APRIL 2010

BERWICK A C A D E M Y

1791 L e t t e r
Lower School Production “Seussical Jr.”

1791 Letter ~ April 2010 1


“THE MEMORY OF THE HEART”
This past weekend, I was
feeling a bit frazzled steering my
way through Walmart, one daughter
clipped into the built-in bench while
the other sat in the main basket,
wriggling around as we whizzed past
aisles filled with Elmo toys, colorful
fruit snacks, and shiny new sneakers.
Eventually my internal GPS led me to
the baby supplies. As I struggled to
hone in on the Mom-approved brand
of baby wipes, my oldest suddenly
requested to exit her Dad-powered
department store racecar. I slung her
down to the linoleum and turned
back to the rows of wipes, quickly
scanning the range of perfumes and
prices. Suddenly there was a distinct
tug at my wrinkled cargo pant pocket,
and her arms encircled my thigh.
“What’s wrong, kiddo?”
I asked, looking down. Her chin
pressed against my quadriceps as she
strained her neck back. She began to
giggle.“Thanks!”
“Thanks for what?” I answered.
“For being Daddy,” she said.
Dumbfounded as to the origins of
this expression, I simply rubbed her
scraggly winter hairdo and found
myself speechless.
I credit my title this month
to the somewhat obscure French
constitutional bishop, Jean Baptiste
Massieu, who once said “Gratitude
is the memory of the heart.” For me,
this statement aptly characterizes the
2 1791 Letter ~April 2010
MESSAGE F R O M
Greg Schneider
Head of School
ephemeral quality of my endless quest
to say thank you in authentic ways. One
of the great ironies of being a Head of
School has to do with gratitude. The
moments when I am overwhelmed
with gratitude are everywhere in my
daily existence: I find myself constantly
wanting to thank people on behalf
of our students, our faculty, or our
parents. Experiencing this omnipresent
gratitude sustains me in many ways, I
am reminded that so much happens at
schools that leads to joy and hope for
the future. On the other hand, I often
feel like I am perpetually unworthy in
mustering the proper words to make
people understand just how grateful
we are as a community. I carry the
weight of this exquisite gratitude
on my shoulders, and I strive to find
compelling ways to let people know
how much their various contributions
mean to our community.
Events surrounding the recent
announcement of Berwick Academy’s
exciting new turf field have brought
this dynamic to the surface once again
for me. As you all know by now, a small
group of donors has suddenly offered
Berwick an incredible new facility for
our students to enjoy next year. Within
days of that announcement, the energy
on campus was palpable. Students
sought me out to see pictures or to
express their excitement – in fact, one
student (who shall remain nameless)
told me that he planned on actually
getting a tattoo of the new field on his
chest because he was so excited. My
electronic communications about the
field also prompted a flurry of alumni
emails, scattered with sentiments
that ranged from the professionally
diplomatic “ “what an incredible
achievement for Berwick” all the way
to the boisterous “all caps” expression:
“HOORAY!!! FOOTBALL IS NEXT
– BRING IT BACK!!!!” During the
same week, we held our accepted
students night in the Upper School,
where once again there was wonderful
energy and enthusiasm for this exciting
philanthropic news.
All of this made me reflect
a bit this week upon the power of
giving and the depth of gratitude it
engenders. When it comes to this
most recent announcement at Berwick,
clearly a new turf field represents a
boost to our student-athletes and our
athletic programs in general. However,
I believe the decision to make such a
gift to Berwick at this moment has
done so much more than this. It has
reminded us all about the power of
unexpected good news to energize a
community. In my opinion, people who
step forward with this kind of giving do
not simply invest in the physical plant
of the school; they invest in the soul
of the institution. They leave a legacy
not merely of a compelling physical
improvement, but they build a story
of institutional strength and renew our
collective sense of optimism and joy.
So how does a Head of School
begin to grapple with saying thank you
for something as broad as all of that?
As many of you know, I choose to write
hundreds of personal thank you notes
to donors for their contributions to
the annual fund each year. Often this
is a Sunday night activity in the Hayes
House, when the girls are asleep and
the week has yet to begin. Assuming
 BERWICK A C A D E M Y
donors can actually decipher my
handwriting (I probably should have
been a doctor), I often feel like I am
unable to say enough in those missives.
Berwick families already sacrifice so
much to send their children to Berwick;
when they step forward with their own
philanthropy, they make such powerful
statements about our mission and our
school’s contribution to the world. I
often find myself struggling to capture
the breadth of Berwick’s gratitude in
these thank you notes: beyond a gift’s
support for our operational costs, it
validates the work of this community
each and every day.
I always feel like this final stretch
towards summer presents examples of
our success. College results continue
to pour in for our seniors, recognizing
their exceptional work ethic and
achievements in a national context.
End of year ceremonies, concerts, and
recitals, exhibit the excellence of our
students. In a few short weeks, our
BAPA community benefit will be in full
swing, and I will once again struggle
to find a comprehensive way to thank
our parents for their volunteer efforts,
their donations, and their collective
contribution to building our sense of
community. As the fiscal year draws
to a close, we will once again push
forward as we try to build out annual
fund and senior gift participation to
the even higher levels than we saw last
year.
Of course my hope is that all
who receive an expression of gratitude
from this Head of School in turn feel
a sense of acknowledgment for truly
making a difference. I believe that for
an expression of thanks to be effective
and purposeful, it must be timely,
intimate, and authentic. Certainly that
was the case for me in Walmart this
past weekend. The connection that
people feel through the vehicle of
thanks, like most things, is grounded
in relationships. However, unlike most
things in the world, gratitude and its
expression is never a zero-sum game.
The more genuine gratitude that
exists in the world, the more impact
we have collectively, in my opinion.
Apparently one of my favorite authors,
William Faulkner, agrees: “Gratitude is
a quality similar to electricity: it must
be produced and discharged and used
up in order to exist at all.”
In some way or another, every
person who is muddling through this
particular narrative catharsis deserves
a thank you from me of some kind.
Perhaps it is a thank you for the
incredible news regarding the addition
of this special field to our campus.
Maybe it is a thank you for another
gift of philanthropy, time, support, or
compassion. Perhaps it is a thank you
for the gift of your children. Or a thank
you for your understanding, support,
and patience as Berwick continues to
evolve and grow.
Separate from my role as
Head of School, I think we all forget
to express thanks as frequently as we
probably should. Although Berwick
has received some exceptional news
this month, thanks doesn’t have to stem
from exceptional events – sometimes
it comes just “for being Daddy.” Tell
someone about your gratitude this
month; you may be surprised at the
depth of its power to inspire.
BAPA Auction
By this point, I hope that you
have all made plans to join us at the
Red Barn in South Berwick for the
Berwick Community Benefit on April
24. This year promises to be such a
great community event, where we
all get a chance to enjoy each other’s
1791 Letter ~ April 2010
1791 Letter
company, celebrate our community,
and support our children. I will look
forward to seeing you there.
Professional Day
I wanted to remind our parents
that there will be no classes on Monday,
April 26 as our faculty and staff engage
in an important professional day. The
timing of this day hopefully affords our
students a day to catch their breath,
but it will allow our faculty to dive
in even more deeply to our on-going
curriculum mapping project, which
will in turn lead into our upcoming
accreditation in 2012. Thanks to the
entire community for supporting
this new initiative that is focused on
school improvement. It is so difficult
to find this time in a busy place such
as Berwick, and we plan to make this
an incredibly valuable professional
development day on campus.
Calendar Announcement
I want to thank our parents for
their patience as we have worked our
way through a decision surrounding
our spring vacation for 2010-2011.
Given our transition to trimesters,
this conversation has been more
complicated than normal. However,
the calendar committee held its first
meeting and it became clear that it was
time to push our spring break back one
week next year for reasons that involve
admissions, athletics (weather and
winter tournaments), the musical, and
our overlap with other EIL schools and
families with college student. Spring
break will take place from March 14
through March 25 in 2011.
Congratulations and Farewell
We have said goodbye to two
extraordinary employees in recent
weeks. Matthew Waldo has started an
continued on pg. 14...
3
 Peter Saliba - Upper School Director

