berwick academy online campus store - coming soon!

October 2008BERWICK ACADEMY ONLINE CAMPUS STORE - COMING SOON!Look for the Berwick Academy Campus store on the website within the next few weeks!The link for the Berwick Store can be found under the “Community” dropdown section of the website menu.LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS, PLUS MUCH MORE IN OUR NEW ONLINE STORE!BerwickAcademySweatpantsalso availablein grayCan’t make it to the schoolduring store hours?Shop online!Alumni! Buy something foryourself to remember yourBerwick days.Berwick Athletics WindbreakerA convenient way topurchase holiday gifts!The online store willaccept credit cardpayments!Children’s Fleece HatsBerwick Academy Sweatshirtsalso available in grayLOOK FOR THE NEWBULLDOG LOGO ONSTORE APPAREL!www.berwickacademy.org1791 Letter ~ October 20081

As I paced through thewet grass, watching the dozens ofcompetitors warming up for one ofour rare home cross-country races, Irealized that this could never have beena sport for me. As an offensive linemanin high school and college, runninghas always been the “Brussels sprouts”of my athletic career - a necessary butdisdainful evil on the path to greaterathletic health. Left to my own devices,I tend to eat more cheeseburgers thanBrussels sprouts. The amount ofpacing and waiting for the athletesinvolved was equally unbearable tome; although, my sense of anxiety andanticipation was probably more acutethan that of our confi dent athletes.As a hazy mist sprinkled down overthe outfield of the baseball diamond,our competitors were off, launchedlike a tight formation of graceful birdssoaring south for the winter on a chillyautumn afternoon. Spectators trudgedto the upper fields like cattle, hoping tocatch a glimpse of the “loneliness of thelong-distance runner,” a phrase madefamous by British author, Alan Sillitoe.Our fearless racers darted in and out ofthe woods, circulating our fields withcalculated gait, and soon it was time toassemble on Fogg Field to cheer theirarrival to the finish line. Orange coneslined the field, guiding our athletes inlike Boeing 757’s ready to silence theirmighty engines after a transcontinentalfl ight. I expected to hear the sound ofupbeat cheering at the finish line, but Idid not expect to find myself chokingback tears.Long after the winners hadcrossed the finish line, I began toobserve individual battles along thisorange-highlighted home stretch.Two incidents nearly bowled me over.The fi rst was provided by Ian Wright,a sophomore on our team. He turnedthe fi nal corner onto Fogg Field,trailing a competitor by just a few feet.Suddenly, the crowd began to roar. Hiseyes glittered, head tilted to the side,and he clearly decided in some farawayinternal battleground that he wasgoing to pass the young man in frontof him. The crowd surged again andIan bore down, crossing the line withhis competitor nipping at his heels.The second moment came as I watchedthe same scene in reverse. Jo Fletcher,junior Berwickian, arrived on the samehome stretch with a competitor ather heels. Again…the crowd. After aquick sideways glance, Jo appeared togarner a complete understanding ofthe situation as her adversary beganto accelerate. Her brow furrowed,and something deep inside seeminglydecided that being passed at thefi nal hour was simply unacceptable. Ihave no idea whether her placementhad signifi cant impact on the finaloutcome of the competition; but, inthis microcosm of the world in which Iwatched, a student dug into a reserve ofmental toughness that brought forth awave of emotion for me, the spectator.Needless to say, Berwick crossed theline fi rst in this little battle as well.All of this caused me torefl ect this month on the nature ofcompetition. Often, as educators andparents, we worry about the highlydocumented negative influences ofcompetition. I agree that these concernsare justifi ed in many cases. However,there is something remarkable aboutwatching our young people learn whatit means to be resilient and to watchthem seemingly create their ownpersonal definition of what it meansto be mentally tough. Surely, this is asimportant as anything we teach on theHilltop.I will segue here to speak ofnew plans for Middle School basketballthis winter. During our search for anathletic director last year, concernswere raised as to whether we wereoffering an appropriate competitiveexperience within our Middle Schoolathletic program. Let me first say thatparticipation will always remain ourfocus within the Middle School and JVprograms at Berwick. One of the greatvalues of a private school experience isthe opportunity for all to participateon the athletic fi elds. Furthermore, theMiddle School and JV programs werecertainly a great source of pride on anumber of levels last year. Historically,we have subscribed to a philosophy ofconstructing our Middle School teamsexclusively based on grade, withoutconsideration of skill level. We haveonly asked younger players to “playup” when numbers have forced us to doso. There is sound reasoning in havingour Middle School classes play withtheir peers; there are social lessonsand opportunities for leadership thatabound in this model. A downsideto this approach, however, is that weoften see players of wide skill levelstrying to compete on the same teams.Furthermore, our Middle School teamsoften compete against teams whohave players from a range of differentgrades. I believe it is important that ourathletes have a competitive experience– more accurately, and experiencethat engenders “healthy competition.”While I certainly do not have a goalof winning every game at the MiddleSchool level, I do not believe that itis a great learning experience for ourathletes to be constantly overmatchedeither. The reality is that in some2 1791 Letter ~ October 2008

