Gazette040513 - PAnet

April 5, 2013
Duty Officer: Becky Sykes
home...................................978-474-0837
cell.......................................978-729-7231
pager...................................978-749-4550
Dean on Duty: Trish Russell
cell.......................................978-749-4558
Graham House: Max Alovisetti
home...................................978-475-0598
cell.......................................978-407-1239
The Newsletter of the Phillips Academy Community
Opening Reception Tonight
PA Faculty Exhibit in Gelb Gallery
“Full Circle: A Mentor–Mentee Exhibition | Two Generations of Teaching” is open for
viewing in the Gelb Gallery through April 30. The exhibition features the work of former Andover art faculty members Frances McCormick
and Audrey Bensley and current art instructors Emily
Trespas and Thayer Zaeder.
Bensley and Zaeder display pieces they created using
a variety of ceramic techniques and firing processes,
including salmon and white stoneware, salt fire stoneware, raku, terra-cotta, and porcelain. McCormick and
Trespas exhibit a range of drawings and paintings they
created from observation as well as imagination, in
charcoal, graphite, gouache, oil, colored pencil, ink, and
paper pulp.
Student Activities: Karen Morrissey
cell.......................................617-816-0050
office...... 978-749-4183 or 978-749-4174
What’s Inside...
The Scene..............................................................2
Wes Moore Keynote............................................3
An opening reception for the show will be held tonight
from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Gelb Gallery. All are welcome.
Jay Rogers Memorial Service............................3
© Audrey Bensley
Run for the Troops 5K........................................4
Poetry Reading Next Friday Night
Capt. Hudner to Be Honored............................4
Pentatonix Performance.....................................4
Brace Fellow Presentation.................................4
Faculty Jazz Concert Tonight............................5
Community Service Opportunities.................5
New Gazette Editor.............................................5
“Benevie” Luncheon...........................................5
Dr. Ruth Wisse Presentation.............................6
Filipino Ensemble Performance.......................6
Spring Visit Days 3 & 4 Agenda.......................6
Move ‘n Groove/Zumba Classes......................6
Joseph Brophy Toledo Talk...............................7
Abbot Academy Grants.....................................7
Iron Industry Presentation................................7
Recent Appointments.........................................7
Employment & Benefits News..........................8
Alumni Non Sibi Service Project......................9
Summer Employment News.............................9
ASM Spring Schedule........................................9
OPP News.............................................................9
From the OWHL................................................10
Athletics Schedule............................................ 11
Classifieds........................................................... 11
CHT Meeting Minutes.....................................12
Vol. XXXVIII, No. 24
Described by Publisher’s Weekly as “one of the smarter, and funnier,
poets of his generation,” Tony Hoagland—this year’s Isham Poetry
Fellow—will give a reading of his poetry next Friday, April 12, at 7
p.m. in Kemper Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
A professor of creative writing at the University of Houston,
Hoagland is the author of four volumes of poetry: Unincorporated Persons in the Late Honda Dynasty; Sweet Ruin, winner of the Brittingham
Prize in Poetry; Donkey Gospel, winner of the James Laughlin Award
of the Academy of American Poets; and What Narcissism Means to
Me. He also is the author of a collection of essays about poetry, titled
Real Sofistikashun. Hoagland’s other honors include the Poetry Foundation’s 2005 Mark Twain Award, in recognition for his contribution
to humor in American poetry, and the Folger Shakespeare Library’s
2005 O.B. Hardison Jr. Prize, the only national prize to recognize a
poet’s teaching as well as his art, according to Poets & Writers magazine.
Tony Hoagland
In addition to the reading, which is being hosted by the English department, Hoagland
also will be visiting two English classes in Bulfinch Hall, and will be meeting with faculty
to discuss the reading of poetry. Hoagland’s visit is sponsored by the English department
and the Sarah Isham Vreeland Fund. For more information about this event, please contact
English instructor Kevin O’Connor at [email protected].
AdCom Meeting Minutes................................12
Academic Council Meeting Minutes............13
SAC Meeting Minutes.....................................14
Gazette submissions are due at [email protected] by 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 12
The Scene
Schedule of Community Events & Extracurriculars
Volunteers Needed!
To assist with Run for the Troops
5K this weekend. E-mail Nancy
Lang today at [email protected]
for more info.
Friday, April 5
5:30–7 p.m.—Art Exhibition
Opening Reception
Featuring the work of former and current art faculty members. Gelb Gallery.
6 p.m.—DramaLabs
“Playwriting 101,” directed by
Frances Yankel ’15
“Night Visits,” directed by Ben Yi ’14
“Text Messages Hurt More When
You’re Sitting in the Airport,” directed
by Cole Benedict ’14
Free admission. Theatre Classroom.
7:30 p.m.—Faculty Jazz Concert
Featuring the music of Dave Brubeck,
Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock, and
more. Timken Room, Graves Hall.
8 p.m.—Af-Lat-Am Keynote Wes Moore
Moore, an activist, author, and Rhodes
Scholar, will speak about “choices.”
Cochran Chapel.
Saturday, April 6
8 p.m.—Pentatonix Performance
With beatboxer Kevin Olusola ’06. PA
community members only. Doors open
at 7:30 p.m. Cochran Chapel.
Sunday, April 7
10 a.m.—Jay Rogers Memorial
Service
Cochran Chapel. Reception will follow
in the Underwood Room.
Monday, April 8
5:15–6:30 p.m.—Brace Fellow
Presentation
Featuring Jing Qu ’13. Dinner will be
served. School Room, third floor of
Abbot Hall.
Wednesday, April 10
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.—”Benevie”
Luncheon
For female faculty and spouses, staff,
and emeritae. Mural Room, Paresky
Commons.
6:30–7:30 p.m.—Presentation by
Dr. Ruth Wisse
“Jews and Power” is the topic. Free and
open to the public. Kemper Auditorium.
Friday, April 12
12:30 p.m.—Hudner Luncheon and
Program
Special event in honor of Capt. Thomas
J. Hudner Jr. ’43, namesake of the
USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116). Maine
Maritime Museum, Bath, Maine. Bus
will depart from Cochran Chapel at
approximately 9 a.m.
7 p.m.—Hoagland Poetry Reading
Featuring this year’s Isham Poetry
Fellow, Tony Hoagland. Free and open
to the public. Kemper Auditorium.
April 12 DramaLabs
“She Makes Like a Tree and Leaves,”
directed by Scott MacDonald ’15
“3 A.M. Wake Up Call,” directed by
Wei Han Lim ’15
“Signs of Life,” directed by Tom
Burnett ’15
Free Fitness Classes!
Move ‘n Groove/Zumba classes
are being held Thursday nights,
6:15–7:15, through May 16. Ballet
Studio, Borden Gym.
Religious Scene
Friday, April 5
5:30–6:30 p.m.—Jewish Student
Union (JSU) Shabbat Service
Led by Rabbi Michael Swarttz. Student
board members: copresidents Adam
Brody ’14 and Zoe Chazen ’14;
Samantha Goldberg ’14, Esther Cohen
’14, and Jerry Li ’14. Kemper Chapel,
lower level of Cochran Chapel.
