Bulletin April 21, 2017 Volume 36, #30
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| Calendar Reminders and Updates: Senior Exhibition, May 1 Community Service Day, May 2 Class Trips, May 3-5 On Wednesday, May 10, we will be ending our academic day at 1:00 PM. Lacrosse players and kayakers will have practice from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Buses will leave The Academy at 3:15. Students participating in independent sports should communicate with Jen Rizzi about how they will be getting home. All Ultimate players will be playing in games at GCC that afternoon, and families of Ultimate players should plan to arrange transportation home from GCC.
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GIRLS' NIGHT IN, THIS WEEKEND(5 PM Saturday to 9 AM Sunday)
The Academy's senior women are bringing back the tradition of hosting a Girls’ Night In after a years-long hiatus! First established by alum Gracie Hall (2012), Girls’ Night In is an opportunity for all of the women at The Academy to get to know each other better, boost each other's self-esteem, and have tons of fun. Activities will include movies, a potluck dinner, games, and bonding exercises. Seniors and faculty will provide breakfast in the morning, and each student is responsible for bringing her own pajamas, toiletries, and sleeping bag/pillows. The event will be chaperoned by female Academy faculty and staff members, and all female Academy students are welcome. Attendees are requested to spend the night, but in recognition of the fact that conflicts are a part of life, individual students should talk with Mrs. BZ and/or Ms. Rizzi to make arrangements to participate without sleeping over.
Potluck dinner assignments are as follows:
- 7th and 8th grades: desserts
- 9th and 10th grades: snacks (chips, veggies & dip, fruit salad, cheese & crackers)
- 11th and 12th grades: main dishes
Students who plan to attend should RSVP to one of the senior girls. Please be in contact with Mrs. BZ or Zell G with any questions.
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| Grandparents and Family Friends Day is Next Week!
Friday April 28, 2017
Next Friday, grandparents and family friends will explore the academic day with their Academy student(s) and enjoy lunch, afternoon tea, and some special events, all on our beautiful campus. Though the RSVP date has officially passed, we would be happy to accommodate your guests if you confirm their attendance by Monday, April 24. Please contact Steph Powers by Monday to check the RSVP status of your grandparents and family friends, or to add a name to the list.
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| Call for High Tea Fare: Headmaster’s Tea for Grandparents and Family Friends Day
Rebekah Boyd (P'18, 19) is again organizing the details for the Headmaster's Tea on April 28, a signature afternoon event for grandparents and other guests. She requests donations of "high tea" fare — small bite cookies, petit fours, cream puffs, lady fingers, shortbread, chocolate covered strawberries, pound cake, candied almonds, etc. Items can be delivered that morning.
If you are able to offer such an item, please call (413-625-6260) or email Rebekah. Thank you!
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| Summer Programs at The Academy, June 26-August 6
The Academy continues to be a vibrant, creative place during the summer! This year we are offering a wide variety of summer programs for ages 8-18. Programs for middle and high school students include Ultimate Frisbee and GameMakers facilitated by our own Will Miller. Coach BZ will be offering programs for varied ages, including Girls Basketball Skills and Drills, Film and Digital Photography, and Digital Media 2 Video. You'll also see familiar faces Charlene Neeley teaching Rugbraiding and alum Nils Donohue-Meyer '16 offering Boys Basketball Skills and Drills.
Programs geared specifically for younger participants ages 8-12 include Cooking Up Some Fun, Mixed Media Sculpture and a returning favorite, Kids' Clay Class.
The Hilltown Youth Summer Theatre returns with a production of "Shakespeare in Like" offering four different programs - The Recovery Theatre, Summer Workshop, Littles and Middles, and Set Design Intensive.
For more information and to register click here. Please contact Steph Powers directly with any questions or to discuss financial aid.
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| Proposed FRTA Route Changes The FRTA is proposing a minor change to the Charlemont route for next year. On the positive front, they would be changing the late pick-up time from 5:43 PM to 5:35 PM; on the more negative front, the proposed change means that the evening bus would not stop at The Academy unless they see people waiting outside for the bus. If this proposed change affects you, please reach out and ask FRTA not to enact this plan. We'd hate for our students to have to stand outside in the winter cold each day. Dr. Bloomfield has communicated his preference, but if others do so, it may help to sway FRTA. Contact information and a survey are available on FRTA's website or email Tina Cote (tina@frta.org).