Middle School sports, we have beenfairly successful, while in others wehave struggled mightily. As with mostaspects of education, we fi nd ourselveswalking a balance while we strive toachieve excellence in all that we do.As a pilot program, we willoffer “Blue” and “White” teams to ourseventh and eight grade basketballprograms this winter. This philosophymimics our JV philosophy in theUpper School, where we attempt toplace players of comparable skill levelson the same teams. This means thatseventh and eighth grade basketballwill now involve a brief tryout period,and students will be placed on the teamthat is deemed appropriate for theirskill level. The hope is that this willallow our coaches to teach skills at theappropriate level for both teams, whilestill maintaining a primary emphasison participation and sportsmanship.Rob Quinn, our new Athletic Director,and I readily admit that there couldbe a few individual disappointmentsfor students and parents in this newscenario. However, we also believe thatthere are good lessons to be learned indealing with adversity, and we certainlypromise to manage this new processwith great care and support, as westrive to do in all areas of school life atBerwick. We plan to survey the studentsabout their experience at the end of theseason, and will then consider whetherto expand this concept to other sportsnext year, as we look to build anexemplary K-12 athletic program.I believe that we do aspireto a sense of healthy competition atBerwick. If what I witnessed on FoggField with our cross country team isany indication, we are well on our wayto achieving this worthy goal.IMPORTANT SAFETY INITIATIVESMany of you are aware howcommitted I am to augmenting safetyon the Hilltop. After a successfulreview of our protocols through oursafety subcommittee last year, weare continuing to forge ahead oncritical campus initiatives. I havebeen so encouraged by our progressthus far. Our Buildings and GroundsCommittee will consider emergencycommunications solutions this year inthe hope of installing a system next fallthat will allow us to communicate moreeffi ciently in the event of an emergency.The entire faculty is pushing ahead onprocedures, so that next fall we will beable to utilize this new infrastructure toits fullest potential.At the beginning of the schoolyear, we began creating ICS responseboxes in BD and in all three divisions toassist us in the event of an emergency.These boxes contain all of the criticalinformation and supplies that any policeor fi re response team might need in theevent of a campus emergency. Wecontinue to refi ne campus supervisionand attendance procedures to remainaccountable for the location of studentsas much as possible on an admittedlycomplex campus. We are also runningfi re drills during times that could proveproblematic, such as assembly, lunch,etc.Please note that beforeThanksgiving, Berwick will bepracticing its first iteration of alockdown procedure in all threedivisions. Although we would like tothink of our bucolic campus as immuneto any emergency or intruder, it iscritical that we are proactive on thiskind of initiative. These proceduresare mandated for public schools in thestate of Maine. Three separate drillswill be run by division during the weekbefore Thanksgiving. This messagewill be communicated to our parents1791 Letter ~ October 2008and students, so that no one will besurprised by these initiatives. Werecognize how sensitive we need to bein communicating with our studentson these procedures, particularlyin the Lower School; however, it iscritical for us to move forward on thisproject, both for our own accreditationprocess and for peace of mind. Afterwe review the results of this first effort,we will likely implement a campuswidelockdown at an appropriate timein the spring. Plans are in the works forother necessary projects, like reverseevacuations (bringing our studentsin from the fields, for example) andconsiderations for a shelter-in-placescenario (to keep our students oncampus for an extended period oftime.) Do not hesitate to contact yourdivision director or me personallyshould you have any concerns aboutthese initiatives.CORE VALUES UPDATEAt this point, the draft of thecore values is available on the Student,Parent, and Alumni portals and thereare blogs posted for input from allconstituents. I have been impressedwith the feedback from our studentsthus far, and my wheels are alreadyturning for the next iteration of thisexciting project. We have timedour rescheduled “Open Forum” forOctober 21 at 7:15 p.m. in Jeppesen,which will run parallel to some of thecollege programming we are offeringthat same evening. The Open Forum isopen to any interested parents, alumni,or friends of BA.LONG RANGE PLANNING SURVEYAll parents will receive anextensive electronic survey from theBoard of Trustees as we begin theprocess of generating the next versioncontinued on page 15...3

Peter SalibaDear Friends,I am hopeful that when youread this, our new snack bar willhave just opened with great fanfareand success! This project started inearnest more than a year ago, led bySam Briggs, last year’s Student BodyPresident. When Greg Schneider andI read the proposal, we were swayed byboth its logic and passion. Somehow,the Academy found the money andthe sound of saws and jackhammersfi lled Fogg this summer. During theconstruction, the contractors founda variety of items, including severallumps of coal. This intrigued me,and as we prepared to transform ourbeloved “Pit,” I started to uncover someinteresting tidbits about the space.The space being used for thecurrent snack bar is on the lower levelof Fogg, and when the building wasfi rst opened, the main entry to thebuilding was on the lower level. Ifyou had entered the building in 1894through the door closest to the currentdriveway, you would have seen a verydifferent space. There was a receptionarea to your left, but beyond that, thearea was open, and used for instructionin “light gymnastics.” Yes, you couldstretch out and limber up in “The Pit,”and all Academy students were requiredto participate. To help with rhythmand to perhaps pass the time, Berwickprovided a piano and dumbbells foruse in this “gymnasium,” which I’msure added to the atmosphere in LowerFogg.In the late 1930’s, the spacewent through a metamorphosis whenit became the locker facilities for ourboys’ athletic teams. Although the arearetained an athletic focus throughoutthe mid-20th century, it started to takeon some other roles. The Academy’sfi rst radio station occupied part ofLower Fogg, which was a lowerpower AM transmitter which had abroadcasting radius of a whopping fourmiles!Beginning in approximately1960, new science labs were addedto the space in order to allow for theexpansion of our student body andour program. Continued growthand the move to a boarding programnecessitated the building of theCommons, and the relocation of thescience facilities to the other side ofcampus provided another chance totransform Lower Fogg. This time,the space was dedicated as a loungeand locker space for our day students.In 1979, during the Academy’s fi rstcapital campaign, a generous gift fromVirginia May allowed the school toundertake a major renovation to LowerFogg. In the 1980’s, spaces for thecollege counseling staff and the UpperSchool Director were added, and thisbasic configuration continues to servethe Upper School to this day.Through my research, I neverreally found out with certainty whatthe coal was used for, but I can guessthat it was the fuel we used to heat thebuilding. I did fi nd out that the LowerFogg area has been used for a varietyof things, and I’m sure that 100 yearsfrom now, it probably won’t be a snackbar. Although the uses of the spacehave been quite varied, they alwayshave focused on the needs/wants of ourstudents. It is still in that same spiritas we move forward with this latestchange to this historic building.Warmly,THE BULLDOG BLOG HAS RECRUITEDCAMPUS BLOGGERS!http://berwickacademy.blogspot.com/Look for updated blog entries every week:The Bulldog Blog is moderated. Yourcomment will be sent to Tracey viae-mail and then posted. To get to theBulldog Blog, look for a link to theBulldog Blog from our homepage, andfrom the school portal.MONDAY - LOWER SCHOOLTUESDAY - ARTSWEDNESDAY - MIDDLE SCHOOLTHURSDAY - ATHLETICSFRIDAY - UPPER SCHOOL4 1791 Letter ~ October 2008