Sunday, April 7
5:30–6:30 p.m.—Catholic
Confirmation Classes
Cochran Chapel, lower-level classroom
#015.
6 p.m.—Protestant Service
Led by the Reverend Anne Gardner,
Protestant Chaplain. Guest preacher,
Alton E. Price Jr. Special music by Dr.
Abbey Siegfried, school organist.
Cochran Chapel.
6:45–7:30 p.m.—Roman Catholic
Mass
Overseen by Dr. Mary Kantor, Catholic
Chaplain, with priests of the Archdiocese of Boston presiding. Special music
by Dr. Abbey Siegfried, school organist.
Kemper Chapel, lower level of Cochran
Chapel.
Monday, April 8
6:30–7:30 p.m.—Andover Christian
Fellowship (ACF)
Advisor: Shawn Fulford. Student
coheads: Mackenzie Strabala ’13 and
Catherine Haseman ’14. Baldwin Cloister, lower level of Cochran Chapel.
Tuesday, April 9
5:15 p.m.—“Culture, Politics, and
Religion” (CPR)
Giving life to discussion about religion,
culture, and politics, led by the Reverend Anne Gardner. Student coheads:
Adele Bernhard ’14 and Iman Masmoudi ’14. Ada’s Room (formerly the
Religious Scene continued on page 3
April 5, 2013
Religious Scene continued from page 2
Blue Room), upper level, Paresky
Commons.
5:15 p.m.—Catholic Student
Fellowship (CSF)
Advisor: Dr. Mary Kantor. Student
board members: copresidents
Larry Flynn ’13 and Andrea Yepez
’14; Tyler Olkowski ’13, senior rep;
Matt Fischetti ’14, upper rep; Tom
Johst ’15, lower rep; Erica Nork ’16,
junior rep. Paul’s Room (formerly
the Gray Room), upper level,
Paresky Commons.
Wednesday, April 10
6–7 p.m.—Hindu Student Union
Advisor: the Reverend Anne
Gardner. Student board members:
Meera Bhan ’14, Soha Sanchorawala ’14, Emilia Figliomeni ’14,
Sophie Landay ’14, and Meera
Patel ’15. Ada’s Room (formerly
the Blue Room), upper level,
Paresky Commons.
Thursday, April 11
5:15–6:15 p.m.—Gospel Choir
Director: Lance Bryant. Student
head: Josselyn De Leon ’13. All
members of the PA community
and beyond are welcome. No experience needed. Choir Room, lower
level of Cochran Chapel.
Interfaith Lending Library
Open in the Chapel Office
(Cochran Chapel, back hall, behind
the stage). To view selections, visit
www.librarything.com. Login:
PAChapel. PASSWORD:
Interfaith1. Interfaith Library is
accessible through the PA OWHL
system and the NOBLE library
consortium. Weekday hours are
8:30 a.m.–noon and 1:30–3 p.m.
Tracy Sweet (ext. 4313)
Director of Academy
Communications
Audrey Doyle (ext. 4659)
Editor
Ken Puleo (ext. 4475)
Art Director
Printed on recycled paper in
Central Services. Please recycle
your Gazette.
Return to Page 13
Wes Moore to Speak at
Af-Lat-Am Reunion Tonight
Af-Lat-Am is pleased to announce that keynote speaker Wes
Moore will kick off the society’s 45th Anniversary Reunion
with a presentation at 8 p.m. this evening in Cochran Chapel.
An American success story, Moore is a best-selling author,
Rhodes Scholar, Army officer, White House fellow, youth
advocate, and business leader—but he wasn’t always on the
path to achievement. Raised in a single-parent household in
Baltimore, he was drawn toward trouble as a child, prompting his mother to enroll him in military school. After graduating Phi Theta Kappa as a commissioned officer from Valley
Forge Military College and Phi Beta Kappa from Johns Hopkins University, Moore became a Rhodes Scholar and studied
international relations at Oxford.
After he received the Rhodes Scholarship, the Baltimore Sun
ran a short piece about Moore and his achievements. In the
same edition, the paper also ran a story about four young men who had allegedly killed
a police officer after a botched robbery. One of those men was named Wes Moore. Unable
to shake off the coincidence, Moore followed the story and began corresponding with the
other Wes Moore, now a convicted murderer serving a life sentence. Through this correspondence, Moore discovered that their lives were similar, but the choices they made and
the people in their lives had led them to different destinies.
This subject of choice became the underlying theme of Moore’s novel, The Other Wes
Moore: One Name, Two Fates, a New York Times best seller (a copy of which is available in
CAMD for perusal). Choice also is the subject of Moore’s keynote talk, which is open to
the public. For more information, please contact Linda Griffith at [email protected]
or visit www.andover.edu/calendar/pages/wesmoore13.aspx.
Memorial Service for
Faculty Emeritus
Jay Rogers
Former instructor in history and social science
James M. “Jay” Rogers passed away on January 5,
2013, in Durham, N.C., after a six-year battle with
cancer. Jay was on the PA faculty from 1985 to 2004
and had returned to his hometown of Durham in
retirement.
As we conclude the commemoration of Af-Lat-Am’s 45th anniversary, the Andover community will celebrate Jay’s life this Sunday, April 7, at 10 a.m. in Cochran Chapel. Three
members of Jay’s family and many alumni will join us in paying tribute to this legendary
teacher, advisor, and longtime voice of Andover track. In preparation for the service, the
Gospel Choir will rehearse beginning at 9 a.m. in the Choir Room on the lower level of the
Chapel. Anyone who wishes to sing with us is invited to join the rehearsal.
There will be a reception in the Underwood Room following the service.
—Becky Sykes
Associate Head of School
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 14
Featuring PA’s own Kevin Olusola ’06
Capt. Thomas J. Hudner Jr. ’43
to Be Honored in Maine
Pentatonix
Performance Saturday
Alumni, parents, faculty, and staff
are cordially invited to a special luncheon and program honoring Capt.
Thomas J. Hudner Jr., namesake of
the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116).
Hudner was awarded the Medal
of Honor for his bravery as a Naval Aviator during the Korean War.
Retired Adm. Gregory Johnson,
USN, will give the keynote speech
at the event, which will take place
next Friday, April 12, at 12:30 p.m.
at the Maine Maritime Museum
in Bath. A bus will depart from
Capt. Thomas J. Hudner Jr. ’43
Cochran Chapel at approximately
9 a.m. to transport guests to the event, with an estimated arrival
time of 11:45 a.m. Guests with their own transportation are invited
to arrive anytime after 9:30 a.m. and explore the museum.
As part of their
2013 nationwide
tour,
Pentatonix
will give a live
performance
for
the PA community
Saturday,
April 6, in Cochran
Chapel. Featuring
lead vocals Scott
Hoying, Kirstie Maldonado, and Mitch Grassi, vocal bass Avi
Kaplan, and beatboxer Kevin “K.O.” Olusola ’06, the
a cappella group will perform at 8 p.m. (Doors will open at
7:30 p.m.)