Upper School News

While some upper schools have moment” that presents itself. It is also
Dear Parents:
a program centered on the whole child staffed by a unique group of adults that
that is supported by an outstanding work together in pursuit of a vision that
Great upper schools require a
group of adults, a truly great upper is closely held by the entire community.
program that centers on the education
school has a vision that is readily When these attributes are woven into
of the whole child, a faculty and staff
apparent to all of its constituents. the fabric of school life, incredible
of uncommon excellence, and shared
Every person must feel that they heights are reached by all. In pursuit
vision among all of its constituencies
belong to something greater than of these attributes, the people in the
that places their contributions into a
himself and herself and that what he upper school must know when to push
greater context.
and she is accomplishing has meaning. each other, when to support each other,
This starts with the recognition that and when to laugh together. A sense
As a teacher, advisor, and
each individual has a contribution that of humor is essential in our business,
administrator at three different schools,
is valued in the classroom, the school, and allows us not to take ourselves
I have embraced the opportunities to
and, eventually, the larger community. too seriously in the serious purpose of
work with adolescents in a variety of
This common vision and sense of educating our children.
settings. In these different relationships,
humility is vital to the success of the
I have learned to value the education
school.
of the whole child, including moral
An excellent upper school
responsibility, academic acuity, and
takes advantage of every “teachable
physical achievement. Although the
primary responsibility of an educator is
the advancement of academic skills, it
is often the life outside of the classroom
that has the greatest impact on high
school students. The utmost care must
be exercised to create and sustain an Grade 9 Barbeque
environment where the idealism of
adolescents can be expressed, tested, Saturday, May 8 2010
and pursued.
Blue and White Weekend
This safe environment cannot
be advanced or sustained without a Coffee and breakfast treats will be
faculty and staff who have a passion and served starting at 9:00 a.m.
knowledge of their field, collegiality,
and a love of working with adolescents.
In practice, this group of adults actively BBQ lunch served from
collaborates in and between the many 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
different constituencies that provide
the meaningful experiences of a high
school education. Each person is
All proceeds to go toward the
respected by his and her colleagues, Grade 9 Junior Prom Fund
actively supported by the leadership of
the school, and encouraged to pursue
his and her own growth of knowledge
and love of learning.

4 1791 Letter ~April 2010


Bike helmets, training wheels,
shin guards, elbow padding, sun screen,
vaccinations, outlet covers, crib rails;
whichever or all of these things that
you have purchased for your children,
you have most likely been motivated
by the desire to protect them from
harm. From infancy, parents are alert
to the risks of falls and injury. By the
time one’s children embark on their
middle school years, those early days
of protection seem like easy times,
indeed. Two newer worries now face
both families and educators that merit
our taking steps to protect children:
bullying and internet safety.
Cyber-bullying continues to
get front-page coverage nationwide.
In Massachusetts, testimony before the
Legislature recently would lead me
to predict that a state law (now called
Senate Bill 2283) protecting children
from bullying may not be far away from
the Governor’s desk as I thought. As
we all might agree, making a behavior
illegal does not necessarily make it
disappear. Cyber-bullying is easily
accomplished through chat rooms,
instant messaging, text messages, and
the anonymity that personal devices
have that allow bullying to occur. The
Massachusetts legislation would require
schools to take steps to prohibit bullies
from carrying on the behaviors of
harassment through curriculum reform.
What is more compelling about the
legislation is that schools are likely to
be required to respond to complaints
through disciplinary measures.
It is just this response that
worries so many victims: that a school’s
Rosemary Zurawel - Middle School Director
Middle School News
decision to punish a bully will result
in further harassment of the victim.
Every anti-bullying piece of research I
have read continues to point to some
common issues:
1. Bullies have often been bullied
themselves and made to feel helpless.
This helplessness makes them lash out
at others who are weaker.
2. Bullies lack empathy for those whom
they hurt.
3. Bullies are often oppositional
towards adults and demonstrate strong
self-esteem.
Unlike the work by Olweus
in 1993 that studied bullying as
forms of physical and psychological
aggression, the current situation is
less tenuous, but not less aggressive.
Indeed, cyber-bullies use words to
convey deeply harmful messages while
they are “protected” by distance. New
legislature will remove that protection.
The responses of our vulnerable
children and adolescents to such hurt
varies, but seldom do they keep the
information to themselves. At home,
my recommendation is to save and to
print everything so that we may take
steps to assist you. Ultimately, the
information parents provide needs
to be tangible and factual. Cindy
Briggs, our school counselor, can help
with managing the feelings and make
recommendations for further assistance
of a therapeutic nature. As a school, it is
our responsibility to respond to threats
of any kind that threaten the welfare
of a student. Should harassment come
from an outside source (not from a
Berwick Academy connection), a family
may choose to seek legal support.
1791 Letter ~ April 2010
Internet safety begins with
parents who closely observe both
what their children are posting and
what they are receiving, but it is not
limited to computers. Cell phones,
particularly iPhones, are not within
our security filters. The vast number
of applications and access using the
phones and services to which you have
subscribed, allows almost unlimited
browsing. Photos may be uploaded to
Facebook so easily that parents may be
unaware that their children are easily
identifiable to strangers. Moreover,
our children may have no reasonable
sense of self-protection.
Dr. Elizabeth Englander is
the founder of the Massachusetts
Aggression Reduction Center (MARC)
located at Bridgewater State College.
She has been a widely recognized
expert on cyber-bullying and has
addressed our faculty and parents. Her
website (http://webhost.bridgew.edu/
marc/) offers a section dedicated to
information just for parents. A newly
added (30 January 2010) page on the
MARC website is called, “Avoiding and
Responding to Problems on Facebook.”
The pro-active advice is excellent,
and I would recommend that parents
of a student with a Facebook account
sit down and go over the advice
together with their child. Facebook
is a wonderful social tool for people of
all ages over 14. Nonetheless, there
are risks as well as benefits to social
networks. MARC is a great place to
start to look for help.
In February 2010, Dr. Peter C.
continued on pg. 14...
5

