JUNE 2010

BERWICK A C A D E M Y

1791 L e t t e r
Class of 2010 Graduation

1791 Letter ~ June 2010 1


THINKING ABOUT DIFFERENCE
Just twenty-four hours after
completing a drizzly but inspirational
commencement celebration on
Fogg Field, I found myself picking
strawberries with my two daughters on
a misty day in Hampton Falls. By the
end of an hour or so, Kenna had figured
out a way to detect, describe, and pluck
the “perfect” strawberry. Avery, who is
just now on the threshold of walking,
suddenly wanted down from Daddy’s
shoulders at all costs so that she could
stumble along the rows of shiny berries
with her sister. As I looked around this
incredible setting, with families picking
berries as live acoustic music wafted
over an open field, I was so keenly
aware of the benefits of living in the
Seacoast with my family. Certainly this
experience was not readily available in
my former locale of New York City.
With each passing year, I am even
more appreciative of how lucky the
Schneiders are to live in such a beautiful
place laced with such opportunity.
For all of its incredible strengths,
one could argue that a limitation of the
Seacoast is its relative lack of racial
and ethnic diversity. Whenever we
graduate a class of seniors, as we did
this weekend, I have absolutely no
doubt that we have prepared them
for the rigors of college academics.
Sometimes I wonder, however, if they
are in for a bit of a shock when they land
in a college setting that will be truly
enriched with cultures and families from
around the globe. While their Seacoast
roots become an essential piece of that
collegiate tapestry they have joined,
2 1791 Letter ~June 2010
MESSAGE F R O M
Greg Schneider
Head of School
it can still be an overwhelming initial
jolt for a student who is exposed to this
explosion of diversity for the first time.
In recent weeks, I have also been having
some important personal conversations
with Berwick parents about issues
surrounding diversity within our own
community. Finally, in reading our
spring culture and climate surveys of
parents, students, and faculty, it was
clear to the Administrative team that
there is great potential for Berwick
to take a step forward with this
conversation in the coming years. Thus
I thought a few words about difference
in this concluding installment for the
2009-2010 academic year might be
appropriate.
On the one hand, there is
no question that Berwick’s diversity
conversation is limited by the
geography of a day school existing in
the Seacoast, but I would argue that
this cannot be a rationale for ignoring
a difficult but critical educational
topic for our students and families. If
Berwick’s mission is truly about “useful
knowledge,” then I think anyone
would be hard pressed to argue that
having an ability to work with people
of varied backgrounds will be even
more essential for these graduates than
it is in the economy today. In a global
marketplace facilitated by technology,
cultures collaborate and conversations
evolve in all sorts of new and important
venues. Berwick Academy is actually,
in many cases, more diverse than local
public school options. I would love for
the richness of this Berwick culture to
become yet another tangible reason for
families to join this community if they
are seeking the very best education for
their children in the coming years.
Berwick is far more diverse
than I believe people, particularly
people who are not members of the
community, ever realize. Admittedly,
some of this has to do with how one
chooses to define this evolving and
nebulous word: diversity. In fact, our
tag line of Where excellence has many faces
speaks to Berwick’s value proposition
in this regard. Certainly we know
that a strength of this school is that
one does not have to fit into a box of
athlete, artist, liberal, conservative,
male, or female to have an exceptional
experience here. This essential element
of Berwick’s DNA is one key reason I
chose to lead this community. I also
believe that our internal community
values not only the deep socioeconomic
diversity that is present at Berwick,
but the sense that groups usually mix
and mingle in very comfortable ways
whether students come from families
with substantial means, whether
they receive significant financial aid,
or whether they are the children of
Berwick employees. I, for one, truly
value this depth of socioeconomic
difference at Berwick and often feel
frustrated when I sense that the outside
marketplace may not consider an
education at Berwick because they
wonder whether or not their children
– or perhaps more importantly they
as parents – would not “fit in” in this
community.
We also know that we are far
from perfect and are no utopia; there
are areas where our diversity tests us.
Issues such as fashion, the holidays,
politics, and the relative insularity of
our school are all major challenges
in this regard. One of the key
takeaways from our recent smattering
 BERWICK A C A D E M Y
of community surveys was that there
are some members of this community
who do not always feel completely
at ease based on their particular kind
of difference. Students and parents
express these themes in different ways,
ranging from the subtle to the overt.
Faculty generally appear to have an
impression that Berwick is equally
welcoming to all, which is certainly
what I would like to believe as well. At
our upcoming Administrative retreat,
we plan to spend some valuable time
thinking about how we might create
some useful forums for our students
to talk about difference in various
ways. Certainly the recent addition
of our Upper School SWAT (Student
Wellness Advisory Team) group will be
well positioned to play a lead role in
some of these conversations. Improving
orientation programs for parents and
trying to be sure that all new members
of this community feel equally welcome
are critical to our success in this area as
well.
We all know that these
are tough topics to discuss in any
environment. Any discussion about
class, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual
orientation - virtually any kind of
difference - can lead to moments of
conflict in an intellectual community.
Being new to this Academy three years
ago, there have been plenty of other
issues that have demanded priority on
my desk thus far. However, as I ponder
how we might continue increasing the
value of a Berwick education as a place
where excellence truly has many faces,
and as we continue on our quest to
offer students a 21st century version
of “useful knowledge,” I know that this
conversation about difference should
be lively and valued here, just as it is at
any great independent school.
The reason I know that our
1791 Letter
students and families will be able to
Farewell to Nurse Gill
embrace such a journey with me is
After twenty-four amazing
that the underlying foundation of
years at Berwick Academy, I report with
community that binds Berwick together
mixed emotions that Linda Gill will not
is so extraordinarily strong. We share
be returning to Berwick next year. We
an unwavering value of education, a
truly want to wish her best of luck in
collective investment in a day school
all of her new endeavors. She has done
family partnership, a balanced approach
so much to nurture and care for the
to child development, an equal passion
children of Berwick during her tenure,
for rigor and nurture, an appreciation
and we will all miss her incredible
for hard work and fun, and even the very
warmth and good cheer in all areas of
quality of life and family values that the
school life. We have launched a search
Seacoast represents join us all together
for a new school nurse.
in ways that are far more powerful than
the ways in which we are different. A
Congratulations Class of 2010
famous Kenyan proverb states “Sticks
I wanted to express to the
in a bundle are unbreakable,” and I
entire community what an incredible
believe that the Berwick community
group of graduates we had this year.
is remarkably tight – to the tune of
The sixty-three members of the class
219 years. I look forward, with your
of 2010 remind us all that we are living
help, to finding new ways to make
Berwick Academy’s mission in powerful
this bond even stronger through an
ways.
acknowledgment and recognition that
diversity and difference do not only
Pre-Kindergarten for the fall of 2011
dwell out there in the world for which
Although there are still plenty
we are preparing our students, but it
of details to be ironed out during the
exists in exquisitely challenging ways
next year, I am pleased to report that the
on this Hilltop as well. As always, I
Board of Trustees voted unanimously
relish this challenge.
to start a Pre-Kindergarten program
for four-year-old children in the fall
Continuing the Green movement with on-line
of 2011. We expect this program to
forms:
include approximately eight students
Given that we are no longer
for a full week of half-days, and it will
sending out massive paper mailings for
reside near our Kindergarten in the
the 1791 Letter, we have decided to email
Kendall Lower School. Please help us
out all necessary registration forms for
spread the word about this exciting
our families during the week of June
addition this summer, as we plan to
21st. In addition to emails that will be
market this new program aggressively
pushed directly to families, these forms
in the coming weeks.
with be available on the parent portal
under “Important Forms.” For this
Summer Projects
transitional year, forms will need to be
This summer should be incredibly
printed and delivered back to Sondra
busy on campus, as we are working to
Farrell, but we are working towards a
complete our turf field projects as well
system that will allow for electronic
as the new entrance to the Commons/
completion of these forms in coming
Kendall area. In addition, we look
years as well.
forward to some great Berwick summer
continued on pg. 10...
1791 Letter ~ June 2010 3
 Peter Saliba - Upper School Director

