2013 -‐ Volume 1
Empowering Students with Dyslexia
THE COURIER
FROM THE HEADMASTER’S DESK Although nature slows down at this time of year and some wildlife goes into hibernation, the Kildonan campus has never been more active than it is right now. Construction on the new Assistive Technology Lab is nearing completion, we’ve established a new gallery of student art in what was once the Schoolhouse gym, the new solar panels on our Athletic Center recently started generating enough electricity to allow for energy buy-backs, and, just before winter closed in, we completed the work necessary to start planting in our new compost garden come spring. These developments constitute only the physical manifestation of carefully thoughtout program initiatives, which are launching Kildonan forward into a dynamic and creative future. (cont’d on page 2)
IN THIS ISSUE Science Fair & Art Expo A.T. Lab Nears Completion Dyslexia Awareness Month Elementary Update iPad Program Update Middle School Update Canstruction® Award High School Update Independent Program New Gallery Space Sports Update Residential Life Program Upcoming Events
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FROM THE HEADMASTER’S DESK (cont’d from page 1) The new gallery of student art showcases the fruit of an 18-‐month, ongoing process by which Sandy Charlap, Michelle Sorrentino, and other art faculty have trans-‐ formed what was once the “Art Department” into a top-‐notch “Visual Learning and Art Center.” Kildonan students now engage in a rigorous, college-‐level curriculum in which they discover talents they didn’t know they possessed and, in a number of cases, prepare successfully for elite art school programs. The Science Fair & Art Expo also highlighted Evie Wong’s expansion of our Music Program, the new Performance Art Program on which Christine Maraia and her students have collaborated, and the Project-‐Based Learning in the Sciences Program that Marcie Wistar and other science faculty have introduced to our students. But the Fair & Expo constitutes only the public face of the school’s burgeoning evolution into the world’s most unique forum for dyslexic empowerment. For an insider’s look, come visit our classrooms, labs, and studios on any given day, and come talk to ǡ ơǡ whose shared endeavors guide this evolution.
TALENT SHINES AT 2012 SCIENCE FAIR & ART EXPO The 4th Annual Science Fair & Art Expo was a great success! It was exciting for students to share their work with their families and a great opportunity for faculty and staff to reconnect with parents. In addition to presenting fascinating science experiments and inspirational artwork, students also had the pleasure of showcasing our expanded Music and Performance Art Programs. The talent and intellect of Kildonan students know no bounds and will continue to expand with the coming of our new Theater Program this Spring—see page 15 for details.
NEW A.T. LAB NEARS COMPLETION By Jamie Martin Coordinator of Assistive Technology What’s been going on behind that temporary wall in the Schoolhouse? The sounds of banging and drilling since early September have been a good indication that something big is happening. Kildonan’s new, modern Assistive Technology Lab is almost ready to welcome the many users of Dragon, Kurzweil, and Inspiration. The school has been integrating assistive technology into the academic program since 1998, and it has operated a dual-platform Windows/ Mac A.T. Lab since 2008. The current lab space in the library can no longer meet the needs of the growing number of students who are being trained to use A.T. software and devices. The new lab will provide the necessary environment for Kildonan students to learn and use assistive technology as they strive to meet their academic potential. The central lab space will offer a high-tech learning environment, while ten adjacent dictation rooms will accommodate students who are working independently. Other features include wireless Internet access, interior glass partition walls and doors, and a computer station with printing and scanning capabilities. In addition, a new HVAC system has been installed for a climate-controlled working environment. Chrome lighting fixtures and a palette of earth tones will complete the clean, modern aesthetic. If construction stays on schedule, the new A.T. Lab should be ready to open shortly. We are looking forward to the facility providing a new face for assistive technology at Kildonan— technology which has been proven to transform student lives.
