pursue their educational goals. The school aims to sustain a school community where the human differences present in school and society are acknowledged and appreciated. Diversity is indispensable to the school as it builds knowledge, understanding, and respect for various people groups, ideas, and cultures.

The goal of the CSS Homestay program is to provide a caring, supportive, home-away-from- home environment for international students while they encounter the same academic and social challenges as their American peers. We also believe that immersing foreign students in the experience of American culture enhances their ability to be successful in the rapidly expanding global marketplace. At the same time, they richly contribute to the total educational experience of the American students enrolled in our rigorous college preparatory, experience-based curriculum.

Homestays are unique and rewarding experiences for the international student, host family, and the entire community at CSS. Participating in the Homestay Program creates lifelong skills for successful communication within a diverse community and serves to further international understanding.

The school's three and a half week Experience-Centered Seminars, offered each spring, provide further opportunities for both our American and International students to study together in our community, out of state, or in a foreign country and increase their global understandings.

To learn more about Colorado Springs School click here.

A typical day at the Phelps School

June 17, 2008

The Phelps School believes that activities beyond the classroom help to build character and self-confidence. All students are encouraged to take part in an after school project such as an organized team sport of an individual assignment under the supervision of a faculty member.

Daily Schedule

(Monday - Friday)

To learn more about the Phelps School, click here.

Fryeburg Academy Girls Softball team has had a great seas

June 17, 2008

The Fryeburg Academy Girls Softball team has had a great season! Regular season record 15-1 and they've won their first two play off games. They will be vying for the Western Maine Class B Softball Championship on Wednesday against Cape Elizabeth at Saint Joseph's College at 3:30 p.m.

To learn more about Fryeburg Academy and its sports click here.

Kimball Union Cyclists Aim to Change Lives of Kenyan Children One Mile at a Time

June 11, 2008

Peter Maher and Brian Moses Embark on Cross Country Fundraiser on June 1, 2008

Meriden, NH On June 1, 2008 Kimball Union students Brian Moses of Lebanon, NH and Peter Maher of Andover, MA left Anacortes, WA to begin a fundraising cycling trip that will take them across thirteen states and into two Canadian provinces, ultimately bringing them into Boston, MA 65 days later on August 4.

The “Bike for Kenya” team is on a fundraising mission in support of the Beverly School, a non-profit school that is being built near Niarobi, Kenya. The mission of the Beverly School of Kenya is to give hope to the economically disadvantaged children of Kenya, particularly the orphan children who will call the Beverly School their home. beverlyschoolofkenya.com

Peter and Brian have already raised $14,000 for the Beverly School but they hope to raise $500,000 in total. They are soliciting friends and family, corporations and sponsors, and even have video presentations on YouTube.

“Since I was young I have always been moved to help people, whether in the classroom, on the bike trail or in my role as a member of Meriden, NH’s Fire Brigade. I was first inspired to raise money for the Beverly School when one of my teachers challenged my class to raise $25 for a charity of our choice in a week. I chose the Beverly School, a project near to my heart, and in a week I managed to raise $1,000. It was then I realized that I could do more, and got the idea to do a cross country bike ride. Finding a partner was my next step, and I knew no one would make a better travel companion and fellow fundraiser than my friend and cycling teammate Brian Moses.”

Peter and Brian use every opportunity to raise awareness of their mission, taking their colorful Bike for Kenya banner to the races they compete in as part of KUA’s cycling team.

“Peter and Brian are pretty happy guys,” says their coach, Bill Farrell. “They’ve placed 1st and 2nd in nearly every race they’ve been in this year. They really are on a mission. The special skin suits they are wearing were donated by Claremont Cycle Sports, and they are actively seeking more sponsors everywhere they go … I expect by the time that they leave for their trip, there will be new uniforms with more sponsor logos than a NASCAR vehicle!”

