Skip to main content

We came, we saw, we had winter carnival

It was only a few years ago when the Administrative team concluded that our students needed a bit of a morale boost to get us through the winter. Within just a few conversations with other adults on campus, the concept of our modern winter carnival was born – bringing back a cherished Berwick tradition from years gone by. Suddenly outdoor rinks, snow sculptures, and sled races become all the rage for one Friday in February as our community comes together to celebrate to joys of winter and the joys of being a kid. This is a very good thing – even on the heels of far too many snow issues in one academic week.

As with most good things at Berwick, this is a moment when we embrace our PK-12 composition, finding a schedule and connection for every student in the school. The heroes are everywhere for this one. Lucy Pollard seemingly leads the adult charge in the Upper School. Rob Quinn, Jason Murray, and others are scrambling around in advance to create schedules and build rinks. Marilena Canuto and Travis Derr are also highly involved from within our Athletic Department. But this is such an unfair short list of names, as virtually every adult in the community pitches in to make this day possible. And the student leadership is equally phenomenal, spearheading a tone of teamwork and school spirit that creates a lasting memory for us all.


As I sit at my computer watching the final few inches of about a foot of snow coming down up in the Fogg parking lot, I know that the outdoor environment will likely be a bit rugged this year. Perhaps there will need to be a few more indoor breaks than usual. Yet I can’t imagine there can be much that will slow this juggernaut down. Winter Carnival is a time to pause and remember what its like to make a snow angel, play broomball, or even how to laugh during the heart and soul of the academic year at Berwick Academy. So brush off those snow pants, Berwick –Winter Carnival is here.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

E.T.

I don’t think everyone is aware that for this period between Thanksgiving and Winter break, grade levels within the Middle School temporarily re-organize themselves to offer interdisciplinary learning experiences to break up the regular routine of class. This year, I was asked to participate in the “Machine Pilot” aspect of the seventh grade effort to explore the concept of extra-terrestrial life (E.T.). Seventh graders are asked to consider who, out of anyone on the planet, they would choose to send into outer space to interact with alien life forms and why. Our students are told they can literally choose any person on the planet, and the focus need not necessarily be someone with experience in space travel. In fact, they are asked to envision a pre-programmed ship with one seat, leaving them to consider not just technical skills but who would we want to represent human kind in this first interaction. They research, create resumes, write persuasive cover letters and are ultimately as
Post a Comment
Read more

The Campus as Mission

Yesterday, I was fortunate to spend an entire day with our board in retreat to discuss the future of Berwick Academy. The day included strategic conversations about the future of financial aid, innovation, and our amazing campus. In considering the strengths of the Berwick campus, almost everyone spoke to the remarkable quality of our main quad, the blend of old and new buildings, and the incredible open space we have to support our programs. There is an aura of learning and support on this campus that is clearly bolstered by the physical space and buildings. This sense will only be strengthened by the addition of the new Wellness Center next year. Looking ahead, there are still improvements to be made. Certainly parking is a concern, and we continue to dream about new facilities that might make the Berwick experience even more special for our students. One of the key insights that emerged from these conversations was the way in which the physical campus needs to reflect the
Post a Comment
Read more

Sugar Shack

Late April always brings the excitement of the BPC benefit, and I want to encourage the community to attend on April 28 at the Sheraton in Portsmouth. Certainly it is a fun way to gather and celebrate what makes BA so special, but it is also true that the funds raised through BPC help move our school forward in such compelling ways. Just this week I was reminded of this reality after I was invited to offer feedback to Krysta Ibsen’s eighth grade science project. As many of you know, Krysta has become famous for her Sugar Shack projects, which teach our kids aspects of science and entrepreneurship through the practice of making maple syrup. Clearly this is an example of student directed learning, where kids get to pursue individual interests within the broader educational construct. What I have always loved about the event is that it changes every year, and this year Krysta charged the kids to propose a real model for a permanent Sugar Shack we might build on campus someday. Kids
Post a Comment
Read more