February 17, 2012
Fans of Pingree's boys varsity basketball were treated to the debut performance of the school's new dance team during this past Wednesday's game. Congratulations to the dancers and teacher Crystal Davis on your new venture!
A Message from Susan Esty, Director of Advising & Counseling
Drug and alcohol education is tricky business. Bring in an ineffective speaker and students are soon rolling their eyes and watching the clock. Host a speaker with a winning personality, and the kids are all ears. This year, we are confident that we have two presenters of the second variety!
The request came from students to invite Chris Herren, former Boston Celtics player and motivational speaker, to Pingree. Some of them had seen ESPN’s documentary “Unguarded” about his basketball career and his battle with addiction. Herren is a larger-than-life figure, and his story is a compelling cautionary tale. It was with great enthusiasm and good fortune that we were able to schedule Herren’s visit. (Huge thanks to Jock Burns for his role in accomplishing this feat.) You are welcome to join us for this exciting event, which will take place Thursday, February 23 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. with breakfast for students at 8:00 a.m. If you plan to come, please let Judy Klein know. If you’re interested but can’t make it, you can watch “Unguarded” on espn.com. Read more>
A Message from Debora VanderMolen, Art Department
Views from the Classroom
Second semester is in full swing and my students are creating wonderful things in their art classes. I thought I might share a few examples from assignments with you and let you see why coming to work every day to teach here at Pingree is such a delight.
In my Book Arts course we have many individual projects going on including a book reframing the context of old family photos into a new book using an early photographic process called Cyanotype, discovered in 1842.
In addition, a few students have made their first Coptic-binding book. This binding method started in the second century and reveals a beautiful chain stitch on the exposed spine of the book. Ellie diCicco’s book, Restoration, is a whimsical and expressive invention of sewing new and used materials into a traditionally bound book. Marykate Surette’s beautiful, geometric Coptic book used a printmaking technique for the covers and photographic prints to make the interior pages marrying tradition with the digital age. View additional photos of student work and read more>
Online Auction Starts with a Roar!
Many parents, grandparents and friends of Pingree School have already purchased items from the Roaring Twenties Online Auction Faculty & Staff Wish List. These purchases enhance Pingree's academic, athletics and arts programs and are appreciated by all of us at Pingree. Thank you to our generous donors!
Purchases made to date include:
- SmartBoard
- Cloud Printer
- Eartec SlimLine Single Earset
- American Dog (the sculpture by the rink)
- Maintenance of one of our sailboats
- Epson 3380 Ink Printer for Photography
- FLIP Camera for the Swim Team
- Javelins and Starting Blocks for the Track & Field Team
- Three of four $500 grants for students to visit The Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota
- Microphone Cables and Stands for the Theater
- Two of five "Teachers as Scholars" professional development opportunities
- Tempo Trainer for the Swim Team
- Two Wireless Receivers for the Theater
- Obstacle Course for Pingree SummerQuest
- $200 Gift Card to Art Supply Wholesale for Pingree SummerQuest
- $2,500 and $1,000 Sponsorships for Prep@Pingree
Click here to bid, buy and support Pingree School! Bidding closes March 1 at 10 p.m.
Final Yearbook Ad Reminder
Deadline for online ads placed through www.yearbookforever.com is today, February 17. If you are unable to make the deadline, there is still a chance to include your ad/message. Please contact Liz Taft at 978.564.0662 or ltaft@pingree.org, and the Gadfly staff will put the ad together for you. Thank you for your support!
Boys Hockey Plays for Cancer Awareness SATURDAY
At Pingree’s last varsity hockey weekend home game of the season, this Saturday, February 18, against Worcester Academy, eight senior players and their families will be acknowledged, including captains Conor Clement and Nate Soter, at the annual Senior Tribute Night.
In addition, the senior families are uniting to host a fundraiser for cancer awareness. A generous parent has outfitted the entire hockey team with new white/pink shirts for the game which begins at 4 p.m. The parents will be raising money through a bake sale, 50/50 raffle, and a pledge by the fathers to donate $5 per goal scored at the game.