As we emerge from a successful
Lower School Production and set our
sights on a number of late-April, May,
and June curricular investigations and
divisional events, I am excited about
the meaningful springtime meetings
that I will be holding with the faculty.
Many of the agenda topics will focus
on change for the coming year,
while maintaining continuity with
our mission, philosophy, and core
values. From hiring a new aftercare
coordinator to my involvement with
the science program, to building on
our technology integrations, I am
energized by the work that lies ahead.
As you know, the new academic year
will also be framed, for the first time,
around a trimester structure and three
related report card assessments in
November, March, and June. Among
the program revisions, our approach
to documenting and implementing the
curriculum through a process known
as curriculum mapping stands out as
another compelling reason for my
enthusiasm leading to 2010-2011.
I have highlighted and
described the curriculum mapping
process at several parent information
events throughout the current year.
As mentioned, curriculum mapping is
a form of curriculum documentation
organized, in our case, by a powerful
on-line provider: Rubicon Atlas
Curriculum Mapping. Electronic
organization and dissemination of our
horizontal grade-level curricula and
vertical kindergarten through grade
twelve curricula will allow for easier
access to and more productive analysis
of our curriculum. We trust that it will
6 1791 Letter ~April 2010
Joel Hawes - Lower School Director
Lower School News
be a more effective management system
for documenting and implementing
our monthly approach to program
content, sequential skills, and student
assessments.
While we address a variety of
agenda items at Lower School faculty
meetings, the time we spend discussing
curriculum matters and student progress
remains our most important focus.
Although these meetings typically
occur on Wednesday afternoons, our
Lower School (and K-12) faculty have
an important opportunity to meet for
a full professional day on April 26.
I know that our student body will
greatly benefit from the focus that our
faculty brings to these meetings as we
concentrate on curriculum mapping
during the professional day, and I
appreciate the scheduling logistics that
we are asking of our Lower School
families on this non-school day for
our students. Having a full day of
curriculum reflection in this fourth
quarter of the school year allows for
greater momentum with the mapping
process.
I also appreciate the leadership
by the Faculty Academic Committee
and the Admin Team in bringing about
this important change to Berwick
Academy. Rather than taking an “if it
ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality, we
have proactively anticipated future
needs in this realm. In the end,
the time and effort demands of the
curriculum documentation falls on the
faculty and I appreciate their hard work
throughout the current and upcoming
year as we continue our efforts to shape
the curriculum into a stream-lined map.
Next year, I look forward to making
meaningful use of our curriculum map
components especially during times
such as report card documentation and
curriculum night presentations.
In summary, the curriculum
mapping process promotes an
authentic, on-going description of our
program. Because of its online fluidity,
it also helps us in avoiding gaps between
that which is specified in a curriculum
guide and that which is actually being
taught in the classrooms. This process
of collecting, examining, improving,
and spiraling our curriculum promotes
a realistic and powerful approach to
the knowledge, skills, and assessment
practices necessary for academic
achievement.
I introduced this 1791 entry
with a reference to “Seussical,” this
year’s Lower School production, and I
will conclude with the same focus. I
want to thank everyone from Maria
Isaak and the Lower School faculty
and staff, the parent body, and finally
our fabulous group of students for this
wonderful production. From “On with
the show!” to “On with curriculum
mapping!”, I appreciate the Lower
School’s energy and achievement at
this time of year.
 Rob Quinn - Athletic Director