“We are really proud of Peter and Brian,” said Head of School Mike Schafer. “They truly exemplify the value of ‘sound mind, sound body’ that is part of our culture here at Kimball Union. They are modeling a level of commitment to service that is an inspiration to our community and beyond.”

For more information on Bike for Kenya, visit: bikeforkenya.org

To learn more about Kimball Union Academy, click here.

A typical day at Lee Academy

June 11, 2008

The Morning:

Our school day begins with the voice of Mr. Faulkner and daily announcements. These announcements tell us about practice schedules, deadlines, achievements of fellow students, and other information. First period class begins at 7:55 am. Between periods 1 and 2 is a 20-minute homeroom when clubs and organizations meet.

Our classes are in 80 minute blocks and each student is scheduled for 6 class periods and 2 Learning Labs (more about these later), spread over two days. We meet for our first 4 classes on “Blue Days” and our other 4 classes on “Gray Days.” These days alternate, so that a particular class meets only every other day.

The first class of the day ends at 9:15, then we have a 5 minute break to visit with friends, get a snack at the student stores and prepare for the next class.

Lunch begins at 11:10 am, but not everyone eats at the same time. We have 2 lunch periods and each class goes to lunch at a designated time. Our lunches are at 11:10am, and 12:30pm. The Dining Hall is a renovated hunting lodge that dates to the early part of the last century. In good weather, we visit with friends outside and on the open porch.

After lunch every day during period 3, all students have Learning Labs. This is a time when we get individual and small group tutoring from teachers in academic areas where we really need the help. We also help each other, both formally and informally, with our course work.

The last academic class of the day begins at 1:05pm and ends at 2:25pm.

After school, there are student activities from which to choose. Seasonally, there are athletic teams, as well as craft and educational opportunities. You can see our course offerings and a partial listing of student activities by going to the Academics and the Student Activities pages of our site. After school activities are open to all students and they change, periodically, so there is a variety of experiences from which to choose.

During different evenings of the week, there are SAT prep courses, the library is open, driver education courses are offered, and tutoring is often available. There are also evening field trips to the University in Orono, the towns of Lincoln or Bangor, and the homes of friends and faculty.

A couple of special notes!

Every Wednesday during homeroom, students and staff meet in the auditorium for town meeting. During town meeting we acknowledge good school citizenship in students and staff and we share ideas and concerns about school life. Students are encouraged to be active in this meeting, both by asking questions, sharing stories, and praising the good work of others.

Students plan and help to run our Winter Carnival, our formal dances, and many other activities. If you enjoy being with friends and accomplishing goals that help make student life fun and enriching, we have many opportunities for you!

To learn more about Lee Academy, click here.

A typical day at Maine Central Institute

June 11, 2008

Daily Residential Life

After a hearty breakfast students begin the academic day that runs from 7:45 until 2:53. Everybody breaks for a 48-minute lunch in the dining room or two blocks away in the town of Pittsfield. At the end of the school day the co-curricular activities begin, with offerings to appeal to everyone's interests. The co-curricular program is an integral part of MCI life.

Classes are on a rotating class schedule with 10 periods from 7:45 a.m. to 2:53 p.m. The schedule continues to rotate for six days. There is a five-minute warning bell before homeroom and before the end of lunch, and a four-minute passing time between periods.

Dinner is held from 5:30 to 6:30 and is followed by study time from 7:00 to 8:30. From 8:30 until 10:00, on-campus activities are available. Parks Gym is open in the evenings and on weekends. Basketball, weight training, and intramurals are favorite choices.

Advisor Meetings will be held on Mondays and Thursdays. School meetings will be held on Wednesdays.

Weekend Residential Life

After a leisurely brunch, the campus springs to life on weekends. Options abound - sports activities and competitions; a bus trip to some of Maine's finest skiing areas; a trip to nearby shopping areas in Newport, Bangor, or Portland.

