Pro Vita Course Catalog 2019

COURSE CATALOG - 2019

PRO VITA MISSION Designed around the motto: M ​ ake. Perform. Solve. Serve.​, Pro Vita explores the School’s mission and its commitment to Sustainability, Sense of Place, Philanthropy, Diversity, and For Life experiences. The Pro Vita program fosters growth in our core values of integrity, perseverance, curiosity, respect, resilience, and inclusion.

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A PERIOD Art & Design ACA-AWESOME A CAPPELLA Jean Maher and *Rachel Norton This a cappella course will serve as the perfect opportunity to explore your creative side, by singing with others. Throughout the week, we will find our collective sound as a small ensemble, choose a few arrangements to work on together, and ultimately perform some of these pieces in a more casual setting. Depending on the interest of the group, there is flexibility in terms of which songs and what genres we explore. Regardless of your prior experience or ability, this week will help you improve your skills as an ensemble singer; and, more importantly, demonstrate how enjoyable and fun the rehearsal process can be. It will undoubtedly be aca-awesome! *R ​ achel Norton is a professionally trained singer, voice teacher, music director, and choral conductor. After graduating from Northfield Mount Hermon School, Rachel earned a bachelor’s degree in music with a focus in classical vocal performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, and received a Master of Music from UMass Amherst. Most recently, Rachel was an adjunct professor of music at Northern Vermont University - Lyndon, Director of Student Life at Burke Mountain Academy, and a private voice teacher. Previously, she served as the Art Department Chair at the White Mountain School in New Hampshire.

BLUE MOUNTAINS CONSTANTLY WALKING *Claire Emery and Jaimee Christinat-Castillo Inspired by the Mountain and writings of Zen poet and philosopher Gary Snyder, this class will investigate what it means to be a part of a place and find that a place is part of us. Spending some of our time on the Mountain, and some in the printmaking studio, the group will experiment with how to visually convey the boundaries or lack of boundaries between human nature and wild nature. *D ​ rawn outdoors and carved by hand, Claire Emery’s woodcuts reveal a deeply felt sense of place.

Claire is an artist, naturalist, and educator. She has lived in rural New England, a huge Texas city, the Alaskan wilderness, and currently makes her home of 25 years in Missoula, Montana at the base of the North Hills and within a half mile of Rattlesnake Creek. She combines art and science in her work with nonprofits, national parks, and conservation groups to convey their important work visually. A long-time practitioner in the Zen tradition, she finds that her interest in ecological community and Zen practice overlap in surprising ways. ​www.emeryart.com

DRAWING FROM HISTORY Brandi Dahari and Lissa McGovern “A picture is worth a thousand words,” right? So imagine ​the history you can tell through graphic storytelling. ​In ​Drawing from History​, we will read and analyze graphic novels, including Maus​ and ​Persepolis, ​to study the elements of narrative through images. Then, students will Page 3

choose a story to tell and create a short episode of history through illustration. Don’t worry, no drawing expertise needed—we’ve got you covered! Finally, at the end of the week, we will collect our stories into a unique zine.

HOW THE DEAD SURVIVED Kevan Bowler and Stuart Miller ​’​97 From the 1960s until the 1995 death of guitarist and band founder Jerry Garcia, the Grateful Dead played roughly 2,300​ concerts. Even Garcia’s death could not stop the band from touring and its legendary “Deadheads” from following their favorite music. This course will explore the history, music, and culture that surrounded the Grateful Dead. Special attention will be given to the effects that the band had on the cultural scene of the United States and how their music influenced and evolved rock and roll, country, blues, and folk music. The class will also study what has enabled the Dead to be such a lasting force even today. Finally, students will have the opportunity to research and prepare their own setlists to play on WBSL 91.7 FM. MODELING WITH LEGOS Mike McCabe Do you remember the days as a child when you would build all sorts of different structures with little plastic blocks? Students will recreate many of those experiences in this class, which will teach some of the basic elements of architecture and design and also allow students to build and explore with Legos. The first days will focus on building replicas, and then the class will shift towards a more creative approach in which students will design and build their own structures.

The class will culminate with students creating a replica of a building on Berkshire’s campus.

MUSIC AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL CHANGE *Marisa Massery and LeRhonda Greats From the hippies to the punks and well beyond, music has influenced the course of social and political history. More than any other art form, music has demonstrated its capacity to create and reflect social change. This class will analyze music as a catalyst for change, drawing from specific musical artists and organizations who live and breathe this idea, including that of Berkshire-based nonprofit Music In Common. Students will explore diverse examples of how music can guide social action, from conflict transformation in the Middle East, to youth empowerment, to community building among refugee, immigrant, and American-born citizens.

Students will engage in critical song listening, multimedia exploration, and intentional conversation about the topic. By the end of the week, each student will write their own reflective song on their experience. *Marisa Massery is a Berkshire-based musician, educator, and peacebuilder. She recently completed her master's degree at the School for International Training in Vermont where she studied conflict transformation and the connection between music and peacebuilding. Marisa is the program director for the local nonprofit Music In Common. Her most joyful passion is music and singing, and she is curious how the social space created by music can heal and positively transform relationships and society at large.

