April 2009 - Knox School

K
nox The
School
541 Long Beach Road
St. James, New York
Beacon
Semper ad Lucem
Dear Friends,
The recent rainfall has begun to change the scenery of our campus. The trees are
budding and the flowers are starting to bloom. It is only a matter of time until a splash of
April 2009, Issue 5 radiant color will awaken our campus with spring beauty. As always, everyone is looking
Special Points of Interest forward to the warmer weather.
As our surroundings begin to improve with the changing seasons, progress is being
Equestrian Round Up P. 2 made on the academic front. Faculty and students are learning to use the new Promethean
Active Boards. Our entire faculty will be participating in an intensive in-service workshop on
P. 2 April 7th with a member of the Promethean teaching staff. The new boards have opened up a
Bedstone Students
Arrive
plethora of resources for students and faculty alike.
Recent Alumni visits in South Florida were very successful. Lucy and I enjoyed getBaseball Team Goes to P. 3
ting
together
with recent alums and reconnecting with graduates who attended Knox during
Florida for Spring
the
60’s,
70’s
and 80’s. Janice Zingale is thoroughly enjoying her new role as Director of
Training
Alumni Affairs. She is already making arrangements for next fall’s NYC November Alumni
P. 3 Gathering; however, we will need a bigger venue this time around! Meeting alumni is one of
Promethean Boards
Expand Learning
the most enjoyable things that I do as Headmaster. I learned a long time ago that these relaPotential
tionships can grow into strong friendships that enhance an individual’s life.
If you live on Long Island it is likely that you have seen Knox’s newspaper ads. The
Student of the Month P. 4
most recent ad announced “The Knox School, 1st Long Islander Scholarships worth
P. 6 $120,000.” The scholarships offer half tuition each for one boarding student and one day
Florida Alumni get a
student for as many as 4 years. Knox is “where regular kids learn to be exceptional.” We
Special Visit
hope that we will have a good bounce from the ad for our forthcoming Open Houses—by
P. 7 the time you receive this, we will be planning our May 2nd Open House.
April Calendar
Late in March, my wife Lucy was away from campus visiting educational consultants, interviewing students and meeting prospective parents in Madrid, Spain. In addition,
Lucy has been able to meet with a number of alums and their families. She was also able to
spend sometime with the parents of Macarena Vera Esquiva’s ’09.
The next Parents’ Association meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, at 7pm
(MacKenzie House). At the last Parents’ Association meeting we discussed charging each
student’s PI Account $100.00 next school year (2009-2010) for seed money which will enable
the Association to get started in assisting our students at the beginning of the new academic
year. We also are considering having the May Parents’ Association meeting at one of the
local restaurants, “Dutch Treat,” naturally.
You may have forgotten that we will have school on Memorial Day, May 25. This
year there will be a Headmaster’s Assembly on that day. I will make a short speech, the Senior Class of 2009 will announce and read the dedication of this year’s Roseleaves as well as the
presentation of the Senior Class Gift, and we will have a faculty and staff recognition of service to The Knox School.
I hope you enjoy reading this month’s addition of the The Beacon. In such a short
period of time The Beacon has been embraced and widely distributed by the entire Knox community.
Warmest regards,
George K. Allison
April 2009
The Beacon
Knox Leaps into Spring Sports
Knox's equestrians are
looking forward to spring. We
are very lucky to have our inside track (with its new sand
and rubber footing) for bad
weather, but we can't wait to
get outside! We have a lot of
work to do......Junior Olympics
on April 10th and our Spring
Musical Ride for Graduation
Weekend.
Knox riders have attended the Junior Olympics for
many decades. It is a competiJessica Wen ‘10
tion of three member teams
Picture taken by Kelvin Kong
from all over Long Island and
involves jumping, speed and accuracy. The following
students are candidates: Brianne Sullivan, Gabby
Wessler, Jessica Wen, DJ Nam and Victor Wu. Of
course, don't forget their equine partners: Duncan,
Seeker, Keebler, and Quincy. Helping them on the
ground is Ceclia Wang, Matt Behar and Lauren Biello.
Most of all, we have fun cheering on the riders.
Anyone interested in attending please contact
Mrs. Moore or Mrs. Smith. Once we get past the
"J.O.'s" we will start to put together our Spring Musical
Ride. It involves any Spring rider who wishes to participate. Candidates are: Michelle Chiang, Macarena
Vera, Alex Horn,
Ceclia Wang,
Melissa Fenik, Jessica Wen, Brianne
Sullivan, Gabby
Wessler, DJ Nam,
Matt Behar, Lauren
Biello and Victor
Wu.
Hope you'll
come to see the
Brianne Sullivan ‘09 practices jumping
finished product!