Construction of the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), an Arleigh
Burke–class destroyer, began in November 2012 at Bath Iron
Works. Hudner will visit with the workers at the plant—an unusual occurrence, as most vessels are named posthumously—and
then join the gathered guests at the museum.
The Maine Maritime Museum is located at 243 Washington St.
in Bath. If you are interested in attending, please contact Jenny
Savino in the Office of Alumni Affairs (ext. 4278) or e-mail
[email protected].
Run for the Troops 5K
This Sunday
Volunteers needed! For the past two years, PA has supported this
race in downtown Andover with a strong contingent of volunteers
to help with registration and race logistics. The race keeps growing, with thousands competing, so we need more help than ever.
Funds raised benefit Homes for Our Troops, an organization that
builds homes designed for the unique injuries of specific soldiers.
This year’s race will help build a home for Marine Cpl. Kevin
Dubois of Coventry, R.I. Dubois lost both of his legs during his second deployment to Afghanistan in July 2011. This incredibly professional and well-organized race is also a heartwarming event,
with an outpouring of community support and gratitude.
If you would like to volunteer, please e-mail Nancy Lang today at
[email protected]. Volunteers are needed from approximately
7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on race day (April 7). We also may need a
few extra hands for preregistration on Saturday afternoon (April
6). It is possible to help with registration and then run or walk in
the race (the registration fee is waived for volunteers!).
For more on the race, please visit www.runforthetroops5k.com.
Ryan Parma
All Are Invited to Special Military Event
This event, for the PA community only, is sponsored by Pine
Knoll Cluster and made possible by a grant from the Abbot
Academy Assoc., with support from the Music Dept., Student
Activities Office, Office of Alumni Affairs, and CAMD. For
more info, contact Aya Murata at [email protected].
Brace Fellow Presentation
“Headlines and Bylines: The Changing
Voices of Women in Journalism from the
1970s to the Internet Age”
Jing Qu ’13
Faculty Advisor: Susan
Greenberg, Instructor in
English and Co-Advisor to
the Phillipian
Monday, April 8
5:15–6:30 p.m.
School Room, third floor
of Abbot Hall
Dinner will be served.
In the 1970s, women working for the New York Times
and Newsweek magazine filed class-action discrimination
lawsuits against their respective news organizations. These
cases were the first of many legal actions that reflected the
frustration of women who were denied fair pay and equal
opportunity in newsrooms at the time. For this Brace Fellow
presentation, Jing Qu explored the causes and effects of these
two seminal lawsuits and the contemporary challenges and
opportunities female journalists face 40 years later.
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 15
Faculty Jazz Concert Tonight
Tonight at 7:30 p.m. the music department will present a concert of faculty jazz
ensembles featuring the music of Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, Sun Ra, Danilo
Pérez, Bob Baughman, Phil Markowitz, Clare Fischer, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield,
and Viktor Krauss.
The concert, free of charge and open to the public, will take place in the Timken Room in
Graves Hall. For more information, please e-mail [email protected] or call ext. 4263.
Adult Opportunities in the
Community Service Program
The Community Service Office is pleased to present its spring term programs. We offer many opportunities for adults to get involved alongside PA students. Adult participation is critical both in ensuring students can get to their projects and in enhancing the
students’ experience. Adults add a great deal of depth and interest to any number of our
projects and help our students think about the work they are doing each week.
If you are interested in participating in any of the projects listed here, please e-mail
[email protected] by Monday, April 8. We’d love to have you join us!
Program
Dates and Times
Responsibilities
Project VOICE/ESL
Thursdays, 5:45–7:30 p.m.
In association with the
Lawrence Family Development Education Fund
and Charter School, some
volunteers tutor recent
immigrants who are studying for the naturalization
examination to become
American citizens. Other
volunteers work with
adults in the English as a
Second Language Program.
4/11
4/18
4/25
5/2
5/9
5/16
The adult would drive seven
or eight PA students in a
rally wagon to the tutoring
center and then assist the
teachers in the classes for
adults.
Sí, Se Puede Tutoring
Program
Tuesdays, 2:30–5 p.m.
Three PA students and one
PA adult tutor elementary
and middle school students in a small tutoring
center in Lawrence.
Sí, Se Puede Tutoring
Program
Three PA students and one
PA adult tutor elementary
and middle school students in a small tutoring
center in Lawrence.
4/9
4/23
4/30
5/7
5/14
Wednesdays, 2:30–5 p.m.
4/10
4/24
5/1
5/8
5/15
The adult would drive two
or three PA students in a
rally wagon to the tutoring
center and then assist the
younger children at Sí, Se
Puede with their homework
and projects.
The adult would accompany
PA students on the bus to
the tutoring center and then
assist the children at Sí, Se
Puede with their homework
and projects.
New Gazette Editor
Beginning with this issue, Audrey Doyle,
who recently joined the Office of Communication as production manager, has taken
on the role of Gazette editor. Please remember to e-mail items for publication to
[email protected] no later than
3 p.m. on Wednesday. Sooner is better!
If you have any questions, please call
Audrey at ext. 4659.
“Benevie” Luncheon
April 10
On March 4, 1831, PA faculty daughters founded The Reading Association. Over the decades, the association
evolved and changed its name to the
Ladies Benevolent Society of Phillips
Academy (a.k.a. “Benevie”). The group’s
1831 constitution charged the group with
providing “the required element of sociability and [indicated that] the ends sought
shall be both benevolent and social.” In addition to sponsoring sewing circles, book
groups, and social gatherings, through
the years Benevie welcomed new faculty
and staff members, sent flowers and cards
to community members who were ill or
had lost a loved one, acknowledged faculty and staff babies, and supported local
charities and causes. After coeducation in
1973, Benevie’s membership expanded to
include female faculty members. Female
staff members joined Benevie in the 1990s.
Due to the many competing claims on our
lives, interest in Benevie has waned in the
past 15 years. The head of school’s office
has kept the memory of Benevie alive
nonetheless, by hosting periodic dinners
and lunches for the women on campus.
The Academy’s female faculty, faculty
spouses, staff, and emeritae are invited
to celebrate spring term with a luncheon hosted by Catherine A. Carter and
Becky Sykes.
Wednesday, April 10
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Mural Room, Paresky Commons
There is no formal program; you are invited to come at your regular lunchtime to
mingle with others in the community.
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 16
“Jews and Power” Topic of
Wisse Presentation
On Wednesday, April 10, the Jewish Student Union will host a presentation by Dr. Ruth Wisse, titled “Jews and Power: Between Holocaust
Memorial Day and Israel Independence Day.” The Martin Peretz Professor of Yiddish Literature and professor of comparative literature at
Harvard University, Wisse will give her presentation from 6:30 to 7:30
p.m. in Kemper Auditorium.
