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Bulletin
April 14, 2017 
Volume 36, #29
Calendar Update Reminder:
To make up a snow day, school will be in session on Monday, April 17.

Model UN

Academy students in grades 8-12 traveled to Dartmouth College last Friday for their 12th annual "DartMUN" (Model UN) conference. Over 30 schools from around the nation were in attendance, and the competition was run by Dartmouth students.The Academy at Charlemont won two awards this year: Ben M received an Honorable Mention in the Historical Crisis Committee for representing Lysimachus and Zev L earned a Verbal Commendation in the African Union for representing Ethiopia.
Congratulations to all participants for their remarkable efforts in this endeavor, and thanks to the BZs for chaperoning the trip.

Speech Matters - Marlboro College Students Visit The Academy

Meg Mott, Professor of Politics and President-Elect of the New England Political Science Association, along with students from the Speech Matters seminar at Marlboro College returned to campus on Monday, April 10 to share their current work on examining issues related to incarceration in the United States. The group has traveled to jails throughout the northeast, sat in courtrooms, and spoken with people involved in the many different areas related to the criminal justice system, and engaged the community with stories and statistics to shed light on the nuanced layers of these complicated issues.
SPRING EXHIBITION AND DINNER, APRIL 18
Join us on April 18th at 6:15 PM for our Spring Exhibition. Seventh grade students will exhibit their Climate Connections work, and 10th and 11th grade students will exhibit for their respective Modern World and American Studies courses. 
There will be a benefit dinner at 5:15 PM provided by the Social Justice Council to help defray the cost of the upcoming Walking the Talk for Racial Justice youth conference. Your $6.50 meal will include vegetarian black bean soup with optional cheese and sour cream garnishes, cornbread and butter (or corn tortilla chips for our gluten-free diners) and salad.

GSA-Gender & Sexuality Alliance Events

Day of Silence, April 21

A number of students have signed up to participate in the 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, out of fear of repercussions for living their true selves -- a fear that remains very real for students across the country, around the world, and even in our school.
2016 Northampton Pride Parade

Northampton Pride, May 6

All 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 will 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!

Red Cross - Blood Drive, April 21

The Red Cross returns to campus for the spring Blood Drive at The Academy!
The Blood Drive will be held on Friday, April 21, from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. Students have begun bringing home donor forms, with the goal of every student finding at least one person to donate blood. Appointments can be made by filling out the donor form, or by calling the Main Office during regular business hours, or by visiting the Red Cross Blood Drive appointment page and entering our zip code. Baked goods for donors are also a high priority, so there are ways for everyone to lend a hand. We appreciate in advance your support of this important service event!  Not only does collecting blood save lives, but with enough donations, also provides college scholarships for our seniors.
Please contact Nora Bates Zale with any questions.

GIRLS' NIGHT IN, April 22-23 (5 PM to 10 AM)

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.

Current Parent Participation in the Annual Fund is 24%

As we enter into the 4th quarter of our school and fiscal year, we'd like to thank the 24% of our current families who have supported The Academy financially with a gift to the Annual Fund. Thank you so very much. With others, you’re helping us to reach our Annual Fund goal of $200,000.
For the other 76% of our families who haven't yet given, please take the time to participate this year. These funds support the core of educating your student every day – scholarships, faculty salaries, supplies, and other operating costs.
Give online, send a check with your student, or deliver your gift in person at drop off or pick up, or even mail it to us!  However you choose to send it, please do so before June 30th. For questions, please contact Carol Foote, Director of Development or call 413-339-4912 x117.
SPRING BREAK 2018 TRIP TO CHILE
The Academy is offering a trip to Chile during our next Spring Break. If your interest is piqued, check out the flyer here or contact Sra. Valdez or Sra. Rodriguez-Salas.

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.