RESPONSIBILITY: LEARNING TO BE
ACCOUNTABLE AND DISCIPLINED
In sports, athletes should be
accountable for their actions by taking
responsibility for their contributions
to a team. This is important because if
athletes can be conscientious of their
actions, teammates will learn to be more
understanding and trusting of each
other. This will then lead to students
feeling as though they can count on
each other both on and off the field.
This type of reliability is developed
when an athlete steps up to be a leader
by demonstrating his and her personal
commitment to the team. Therefore if
each athlete works to improve himself
and herself individually, he and she
will then be able to work together and
act with a higher level of collective
responsibility for the greater good of
the team. Athletes win together and
they lose together. Teams function
better as a whole when each teammate
takes personal responsibility for his
or her mistakes and learns from them.
Athletics News
That way, team members are more
understanding of one another and
do not let each other down. Success
on an individual level feels good, but
success collectively feels even better.
By learning to depend on each other
and becoming a dependable person
everyone benefits. It is important
that there are players who place their
personal signature and investment
into a team because creating a feeling
of trust and support is the strongest
kind of team. After all, the greatest
compliment athletes can receive is to
know that they can be counted on to
contribute their personal character
into building a more fun, productive
team atmosphere.
Athletics Boosters
New Member Reception will
take place Thursday, April 22, 2010
at 6:30 p.m. in the Berwick Academy
Athletic Center. All parents and
coaches are welcome to attend this
annual even. Enjoy an evening with
booster friends and families. Cocktails
and appetizers will be served. Bring a
friend and your name will be entered
in a drawing for a beautiful basket of
goodies.
Summer Camp Opportunities at BA
As we enter our second summer
hosting SUSC camps, we continue to
build on the strong relationship with
Seacoast United and their soccer, field
hockey, and lacrosse camps. We also
want to promote our Multi-sports Day
Camp and our Dance Camps.
Multi-Sports Day Camp:
June 21-25 and June 28-July 2
Dance Camp
June 21-25 and June 28-July 2
Seacoast United Camp Offerings:
Boys Lacrosse Camp July 5-8
Soccer Training Academy
July 12-15 & 19-22
Girls Lacrosse & Field Hockey Camp
continued on pg 14. .

WINTER SPORTS AWARDS 2010

Upper School Middle School

Team MVP Coach’s Award Team Coach’s Awards

Boys Varsity Hockey Alex Devine Dylan Martini Co-ed Hockey Cameron Clair
Boys JV Hockey Billy Leach Class of 2011 Girls Blue Bball Samantha Sullivan
Girls Varsity Hockey Lee Tsairis Chelsea Vanderlinde Boys Blue Bball Gabe Evensen
Girls JV Hockey Jenny Scharff Jacqui Zannos Girls White Bball Liv Gorman
Girls Varsity Basketball Juliana Blais Nicole Kleinmann Boys White Bball Chris Coughlan
Girls JV Bball Lily Hahn Rebecca Fetters Winter Fitness Kevin O’Day
Boys Varsity Bball Harry Rafferty Emerson Bilodeau Strength & Conditioning Zoe Alexander
Boys JV1 Bball Joe Reid Max Linemayr Girls Spirit Award Suzanna Borg
Boys JV2 Bball Joe Borg Jamie Meader Boys Spirit Award Josh Dupont
Skiing Nate Potter Maggie Sutherland
Swimming Boys Sam Winter
Swimming Girls Caroline Seekins Lydia Waldo

1791 Letter ~ April 2010 7


ARTS BOOSTERS
Blue & White Weekend Sidewalk Art Sale
Students in the National Art
Honor Society, visual arts faculty, and
members of Berwick’s Arts Boosters will
host the eighth annual Sidewalk Art
Sale and Auction on Blue and White
Weekend, Saturday, May 8. This is
the Arts Boosters final fundraiser for
this school year. Students, faculty,
and friends will donate art that will be
exhibited throughout the day as Silent
Auction items. The person placing the
highest final bid of the day will take
home an original piece of art. Last
year, the art sale generated $1100 of
income to the Arts Boosters. For both
your convenience and to increase
interest and awareness of this annual
event, we plan to have the auction
items on display in the Arts Center
Gallery/Lobby through May 21. In the
past, Arts Boosters funds have been
used to purchase cumber bunds, bow
ties, and t-shirts for music ensembles
as well as musical instruments, a flat
file storage unit for the Upper School
studio, photography equipment, and
funding for field trips. Please contact
Deloris White if you are interested in
donating a fine arts item or would like
to volunteer your time with this effort.
Snack Shack
The Arts Boosters Snack Shack
opened in early April and will be open
on game days this year. We will be
offering our own lemonade, iced tea,
popcorn, and ice cream sorbet. Please
stop by for afternoon refreshments and
to support the fine arts department.
8 1791 Letter ~April 2010
you gotta have Arts
Deloris White - Fine Arts Director
MUSIC
Swing into Spring
Plans for the 2010 Spring
Swing Music Concerts are underway.
This year, Upper School students in
the various ensembles and choruses
will perform on Tuesday, May 18,
during Spring Swing I. All seventh and
eighth student musicians will perform
in Spring Swing II on Tuesday, May 25.
Middle School musicians in all fifth
and sixth grade ensembles will present
Spring Swing III on Thursday, May 27.
Each of the Spring Swing Concerts
begins at 7:00 p.m.
Senior Arts Night
Members of the senior class
will participate in Senior Arts Night on
Thursday, May 20. Visual art students
will exhibit their work in the lobby
gallery opening at 6:30 p.m. followed
by student performances in the theater
at 7:00 p.m.
Festival News
Several Berwick Academy
students participated in the NH
Stringfest at the Mountain View
Middle School in Goffstown on March
27. Mahesh and Nikhil Agarwal,
Isabella Oprandi, and Hannah Van
Zandt-Rollins played in Orchestra
One, which was conducted by Sally
Wituszynski. Samuel Beane played
in Orchestra Two. Hirsh Agarwal,
Emily Barbour, Alexandra Blackwood,
Jessica Hebert, Clayton Jacques, Sarah
Khan, Indigo Milne, Isabelle Salvati,
and Emma Whall played in Orchestra
Four.
Arts News
VISUAL ART
Barn Gallery
The OAC is pleased to
announce that the 32nd Annual Student
Art Show at the Ogunquit Barn Gallery
on Bourne Lane in Ogunquit, Maine
will be held on May 8 and 9, 2010.
There will be an opening reception
for this weekend exhibit on Friday
afternoon, May 7, from 4:00 p.m. to
6:00 p.m. and the gallery will be open
on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00
p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Berwick Academy art
teachers will submit selected works of
art from students in all three divisions.
The students selected to exhibit at
this show will be notified by their
teachers.
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
Amelia Hazen will attend
the Student Craft Institute 2010 at
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
on Deer Isle, Maine, over Memorial
Day Weekend to study glass. She will
be one of 70 student artists across
the state of Maine selected to attend.
Alex Zannos has been selected as an
alternate and is hoping a space opens up
for her to attend as well. The program
is a three-day intensive crafts program
for distinguished art students to study
with artists and craftspeople in Maine’s
internationally known craft facility and
studios. This year, Raegan Russell has
been invited to be a studio assistant.
 BAPA Notes - from the BAPA Board Members