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ONE-MINUTE FILM FESTIVAL David Olson As all Berkshire seniors learn during Hamlet Night, “brevity is the soul of wit,” and in One-Minute Film Festival ​you will be challenged to channel your creativity into a BRIEF film. You will learn techniques of filmmaking—cinematography, sound, screenwriting—through studying the styles of distinct directors. You will also learn how to use advanced video editing software programs like Adobe Premiere. All of this will be part of the process of creating a one-minute film—a sub-genre of film that has the special constraint of only being one minute long—in the style of a director you’ve studied. Witty, profound, funny, heartbreaking, or whatever—the content is yours to choose. Films will be shared within the class at the end of the week, and all will leave with a greater understanding of the movies they see in theaters and the many things that go into making them.

RINCE NA SONAS (DANCE OF HAPPINESS) Georgia Tuttle Michael Flatley captured the nation’s awe when he brought traditional Irish dance to the world in his hit performance, ​Riverdance​. Come learn traditional Irish dance with Ms. Tuttle and perform a Ceili dance at the end of the week. If you’ve ever dreamed of moving your feet to the tunes of Celtic music (and maybe even some Ed Sheeran), come join this class! We will be focusing on traditional Irish dance and examining how this unique type of dance has changed throughout the last 20 years. We will also watch ​Riverdance​ and ​Lord of the Dance​ on video. No experience is necessary. Ms. Tuttle is excited to share her 16 years of competitive Irish dancing experience with you!

For Life BEARS BAKING 101 *Chef Lesley Moore, Tracy Chandler P’19, Halle Chandler ’19, and Peter Quilty Love cooking, baking, or food in general? In this course, you will learn to make all your favorites: pies, pastries, bread, muffins, and decorative cakes. Chef Lesley Moore of White Gate Farm in Lyme, Connecticut will introduce all the basic skills you will need to produce fantastic baked goods. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she specializes in baking, including wedding and specialty cakes. Each day, you will learn to make something delicious as you work with dough, fondant, and other essential ingredients. By the end of the week, you will be highly competent in the kitchen and able to impress with incredible culinary treats. *L​ esley Moore, aunt of Halle Chandler ’19, is a graduate of Trinity College and the Culinary Institute of America. She has vast experience in the world of food and catering, from her ownership of the Harvest Bakery in Salisbury, Connecticut in the late ‘90s to work as a private chef and caterer, to coordinating special events at the Lyme Art Association. In her current position as Farm Chef at White Gate Farm in Lyme, Lesley has devoted more than 20 years to culinary pursuits. She is well-known in her current position for creative and healthy prepared foods using fresh organic ingredients. Her passion for baking has brought her further success in the creation of specialty and wedding cakes. She has taught cooking classes to all ages at White Gate Farm and looks forward to cooking and baking with Berkshire students during the 2019 Pro Vita week.

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*T​ racy Chandler, mom of Halle Chandler ’19, is in her 24th year at Salisbury School. She has served as a history instructor, assistant librarian, and currently, editor of the Salisbury Magazine. For the last several years, she has offered a Baking 101 class as part of Salisbury’s Community Day programming. Tracy and her sister Lesley have baked together for years and enjoy sharing their love of food with others.

COPS, CRIMINALS, AND THE LAW Jason Gappa This course will explore the criminal justice system in Berkshire County. We will start by visiting the Great Barrington Police Station to learn about how police officers approach traffic stops and the rights of citizens when they are seized. The next stop will be the Southern Berkshire District Court to watch the legal system in action and talk with a lawyer about his/her role in counseling clients. Finally, we will spend the day in the Berkshire County Correctional Facility to get a better sense of the lives of prisoners and the role of prisons. The class will culminate with a mock trial of a search and seizure case where students will get the chance to either prosecute, defend, or judge a case.

DON’T CALL IT PUBLIC SPEAKING *Ruth Giordano and Peter Giordano Gain confidence, increase your chances of success at school and in the professional world, and have fun doing it. Learn strategies to help manage the anxiety that comes with speaking before a group. Learn to warm up your voice for greater flexibility. Start small with comfortable topics.

Practice in front of a small group. Conceive and compose a short speech-presentation (on a topic of your choosing), then practice, practice, practice, fueled by constructive criticism from your peers. You’ll even learn how to tell a good joke. By the end of the week, you’ll be ready to share your passion with the world. The best speech will be presented in all-school assembly. *Ruth Giordano has worked with students around the globe in the areas of performance art and speech. She was a forensics coach in ​Taipei, and then founder of Red Room Radio Redux, an organization that developed dramatic adaptations of classic literature including​ A Christmas Carol​, ​Treasure Island​, M ​ acbeth​, and others.

She was also involved with A Stage Time and Juice, a children’s workshop for public speaking, oral interpretation, and a series of children’s story-theatre workshops and productions with young performers.

Ruth shares, “I believe that students who learn to articulate their ideas and to speak confidently to groups will have more self-assurance and are likely to be more successful academically and professionally.”