The month of October findseach of us examining safety in ourown division. Clearly, the greatestresponsibility of a school is to assureparents that their children are safefrom harm. For nearly all of thecircumstances that I can conjure at thiswriting, providing safety becomes anactive and collaborative endeavor forthe adults. At the Middle School, wehave begun to anticipate some of thethreats to safety that could occur, andeven some that are so unlikely that theyevoke large fears among both adultsand children. Despite our reluctance toface those fears, we will work hard thisyear to practice drills that are intendedto keep students safeFire drills are the mostcommon, and therefore, the leastfrightening drills. It is my intention toprovide situations where students maybe accounted for by faculty membersif and when we must evacuate theClement building. Currently, we havea system that is smooth and understoodby all. We can account for children’swhereabouts using a series of schedules.Lunchtime is perhaps the most likelytime when a real fire could occur, forthe kitchen is the place where mosthome fires begin. Should we need toevacuate the Commons, we have a planthat has been tested and updated.Fires are frightening, but notnearly as frightening as the thoughtof a malevolent intruder intent onharming faculty and children. All of theBerwick community would probablyagree that even to consider an intruderscares the wits out of us. We need toproceed cautiously in examining safetymeasures, for the harm that could bedone immediately is to raise such alarmamongst the students that they are lefttroubled and anxious. Before we beginsuch drills, we shall carefully craftboth our statements to the studentsand our procedures. With time andwith practice, the preparation for anunthinkable event can be normalizedin the way that fire drills have becomea normal expectation among schoolchildren.Evacuating 200 children plusanother 25 adults to a safe location inthe event of a severe weather event orother catastrophe has been the focus ofan annual drill held in November. Wewill keep parents informed of the typeof drill we will practice this year.Feeling safe is an essentialelement among human needs. Inmany American schools, the freedomto walk unharmed between buildings,to fi nd a place to eat lunch, and tocommunicate via personal or electronicmeans is assumed, and yet for somany children, the emotional safetythey deserve is interrupted by peerswho tease and bully. The cripplingimpact of constant harassment canimpact academics, sleep, and eating.For those of us in schools who arededicated to ending bullying, the mostcommon obstacle is the absence ofreporting by the children or the family.Fear of retribution in the workplacefi nally yielded the “Whistler BlowerProtection” legislation. Fear of reprisalhas led the government to create the“Witness Protection Program.” Yet, thetrust in schools to forthrightly mete outconsequences has lagged far behind. Ihope that you had the opportunity tojoin our community for Dr. Elizabeth1791 Letter ~ October 2008Englander’s presentation on bullyingon the evening of October 7. Wehave also begun to address the trainingneeds of children with the assistance ofthe Kieve Foundation. Central to allis the need to build alliances amongpeople. No bystander is innocentif she does not intervene to help anally. It is through the determined anddeliberate actions of those who makeup a community that we will bringabout changes in the lives of childrenat school.As adults, we also need to taketime to examine the ways in which wemodel the behaviors we wish to see ourchildren adopt. Whether it is behindthe wheel of a car or in response toa telemarketer on the phone, ourchildren are watching our behaviors.Our words and our actions may becopies of the models we have hadin our lives. At school, we have anagreement to be the models of reason,considered actions, and moderationthat we hope our students will mimic.It is through an open commitmentto peaceful resolution that we makeefforts to bring about compromiseswhen disputes among students arise.Peaceful adults, however, still need toassign consequences for rules that havebeen broken. We occasionally need todraw a clear line beyond which we willnot tolerate misbehavior. Promotingcompromise and safety does not meanthat serious offences are not dealt withon a serious level including suspensionfrom school, appearance before theHonor Committee, or behavioralprobation. These consequences areconfi dential between the family andthe school. Nonetheless, we imposecontinued on page 14...5

Elementary educatorsroutinely develop age-appropriatecurricula that enhances their students’conceptual growth. This translatesinto promoting experiences that helpstudents move from a concrete levelof understanding to greater abstractawareness within an area of study. Aconcrete to abstract transition alsosupports our student life (social)curriculum, which is based on kind,safe, and honest practices—attributesthat Lower School students connectwith on a daily basis. Grounded inthese foundational values, students arethen better able to appreciate respect,responsibility, and the golden rule asthey mature through our division andbeyond.Kind, safe and honest ideals alsoform the foundation of our CommunityCompact. In order to help the childrenbetter understand the Compacts ata concrete level, I introduced theseideals to our students during our early-September assemblies. I built on thisapproach by going into each classroomto make presentations connecting theCompact with behavioral expectations.Next, the students took their individualCompacts home with them in order todiscuss them with their parents. TheCompacts were signed by studentsand parents and returned to school forhomeroom teachers and me to sign.Finally, the Compacts were placedin classroom binders and returned tothe homeroom teachers at a recentmorning assembly ceremony. (Byvirtue of their age and their collectivefi rst-year experience at Berwick, thekindergarten students handled thisprocess in a slightly different mannerwith their teachers—by developingclassroom promises and then sharingthese within their classroom communityand at home with their parents.)It is natural that safety is akey Lower School focus. From recesssupervision, to lunch table oversight, toopen discussions with students, safetyis an integral part of the school daythanks to our teachers’ efforts. In thelast several weeks, we have practicedfi re safety drills from our building andfrom the Commons cafeteria. Firesafety drills, however, are not the onlydrills we practice within the LowerSchool. Four years ago in the fall,I remember writing a Weekly entryto parents about our first attempt ata school-wide evacuation drill. Apotentially-sensitive topic at the time,it was essential to prudently introduceour students to this new procedure. Atthe time, we referred to this as a “safetydrill” with our students—knowing thatthe idea of walking across campus tothe Upper School parking lot would benovel and potentially unnerving. Thecampus evacuation plan went smoothlyand has since become an annual safetyevent.With the leadership of a crossdivisionaladmin/faculty/staff safetycommittee, we are now preparing fora new safety drill—a classroom safetydrill that would occur should facultyand students need to remain in theirclassrooms due to a potential safetyconcern. While this would generally bereferred to as a lockdown procedure—we will refer to it as a classroomsafety drill with our Lower Schoolstudents. Besides the above-mentionedcommittee, we have also discussedthe lockdown procedure at the adminand divisional levels. Ultimately, allthree divisions are working on theirresponses and procedures around thisdrill. Our goal is to make the procedureas uniform and streamlined as possibleacross divisions, while also allowing forvariations given the differences in ageand awareness of our students.We have recently formed aLower School committee comprisedof Amy Criswell, Shanlee Ginchereau,Terry Minihan, Mark Summers, KellyWilliams, and me. Collectively, wehave noted the importance of beingproactive around the need for thesetypes of drills regardless of schoolstatus—independent or public. Weanticipate building on a classroomcrisis response plan that continuesto make priority the safety of allstudents and adults. The classroomsafety drill will occur on one of theweekdays just prior to Thanksgivingvacation. From my perspective, theessential conversation prior to thedrill will involve discussions betweenhomeroom teachers and their studentsin age-appropriate terms, followedby potential follow-up discussions athome. As we make progress around thefi ner details of timing and approach,we will keep Lower School parentsdirectly informed through the Weeklynewsletter and a direct Lower Schoolmailing. In the meantime, please feelfree to be in touch with any questionsor thoughts.6 1791 Letter ~ October 2008