Parents Association News

PRESIDENT’S NOTES and humble me. Thanks to everyone TREASURERS NOTES
from the bottom of my heart. March 31, 2010
The BAPA office is full of INCOME:
energy as we head into the final Do you Have Your Tuition Raffle Ticket Yet? $48.90 William Arthur card sale
There are plenty of raffle Total BAPA Income 2/1/10 – 3/31/10
count down to our biggest event of
tickets left. Tickets are $100 for a $48.90
the year. Our Community Benefit is
how BAPA raises the money to help chance at a $12,000 tuition credit.The BAPA EXPENSES:
fund over 50 enrichment activities drawing will be held at the auction, but $5,262.69 Scholastic books for
for our children. The night not only you don’t have to be present to win. So LS book fair
don’t delay, get your raffle ticket today. Lower School
provides funding for our children’s $102.17 Lower school
enrichment programs, but it also Can’t find your raffle form? Just go to production costume
gives our parents a fun and exciting the auction homepage and download supplies
night to come together to celebrate the form or contact bapaauction@ $548.00 LS skating party
berwickacademy.org and one of our TOTAL LS $650.17
our wonderful community. If there
is only one event on campus that volunteers will be happy to assist you.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
you attend this year, please make it Good luck! $317.76 Enrichment – Wine
the 2010 BAPA Benefit Auction on and cheese at parent
Saturday, April 24. Catch up with BAPA Auction Volunteer and Class Rep forum
Luncheon $145.00 Enrichment – Pizza
old friends and meet new ones while party for Grade 6
enjoying great food and drinks at the This year’s luncheon is with US Bio Honors
Red Barn at the Outlook. Show your scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 20, Class
support and be a part of the Berwick with the location to be announced. $350.00 Grade 7 and Grade 8
Please look for invitations in the mail. spring social – DJ
community. BAPA makes a critical
We truly look forward to treating our $167.00 Ski Trip UHaul
difference to your child’s experience TOTAL MS $979.76
on the Hilltop through programs volunteers to a nice day in order to
like: thank them for all of their hard work. UPPER SCHOOL
$175.94 Clubs/Extracurricular
Next BAPA Meeting May 24,2010 – Supplies for pep rally
- Leadership and community building - Blue and White Week
through adventure programs like Don’t miss the last BAPA $47.87 Clubs/Extracurricular
Merrowvista meeting of the year. Rachel Saliba – Lassiter postage and
- Social outlets such as dances, will present a brief history of Berwick shipping
Academy. We will be voting on next $26.09 Clubs/Extracurricular
skating parties and coffee houses
year’s BAPA budget funded by the – Foreign Film Club
- Extracurricular explorations like $1,224.00 Senior Activities – Senior
field trips and visiting authors proceeds of the 2010 Auction. Class Mugs order 2010
rep meetings will be held immediately TOTAL US $1,473.90
There is still time to buy following the meeting to plan for next
year’s back to school and early fall TOTAL BAPA EXPENSES 2/1/10– 3/31/10
tickets so please come. We look $8,366.52
forward to seeing you there. There events.
are also so many volunteers, who are NET BAPA EXPENSES 12/31/09 – 1/31/10
always hard at work planning the Jean K. Jarvis $8,317.62
logistics and decorations, organizing BAPA President
Nancy Noyes
class gifts, and picking up auction nnoyes@comcast.net
items. It is a well-oiled machine that BAPA Treasurer
year after year never ceases to amaze
continued...
1791 Letter ~ April 2010 9
 UPPER SCHOOL NEWS
As I write this on such a
beautifully sunny day, I realize that I
am so thankful to have so many parents
to thank. I need to begin in February
to thank Marie Winters as Chair of the
volunteers, cast party, rehearsal dinner,
snack, and refreshment items for the
Upper School musical “The King
and I.” She worked hard to produce a
successful event. She will be looking
for a partner for next year to assist with
her responsibilities. She truly has my
gratitude. Thank you to the 31 parents
who came to the first evening US BAPA
meeting before the Forum and to the 73
parents who attended the US Forum. It
was the largest turnout in my four years
and the administration definitely heard
your ideas and suggestions. Jeannie
Brett as Chair of the seniors’ 100
Day luncheon receives kudos and we
hope the senior parents enjoyed some
of the pictures. Thank you to the 21
freshmen parents who provided food
for the March 26 Coffee House. The
responses back from the students were
with high praise, “those hot pizzas
tasted good on that cold night” and “we
love the grapes.” Thank you to all the
parents who also sent in snack items
for the Blood Drive on April 6. I would
like to extend my sincere gratitude to
all who took the time to respond to me
with your portal issues and fundraising
ideas; your comments do make a
difference. The portal issues were
brought directly to the administration
and our web server. The fundraising
ideas and issues were distributed to the
entire BAPA board. This past month
and a half we have funded items for the
winter Blue and White week including
snow toboggans, the foreign film club,
and the Lassiter program. Spring sports
have also begun and we are helping
fund the new club, Ultimate Frisbee
team. We are also contributing to the
Haiti Film Festival by purchasing the
licensing of two of the films being
shown on Saturday, April 10. We
helped finance the Math team which
10
made it to the state competition. The
Charity Ball on April 9 benefited an at-
risk boys’ home in Somersworth; US
BAPA money helped pay for the food
and decorations. The dinner was held
upstairs in Fogg and the dance was in
the Pit. Your money is hard at work
every month helping to enrich students’
lives. Thank you!
Suzanne McFarland
Upper School Coordinator
suzannerye@comcast.net
Mary Pat Dolan
Marypat.dolan@comcast.net
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
We hope you are all dry after
the tremendous rain we had during
the past several weeks. The days are a
little longer, spring sports have begun,
and the flowers are beginning to peek
through. As we turn the corner and
welcome spring, we are gearing up for
a very busy month. On April 13 parents
who have children in Grades 7 through
12 can attend the Freedom from
Chemical Dependency Parent Night.
This is a very informative meeting that
will give everyone information on a
very important topic. The sixth grade
will present their project presentations
on April 15. Good luck to all!
Dr. Rosemary Zurawel has
hosted several coffees since the
beginning of the year. The topics
are different each time and we are
able to share our thoughts and ideas
as Middle School parents. Our next
coffee is scheduled on Wednesday,
May 5. Please come, we would love to
see some new faces. As they say, “The
more the merrier.”
On May 7, Berwick Academy
will host its annual Grandparents Day.
What a fun way to show them what
their granddaughters and grandsons
do at school. They will be treated to
musical performances and also attend
some classroom activities. They are then
1791 Letter ~April 2010
invited to have lunch in the Commons.
The children and the Grandparents (or
a special friend) always have such a
memorable day.
The level of activity in the
BAPA office and beyond over the last
several weeks preparing for the Auction
has been pretty impressive. The Auction
will take place on Saturday, April 24 so
please mark your calendars and make
it a night out with family and friends.
There is something for everyone in
either the online auction or items that
will be available the night of the auction.
Remember, the money that we raise at
this event helps each and every one of
our children. Merrowvista, dances and
socials, Grade 8 Baccalaureate, and
trips to Lowell, The Museum of Fine
Arts, and Canobie Lake Park are just
a sampling of what BAPA sponsors.
Auction funds allow the Middle School
to take advantage of all these activities.
So get your paddles ready and we hope
to see you there.
Andrea Bristol
malted92@comcast.net
Joanne Meyer
jomeyer777@aol.com
AUCTION NEWS
The BAPA Community Benefit is quickly
approaching
If you have not done so already,
be sure to send in your RSVP. We look
forward to seeing you at the Red Barn
on Saturday, April 24, 2010.
Tuition Raffle
Be sure to return your Tuition
Raffle ticket order form to be eligible
to win a $12,000.00 voucher that can
be applied toward Berwick tuition for
the 2010-2011 school year. All you
have to do is purchase a ticket for $100.
No more than 275 tickets will be sold.
The winning Tuition Raffle ticket will
be drawn the night of the Auction on
Saturday, April 24, 2010. You do not
have to be present to win. Look for the Tuition Raffle ticket order form in the downloads section of the BAPA portal.

