NEWS FROM THE BIG APPLE
MAY/JUNE EDITION
Looking Ahead at Eighth and Ninth Grade! by Erica Reynolds Hager
Each year we plan carefully for the next and this year is no different. With the staffing changes and the last year of ninth grade ahead of us, we have done especially thoughtful planning in Upper School for the year ahead. We are starting to hear some worries and assumptions about what may be, so I hope to answer as many questions as I can here in this article.
Ninth Grade: Ninth graders will retain their key leadership role in the Upper School. They will travel to Washington DC for orientation the first week of school. The trip, as usual, focuses on history and the many monuments and museums in the area. Ninth graders have the privilege of having some independence on this trip under the guidance of two faculty chaperones.
During the school year, ninth graders will have their traditional privileges and leadership roles: weekly coffee with the faculty and the headmaster, freedom in how they move around campus, (meaning they can cross View St.), the publishing of the yearbook, helping to run the dining room, History Day and 9th grade projects, Diplomacy with Mr. Williamson, more latitude in sports and mentor choices and their special home in the bunker. Ninth graders will continue to be eligible for the named and ninth grade prizes at Recognition Day.
Eighth Grade: Because next year’s eighth grade will be a culminating year for this class, we have maintained the balance between what is appropriate for eighth graders, based on conversations with several other schools, and providing some special opportunities that are appropriate for them and are Applewild traditions. Since the Nature’s Classroom trip was not working well for eighth grade, we decided to have them travel to Washington DC with the ninth grade. This fits perfectly with their curriculum in English, history and science. While the eighth and ninth graders will travel on the same bus and may stay in the same hotel in DC, they will have completely distinct experiences during the day.
Since it is their last year at Applewild, eighth graders will have some representation in the yearbook. How this will work in terms of staffing is yet to be determined. Eighth graders will also be eligible to win named prizes at Recognition Day in competition with their classmates, not with ninth graders. Eighth graders will graduate in a combined graduation ceremony with ninth grade. Ninth graders historically design and plan their graduation. Eighth graders will support this to a smaller degree.
These decisions in no way water down the ninth grade experience or foist expectations or privileges on eighth graders that they are not ready for. I am pleased at the careful planning we have done and I know the faculty is excited for this unique year!
All of our programs remain intact and as strong as ever in academics, arts and athletics. Each year the daily and weekly schedule changes a bit depending on teaching assignments and student grouping. These are usual occurrences and get ironed out over the summer as I build the schedule.
I hope I have answered any questions that may be on your mind. For now though, the work of finishing this year is foremost in our minds. We have much to do – enjoy the concerts this week, play our last lacrosse games of the season, prepare for exams, and see our sixth grade basket projects installed at the Fitchburg Art Museum to name a few! Our students remain upbeat, full of energy and engaged in their work!
8th grade Cambodian Cultural Exchange by Cheri Amarna
The 8th grade photography students are in the midst of a cultural exchange project facilitated by Applewild Alumni Ryan Ansin ‘02. Ryan has started a photography program for disabled children in one center near Phnom Penh as well as one in Prey Veng, Cambodia. None of the participants have ever taken any photographs. Applewild students have been taking pictures based on a single word, such as love, family, and loss. Our students will make prints of their photographs and will write a paragraph explaining why that image is relevant to the word it represents. Ryan will be visiting the classes sometime this month and bringing with him examples of these same words as portrayed by the Cambodian children. When he returns to Cambodia, he will be bringing with him Applewild student work as an exchange.
Exam Schedule
Wednesday, June 9
8:20–9:50 Exam 1
6th Math
7th English
8th Science
9th History
10:15–11:45 Exam 2
7th Math
8th History
9th Math
Thursday, June 10
8:20–9:50 Exam 1
7th Science
8th English
9th Foreign Language
10:15–11:45 Exam 2
7th Geography
8th Foreign Language
9th English
Thursday June 10: Noon Dismissal for Upper School: No busses running. No Extended Day available. All US students need to have car pick up arrangements.
