June 2009 1791 Letter - Berwick Academy

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SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT OVER THE SUMMER I thought it would be fun to end the school year by hearing from someone other than me, so I invited the members of the “new” Support Services Department at Berwick Academy to assist with the writing of my June 1791 Letter. The department was created this year and is headed up by yours truly. Its members include Ben Hillyard, Lower School Academic Support Coordinator; Stacey Sevelowitz, Middle and Upper School Academic Support Coordinator; and Linda Gill, School Nurse. It is my hope that by bringing these professionals together and creating this new department, Berwick Academy can provide more coordinated and comprehensive medical, academic, and psychological support for your child during the school year. We know through years of experience that a happy, healthy child thrives academically. So, for my fi nal 1791 of the academic year, I posed the following question to each of the members, “What is one thing that you want Berwick parents to remember while enjoying summer vacation with their children?” As you will see, our responses are specific to our particular area of expertise. I hope you find the advice helpful! Ben Hillyard - Lower School Academic Support Coordinator Something to Think About Over the Summer – SUMMER LEARNING IS ESSENTIAL AND CAN BE FUN! First, let me congratulate the Lower School students on a wonderful year. This school year was packed full of opportunities for learning, development and growth from the first days of Kindergarten to the excitement and fear of moving up to the Middle School. The Lower School strives to develop an education foundation. Elementary School could be considered the mortar that connects future academic building blocks. It is the task of both the home and school environments to develop a foundation which is strong, adaptive and rewarding. So where does summer vacation fit into this complex formula? Should summer learning opportunities mirror the rigors of a day of school or should summer be about rest and relaxation? Let’s look at the research for a defi nitive answer. After a brief survey I found that some research states that only math computation regresses over the summer months. Unfortunately, other research states that summer regression is rampant and one of the main reasons for our diminishing United States achievement scores as compared to other industrialized countries. Still other research states that summer school is crucial to long term retention, fluency, and comprehension. To complicate things still further, there are theoretical grounds (Dewey, 1956) for supposing that children learn academic skills effectively outside school. If so, far from there being summer losses, there may even be summer gains (Wintre, 1986). It is unquestioned that children can grow emotionally, physically and academically in the summer. Well, this leads us back to the needs of the individual. I would argue that adapting the research to the individual needs is the art of teaching, but should be in collaboration with parents. Maintaining motivation is a fl uid dynamic and every technique does not help every child. I would conclude with these basic recommendations: • Ask your child’s teacher for recommendations. In the Lower School our homeroom teachers understand your child’s strengths, learning style, and specifi c challenges. • Break it down to its simplest form - require some but make it fun. The relaxed exploration of a beach or tide pool can lead to new discoveries and certainly learning. Learning happens in all aspect of their lives. Stacey Sevelowitz - Middle & Upper School Academic Support Services Something to Think About Over the Summer – AVOID BRAIN DRAIN! As the lazy days of summer approach, try to remember the old saying, “Use it or lose it!” Indulging in the temptation to do nothing over the summer to boost your brain power is a wasted opportunity! According to www.sharpbrains.com (a leading market research company focused on the brain fi tness and cognitive health market), a very repetitive and routine-driven life, lacking in novelty and stimulation, can lead to brain drain. Brain research shows that intelligence is not fixed as previously thought; rather, the brain continued on pg 16.. 12 1791 Letter ~ June 2009
Rachel Saliba SANDERS TO MAKE HISTORY Like music teacher Ms. Goyette who is credited for reinvigorating the Berwick Academy Orchestra in 1923, Stephanie Sanders will be establishing the fi rst Upper School Symphonic Band in 40 years. Following is a brief summary of the history of the Berwick Academy band up until the early 1970’s: 1833 – Music lessons, language, and calisthenics were “available at extra charge” for interested girls (only) who were enrolled at the South Berwick Female Seminary (the boys attended Berwick Academy in the same building). 1853 – The Mozart Sextet was started at Berwick and modern languages, music, drawing, painting and telegraphy were offered to girls and boys. It appears to be the first band at Berwick Academy. 1853 - 1921 – While it is diffi cult to determine the exact date the fi rst orchestra was formed, we know when it disbanded. According to the April 1923 edition of the student newspaper, The Hilltop Breeze, the first orchestra “dwindled down in members and spirit and disbanded in 1921.” 1922 – The BA Orchestra reorganized under Ms. Goyette with 9 students and 5 instruments – “cornet,” mandolin, violin, piano, drums. It played for assemblies, prize speaking contests, the senior play, commencement week, the Alumni Banquet and “all other public entertainments at the school.” 1923 Band in the Fogg Memorial Library - Ms. Goyette is the 2nd from the left in the second row. 1927 – The Mandolin Club was formed. 1927 in front of Fogg 1931 – The BA Orchestra started to play for events outside of BA including playing at the Odd Fellows Hall for the Women’s Club in South Berwick. The BA Marching Band became an important part of holiday parades in South Berwick. 1956 – The Last Berwick Academy Band disbanded. Photo from 1956 yearbook, The Quamphegan. Taken in the Fogg Memorial Library. 1791 Letter ~ June 2009 1957-1960’s – A Pep Band was started and mainly used for football games and pep rallies around a bonfire on the eve of important football games. Berwick Academy Pep Band at football bon fi re c1965 1965 Berwick Academy Pep Band 13
Page 1 and 2: June 2009 CLASS OF 2009 GRADUATION
Page 3 and 4: connection between home and work th
Page 5 and 6: As I write this month’s contribut
Page 7 and 8: Rob Quinn SPRING SPORTS SUCCESS ON
Page 9 and 10: PRESIDENT’S NOTES It is hard to b
Page 11: thank you to Peter Saliba, Ted Smit
Page 15 and 16: SPORT MVP COACH’S JV Softball Mon

June 2009 1791 Letter - Berwick Academy

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