Consolidation Chronicle #3
A Progress Update on an Educational Coming Together by Malcolm Gauld ’72, President & CEO April 2017
This is the third in a series of newsletters intended to inform the extended Hyde community of our progress regarding our plans to consolidate Hyde’s two boarding campuses – effective September 2017 – into a single campus at Bath, Maine, where Hyde first set out on its mission of family-based character education in 1966. I.
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Key Developments Since Consolidation Chronicle #2 - Due Diligence is Over! - Hyde and WA Working Together - Rising Seniors Retreat - Hyde Mascot: We Welcome Your Input - Strategic Plan - Final Farewell Plans Faculty Bios - Making the Move to Bath What Should We Call Our Teams?
We could use your help: What should we call our athletic teams once the consolidation formally goes into effect in September? An overview of key factors involved in this matter is presented later in this edition of the Consolidation Chronicle.
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Key Developments Since Consolidation Chronicle #2
Due Diligence is Over! The due diligence phase of our agreement came to its conclusion on April 14. If you’ve ever bought or sold a piece of real estate, you know that this is cause for celebration. This essentially means that the purchaser, Woodstock Academy (WA), has exercised the opportunity to engage in a full examination of the property as a prerequisite to fulfilling payment obligations to Hyde, the seller. Having concluded due diligence, WA has now paid Hyde a non-refundable deposit to be credited toward the final purchase price. Both WA and Hyde remain committed to and excited about the transaction and both parties anticipate a smooth formal closing on June 15. Rising Seniors Retreat In order to get a jumpstart on ensuring strong Hyde student leadership next year, rising seniors (i.e., current juniors) from both Hyde campuses are scheduled to meet together in early May at a retreat in Portsmouth, NH. Hyde Mascot: Phoenix, Wolfpack, or Neither (i.e., new name)… Your Input? One question we need to answer: What should we call our athletic teams? Our consolidation brings together two strong athletic traditions with the Phoenix joining up with the Wolfpack. We welcome your thoughts on what we should call our teams moving forward. (Feel free to contact me directly at mgauld@hyde.edu.)
Some history: The Bath teams have been the Phoenix for 30 years, ever since a team of alums and believers uprooted themselves and returned to Bath in the early 80s to reorganize and restore the school, symbolizing the strengths that come from challenges. What’s a phoenix? Wikipedia has this to say: Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor. Those of us on the scene at the time thought the name fit. Prior to that time, Hyde had experimented with a number of mascot names: Road Runners, Panthers, even the Gorillas. On the one hand, there is a strong history to the Phoenix. On the other, maybe it no longer fits.
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Since day #1, the Woodstock teams have been the Wolfpack. A decade or so ago, Lynn and Mike Dawes set this name in bronze – literally! -- with their wonderful gift of the bronze wolf that graces the entry of Grant Track & Field. The Urban Dictionary offers a compelling case for this name in its definition of the term: “A group of friends who consider themselves different from the norm but are bound to each other because of their unique qualities.” (Is that Hyde, or what?!?) As we have said, this consolidation is a coming together. Hence, both parties must adapt to the change. Perhaps it is appropriate to transport the wolf to Maine and retire the phoenix. It may also be appropriate to surrender both names and come up with something new. As you might expect, this discussion has evoked considerable passion among caring students, faculty, and alumni at both campuses. I have an opinion. Tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine. New Strategic Plan Since last spring, our senior administrative team has been working closely with the Board of Governors on designing A Roadmap to Hyde’s Unique Potential – Hyde’s Strategic Plan. Since November, we have been revising the plan in accordance with five areas of focus: -
Program – Cutting Edge, Differentiated, Co-Curricular Teaching and Learning People & Succession – Highest Quality Teachers & Leaders; Engaged Alumni Long Range Financial Sustainability – Fiscal Stability with Entrepreneurial Spirit Enrollment & Communications – Robust Mission-Appropriate Enrollment Coupled with a Clear and Respected Brand Scalability – “More Hyde to More People” via Broad and Meaningful Access through 21st Century Delivery Methods
Final Farewell Plans are coming to completion for a special celebration at Woodstock during commencement weekend (Sunday, May 28). While the first half of that Memorial Day weekend will focus on the graduating seniors and their families, we will then transition our focus to a celebration of the efforts and memories of both our faculty and our alumni. The schedule is as follows:
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Sunday, May 28, 2017 3:00 – 4:00 PM Registration 4:30 PM Alumni/Graduation Speeches; Slideshow & Sharing 6:00 PM Cocktails 6:30 PM BBQ 8:00 PM DJ & Dancing Monday, May 29, 2017 9:00 AM Brunch If you would like to attend, we ask that you RSVP online at hyde.edu/woodstockcelebration or call (207) 386-5200. As you might expect, hotel reservations will be difficult to secure. For information on accommodations, visit www.hyde.edu/contact.