MCI requires residential students to attend at least two cultural events each quarter. Choices include our own campus offerings: our nationally renowned vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles as well as our world class Bossov Ballet Theatre. Students might choose to attend a Broadway show or international performance at the Maine Center for the Arts. Fine films are enjoyed at Maine's Arts and Foreign Film Theater in nearby Waterville.

The "Maine Experience" is another area of participation by our residential students. Hiking in the famed Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park, white-water rafting on the Kennebec River or Penobscot River, whale watching, and snowboarding down the Pinnacle are popular activities. Families across the United States plan all-too-brief vacations in Maine to share the experience that MCI students can enjoy each weekend.

MCI residential students can also experience the hospitality of our community by becoming involved in our Host Family Program. Students enjoy having "a home away from home" and joining with members of a local host family for weekend activities. This program is school-run and is available when school is in session. When school is closed, the host family program is also closed. When students sign up for a host family, they are committing to become involved with an American family throughout the school year.

For those students who do not want to become involved with a host family but need a place to stay during vacation, there are MCI Home Stays. This is a separate program and is in effect when school is closed. There are four school vacations during the school year when the residence halls are closed. MCI will arrange for a local family or the student's hosts family to provide room, board, activities and supervision for a student for a fee of $300 per vacation week or $40 per day for a shorter stay.

To learn more about Maince Central Institute click here.

Macduffie School in the local news!

June 10, 2008

In the local Springfield newspaper, a great article was written about the MacDuffie School.

In a report published in 2006, the National Commission on Education and the Economy predicted that for Americans to continue to enjoy their high standard of living, we need to educate our children according to new standards.

"Tough Choices or Tough Times" describes the skills needed by our youth as "a very high level of preparation in reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, science, literature, history, and the arts." Students will need to be comfortable "with ideas and abstractions; mathematical reasoning will be no less important than math facts," and "line workers who cannot contribute to the design of the products they are fabricating may be as obsolete as the last model of that product."

They will also need to function well in groups, to be "good at both analysis and synthesis, creative and innovative, self-disciplined and well organized, able to learn very quickly and have the flexibility to adapt quickly to frequent changes in the labor market."

The educational statistics for Springfield and Holyoke, unfortunately, seem to support the predictions of "tough times" ahead. What will it take to reverse the trends of ever higher teen pregnancy and high school drop out rates, of high school students who do not read and write at grade level, and of increasing rates of poverty, especially for minority families, which affect students' ability to learn?

My answer is small, rigorous schools.

As the head of the MacDuffie School, I see hundreds of young people every day who aspire to the highest academic and personal standards so they can enjoy the benefits of the American Dream that so many of them have come to believe in.

At MacDuffie, the only secular private school in Springfield for grades six through 12, the drop-out rate is zero, and 100 percent of our students are accepted into four-year colleges every year.

What is not well-known, however, is that nearly half of MacDuffie's students are young men. Nearly half of the student body receives some form of financial aid. And nearly half of the student body are students of color. Though the faces and pocketbooks of our student body have changed, the school now better reflects the face of the city of Springfield and the nation.

Why do students succeed at MacDuffie? Small class sizes and extremely dedicated teachers are part of the answer.

No students, however, come to us with a silver spoon in their mouths; nor do all come with highly honed academic or social skills. Yet a transformation takes place in all our students by the end of their tenures at our small school. Every teacher knows every student and vice versa - a powerful factor in their success.

At MacDuffie, students are taught to write and think critically, to tackle rigorous college-level courses, to explore arts and athletics, to extend themselves intellectually and socially, and are encouraged to find their personal passion. Because hard work is the norm, peer pressure may be to do homework for up to three or four hours daily, to help younger students or peers who may be struggling with a subject, or to join or start a club or activity as an outlet for energy and self-expression. Together, these positive influences help students succeed in a small community of learners, where they gain the confidence to succeed in the larger world of college and work.

My vision for Springfield is that more of our schools - and the charter schools seem to be a step in the right direction - will follow the small school model, will help students to excel and to overcome whatever obstacles they find in their lives.