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF RUNNING Andrea Bowler Have you ever wanted to run a 5K? 10K? Half marathon? Do you enjoy running for the peace of mind, sense of strength, and connection with the local area that it can provide? This class aims to help students become lifelong runners and explore the benefits of running. We will travel to the Berkshire Running Center in Pittsfield, Mass. where we will be guided by the expertise of Kent and Shiobbean Lemme who are local legends in the Berkshire County running community.

The class will begin by discussing and learning form, technique, training, nutrition, and injury prevention. We will then participate in cross-training activities including spinning and a Run Fit Cardio Strength Class. The fourth day of class will be dedicated to learning basic self-defense moves to promote confidence in pursuing longer and rural runs. The last day will culminate in putting what we have learned into practice and exploring the great running routes Sheffield has to offer.

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INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE Paul MacKenzie Bring the words “college preparatory school” to life as you visit and evaluate area colleges. In this class, we will complete our own personality inventories as we consider the concept of “fit” as it applies to college. Students will visit three colleges, touring campuses and meeting with admissions officers to evaluate each school and consider what types of students would flourish on each campus. By the end of the week, students will have a better understanding of how to evaluate different colleges along with a better understanding of themselves. ​Fifth formers will be given priority for this class.

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY Sylvia Gappa When you were little, did you like to play dress up, build with Legos or blocks, create art, or play board games? In this interactive class, students will engage in discussions around child development and the benefits of various types of play on the social, cognitive, and motor development of children. There will be daily trips to Undermountain Child Care, Berkshire’s daycare center, where students will have the chance to interact with infant through preschool-aged children. As a culminating experience, students will create lesson plans for the final day of class, designed specifically for the children at Undermountain.

RANDOM RACKETS Dr. A.J. Kohlhepp Many Bears play racket sports as part of their school experience, but squash and tennis (and other racket sports) are games that you can enjoy, and employ, throughout your life. The purpose of this class will be to share with students a wide range of racket-based sports in the hopes that they will develop a passion that they can pursue well beyond Berkshire. Each day will introduce a new racket sport, randomized for maximum enthusiasm and enjoyment. We will begin with a quick video tutorial; proceed to assorted skill-building drills; and engage in some high-spirited competition to test our mettle. The “home room” for the course will be the Soffer Center, with field trips on and off campus during the week.

SUCCESS IN SPORTS AND LIFE: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SIDE OF BECOMING A GREAT ATHLETE Dr. George Stetson This course will examine the psychological side of becoming a high-performing athlete. The objective is to give aspiring athletes (and others) an understanding of some of the most important intangibles of athletic success and high-level performance. We will examine recent scientific research on the role of mindset, the science behind skill acquisition, the development of habits, the meaning of mental toughness, and the practical use of mindfulness (and flow) as critical components to achieving high-level athletic success. The course will be based on a series of short readings, videos, and engaged group discussion as a way better to understand cutting-edge research in this area. We will also bring in coaches, players, psychologists, and others who can provide insights, experience, and fresh perspectives on this issue. The overall objective of the course is to help Berkshire student-athletes think more deeply about the process of becoming a high-level athlete.

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TARGET ARCHERY: DISCOVER DEEP PRACTICE *Kyle Bissell and Brett Herleikson Have you ever wondered how Robin Hood split an arrow in two? Or how Katniss Everdeen hit the apple out of the pig’s mouth? Here is your chance to experience it for yourself! ​Research shows that talent is made, not born. Talent, or achieving high levels of human performance in any area, is made through three key ingredients: deep practice, guidance from a master coach, and inner ignition. If you have inner ignition to do something exceptionally well, ​the only limits to your potential exist because of time and how you choose to spend it. Inspired to learn archery now? Spend your Pro Vita learning archery and simultaneously unlocking the keys to deep practice as outlined by Anders Ericsson in the book, ​Peak.​ Challenge your mind and body and walk away with skills that will assist you beyond archery. Each student will keep a blog, journaling the process, and the culminating experience includes shooting in tournament-​like conditions and comparing scores to those found on the USA Junior Olympic Archery Development scoring matrix. ​Students will be charged $215 each for five days of professional-level coaching from a Level IV USA Archery Coach and all of the equipment needed to participate. *Kyle Forbes Bissell, M.Ed. is a Level IV USA Archery Coach. Kyle certifies Level I and II USA Archery instructors around New England, and founded Amherst Archery Academy in 2011. In addition to having studied with the U.S. Head Coach at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA, he has a background in risk management and adventure education. Furthermore, Kyle taught Physical Education to elementary school children for eight years and in 1997 was listed in ​Skiing​ magazine as one of the 75 best ski instructors in the USA for children. These skills and experiences contribute to an exceptional archery program and are why many colleges and universities have hired Bissell to work with them to develop and run various programs. Experience as a firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, and Wilderness First Responder add to his risk management experience. Kyle loves experiential, authentic education. He loves archery. More specifically, he loves the lessons of patience, breathing, focus, goal setting, posture, body awareness, and quality of character that archery can help build.