Upper School News

difficult to get away from it all. Lots of do is to follow the lead of your kids.
As you read this issue of the
literature addresses this issue. Go ahead They may have the secret to relaxing,
1791 Letter, I am somewhere in the back
and search books on relaxing and you not only for themselves, but for all of
woods of Maine wrestling with one of
will find thousands of volumes. And, us.
my most difficult challenges. No, I’m
there are a number of medical studies
not on a ropes course, nor summiting
exploring relaxing, including one in
Katadhin, or running any Class V
the Netherlands which has concluded
rapids. I am in a relatively serene
that some people get physically sick
place with some good friends, with
from attempting to relax. Yes, you can
no real schedule, no cell phone, and
vomit from trying to get away from it
no Internet. What’s challenging me is
all. Well, I don’t have that problem,
something I wrestle with each year, and
thankfully.
thankfully, it is getting easier each time
I attempt to do it. What I’m trying to
Much of the advice
do is to relax.
surrounding relaxing instructs you to
rediscover your inner self. Having
All of us (kids, faculty, staff,
lived in Southern California, I saw
parents) spend the year pretty cycled
that in action and I’m just fine relaxing
up about the innumerable challenges
without having to wheel him out of the
before us. It feels as if we are on
back of my mind.
a constant trampoline, bouncing
from assembly, to class, to sports, to
What works for me is to
homework and then to bed. Even
remember those things that gave me
there, I’m not sure we find true peace as
the greatest joy when I was growing
I’m sure many of us have some sleepless
up, and then do them. I like to sit on
hours with thoughts of work, family, or
a cliff and look out at nothing. I like
friends on our minds. When the alarm
to spend the entire day at the beach
clock goes off, we get up and do it
in the water. I spend time with my
again.
childhood friends. I enjoy splitting
wood. I like to speed around in a boat
Now, we can have fun doing
at full throttle and see how close I can
this. I am guilty of having fun on a
get to channel markers. These are the
regular basis, although I will admit that
things that allow me to relax, and they
this crazy treadmill is not so much fun
all came from when I was a teenager.
in February. The energy of school,
the joy of working with teenagers,
All of us have different ways
and the excitement of discovery can
of slowing down, but I think that most
be intoxicating. But when school gets
of them stem from those experiences
quiet and the pattern of life changes, I
we had as kids. I’m sure that all of the
always struggle.
families at Berwick will be spending
some time this summer changing things
The art of relaxing has changed
up a bit, and getting some down time.
tremendously in the last ten years. This
You may try and architect some down
is a result, in part, of technology and
time, but what you really may need to
our constant connectedness. It’s pretty