And the fact is, there are thousands of jobs available right now in Springfield - especially in medical and technical fields - and thousands more jobs will become available as the baby boomers retire and as new technologies and new paradigms for work evolve in the coming decades. Worldwide there will be hundreds of thousands of jobs for skilled workers all over the globe.

My vision is that Springfield will make the tough choices now that will help our children avoid the otherwise inevitable tough times ahead. Kathryn P. Gibson is head of school at the MacDuffie School, Springfield.

Click here to read the article.

To learn more about the MacDuffie School click here.

CVCS Girls' Softball team - Aces on the field as well as in the classroom

June 10, 2008

The girls softball team at Capistrano Valley Christian High School has the highest GPA in the state. 3.72!!! They are California's Softball Academic Team Champions for 2007-2008. Congratulations to the girls!

To learn more about CVCS, click here.

PREMIERE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION GROUP ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

June 10, 2008

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools and Premiere Christian Education Group jointly announced today that they have now completed the legal process whereby Capistrano Valley Christian Schools will become part of Premiere Christian Education Group (PCE). For the last 35 years, Capistrano Valley Christian Schools (CVCS), a fully accredited JK-12 school in San Juan Capistrano, has been a ministry of Capistrano Valley Church. Recently the church congregation and leadership approved the transfer of the school to PCE to set the stage for future improvements at the school and for the establishment of a regional Christian high school. “We are quite proud of our 35 year association with CVCS as well as the thousands of the school’s outstanding graduates. We feel that this is the right time and PCE is the right group to guide the school for the next 35 years,” said Ellis Pitman, senior pastor at Capistrano Valley Church. “We are grateful for both the support and confidence placed in PCE by Capistrano Valley Church,” said Ted Shown, President of PCE, “and we look forward to an exciting future for the school and activities leading to establishing a regional Christian high school. We are pleased that a growing group of outstanding Christian leaders are joining us in support of our efforts.”

About PCE: Premiere Christian Education Group, a non-profit, non-denominational corporation, was founded in 2007 for the express purpose of expanding Christian Education. Founding members of PCE have a passion for Christian education and have formed an advisory board that includes Josh McDowell, Jim Burns and John Mark Reynolds. Additional information regarding PCE may be found on their website www.pcegroup.org

About CVCS: Established in 1973, Capistrano Valley Christian Schools is a fully accredited elementary, junior high and high school dedicated to providing a high standard of college preparatory education set within the framework of Christian instruction and example. Additional information on CVCS may be found on their website www.cvcs.org.

For a summary of Capistrano Valley Christian Schools and host family accommodation, please click here here.

Burr and Burton Juniors Qualify for National Merit Scholarship Semifinals

June 9, 2008

Burr and Burton Academy juniors Eliza Davis, Laura Donnelly, Alex Evanczuk, Dana Midura, Devin Midura, and Ellen Parent recently received notification that they were among the 50,000 highest-scoring participants out of over 1.5 million students who took the 2007 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. As part of this select group, they will advance to the semifinalist round of competition for the 2009 National Merit college scholarships. Out of this group, only 16,000 students will be named semifinalists, representing the top scorers in each state.

To learn more about Burr & Burton Academy and its academics, click here .

Stoneleigh-Burnham launches new website!

June 4, 2008

On May 20th, Stoneleigh Burnham School launched its new website. You can sign up for an RSS feed to be informed of the latest news and calendar updates from SBS, or simple peruse the multimedia gallery to view photos and videos of the latest campus events.

Check out the new website at www.sbschool.org

For an overview of this private school click here.

Hebron Academy's All-Stars

June 3, 2008

The success of Hebron Academy's varsity lacrosse teams this year, both boys' and girls', culminated in a record number of berths on their respective all-star teams.