-‐ Kevin Pendergast, Headmaster
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DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH INSPIRES US October was a very special month at Kildonan. The school came together to celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Month by participating in activities that reinforce the benefits of having a dyslexic brain and to take part in dyslexia awareness activities with other organizations in the area. On October 14th, close to 30 students and faculty participated in the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Connecticut’s Dyslexia Awareness Walk. A fun time was had by all. A few days after the walk, we brought the celebration back to campus by bringing the Elementary, Middle, and High Schools together in the new Art Gallery to participate in “Dyslexia on Display: A Celebration of the Dyslexic Mind at Kildonan,” during which students created individual collages to represent what it’s like to have a dyslexic brain. Here is a collection of some of the collages with comments from each of the student artists.
This doesn’t describe just me, but all dyslexics. Someone who is not dyslexic can understand the same way, but for us, we understand things differently. Sometimes that’s a good thing, and sometimes it makes things harder. Sometimes it can be a jungle out there. The animals in the distance represent normal minds, focusing on one area or subject to be interested in. The animals in the front, and the drawing of me, are willing to be something different and be unique.
My name is Piterson. My collage is showing that people from all over the world can be dyslexic. I am, and I am from the Turks and Caicos Islands. There should be schools for dyslexics everywhere, especially on islands.
My dyslexia means a lot to me. Every picture I chose represents a certain meaning. The first picture I chose, the polo people, represents the way I think my brain is sometimes: scattered all over the place.
I am from an island that is paradise. The turquoise ocean, the white-asa-shell sand, the gentle birds, the rainbow colored fish, the blue as the ocean sky, the relaxed mellow people, and the many islands that surround the main island are paradise.
The second picture, the Alpine mountains, I chose because it reminds me I can touch the sky no matter what.
Piterson - 10th grade
Bernardo - 7th grade
Things About Me as a Dyslexic. I am dyslexic and these are my strengths. I am good at playing soccer. I am in a league and I have scored seven goals. I am a good mid-fielder and goalie. I like to travel a lot. This summer I went to Barcelona. I am good at geography. I also like to study other countries. I think I’m a good storyteller. One time I told a story to my friend about going on a picnic where a squirrel ate all our food. It’s easy for me to put together scenes and characters. I like to make my own inventions. One time I drew a tank which had a gun that swiveled in every direction. I love having dyslexia. Quinn - 4th grade
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As a dyslexic, I see things differently. Instead of looking at the little details in a picture, I look at the big picture. When I think of dyslexia, I think no one knows me better than me, which is why one of my pictures is “No one knows you better.” When I think of dyslexia, I think of my graduation in four years, and how proud I will be that I graduated high school and will be moving on with my life. If people ask me to put dyslexia into words, I think “superior,” “strong,” “fascinating.” It’s almost like being rewarded. I think of having faith in yourself or being number one. I think of higher learning. I think having dyslexia isn’t a bad thing. It truthfully is a reward. Shannon - 9th grade
My collage might be hard to understand on how it relates to dyslexia, but if you look closely, you will find the connections. First of all, I put flowers because ever since I was little I have had to work hard to learn, and as I got older it got easier. I took it as being a flower, because every day you bloom and grow. I also put flowers to represent hard work. When you work hard for something you are sure to make it. I also put a bunch of words and sayings because for most dyslexics, words are one of the most difficult things, but when you start to understand them, spell and read them, you understand their true meanings. I also put in sayings because I truly thought they represented dyslexia. The reason I put a stream in is because dyslexia is a long journey, but at the end you end up getting to where you want to be. The reason for the light bulbs is because we all have such an amazing imagination and creativity inside us, that it just lights up the world.
Having dyslexia makes me good at some things. Sometimes I have so many ideas, it feels like a hurricane. When I have a problem, I come up with 12 different solutions. This is good because I always have a lot of options. When I need to think, I go into the woods. It calms me down because everything is so peaceful. I see stuff in 3-D. It makes me good at building. If I look at blueprints, I can see what it’s supposed to look like. I’m really good at putting stuff together. When my brother was little, he always asked me to transform his Transformers. When I made a slot car for a race, it came in first place out of a ton of people. These are my advantages to having dyslexia.