SPORTS RECAP, Week of April 10

The Varsity Ultimate team had a great week with three victories. On Monday, the  team defeated Eagle Hill, 15-10 led by Sam Z-A's five points and one assist. The well-balanced attack from the Aardvarks resulted in eleven different players scoring points or earning assists. Ben S-G and H W-W helped the team's strong zone defensive effort. On a windy Wednesday, The Varsity squad defeated BART, 15-5. The Aardvarks' zone defense proved effective again with big defensive plays from Corinne L, Harper W-W and many others being turned into scores by Liam N and several others. On Thursday, Aiden B (1 point, 8 assists) and Nat B-O (4 points, 1 assist, 4 big defensive stops) led the way for The Academy as they defeated the Four Rivers Boys' JV team, 15-10.
On Monday, the JV Ultimate team lost to White Oak 13-1 with Kyle M scoring the team's point. Kathleen S and Zell G were strong handlers, and everyone made nice contributions in the tough loss. On Thursday, The JV team showed significant improvement in a 15-4 loss to Eaglebrook. Kathleen, Talos P, Kyle M, and Sam F scored for the Aardarks, while Will D had a strong game on the offensive and defensive sides and Patrick O made some nice catches.
On Tuesday, the Middle School Ultimate team had its first game. Although they lost 10-4 to the Four Rivers Middle School Girls' team, it was close for much of the game and a great opportunity for many players to contribute to their first Ultimate game. Raymond M and Alec D  each scored two points, and Raymond, Elaina G-B, and Linnea Z had assists. Ruby C and Bella G each had an amazing game on defense. 
After falling to an early 8-1 deficit in their first game, the combined Academy/Mohawk Girls' Lacrosse team played a much better second-half. There were many bright spots including an excellent defensive performance from Ella D and seven saves by Mohawk senior Christina L, who also contributed an assist. Sarah H had three saves in her first game as goalie and sister Lizze H scored all of the team's three goals. Both Celeste D and Riley H had strong showings in their first career games.

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)

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. 

Hosting Opportunity for 2017-18

We will be welcoming a new sophomore boy from France in the coming 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 engaging brief bio.  
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.
Please indicate your interest by contacting Sabine Mauri.

Grandparents and Family Friends Day
Friday April 28, 2017

Invitations have been sent to grandparents and family friends to explore the academic day with their Academy student and enjoy lunch, afternoon tea, and some special events, all on our beautiful campus. If you are unsure whether a certain individual might have received the invitation and you'd like for them to attend, please contact Steph Powers to check, add, or to RSVP. PLEASE RSVP by Monday, April 17.

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!

Grove Season

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 to cover printing costs - students' participation in this 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.  

CLASSROOM CLOSE-UP


Spanish V students Henry W-W and Ben S-G try their hands at using "bolas," a traditional weapon used by gauchos in Argentina.

Social Justice Council Seeks Help from the Community

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 the Liberation Library. Those interested in supporting this endeavor should make checks 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.

BACKPACK SUPPLIES UPDATE

Thanks to everyone who has participated in our backpack supplies drive to date!

This Community Service Council initiative continues next week with a new list, reflecting numbers of items already received -

  • 8 small bottles of white glue
  • 22 glue sticks (individual or in packs of 2)
  • 20 packages of markers
  • 14 packages of colored pencils
We're also still looking for these items to round out the last list: mini staplers (10), and staple removers (7).

Thanks again!

COMMUNITY INTEREST AND SAVE THE DATE INFO 



HIKE FOR WHAT'S RIGHT, 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.  

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.

ACADEMY STUDENT ART EXHIBIT, MAY 16 - JUNE 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!

Update on Walking the Talk for Racial Justice Youth Conference, May 20

We are pleased to announce that the keynote speaker for our Walking the Talk for Racial Justice Youth Conference will be Anika Nailah - writer, writing coach, cultural liberationist, and spoken word artist. She is the founder and former director of Books Of Hope, a Boston-based, youth literacy program. The conference aims to further educate area middle and high schoolers (and their associated adults) on a variety of contemporary topics impacting racial inequality. Co-sponsored by Greenfield Community College, the full day event will be held in the Dining Commons on their main campus on May 20. Any community members interesting in supporting this effort - including ideas for speakers and workshop leaders, contributions, etc. - should contact Nora Bates Zale. Watch the Bulletin for more details.

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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