On the boy's side, a total of five Hebron players and one alternate were selected to the annual East/West Prep School All-Star Game held at Moses Brown School last weekend, an all-time high for representation from one school. The players were CJ Estes, Marty Gallipeau, Joe Martin, Will Sandkuhler, and Greg Jacques, with Nick Costanzo serving as alternate goalie.

CJ was the high scorer on the day putting in three goals and one assist, and Marty Gallipeau had a strong day in the midfield with two assists. Leading the way on defense was Will Sandkuhler and Joe Martin, who played nearly the entire game.

For the girls, Hebron standouts KJ Forand and Katya Planson were tapped to play in the NEPSWLA All-Star game, with Sarah Markey serving as alternate. "KJ and Katya played well, and found the competition to be really intense," reports Coach Jessica Keeley. "It is an honor to be voted to this game and the girls really thought it was great to play with other serious players who will also be playing at the next level." "It is also incredible that Sarah Markey was voted as an alternate as a freshman. This really shows a lot of potential for her and the Hebron program."

GO LUMBERJACKS!

To learn more about the Athletics as well as other activities offed are at Hebron Academy, click here.

Maur Hill- Mount Academy's talented students

June 3, 2008

Below are some of Maur Hill Academy's students accomplishments this spring:

Congrats to the Golf team, as they captured the 2008 Big 7 title!

Congrats to the Science Club for taking 1st place honors at the Missouri Western Chemathon

Four MH-MA students took 1's at State for their instrumental presenations. A soloist clarinet, and a trio with a saxaphone, violin and clarinet. Great JOB!

To learn more about Maur Hill-Mount Academy click here.

St. Bernard Students competed in the Fourth Congressional District Art Competion.

June 3, 2008

St. Bernard Preparatory School students were honored with two first place and a second place finish at the Fourth Congressional District Art Competition recently held in Decatur, Alabama. Brigid Russell, a senior, won first place in drawing. Noah Osman, a junior, won first place in print while Thomas Schneider, a senior, placed second in print.

St. Bernard Art is taught by Ms. Mona Ivey who represented Cullman County's only participants. Ivey teaches at St. Bernard Prep and West Point High School.

Click here.

Marianapolis ESL Students Experience America in Philadelphia and NYC

June 3, 2008

ESL Students spent 5 days exploring historic Philadelphia and the sights and wonders of New York City this April vacation.

Among the sites seen were:

• Fairmont Park, the world’s largest urban landscaped park with over 5,000 acres and two million trees, and home to America's oldest zoo.
• Franklin Institute Science Museum, founded 175 years ago to honor Benjamin Franklin and advance the usefulness of his inventions.
• The historic waterfront district, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross' House, and much more.

In New York, the group lunched in Midtown Manhattan, toured Soho and Greenwich Village, saw the view from the top of the Empire State Building, visited Times Square, Central Park, Chinatown, saw a Broadway show, visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, shopped on Fifth Avenue, and more.

To see pictures from their trip, click here.

Click here to learn more about what Marianapolis Preparatory has to offer as a private boarding school.

Grammy award songwriter, Josh Kear visits The Webb School

June 3, 2008

Josh Kear is a talented songwriter who is knowledgeable about many aspects of the music business, so teacher Ralph Jones approached him in February about making a presentation to and conducting a question-answer session with Webb students. Josh was amenable and came to Webb on April 23. He performed two of his songs and then spent almost two hours speaking with a captivated group of students.

Jones met Kear when Kear was a student at MTSU in the 1990s and has stayed in touch with him since then. Kear has made his living as a songwriter for the past decade. Garth Brooks has recorded some of Josh’s songs, and last year Jimmy Buffet recorded Josh’s “Bama Breeze." He co-wrote “Before He Cheats,” which was presented to Carrie Underwood, who fell in love with the song and recorded it. Since then, the song has been nominated for several awards and won two Grammy awards in February 2008 for Best Song and Best Video.

To learn more about the Webb School and events on its campus click here.

