Calendar Reminders

September 19 7th and 8th Grade Parent Night (6:30 - 8:00 PM)
September 26 9th-12th Grade Parent Night (6:30 - 8:00 PM)

Students are to be dropped off in the mornings in front of Grinnell Hall for the safety of all. The parking lots next to the recital hall and behind Hobbs Hall must be kept free from temporary traffic congestion caused by drop-off, in order for faculty and student drivers to be able to park safely. Thank you for your cooperation.

Preparing for College

Senior students and families are encouraged to contact Mr. Gay if they'd like to further discuss the college process. He has met with senior students twice as a group to discuss the Common Application and the college essay, and he has posted a schedule on his door (Grinnell Hall-the building to the east) for students to sign up for additional one-on-one meetings.

Junior students and families should contact Mr. Gay if they'd like a head-start on the college process, or if they have any questions. Mr. Gay will be meeting with junior students in the coming weeks to discuss what the fall semester of their junior year should look like in terms of their level of engagement with the college process. In the late fall/early winter, Mr. Gay will host a junior parent night. Keep your eyes peeled for a further announcement.

Junior and senior students are invited to attend the 32nd annual Northfield Mount Hermon college fair on Sunday, September 17th. The fair will be held in the Forslund Gymnasium at NMH between 3:30-5:00 PM. Mr. Gay will meet with all juniors and seniors ahead of time so they know what to expect. Parents should feel free to contact Mr. Gay if they have any questions. 

The PSAT/NMSQT will be held at The Academy on October 11th. All 10th and 11th grade students will participate. Students have received a student guide and they should read it and complete the practice questions in preparation.

Students are not supposed to stress over this test. Its purpose is to give the student, family, school administration, and college counselor familiarity with the format and an indication as to college readiness. Colleges do not see the results of this exam. However, students should take the PSAT seriously and try their best. Questions can be addressed to Mr. Gay.

In a Town Hall meeting held last week on the first Friday of the school year, Academy students approved a motion to hold Mountain Day this year and in keeping with both tradition and Roberts Rules of Order, engaged in the democratic process of choosing team name categories, and then team names. Having accomplished their business, the meeting adjourned and teams worked together to name themselves. Students and faculty members then boarded buses, with most headed to Zoar Outdoor for a day of rafting and picnicking, and a few who took a hiking and boating trip instead (see photos below, and stay tuned for next week's Bulletin for rafting photos).

The themes chosen for team names this year (through a complex process of voting and elimination) are Pasta, Things to Say to a US Congressperson or a Puppy, and Mythological Beasties. The names created from these themes are:

• Quiet Ditalini Magic
• The Shrekuccine Attack
  
• Upstate Pasghetti Squelch
  
• Macaroni Manticores...Use The Newspaper
  
• Tortilelenix
  
• Who Made This Mess?

Academy Parent Council News

The APC Annual Pie Sale will be held soon! Saturday Oct. 7 at the Ashfield Fall Festival. Homemade pies are needed!  Please sign up to bake and/or sell via the APC Fall Survey, an email to Diane Bigelow, or via sign up sheets at the Sept. 19 & 26 Parent Nights (pie tins will be available). We ask for a minimum of 2 pies (more always welcome!). All varieties accepted: apple, blueberry, peach, pecan, pumpkin, gluten free crusted.....your specialty! Be on the look out for a possible pie bee at the school. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Parents -- are you on Facebook? If so, mosey over to the APC's Facebook page! 

For almost 20 years, teams of students from The Academy have been going to Trinity Church at 17 Severance Street in Shelburne Falls on Friday nights to help prepare and serve the weekly community meals there. Each team is responsible for two meals per school year, which makes The Academy the greatest contributor to this community service program. Your child will be notified by their team leaders early on during the week when they are assigned to a supper, and these are also indicated on our calendar. The group leaves school around 3:30PM, armed with salad makings and homemade desserts. Students and their faculty advisors are greeted at the church by meals volunteers and are set to work in the church basement, matching these ingredients with some from the stores at the site. Dinner is prepared for anywhere from 35 to 80 diners. After those tasty desserts and cleanup, students are generally ready to be picked up by parents at the church around 6:45PM.