September 2008 News at Oliverian School

NEWS AT OLIVERIAN SCHOOL

September 2008

Orientation 2008 included a photo scavenger hunt, designed to help students have fun while getting to know their advisors and each other 9.17.2008
Orientation "A Unique Experience"
A Message from Brian Sullivan,
Programming Director
"Orientation this year at Oliverian was a unique experience. For the first time the school has been able to outfit and run the majority of the orientation courses. Under the planning and supervision of Oliverian trip leaders students biked to Burlington, climbed rock faces, and scaled mountains. With the help of Adventure Bound and Outward Bound some students took to the water in multi-day canoe and sailing trips. Students returned from these courses excited for the year to start, but without the details to do it. Friday was spent giving students the details, and having some fun with their advisors with a photo scavenger hunt.

This year looks stronger then ever, and the credit goes to the students and faculty working together. The bonds that have already been formed between faculty and students are inspiring for the year to come, to say the least."

9.16.2008
"Strong Sense of Community"
A Message from Mike Doherty,
Admissions Director
"We are very excited for the 2008-2009 school year here at the Oliverian Admissions Office. There is strong sense of community that the returning students have cultivated and the new students have embraced.

Oliverian is celebrated for its caring and supportive campus both academically and socially. This support allows our students to mature and test their boundaries in a safe boarding school environment.

Our campus is filled with unique students who have a passion for a wide variety of interests including: Art, Music and Adventure. The students have been very active and engaged throughout campus creating an atmosphere of a supportive peer culture.

The Oliverian School will reach full enrollment this fall, with only a few remaining openings in the girls dorms of Smith and Bixby. The positive energy on campus this first week has been invigorating and fills the campus with the promise of success in the 08’-09’ school year!"

9.15.2008
"Most Powerful Opening Day"
A Message from Peter Stevens,
Dean of Academics
"Today was the most powerful opening day we’ve had at Oliverian. We welcomed the largest student body group ever to walk through Oliverian doors on the first day of school.

We have such a high rate of veteran teachers returning this year. Our experienced faculty paved the way for a very smooth transition for students adjusting to their new schedules.

This is a big year for Oliverian as we now offer Honors Curriculum in: English, History, Physics, Calculus, and Spanish.

The overall spirit of the day was very positive and energetic and I am much honored to be a part of this eventful day."

9.15.2008
In Praise of My Experience at Oliverian

Recently, Oliverian received a heartfelt letter from an Oliverian Alumnus which demonstrates the impact Oliverian School has on students' lives:

"I can say now, looking back on it, what an important experience my time at Oliverian was. It was really a place that got me to flourish and I think I am definitely a better person for it. Most importantly, I am still amazed by the staff at the school, which still seems to me to be one of the most amazing groups of people that have come together to teach and hopefully enrich lives. I was only there a year, but the faculty I remember there was just simply amazing. The class in psychology you taught, though, I recall as being specifically inspiring. The entire experience, however, is what really mattered: the simple conversations with teachers in and out of class and the out of the classroom experiences. I have a lot I could talk about in praise of my experience there... So the point is, thank you very much for all that you and the rest of the staff has done since 2006/07."

-- Daniel Miller, Class of 2007

9.7.2008
Welcome Back Students!

Welcome Back, Students and Parents! On Sunday, September 7, Oliverian welcomed students and parents from across the country and around the world to the opening of the new school year.

The day began in the new library, where students checked in to receive dorm assignments and be paired with counselors and advisors. With help from parents and staff, students then reported to their dorms, where they began the arduous task of settling in. At noon, everyone gathered in the Student Center to celebrate with an opening luncheon, prepared by Executive Chef Jay DesTroismaisons and Weekend Chef Adam Bartkoski. Some students played pool and foosball, while others were busy meeting new students and old friends. Students were genuinely enthusiastic to be back at Oliverian and with each other.

During free time in the afternoon, several students got together to play Ultimate Frisbee with Adventure Instructor Mike Sallade. Others returned to the Student Center for a little more pool, foosball, and movies. After dinner in the cafeteria, everyone met at the Meeting House for the evening student meeting, where Assistant Headmaster Greg Vogel and the rest of the faculty outlined student life and expectations at Oliverian.

Tired from the long day, but in high spirits, students returned to their dorms for the evening to prepare for the next day's orientation trips. The orientation trips will further the process that was started today, with students getting to know each other and interacting together in community.