November 19-23:  Thanksgiving break
November 26:        After-school sports and activities begin
                                Buses resume late schedule and will depart at 5:15pm
December 9:          Admissions Open House, 1-3 PM
December 17-19:   Mid-year exams
December 20:        Winter Concert (see article below*)
December 21:        Polyglot
December 24-January 4:  Winter Break

On Monday, November 26th, winter after-school activities begin. Buses will depart school at 5:15 PM, Monday through Thursday until Thursday December 13th. Drama, basketball, and ski team begin Monday, November 26th. Recreational skiing will begin on Monday, January 8th at the latest. Please reference this letter for important information about skiing. 

Students who stay after school and are not engaged in these activities will have a study hall until buses depart or parents pick them up. Please make sure that students sign out in the main office when departing school other than on the buses.

8th grade Exhibition

9th grade Exhibition

The Academy community contributed valuable data to the 9th grade biology students' scientific studies on exhibition night. Students measured a wide variety of population statistics, including skin oil levels, heart rates, risk aversions, arm strengths, jumping heights, mental math abilities, and self-reported perceptions of mood, skin temperature changes, and more. The students are analyzing the data now, so please check their websites to view their results and conclusions!

This week our singing group began its schedule of performances at area elementary schools, visiting Lander Grinspoon Academy and Hawlemont Elementary School. In the coming weeks they'll perform at Conway Grammar School, Sunderland Elementary School, Sanderson Academy, and the Common School, as well as Readsboro and Halifax Elementary Schools in Vermont. Kudos to our talented singers, and to Scott Hoffman and Katryna Nields for directing and supporting them - and thanks to all of our hosts.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see video taken during their performance at Lander Grinspoon Academy on Wednesday.

The Community Service Council will once again be collecting clean winter outerwear in good condition (no stains or rips) to donate to Enlace de Familias, an organization in Holyoke that helps families in need. As was the case last year, their continued, critical focus is to provide warm outerware to children and adults who have relocated to the area from Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria. Please use the Thanksgiving vacation time to collect your items and bring them in to school when you return.

We'll also be collecting mittens, gloves, hats and scarves. Both clothing and accessories will be accepted until December 14, and delivered the following week.

Thank you for your generous participation in these important efforts.

On Thursday, December 20th, students will spend the afternoon rehearsing for the Winter Concert at Theater 14 in the Mendenhall Center at Smith College. There are no classes at The Academy. Students who are not in the concert do not have school on Thursday, 12/20, but should attend the concert in the evening.

Any music student needing a ride to the rehearsal from Charlemont should arrive at school by 10:15 AM to take the bus to Smith. Modified bus routes for the morning and afternoon, which both include stops at school and in Buckland, can be found here. Afternoon buses will depart from Smith at 3 PM.

Those students who will get themselves to Theater 14 should arrive there in time to begin rehearsing at 11:30 AM.

Students in the concert are expected to return to Theater 14 at 6:00 PM and they are expected to dress to impress!

Parent gifts and pledges to the 2018-2019 Annual Fund are coming in, and each day we move toward our goal of 100% participation. Thanks to the 20% of you who have made a gift or pledge as of today.  Every gift makes a difference for our students, every day!

As we enter a season of giving, and giving thanks, please let us know your gift intentions by completing this form and returning it to us. You can also visit our secure donation page to make a pledge or a gift – one time or recurring - online. Thank you!

Academy families and friends gathered at Bread Euphoria last Friday evening to view the exhibit of our students' art and listen to the smooth jazz of Eli C and Leo W. It was a lovely evening! The art exhibit will be on view through the end of the year, so please consider stopping in to take a look.

Please join us at the home of Janet Mullen & Noah Grunberg P20, 9 Gardner Avenue in Shelburne Falls for our next APC meeting. All parents and guardians are invited! Contact Dana Stiepock  and Diane Bigelow if you have an agenda item you would like to see included.

Please spread the word! Do you know students and families who would like to learn more about The Academy? Please share this link for more information and pre-registration for our 2018 Open House event - thank you!

Vegetarian and gluten free options will, as always, be available next week, for the following menu: 

Monday:  French bread pizza
Tuesday:  Southern Hot Mess
Wednesday:  Rosemary garlic chicken and oven potatoes
Thursday:  Penne pasta with tomato cream and garlic bread

Friday:  Pulled pork poutine