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Woodstock Faculty Moving to Bath Pam Bertschy Teacher, Coach, scheduling and Performing Arts are Pam’s current roles at Hyde. She has performed all of these duties and more in her 28 years at Hyde. Pam graduated from the University of Maine Orono and then earned a Masters from Cambridge College. Next year she will maintain the same roles while also assisting Joe Gauld in the Public Speaking Curriculum. Sean Condon Sean holds a BA in History from King’s College and has taught Science and SAT tutoring at Hyde for 4 years. Sean actually takes the SAT each year himself in order to help better prepare his students! Bath will benefit from this dedication next year when he teaches SAT prep and History.
Lori Cooke Lori has worked in Admissions and Family Education during her 21 years at Hyde. Graduating from Hyde in 1981, Lori is a current parent and a HAPA parent as well. She is currently working on her BA in Psychology in Child & Adolescent Development and will graduate in June 2018 from SNHU. The energy she brings to the Family Education Department in Woodstock will be furthered in Bath where she will serve as FLC coordinator.
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Donna Dubinsky Donna has been a Hyde faculty member for 21 years but is also a 1981 Hyde graduate and a HAPA four times over. She has a BS from the University of Connecticut and will graduate from University of Saint Joseph with an MA in Educational Technology. Donna has served as Technology Director for both campuses for many years while also teaching History. She will continue her role teaching AP US History and AP European History and a STEAM class, but her main focus will be in classroom tech integration and working with the faculty to improve their own classrooms. Mark Duethorn Mark holds a BA from Bates and a Masters in Social Sciences from Wesleyan and has worked at both the Bath and Woodstock campuses in his 24 years at Hyde. He teaches Ethics, coaches soccer, and oversees the senior curriculum. Once a term next year he will assume the role of Master Teacher in Residence focusing on Ethics. Peter Gregory A longtime Hyde veteran as student and teacher, Peter graduated from Springfield college with a degree in Psychology. He has worked in both Bath and Woodstock as math teacher and coach of Football and Lacrosse.
Jacob Sargent In his first full year on the Hyde Faculty after receiving his S.M in Health Science and Technology from MIT, Jacob has made an impact teaching Environmental Science, Biology and coaching Drama and Track. He has also been a key part of the Leadership team. The Inner Leadership Program in Bath will benefit from him joining the team next year in addition to his teaching and coaching duties.
Sarah Sargent While joining the faculty in 2008, Sarah left in 2012 to seek a Master’s in Education from Harvard, and returned this year so she is finishing her fifth year at Hyde. She teaches Math, Economics and started the Woodstock Math team during that time. When she arrives in Bath, she will be Heading the Math Department and taking over as Dean of Instruction. She looks to improve our professional development and mentoring, ensuring we meet the needs of our high performing students and playing a role in shaping the girls culture to improve healthy self-image and confident leadership.
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Justin Siekierski As a recent University of Connecticut graduate, Justin is a first year teacher at Hyde, coaching Football and Track and tutoring students. In Bath, he will teach sophomore English and Journalism and will bring his coaching talents to the athletic field as well.
Tricia Uber Tricia will be coming to Bath after 5 years as the College Counselor in Woodstock. Prior to Hyde, her background also included Admission experience. She has BA in Psychology and a Masters in Public Administration with a focus in nonprofit administration both from Clark University. We are excited to have her join the College Counseling Team in Bath!
In conclusion, I offer a Hyde-wide reminder of the four guiding principles of our consolidation effort: 1. The Consolidation is a coming together; it is not an absorption. - Next year represents the opportunity for all Hyde students, parents, employees, and alumni to start a new school and everybody must be in, make that “All In,” on it. 2. The Consolidation begins now. – We’re all on the same team. 3. “Nothing Changes.” – Bob Felt. The current school year will finish just as strongly as it has started. 4. Partnership with Woodstock Academy - Ours is much more than a buyer/seller relationship, we are partners in education. Onward,
Malcolm Gauld ‘72
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