Global Studies & Diversity DISCOVER WESTERN AFRICAN CULTURE & CUISINE Achara Achara ​’​19, Tobenna Ikejiani ​’​20, and Tony Amolo ​’​13 Students will learn about Western African culture through cooking, dancing, and music in this immersive course. Using Nigeria as a case study, students will learn about its major tribes, the dress styles, the local dishes, traditional and modern-day dance moves and music. They will learn the basics of how to communicate in pidgin English, which is an integration of British English and the local dialects of the various tribes that enabled the indigenous people to communicate with the colonizers. It will be an opportunity for the Berkshire community to learn about the world and the lifestyle of the people of Nigeria. This knowledge will help reinforce Berkshire’s core values of inclusion, curiosity, and respect. ​Students will be charged $20 each for their own personal Dashiki, a colorful garment worn mostly in West Africa.

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THE EXPERIMENT: GENDER EQUALITY AND BERKSHIRE SCHOOL John West In the fall of 1969, Headmaster John F. Godman opened Berkshire School’s doors to nine female students, describing their enrollment as “an experiment.” Who were these brave students?

How has gender equity evolved at Berkshire School? This class will focus on gender consciousness, and will aspire to develop a gender audit and/or school climate assessment to gauge Berkshire School’s progress with regards to gender consciousness and gender equity over the last 50 years.

THE UNIQUENESS OF SOCCER Nick Berghold ​’​19, Nick Steed ​’​19, and Charlie Bour Soccer or fútbol is the most recognized sport worldwide and is growing at a rapid pace to every corner of the globe. So many different countries embrace the game in different ways and these countries all develop unique styles and traditions for the game. Whether it be the different formations that countries line up in before World Cup games, or the way countries and clubs cheer on their teams, there are many reasons why soccer is about much more than just kicking a ball. In this class, we will be diving deep into why certain teams and countries play or embrace soccer in their specific way. Of course, we will also play soccer so that students experience firsthand why the sport is so beloved around the world.

VIETNAMESE CUISINE: WHEN CULINARY SOPHISTICATION MEETS CULINARY DIVERSITY Nhu Nguyen ’19, Luke Nguyen ’21, and Callie Carew-Miller Phở? Not from Flik? Authentic Phở? In this class, you will learn all about cooking authentic Vietnamese food and its culinary culture. Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its sophisticated use of all five fundamental tastes. The style of cooking is rooted deeply in the cultural diversity and influence from China and the French colonization. Different regions have their own special dishes and unique ways of using spices. Students will discover the art of Vietnamese cuisine by using fresh ingredients with different spices to create delicious traditional dishes and explore Vietnam's rich culture and history.

Philanthropy THE POWER OF GIVING *Lionel Shaw ​’85​ and Patrick Donovan “It's better to give than to receive,” as the saying goes, and in this course students will have the ability to test this hypothesis, empowered with the financial means to give to vital social causes (i.e., nonprofit organizations) in the Berkshire area. Learn how to address homelessness, the importance of a low carbon footprint, what it means to “go green,” and how to combat the “problem with plastics,” and then actually direct funding to public charities that help make the world a better place. Through support from a San Francisco based 501(c)3 grant-making nonprofit organization, you will explore and evaluate nonprofits in the Berkshire area, and be given the ability to grant funds to groups about which you feel passionate. We will work face-to-face with local nonprofit organizations to learn about their purpose and mission, get to Page 9

know their staff, and evaluate their efficiency and effectiveness, all in order to decide as a group where to invest. You'll be a budding social entrepreneur in no time! *Lionel Shaw took a family foundation founded in 1955 and turned it into a community foundation in 2016.

Known as the EACH Foundation, it is 100%-volunteer and provides grant-making discretion to 30 diverse philanthropic advisors who give away the foundation's money to charities of their choice in the eight giving verticals of Environment, Education, Arts, Animals, Children, Community, Health, and Homelessness. Since June 2016, they have given over $2.6 million to roughly 340 unique public charities. He also runs a “finanthropic” investment firm at Charles Schwab which gives away up to 25% of its fee revenue to charity.

He received his B.A. from Occidental College and an MBA from Claremont Graduate School. He lives in Mill Valley, Calif. with his wife Lisa.

Sense of Place THE NEW DIGITAL ECONOMY AND TECHNICAL REVOLUTION *D ​ r. Rosemary Fitzgerald ’82 and David McCauley What does it mean to revolutionize society and business? Who are the leaders that have challenged the norms to embrace a life of continual evolution in mind, community, and work?

This course will recognize those leaders who are energized by disruption and who recognize the need to examine our assumptions, reinvent, and rebuild toward an improved state. The excitement around Cryptocurrency and Blockchain represents the latest technologies that will transform the way people and businesses interact, creating new opportunities in every industry. The course will reference business and philanthropic leaders who have created purpose-driven value that makes a positive impact, not only on business, but in our communities and society as a whole. *D ​ r. Rosemary Fitzgerald is a multi-platform marketing executive and creative producer with a focus on entrepreneurial solutions in the technology, healthcare, media, and security industries.

Her firm, Spiderweb Studio (SWS), works as an advisor to trailblazing businesses delivering comprehensive digital media strategies and campaigns. SWS clientele includes leading artificial intelligence startups, venture capital firms, and cryptocurrency and blockchain frontrunners who are transforming business and community ecosystems. She is a frequent guest speaker on Advanced Marketing Technologies for industry events, educational forums, and marketing communication associations. She has been a professor at New York University’s Graduate Integrated Marketing Master’s Program for the last 15 years authoring courses on Advanced Technology, Marketing Finance, eCommerce, and Digital Storytelling.