Theresa Johnson
Born in Czernowitz, Romania (now known
as Chernivtsi and located in the Ukraine),
Wisse grew up in Montreal and earned a
PhD degree in English from McGill University. In addition to teaching at McGill,
she also has taught at Stanford University,
New York University, Hebrew University,
and Tel Aviv University. In 2007, she received a National Humanities Medal from
the National Endowment for the Humanities for “scholarship and
teaching that have illuminated Jewish literary traditions.”
As well as authoring numerous articles on Jewish literature, culture, and contemporary Jewish life, Wisse is a member of the Editorial Board of the Jewish Review of Books and author of several
books, including The Schlemiel as Modern Hero; If I Am Not for Myself: The Liberal Betrayal of the Jews; and Jews and Power.
Wisse’s visit is funded by the Sydney Paley Fund. For more information on the presentation, please contact Gail Ralston at ext. 4130.
Filipino Ensemble to Perform
Sunday, April 14
Sierra Jamir ‘14
Iskwelahang Pilipino (IP) is a volunteerrun, nonprofit organization founded in
1976 by a group of Greater Boston parents
to create an environment where their children could learn about their Filipino heritage. In 1986, IP formed the IP Rondalla,
a string ensemble of Filipino American
youth ages 12–25, including Sierra Jamir
’14. Specializing in traditional and contemporary music from the Philippines and the
United States, the group also incorporates
dance and movement into their repertoire.
On Sunday, April 14, the IP Rondalla will offer two performances,
at 4 p.m. in Kemper Auditorium and at 6:45 p.m. during Catholic Mass in Kemper Chapel (lower level of Cochran Chapel). The
performances, which are free and open to the public, are being
made possible through the “Celebrating the Cultural Legacies of
Catholicism III” project initiated in 2010 by Elizabeth Oppong ’12
and continued by Larry Flynn ’13 and Andrea Yepez ’14, with advisor Dr. Mary Kantor, Catholic Chaplain. This three-year project
has been funded by the Abbot Academy Association.
Light refreshments will be served following Mass. For more information, please contact Gail Ralston at ext. 4130.
Spring Visit Days 3 & 4 Agenda
Spring Visit Days are now in full swing! Following is a list of
events taking place today through Monday. For more information,
please contact Vivien Mallick at ext. 4062.
Friday, April 5
7:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m.—Kemper Auditorium/Underwood
Room/Cochran Chapel
Spring Visit Day 3 (boarders and Flyback invited)
Sunday, April 7
6–7 p.m.—Kemper Auditorium
Cupcake party (6–6:15 p.m.) and student talent show
(6:15–7 p.m.) for students and parents participating in
Monday’s Spring Visit program
Monday, April 8
7:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m.—Kemper Auditorium/Underwood
Room/Cochran Chapel
Spring Visit Day 4 (boarders and day students invited)
5–6 p.m.—Susie’s, lower level of Paresky Commons
Informal pizza dinner for newly admitted student-athletes
6:30–7:30 p.m.—Davis Hall, McKeen Hall (Abbot campus)
Reception for newly admitted student-athletes
7:45–8:30 p.m.—School Room, Abbot Hall (Abbot campus)
Reception for newly admitted post-graduates
Move ’n Groove/Zumba
Classes Offered on Campus
On Thursday evenings through May 16, Lourdes Oramas will lead
interested PA students, faculty, staff, and spouses in a unique and
fun dance aerobic workout peppered with a spicy fusion of upbeat
cardio-dance styles from around the world. Classes—which are
free of charge—run from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. and are held in the Ballet
Studio in Borden Gym.
After the birth of her children, Oramas designed her own weightloss program based on her passion for dancing. She had so much
fun and got such great results that she decided to
share her fitness secrets
with the world. Her highenergy, low-impact Move
’n Groove dance aerobic
workouts include hiphop, jazz, salsa, rhumba,
flamenco, merengue, and
bhangra.
An AFAA-certified dance
instructor for more than 20 years, Oramas currently shares her
dance and fitness expertise with Workout World (WoW) and members of Latitudes in Methuen. For more information or to register
for classes, e-mail Leislie Godo-Solo at [email protected].
The Move ’n Groove/Zumba classes at PA are made possible by
an Abbot Academy Association grant.
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 17
From Pueblo of Jemez
Joseph Brophy Toledo
to Speak about
Native American Culture
The Andover Archaeology and
History Club is sponsoring a talk
by Joseph Brophy Toledo, a tribal
elder and prominent community
member of the Pueblo of Jemez
in New Mexico. Toledo will give
his talk, titled “The Evolution of
Man and His Ties to Earth,” on
Monday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. in
the Mural Room of Paresky Commons. Dessert will be served.
A medicine man, government official, and educator, Toledo
has much to teach us about the Earth, ourselves, and Native
American culture. He firmly believes in the concept of “Earth
people”—that all humans, not just Native Americans, belong
to the Earth. Stories of his firsthand experiences living close
to the Earth will be invaluable for students interested in a
new point of view on “going green.”
Free and open to the public, Toledo’s visit is jointly funded
by an Abbot Academy Association grant and the Robert S.
Peabody Museum of Archaeology. For more information,
please contact Lesley Shahbazian at ext. 4499.
Do You Have a
Dream for
Andover?
Abbot Academy Association
Grant Proposal
Deadline: Friday, April 12
Application is open to staff, faculty, and students with a faculty sponsor. The proposal guidelines and application can be
accessed at www.abbotacademyassociation.org. Questions?
E-mail Natalie Schorr at [email protected] or Liz George
at [email protected].
Speaker to Bring
State’s Iron Heritage to Light
The Bay State’s 19th-century iron industry is little known
and generally unappreciated. In fact, the state of Massachusetts once had a very important iron manufacturing industry.
Dr. Sara E. Wermiel will present a historic overview and
discuss a project to create an Iron Heritage Trail in Eastern
Massachusetts to bring the region’s iron manufacturing history to light.
Wermiel is an independent scholar, historic preservation consultant, and teacher. Her specialties are the history of 19thcentury American technology, industrialization, and urbanization. She will speak about her research on Tuesday, April 16, at
7 p.m. at the Massachusetts Archaeological Society’s Northeast
Chapter meeting held at the Peabody Museum, which will begin with chapter business.
Patrick Farrell and Scott Hoenig
Recent Appointments
Patrick J. Farrell, chair of the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, and Scott Hoenig, instructor in mathematics, have been appointed to new positions.
Effective July 1, Farrell will begin a seven-year term as dean of
faculty. Joining Andover in 2004 after nine years teaching at The
Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone, Maine—
where he designed the school’s math curriculum—Farrell has
served Andover in several capacities. In addition to teaching math
at virtually all levels of the curriculum, he has served on the faculties of (MS)2 and the ACE Scholars Program, and has coached
competitive math teams and individual students to regional and
national success. A house counselor and assistant track coach at
Andover, Farrell also has spent numerous spring breaks traveling
with students on service missions to rural South Carolina.