All local hockey fans are invited to come cheer on Pingree hockey and raise money for a good cause. Fans are encouraged to also sport pink attire to support the team’s efforts!
GSAP Meeting Set; Gender Identity Meeting Cancelled
The next meeting of our new GSAP (Gay-Straight Alliance for Parents) will be on Wednesday, February 22 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in the Trophy Room. The topic will be "What does an accepting community look like?" Refreshments will be served. A former parent and active PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) member will be our guest. All parents are welcome to attend. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Robitaille (ext. 296) or Judith Klein (ext. 233).
The student-parent meeting with Dr. Jennifer Bryan scheduled for the evening of March 7 to delve more into the issues of sexuality and gender is cancelled. Please stay tuned for other opportunities on campus to engage in this important topic.
Paris Trip Meeting for Students and Parents
There will be an IMPORTANT informational meeting for students traveling to Paris in May on Thursday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m. in room 5; parents are expected to attend this meeting. We will discuss the itinerary of the trip, travel logistics, expectations of students and research ideas. Students and parents will also be given the opportunity to ask questions.
Again, both students and parents are asked to attend this meeting. If neither can attend, please contact Andrea Richards as soon as possible at arichards@pingree.org.
Reflections of a Rock Lobster
Boston Children's Theatre is presenting a play from March 3-11 about the challenges facing a gay youth in his high school. The play's theme is a natural extension of our yearlong consideration of gender identity and expression. Pingree senior Ian Shain plays the lead role. For more information about Reflections of a Rock Lobster and to purchase tickets, go to www.bostonchildrenstheatre.org.
College Scholarship Information
For Senior Parents: Please check Naviance regularly as information about available scholarships is uploaded to Naviance as we receive it. Questions? Please contact Tracy Johnson at tjohnson@pingree.org.
CORRECTION: March 5 Blood Drive Information
Pingree will host a blood drive for the American Red Cross in the gym on March 5. Students under the age of 16 may not donate blood; 16-year-olds must have a note from a parent/guardian in order to donate; and those older than 16 may donate without parental permission. The donation process takes about an hour. To sign up, students should see Mrs. Surette in the front office. For questions, contact Buddy Taft at btaft@pingree.org.
Music Teachers Hit High Notes
Big news from two of Pingree's Music Studio teachers who provide private lessons for our students! Bill Champitto, who teaches piano, has recently been nominated for the 2012 Best Jazz Act Award from the New England Music Awards. Are you a fan of Bill and his music? Then vote for Bill here! And Judy Braude, who teaches flute, has recently released a new CD of The Twelve G.F Handel Flute Sonatas. It is available for purchase here.
Congratulations, Bill and Judy!
Volunteers Sought for Tracy School/Pingree Partnership
Pingree students are encouraged to join fellow classmates and Pingree faculty and staff in a service learning project at Tracy School in Lynn, MA this March. During the mornings of March 12-23 (Pingree's March break), volunteers will work with 400 students in grades K-5 on multimedia art projects. Those who would like to participate in the Tracy School project should complete the registration/survey that was sent earlier this week.
Those students would like to participate, but are unable to go to Tracy School, are invited to help with setup between now and the beginning of March. Volunteers are needed to sort, assemble, and distribute supplies into 400 small paper bags. The REACH club leaders, Anika Whitmore and Natalia Rosa, will lead the setup. In the meantime, we will be collecting the supplies noted below. Boxes will be located in the theater lobby. Please raid your closets, garages, and recycling bins!
Needed Supplies: fabric scraps, ribbon, yarn, string, raffia, buttons, magazines, calendars, wrapping paper, textured paper, wallpaper books, pipe cleaners, cardboard recyclables (toilet paper/ paper towel tubes, boxes)
For more information, contact Trina Gary at tgary@pingree.org.
To read more about what's happening on campus, click here.