St. Johnsbury Academy Teacher Initiated Into Women Educators Honor Society

June 2, 2008

St. Johnsbury Academy technical education teacher Lorayn-An Hayden has been initiated into Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional honor society for women educators.

Established in 1929, the Society’s goals include improving opportunities for qualified women at every level of education, and advancing the status of women educators by promoting the professional and personal growth of its members and excellence in education.

Membership is by invitation and is extended to women educators whose “distinguished contributions and achievements in the field of education and to their communities are identified as outstanding.”

Hayden’s teaching achievements include recognition as Career and Technical Student Organization Advisor of the Year for her role as advisor for the Academy’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter and Vermont National FBLA Advisor of The Year. She has also been honored with a place on the national FBLA organization’s Wall of Fame.

Hayden was recommended for membership by Academy mathematics teacher Nola Forbes, who also cited Hayden’s involvement in several community organizations, including the Lyndon Historical Society and Burke Community Club.

To learn more about St. Johnsbury Academy and its teachers click here.

Marvelwood School's beautification of the campus

June 2, 2008

On Thursday, May 15th, the entire Marvelwood community participated in campus-wide clean-up and beautification activities as part of the tradition of Skip Tucker Day.

Carl “Skip” Tucker was head of the school's maintenance department for several years in the early to mid-1990s, and organized and oversaw the relocation of the entire school from Cornwall to the Skiff Mountain campus. Skip was tireless in his dedication to making the school look great, continuing his efforts up until a few months before his death from cancer in 1996, at the age of 37.

Skip Tucker Day and the Skip Tucker Cup, awarded each year at graduation to that member of the community who is actively dedicated to the school and its mission and who takes consummate pride in his/her work, honor his memory and keep his spirit alive on campus.

To learn more about student activities at Marvelwood School click here.

Blue Ridge Holds An Experiential Earth Day

June 1, 2008

The entire Blue Ridge School community celebrated Earth Day on Tuesday. As part of the celebration, every student and faculty member participated in an outdoor activity. One group worked the low ropes course while keeping issues such as oil, plastics, the food and water supply in mind. Another group mountain biked under the guide of two members of the Bike Factory Race team. Other groups hiked on and off campus (some barefooted with Barefoot Tim), canoed and climbed. Mrs. Eareckson and Mrs. McKowen taught a yoga class. Several groups tested the water quality on campus with Robbi Savage of the Rivanna Conservation Society. Robbie brought test kits she helped develop with alumni parent David LaMotte and the LaMotte Company, which makes a wide array of water and soil test kits for the environment, commercial and pool markets. The program was spearheaded by senior Daniel Desenberg, who worked with Mr. Brown and Mr. LaVoie to pull the day of activities together as an independent-study project for his Advanced Outdoor Leadership class taught by Mr. LaVoie. “Earth Day relates to me because I use the environment every single day for things I enjoy, like mountain biking,” said Daniel.

“I was surprised at how well it went. I thought all the times and number of sessions would confuse people. In the beginning, people were skeptical, but it sounded like everyone had a good time. I heard very few complaints afterwards. I asked the guys to go into each activity with an open mind. I think they took my words to heart. I tried to put people in activities they had not tried before. The whole point was to get people exposed to the outdoors, and hopefully after I’m gone in 28 days someone will be inspired by what we did and will take on Earth Day next year.”

To learn more about the activities at Blue Ridge School and what is has to offer as a boys private boarding school, click here.

Lee Academy Girls Wear Pink To Raise Awareness About Breast Cancer

June 1, 2008

Lee Academy Girls Wear Pink To Raise Awareness About Breast Cancer

It's day four of the Eastern Maine High School Basketball Tournament in Bangor, class "C" teams taking center court today vying for a championship and in some cases helping to spread awareness of a deadly disease.