Exciting Addition to the Silent Auction

One very exciting addition to our Community Benefit will be the use of a handheld bidding device called the IML.
This exciting technology has been commonplace in many “big-city” auctions throughout the country. IML has been at the
forefront of innovative, interactive event technologies since 1991, supporting more than 2,000 events worldwide each year.
IML’s presence at the BAPA Community Benefit will provide guests with a paperless bidding system, allowing them to enter
their bids via the easy-to-use IML communicator keypad. This will free people from standing around tables and writing down
bids on clipboard paper. On entering their bids, guests are immediately informed if they hold the highest bid or if they have
already been outbid, generating a fun and competitive bidding environment. We are thrilled to be bringing this technology to
our BAPA Community Benefit.

Lesli Friel
m.friel@comcast.net

STUDENT ARTWORK ON CAMPUS

The 2010 Berwick Academy Students’ Art Show has been hung for display. There are 30 framed works of art, from photography,
to watercolor, to markers and crayon. There are superlative works from artists of each division. Works are hung in prominent areas
around campus. Please try seeing the artwork and congratulating our artists.

UPPER SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL LOWER SCHOOL

Andrew Waterhouse Mia Briggs Pierce Wood

Commons Lobby Burleigh Davidson Lobby Katz Lower School Library
Camden Carter Sam Noyes Ellie Whelton
Fogg Upper School “Pit” Middle School Great Room Katz Lower School Library
Ellie Penati Aria Satish Crosby Smith
Jeppesen main stairwell Athletic Center Lobby Commons Lobby
Juliana Blais Anna Cronin Bryce Morales
Burleigh Davidson Lobby Jeppesen main stairwell Katz Lower School Library
Gage Kennie Alex Gassner Mitchel Varley
Burleigh Davidson Lobby Middle School Great Room Katz Lower School Library
Katie Towey Eric Rawn Molly Van Campen
Fogg Upper School “Pit” Athletic Center Lobby Burleigh Davidson Lobby
Katie Marsh Shannon Haley Calvin Soares
Fogg Upper School “Pit” Middle School Great Room Katz Lower School Library
Kyle Mullaney Taylor Knox Charlotte Noerdlinger
Fogg Upper School “Pit” Middle School Great Room Athletic Center Lobby
Sam Auty Sarah Marino-Babcock Sophia Estes
Commons Lobby Middle School Great Room Jeppesen main stairwell
Jamie Meader Peter Scharer
Fogg Upper School “Pit” Middle School Great Room