THE PERSONAL ESSAY *Lizzy Steiner ​’10​ and Sarah Pitcher-Hoffman From storytelling radio programs like ​The Moth ​and ​This American Life t​ o ​The New York Times’ weekly “Modern Love” column and podcast, the personal essay is everywhere these days. This is especially true when it comes to the Internet: the web is a veritable treasure trove of first-person essays. Podcasts offer new ways of thinking about creative approaches to the personal essay. In fact, in 2017, the ​Columbia Journalism Review’​ s Meg Dalton​ ​declared, “podcasting is the new personal essay.” In this class, we’ll excavate material from our own lives and, using the alchemical tools of literary technique, transform “the facts” into stunning works of creative nonfiction. Students will read work by contemporary essayists, including Roxane Page 10

Gay, Hilton Als, and Jesmyn Ward, alongside writers from the Pre-Internet age, such as James Baldwin, Truman Capote, and Joan Didion. We’ll spend class time completing writing exercises designed to hone our creative nonfiction craft. We will learn the art of pitching your work to various online publications (such as ​Catapult​, ​Thought Catalog,​ ​Rookie Mag,​ and ​Teen Ink​). We will also have a special segment on writing personal essays for podcasts. By the end of the class, you will have written one polished, pitch-ready personal essay. We will also make a class podcast showcasing our work. *Lizzy Steiner is a recent graduate of the creative writing Master of Fine Arts program at Columbia University. She holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University, where she double majored in English and French. She has taught freshman composition at Hunter College and creative writing workshops at Columbia's Summer Program for High School Students. She currently works as a writer, tutor, and translator in New York City.

NO PROCESS HERE: THE LOCAL WORLD OF FARM-TO-FORK Chris Perkins and Heidi Woodworth What has become of the farm-to-fork movement over the the last 10 years? Is it just another marketing ploy to get more customers through the door? Does the pedigree of the ingredients matter more now than their taste? In this class, we will dive deep into the world of “Farm-to-Fork” by spending time with the the owner and chef of Prairie Whale, a farm-to-fork restaurant located in Great Barrington. Students will also spend time with local farmers who provide the Prairie Whale with the staples to their exceptional menu offerings. The week will culminate with a 3-course dinner at the restaurant on Friday evening. ​Students will be charged $35 each for their meal on Friday night.

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B PERIOD Art & Design ENGINEERING ROLLER COASTER DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Kate Cerruti and Justine Lenter Do you like riding roller coasters? Do you close your eyes or raise your arms above your head?

Why? Could it be the speed, the loops, or the drops? Roller coasters were probably developed because of the excitement of their speed, which later was joined by their ability to produce joyous moments of weightlessness. Have you ever wondered what goes into designing the “best” roller coaster? Put your engineering hat on, and embark on a week of designing, building, testing, and creating your own roller coaster.

INTERACTIVE MUSIC INSTALLATION Dr. Clive Davis Inspired by interactive art installations, students will design and construct their own musical installation using Makey Makey, Ableton Live, microphones and other found sources. Students will study a variety of art installations and create an installation that will be displayed on campus by the end of the week. We will look at some of the avant garde experimental music of the 1960s and discuss how place and time can affect one’s appreciation as well as interaction with music. Composers discussed include Henry Brant, Karlheinz Stockhausen, the Beatles, Laurie Anderson, Harry Partch, Alvin Lucier, Brian Eno, John Cage, and more.

MEET THE BEATLES Caroline Hogan ​’​19 and Dan Cooper In 13 years, the Beatles went from being an unknown Mercy Beat group performing in small venues to one of the most famous bands in the world, releasing 13 record-breaking albums.

Despite breaking up in 1969, the band continues to be remembered through their influential music. In this course, students will learn the history of the band and the meaning behind their songs. They will listen to the music, and watch the Beatles’ performances and movies. They will explore the significance of the Beatles in today’s music and culture. At the end of this course, students will go on WBSL radio to share their knowledge with the Berkshire community.

NEEDLES AND YARN: WHAT CAN ​YOU M ​ AKE? Anita Loose-Brown and Mandy Morgan Have you always wanted to learn how to knit? Here’s your opportunity! Learn how you can make a pair of knitting needles out of chopsticks, then learn the knit stitch and contribute a piece of knitting to several handmade scarves. If you already know how to knit, you can get creative with your knit piece, and learn other stitches (purl, cables, lace). Scarves will be donated to a local shelter or similar group. ​Students will be charged $10 each for admission and a guided tour of a local yarn mill.

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PAINT BY NUMBERS: ​BERKSHIRE! Olivia Wheeler In this class, students will be given the opportunity to take a piece of artwork, a map or a photograph, and turn it into a paint by numbers painting. The website ​www.pbnify.com​ allows everyone to be an artist. Each piece of art is converted into a paint-by-numbers work, and students will then create their artwork, first by tracing the outlines onto their canvas and then by carefully mixing the colors to match their appropriate spaces. The pieces will ultimately hang together as one cohesive project with the common theme of BERKSHIRE. Possibilities include images of the school, a map of the area, or a photograph of friends on campus. In addition, the class will have an element of mindfulness as painting or coloring by numbers has become a popular method of calming and centering the brain. The experience will include canvas prep, color mixing and painting and Zen-like days of creation and completion, culminating in an art installation on campus.

