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NEWS AT OLIVERIAN SCHOOL
August 2008
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8.16.2008
Summer 2008 Commencement Ceremony
Before we knew it, Summer Session 2008 Commencement was upon us. On Friday, the students and staff took their last trip of the season to the Orleans County Fair in Barton, VT, a picturesque town in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. After an afternoon of rides, games, and browsing tables with local vendors (including one with an unbelievable assortment of maple products -- everything from maple syrup, candy, and cream to maple cotton candy), the group went out to dinner at a Chinese buffet restaurant in Lyndonville, VT. When all bellies were full and happy, the group returned to campus to continue the process of packing and preparing for the following day's activities.
At 11:00 am, the Commencement Ceremony began at the Meeting House. Parents and students browsed a gallery of student work, including hand-painted pottery, painted silk scarves, drawings, projects from English class, and multiple collages of photos illustrating the various activities of Summer Session. Assistant Headmaster Greg Vogel delivered the commencement address, capturing for parents the unique experience students had this summer. Mindy Barth proudly presented students with commencement certificates, achievement awards, and CPR certification cards. Tom Barth delivered closing remarks, urging students to carry with them into the school year the strengths they had developed during summer session, including the powerful friendships they had made.
After the ceremony, parents, students and staff gathered in the Student Center to enjoy a luncheon prepared by Oliverian School's Executive Chef, Jay Destroismaisons. Parents were able to view a video of the whitewater rafting weekend in Maine, as well as get to meet other parents and students. Good-byes were cheerful, as almost all of the students who attended Summer Session have enrolled for fall, and students knew they would be seeing each other again soon.
Summer Session 2008 was successful in so many ways. Thank you students, staff, and parents for making this summer a wonderful experience. |
 8.4.2008
A Weekend of Fun and Learning
A Message from the Summer Session Directors
We have just finished up another week of Oliverian’s Summer Session. This week, students continued their studies while adding a new array of activities to their summer experiences.
On Thursday afternoon, the group went to Creation Station Pottery in Lincoln, NH to begin a project that combines art and stewardship. Over the course of three sessions, students will hand paint their own mugs, dishes, and bowls to use in the cafeteria at Oliverian. Each piece reflects their own creative spirit, and it will be each student’s individual responsibility to clean and care for their dinnerware after each meal.
Friday morning, every student participated in an on-campus CPR instruction course. Students learned how to perform CPR on adults, children and infants, as well as how to use various AEDs. Students were also instructed in how to respond to a choking situation. All students passed their course and will receive their CPR certification card in the coming week. Most importantly, many students said they learned more from this course than they had in previous courses they had taken, probably because of the very realistic approach of the instructors and the role-playing the instructors encouraged.
Saturday was full of fun and adventure, as students and staff took to the water for a day of kayaking on the Connecticut River. We paddled 12 miles down this beautiful river, right under the USA’s longest covered bridge (it’s the second longest in the world!). Since it was all flat water, there was quite of bit of paddling and exercise involved, but students had a great time.
Finally, today (Sunday), we returned to the Dartmouth Riding Center to continue our horseback riding lessons. Students are doing so well – they have much to be proud of.
Again, I would like to remind you that we will be holding our commencement ceremony on Saturday, August 16. Please save the date.
Best wishes,
Tom and Mindy Barth
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