Danielle - 9th grade
Jamison - 6th grade
A lot of things are happening in my mind all at once so I think of my mind as outer space because it seems limitless. I’m artistic with cards and very athletic. I think the best way to describe my lifestyle with dyslexia would be the word “wildlife” because it’s the way my mind works. It’s not like everyone else’s. It has differences and weaknesses, but I use my strengths to their full ability to compensate. Joe - 12th grade
The last group of pictures I chose signify the way I feel on a day-to-day basis: relaxed, adaptable, and thirsty for knowledge. Filipa - 12th grade
There are so many ways to show dyslexia, but mine is different. When I see my collage, the chocolate and the drink mean to me that my dyslexia is sweet, and it can help me in many ways. With the iPhone 5 picture, it means that I can be as smart as I want to be, and that dyslexia will not stop me from reaching my dreams. With the monster, it means I’m not scared to have dyslexia. The stars show that I can think out-ofthe-box more, and see all the little things. If you look at my collage, you see what I think dyslexia does for me. Paige - 10th grade
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LESSONS IN COMMUNITY SERVICE
FORGET THE X FACTOR. KILDONAN HAS THE IPAD FACTOR By Jamie Martin, Coordinator of Assistive Technology
Teaching our students the value of volunteerism is an important part of what we do at Kildonan. Above is one of our Elementary School students visiting with a member of the Sharon Health Care Center. The Elementary School visits the Health Care Center several times a year.
When Apple first introduced the iPad just three years ago, we could never have imagined what an important tool it would become for dyslexic students. Way back in 2010, it just seemed like a big iPhone. Two (three, if you count generation #4) versions later, a lot has happened. Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS, has developed to include such integrated accessibility features as Dictation, Speak Selection, and Guided Access. Plus, developers have created many apps related to assistive technology that are extremely useful for our students.
KILDONAN IS ONE OF THE FIRST SCHOOLS TO USE IPADS TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION OF DYSLEXIC STUDENTS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SPARKLES IN WINTER By Beth Utter, Director of the Elementary School During our winter term, Elementary School students may choose to ski or snowboard for six weeks at Catamount Ski Center or to skate at the Millbrook Rink. The skiing/snowboarding program is run by the Elementary School’s parents, and skating is managed by school’s faculty. This is a fun time for all! Additionally, we have Club Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30, and students have signed up for embroidery, arts and crafts or woodworking. These clubs give students an opportunity to learn new skills by creating their own masterpieces! New clubs will be formed in the Spring, so check back to find out what they are! In the late Winter or early Spring, students become engrossed in a country study for approximately six weeks. This year, we are studying Egypt and will immerse ourselves in Egyptian culture, geography, history, and education. Our culminating event will be a festival which will transform the Community Room into Egypt, as we celebrate all we have learned with ceremonies, foods, games, presentations, and activities that will bring Egypt to life for our students.
Students in the Elementary School worked enthusiastically during the last two Community Service Wednesdays making chocolate covered pretzels, hot chocolate spoons, drawing winter scenes, decorating 15 dozen cookies, and decorating lunch bags that they packed with all the goodies for the local battered women’s shelter, home to 26 children.
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Four months after launching Kildonan’s 1:1 iPad Initiative, we can report that it is already a huge success. Teachers are able to provide students with more accessible learning materials, create their own interactive textbooks, and foster an environmentally friendly classroom that can realistically use less paper. Students can use text-to-speech technology to better understand written information, dictate words that they have difficulty spelling, and engage in multi-sensory learning through the touch screen interface. Specific apps that both teachers and students have found useful include: iWork’s Pages and Keynote, Inspiration Maps, Shakespeare in Bits, Explain Everything, vBookz PDF Voice Reader, and PaperPort Notes. While we are enjoying the success of our young iPad program, we understand that technology keeps changing, and we are devoted to continuous evaluation of iPad usage in our classrooms. In October, we held a meeting attended by both teachers and students to gather feedback about what is and is not working with the iPads, and the students were able to give concrete suggestions about how we can make the devices better tools for them. Also, we plan to hold scheduled App Smackdowns throughout the year, which are like open mic events where people can share useful apps with which they have had success. Through these collaborative events, we hope to make the iPad program even better for our learning community.
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LEADERSHIP AWARDS!