Farrell will succeed Temba Maqubela, who is leaving Andover after 25 years to become head of Groton School.
Effective this summer, Hoenig will begin a six-year term as
assistant dean of studies for advising. Hoenig began his career
at Andover in 1998 as a teaching fellow. Aside from a two-year
stint spent earning a master’s degree in mathematics from Boston
University, he has been teaching and coaching at Andover ever
since. In addition to teaching math, Hoenig is the head coach of
the varsity Ultimate team and oversees both the varsity and junior
varsity Ultimate programs; is an assistant coach of the boys’ water polo team; and is a house counselor and academic advisor to
several ninth-grade boys in Rockwell North. He also has been on
the House Counselor Committee for approximately 10 years, has
served on the Athletic Council, and currently is the junior house
counselor coordinator.
Hoenig will succeed Kate Dolan, instructor in athletics, who will
take on the role of West Quad South cluster dean.
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 18
Employment & Benefits News
The Annual Benefits Open Enrollment
period began on April 3 and runs until
April 19. During this time, benefits-eligible employees (.5 FTE or greater) will be
able to enroll or change their participation in the Academy’s medical and dental insurance plans, as well as enroll in
Section 125 Medical and Dependent Care
Flexible Spending Accounts for the upcoming plan year beginning June 1.
As previously announced, medical premiums
will remain unchanged for 2013! In addition,
we are remaining with all current carriers
with only a few plan design changes. There
is a slight increase to dental premiums.
I also am excited to share that we will begin using a new feature of the ADP Portal,
called Employee Self Service (ESS), to elect
and waive benefits, thereby eliminating
most, if not all, paperwork! I encourage you to visit the ADP Portal for
detailed information on the open enrollment process, ESS user guides, a schedule
of events, rate sheets, and a Summary of
Benefits and Coverage (SBC). You also can
find this information in the Human Resources section of PAnet, under the “Open
Enrollment 2013” section.
Benefits Information Sessions
Representatives from Borislow Insurance,
our benefits broker, and Harvard Pilgrim
Health Care will offer a general overview
presentation of all open enrollment benefits,
as well as an in-depth presentation on the
high-deductible PPO plan and the Health
Savings Account (HSA) benefit. The presentation on the PPO plan is suitable for those
who are new to the plan, as well as for those
who would like a review of how their current plan works. No sign-up is required.
The benefits overview sessions will be held
Wednesday, April 10, from noon to 12:45
p.m., and Friday, April 12, from 1:30 to 2:15
p.m. The PPO sessions will be held Wednesday, April 10, from 1:30 to 2 p.m. and 3:30
to 4 p.m., and Friday, April 12, from noon to
12:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 4 p.m. All sessions are
being held in the Underwood Room.
Employee Self Service (ESS)
ESS is the vehicle for making benefits elections during this open enrollment period
and gives you direct access to your personal, employment, and benefits informa-
tion 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
from anywhere you have an Internet connection! ESS is a feature of the ADP Portal
many of us currently use for completing
timecards. You can log on to ESS the same
way you log on to the ADP Portal.
With ESS you can:
• Enroll in benefits during open enrollment! No more (or very little) paper is
required! • View a summary of your current and
elected benefits.
• Access benefits plan information including benefits summaries and links
to benefits providers.
• View or change personal information
such as your address or cell phone
number.
Employees who are comfortable with online transactions can use the “ESS Open Enrollment User Guide,” a step-by-step guide
to completing online open enrollment.
Employees who would like more assistance with the online enrollment process
are invited to attend an ESS Enrollment
Open House. Approximately 15 minutes in
length, these sessions are designed to help
you log in to the system and make your
elections. Contact the Human Resources
department for information on days, times,
and locations. No registration is required
to attend. Please feel free to walk in at any
point during the designated times; these
are drop-in sessions with no set start time. Summary of Benefits Coverage
New Health Care Reform requirements
mandate that employers provide a Summary of Benefits Coverage (SBC) to all benefitseligible employees and their dependents.
Please share with your dependents the
SBCs provided to you through PAnet and
the ADP Portal. If you have covered dependents who do not live with you, please e-mail
their names and addresses to Stephanie
Donovan at [email protected] and
she will mail copies to them. Celebrating 65
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care will present this two-hour workshop on Thursday,
April 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. to help you better understand Social Security, Medicare,
and retirement health-care options. The
session will be held in the Mural Room
at Paresky Commons, and spouses are welcome to attend. Registration is required.
To register for the workshop, please contact Stephanie Donovan at ext. 4106 or
[email protected]. Please note that this
is a condensed version of the three-part series
offered in October 2012. If you attended all or
part of that series, you are welcome to attend
this session as a refresher. For more information on the Celebrating 65 series, please visit
http://bit.ly/UL9jQT.
Wellness Corner
The Employee Wellness Committee is
pleased to announce our Spring Employee Fitness Program: Step Up to the
Plate. Starting Monday, April 8, this sixweek program will track your minutes
of cardiovascular activity. Cardiovascular exercise is defined as exercise that is
planned or structured, elevates the heart
rate, and is performed at a moderate or
vigorous intensity. Examples include, but
are not limited to, brisk walking, bicycling, swimming, or running. There are
additional opportunities to gain extra
points (“steal a base”) by participating in
the wellness and benefits activities listed
in the registration packet, which you can
find in both the Campus News and the
Human Resources sections of PAnet.
To enroll in the program:
1. Gather a team of five participants.
2. Elect a team captain.
3. Name your team.
4. Dust off your sneakers from being in
storage all winter.
5. E-mail your team name to
[email protected] or call
Stephanie Donovan at ext. 4106 by
April 8.
Spring Staff and Administrators Meeting
The spring staff and administrators meeting is scheduled for May 21 at 3 p.m. Please
save the date; more information will follow.
TIAA-CREF
Representatives from TIAA-CREF will be on
campus April 11 to provide individual retirement planning sessions. To schedule an
appointment, contact the company directly
at 800-732-8353 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
—Leeann Bennett
Director, Human Resources
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 19
Alumni Non Sibi Service Project:
“A Book to Share”
The Andover community is invited to donate new or used, unwanted textbooks,
CDs, or DVDs to the Moldova Aid project, “A Book to Share.” Moldova Aid is a
UK charity that sends humanitarian aid to a children’s hospital and an orphanage
in the Republic of Moldova, a former Soviet state situated between Romania and
the Ukraine. The project aims to increase access to textbooks in order to encourage
research and development in different areas of science and technology in Moldova,
while also promoting the English language as the universal platform in accessing
academic information.
The goal of our non sibi service project is to offer access to modern publications
in English in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, statistics, computer science, sociology, political science, philosophy, linguistics, and economics, among
other areas. Given Moldova’s current lack of resources, your donation will
give curious minds an unbelievably stronger chance to learn and expand their
knowledge.
The deadline for making donations is April 27. Donations will be collected on campus
in a box in the faculty room, or they can be sent to:
Moldova Aid c/o Elena Dragalin
12312 The Gates Drive
Raleigh, NC 27614
[email protected]
610-405-1426
Please note that any current-use textbooks still should be sent to Susan Alovisetti
([email protected]) for Andover’s Text Exchange collection.
