June 2008 News at Oliverian School

NEWS AT OLIVERIAN SCHOOL

June 2008

Sheri Law and Headmaster Barclay Mackinnon 6.30.2008
Dare to Dream
We wanted to thank you all for everything that you have done for Sheri. It was obvious to us from the start that Oliverian was a special, one-of-a-kind place. But we didn't dare to dream that we would be celebrating her graduation complete with awards, multiple college acceptances, and an amazing transformation of her as a person.

College will no doubt present challenges for her, especially in the beginning. But now we do in fact dare to dream of her continued success in school and in life.

We will always be in the debt to you for taking a chance on Sheri and nurturing through her time at Oliverian. It was as if she was living in a large extended family where everyone helped her out in the good times and the bad. We heard Barclay say once that the beautiful rural setting of the school had a healing and calming affect on students. Well, yes, definitely, but add to that the teachers, dorm parents, management, operational staff, ALL of whom pitch in to help and mentor the kids, and you have a wondrous school.

I don't want to make the school sound too good to be true. But it has been for us. Thank you ... thank you ... thank you!

If you wish to direct the parents of prospective new students to us, we would be thrilled to discuss our, and Sheri's, wonderful experiences with the school.

Good luck to you and all the current and future Oliverian students.

With Warm Regards,

Doug and Louise Law

Oliverian's organic garden is producing fresh veggies daily for our dining hall

6.30.2008
Oliverian's Organic Garden is Thriving!
The first week of classes at Oliverian has been a great time for kids to enjoy new experiences, get to know each other, and relish in all the Oliverian Valley has to offer. Organic Gardening class, with teacher/counselor Abby Jacobson, has been keeping our kids busy as they prepare the soil, plant the sprouts, weed, water and care for the fruits and vegetables themselves. And the best part…we all get to eat the fruits of their labor at mealtime with other students. We’ve enjoyed lettuce, spinach, mint, beets, and fresh fruit so far from our Organic Gardening class.

6.29.2008
Oliverian Supports Northern Stage with Recent Donation
Oliverian recently made a relevant donation to a local performing arts company, Northern Stage. Northern Stage is a local a non-profit professional theater, offering classic plays as well as new plays to the White River Junction, VT area. “Northern Stage is dedicated to bringing theater to the community as a way to tell our collective stories and to engage theatergoers in life-changing experiences.” Visit their website to learn more.

The theater company offers 6-8 professional productions throughout the year from October through April, as well as a year-round Theater Arts Education Program for children and adults. The youth group put on two shows of “Literature Alive” and all ticket sale proceeds support the education program for 2008-2009 supported by a silent auction. Overall, the Northern Stage fundraiser event raised over $3,000. With rising fuel costs, Oliverian’s firewood donation was a clear favorite with many bids!

Summer Session begins at the Oliverian School

6.22.2008
Summer Session Opens!
On Sunday, The Oliverian School welcomed students and parents to the opening of Summer Session. Students checked into their dorms, and then parents and students gathered in the Student Center for a Welcoming Luncheon. After staff introductions, a student orientation and a Q&A session for parents, parents and students said their farewells. Severe rain storms prevented the afternoon's Capture the Flag game, but pick-up games of pool and foosball in the student center soon had students getting to know one another and interacting with staff. In the evening, students and faculty returned to the student center for ice cream cake as we celebrated new student Rafferty Gardner's 17th birthday together. At 9:00 pm, students returned to their dorms for their first dorm meetings, closing out a successful opening day.

Zach Gardner and his Adventure Teacher, Matt Brown

6.18.2008
A Heartfelt Letter from Oliverian Parents
Recently, Oliverian received a heartfelt letter from one of their student's parents which demonstrates the close ties faculty builds and the impact they have on students' lives:

"This picture says so much about the relationship Matt (Matt Brown, Adventure Teacher is pictured right) built with Zach (student Zach Gardner pictured left) and how supported he felt by Matt. The end of the year offered a great write up and was so affirming and so encouraging, as was Matt's work with Zack all year long.

We are so grateful that Zack had this last year at Oliverian. While we know that he complained endlessly about being stuck in the sticks, he benefited hugely from the steady, caring dedication of every single staff member who crossed his path.

Gil and I were very struck by Zack's insistence at the conclusion of graduation, that he personally took the time to thank every single staff member before we left campus. He is a shy soul, as you know, so this was a big deal... and this says so much about the quality of the staff at the school.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the time and energy you poured into making this year work for Zack. We are so grateful for all you have done for him and for us. Have a good summer, and some restful downtime. We hope to stay in touch in the future."

Warmly,
Susie and Gil

06.01.2008
Graduation 2008 Closes an Awesome Year
The Oliverian School held its 2008 Graduation Ceremony on Sunday, June 1 at Alumni Hall in Haverhill, NH, just a couple of miles from the Oliverian School campus. The weather allowed for a beautiful outdoor reception which followed the graduation ceremony with food prepared and served by Adam Bartkoski, Rowan Sherwood, and Oliverian alumnus KC Fadden.

To view photos of the entire day's events, visit our photographer's website, and enter your name, email address, and the password classof2008. All are welcome to visit the site. Photos can be purchased directly from the site.

Our graduation ceremony featured a Commencement Address from Mathematics and Technology teacher Carl Stagg, an address from the elected class speaker Noah Benjamin-Pollak, and a tango musical performance by graduating senior Nick Gery, sophomore Emmett Naylor, and Music teacher Brett Wanner. You can listen to these highlights by clicking below:

• Carl Stagg's Graduation Speech - 8 MB MP3
• Noah Benjamin-Pollak Graduation Speech - 9 MB MP3
• Tango Musical Performance - 3 MB MP3

The award for Academic Excellence was presented by Dean of Academics, Peter Stevens, to Mel Ahituv. The John Wolter Award was presented to outstanding Junior Fran Quillen by John Doyle, Dean of Students. Personal Achievement Awards were presented to Sheri Law and Jon Stanley by Lauren Estebanell, Director of Counseling. The Service Award was presented to Nick Gery by Greg Vogel, Assistant Head of School. The Headmaster's Cup was presented to Sam Smith by Barclay MacKinnon, Head of School. This year's senior class had many appropriate candidates for these awards, therefore there were multiple nominations for each category. Congratulations to all the nominees and the winners of these awards.