July 2008 News at Oliverian School

NEWS AT OLIVERIAN SCHOOL

July 2008

7.28.2008
What a Weekend!
Session Two is off to a fabulous start, with students working hard in classes and playing hard during our scheduled activities.

Thursday night, students attended the annual North Haverhill Fair, an old-time country fair featuring rides, apple pie a la mode, a rodeo, and live entertainment from the NH Rock Bottom Band. Students danced and sang along with the band, whose lead singer is Oliverian's Administrative Assistant, Kimberly Moran. Wow, did she and the band sound great! Students were worn out from dancing by the end of the night.

On Friday, we loaded up the vans and drove to Maine for a white-water rafting trip with Adventure Bound. That evening, students and staff played in the pool, made s'mores around the campfire, and sang songs. Early Saturday morning, we took to the river, challenging ourselves with rapids named Big Momma and Magic Falls. During stretches where students were permitted to swim, many students hopped into the water and floated downstream. What a thrill! After a satisfying lunch and lots more swimming, our happy crew returned to the vans for the ride back to Oliverian.

Thank you, Adventure Bound, for a great time! What a weekend!

7.20.2008
Session II Begins
A Message from the Summer Session Directors
This weekend marks the midpoint of Oliverian's 2008 Summer Program. Yesterday, we concluded Session 1 with an informal luncheon where we congratulated 3 students who were leaving our ranks after successfully completing the session. All students had a reason to be proud, however, as Session 1 proved to be quite successful for our students.

Today, with the official start of Session 2, we welcomed a new student, Courtney Hom, who joins us from New Jersey. Tomorrow morning, students begin their new academic schedules, with plenty of opportunities to try new activities while they study the traditional subjects of Math, English, and Art. Some of the new offerings include CPR certification, Self-Defense for Women, Motivate Your Mind (Self-Hypnosis), Wild Edibles, AP World History Test Preparation, and Handbuilding with Clay. Our Math department continues to offer Geometry and Algebra II with Trigonometry. Our Art Department continues to offer Summer Studio Art and Pottery, while our English Department will offer Early English Literature for Session II.

We have some great weekend activities planned for Session II -- for starters, the group will be traveling to Maine for whitewater rafting this weekend. Later in the session, we will go kayaking and visit some local fairs and festivals. We will also continue our Horseback Riding program at the Dartmouth Riding Center.

Although it is four weeks away, I would also like to remind parents to mark their calendars for Summer Commencement -- Saturday, August 16. We will be sending a follow-up email in a couple of weeks with more details describing the day's schedule of events. All of us here at Oliverian look forward to seeing you soon, and celebrating in your child’s success.

Best wishes,

Tom and Mindy Barth

Oliverian recently expanded its performing arts facilities with the addition of a dance floor in the Black Mountain Arts Studio

7.10.2008
Performing Arts Studio Enhanced to Support Dance
Oliverian's Black Mountain Arts Studio recently underwent a renovation to further support the Performing Arts. This renovation continues the work started last summer, when a music studio, complete with a rehearsal area and digital recording studio, was constructed as part of Oliverian's committment to the performing arts. This year's renovation -- the addition of a dance floor in the performing arts studio -- will support a wide array of classes, including our current Latin Dance and Middle Eastern Dance classes.

7.4.2008
Independence Day Festivities
Oliverian celebrated Independence Day with a great line-up of activities. On Friday the 4th, students enjoyed a trip to North Conway, New Hampshire, where they rode the Conway Scenic Railroad, did some shopping on Main Street, and took a dip in a swimming hole on the Saco River.

The next morning, Oliverian's weekend chef made Red, White and Blue Belgian Waffles at brunch (that's a Belgian waffle smothered in strawberries and blueberries and topped with whipped cream!) before everyone set off for the Mount Washington Hotel for an evening of fireworks and fun.

The first stop was the base of Mount Washington itself, where students looked around the Cogs Railway Musuem in the shadow of this awesome mountain. Then the groups was off to Bretton Woods resort for a carnival and the best fireworks show in New England!

Students had a great time, with one student remarking it was the best fireworks show he had seen in years.

7.2.2008
Classes Off to a Great Start
Session One classes are off to a great start, with multiple class offerings designed to fit the individual needs of students. Students have been studying English, Math, Fine Arts, and Culinary Arts though various courses, such as Greek Drama, Adventure Literature and the Personal Essay, Geometry, Algebra II with Trigonometry, Pottery, Summer Art, Baking for Beginners, and more.

In the meantime, students have also been enriching their education with activities such as Latin Dance featuring Tango and Salsa, Martial Arts, Rock Climbing, Middle Eastern Dance, Organic Gardening, Horseback Riding, and Orienteering. To many students, these are brand-new experiences, and everyone's doing a great job!