Photograph taken by Kelvin Kong ‘09
Science Fair
Bedstone Students Arrive
What is your student’s project about?
Come Find Out!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Noon—1:30pm
Spread the Word: Knox Open House May 2nd! Registration is at 9:30a.m., Program runs from 10a.m. until noon. To RSVP or talk to an Admission representative, please contact Susan Day‐Holsinger at (631) 686‐1600 ext 414 or at [email protected] Each year, Knox sends up to four students to Bedstone College, in England, for the fall trimester, and in return,
up to four Bedstonians spend the spring trimester at Knox.
The faculty and administration of each school select students
for the exchange, based on their expressed desire to participate, good citizenship, satisfactory academic performance and
their willingness to be positive ambassadors for their school.
Students returning to Knox next year in grades nine through
eleven are eligible to apply for the exchange.
A more detailed letter and application can be found
on Edline. For information about this long-standing program,
you may contact Janice Zingale, Director of Alumni Affairs
and Bedstone Exchange Coordinator, at 631-686-1600 ext 401
or via email at [email protected].
Gareth Williams,
Lexine Maughling,
Tate Evans, Harvey
Miller at JFK International Terminal upon
their arrival in the
U.S. on Monday,
March 16. All four
“Bedstone Scholars”
are members of the
freshman class.
Semper ad Lucem
Baseball Spring Training in Florida
Gets the Team off to a Good Starts
Members of the Knox Baseball team went to Orlando,
Florida during spring break for their first experience at Disney’s
spring training facility. The Falcons faced teams rated in the top
tier of their state rankings. The first team faced was from Brazoswood in Texas, ranked number seven in the state. The next challenge was John Dickinson High School from Delaware. Dickinson is ranked fifth in the state of Delaware. The team also faced
two highly ranked schools from Virginia and Georgia. Edward
Zhang, Jake Sommers, Connor Hardy, Keenan Koff, Frank Cassata, Clyde Owusu, Angel Valdez, Vitali Kahn, Fengzhe Wu and
Julian Davis made a tremendous team effort.
Disney also provided passes for the team to enjoy Epcot,
Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and a water park. The warm,
sunny weather was a plus, and the week passed very quickly. The
team looks forward to going again next year.
- Jack Hundley, Associate Headmaster
INTERNATIONAL
FAIR
Join the Knox School
in Celebrating what
makes it great… Its
Community Members!
Knox Adds Promethean Boards
The Knox School is proud to announce that there have been
16 Promethean Active Boards installed into our classrooms.
During spring break, a group from Logical Choice, a reseller
for Promethean, came to the school and spent three days working in
the classrooms mounting the boards to the classroom walls. With Promethean Active Boards, our teachers are able to grab the student’s attention from the beginning of the lesson and never let go. The teachers are able to keep the students engaged with animation, sound, and
bright colors. For more information about the Active Boards and
what they can do please visit www.prometheanworld.com.
- Brian Higgins, Technology Coordinator
Wednesday, April 22nd
Noon—3:00pm
Sonia Rodriguez takes full
advantage of a
Promethean Board.
Photograph taken by
John Boyd ‘09
Melissa Musumeci uses the Promethean
Board during her History Class.
April 2009
The Beacon
Class of ‘09 College Acceptance List
Weekend Trips
Adelphi University (2)
Miami University Ohio
Medieval Times
Alfred University
Michigan State University
University of The Arts
Northeastern University (2)
Six Flags Great Adventure
Bridgewater College
NYU Tisch School of the Arts Clive
Davis Department of Recorded Music
University of California:
Davis, Irvine, San Diego
Ohio State University
Case Western Reserve University
Pace University (4)
Catawba College
Pennsylvania State University (2)
Culinary Institute of America
Purdue University (2)
Dowling College (2)
Quinnipiac University
Drexel University
University of Rhode Island
Eckerd College
Rider University
Emory University (2)
Rochester Institute of Technology (2)
Goucher College
Roger Williams University
University of Hartford (2)
College of Santa Fe
High Point University
Savannah College of Art & Design (2)
Hofstra University
St. John’s University (3)
Univ. of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
St. Michael’s College
Indiana University @ Bloomington
SUNY: Albany, Buffalo,
ESF, Alfred State
Ithaca College
Stony Brook University
LeMoyne College
Syracuse University
Long Island University C.W. Post
University of Tampa
Lynn University
Temple University
University of Maine
Texas A&M University
Manhattan College
Wells College
University Massachusetts @ Amherst
University of Wisconsin at Madison
Mystic Seaport/Aquarium
Target
Roosevelt Fields/Smith Haven
Mall
Various Restaurants
(Sushi Park, TGI Fridays,
Hibachi, Cheesecake Factory)
Coffee House in Tuck
Movies
Middle School
Student of The Month
Aaliyah Picanso was named the Middle
School Student of the Month for
February. This is Aaliyah’s second year
at Knox. Along with her excellent
academic record, Aaliyah also serves on
Student Council, acts as a Knox tour
guide, and participates in team sports.