4 1791 Letter ~June 2010


Rituals and tradition mark the
closing of each academic year. Berwick
Academy is rich in both. As I write this
closing letter, I am still slightly euphoric
thinking about the Eighth Grade
Baccalaureate. The ritual is centuries
old, and in the Berwick tradition,
it honored excellence through the
demonstration of thoughtful and
articulate memories by members of
the exiting class of students. Their
presentations were evidence of their
academic journey. In voices sometimes
deep and at other times melodic, the
students spoke of what their middle
school experiences meant to them,
and of the memories that each held
of classmates. While each had a goal
to introduce a classmate, the audience
was enchanted by the true voices that
came through so clearly. Individuals,
all part of a whole, but still distinctly
unique.
We closed the academic year
with an assembly to honor students for
their community contributions and for
academic excellence. The Cogswell
Book prize is awarded each year to the
highest ranking scholar in grades five
through eight. The following students
won the 2010 Cogswell Book prize:
5th Grade- Sam Noyes
6th Grade- Ellen Lynch
7th Grade- Clayton Jacques
8th Grade- Cora Ordway
The Middle School Award is
presented to one boy and one girl in
each grade who has served his/her
classmates and school community
well and has maintained academic
Rosemary Zurawel - Middle School Director
Middle School News
excellence. The following students
were honored this year:
5th Grade-
Peter Scharer and Emma Sattler
6th Grade-
Page Waldo and Eric Rawn
7th Grade-
Madison Cassidy and Ben Thut
8th Grade-
Suzanna Borg and Seth Wyskiel
As the Highland piper led the
faculty, trustees, and the graduating
Class of 2010 onto Fogg Field for
commencement, I was reminded again
of the rich traditions that mark the
final ritual of transition that closes each
year. The students who attended our
Middle School scarcely resemble the
10-year-olds who walked with such
trepidation into our fifth grade. They
are now the young men and women
who may recount those years, but who
rightly have their sights fixed upon the
academic future of their college and
university lives.
For we who teach, these
passages are marked with tears and
with smiles. These students justify our
life’s work, for teaching is more than
a job. Teaching in the middle school
years is a profession that each of us
has chosen with conviction that we
are giving back to the world from our
hearts and our minds. Our mission, as a
school is to promote “virtue and useful
knowledge to the rising generations.”
It is impossible to spend significant
time on campus and not run into the
focused efforts to that end. We plan
our lessons, choose our materials,
arrange special events, all to meet our
mission.
1791 Letter ~ June 2010
Moreover, we commit
ourselves each year to modeling
what virtue means in our respectful
engagement with ideas and with one
another. That means, at times, that we
take a risk in being honest, even if that
includes taking a minority stance. That
entails showing emotion when there is
a shared loss. That demands that we
identify and name a behavior that is in
opposition to our culture.
For a time this summer, our
students will be moving in a world
that will be free of academic challenge.
They will make many choices that
they have not had the freedom to make
this year due to homework obligations,
athletic team participation, and musical
practice. For some, the freedom will
allow them to explore new ideas and
literature. For others, it will be a time
for exploring the world of mountain
hikes or ocean sailing. For all, I hope
that there is time to stretch both minds
and bodies.
We will be mailing home
fourth quarter report cards and Terra
Nova test results (for grades 6 and 8)
in mid-June. If you have any questions
or concerns over the summer, please do
not hesitate to call me.
To you, our parents, I offer my
most profound thanks for having shared
your children with us. The faculty and
I send you our very best wishes for a
peaceful, safe, and joyful summer.
5

Our June 9 Closing Recognition
Assembly highlighted a year of growth
within our division, especially with our
exiting fourth graders. It was fitting
that our fourth grade families also
attended the assembly, as we have been
blessed with a supportive and involved
group of parents in this year’s fourth
grade class.
Our Mini Blues led off the
celebration by singing One Voice. It
was wonderful to provide our talented
third and fourth grade singing group
one more opportunity to perform.
We then enjoyed hearing a supportive
message from Greg Schneider. From
greeting students in the morning to
eating lunch with our fourth grade
Ambassadors, Mr. Schneider has
supported our division in so many
important ways this year, including
this special assembly moment.
We turned our attention to the
Berwick Academy Parents Association
and remembered back to the many
events they supported this year. This
year’s BAPA coordinators have been
two helpful parents—Pamela Oberg
and Beth Tykodi. We thanked them
(and the Parents Association in general)
for all of their support.
We then saluted our departing
faculty. This spring, we have been
aided by a wonderful young woman
who has taken over for Mr. Waldo
in the final months of school. Ms.
Amy Gregg is a talented and versatile
young teacher who quickly became an
integral member of our division—from
helping out with our field day to filling
6 1791 Letter ~June 2010
Joel Hawes - Lower School Director
Lower School News
in with aftercare coverage to, of course,
teaching creative science lessons. Ms.
Gregg is a talented teacher who has a
bright future ahead of her.
We often use the term support
in the Lower School (and in 1791
entries!). In our division, we have been
fortunate to have Mr. Ben Hillyard
working with us in a formal support role
as the Academic Support Coordinator.
Mr. Hillyard has helped faculty and
students in so many different ways
while working with us—from one-on-
one academic help to helping teachers
plan ways to work with groups of
students to leading the Ambassador
Program. Mr. Hillyard has carried
out many important support initiatives
during his time with us.
It was important to
acknowledge the wonderful work that
Mr. John Reynolds has done with us
as Lower School French teacher. Mr.
Reynolds has led us in the joy and
enthusiasm behind learning a second
language. From French songs to
interactive dialogs to creative games,
he has developed a number of creative
ways to bring the French language
to life in his classroom. He has also
helped our students enjoy a number of
other activities—from accompanying
sing-alongs and Lower School
productions to teaching private guitar
lessons. We have greatly appreciated
Mr. Reynolds’ Lower School versatility
and enthusiasm.
Mrs. Chris Quinn-Thibodeau
has been a wonderful friend to
students and faculty in our division
and across the Berwick campus.
With Mrs. Witherbee, she helped
found our kindergarten program.
Eventually, she moved into her third
grade teaching role. Over the years,
she has brought a wonderful spirit of
learning, discovery, and friendship to
her classroom experiences. We have
appreciated the many ways in which
Mrs. Quinn-Thibodeau has enriched
our school—from creative teaching
lessons to friendly support for her
teaching colleagues to enthusiastically
discussing the teaching and learning
process with Lower School parents.
The assembly focus then
turned to our Lower School classes.
In September, we welcomed our new
kindergarten friends to the Lower
School. They learned about monarch
butterflies; they learned how to play on
our playground; they learned how to
get their own lunch in the Commons;
they went on some interesting field
trips and they read books with their
third grade big readers. They even
organized a hat and mitten service
project. They learned about so many
things—from reading and writing to
art and physical education to speaking
French.
Our first grade students also
had a spectacular year. They read in
their literacy groups, and they wrote
wonderful stories as well. Early in
the year, they began learning about
the continents and have enjoyed
a wonderful world tour ever since!
.They led a special assembly that
taught us about Haiti and the troubles
caused by the earthquake, and they
contributed to the Heifer Project as
well. They also learned about musical
continued on pg 10...