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| FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
As we celebrate our students' learning experiences with Exhibitions, we also want to take a minute to celebrate some of the work that teachers have been doing to enhance their own learning this year.
Early in the year, Sarah Goudreault and Neale Gay attended a Collaborative for Educational Services workshop designed to help educators better understand the role of executive functioning in the learning and to incorporate an executive function perspective into their classroom. In February, Mr. Young went to Living Latin in New York City, a two-day series of lectures and seminar-based discussions conducted in Latin. In March, he went to the Classical Association of New England annual meeting, where he attended a variety of talks and workshops on classical scholarship and pedagogy. In March, Sabine Mauri and Cathy Valdez attended an American Association of Teachers of French conference where faculty from Landmark College presented on strategies for working with students with learning differences in the foreign language classroom. Mme Mauri also attended the Association of Global Educators Conference to learn about current trends and best practices regarding international student placement, including relationships between agency and schools, admission protocols, international programs, and cross-cultural challenges between Chinese visitors and American hosts.
More recently, Nora Bates Zale attended the 27th Annual Autism Conference put on by Autism Connections in Holyoke. Dr. Karen Levine (lecturer on Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and practicing psychologist in Lexington, MA) discussed her engaging approach to treating anxiety and phobias in children with autism, a technique she has termed “gradual exposure”. At the conference, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best-selling author, Ron Suskind, shared a summary about his powerful family biography, Life, Animated, which was recently adapted to an Academy Award-nominated documentary. Suskind elaborated on how his family's story has prompted activism and research about the compensatory strengths of those with autism and others who are "differently-abled" due to distinctive neurology or sociocultural backgrounds. These faculty members continue to share what they’ve learned through these experiences with their peers.
Within The Academy's walls, faculty has spent the year discussing and defining the skills that we aim for students to develop during their time here. For example, what does critical thinking really mean and how does it look different in a seventh grade math class from how it manifests in a senior-year Humanities course? This is an ongoing discussion, but the work done already has made an impact on how and what we teach.
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| New Books in Our Library Collection Students and parents are encouraged to "check out" new titles in the library. See this list for more information, and stop in to browse any time.
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GSA-Gender & Sexuality Alliance EventsDay of Silence Today
25% of Academy students participated in today's Day of Silence, which is the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's (GLSEN) annual day of action to spread awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of LGBTQ+ students. Students take a vow of silence for the day in order to stand in solidarity with the social silencing that many LGBTQ+ students experience on a daily basis.
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|  | 2016 Northampton Pride Parade |
| Northampton Pride, May 6All community members are welcome to join the GSA in celebration of their own LGBTQ+ identity or in solidarity with those who identify this way. In addition to proudly carrying the banner that our Board of Trustees purchased for us last year, the GSA group is making individual signs this year to draw more attention to a range of issues faced by this demographic. Details on staging for the parade and other pertinent information for the day will be going out to interested parties as the day draws closer - stay tuned!
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CLASSROOM CLOSE-UP 9th grade students embarked on a many month cross-curricular project in Humanities and Art, in which they studied Greek vases (in imagery and in person at the MFA in Boston), and then designed, built, decorated and glazed their own. Students took inspiration from the ancient Greeks not just in the forms of their pieces, but also in choosing imagery that represented current events or Greek mythology (or sometimes both). Here is a glimpse of the finished products!
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SPORTS RECAP, Week of April 21
The Academy-Mohawk Girls' Lacrosse team had their first win of the season on Wednesday, 12-6 over Amherst Middle School. Sarah H had eight saves in goal and the team was lead offensively by her sister Lizzie who scored a career high seven goals! Riley H and Esme M-R each scored two goals, while Sunta C scored one goal. Earlier in the week, the team had lost to Stoneleigh Burnham, 14-5. Ella D and Sienna B played well defensively, while Lizzie and Riley (one assist) scored three and two goals, respectively.
Last Saturday, the Varsity Ultimate team, helped by several JV players, had a very strong showing in the C Division of the Northfield Mount Hermon Boys' Tournament. The team won two out of three games and also was formally recognized by all of their opponents for their sportsmanship. Later in the week, on a rainy and windy Wednesday, the Varsity came out cold from the long bus ride to Dublin and never recovered from Dublin's early lead. The Academy lost 14-4. Corinne L and Liam F had two points apiece, while Amun P and Ben S-G had a strong defensive game in the zone. On Thursday the Varsity team played Four Rivers Boys in a 15-1 loss. Nat B-O scored the Aardvarks' only point off of an assist by Henry W-W.