She was one of the six students selected
by Mr. Vibert to participate in the
Ethnic Pen Youth Writer’s Conference
in April. We look forward to more great
things from Aaliyah before she
graduates from Knox.
Upper School Student of The Month
Gabriella (Gabby) Wessler is a 10th grader at Knox. Gabby’s smiling face can always
be seen on campus and at the barn. She embodies the Knox Core Value of Kindness.
Among her many contributions to Knox, she is a member of the Outdoor Club and an
avid rider. In the fall of 2007, she participated in the Bedstone program and served as
a wonderful ambassador for our school. In addition she is always one of the first to
volunteer as a guide for school tours and Open House events.
Gabby Wessler ‘11 and Aaliyah Picanso ‘13
Semper ad Lucem
Dear Parents and Guardians:
We have good news to report from our home by the shore. The daffodils are finally ready to bloom; the
new softball field will soon be ready for the first game; and our Promethean Boards are up and running. The
spring term promises to be exciting. Early spring events include the Honor Roll Assembly on Friday, March
27th, the International Fair on April 22nd, and the Science Fair on April 29th. Mr. Vibert is taking six students to
the Ethnic Pen Youth Writer’s Conference in Bay Shore, New York on April 17th. This should be an exciting
and rewarding experience for the attendees. Later this spring, on May 8th and 9th, we can look forward to the
spring musical. Mrs. Zingale has just released the cast list for “Little Shop of Horrors” and we should expect the
usual stellar performance from our young thespians.
If your student is not sure what to do this summer, it is not too late to apply to summer programs. Apart
from summer study abroad, there are also many fine summer programs here in the United States. Brown University’s renowned SPARK program offers talented 7th and 8th grade students an opportunity to learn more
about science; Brown also offers an Intensive English Language Program for students whose first language is not
English. The Wolfeboro Camp School offers advanced credit in many areas including
ESL. Students interested in participating in summer programs should stop by my office or
the College Counseling Office for more information.
Regards,
Sharon L. Lawrence
Assistant Head of School
George J. Naron, Dean of Students
The Knox student body is back in full swing,
after a relaxing Spring Break. We are all ready to get
outdoors and enjoy the warm weather that we have been
hoping for since early winter. We all look forward to the
first Knox baseball, softball and tennis matches. Students are already in rehearsals for the spring play and
are asking about other traditional spring activities like
the senior prom and ring and blazer ceremonies!
We have planned for a number of weekend trips
throughout the spring term. Please review the list, and
make plans for your son or daughter to enjoy an afternoon away from the campus.
George Naron
Dean of Students
[email protected]
(631) 686-1600 ext 421
We still need your support in following school policies and procedures.
1) Parents must check out students leaving the school
before 5:00pm on weekdays in the Main Office.
2) Please be sure to fax in Weekend Permission
Forms by 1:00pm the Thursday before the weekend
requested. Students may not leave until after 5:00pm
on Friday afternoon and must return by 7:00pm on
Sunday evening (seniors back by 9:30pm).
3) Day student parents, please call in a student
absence to the Main Office (631) 686-1600 no later
than 8:30a.m. that morning.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any
questions about your student or school
policies and procedures.
April 2009
The Beacon
Alumni Gather and Remember Knox
Over Spring Break, Mr. George Allison and Mrs. Janice Zingale traveled to Florida to meet
with Alumni. Their trip included three different events, a lot of happy alumni and some good food!
By: Janice Zingale, Director of Alumni Affairs
On Monday, March 9 we enjoyed cocktails and The weather was beautiful and the food outstanding at
delicious appetizers at Vic & Angelo’s in Palm Beach
Vic & Angelo’s Delray Beach, where we met for an al
Gardens. Thank you to Jennifer Santoro Lizza ’90 for
fresco lunch on Sunday, March 8. It was a warm and
suggesting Vic & Angelo’s in Delray and Palm Beach
wonderful gathering of faculty and alums spanning the
Gardens. Her uncle is a co-owner, and Jennifer made
years 1981 through 2002.
sure that we were given every courtesy in planning our
events. We were also happy to see Jennifer’s two eldest
children, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Lizza and Gianna “Gigi”
Delgado. Gigi, who loves riding and singing, will be
visiting Knox in June for an admissions interview.