Spring Sports Success on the Hilltop
The Girls Varsity tennis team
qualified for the EIL Tournament B
bracket and won the championship.
Varsity baseball and Varsity Boys
lacrosse both qualified for N.E.
Tournament. Baseball advanced to
the semi-final rounds, while the
Boys lacrosse lost in the first round.
Girls lacrosse qualified for the EIL
Tournament, winning the first round
in B bracket – Varsity softball qualified
for the EIL Tournament A bracket and
had two very close games.
Summer and Preseason Sports
This summer, Berwick has
again joined forces with the Seacoast
United Soccer Club to offer a Training
Academy for experienced travel and
club players to be held at Berwick
Academy. This camp will run from 9
a.m. to 7 p.m. and will include lunch
and dinner in the Berwick Academy
Commons dining hall. SUSC
coaches, comprised of full time staff,
international coaches, and current
college players, will focus on individual
skills and tactics building up to game
play in the evenings. SUSC will mix
top level skill development with fun
and challenging games. There will be
two sessions offered this summer; July
12-15 and July 19-22.
If you are interested in
attending either session, there is
more information and a sign-up form
available at www.berwickacademy.org
under Summer Programs.
Boys Soccer
Coach Patrick Connolly
Rob Quinn - Athletic Director
Athletics News
pconnolly@berwickacademy.org
Summer: They will begin Tuesday
night sessions on July 27 at 6:15 -
7:45 p.m. These will continue through
August 17.
Preseason: Varsity candidates
will leave for the Team Prep trip at
noon time on Tuesday, August 24
and return on Saturday, August 28
at noon. Those who have not signed
up must contact Coach Connolly as
soon as possible. There is a cost to
the trip. On-campus preseason will
run from Monday, August 30 until
Thursday, September 2, 5 - 6:30 p.m.
These sessions are for players looking
to try out for the varsity team. Tryouts
will continue during the first week of
school.
Girls Soccer
Head Coach Rich Weinrebe
rweinrebe@seacoastunited.org
Summer: The girls are invited to
participate with the boys on Tuesday
evenings. See details above.
Preseason: Rob Quinn, AD
will take a group of soccer athletes to
camp. The group will attend the “Team
Prep” Soccer Camp from August 20 -
24. This preseason camp is optional
and open to any interested soccer
athlete. They will attend the camp as
a team from Berwick Academy. The
camp includes skills sessions, practices,
and scrimmages against other soccer
programs. While returning members of
the team and current Berwick students
have already signed up, the hope is
to bring new excited and energetic
players. This includes anyone who is
1791 Letter ~ June 2010
motivated and interested in having a
little extra preseason time! We are very
hopeful that some of our incoming
students will be able to join us. We
think it could be a fun and possibly less
intimidating transition into the school
and into preseason!
Field Hockey
Head Coach Tracey Kelly
tkelly@berwickacademy.org and Ass’t
Coach Stacey Sevelowitz ssevelowitz@
berwickacademy.org
Summer: A summer training
program was emailed to all players and
their parents, if you need another copy
of this program please contact Tracey
Kelly. We will host a field hockey clinic
the week before pre-season on Tuesday,
August 24 here at BA. It will be in the
evening, from 4:30-7 p.m., with a pizza
dinner at the end. This clinic is meant
for anyone who is interested in playing
field hockey, or anyone who would
just like to try it before committing.
Bring your friends! We expect that if
you played last year at BA, then you
will be at the clinic to help us welcome
new players. We will send out another
email in August requesting an RSVP
for the clinic so we know how many to
expect.
Also, a reminder that Seacoast
United is holding a 4-day camp here
on campus August 2-5 from 1-4 p.m.
(Lacrosse is from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and
field hockey from 1-4 p.m.) The
following link has more detailed info:
http://seacoastunited.org/Camps/
FHCamps/index_E.html For more
information please contact Carolyn
Connelly at cconnelly@seacoastunited.
continued on pg 10...
7
 you gotta have Arts
Deloris White - Fine Arts Director

ARTS BOOSTERS
Looking for Volunteers
The Berwick Academy Arts
Boosters is looking to increase volunteer
involvement during the 2010-2011
school year. This group was established
a few years ago to sponsor fine arts
events at Berwick along with creating
events with the goal of generating
funding to help support artists in
residence and/or capital equipment
items for the visual and performing
arts. The two major events approved
by the Development Committee are
the Arts Boosters Variety Show in
October and the Silent Art Auction in
May. This year, these two events and
proceeds from the Arts Boosters Snack
Shack grossed approximately $1,800.
Arts News
working on their music during the summer. Auditions will be in November.
Information regarding additional festivals will be available in the fall. Please
remember that students must be enrolled in a music class in order to audition or
participate in a music festival in the Upper School.
Off the Hilltop
Congratulations go to Freddy Diengott for his participation in the Maine
Allstate Chorus Festival on May 21 and 22. Please let us know about summer
performance experiences or intensive visual or performing arts workshops in which
Berwick students participate or attend so that we may recognize their commitment
to the arts in August or September.
WOOSTOCK X - JUNE 4, 2010
Organized by Briana Bouchard ‘10 and Chip Harding

Arts Boosters Variety Show

This annual event will take
place on Friday, October 15, at 7 p.m.
Please mark your calendars and plan to
join us on this one-of-a-kind evening.
We would love to perform to a full
house with standing room only. Watch
for more information in the August and
September 1791 Letters and have a great
summer.

MUSIC
Festival Information
Upper School students who
are interested in auditioning for the
Maine Allstate Music Festival next year
who are enrolled in chorus or band
courses at Berwick can go to this site
to check the audition requirements for
their instruments:
http://allstateauditions.com/mmea/
auditions/InstrumentRequirements.pdf
More photos can be found under Recent Photo Albums on the School Portal.
We recommend that students start