This past October, Diana King, Founder of The Kildonan School and Camp Dunnabeck, received an Outstanding Service Award from Parents United Learning the Special Education System, a group of over 500 parents of special education students, service providers, and attorneys.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MAKES LEARNING FUN & SMART
By Ken Borden, Director of Middle School There’s lots going on in the Middle School—academically, artistically, athletically, and otherwise. The 8th grade science class is applying its study of simple machines to invent Rube Goldberg-like devices. With books as dominoes and pulley systems raising all kinds of objects, they are having fun devising imaginative machines. The 7th graders will be using crayons to model the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. In humanities, the 7th graders are studying Chinese history and language. Currently they are practicing the art of calligraphy as well as reading traditional folktales. The 8th graders are reading “Of Mice and Men” as a springboard to discuss the manner in which race, class, gender, and ability intersect to determine individual privilege in American society. In History 8, they are conducting research on the framing and content of the United States Constitution, preparing to deliver keynote oral presentations to their classmates and invited guests. In art class, they are getting ready to build Calderesque mobiles that symbolize the Five Founding Principles of the United States and instances globally where U.S. principles are not in place. The Performance Group is quickly evolving into a trusting, expressive, and impressive group.
Georgette Dickman, a member of The Kildonan School Board of Trustees, and her husband G. Emerson Dickman, were awarded The International Dyslexia Association’s Margaret Byrd Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award, this past October.
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Middle School math has learned about prime and composite numbers in preparation for determining Greatest Common Factors, which will enable us to study the meaning of fractions and how to use them. Four students are currently taking guitar lessons twice a week. Three students are members of Kildonan’s Ski Team, while many of our other students play interscholastic basketball. We are currently in the process of revitalizing our Student Council, which is planning a number of activities. Life is always exciting in the Middle School as our students—when they look up from their iPads and their phones, and when they return from ski/snowboard Thursdays—make their way through the joys and demands of their busy schedules.
KILDONAN WINS RECOGNITION IN CANSTRUCTION® COMPETITION By Jeremy Robbins Director of Student Leadership We are excited to announce that a group of students from the Kildonan Leadership Team won Honorable Mention in the First Annual Canstruction® JR Hudson Valley Competition. Our five students, Sophie Thorpe, August Hunt, Filipa Serpa, Evan Donovan and Saeed Al Naqbi, did a phenomenal job during the competition. They worked well together, solving the inevitable design challenges that come into play when constructing with cans. The structure, which represents a cornucopia, incorporated over 650 individual cans. The competition featured teams of students in kindergarten through grade 12 who designed and built structures entirely from canned food. All canned food used and raised during the event was donated to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley and Queens Galley in Kingston.
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100% COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE RATE Since 2005, 100% of Kildonan’s seniors have been accepted to college. Here are some of the great schools attended by our alumni. Adelphi University Alfred University American University Anna Maria College Cazenovia College Clarkson University CW Post Davis and Elkins College Dean College Dowling College Eastern Conn. State College Fort Lewis College Ithaca College Johnson and Wales Miami Keene State College Kettering University Landmark College Lynn University Marymount Manhattan College McDaniel College Mitchell College Muhlenberg College New England College Plymouth State University Ringling College of Art & Design Roger Williams University Savannah College of Art & Design Skidmore College Southern Vermont College St. Rose College SUNY -‐ Delhi, Morrisville, Oneonta, Alfred State College, Canton College, and Cobleskill Towson University Univ. of CO at Colorado Springs University of the Arts -‐ London Washington College Western New England College
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HIGH SCHOOL BUZZES By Robert Lane, Ed.D., Academic Dean In the High School, the Winter Term brings the excitement of ski season, Ski Thursdays, and the post-exams Killington Trip! The buzz is palpable in the Middle School too, since they also participate, but it is the highschoolers who begin to see ski days as more than a day missing classes. Our Ski Program brings together hands-on teaching and learning, leadership, and fun as students teach each other, learn from each other, and help support each other to make good decisions. Whether students compete on the Downhill Ski Team, teach lessons, or earn membership on the Snow Patrol, there are opportunities to develop and sharpen interpersonal and leadership skills.