For more information on “A Book to Share,” please visit Moldova Aid’s Facebook
page, www.facebook.com/pages/Moldova-AID/101543249925516. For more information on this alumni non sibi project, please call Joda Glossner at ext. 4246 or e-mail
[email protected].
Summer
Employment for
Faculty/Staff
Children
ASM
Spring Schedule
Children of faculty and staff who are
interested in summer employment
should submit an application for consideration. Applications can be found
on PAnet under Campus News in
“Summer Employment Opportunities” as well as in the literature holders
outside the business and personnel offices on the second floor of GW Hall.
April 17: Cluster Election Meetings
—Barbara Sweeney
Office Manager, Business & Human Resources
May 22: Celebration of Teaching
April 10: Opening of Spring Term and
Presidential Forum (formerly
Presidential Speeches)
April 24: Earth Day Speaker – Lucy
Walker
May 1:
Means Essay
Declamations
May 8:
Faculty Follies
May 15:
Student Entertainment
May 29: Prize Ceremony
OPP News
Each spring the PA campus receives
a two-week break from the footsteps
and bustle of regular term. So what
happens when the students are away?
Well, without classes in session, the
Office of Physical Plant jumps into
gear and treats spring break like a
mini summer, completing dozens
of capital and operations projects
and work orders and preparing the
campus for the busy spring term.
This break was no exception, with
numerous enhancements finalized
and complicated maintenance work
completed:
• Our electrical group troubleshot
and repaired the fire alarm system at Stimson House, repaired
the lighting in Case Memorial
Cage, tested emergency lights
and exit signs in some buildings,
and supported the capital group
with various projects. They
also completed 28 work orders
ranging from changing light fixtures to responding to Dig Safe
requests and addressing power
outage issues.
• The facilities team touched up
paint in the classrooms in Morse
Hall, painted ceilings in Paul’s
Room and the Mural Room at
Paresky, and painted the walls
and installed a new countertop
in the mailroom at GW Hall.
They also completed 71 work
orders that included unclogging
drain lines, replacing light bulbs,
and repairing broken windows
across campus.
• The mechanical crew repaired
building sprinkler systems,
tested backflow devices across
campus, replaced a hot water
tank in Foxcroft Hall, and repaired a drain system in Paresky.
They fully addressed 88 work
orders, which included repairing
leaking pipes and addressing
heating system issues, and they
assisted the capital group with
some of their projects as well.
• Through a collaboration
between the Occupational and
OPP News, continued on page 11
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 110
From the OWHL
Read a Book from the
Head of School’s Bookshelf
In order to engage members of the community in conversations
about the future of education, John Palfrey has established a
“Head of School’s Bookshelf” and has recommended the inclusion
of four books that he recently read. New books will be added to
the collection as Mr. Palfrey nominates them, but you might want
to start with these titles, which are all available at the OWHL and
in the HOS office.
The One World School House by Salman Khan, reviewed by
Kathrine Aydelott
Salman Khan, who will be coming to Phillips Academy on May
9, possesses a calm, methodical voice that pervades this excellent
book. If his vision to take the chaos out of education generally
works the way it has to take the chaos out of math instruction, the
world will be a better place. In fact, that better world is already
blossoming in his use of video and software technology to power
the student-centered classroom.
Khan outlines the organic and innovative way he taught math
to his niece, and then considers the wider problems of an education system built more on outdated customs than on the needs
of today’s students. He considers all of the bugbears—testing,
tracking, homework, the goals of each, and the gaps that all
of these miss: the creativity, the potential, and the uniqueness
of the students themselves. The discussion is fascinating and
energizing.
The Global Achievement GAP: Why Even Our Best Schools
Don’t Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need—
and What We Can Do about It by Tony Wagner, reviewed by
Sharon Pei
Tony Wagner’s excellent book acknowledges the fact that preparing students to survive in an increasingly competitive world is becoming more and more challenging. Wagner, the first Innovation
Education Fellow at the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center
at Harvard, earned MAT and EdD degrees at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
As an expert in the education field, Wagner offers lots of facts
and insights to school administrators, teachers, and parents. He
considers the impact of new technology and changes in learning
styles that technology produces and supports. In addition, he emphasizes the importance of the Seven Survival Skills that young
people need to have to succeed in the 21st century; the first skill on
his list is “Critical Thinking and Problem Solving.”
This book is available in our collection in both printed and electronic formats. Read more about the author as well as his ideas
in a recent editorial written by Thomas Friedman, available at
http://nyti.ms/YRjMKQ.
Now You See It: How Technology and Brain Science Will
Transform Schools and Business for the 21st Century by Cathy N.
Davidson, reviewed by Jeffrey Marzluft
In her latest work, “out of the box” thinker Cathy Davidson defends her opinion that traditional ways of thinking and learning are inadequate for the changing, globalized, fast-paced
world we now live in. She argues that our institutions favor
linear thinking and uniformity (i.e., standardized testing) more
suited to an industrial mentality than to the rapid changes and
flexibility required in today’s global culture. Using personal
experience, anecdotes, and scientific research, she argues that
we should abandon a task-oriented, single-minded point of
view and embrace the participatory and collaborative culture
of globalization and the World Wide Web. She questions the
ability and desire of our cultural and traditional institutions to
recognize and adapt to this new zeitgeist. In this manner, her
book serves as a warning to those who refuse to acknowledge
the new world as well as a shot across the bow to those who do
recognize it but consider it insignificant.
Future Perfect: The Case for Progress in a Networked Age by
Steven Johnson, reviewed by Elisabeth Tully
This slim, highly engaging book heralds a new political worldview, catalyzed by the opportunities for decentralized peer-topeer networking resulting from ubiquitous Internet connectivity.
Johnson contends that this philosophy, which he labels “Peer
Progressive,” has the power to transform local government, education, health care, and may other areas of society. He illustrates
his thesis with the example of Kickstarter—an Internet site that
offers the opportunity for crowd-sourced funding to creative
people willing to post their ideas and plans. Kickstarter enabled
Jacob Krupnik, who had “an improbable idea, no connections,
and no funding,” to make a 71-minute music video that was
named by SPIN magazine as the most innovative music video of
the year for 2012.
The remainder of the book is devoted to illustrations of how decentralized peer networks can make a profound difference in city
management, journalism, and protest movements such as Occupy.
Johnson believes fervently in the democratizing power of the Internet, contending that “if you give people more control over the
flow of information and decision-making in their communities,
their societal health improves … inexorably.” This book is a quick
read, but it provides lots to think about.
—Elisabeth Tully
Director, OWHL
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 111
Go Big Blue!
OPP News, continued from page 9
Come cheer for Andover at these upcoming contests. Dates and times below are subject
to change! For updates, go to Athletics/Team Pages/Schedules & Scores on the PA website, or call Lisa Buckley (ext.4092).