8 1791 Letter ~June 2010


PRESIDENT’S NOTES
It is hard to believe the summer is
already here! BAPA had another great
year and I was so honored to work with
these wonderful committed women. I
want to thank the parents, faculty,
staff, and administration for supporting
BAPA efforts throughout the year. We
could not do what we do without you!
I look forward to another exciting
year as Auction Coordinator. I hope
everyone has a great summer. Any
comments, suggestions, or ideas for
next year are always welcome so please
send us an email. See you in the fall.
Thank you to Board Members
I want to thank Suzanne
McFarland, Mary Towey, Lesli Friel,
Andrea Bristol and Beth Tykodi for
doing such an amazing job in their
positions. These women were amazing
to work with and we will miss them next
year. The amount of time and energy
these women dedicated to Berwick
Academy is remarkable and we could
not have had such a successful year
without them. On the bright side
Mary, Andrea, and Lesli are staying on
the Board in different capacities. Lesli
will take over as President. I know
she will be a wonderful energetic and
positive leader for the Board and I wish
her the best of luck!
BAPA Gardens
A huge thank you to Kristin
Wiese-Adelman, who did such a great
job with our BAPA garden outside of
BD. Her dedication and green thumb
have been greatly appreciated. Thanks
you so much for you energy and time.
BAPA Notes - from the BAPA Board Members
Parents Association News
Community Benefit
I want to thank everyone for
their help, donations, and attendance
at this year’s benefit. We were able
to fund our school’s budget and raise
almost $80,000 for the Fund-A-Need.
The new walkway to the school by
the Commons will start this summer
and I look forward to seeing it in the
fall. Again we could not have done it
without you!
Again have a great summer and
I want to thank everyone who made
my time as President so wonderful,
especially Greg Schneider who always
supported me and BAPA.
Jean Jarvis
jean.jarvis1@myfairpoint.net
BAPA President
LOWER SCHOOL
Happy Summer!
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
It might be safe to say that Middle
Schoolers look forward to going to
Canobie Lake Park all year. It is such a
nice way to cap off a year of hard work
by spending the day with your friends
playing games, going on rides and just
having fun. This year was no exception
and with the help of BAPA we were
able to have our children experience
another wonderful day at the Park.
A big thank you to all the
parent volunteers who gave their time
and effort all year long. It takes many
hands and hearts to assist with our
1791 Letter ~ June 2010
children’s many activities surrounding
school. We are again looking for
parent volunteers for class reps. We are
in need of incoming 5th grade and 7th
grade parents who can help out during
the year. We would like to establish
this group before the beginning of the
school year so we can hit the ground
running. You can give as much or as little
time as you can afford. We appreciate
any help you may offer. You can contact
Joanne Meyer at jomeyer777@aol.com
or Francee Quinlan at quinlanteam@
comcast.net.
Congratulations to all of the
Middle School students who performed
in the Spring Swing concerts. It always
amazes us how talented our children
are. Great job!
Our first annual book swap
occurred on Friday June 11. It was
a huge success. What a way to save
money, be environmentally conscious
and get a head start on the books we
need for next year. Thank you for
participating. We hope it continues to
grow each year and perhaps the other
divisions will join in the event.
Have a safe, fun and relaxing
summer. Enjoy your children while
you can. They will be Upper Schoolers
before you know it!
Joanne Meyer
UPPER SCHOOL
Congrats to all our Graduates and
Happy Summer!
continued...
9
 HEAD OF SCHOOL NEWS...cont. from pg 3 hiked through history with their new
TREASURERS NOTES friends from the Central School. They
BAPA Income: camps and to a full slate of Seacoast helped with the morning sing-alongs
United camps. and developed a powerful Haiti service
$8 project. They even learned to play the
US Magazine Sale To all Berwick Families violin and completed some interesting
BAPA Expenses:
I truly wish to express my computer math projects.
deepest word of thanks for all of your
$3600.84 support during this particular year. It After third grade, we turned
LS Library Gift from Book Fair proceeds is an honor and privilege to work with our attention to our fourth grade class.
$2436.60
such amazing families. I hope that all Mrs. Witherbee and Mr. Summers
Proceeds from Magazine Sale for Prom
$242.70 of you enjoy a summer that is free honored each student in a creative and
Proceeds from William Arthur Sale for Prom from schedules and filled with wonder, supportive manner as they read and
excitement, and joy. presented their memory book pages
Lower School to them. Congratulations fourth grade
$1684.66 LS Author Program
$539.91 Bingo Pizza Party
students and thank you for being such
$4838.78 LS Enrichment
LOWER SCHOOL NEWS...cont. from pg 6 a spirited and supportive class.
$1000 Family Fun Day
$500 4th Grade Memory Book instruments and they performed some We then recognized our faculty,
$764.90 LS Production
fascinating science experiments. staff and interns for their dedicated and
$379.50 Plimouth Plantation trip
$177.45 Potluck Dinner They will certainly never forget the caring approach to working with our
creative Anansi skits that they recently students. Daily, they demonstrate their
Total LS $9,885.20 performed to an appreciative family concern for the progress and success of
audience. each Lower School child. Additionally,
Middle School
$97.87 5th & 6th Grade Fall Social
we highlighted the behind-the-scenes
$1000 5th/6th/7th Grade Spring Social Our second grade students tech support we regularly receive from
$700 7th Grade Team Building ended the year with a thoughtful Mrs. Randall and Mr. Harding and the
$100 MS Enrichment service project—a lemonade stand Arts/Athletics leadership we receive
fundraiser! In the fall, they visited the from Mrs. White and Ms. Canuto.
Total MS $1,897.87
Charmingfare Farm. They also learned
Upper School about predator-prey relationships and It has become a tradition in
$1000 9th Grade Drug Awareness week then taught us all that they had learned the Lower School to finish our closing
$1422.61 Clubs/Extracurricular recognition assembly with a slide
when we visited their classrooms.
$680 US Enrichment
$1500 Junior-Senior Prom They performed computer activities show, so once again, we enjoyed the
$88.90 Senior Activities and sang beautiful songs. They were show that Ms. Martin and the faculty
$3000 Socials/Dances always busy with clever math workshop graciously put together. The end of
$150.75 Winter Semi-Formal activities on Friday mornings. In the slide show closed out the final day
the middle of the school year, they of school and brought forth Lower
Total US $7,842.26
made the Lower School come alive School best wishes for a wonderful
Total BAPA Expenses 5/1/10 – 5/31/10 by creating a museum about their summer vacation.
$25,905.47 ancestry—including delicious ethnic
foods that they served to their hungry
Net BAPA Expenses 5/1/10 – 5/31/10
$25,897.47 guests. ATHLETICS NEWS...cont. from pg. 7