Laura Sighinolfi Souza ’81 and Emir Yildiz ’02
had such a good time on Sunday that they traveled to
Palm Beach Gardens for one more “Taste of Knox” in
Florida. In Palm Beach Gardens, we were happy to
Frank Zingale (seated), Janice Zingale, Emir Yildiz ’02,
meet Pam Link ’69 who shared stories of Knox that
Lisa Ceparano Stokes ’84, Candace DiPietro faculty ’85predate both George and Janice.
’89 , Lucy Allison, Barbara Lipski Lin with daughter
Marissa, George Allison, Laura Sighninolfi Souza ’81,
Michael Lin ’92 with son Aidan
Back row – George Allison, Laura Sighinolfi
Souza ’81, Emir Yildiz
’02, Jennifer Santoro
Lizza ’90, Elizabeth
Lizza, Pam Purdon Link
’69
Front row – Frank Zingale, Lucy Allison, Janice
Zingale, Gianna Delgado.
George Allison with Laura Sighinolfi
Souza ’81 and her husband Gus Souza
Lucy Allison, George Allison, Karla Wittkop
’78, Janice Zingale, Nicole Goico ’78, Frank
Zingale
On Saturday, March 7 we gathered
for cocktails at Santo@Novecento on
Lincoln Road in South Beach
where the Allison’s and the Zingale’s enjoyed visiting with 2 members of the class of ’78. Both were
part of the many students who
came to Knox from the Dominican
Republic. Both girls played softball
for Mr. Allison and enjoyed
reminiscing about old times.
Janice Zingale and Jay
Hardin ’99
Welcome to Florida
Monday
Tuesday
NY Yankees v.
Cleveland Indians
26
Don’t forget to sign up!
19
12
5
Softball v. Waldorf @ 4:15pm
27
Baseball @ Upper Room
@ 4:15pm
20
Spring Long Weekend
Ends at 9:30pm
13
Baseball @ Solomon Schector
@ 4:30pm
6
Softball v. Portledge @ 4pm
Tennis v. Solomon Schector
@ 4:30pm
28
Tennis v. Kew Forest @ 4pm
Softball v. LI Lutheran @ 4:15pm
21
14
Softball @ OSNA @ 4pm
Baseball v. Solomon Schector
@ 4:30pm
7
If you are interested in The Open House or Grandparents’ Day, please contact
Susan Day-Holsinger at
[email protected] or by phone at
(631) 686-1600 ext 414.
Parents are welcome to all sporting events, the International
Fair and the Science Fair. Tell your students’ grandparents
about Grandparents’ Day!
All sporting events are subject to change, please contact the Athletic department for
more information. (631) 686-1600 ext 425
Sunday
Passover Begins
Noon to 1:30p.m. @ P. B. Gym
Science Fair
29
Baseball v. Upper Room
@ 4:15pm
Noon to 3p.m. @ P. B. Gym
International Fair
22
Softball v. Waldorf @ 4:30pm
Baseball @ Portledge
@ 4:30pm
NYSSMA
Solo Festival
15
Tennis v. LI Lutheran @ 4:15pm
8
Softball @ LI Lutheran
@ 4:15pm
Tennis @ LI Lutheran @ 4:15pm
30
Softball @ Waldorf @ 4:15pm
23
Tennis @ Kew Forest @ 4pm
16
Spring Long Weekend
Begins at 1:30pm
9
Six Flags Trip
Don’t forget to sign up!
Mystic Seaport and
Aquarium
25
Don’t forget to sign up!
18
11
Program from
10am –12pm
Registration at 9:30am
OPEN HOUSE
4
Saturday
Upcoming May Events….
May 2nd—SAT
May 2nd—Open House
May 4th— Knox School Annual Golf Tournament
May 25th— Headmaster’s Assembly at 11a.m.
Softball @ Lawrence Woodmere
@ 4pm
Tennis @ Lawrence Woodmere
@ 4pm
24
Baseball v. Portledge @ 4:15pm
17
Junior Olympics
For Riders
10
Tennis v. Portledge @ 4pm
Softball v. OSNA @ 4pm
Grandparents’
Day
3
Friday
Baseball @ Waldorf @ 4:15pm
Model UN Assembly
2
Thursday
Baseball v. Waldorf @ 4:15pm
1
Wednesday
What is going on at Knox in April?
The Beacon
Semper ad Lucem
Summer Adventures Camp Open House
Saturday, April 25, 2009
10AM – 2PM
For more information, please contact the Summer
Camp Office at (631) 686-1600 ext 443 or visit our
website at www.saak.org.
KSnox
chool
541 Long Beach Road
St. James, New York 11780
Where are my
May flowers?