For Life AERIAL CIRCUS AND MINDFULNESS Annie Rosenberg and Dr. Tasia Wu Students will learn traditional circus aerial arts including aerial static trapeze, aerial hoop, Spanish web, and aerial fabric. Circus arts, like many performing arts, offer a unique way to express ideas and emotions as well as challenge fears and insecurities in a safe space, and often challenge students artistically, physically, and mentally. This year, the course will add more focus on using aerial yoga, mindfulness, and meditations around interpersonal growth. There will be daily trips to Berkcirque in Great Barrington where Ms. Rosenberg is the current advanced aerials instructor as well as a trip ​to a professional circus flying trapeze for instruction. ​Students will be charged $30 each for professional-level coaching and facility use at both locations.

BEAR VS. CUBE Graham Schwartz ​’​21 and Jason Keefer In this class, we will study and learn how to solve one of the greatest puzzles of all time: The Rubik’s Cube. First we will look into the the algorithms, and how each letter corresponds with a particular movement on the Cube. We will watch videos of how different types of people use the Rubik’s Cube in their everyday life: magicians, speedcubers, and mathematicians. In addition to solving the regular cube, we will look at some other famous puzzles like the 2x2, 4x4, Pyraminx, and Megaminx. Once each student feels that they know the algorithms and can successfully and comfortably solve a cube, we will document them with a video and a timed solve and all engage in a head-to-head race style tournament. At the Saturday morning assembly, students will demonstrate a different solve on a different puzzle. ​Students will be charged $15 each for their own Rubik’s Cube set.

BEARS ON ICE Rylie Griffith ​’​20, Hayden Riva ​’​21, and Lisa Marshall Have you ever been invited to a birthday party at a rink and found yourself sitting on the sidelines? Or missed out on the opportunity to skate at Central Park during the winter holidays?

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After taking this class, you will be ready to join in on the skating festivities! Students will learn the history of skating, and they will be taught the proper techniques in order to be able to skate, a “For Life” skill that students will appreciate. This course is a fantastic way for students to step out of their comfort zone and onto the ice! ​Skates can be provided if you don’t own a pair.

BERKSHIRE UNDER THE HOOD Skip Bowman and Dory Driscoll Discover the inner workings behind the beautiful buildings on Berkshire’s campus and meet the people who dedicate themselves to our community. You will learn about the technical operations, life skills, and knowledge it takes to run a 500-person family like the Berkshire community. Topics will include: ice preparation and maintenance in the Jack, technology, laundry, car and grounds maintenance, food preparation, and budgeting. You will share the insights you have gained through a photo documentary that you will create. Look under the hood, try your hand at something new, and discover the community in which you live. ​Only fourth and fifth formers will be accepted into this class.

BUMP, SET, SPIKE! Nina Bjurlin and R.G. Meade This course will teach students the basic rules and skills (passing, setting, serving, spiking, etc.) of volleyball as played in boys’ volleyball. The net, for example, will be set at 7’ 11 ⅝”. We will introduce the participants to the 5-1 offensive system as well as at least one defensive scheme.

While we will stress the physical skills and movement needed to legally contact the ball and keep it in play, we will also work on the mental aspects of the game: positive communication on the court, resilience in the face of failure, composure amid out-of-system play, reading the flow, and overall teamwork. The course will conclude with a formal match on the last day.

BUILDING WOODEN PADDLES Jim Norton In this class, students will have the opportunity to hand-build beautiful wooden paddles for kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards. This course will include some background in the traditions of paddle building and an introduction to the basics of woodworking. Working with both power and hand tools, we will select wood, learn about its different properties, and will move from pieces of wood to fine finished products that will be both functional and unique.

Each student will complete his or her own paddle over the course of the week, which will be ready to take on any spring break water-based activity. No experience in woodworking is necessary, just a willingness to be creative, patient, and engaged. ​Students will be charged $30 each for the materials needed to complete their custom-made paddle.

CANINE CARE Erica Cohn and Trudy Pzynski Hearty students, willing to work, run, teach, and play with canines outdoors, will learn about their care and training in this course. Topics covered include the daily tasks involved in having a dog, the practice of training and obedience, and how to build an agility course with recycled materials. Students will learn specific dog training techniques as agility is a fast-paced sport for Page 14

the team of dogs and their human handlers where communication between hound and trainer is the key. Discover the motivator that pushes your dog to compete and make a bond with your hound that will last—it’s as much about the human trainer as it is the canine. Students will create a video of dogs (complete with canine bloopers!) performing the agility course for the end of Pro Vita week exhibition. If you like dogs and share their boundless energy and friendly spirit, come join us!