Nancy Noyes
org or by calling 603-926-8444 x216.
Our third grade students
nnoyes@comcast.net enjoyed checking out interesting
School Treasurer We will be looking for at least two
library books, especially books about
goalies! If you decide to attend a camp
states that they had studied in social
and are interested in being a goalie, let
studies class. Their interest in social
us know; we might be able to help you
studies and the arts led them to some
with equipment.
interesting library and classroom
projects about the state of Maine and
Preseason: Preseason is the week of
about artists and musicians. They also

10 1791 Letter ~June 2010

August 30 - Sept 3. We will practice
from 4-6:30 on Fogg Memorial Field.
You will need to bring the following
items to preseason: cleats, sneakers,
water bottle, mouth guard, stick, shin
guards. If you have your own goggles,
bring them! If you don’t have a stick
yet, we can let you use one from
school.
Boys Cross Country
Coach: Jon Davie jdavie@
berwickacademy.org
Preseason: Practices begin on Monday,
August 30 and run through Wednesday
Sept 1 from 5-6:30 p.m
Girls Cross Country
Coach Reagan Russell
rrussell@berwickacademy.org
Preseason: Practices will be on
Wednesday, August 31 and
Thursday, September 1 from 5-6:30
p.m.
Golf
Coach John Downey
j d o w n e y @ b e r w i c k a c a d e m y. o r g
Practices will begin the first day of
classes. More information will be in the
August 1791 Letter.
Boys Basketball
Coach Rory Early rearly@
exeter.edu Summer: Boys Basketball
team will hold an open gym for all
Upper School members during June
and July on Monday and Wednesday
evenings from 6-8 p.m. This will start
on June 21.
Girls Basketball
Coach Brian Sanborn at
bsanborn@berwickacademy.org
Summer: Girls Basketball will attend
a Basketball Camp at University of
Maine Orono from June 25-27. Coach
Sanborn will hold open gym on the
following dates: June 15, June 22, and
June 24, from 6-8 p.m.
Fall Sports
Middle School and Junior
Varsity sports begin on the first day
of school. Varsity sports begin on
Monday, August 30, for most teams.
Athletes trying out for varsity teams
should make every effort to attend
these practices. This is an important
conditioning and learning period.
Those athletes who cannot attend
should contact the coach. Regular
season practice for all teams will begin
on the first day of classes.
Reminder about our Important
change from last year for Emergency
Permission form and Physicals:
All health forms must be completed
and filed with the school nurse no later
than July 12 of the upcoming school
year in order for a student to begin
school. A student will not be allowed
to participate in preseason sports
or to attend orientation programs if
the necessary medical forms are not
completed and on file. Forms are
mailed at the end of the preceding
school year, are posted on the portal,
and may be picked up in the front office
of the Burleigh Davidson Building.
A complete physical
examination, including vision and
hearing testing, is required for all new
students entering Berwick Academy;
and thereafter, updated every other
year. A physical exam is an assessment
of your child’s health status. Berwick
Academy recommends a more recent
physical examination be submitted
if there are changes in your child’s
health. The Physical Examination Form
must be completed and signed by the
medical practitioner; and the section
on immunizations must be reviewed
and completed in order to comply with
Maine state law.
The signed and completed
Emergency Permission Form is used
for students during school, sports and
field trips when immediate medical
attention is needed.. The school
nurse needs to be updated on medical
1791 Letter ~ June 2010
changes throughout the year. Medical
information pertinent to the student
may be confidentially shared with
the applicable teacher(s), staff, and/
or athletic coach. Parents are also
encouraged to inform appropriate
personnel about important medical
information.
Fall Schedule
The fall sports schedule will
be posted on the Berwick Academy
website in the coming weeks. The
schedule is subject to change.
Bulldog Golf Classic
The Athletics Boosters will
host their Annual Bulldog Golf Classic
at the Ledges Golf Club in York,
Maine, on Thursday, September 23,
2010, it is a 8 a.m. shotgun start . Save
the date, and plan to join in the fun
with the many members of our Berwick
community.
Annual proceeds from this
tournament have benefited Berwick
athletes and the Athletic Department,
including improvements to our athletic
fields, new scoreboards, construction
of the girls softball field, fencing
around the baseball field and dug outs,
and netting on the soccer and lacrosse
fields. We’ve even built a storage shed
and purchased a portable defibrillator
and an all-terrain Gator vehicle for the
athletic trainers.
For more information go to
www.berwickacademy.org or contact
Rob Quinn at 207-384-2164 ext. 2800
or email rquinn@berwickacademy.org
To view the Spring Sports Awards list,
please continue to page 14.
11