Rob QuinnSUPPORTING THE INJURED PLAYERIn every athletic season thereis inevitably a player that becomesinjured and can no longer participate.As discouraging as this is for theyoung athlete, it is important theystay involved with the team. It is alsocritical for the teammates to keep theinjured player feeling connected andstill part of the team. Coaches needto keep this athlete involved by findinga new role for the injured athlete thatwill allow him to still feel a part of theteam eventhough he cannot activelyparticipate on the field, court or ice.Coaches and the injured player areencouraged to work together to definea new role of interest that will serveall members of the team in a positiveway. It is easy for an injured athlete tobecome discouraged or complacementif they cannot participate for longperiods of time; however it is importantto remember that as a team memberyou must do as much as you can tostay involved and support your healthyteammates. Some tips to stayinginvolved and helping yourself include:attending practices/games as much aspossible, participate in practices andgames by listening and learning fromgame situations, continue to lift weightsor cardiovascular training if you areable (or otherwise keep yourself ashealthy as you injury will allow).BULLDOG GOLF CLASSICThe weather was spectacularfor the 18th Annual Bulldog GolfClassic that featured the participation ofnearly 80 golfers, including 17 alumni;everyone enjoyed the opportunityto gather, golf, and meet new peopleand/or reconnect with classmates. Aspecial thank you to so many peoplewho made this event successful. GolfCommitttee advisors Cider Berry andMeghan Clement; Boosters membersTerri Atwood, Lisa Harris, Jim andDiane Wheeler, Steve Grenier, ChrisNichols, Rick Woodworth, SteveJankins, Joyce O’Day, Chris Warnick,Adriana and Craig Solomon, MarlaKatz, Randy Kinzly, Andy Lathrop,and Marilena Canuto. Your work istruly the backbone that made thisevent a reality.We would also like torecognized the parents that participatedin this event who came out to play golfand support our athletic programs.Upper School parents: Ken Linseman,Steve Jankins, James Dolan, JohnMacFarlane, Kevin Reinhardt, RonSiegel, Jay McFarland, Neal Wittet,John Zannos, Mike Clair, Marc Saulnier,Jimmy Wheeler, Steve Grenier, andBob Harris. Middle School parents:John MacFarlane, Andrew Siegel, JayMcFarland, Mike Claire, Chris Grassie,and Richard Salvati. Lower Schoolparents: Vic Sunshine, Brooke Storey,Thomas Hourihan, Chip Gudette,Nickie Gaudette, and Scott Knightly,Special thanks to our studentathletes who came to the course early inthe morning before school to welcomeour guests and carry their golf bagsto the assigned carts. Aaron Harris,Greg Galvin, Chris Atwood, GrantKokernak, Nick Saulnier, Owen LaBrie,Jordan Sanford, and DJ Woodworth,job well done!Finally, a tremendous thank you toour sponsors whom we would like torecognize below:1791 Letter ~ October 2008CART SPONSORJohn M. O’DayTOURNAMENT PRIZE SPONSORAtlantic SportswearMASTERS SPONSOREastern Propane & OilPGA SPONSORWells Fargo Insurance ServicesBudell ConstructionBEVERAGE CART SPONSORSAtwood Carpentry, Lago’s Ice Cream, RyeBREAKFAST SPONSORSHilton Garden Inn, Portsmouth,Packard Family, Hewlett Packard, WasteManagementU.S. OPEN SPONSORSFlynn, Riedel, & Young, Inc, NorthwoodElectric, Inc., Ronn and Parker Wooley,Galley Hatch Restaurant, Mills Family,Quinn Family, Nike, Springer Family,Brock’s Building Materials & Flooring,Somersworth Nissan, Eric and Marla Katz,Bunny Clark, Diverse Networks, LLC,DB’s Baseball Academy, Stage Neck Inn,Meridian Builders, Mick Construction,Millerick Family, Collins Sports, SportsMedicine Atlantic OrthopaedicsTHE COLLEGE-BOUND ATHLETEPlease join us on Tuesday,October 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the BaldwinWhipple Arts Center for an informationsession regarding the college-boundathlete. This presentation will help ourstudent-athletes navigate the collegesearch process. The program will includeevaluation opportunities, contactingcollege coaches, citizenship, and thecollege visit process. All athletes andparents are welcome.continued on pg. 14...7

you gotta have ArtsARTS BOOSTERSArts Boosters Variety Show - New DateThis annual Art Boosters fundraiser has been re-scheduled for Friday,November 21, 2008, in the arts centertheater. The proceeds from this eventwill benefit the visual and performingarts at Berwick Academy. Faculty andstaff members representing all threedivisions will present their performancepiece in the theater beginning at 7:00p.m. Please come and enjoy a nightfi lled with song, laughter, comedyand maybe a little magic in the fallair. Admission is $10.00 for adultsand $5.00 for students or $25.00 forfamilies. There are no reservations,and admission is at the door on a fi rstcome, first served basis. We hope tosee you there.HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTIONSA number of serious UpperSchool visual artists and musicianswill be inducted into the National ArtHonor Society and the Tri-M MusicHonor Society during a reception inthe Commons Dining Hall at 5:30p.m. on Thursday, October 30. Lightrefreshments will be available for theinductees and their guests during theceremony.DRAMAThe fall drama production,Arms and the Man, will be presented bythe Upper School Drama Departmenton Friday and Saturday, October 24 and25. The cast includes Sarah Bakman,Danny Bottino, Dan Kleinmann, KyleLanzit, Emily Lorei, Jibran Malek,Katy Squicciarini, and Ian Wright.Sarah Koallick is the assistant director.Hannah Davis and Nell Simon areworking with faculty members PollyDavie and Brad Fletcher on costumesand props. Christine Bessette hastechnical assistance in lighting andsound from Jim Maddock, PeterWituszynski, George Horrocks, TylerHarley, Douglas Jansheden, and AdamKane. Lynne Gass will supervisemakeup and Dana Clinton will handletickets. “To the best of my knowledge,this is the first time we’ve staged oneof George Bernard Shaw’s plays at BA,”said Liz-Anne Platt, director, adding,“I am so pleased with the focus andintensity that everyone is bringing tothis comic masterpiece. It’s clearly oneof the more diffi cult works we havetackled and the cast is more than risingto the challenge.” Curtain is at 7 p.m.both nights in Fogg Memorial, on thethird floor. Tickets are $5.00 for adults,$3.00 for students, and will be availableat the door on a fi rst come, fi rst servedbasis. For more information, please bein touch with Mrs. Platt atlplatt@berwickacademy.orgVISUAL ARTSNational Portfolio DaySeveral students will travelto Boston to have their portfoliosreviewed and critiqued by admissionsrepresentatives from art schools andstudio programs at national universities.The event is hosted this year by theArt Institute of Boston at the MarriotCopley, and is open to all interestedstudent artists. It occurs Sunday,November 9, 2008.WINTERFESTWinterfest AuditionsJanuary 8, 13, and 15, 2009It is not too early to begin thinkingabout Winterfest 2009. The auditionswill take place the fi rst two weeks afterwe return from the winter holidaybreak. We continue to look upon theauditions as an educational experience.Last year, sixty-fi ve individualperformers or groups auditioned.The fi nal selection of twentytwoperformers was very diffi cult.Winterfest 2009 will represent our“One School” philosophy. Therefore,Berwick students in kindergartenthrough grade twelve who excel in theirperforming arts concentration mustsubmit a recommendation for auditionform signed by their performingarts instructor in early December tosign up for a fi ve-minute auditiontime slot. Students will be informedof their assigned audition time thefi rst week in January. Auditioningbefore a jury is a competitive process,therefore, performing arts studentsare encouraged to prepare earlyand thoroughly for the Winterfestaudition days in January. Because ofthe numerous students auditioning,each student may audition only once,either as a solo performer OR part ofa group. If selected, each student mayperform ONLY as accepted by audition.Everyone must decide exactly whatthey will perform prior to the audition.Please note that Winterfest 2009 willtake place on Friday, January 23, at7:00 p.m. with a snow date plannedfor Sunday, January 25, at 2:30 p.m.Any student interested in signing upfor an audition should check withparents to determine if they have anyconfl ict with the performance date orthe snow date. Please contact DelorisWhite dewhite@berwickacademy.orgif you have any questions regardingthis process.8 1791 Letter ~ October 2008