The JV Ultimate team lost to Buxton 15-4 on Thursday. Sam F scored three times and Saraphina F scored once, while Talos P had a number of critical catches for the team. Sam and Will D had strong games on defense, while Lila G and Kathleen S also made great contributions.
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| Interested in carpooling to spring sports events or coordinating much-appreciated snacks for our athletes?
Here are the team email lists for each sport -- feel free to use them to be in touch with your fellow parents to best support our student athletes! jvultparents@charlemont.org msultparents@charlemont.org vultparents@charlemont.org laxparents@charlemont.org (includes Mohawk parents)
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DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT CLASS TRIPS, MAY 3-5
Each May all grades take multi-day field trips aligned with curriculum to further enhance student learning. Information about each trip is available by clicking the links below.
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| Grove Season - One More Week to Purchase an Ad!
Time to purchase a yearbook ad for your graduating senior - or your business!
It's that time - ad sales for our yearbook, The Grove, are underway. All students have been assigned an ad to sell.The sale of an ad generates a free yearbook for the selling student; students who do not sell an ad will be charged for the cost of their yearbook (approximately $15). Selling an ad, however helps to build community relationships with local businesses as well as covering printing costs - students' participation in this effort goes beyond the benefit of a free yearbook.
Parents of the graduating class often purchase ad space to congratulate their seniors -- these ads count towards the free yearbook for the corresponding student. Parents who are business owners are also welcome to work with their student to purchase an ad. If you are interested in creating an ad for your senior or business, please review this link for details on sizes and specs, complete this ad contract and send it along with the ad to grove@charlemont.org, or send in a hard copy. Hard copies of ads or ad contracts, questions, and concerns can be directed to Nora Bates Zale.
The deadline for ad sales is April 28.
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PLEASE DONATE TO SUPPORT THE LIBERATION LIBRARY
Liberation Library is a Chicago-based organization that distributes books to incarcerated youth. Through reading and relationships, the organization aims to “empower young people to change the criminal justice system.” Click here for their story. Incarcerated youth at four detention centers have requested a variety of books that both reflect their own experiences and offer glimpses into the world beyond. You can find their Amazon wish list linked here.
The Social Justice Council’s goal is to purchase and donate 25 books from this list. To support this endeavor please send in a check payable to The Academy at Charlemont with “Liberation Library” in the memo line. If you are interested in directing your contribution toward a specific book, please enclose a note with the title with your check .
Like the Liberation Library, the Social Justice Council believes that access to books and information is a right, not a privilege, and we thank you for your continued support for this and future efforts.
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BACKPACK SUPPLIES DRIVE UPDATE The Community Service Council project is ongoing, with great response! Through Monday, May 8, we will be collecting mini staplers, staple removers, markers, colored pencils and glue - these are the quantities still needed: 10 mini staplers (that use standard size staples) 7 staple removers 19 packages of markers 12 packages of colored pencils 3 small bottles of white glue We have decided to forego the pocket dictionaries and planner books, and after Class Trips we will begin collecting the items on the last of our lists (the numbers below reflect items already donated): 24 small tissue packs (often sold in packages of 3) 40 chapstick or other lip balms 20 small bottles of hand lotion 20 travel size bottles of hand sanitizer We ask that families also consider donating travel sized packages of feminine products.
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Update on Walking the Talk for Racial Justice Youth Conference, May 20In addition to keynote speaker Anika Nailah we have lined up a growing list of exciting and engaging breakout session leaders including anti-racism educator and activist Kent Alexander who has dedicated his career to exploring issues relating to racial injustice, with a particular emphasis on how oppression is held in the body. Since serving as the former Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Elms College, he now facilitates social-justice related workshops for a number of organizations; attorney Buz Eisenberg, who is well-known for his work to get eight (8) Guantanamo prisoners released, many of whom were held for years without charge, and many of whom were granted Petitions for Clemency by President Obama that were prepared by Atty. Eisenberg and his co-counsel, Bill Newman. A frequent lecturer, Professor Eisenberg is nationally recognized for his human righs and social justice work, and has taught courses in law and government at GCC for 16 years; attorney Tahirah Amatul-Wadud who is also a commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and in that role advocates before the state legislature to enact laws responsive to the needs of women and girls; Shela Linton, a radical, black and indigenous, queer activist, community organizer and advocate for social justice. A native of Brattleboro, VT, single mother of two and a new grandma, her current initiatives are helping to developing the Black Lives Matter Vermont Chapter, and coordinating the I am Vermont Too photo story project; challenging racial micro aggressions in Vermont. She has been nationally recognized for her work with the Vermont Workers' Center and The Root Social Justice Center in 2014 by Glamour Magazine as a Hometown Hero and in 2015 by The Meredith Viera Show for her contributions to her family, work and community; Mel Motel, founder of the Just Schools Project, an organization dedicated to supporting restorative practices in schools. Prior to founding the organization, Mel coordinated a restorative justice-based program with formerly incarcerated adults at the Brattleboro Community Justice Center, and organized around issues affecting incarcerated people and their families; Meg Mott, Professor of Politics at Marlboro College and President-Elect of the New England Political Science Association; attorney Luke Ryan, who concentrates his practice in criminal defense at the trial and appellate level and in civil rights litigation and serves as a cooperating attorney with the ACLU of Massachusetts.