SENIORITIS
On Friday, May 21, 2010,
the class of 2010 completed their last
day of classes at Berwick Academy.
This departure was marked by many
traditions; two that I am particularly
fond of are the standing ovation at the
end of morning assembly as the seniors
exit the theater for the last time; and, the
seniors’ last walk from the Commons
Dining Hall to Fogg Memorial as
students from all three divisions line
the walkway cheering. For a few of the
seniors it was the end of only one year
in the Upper School, for the majority
of seniors it was the end of four years,
and for nine seniors, it was the end of
a “lifetime” – a twelve or thirteen-year
journey through Berwick Academy’s
Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.
It was incredible to see the level of
emotion displayed during these two
events. I saw tears in both the eyes (and
on the cheeks) of the departing seniors
and faculty as the seniors walked down
the path from lunch for the last time.
These were bittersweet moments. I am
sure for many members of the Berwick
community there was both a sense of
sadness and relief as the class of 2010
completed their last official day.
Ending or transitioning from
one stage of life to the next usually
precipitates a number of emotional
responses ~ anger, fear, sadness, elation,
apathy…the list is endless. Many
faculty and parents dub a graduating
senior’s whirling malady of emotions
“senioritis.” I sometimes wonder if
what we commonly call “senioritis” is
actually a deeper emotional response
called separation anxiety, and worry
12
Cindy Briggs - School Counselor
We l l n e s s N e w s
that if not handled correctly, problems
may arise for both the senior and their
family.
Senioritis…more than one
million high school students fall victim
to this rather common and (sometimes
fatal) disease during their final year or
semester of high school. Characteristics
include (but are not limited to) a
lack of enthusiasm, a drop in grades,
fits of irresponsibility, risk-taking
behavior, outbursts of irritability, mild
depression, or moments of euphoria.
Does this sound like someone you
know? Teachers and parents are often
puzzled, hurt, and even panicked
by these uncharacteristic behaviors.
Veteran teachers and parents who have
weathered this “stormy life passage”
remind us not to take it personally
and to be vigilant. The last few weeks
of school and the ten or so weeks of
summer can lead to a pile of trouble.
Kids who are typically “as good as
gold” will sometimes deviate and
do something stupid or even life-
threatening. It is clearly a time for
parents to reiterate their family values
and standards, and remind their senior
that it is never too late for a college to
rescind their acceptance.
What causes this bizarre shift in
behavior that begins for some during the
second semester and for most continues
throughout the summer months? Is
this dramatic change in attitude and
behavior due to the realization that
they’ve been accepted into college,
or that they have enough credits to
graduate, or that they just want to
get on with their lives? According to
mental health professionals, “senioritis”
1791 Letter ~June 2010
isn’t just a shift in attitude or behavior
but instead related to a much deeper
emotional response called “separation
anxiety.” Separation anxiety is evoked
when there is a threat of separation or
loss. We commonly see this response in
two-year-olds when they are separated
from their primary caretaker. We see it
again and again in varying degrees as
children transition through childhood.
The inevitability of graduation forces
the reality of separation and departure
on the senior. Each senior responds
uniquely, and sometimes similarly
to the way that they have responded
to previous life transitions. Child
psychologist, Michael Thompson,
believes that departure from home is
the most traumatic separation of all the
normal separations in our culture.
Transitions are hard work, and
for many of our seniors, high school
graduation may be their first “major life
transition.” Not only have our seniors
just completed a boatload of academic
work, but they have also completed
their last days at Berwick Academy. In
short, our seniors are saying goodbye to
their childhood and transitioning to the
unknown world of adulthood. This life
transition requires seniors to separate
from the family and friends who have
supported them for years. During
this transition they also experience
somewhat of a “time warp.” While
their bodies are still in one place, their
minds are racing forward wondering
(and worrying) about what’s ahead, and
their hearts are flip-flopping from past,
present, and the future. No wonder
seniors behave the way they do. They
are probably scared to death but fear
continued on pg 15...
 Rachel Saliba - School Archivist

FORMER HEADMASTER TURNS 100
Archives News
Under such a tight budget, the Academy was a very different place than it
is today. Eleven faculty members (including Mr. Chaplin) taught classes in three
different tracks: college preparatory, general education, and commercial. The
students were involved in various activities and clubs, including Drama, Science
Club, Glee Club, Band, Yearbook (Quamphegan), and the Debating Society. Mr.
Chaplin is credited for starting the school’s first Chapter of Future Homemakers of
America and the Industrial Arts Club on campus.

The school was

situated on 40 acres and the
facilities included Fogg,
the Burleigh Davidson
House, the Vaughan
Eastman House, and the
Headmaster’s Home (the
small white house across
On July 8, 2010, retired
Academy Street from
Headmaster Stuart Chaplin will be
Fogg), where Mr. Chaplin
joined by over 100 alumni, friends and
lived with his wife Marion
family to celebrate his 100th birthday
and their three children,
in the Commons Dining Hall at
Richard, Gene, and Kera.
Berwick Academy.
The Burleigh Davidson House was used for home economics classes, the
Mr. Chaplin was a very popular
infirmary, the lunchroom (in the basement) and faculty residences (photo - 1950
and highly respected headmaster at
Quamphegan).
Berwick from 1950 to 1956. Even
today, Chaplin enjoys a large following
of alumni admirers who were the last
beneficiaries of the 100-year-old tuition
The Vaughan Eastman
agreement that ended in 1960 between
House was used for “Manual
BA and the town of South Berwick.
Arts” classes including
woodworking / machine
When Mr. Chaplin started
shop and extra-curricular
as Headmaster in 1950, the Town of
training in arts and crafts
South Berwick paid the tuition for each
(Photo – 1957).
high school age resident to attend the
Academy. In 1956, this amounted to
about $340 per student. In 2010 dollars,
this is equivalent to approximately
There was no gym on
$2,713 in tuition per student – not a
campus, but the teams,
lot of money considering the town of
called the “Toppers” and “Topperettes,” played basketball indoors in the gym at
South Berwick currently spends almost
current day Central School and the boys changed for their athletic contests in
four times that amount ($8,700) per
high school student each year.
continued on pg 15...

1791 Letter ~ June 2010 13

 SPRING SPORTS AWARDS 2010

UPPER SCHOOL

Team MVP Coach’s Award US Hilltop

Boys Varsity Lacrosse Chris Atwood Trestan Matel Girls: Lee Tsairis Boys: Chris Atwood
Girls Varsity Lacrosse Ashley Gray Rebecca Fetters
Boys Varsity Baseball Alex Tobey Shaun Millerick Bulldog Awards
Varsity Softball Catie Wheeler Chelsea Vanderlinde
Boys Varsity Tennis Bill Leach Ben Siegel Chris Atwood Kevin Mills
Girls Varsity Tennis Maggie Sutherland Olivia Zeff Emerson Bilodeau Stephanie Staples
Boys JV Lacrosse Connor Ablowich Aaron Kalter Briana Bouchard Maggie Sutherland
Girls JV Lacrosse Kathryn Voss Lydia Waldo Rebecca Fetters Lee Tsairis
Boys JV Baseball Ricky Kramer John Tackeff Ashley Gray Chelsea Vanderlinde
Boys JV Tennis Ryan McGuigan Jonah Goldblatt Ethan Hawes Kristen van Dissel
Girls JV Tennis Molly Towey Cristina Salvador
MIDDLE SCHOOL ALL LEAGUE