Friday, June 11
8:20-9:50 Exam
7th Foreign Language
8th Math
9th Science
Noon Dismissal for All School
12:30 – 8th Grade Luncheon – Marshall Building dining room
6-8th grade students: Need instruments everyday in preparation for Recognition Day and Graduation
9th grade students: Will have graduation rehearsals most days
Winter and Spring Sports Banquet by Kyle Gillis
The Upper School's Winter and Spring Sports Banquet will be held on June 2 in the Simonds Gym. The banquet will run from 5:30 until 7:00. All students who participated in either a travel or non-travel sport, along with their families, are welcome to attend. The kids who are going to the banquet will be allowed to stay at school at the day's end.
As with past banquets, pizza will be provided. Again, as with past banquets, donations of drinks, salads, and Applewild- appropriate desserts are welcomed. If you wish to donate please send me an e-mail (kgillis@applewild.org) and put "sports banquet" in the message/subject box. Thank you.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Again, e-mail is probably the most efficient way to get in touch with me.
Field Day Information and Pick-up Form by Kyle Gillis
Friday May 28 is Applewild's Upper School Field Day at the football field at Fitchburg State College. Students should arrive at school in their regular manner and we will bus them to the facility. We will arrive at approximately 8:30 and bus back to Applewild at 11:30 for a noon dismissal.
**Please download and print out the field day pick-up form and return to school by Thursday, or Friday morning-at the latest. This makes dismissal less confusing and considerably less hectic.
Parents are welcome to come and watch the fun.
For this day, students may wear athletic clothing, provided it is sized within the parameters of our dress code. All students will participate in all events, so it is advised that the kids wear sneakers as opposed to more stylish, less-functional footwear. Since we will be outside all morning, if your child is fair-complected, he or she should wear sunscreen and possibly a hat. Students may bring water bottles to FSC, however, they MAY NOT bring sports drinks to FSC's field-it is a field-turf field and it is susceptible to staining. Water and first aid will be provided.
Sixth Grade Field Study to Higgins Armory Museum by Bob Jones
Where can you view a gladiator’s helmet, a knight’s sword and full set of armor, and possibily even run into a
Jedi knight and stormtrooper? Higgins Armory in Worcester is that place. On Thursday, May 13, Applewild’s 6th grade traveled to Higgins for their annual field study. We were treated to an entertaining and somewhat radical introductory discussion and demonstration. The armor and swords were expected. Even the knighting of Sir Ben Church and the suiting of him in his armor by his two trustworthy squires were a predictable part of the program. The radical piece was in allowing Lady Rachel to test whether mail would in fact prevent her from being cut by a large sword. Alas, she came away with both of her arms.
After the introduction, we were treated to guided tours of the museum’s collection focusing on the Great Hall. Hundreds of weapons and several suits of armor were the highlights, and everyone enjoyed the behind the scenes tidbits of information that we received from our guides. After a lunch break, students were able to construct their own cardboard shields, choosing appropriate colors and symbols. Time was then spent in the Quest Gallery where students had the opportunity to dress in period clothing and play period games. This part of the visit made for some memorable photo opportunities.
When everyone had their fill of becoming knights and ladies of the Middle Ages we returned to the Great Hall where students searched for two items from the museum’s collection to gather information on and sketch. Overall it was an entertaining and educational experience.
If you are wondering where the stormtroopers and Jedi knights fit into the trip, they actually were not home for our visit. Higgins will have them as part of Star Wars Day on Saturday, May 22.
Up Coming Events
May 28 Field Day (Noon Dismissal)
May 31 No School – Memorial Day
June 8-11 US Exam Week
June 10 Noon Dismissal for US students only (no busses will be running at noon)
June 11 8th Grade Luncheon at 12:30pm (Noon Dismissal)
June 14 No School for Students – Professional Development Day
June 15 Recognition Day at 10:00am (Noon Dismissal)
June 16 Graduation at 9:00am (11am Dismissal)
Graduation Luncheon 11:30am