PRESIDENT’S NOTESThanks to the many volunteerswho helped make the busy first six weeksof school a little easier for everyone.BAPA has already supported overtwenty events and activities including,parent coffees, Picture Day, 1791mailings, a reception in Portsmouthat the Hilton for Rob Quinn, MiddleSchool team-building trips and socials,Upper School wilderness trips, gradefour Seacoast Science Center trip,BAPA garden, Innisbrook Fundraiser,Upper School magazine sale, andmore. We want to thank everyonewho helps, whether it is by supportingour fundraisers or by volunteeringtheir time. We cannot do what wedo without you. Everyone makes adifference when they volunteer, sothank you very much. There are moreevents coming up, so please look at theportal for BAPA updates and news, andalso look in the weeklies for volunteeropportunities and events in yourchildren’s divisions.BAPA Social at the HiltonThank you to all the parentswho were able to attend our social atthe Hilton. It was nice to meet newparents as well as Rob Quinn, our newDirector of Athletics. I also want tothank Greg Schneider, Joel Hawes,Peter Saliba, and Deloris White whobraved a rainy night to mingle with theBerwick community. A special thankyou goes to Elsa Koallick who arrangedthe whole evening and made it such asuccess.Magazine SalePlease remember to supportthe magazine sale, still in progress, tobenefi t the Junior and Senior Prom.Lost and FoundHave you checked out the Lostand Found lately? By this time of theyear our precious children have usuallylost something. If you cannot fi nd araincoat or that favorite sweatshirt lookin the Commons (lower level). Thanksto Shareen Doucet, the Lost and Foundis nicely organized. Please rememberto label your children’s clothes to helpidentify items.BAPA BOARD OPENINGS FOR 2009-2010The BAPA Board is alreadylooking ahead to next year. If you areinterested in getting involved in theBAPA leadership and would like to beconsidered for a position, please submityour name along with the position orpositions you are interested in, to myattention, via email or letter (mail tothe Academy, Attention BAPA,) byFebruary 2009. The openings for nextyear are: Lower School Coordinator,Middle School Coordinator, UpperSchool Coordinator, School Treasurer,General Treasurer, Auction Chair(s),Communications, New ParentCoordinator, and Vice President.BAPA GardensI want to thank Jeff Hazenand Kristin Wiese Adelman for takingon the BAPA gardens. We reallyappreciate your time and energy.Jean Jarvis, jean.jarvis1@verizon.netBAPA PresidentAUCTION NOTES: SAVE THE DATE!This year’s BAPA Auction isSaturday, April 25, 2009.1791 Letter ~ October 2008Thank you to the parents whocame to our first auction meeting. Itwas very successful and wonderful tosee old friends and meet new ones.We still have many opportunities forparents to help and there are many waysto do so – whether you have a few daysa week or are able to make a regularcommitment to help the AuctionCommittee. We would welcomeyour support. For those parents whoare new this year, the BAPA Auction isour largest fundraiser of the year andsupports the entire BAPA budget ofapproximately $99,000. These moniessupport enrichment and social activitiesfor all students in each division. Theauction is held in the blue gym and istransformed into something that youhave to see to believe! Our next auctionmeeting will be Friday, November 14 at8:30 a.m. – we hope to see you there.We are very close to choosing our logo!Check the portal soon to see “GoingPlaces.”Nickie Gaudette,fl ysolo@metrocast.netJane Hourihan,janehourihan@verizon.netAuction CoordinatorsTREASURER’S REPORTMonthly BAPA Support9/6/08-10/6/08Lower SchoolKindergarten fi eld trip Music Man $125.00Total Lower School $125.00Middle SchoolLowell National Park, Grade 5 $560.00Fall Social Dover Ice Skating, Grade 5/6continued...9

Fall Social Dover Ice Skating,Grade 5/6 $474.25DJ for Fall Social, Grade 7/8 $350.00Total Middle School $1,384.25Upper SchoolDJ for dance $250.00Pizza for magazine sale $41.00Total Upper School $291.00Total BAPA Support $1,800.25Amy Gaynor,agaynor@roadrunner.netSchool TreasurerLOWER SCHOOL NEWSThe past month has flown byin the Lower School! We started offthe beginning of the school year withSchool Picture Day and Back-to-Schoolnights for grades K-4. New friends andold have settled in to the routines of anew grade and new teachers. It seemsnow that that first day is almost a distantmemory. The Lower School celebratedthe Tenth Day of School with thetraditional Tenth Day Assembly anddress-up day.The Lower School was unableto have the much anticipated FieldDay on September 27 due to rain andmore rain that weekend, but a modifiedfi eld day is being planned on Friday,October 24 at 5 p.m. just prior to thePot Luck.All grades have either had orwill be having their Back-to SchoolParent Nights Out within the next fewweeks. Thank you to all the familieswho have coordinated these efforts.Ms. Minihan is offering a new club thisyear, called Lower School Kids Club.More than 55 talented actors andactresses are now learning the songs ofthe Upper School production, Oliver.Kids Club meets Tuesday afternoonsfrom 3 - 5 p.m. until December break.The children will be a part of thechorus in the production of Oliver inFebruary. Thank you, Ms. Minihan, forencouraging the children to act, dance,and sing!October is busy with planningthe upcoming Pot Luck, which hasbeen rescheduled for Friday, October24 at 5 p.m. The evening will start offwith a modifi ed Field Day, followedby a Pot Luck and entertainment by aMagician sure to keep all on the edgeof their seats! This event does needvolunteers to help set up, serve andclean up. Please notify Julie Russell atjuliep.russell@adelphia.net or NancyNoyes at nnoyes@comcast.net if youare able to help out!The much anticipatedHalloween Parade and classroomparties will be held Friday, October31. The Lower School ClassroomRepresentatives are coordinatingclassroom parties with each teacher.Please see your representative with anyparty contributions.Upcoming Events:• The annual Lower SchoolBook Fair is November 3-7. Thereare many opportunities to volunteerat this most important event and tobe a part of the success of this year’sSafari themed event. If you are unableto physically help out, there is alwaysa need for baking and/or behind thescenes help. We can all contribute toa great Book Fair and Bake Sale. Theannual Book Fair and Bake Sale isthe biggest fundraiser for the LowerSchool. Please contact Heather Kodzisat h.kodzis@getxsi.com regardingvolunteer options. We also need bakersto whip up some yummy individuallywrapped treats to be sold daily at lunchtime for 50 cents per item. Each classis responsible for one day of the weekto contribute to the Bake Sale. Moreinformation coming!• Operation Overcoat coincideswith the Book Fair, November 3 -7. During the Book Fair, the LowerSchool will be collecting coats, hats,and mittens for Operation Overcoat.This is a great time to clean out thoseclosets and contribute those too smallcoats, mittens, and hats for a great causeto those less fortunate and in need thiswinter to stay warm. There will be abox located near the bake sale table allweek.* Please do not bring boots. Thank you.Please also check the BAPALower School bulletin board locatedjust inside the front door for updatesand contact information, or feel freeto contact us with any questions orconcerns.Happy fall!Nancy Noyes,nnoyes@comcast.netJulie Russell,juliep.russell@adelphia.netLower School CoordinatorsMIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSAs usual, fall has beenextremely busy! It’s been an excitingstart to the school year and we havemany people to thank for giving theirtime and talents to our many schoolwideevents!Thank You!Thank you to Barb Jacques forher stellar playground coverage! Barbwas also a wonderful help during schoolpicture day along with Joyce O’Day,Jane Hourihan, and Pam Harley.Special thanks also goes out to DianeWalker who helped with the Innisbrookmailing, and to Lorna Carter, MaryBeth Herbert, Marla Katz, and SusanNoerdlinger who organized the Mom’sNight Out evenings! Thank you, also,to all of the parents who attended theMiddle School’s Back-to-School night.Volunteer Opportunities:10 1791 Letter ~ October 2008