Earlier today the number two seed in the girls division came out on to the floor for warm-ups, clad in their brand new shooting shirts. While the Lee Academy Pandas had their sights set on beating Narraguagas, they were also showing their support for women who are in a battle for their lives. The new warm-up uniforms are black with a pink basketball and more importantly a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon. Senior Amanda Gifford came up with the idea two years ago Gifford's grandmother passed away after a lengthy fight with breast cancer. Gifford and her teammates say despite her illness, her grandmother was always in the stands ready to cheer on the Panda's. February is breast cancer awareness month and Gifford says she got the idea, from watching college basketball teams who have also joined the fight against cancer.

Amanda says "They wore all pink uniforms, of course we couldn't do that, but we wanted to make this year more meaningful, not just about basketball. We want to send the message, we're not just basketball players or athletes, we are in touch with things going on in the world." Gifford and her teammates say they plan to wear the shirts as long as their tournament run continues.

To learn more about Lee Academy and its students, please click here.

Lyndon Institute honors its students with college scholarships!

June 1, 2008

Honors Assembly Recognizes Academic and Athletic Achievement

More than $20,000 in college scholarships, prizes and awards went to nearly 50 members of the Lyndon Institute Class of 2008 at the school's annual Honors Assembly on Tuesday, May 20. Among those honored were Marcus Meyers, who received a National Merit Scholarship; Margaret Hilton and Logan who were recognized as the oustanding scholar/athletes; and Emma Gershun-Half and Aaron Millet for their academic excellence. Students were also honored for achievements in music, the visual arts, dance, theater, mathematics, social studies, the sciences, forensics, languages, technical education, and business.

To learn more about Lyndon Institute click here.

St. Andrew's-Sewanee teacher named "Teacher of the Future"!

June 1, 2008

Teasley Named "Teacher of the Future"

SAS art teacher Christi Teasley was recently named a National Association of Independent School's Teacher of the Future. Teasley, who was chosen for her demonstrated classroom innovation and leadership, will be one of 25 moderators for a new online teachers's discussion forum.

Teasley, an SAS teacher since 1989, is also a graduate of the school. She holds a B.F.A. in Textile Design and an M.A. (with honors) in Art Education from Rhode Island School of Design. At SAS she has been the driving force behind many of the school's hallmark programs, including the SAS Gallery, the visiting artists' program, the school's initial use of technology in the classroom, and the school's current environmental sustainability initiatives. Teasley's students frequently receive awards for their artwork and she has been recognized as an Outstanding Teacher by the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts. An accomplished fiber artist, Teasley's work has been featured in books and in exhibits nationally and internationally.

The Teachers of the Future program, funded through the E. E. Ford Foundation, is a new online community which will be inaugurated during the 2008-2009 school year. As an NAIS Teacher of the Future leader, Teasley will help to seed and moderate online discussion forums and post short educational videos in NAIS’s new teachers’ community and on TeacherTube.

To learn about St. Andrew's-Sewanee School's academic and what is has to offer as a private boarding school, click here.

Hawaii Preparatory Academy - Student Conference on Sustainability

June 1, 2008

Jenai S. Wall, chairman and chief executive officer, Foodland Super Market, Ltd., recently presented a check for $11,020 to Dr. Olaf Jorgenson, headmaster of Hawaii Preparatory Academy. HPA student representatives (center) also attended the check presentation held at the new 10,000-square-foot Foodland Farms gourmet market at The Shops at Mauna Lani.

HPA was the beneficiary of all proceeds raised from ticket sales and a portion of proceeds from grocery sales during Foodland Farms' grand opening event in January. The funds will be used for the upcoming Student Conference on Sustainability, to be hosted by HPA June 8-11, 2008. The event will gather students from around the Big Island to share what they are doing at their schools to promote sustainable habits and to generate ideas and possibilities for expanding their collective efforts.

To learn more about Hawaii Preparatory Academy click here.