ESSENTIAL BIKE SKILLS AND MAINTENANCE Andrew Buckley ​’​19 and Patrick Kearney Have you ever been left stranded by a flat tire or a dropped chain? Have you ever wanted to learn how to maintain and care for your own bicycle? Have you ever wanted to become a better rider? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this class is for you. It will not only teach you the basics of bicycle maintenance, but it will also give you a solid foundation and the skills to ride anywhere! During the class, students will start with simple tasks such as changing a tire and fitting a bike, and progress into essential maintenance and repair. You will also improve your ability to more safely ride a bike on a variety of surfaces and learn techniques such as braking, cornering, climbing, and descending. No experience riding or fixing bikes necessary.

INTRODUCTION TO THE OLYMPIC SPORT OF ICE CURLING Michael Bjurlin Have you ever wanted to try curling? This is your chance! Members of the Norfolk Curling Club, along with Mr. Bjurlin, will lead a group of students in an introductory week of curling. Students will travel to Norfolk Curling Club each afternoon for 1.5-2 hours of instruction and play. During the week, students will be given an introductory curling class, play in competitive matches, and finish the week with an abbreviated tournament. Please join us in discovering what it really means to be a skipper! ​Students will be charged $80 each for four full days of professional-level coaching and facility use.

MAGIC THE GATHERING: THE WORLD'S GREATEST STRATEGY CARD GAME Markus Lebenthal ’21, Jesse Howard, and Dan Roe In this class, you will learn the gameplay of the world’s greatest strategy card game—Magic the Gathering. With over 25 years of development, Magic is the world leader in fantasy-based card battling. You will begin with simple, pre-made decks to learn the rules and develop a sense of flow within the structure of the game. From there, you will be challenged to build your own decks under strict building limitations, constrained by the most recent expansion of cards.

Finally, you will use your newfound knowledge of deck building to combine your new cards with your original decks to come up with a creation of your own and duel for prizes and pride.

Students will be charged $15 each for their own set of Magic playing cards.

NUTRITION, EXERCISE AND HEALTH *Lisa Lowell, Haines Corrigan ​’​19, and Tess Adams Learn to think about health, wellness, and performance in new ways! In this class, we will dive into recent clinical studies and bestsellers like ​The Case Against Sugar​ and ​The Other Side of Impossible​ to inspire unique discussions around the relationship between food and health. We will also examine the factors that both contribute to and inhibit behavior change for the Page 15

average person. Students will leave with a better understanding of their metabolic needs regarding food and sports performance. Further, we will think about methods to improve nutrition at Berkshire, including recommendations for a course curriculum, changes to campus life (like vending machines) and perhaps the beginning of discussions with our food service to improve the selection of dining hall options. *Lisa Lowell is a registered nurse by training and has been teaching health classes at an elementary school for the past 20 years. She is married to an avid cyclist who competes at both road and cyclocross races and has raised a ski racer who ultimately attended Berkshire. Both members of her family required information about food intake and sports performance that led to the exploration of nutrition and the filtering of research information to determine what is necessary to enhance sports performance.

ROLL, RECOVER, PERFORMANCE *Claire Naylor-Pollart P ’14,’17 and Klay Johnson ’​10 Using Therapy Balls, self help tools, and corrective exercises, students will learn specific techniques that will instantly roll out tension, improve movement, break dysfunctional movement patterns, and provide invaluable insight into their own anatomical architecture. Easy and effective self-massage techniques will address each major area of the body and teach how to reduce and/or eliminate pain, prevent injuries, and enhance whatever movement practice you most enjoy. Recover from the physical demands of team sports, school pressures, and old injuries! Reach every ache, tightness or pain and give your body the massage and specific exercise it deserves as part of your daily workout routine! No experience necessary. Students of all levels are welcome. S​tudents will be charged $30 each for their own set of rolling balls. *Claire Naylor-Pollart teaches self help trigger point workshops. Her classes and workshops teach basic muscle anatomy, de-triggering patterns, and provide students with a vocabulary of movement that give her audiences the tools and confidence needed to eradicate pain, heal damaged muscles, improve posture, and enhance physical performance. Claire believes that by helping people identify their own "body blind spots," they can improve muscle performance, strength, endurance, and flexibility, and establish healthy movement patterns to live better in their bodies.

Global Studies & Diversity CHANGE THE WORLD: BRYAN STEVENSON’S EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE Mary Alindato and Kristina Splawn Want to be a world changer? According to Bryan Stevenson, a brilliant and influential lawyer, there are four things you need to know to make a difference on the world stage. Take this class to learn how these things—getting proximate, having hope, changing the narrative, and getting uncomfortable—can actually change the world. People in America suffer from social injustices and racial injustices every day. We will look at the history of those injustices and how they contribute to the systems in place in our country that hold some back while allowing others to be successful. Between 1980 and 2015, the number of people incarcerated in America increased from 500,000 to over 2.2 million. Today the United States makes up about 5% of the Page 16

world’s population yet has 21% of the world’s prisoners, and 1 out of 37 adults are under some form of correctional supervision. Through studying Stevenson's Equal Justice Initiative, using personal experiences, and learning more about the history of racial injustice in the United States, we will explore how it’s possible to make a difference in the world.