Boys Blue Lacrosse Sam Salvati Baseball First Team

Girls Blue Larosse
Boys White Lacrosse
Girls White Lacrosse
MS Softball
Boys Blue Baseball
Boys White Baseball
Spirit MS
MS Hilltop
Jordan Katz Alex Tobey, Ethan Hawes, Kurtis McCabe
Jacob Ball Softball First Team
Anna Seigel Catie Wheeler, Chelsea Vanderlinde
Suzanna Borg Girls Lacrosse First Team
Seth Wyskiel Shannon Farrell, Ashley Gray, Lee Tsairis
Danny Philbrick Boys Lacrosse First Team
Girls: Sabrina Tay Jordan Sanford, Pat Nichols, John Reinhardt
Boys: Seth Wyskiel Hon. Mention All-League: Kevin Airoldi
Girls: Susannah Gray
Boys: Stephen Sherbahn

Boston Globe All Scholastic

Chris Atwood - Boys Lacrosse
All New England
Chris Atwood - Boys Lacrosse

Coaches of the Year

Mike Hannon, Baseball
Stacey Sevelowitz, Softball

14 1791 Letter ~June 2010

WELLNESS NEWS...cont. from pg 12
letting anyone know, particularly their
parents.
So how can you assist your
senior with “senioritis” or separation
anxiety? First and foremost, don’t
take anything they say over the next
two and one-half months personally.
Remember that their goal is to make you
dislike them so they can muster up the
energy to say goodbye and leave. It is
a lot easier for them to leave you angry,
as opposed to acknowledging their
feelings of loss and sadness. Second,
allow your senior the time and space to
grieve. For many of them, graduation
represents a threat to their individual
and collective life experience thus far.
Third, be firm and clear about their ARCHIVES NEWS...cont. from pg 13
newly acquired independence. You
the basement of Fogg. Other athletic
and your senior have just entered that
facilities included an outdoor swimming
strange world of “not yet an adult, but
pool, a tennis court, and football and
no longer an adolescent.” My advice
baseball fields. Mr. Chaplin is noted
is to be attentive and vigilant. Lastly,
for attending nearly every athletic
make the most of this final leg of the
contest played by the Hilltoppers.
adolescent-parent journey. August
will be here before you know it, and
Mr. Chaplin’s career at BA ended in
when that day finally arrives and you
1956 after his summer job - working
are frantically stuffing every last item
at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a
into you car, remember, a new journey
systems analyst on the first commercial
is about to begin…the one into
computer ever sold, the IBM 650 -
adulthood. Congratulations and good
turned into a full-time job where he
luck!
enjoyed great success until he retired
at age 66.
Sincerely,
Cindy Briggs
Mr. Chaplin now lives in South Berwick
with his daughter, Kera Ashline Class
of 1959, and her family.

2010-2011 SCHOOL FORMS

In an effort to continue the School’s green initiatives, this year’s registration forms will not be sent out as hard
copies via regular mail. Instead, all forms will be sent via email in the next week and should be returned to Sondra
Farrell by July 12.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
Bus Sign-up
Upper School Parking sign-up
Lower School Aftercare sign-up
Middle School Aftercare sign-up
Dance Class registration form
Applied Music lesson registration form

You will receive instructions in a separate email for updating your children’s emergency telecommunication contact
information (for snow days, etc.) within your profile on the website. We have changed systems this year and will
not be using A.N.T.S.

Also, you should have received the emergency permission form in the mail in mid-April. If you did not make any
corrections to your contact information, we will use what we have on file in the 2010-2011 Directory.

Please contact Sondra Farrell with any questions about this information 207-384-2164
or sfarrell@berwickacademy.org

1791 Letter ~ June 2010 15

 Jedd Whitlock - Director of Advancement
Alumni and Development News

Dear Berwick Community,

As of June 18, I am thrilled to report that we have five more gifts to go to reach our parent participation goal of 65%. I am
hopeful for a strong finish as we push towards June 30. This year’s Annual Fund success is due to the collective efforts of our
energetic and passionate Annual Fund volunteer team. In addition, I am pleased to report that this year’s Senior Fund raised
over $50,000. The senior class voted to designate these funds to the Class of 2010 Endowment for Financial Aid. During my
first year at Berwick, I have been so appreciative of the efforts, wisdom and support of both the Annual and Senior Fund teams.
They are:
Grade 7 Diane Mugford
Annual Fund Chair Betsy Coughlan, Grade Leader Susan Stedman
Holly Malloy, Trustee Stephen Young
Jane Hourihan Leadership Chair
Lower School Deborah Walden Debbie Bauder, Trustee
Holly Grimes, LS Division Kendall Montouri
Leader Leadership Team
Grade 8 Mark Tay, Chair, Board of Trustees
Grade 1 Holly Malloy, Grade Leader Jamey French, Trustee
Beth Lowenstein, Grade Leader Nina Maurer Holly Malloy, Trustee
Michele Albion Carol Welsh Margaret Talcott, Trustee
Michelle Hanson Tim Platt Lesli Friel
Adriana Cunha-Salomon
Grade 2
Michelle Soares, Grade Leader Upper School
Tom Parrott Leigh Ann MacFarlane,US Division I am looking forward to a strong finish,
Heather Kodzis Leader and I look forward to reporting on the
Betsy Rawlings
entire year shortly. Thank you again for
Grade 9 all your effort, support, and generosity
Grade 3 Eliza Peter, Grade Leader on behalf of Berwick Academy!
Kristin Morales, Grade Leader Mary Boswell
Vic Sunshine Molly Samson Best,
Gloria Legere
Grade 4 Sue Downey Jedd
Costikyan Jarvis, Grade Leader Mary Connors
Dee Whall
Jedd U. Whitlock
Suzanne Richardson Grade 10 Director of Advancement
Sheila Woolley, Grade Leader (w) 207.384.2164 x2304
Middle School Jennifer Saulnier (m) 617.821.5765
Margaret Talcott, Trustee, MS Mary Reinhardt (f) 888.384.4859
Division Leader Carolyn Woodward jwhitlock@berwickacademy.org
Grade 5 Grade 11
Janet Stevens, Grader Leader Laurie Hair, Grade Leader
John Barbour Maria Moschetto

16 1791 Letter ~June 2010