Recreational running, a new activity at Miss Hall's School

June 1, 2008

A new spring sports offering aims to introduce MHS students to what could become a lifelong healthy habit. Recreational running made its debut last month alongside the traditional spring options of lacrosse, softball, and tennis and the noncompetitive offerings of fitness, movement and dance, and intramural games. “The emphasis will be on improving fitness, building confidence, and introducing girls to a lifelong sport,” said Director of Athletics Mercedes Pour. Malik Farlow ’94, Sarah Nix, and Matt Rutledge will coach the girls, who will get a seven-week introduction to the sport. “This was something that a number of kids asked for, and this unique rotation gives them a chance to see a number of their teachers as athletic role models,” Ms. Pour said.

Ms. Farlow has completed three marathons and started running during her freshwoman year of college. “I played field hockey, and long runs were part of the summer training program,” she said. “I realized that I really enjoyed running and have been doing it ever since. I am excited there is such interest from our students.” Dr. Nix started running about seven years ago. “I am excited to share my love of running with MHS students who may not have previously experienced the rewards of this activity,” she said. “For me, these include better physical and mental health. I feel better all-around with running as a part of my lifestyle.”

“I always used running to train for other sports when I was growing up,” said Mr. Rutledge, a runner since his teens and coach of MHS varsity cross-country. “It’s fun when girls discover a love for running, because you know you’re introducing them to a lifetime and lifestyle sport.” The season culminates in May with a 5-K race in Dalton. Good luck, girls!

To learn more about what other activities are offered at Miss Hall's School click here.

Saint Bernard students meet requirements for National Merit Scholarship

June 1, 2008

Three Saint Bernard Preparatory School students, who took this year's Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, met requirements to enter the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Kristin N. Meyer, John L. Odle and Nino C. Yutiamco are among the 50,000 students who have qualified for this program. About 16,000 students will be named National Merit Program Semifinalist, representing the top scorers in each state, and approximately 34,000 other high scorers will be commended for their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. Semifinalist and Commended Students in the 2009 program will learn of their standing in September.

"These students have been with us for three years, and we are pleased to see them achieve at this level," Headmaster Fr. Joel said. "They represent ten percent of our junior class."

Kristin Meyer of Bremen, Alabama, is the daughter of Ms. Mary Sullivan. While at St. Bernard, Kristin has been involved in many leadership programs such as the Model UN Vice-President; Cullman Youth Leadership; and Hugh Bryan Youth Leadership. Kiki, as she is known by her friends, has volunteered at the Bloomin' Festival, animal shelter, and sunshine center . Last summer she took a mission trip to Kenya as part of a cultural exchange program. She actively participates on the school's scholars' bowl team, basketball, volleyball, and softball team. Kiki is a member of Junior Classical League, Mu Alpha Theta, and National Honor Society.

John Odle is the son of Jack and Sheryl Odle of Birmingham, Alabama. During the course of John's three years at St. Bernard, he has been involved with Scholars' Bowl, Knights of the Altar, and the Junior Classical League. He has served the baseball team as captain, and was awarded the outstanding pitcher award his freshman year. He also plays basketball, football, and participates on the cross country team. John has many service hours for volunteering to teach baseball, mentoring students and working at the school’s annual Bloomin' Festival. He was awarded the Manga Cum Laude Award for his achievement on the National Latin Exam.

Nino Yutiamco is the son of Ronald and Eden Yutiamco of Boaz, Alabama. A leader, Nino has served as a floor supervisor in the residence hall at the school as well as a member of Model UN. He is currently the captain of the scholars' bowl team, and holds an office in the Pro-Life Club, and National Junior Classical League. He is captain of the cross country and tennis team. Nino was recently honored with the highest average in Anatomy and Physiology, Honors English and Pre-Calculus. Nino is community minded and has volunteered his time to assist with scholars bowl tournaments, confirmation retreats, and Bloomin' Festival. Nino also enjoys volunteering at the senior center.

Fr. Joel Martin said, "It is our hope that these students will take their St. Bernard experiences and project them into lives of leadership, service and success."

To learn more about Saint Bernard Preparatory School and its students click here.