Saturday, April 6
Lacrosse GV
Softball V
Track & Field B
Track & Field G
Track & Field BJV
Track & Field GJV
Baseball V
Lacrosse BJV1
Golf BV
Lacrosse BV
Tennis BV
Water Polo G
Noble & Greenough
Andover HS/Lowell
Andover HS
Andover HS
Andover HS
Andover HS
Bridgton Academy
Andover HS
Tabor
New Hampton
Taft
Williston/Exeter/Loomis
1:30
1:30
1:30
1:30
1:30
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:00
4:15
4:30
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
A
A
A
A
Wednesday, April 10
Golf BV
Tennis GV-B
Water Polo G
Lacrosse BJV2
Lacrosse BJV1
Golf JV
Baseball V
Baseball JV1
Softball V
Softball JV
Lacrosse BV
Lacrosse GV
Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee JV
Lacrosse GJV1
Exeter/Governor’s
Tabor
Exeter
Governor’s Academy
Pingree
Governor’s/Exeter
Tabor
Cushing
Noble & Greenough
Noble & Greenough
N.M.H.
Deerfield
Newton North Ultimate
Newton North Ultimate
Deerfield
2:30
3:00
3:00
3:00
3:15
3:15
3:30
3:30
3:30
3:30
3:45
3:45
4:00
4:00
5:00
H
H
H
H
A
A
A
A
A
H
A
H
H
H
H
Thursday, April 11
Golf BV
Belmont Hill
3:45
H
Classifieds
Services—Pet care, childcare, odd jobs: College student Amanda D’Avolio is available to
help with pet care (grooming, sitting, walking, vet trips), childcare, errands, and other odd
jobs. References available upon request. Please call 978-475-2866 or 781-315-5822, or e-mail
[email protected] or [email protected].
For Sale—Canon PowerShot S5 IS (Image Stabilizing) Digital Camera: Excellent condition. Great point-and-shoot camera with plenty of advanced features. Includes camera strap and Lowepro camera bag. $150. For a list of specs visit www.
amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-S5-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B000Q3043Y.
E-mail
[email protected].
For Sale—Women’s rain boots: New condition, Classic High Bogs. Size 12. $50. E-mail
[email protected].
For Sale—Lands’ End large sofa slipcover with ties: Like new, neutral khaki color. Fits
approximately 70”–76” measuring inside arm to inside arm. $30. Can send a picture.
E-mail [email protected].
Environmental Safety Office and
the custodial movers, the carbon
monoxide monitors in faculty
apartments and freestanding
homes were replaced with new
units. • The custodial departments went
through all the buildings and
dorms to ensure heavy postwinter cleanup in preparation
for the final push to the end of
the year. • Our grounds team brought
our campus back to beauty by
tackling universal cleanup and
preparing the fields for spring
sports.
Our capital team was just as busy
over the break. Here are some highlights from the dozens of projects they
completed:
• Final sustainability upgrades
were installed at Fuess House,
consisting of new exterior LED
light fixtures; water-efficient
sinks, showers, and toilets;
insulation of heating pipes and
equipment in the mechanical
rooms; and weather-stripping of
all exterior doors. • The Cochran Chapel sightlines
venture was completed, and we
now can capture the image of a
speaker and project it to two side
screens. This will drastically improve the sightlines for individuals sitting in the wings of the
chapel. When in the off position,
the screens are discreetly hidden
in sleek millwork boxes that
blend in with the surrounding
paneling. • The girls’ varsity softball field
got a facelift! New dugouts replace the old shelters, upgraded
bleachers with handicap-accessible seating options are reachable
by a path extension from the
Isham Health Center parking
lot, and a new drinking fountain
adjacent to the field will keep
the players hydrated. Additional
fencing will protect the players
on deck as they prepare for their
turn at bat.
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 112
Meeting Minutes
Community
Health Team (CHT)
AdCom
Minutes from Thursday, March 7, 2013
Present: John Palfrey, Clyfe Beckwith,
Tasha Hawthorne, Stephanie Curci,
Temba Maqubela, Christine MarshallWalker, Kathy Pryde (scribe)
Present: Mike Kuta, Linda Griffith,
Patricia Davison, Paul Murphy, Anne
Gardner, Becky Sykes, Max Alovisetti,
Carlos Hoyt (recorder)
CHT discussed the burgeoning media
attention being paid to risks associated
with Adderall. Several faculty members
have brought the concerns conveyed in
media reports to the attention of the administration.
What is relevant for us? Are there any
measures we should consider to optimize
our care and support for students who use
Adderall?
Dr. Amy Patel reported that there is no
evidence that students with Adderall prescriptions are misusing the medication.
Isham Health Center has established a
clear protocol of education and monitoring for all students who are prescribed
psychopharmaceuticals. However, we
have had instances of students sharing
medication in the past and know that this
practice is possible.
We discussed the importance of the Academy knowing when students are prescribed
medications. This is an expectation that is
communicated explicitly at the time of
enrollment. We also discussed providing
ongoing and clear messages to students
and families about safe use of medications.
Dr. Patel has been and continues to assess
and improve our work in this area. Becky
Sykes will include relevant reminders to
families about this in an upcoming issue
of the Parent Bulletin.
We also discussed developing brief informational videos on aspects of Andover primarily for new students. These
might include information and guidance about such things as preparing
to come to PA, crucial things to know
about Isham Health Center, Graham
House, and other sources of support,
and the like. Paul Murphy will guide
this project.
Minutes from Wednesday, March 6, 2013
A faculty member asked AdCom to consider alternating faculty meetings and
All-School Meetings during the ASM time,
which would lead to half the number of
each meeting. AdCom will take the suggestion under advisement.
During Open Agenda, Chris Jones suggested that the athletics directors of both
Andover and Exeter schedule end-ofseason girls’ games in open times so that
they do not overlap with other important games. There was a lot of support
for this at the faculty meeting and within AdCom. He also suggested ending
Andover-Exeter weekend with a women’s game in honor of both 40 years since
Title IX and 40 years of coeducation at
Andover, and possibly even some education about these milestones. AdCom
is forwarding his remarks to Athletics
Director Mike Kuta.
During Open Agenda, Flavia Vidal observed that we implicitly bias gender
when we call men “Dr.” and women
“Ms.” Several AdCom members had personal comments to add to the story. For
instance, Christine Marshall-Walker was
inclined not to ask students to call her
“Dr.” when she started at PA. However,
Jerry Hagler pointed out to her that use
of “Dr.” might offer students an excellent role model. AdCom would like to ask
Academic Council to consider this topic
and possibly have a conversation about it
in each department.
A faculty member would like AdCom to
know that Open Agenda meetings would
be more valuable if there were more structure to them. The free-form nature of Open
Agenda meetings does not appeal to all.
For instance, if we are discussing a list of
items, we could be asked to discuss topics
one at a time. AdCom will take this suggestion under advisement.