2010 Volunteers are: Jeannie Brett, Donna Borg, Katie Clark, Jessica Gasc, Robin Merrow, and Christine Duprez-Young.

1791 Letter ~ April 2010 11


APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH
April has been designated
as Alcohol Awareness month by the
United States Department of Health
and Human Services and SAMHSA
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration) to recognize
the seriousness of alcohol abuse in the
United States. According to a study
released by the federal government
just last month, more than one-quarter
(27.6 percent) of American youth aged
12 to 20 said that they drank alcohol in
the past month The National Survey
on Drug Use and Health also found
that underage drinking rates were as
high as 40% in some states. It is well
known that alcohol is the most widely
used substance among American
youth and contributes to the three
leading causes of death among 12-
to 20-year olds: unintentional injury,
murder, and suicide. Research also
shows that people who begin drinking
before the age of 15 are six times
more likely to have alcohol problems
than those who start drinking at age
21 or older. According to SAMHSA,
underage drinking is becoming a
national crisis and prevention is the
key to stopping it. SAMHSA also
believes, and I wholeheartedly agree,
that parents need to play a huge role in
any prevention model. Parent input is
critical to adolescent decision-making
about alcohol and other drugs. Even
though we may not believe it, our
adolescents are listening and watching
to see if our messages and actions
around alcohol are consistent. We
need to be clear about our expectations
regarding underage drinking, drinking
and driving, and experimentation with
12
Cindy Briggs - School Counselor
We l l n e s s N e w s
other drugs. 14 Stephanie will be hosting a Grade 4
student-parent night in the Commons
Berwick Academy is on board Lounge at 6:30 p.m. George will be
picking up where Stephanie leaves
with Alcohol Awareness month and
committed to educating our students off on Thursday, April 15 by hosting
a grade 9 Student-Parent Roundtable
about alcohol and other drugs. From
Tuesday, April 13 through Friday, April Discussion at 7:00 p.m. on the 3rd
floor of Fogg Memorial. I encourage
16 two FCD (Freedom from Chemical
Dependency) facilitators will be on all parents to attend their respective
evenings. Not only will you be
our campus to work with students in
grades 4, 7, 8, 9, and 12. This is FCD’s provided with pertinent information
about alcohol and other drugs, but
seventh year providing substance
abuse education to Berwick Academy. more importantly you will be sending
a clear message to your children that
In fact, Stephanie Haines, the Lower
and Middle School facilitator and this is an important topic.
George Brown, the Upper School
facilitator, have become regular visitors Sincerely,
to the Hilltop. This will be Stephanie’s
sixth year and George’s fourth year Cindy Briggs
facilitating this program at Berwick
Academy. The benefit of their longevity Statistical information is from
www.samhsa.gov
is their ability to interact with students
they taught four years ago as fourth
graders or freshmen!
Stephanie will be facilitating a
four-day educational program with our
Grade 7 students, a one-day program
with our Grade 4 students, and a
seminar focusing on transitioning to
high school with our Grade 8 students.
George will be facilitating a four-day
educational program with our Grade 9
students and a seminar on transitioning
to college with our seniors.
Parents also have the
opportunity to be a part of the FCD
program. On Tuesday, April 13
Stephanie will be hosting a parent
information session at 7:00 p.m. in the
Commons Lounge. This evening is
open to parents of students in grades
7 through 12. On Wednesday, April
1791 Letter ~April 2010
 Rachel Saliba - School Archivist

Archives News

CLASS FLAGS, A PRISONER,
A LADDER, AND ROPE
Every once in a while I come
across stories in the archives that are
just too good to keep to myself. The
following is an excerpt from the booklet
entitled “The Berwick Academy Review
and Class Day,” edited by John Fernald
Hodgdon, BA Class of 1888, about the
1888 school year and the tradition of
Class Colors:
The colors of ’89 did not stay
there “just the same,” but came down
on the 11th to make a vacancy for
‘88’s colors to fill. Eighty-eight has
one thing to say to the class of ’89, a
question to ask: whose colors stayed
on the Academy long enough to fade?
The class colors were as follows:
Seniors
Sapphire Blue and Salmon
In case you were wondering,
the Board of Trustees voted that blue
be the color of Berwick Academy in
1904. I am not sure when the tradition
of class colors ended. However, I do
know that there were many traditions
at BA that encouraged class pride and
rivalry – but that is another story.

It is now my duty and pleasure Juniors

to mention the most exciting period of
the past year. This year, for the first
time in the history of Berwick Academy,
the building has been crowned with a
flag. On Wednesday morning, May
9, there appeared, to those toiling
up the hill, a flag made of ‘88’s class
colors. Eighty-eight was very proud
of this emblem and even some of her
members sat up all night to watch the
streamers. There was many an exciting
scene in the Academy the night of May
9, prisoners, ropes, ladders, cold water,
Seniors, Juniors, flags, etc., all mixed
together. However, ‘88’s colors, in
spite of so much confusion remained
till morning as did also the pride of
’88. The saying “Pride must have a fall”
was verified at breakfast time May 10.
The Senior colors came down and the
Juniors’ went up. A little stanza in The
Berwick Scholar about this time was
very expansive. It was somewhat as
follows:
The Seniors sat up all night
With their eyes on the weather-vane,
The Juniors didn’t sit up at all,
But “they got there just the same.”
Electric Blue and Lemon
Sophomores
Mahogany and Nile Green
Freshman
Greenest Green
The article in The Berwick
“This year, for the first time in the history of Berwick
Scholar that Hogdon referred to helps Academy, the building has been crowned with a
to explain his Hogdon reference to flag.” In 1888, Berwick Academy consisted of just
“prisoners, ropes and ladders:” one building – the 1853 Building – located where
Fogg is today on approximately 10 acres of land. .
. . . During the operations of ‘89’s
representatives, suddenly one found
himself a prisoner in the belfry, perfectly
helpless. Others were on the ground,
intently watching the ladder hanging
motionless on the side of the building,
and wondering “why it did not go up.”
Several members of ’88 however, knew
“why it did not go up.” The rope was
not in the belfry but fastened securely
in the window below. After holding
the prisoner of ’89 for a few hours, he
was liberated upon the condition that
he should return home peaceably. (The
Berwick Scholar, May 1888)

1791 Letter ~ April 2010 13

HEAD OF SCHOOL NEWS...cont. from pg 3 bullies to continue their aggression Deb Dupont, Betsy Coughlan, Jennifer
reinforces their anti-social behaviors. Saulnier, Diane Wheeler, Deborah
Encouraging victims to maintain Walden, Tracy Satish, Theresa Holmes,
exciting new position in the publishing
silence reinforces victimization habits. Donna Bethke-Borg, Erin Brin, John
industry as of April 5, and we will miss
Bement, and Joel Hawes. A special
his warmth and care in our Lower School
Where I struggle, and my guess thank you to Sandra Jalbert, Melissa
Science and Technology programs.
is that many of you do as well, comes Jasper, Kit McCormick, and Phil and
Judith Claveau has also decided to step
from calming down when the sky seems Ann Hahn who were willing to bail me
away from her role as Assistant to the
to be falling. Here is what I can measure out multiple times and worked many,
Head of School, and I will obviously
and observe in our Middle School. Our many shifts. I am grateful to all of
miss her warmth and support in so
students are good at whistle blowing. you!
many ways. However, I am pleased to
They know when something has gone -Paula Reid
announce that Colleen Meader will
wrong and they talk about it. They
replace Judith in this office as of July
seek help. Parents in our community Off The Hilltop
1. We plan to engage in a search for
are good models of identifying wrongs Keith Hope, a junior at
a replacement in development in the
and alerting us. Our faculty responds Berwick Academy recently attended
coming weeks.
to what we can see and hear. We rely the NEMA (New England Motocross
upon parents and students to keep us Association) Motocross Awards
Enrollment Contracts
informed so that we may act. As soon Banquet in Sturbridge MA. Keith
I am pleased to report that
as a credible report arrives at school, received 4 trophies in recognition of
re-enrollment contracts are coming in
it becomes a school problem, even his achievements in the 2009 NEMA
far more swiftly this year, so I would
if the behaviors happened outside Motocross Series. NEMA holds
encourage all families to be sure to be
of our hilltop. The best deterrent to Motocross races all over New England
in communication with Diane Field
bullying is to not present oneself as an starting in April and ending in October.
and/or Seth Hurd about your plans
easy mark or victim. Each one of us Keith recorded 3 second place finishes
for next year, as we need to be able to
can model the integrity necessary to and one third place finish in the fall
manage our waitlist appropriately to
identify something wrong, to name it, and spring Champion Series.
attract the highest quality students in
and to seek justice. The laws are being
the Seacoast.
written; we need to exhibit the courage
to rely upon them.