• We are always ready towelcome new Middle School ClassRepresentatives. As the saying goes,“the more the merrier!” Please contacteither Andrea Bristol at malted92@verizon.net or Mary Beth Herbertat mbherbert@msn.com if you areinterested.• Playground coverage for theMiddle School is needed for November5 and 19 from 8:00-8:15. Please contactAndrea for more details if you’re ableto help out.Upcoming Events:• Middle School Coffees withDr. Zurawel are scheduled on a monthlybasis. The next scheduled coffee willbe held on Wednesday, November 12in the Commons Lounge.• Innisbrook Wraps purchaseswill be ready for pick-up on November10. Make sure to check the MSWeeklies for updates!• Grade 7 and 8 Social isscheduled for Friday, November 7 from6:00-9:00 p.m.• The Middle School productionof Peter Pan will be performed on Friday,November 14 at 7:00 p.m. and also onSaturday, November 15 at 3:30 p.m.!Enjoy your fall!Andrea Bristol,malted92@verizon.netMary Beth Herbert,mbherbert@msn.comMiddle School CoordinatorsUPPER SCHOOL NEWSRead All About it!The Upper School students,especially the Junior Class, are verybusy gathering magazine sales insupport of this year’s prom. Allholiday orders should be submittedno later than Thursday, October 17for guaranteed delivery by Christmas.All other orders will be accepted untilFriday, November 7. Please supportthe Magazine Sale and help make theprom a memorable and elegant eventfor our students and their guests. Readall about it!The Variety Show originallyscheduled for Friday, October 10 hasbeen moved to Friday, November 21.Upper School students will performtheir fall play on Friday, October 24and Saturday, October 25 at 7:00 p.m.Please come to the Hilltop, experiencethe talent and enjoy the show!Our fi rst coffee house isscheduled for Friday, October 17. AllUpper School students are invitedto attend this relaxed, talent loaded,enjoyable event. Spend an eveninglistening to your friends play theirfavorite instruments, sing songs, or justhang with new friends. Refreshmentsare provided and faculty memberschaperone and just might share someof their talents, too. Looking intoNovember, I’m going to shop forThanksgiving, decorate my house, andmentally ready myself for Christmasshopping. Oh, the school calendarlooks rather easy for the US, thusgiving me the time to do all my favoritethings in November.Enjoy the beautiful days of falland your families.Kim Mills, 603-742-1124,tkkmills@aol.comSuzanne McFarland,suzannerye@comcast.netUpper School CoordinatorsNEW FAMILIESIf I were to tell you that the NewHampshire State Liquor Store parkinglot at the traffic circle in Portsmouthis about to become pivotal to yourfamily’s logistical planning, would youbelieve me? The liquor store parkinglot is an unlikely staging area for theinterconnection and ingenious travelsavingtechniques of Berwick families.When my daughter was in the LowerSchool, we would often meet other1791 Letter ~ October 2008families there, and exchange childrenbefore and after play dates. Thissaved us moms from traveling dozensof miles for the sake of childhoodcompanionship. Later in our daughter’sBerwick career, fi eld trips to pointssouth would, upon return, pull into theliquor store lot and let off the ‘coastaldwellers’ to their waiting families,again saving mom and dad some traveltime. Sports teams also use the liquorstore gathering point when returningafter games. I love how things likethis happen. It’s accommodation andcommon sense working together toprovide just one aspect of our schoolculture.Other fun cultural happeningson the Hilltop this month includedramatic offerings from both theUpper and Middle schoolers. Thisyear’s Upper School fall performanceis a theater-in-the-round productionof Arms and the Man to be held in thebeautifully classical surroundings ofthe top floor of the Fogg Memorialbuilding. You may still have time to gettickets, they go fast.For those who don’t want togrow up, Peter Pan will be presented bythe Middle schoolers. Always a greatbet for families, the Middle Schoolplay is colorful, entertaining, and thekids put forth an amazing artistic effort.Cheer loudly! Even for Captain Hook!Halloween is also a greatcultural tradition at Berwick. Childrenin the Lower School anticipate theafternoon parade held on campus. Fora brief afternoon moment, studentsand teachers, administrators, andmaintenance personnel stop what theyare doing to recognize the skeletonsand the fairies, the cowboys and thedinosaurs, and the great toweringstilt-wearing Mr. Norcross in whatevercreative get-up he has put together towow the crowd. It’s funnier than fun,and if you have the afternoon free,continued on pg 14...11