GIRL POWER SPORTS Madi Gomez ​’​20, Mia Lake ​’​20, Cori Chambers, and Dan Driscoll The role of women in sports has been a controversial topic for decades. In this class, we will study famous female athletes such as Serena Williams and Breanna Stewart, while analyzing the adversities and controversies that lie within their careers. In addition, we will immerse ourselves in women’s athletics by teaching young women how to play the games of basketball and squash. The purpose of this class is to empower young women who are interested in pursuing athletics in the future, or who simply want to learn about the power of women in a male-dominated setting.

MASTERING FRENCH PASTRIES: PATISSERIE BAKING 101 Devon Thompson ​’​19 and Dr. ​Sandy Perot This class will focus on creating and baking various delicious classic French Patisserie treats both sweet and savory (Crepes, Macarons, Madeleines, Palmiers, Galette, Souffle, Croissants/Pain au Chocolat, Quiche, Gateau, Petit Fours, Profiteroles, Tarte Tatin, Chocolate Truffles, Millefeuille, Roulade Cake, Clafoutis, Pots-de-Creme/chocolate mousse). Not only will we learn classic French cooking and baking techniques, we will listen to popular French music and learn about French food culture and about the development of various foods through their historical context. These pastries and treats will provide a window into French culture, family life, and society while sharing the joy of creating.

PERSPECTIVES IN HIP-HOP: CROSS EXAMINING THE CULTURE, HISTORY, AND IDEOLOGY OF THE MOVEMENT James Lehmberg ​’​19 and Derek Murphy Hip Hop is an umbrella term for art, music, dance, literature, identity, style, and politics. We will begin to understand the art, culture, and politics of Hip Hop by looking at the movements and politics that inspired the birth of Hip Hop as a form of art and music. We will consider the art and aesthetics of Hip Hop and the musical styles that made Hip Hop music possible. The ways in which Hip Hop speaks to youth about oppression, violence, identity, culture, and power will also be considered. We will then explore Hip Hop as a form of cultural politics and activism toward social justice. Students will create art or music with a view toward Hip Hop-inspired social justice. Finally, we‘ll consider the possibilities of a Hip Hop future.

Philanthropy COMMUNITY SERVICE AND VETERANS Patrick Murdock ​’​20, James Welch ​’​20, and Jeff Pyzynski This class will educate the Berkshire community on the struggles and issues facing veterans of the United States military. We will dive into struggles such as poverty and post-traumatic stress disorder. We would also like to empower students participating in the class to develop an Page 17

initiative that would directly benefit veterans in our surrounding community. Visiting the Veterans Service Center located in Great Barrington will allow participants to create real connections with veterans and inform students of the challenges that veterans face today.

Sense of Place DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE, DESERT, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, COLLEGE ADMISSIONS Clay Splawn Wealth and other resources are not equally distributed. Is it OK that some have billions and billions and some have next to nothing? Is such a distribution of wealth just? This is the question of distributive justice. Two important theories provide different answers to this question. A third suggests that the concept of ​desert ​plays a central role in issues of distributive justice—that is, a distribution is just so long as one gets what one deserves. If so, what is desert? Finally, we’ll apply what we learn about justice and desert to affirmative action, and produce an account of why it is (or isn’t) fair that we can’t all go to Harvard.

THE MYSTERY OF THE SOUTH Mari LoNano Is the southern United States a deep mystery? Are Southerners really different from people in the rest of the country? Yes! And we’ll find out WHY. ​Perhaps the most misunderstood region in the U.S., the South and its writers, artists, filmmakers, and musicians have contributed a vast amount of cultural additions to the country. In this class, we will study music, film, photography, literature, and food in order to examine the reasons behind the South’s difference from the rest of the U.S.

Sustainability BEARS BEING BETTER AND BUILDING BETTER: INTRODUCTION TO DAILY SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND BUILDING DESIGN *​Kris Govertsen ​’​15 & Dr. April Burch Humans spend about 90% of their time inside of buildings. For this reason, it is important to understand how our buildings—and daily habits—are impacting our health, our economy, and our planet. Sustainable design is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use energy, water, and materials, and of reducing impacts on human health and the environment for the entire lifecycle of a building. This course will give students a taste of what it’s like to make decisions for the built environment that can last hundreds of years and will give them the knowledge to implement daily practices that can make a big difference in the long term. *W ​ hile at Berkshire, Kris Govertsen ‘15 was able to witness the construction of the Bellas/Dixon Math and Science Center. As a student, she was amazed at the construction process but also the effort and level of detail required to make the building LEED Gold certified. From this experience, she developed a passion for engineering and building design. After Berkshire, Govertsen earned a B.S. at Clarkson University in Civil

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Engineering and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Sustainable Building Systems and an Interdisciplinary Ph.D. at Northeastern University while researching Passive Survivability. Her undergraduate thesis won several awards at local and state-wide business plan competitions and is aimed at making the average American family home more SMART: Sustainable, Manageable, Affordable, Resilient, and Technological. She earned her LEED Green Classroom Professional and LEED Green Associate certifications in 2017 and has taught the material for the latter to over 100 students. Her goal is to continue to spread her passion for improving positivity and reducing negativity through educating others on practices aimed to improve their building design, construction, and operation mindset.

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