ATHLETIC NEWS...cont. from pg 7

MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS...cont. from pg 5

August 2-5
Raffalli of Boston Children’s Hospital
published a blog on the hospital website
SUSC Junior Academy
in which he wrote, “It is high time that
Pre-season Camp
bullying is no longer dismissed as just a
August 23-26
rite of passage in growing up. Bullying
is a form of abuse victimization and
Courtside Café “Thank You”
many studies have shown the negative
I would like to thank everyone
health impact of bullying, both short
in the Berwick Community who
and long-term, on our kids. At the same
worked in the Courtside Cafe this
time, the literature has also pointed to
season. Through your efforts we
poor outcomes psychologically and
raised over $1000.00 for the Athletic
socially for the bullies themselves.”
Boosters. If I leave anyone off this
(http://childrenshospitalblog.org/
list, please accept my apology. It is a
bullying-and-cyberbullying-beneath-
function of poor record keeping – not
the-radar-no-more/) The call to arms
a lack of gratitude! Thank you to:
by the American Academy of Pediatrics,
Christine Hawkins, Janice Ziemba,
the U.S. Health and Resources
Sue Downey, Mary Towey, Warren
Administration, and MARC is one that
Goldblatt, Marla Katz, Daniela
each of us should not ignore. Allowing
Linemayr, Kate Harris, Shelley Smith,

14 1791 Letter ~April 2010

 GRANDPARENTS DAY-MAY 7,2010!
Each year all grandparents are invited to campus for the day to attend classes, see a fine arts
program, and have lunch with their grandsons and granddaughters. This year Grandparents Day
will be held on Friday, May 7, 2010. We understand that it is sometimes difficult or impossible
for grandparents to attend this day and so we would like to extend the invitation to students to
bring an adult special friend for the day. Please contact Colleen Meader at 207-384-2164 (x2306)
to update all grandparent addresses or to provide the name and mailing information of a special
friend. Invitations have been mailed and many Grandparents are ready to attend classes on May
7, 2010. Please refer to the schedule below and talk to your children about their daily schedule.

Grandparents visiting students in Grandparents visiting students in

Kindergarten—Grade 6 Grade 7—Grade 12

8:00 Continental Breakfast 8:00 Continental Breakfast

Under the tent
8:45 Welcome From Head of School
Under the tent
9:00 Theatrical Performance
Whipple Arts Center Theater
9:45 Off to the Classrooms
Escorted by Volunteers
11:15 Lower School Lunch
The Commons (Grades K-4)
12:05 Middle School Lunch
The Commons (Grades 5&6)
Under the tent
8:45 Welcome From Head of School
Under the tent
9:00 Off to the Classrooms
Escorted by Grandchildren
11:00 Theatrical Performance
Whipple Arts Center Theater
12:05 Middle School Lunch
The Commons (Grades 7&8)
12:45 Upper School Lunch
The Commons (Grades 9-12)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Hosting 300 or more Grandparents and Special Friends takes the work of many volunteers! If
you would like to be a Grandparents Day Volunteer please check the listing of opportunities
below and contact Kellie Varano at kvarano@berwickacademy.org or 207.384.2164 ext. 2303.

Volunteer Positions Include:

Greeters • Theater Ushers • Commons Dining Hall Assistants

For more information on what each position entails visit the

Announcements section on the Parent Portal.

1791 Letter ~ April 2010 15

 Jedd Whitlock - Director of Advancement
Alumni and Development News

2009 – 2010 ANNUAL FUND UPDATE: YOUR PHILANTHROPY MATTERS!

Dear Berwick Community,

As we make the final push towards Commencement, I am encouraged to report the Annual Fund stands at
just over $512,000. We are slightly ahead of last year, but these last few months will be critical in reaching this all
important goal. The simple truth is that we can not do it with out your help.

Parent participation stands around 50% which is also slightly ahead of last year. Please remember that our
fundraising goal for this year is $575,000 and our participation goal is 65%. I thought that you might be interested to
know that alumni participation is up 62% from this time last year and past parent participation is up almost 58%. A
successful Annual Fund is truly a community effort, and I remain grateful for the generosity from parents, past parents,
grandparents, alumni, faculty and staff and friends of Berwick. With the support of the entire community, Berwick will
be able to continue to offer a top educational experience that will impact our students for generations to come.

If you have not done so already, I hope that you will consider including Berwick among your philanthropic
priorities by making a gift to the 2009-2010 Annual Fund today. Annual Fund contributions enrich every area of
campus life and may be directed to the following areas:

Financial Aid
Visual and Performing Arts
Athletics
Math and Science
Technology
Reading and Language Arts

Online giving is available at www.berwickacademy.org/giving. If you like to be included in this year’s Annual
Fund and the 2009-2010 Celebrating Philanthropy Report, gifts and pledges must be made by June 30.

Gifts at all levels are needed and appreciated and impact every student, every day. Thank you!

Best regards,

Jedd Whitlock

16 1791 Letter ~April 2010