CONCERNS ABOUT ADOLESCENTEATING BEHAVIORS“Eat what you want, when youare truly hungry. Stop when you’refull. And eat exactly what appealsto you. Do this instead of any diet,and you are unlikely to ever have aweight problem, let alone an eatingdisorder.” (National Eating DisordersAssociation) This advice is easy to say,not so easy to do, and impossible ifyou are one of the many adolescentssuffering from disordered eating or afull-blown case of anorexia, bulimia,or binge eating disorder. Many parentshere at BA, especially of middle schoolaged children ask Cindy Briggs, LindaGill, or me about how to recognizeadolescents, both boys and girls, withdisordered eating and what to do aboutgetting help. I hope to provide you witha brief overview of eating disorders butmore importantly, with an open doorinvitation to increase communicationand prevention efforts surrounding thisoften taboo subject.Many adolescents showexcessive concern about body imageand practice dieting behaviors. Morethan half of teenaged girls are, or thinkthey should be, on diets. They want tolose all or some of the forty pounds thatfemales naturally gain between ages 8and 14 (ANRED, 2003). Approximately3% of these girls are diagnosed witheating disorders. While all dietingbehaviors may not fall into the clinicalrealm of a diagnosable eating disorder,they may constitute disordered eatingwhich has its own health consequencesand can precipitate eating disorders.Parents should not dismiss these eatingpractices or other changes in behavioras typical patterns for adolescents,but should keep a watchful eye out,trust their instincts, and presentthese observations to a professionalexperienced in adolescent eatingdisorders.WHAT IS AN EATING DISORDER?Anorexia nervosa ischaracterized by self-starvation andexcessive weight loss. Bulimia nervosais characterized by a secretive cycleof binge eating followed by purging.Bulimia includes eating large amountsof food - more than most people wouldeat in one meal - in short periods oftime, then getting rid of the food andcalories through vomiting, laxativeabuse, or over-exercising. Binge eatingdisorder (also known as compulsiveovereating) is characterized primarilyby periods of uncontrolled, impulsive,or continuous eating beyond the pointof feeling comfortably full. (NationalEating Disorders Association, 2003)The diffi culty with eatingdisorders lies in their ability to masktheir underlying causes. They startwith preoccupations with food andweight. However, food is not usuallythe true culprit. The control overfood is often used as a compensationor coping mechanism for dealingwith over-whelming feelings andemotions. Instead of dealing with theseunderlying issues, which can often bepainful, the person buries them andfeels relief through the strict controlover food. Unfortunately, this causessevere damage to the person’s physicaland emotional health. (National EatingDisorders Association, 2003)Parents of adolescents maynot readily admit that their child mayhave these underlying issues needingattention. However, if the signs arenot noticed early, the child’s chancesof recovery are harmed because thecontrol over food becomes the copingpattern. Here are some signs to watchout for:WHAT TO LOOK FOR? (ANRED, 2003)• Food behaviors: Skippingmeals, taking only tiny portions, noteating in front of other people, eatingin ritualistic ways, mixing strange foodcombinations. Proving reasons notto eat -- is not hungry, just ate with afriend, is feeling ill, is upset.Disgusted with former favoritefoods like red meat and desserts. Eatsonly safe” foods. Becomes a “vegetarian”but will not eat the necessary fats, oils,whole grains, and the denser fruitsand veggies (such as sweet potatoesand avocados) required by truevegetarianism.Or, in contrast to the above,the person gorges, usually in secret,emptying cupboards and refrigerator.May also buy special binge food. Ifpanicked about weight gain, may purgeto get rid of the calories. May leaveclues that suggest discovery is desired --empty boxes, cans, and food packages;foul smelling bathrooms; running waterto cover sounds of vomiting; excessiveuse of mouthwash and breath mints;and in some cases, containers of vomitpoorly hidden that invite discovery.• Appearance and body imagebehaviors: Loses, or tries to lose, weight.12 1791 Letter ~ October 2008continued on pg 14...

Rachel SalibaTHE MIDDLE SCHOOL SAVES THE DAYIt is no secret that BerwickAcademy hit some very difficultfi nancial times in the early 1970’s – sobad that the members of the Board ofTrustees even considered a motion toclose the Academy at the end of the1971 school year. Fortunately, coolSign of the Middle School while it was in theBD building from 1972 to 1988heads prevailed and the Academy wassaved with a dramatic economic planthat included the selling of dorms,artwork, acres of land, and mostimportantly, the establishment of theMiddle School.In September 1971, three girlsand forty 7th and 8th grade boys wereenrolled at Berwick Academy, eachpaying $3,500 as boarders or $1,200as day students. Their daily liveswere very different from the over 200students enrolled today. They had adress code that required a tie for theboys and a dress or dress slacks for thegirls. Students were given demeritsfor minor discipline infractions such asrunning to the Commons for lunch orthrowing snowballs within 50 feet of abuilding. The students did not initiallyhave their own sports teams or theatreproductions and those who were boarderslived on the second floor of the HayesHouse before it was converted into theHead of School House in 1973.While the establishment of theMiddle School helped to relieve theeconomic troubles facing the Academy,the main purpose of the new school was to“. . . provide a better academic and socialbase from which they will find it easier tomove into the more rigorous atmosphere ofthe Upper School.” (Admissions Catalog 1973) The curriculum was considered tobe “interdependent” with the existing program in grades 9-12. Their daily schedulewas very much like an Upper School student’s, including five courses and two studyperiods.Initially, the Middle School faculty consisted of only three individuals -Director W. Herbert Standen, and two teachers. In addition to running the newschool, recruiting students and teaching algebra, Mr. Standen was also hired tooperate the bus that ran from Exeter-Hampton-Portsmouth-South Berwick andback every day.During the summer of 1972, the Middle School got its own home whenthe fi rst and second fl oors of the Burleigh-Davidson House were remodeled to“permit greater concentration on the specific needs of this age group.” (BerwickBriefs, Summer 1972) The Burleigh-Davidson House would remain the home ofthe Middle School until 1988 when it was moved to the old B-D carriage house,known as the Vaughan-Eastman Building. In 1994, the Middle School got its thirdhome when the Clement Middle School was built within a few feet of the razedVaughn-Eastman Building.The Clement Building being built in 1994 toreplace the Vaugh-Eastman Building.A Middle School class in the library withDirector Terry Doggett in 1989.If you walk into the ClementMiddle School today, it is pretty easy toimagine how different it is from thoseearly years in Fogg and B-D. Although theMiddle School still prepares its studentsfor the rigors of the Upper School, it hasevolved into its own distinctive division,meeting the unique needs of our studentsin grades 5-8. If you roam the halls, youcan instantly sense the pride and joy ofboth students and faculty alike. It is hardto imagine Berwick without a middleschool.1791 Letter ~ October 200813

MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS...cont. from pg 5them when all other efforts to effectchange and to assure a safe learningenvironment have failed.Safety at school begins withphysical safety, but reaches into thesocial and emotional well-being ofthe children who are entrusted to ourdaily care. We welcome parents andchildren to openly discuss ways inwhich we may continue to strengthena community where differences are thesources of celebration and not derision,and where the success of every child isone more reason for each of us to bethankful for an institution committedto its values.WELLNESS NEWS...cont. from pg.12Wears baggy clothes, sometimes inlayers, to hide fat, hide emaciation, andstay warm. Obsesses about clothingsize. Complains that s/he is fat eventhough others truthfully say this is notso.Spends lots of time inspecting self inthe mirror and usually fi nds somethingto criticize. Detests all or specific partsof the body, especially breasts, belly,thighs, and buttocks• Exercise behaviors: Exercisesexcessively and compulsively. As timepasses, athletic performance suffers.Even so, s/he refuses to change theroutine.• Feelings: Has trouble talkingabout feelings, especially anger.Denies anger, saying something like,“Everything is OK. I am just tired andstressed.”Becomes moody, irritable, cross,snappish, and touchy. Responds toconfrontation and even low-intensityinteractions with tears, tantrums, orwithdrawal. Feels s/he does not fitin and therefore avoids friends andactivities. Withdraws into self andfeelings, becoming socially isolated.Prevention efforts need to start earlywith both boys and girls. The mostimportant factor for prevention isparent role modeling through dietrejection. Instead, practice activelifestyles and include family exerciseinto the routine. Assist determinedteen dieters by visiting a dietician assoon as dieting behaviors are observed.Send the message that a fi t body is ahealthy body. Disallow teasing, in anyform, about body shapes and figuresespecially during puberty. Provideearly (fourth grade) education aboutbodily changes during puberty andself-esteem. Combat negative bodyimages seen in magazines and on TVby discussing advertising techniquesand plastic surgery.Parents and family memberscan address many of these measures athome. However, school-based healtheducation remains a great avenue aswell. Please contact Cindy Briggs orHolly Bennett for more information ifyou suspect someone of suffering froman eating disorder or to get involvedwith the prevention efforts of thehealth and wellness committee.For more information on sports andhealthy eating please refer to theAthletics-Sports Medicine web paperon the Berwick Academy portal.Best in Health,Holly BennettAthletic TrainerHealth EducatorBAPA NEWS...cont. from pg. 11come on up and have a look. Don’t bescared (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)Upper schoolers will be veryoccupied this fall, not only with theplay, but also with NEPSAC soccertournaments (go Blue and White!), SATtesting, college visits, and a pre-TurkeyDay coffee house. Sounds like youmight not see much of your teenagersthis fall! Have a wonderful autumn,and take it easy raking those leaves.Piper Allison Bennett,piper924@comcast.netNew Family CoordinatorBAPA COMMUNICATIONSWhat a terrifi c way to start offthe 2008-2009 academic year. I hadnine enthusiastic volunteers helpingto stuff, stamp and sort the Septemberaddition of 1791. I think that’s an alltime record! Thank you. I even bet if youasked Suzie Greene, Brenda Bouchard,Judith Trotzky, Collette Grenier, TracyHowe, Mary Towey, Lisa DePescale,Kitty Cornwell or Suzanne Richardsonthat they’d say that their task was easyand fun! If you’d like to join us nexttime, let me know.Eliza Peter, elizapeter@yahoo.comCommunications CoordinatorATHLETCIS NEWS...cont. from pg 7SPORTS MEDICINE WEBSITE PAGEWe welcome both parents andathletes to view the new addition tothe athletic web page, sports medicine.This space allows us to highlightsome of the health services offeredthrough our athletic training office.We hope to use this area to bring yourelevant information on various sportshealth related topics. As this page isperiodically updated, you will findinformation on such topics as sportsnutrition, fitness programs, and headinjuries. If you have any questions orinput please contact the athletic trainer,Holly Bennett.ALPINE SKI COACH HIREDAili Ojala Blank of Somersworth,NH has been hired as the Alpine Skicoach at Berwick Academy. Aili wasemployed at the Stratton Mountain SkiSchool in Vermont for fi ve years whereshe was a teacher, advisor, and coach.She attended Stratton Mountain SkiSchool and graduated from RockyMountain College in Billings, Montana.Aili served as the Program Director atthe Missoula Ski Education Foundationin Missoula, Montana and later movedcontinued...14 1791 Letter ~ October 2008

to Mammoth Lakes, California andbecame the Head Women’s FIS Coachat the Mammoth Mountain junior raceprogram. Aili’s husband, Brian Blankis the Head Alpine Ski coach at theUniversity of New Hampshire.COURTSIDE CAFÉAs we head into the winter seasonwe are looking for help from parentswhose children play basketball. Wehave an oustanding concessions area inthe Athletic Center that is used to raisemoney for our athletic programs. TheCourtside Café is run by our AthleticBoosters group and they are currentlylooking for parents to donate their timeand help with concession sales. Youcan sign up for a game or two duringthe season to help support your teams.UPCOMING EVENTSMiddle School Fall Sports Awards -Thursday, November 6 at 1:30 p.m.Reminder: 5:30 p.m. late bus schedulebegins Monday, November 10MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL...cont. from pg. 3of our Long Range Plan. The surveyis intended to be a useful way to hearfrom our parents as the Board lays outthe strategy and vision for the nextperiod of time at Berwick Academy.We look forward to your input on whatyou see as the key strategic prioritiesfacing the school. The survey will beonline and once it is sent to your e-mail,there will be approximately a 2-3 weekperiod for your response. The goal isto complete this process in advance ofthe Thanksgiving holiday.OPEN HOUSEPlease remember that ourAdmission Open House will beNovember 11. If each Berwick familycould fi nd a way to invite one friendor neighbor to our Open House, itwould be an extraordinary boost to ouradmissions efforts. All of our marketresearch confirms that word of mouthis our most powerful marketing tool, soplease know that this is an incredibleopportunity to have huge impact atBerwick simply by reaching out to afriend.ANNUAL FUND KICKOFFBy the time of this mailing,our 2008-2009 Annual Fund effortwill be under way. We achievedremarkable success last year andhope that we will be able to fi nd thesame success during these admittedlyunsteady economic times. Pleaseremember that tuition revenue doesnot fully fund the education we offer.Berwick must make up an annual gapin operational expenses of nearly $1.5million dollars, and, roughly two thirdsof this must be accomplished throughthe endowed and investment resourcesof the school, while the rest must beraised through the Annual Fund eachyear. Many of you may have heard theextraordinary news about our bequestfrom the summer. Please know thatthese new resources become a partof the aforementioned investmentresources and do not preclude our needwithin our Annual Fund. Rememberthat increasing participation is such animportant goal for Berwick. Whateverthe amount, consider making astatement of support for the Berwickexperience by choosing to participatethis year.NO IDLING REMINDERAlthough there has been greatfeedback and enthusiasm about our NoIdling Campaign, we have not seen asmany responses through the pledgeforms as we would like. Please be intouch with Pat McManus by phoneor e-mail if you would like to join thisvoluntary campaign to help minimizeour carbon footprint. We have alsocreated an online form - located on theParent Portal - that can be filled out inplace of sending in the hard copy.1791 Letter ~ October 200815

Message from the Development Offi ceFrom its deep rich history and its strong leadership, Berwick has evolved into the well-respected independent dayschool we all know. Our 80-acre campus is valued at just over $20 million …. most of which was made possiblecharitable contributions.Our students hail from Seacoast New Hampshire, Southern Maine, and Northern Massachusetts. Moreover, twentythreepercent (23%) of them receive fi nancial aid and in the Upper School it is closer to 33%.We have an 8 to 1 student faculty ratio, 76 full-time faculty, 17 part-time faculty, and 8 interns. This year we willoperate on a budget approaching $13,000,000.BERWICK ACADEMYBerwick Academy is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of parents, alumni, and past parents. They have takenthe lead to insure that Berwick is fiscally sound and is able to continue to offer strong academic, athletic, music,arts, and drama programs. Much of that positioning is due to the success of meeting our fundraising goals. Like allindependent schools adapting to the challenges of this new century, we know tuition dollars alone will not “payour bills.” Compounding this squeeze on tuition dollars is the demographic challenge of a lower birth rate over thepast 7+ years, resulting in fewer school age children in our geographic region and thus, placing additional stress onBerwick’s enrollment rate.So, where does the Annual Fund fit into all of this? Annual fund dollars go directly into this year’s operatingbudget to help bridge the gap between tuition revenues and the actual cost to educate each of our students. Yourparticipation in the Annual Fund is vital to its success! Head of School, Greg Schneider, feels that giving to BA is adirect benchmark of a parent’s satisfaction with the experience their child is having or has had.Every gift counts and helps us to reach our 60% parent participation goal and our $463,000 Annual Fund fi nancialgoal.Jamey French, TrusteeHolly Malloy, TrusteeDevelopment Committee Chairman Annual Fund ChairwomanParent of Jennie ’05, Lucy ’06, and Jack 2010 Parent of Geoff ‘0716 1791 Letter ~ October 2008