Concerns were brought to AdCom about
faculty housing. AdCom encourages faculty to take concerns about housing to
Paul Cernota, chair of faculty housing,
and/or Temba Maqubela, dean of faculty.
The andoverpostsecret.tumblr website
was discussed. There are concerns about
the health and safety of the students. The
rules and mores of the school are also a
concern. Active discussions with students
are taking place.
Faculty members wishing to comment
on the Student Exhaustion discussion
can post comments online (see Clyfe
Beckwith’s e-mail) or send comments to
AdCom, which we would post on your
behalf.
Correction to AdCom minutes of February 20: We stated, in error, that the faculty
had not voted on moving February faculty
meetings to ASM. Paul Cernota found and
forwarded to us the link showing that, in
fact, there was such a Survey Monkey vote
in June 2011. Seventy-seven percent of
those who voted were in favor of moving
February meetings to ASM.
Spring Faculty Meeting Topics
April 8
Open Agenda
April 15
Strategic Planning
April 22
No classes
April 29
End-of-term testing
May 6
Cluster midterm
May 13
Teaching Innovation,
followed by 10–15
minutes for Knafel
collection presentation
by Emma Frey
May 20
School Congress
May 27
Faculty Exhaustion,
or other topics from
Student Exhaustion
June 8
Commencement
June 12
Cluster spring trimester
review
June 13
Spring trimester
academic review; other
topics also may be on
the agenda
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 113
Meeting Minutes
Academic Council
Minutes from Thursday, March 7, 2013
Present: John Rogers, Christopher Shaw,
Therese Zemlin, Erin Strong, Peter
Cirelli, Jerry Hagler, Jeffrey Domina, Sean
Logan, Peter Neissa (scribe)
SAT II Subject Tests
Sean Logan discussed how we talk with
students about SAT II subject tests and the
appropriate role of various faculty in helping students decide which tests to take
and when to take them. Announcements
in particular classes are really helpful. As
a reminder, the CCO will send to the full
faculty a guide that they also share with
students and parents.
Enrollments
John Rogers noted that the admissions
office has been carefully working on the
enrollment model to address the current
over-enrollment situation and smooth it
out over the next several years. We have
target numbers for 2013–2014, and we’ll
know more once we have matriculation
results in mid-April. Jim Ventre will be
sharing information with faculty shortly.
Student Exhaustion
Considering the recent faculty discussions
on student exhaustion, we observed that
the discussions centered more on rules for
restriction than on responsibility of students for managing their time. We noted
the importance of balancing the roles of
restrictions on academic workload and the
responsibility of students for using their
time wisely. Should we prevent students
from failing or learning from their poor decisions? Anecdotal evidence was provided
of students spending hours socializing in
Paresky or in their dorms, especially on
weekends, and then starting work far too
late on Sunday and in the evenings generally. We also noted that day students appear to be doing disproportionately well
in courses and in terms of getting sleep.
We would like to have data to support (or
refute) these observations.
In light of these considerations, we expressed a desire for more conversation
about the following:
• What does it mean to be a residential
school?
• Should we have a more formal
residential curriculum that helps students with issues like time management? This seems like an Access to
Success issue, and some of the move
toward formalizing student teams is
likely to help.
However, we also acknowledged the need
for clarity around our responsibility as faculty members for monitoring the amount
of work we expect of students and coming up with reasonable restrictions on this
work.
Tenth grade seems to be a time when students can develop bad habits. The workload is often not that heavy, but students
are not as monitored (no lights out) as they
are in ninth grade.
We discussed the extent to which procrastination was a part of human nature and,
therefore, to what extent we needed to help
students overcome it. When assigning
term projects for students of various ages,
what sorts of checkpoints do we need to
build in to ensure students are not procrastinating? Is it up to the students or to us?
Does it depend on the age of the students?
What about the role of their previous
schooling? These are complex questions.
Given the high-achieving nature of the students and faculty we have at PA, what kind
of structural changes can we put in place to
help with the pace of life/workload/sleep
issues? Ideas like fewer periods per day
(current Wed., Thurs. model) could help, as
could allowing for more competitive scheduling where students have to make choices
among various activities.
We reiterated the desire for more data,
and recalled that we had posed the idea of
shadowing students at one point, but had
not done so. This broad topic feels like an
important part of the strategic plan.
Looking ahead to spring term, John noted
that we needed to spend some time in department meetings, faculty meetings, and
Academic Council meetings resolving two
sets of rules: one to govern assignments
over winter break (which will fall two
weeks into the winter term under the new
calendar) and the other to replace our current end-of-term major assignment rules. A
draft of the latter was sent out to faculty in
February, and will be taken up by departments in April and then by the full faculty.
Quick Items
Becky Hession will be the interim sustainability coordinator this spring while
Trish Russell transitions into the dean of
studies role.
We turned our attention briefly to Independent Projects. The quality control has been
enhanced under the “new” system (now
six years old), with oversight by the Advising Council. The question was raised about
whether some IPs that are valid are being
turned down and if some of the “rules”
have become too stringent. The policy that
we voted on as a faculty has considerable
latitude, so we can revisit some of these
questions in the coming year.
We concluded with notes from around the
table of plans for the spring and beyond.
April 5, 2013
Return to Page 114
Meeting Minutes
Senior Administrative
Council (SAC)
Minutes from Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Present: John Palfrey, Steve Carter, Pat Farrell, Nancy Jeton
(reporter), Linda Griffith, Sean Logan, Paul Murphy, Peter
Ramsey, John Rogers, Trish Russell, Tracy Sweet, Rebecca Sykes,
Jim Ventre
Excused: Temba Maqubela
Around the Table
Back in action for the spring term, group members shared quick
updates from their areas: admission spring visit plans; preliminary news on college admission results; student housing; elections
and proctor/prefect selection; anticipation about this weekend’s
Af-Lat-Am reunion; budgeting and fundraising progress; and the
search for a new Academy director of publications. Kudos and
thanks to all who helped launch spring term, with 100 percent of
students equipped with complete schedules.
Strategic Planning Committee
John Palfrey continues to have an open mailbox and an open mind
as he considers appointments to the Strategic Planning Committee. He appreciates the interest and input received to date and anticipates taking a few more weeks to come to a decision.
Sal Khan Visit on May 9
This visit will include time with the full faculty, a meeting with
members of the Academic Council and Academic Committee on
Technology, and lunch with students. In advance, students and
faculty will be invited to participate in a survey of how/whether
they have used Khan Academy, and to offer comments and questions for Sal Khan.
Faculty Development Theme 2013–2014
The group agreed to organize next year’s faculty development
opportunities around the theme “Teaching and Learning for 21st
Century Skills.” Building on this year’s “connected learning”
base, next year’s topics will integrate various literacies and skills,
such as global citizenship, cultural competency, new-media literacy, and life balance.
Celebrations
The group discussed various alternatives to the traditional large
staff/faculty holiday party. Noting the diversity of the PA community, the group plans to offer next year a variety of smaller
events at different times. The possibility of alternating this approach with the large holiday party on an every-other-year cycle
was discussed.