The Walking the Talk for Racial Justice conference aims to mobilize all young people (and associated adults) to create more inclusive communities. In a collaborative space of academics and anti-racism activists, participants will have the opportunity to discover their own role in creating a racially equitable society. Conference organizers believe that young people, who have inherited a system of white supremacy, must take collective action to dismantle it. It is imperative that young people create a future which actualizes this area’s values of freedom and opportunity for everyone. This conference strives to provide participants with the resources that they need to pursue that work.
Co-sponsored by Greenfield Community College, the full day event will be held in the Dining Commons on their main campus on May 20. It is free and open to middle and high school students, their families, teachers, social workers, and other adults with whom they are regularly connected. Community members interesting in supporting this effort should contact Nora Bates Zale. To register please visit our website.
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| SPRING BREAK 2018 TRIP TO CHILE
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| Freecycle Sports Equipment
Are unused sports cleats cluttering up your closets? Consider "freecycling" them to The Academy's equipment box. Please place donations in the bin of cleats in the athletics shed. Students may borrow from here for a single sports practice or game, or for the whole season. Contact Jean Zimmer if you have questions.
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| Hosting Opportunity for 2017-18
We will be welcoming a new sophomore boy from France next year: Julen, 15. He is excited to follow in the footsteps of his brother Jon who spent last year at The Academy and loved it! Julen is interested in living with an Academy family. He loves fencing, swimming and playing the guitar. He has heard a lot of great things from his brother about The Academy and can’t wait to practice soccer, basketball and Utimate. If you would like to learn more about Julen, please read his own engaging letter of introduction.
Julen will arrive in our area in mid-August and be with us until mid-June. There will be a monthly family stipend to help defray costs for room and board.
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| | COMMUNITY INTEREST - UPCOMING EVENTS
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HIKE FOR WHAT'S RIGHT, THIS SUNDAY April 23
Please join 8th grader Saraphina F and others for the 3nd Annual "Hike for What's Right", a fund raising event to help bring safe drinking water to people around the globe. The hike starts at 10 AM on April 23 in the Mineral Hills Conservation Area. Click here for more details.
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| SPRING HIKE AND PICNIC FOR FAMILIES, MAY 13:
April Showers Bring May Flowers!
Academy families and friends, are invited to come together for an outing at the DAR State Forest in Goshen, MA Meet at 1-4PM at 78 Cape Street (on Route 112 near Route 9) to hike up to the fire tower with its gorgeous view, picnic on the campers' beach, and kayak on the lake. We'll finish up at 4PM. This event is hosted by 7th grade families, Marla BB and Ruby R, Cynthia P and Celeste D. For more information and to let us know to expect you, please call (413-296-0187) or email Marla.
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| ACADEMY STUDENT ART EXHIBIT, MAY 16 - JULY 2
Please stop in at Mocha Maya's (47 Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls) to view our students' work from the current semester. Two dimensional pieces will be on exhibit beginning May 16, with the addition of three dimensional works on June 2 in time for a pre-Spring Concert reception, 5 to 6:45 PM. Please mark your calendars!
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| Save the Date - Final APC Meeting of the Year, and Work Bee, May 27
The last APC meeting of the year will be Saturday, May 27, 2017 in the morning. After the meeting, please plan to participate in our annual Spring Work Bee. This is always a great day, complete with coffee, treats and companionship while we paint, saw, weed and clean! Stay tuned for more details.
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| SUMMER SLED DOG CAMPS Hilltown Wilderness Adventures offers day and overnight experiences in July. Click here for more information.
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