An exciting facet of the High School this term is the Independent Project Week. In order to be truly successful after Kildonan, we strongly believe our high school students need to develop more autonomy and a true personal investment in, and a deeper level of engagement with, their learning. That autonomy and investment are achieved through the authentic experience they have with topics of personal interest. We cannot just tell them what to do, or simply teach them how; we must gently guide them as they experience it for themselves. We’re going to explore briefly, as a high school community, how to do that during I.P. Week. This week will also give students experience in better understanding how they learn, where they need to work harder, and what kind of tools, accommodations, and supports they need to become more independent learners. We understand that this might be comfortable for some and uncomfortable for others; we will explore this together and work to build a positive learning experience for all. In addition, the experience will give all of us an opportunity to better understand and more fully develop the Independent Project, which we will pilot next year. (Please see article on facing page for more information.)
COMING SOON: ALL NEW! INDEPENDENT PROGRAM
SPRUCE-UP AMENIA
By Alli Gubanich, Literature Teacher/ LT Tutor As announced at Parents’ Weekend, Kildonan students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades will have the opportunity to take part in The Independent Project next year, an alternative curriculum that will allow them to earn high school credits through independent inquiry in self-selected topics. Rather than learn in isolated and largely disconnected segments, students will spend one week at a time researching and presenting their findings on a single academic question. The program, inspired by a pilot at a Massachusetts public school, synthesizes many concepts that have become points of focus in the academic program at Kildonan: independence, autonomy, personal investment, authentic experience, and genuine interest. Students who participate will still attend their daily one-to-one Orton-Gillingham tutorial, regularly scheduled math class, and daytime math study hall.
The program is comprised of three parts: the Academic Endeavor, the Individual Endeavor, and the Collective Endeavor. In order to gain credit for the program, students must fully participate in all three components. As part of the Academic Endeavor, students will work on developing, researching, and presenting findings on questions in science, history, literature, and art. Work will be assessed by the student, his/her peers, and faculty monitors, thus creating the most robust opportunity for selfanalysis, critical feedback, and inevitable growth. The Individual Endeavor will require students to complete a large-scale project of personal interest (e.g., building a usable structure, writing a computer program, producing a feature-length film, recording an album, writing a novel or play, conducting an extensive experiment, learning to play a musical instrument, etc.). These projects may or may not be tied to traditional academic interests, but will certainly be the focus of immense individual curiosity and passion.
This past fall, faculty and students volunteered their time and muscles helping to hang holiday decorations, weed, move piles of brush and rake the town playground. Most recently we helped to remove the holiday decorations we had so carefully put up. Our students had a lot of fun and felt good about giving back to the community in which they live.
The Collective Endeavor is a single project or initiative taken on by the group as a whole. The group must choose a critical issue in the community or world (e.g., poverty, human rights or relations, energy consumption, etc.) and create a solution or part of a solution. We are excited to be offering such a unique and progressive program, and we look forward to reviewing applications, which will become available in coming weeks.
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OUR NEW GALLERY SPACE
SPORTS UPDATE
ANNUAL GIVING
We are excited to unveil our new, permanent gallery of student art. The beautiful moveable walls were designed and constructed by Senior Evan Donovan and Facilities Director Tom Fitzmaurice with the help of the maintenance staff and Project Impact students.
By Blake Wynot Athletic Director, and James Scribner Modified Soccer Coach. Coming off an undefeated season last year, the expectations were high for the 2012 Kildonan Kodiak soccer team. Fortunately, the team was mainly comprised of returning players, so the promise of a strong season was palpable. With such a large number of experienced players, all familiar with their roles on the team, practices took on a competitive nature and players improved tremendously, gaining confidence in their abilities along the way. Trey Sauers filled the vacated goalie position admirably. Dillon Cosenza, Joe Dittus [team MVP], and Avery Garvey anchored the team’s defense that surrendered only 7 goals in 8 games. The offense was spread around between the 7-wo/man platoon of Saeed Al Naqbi, Christian Capilets, Mark DiRocco, August Hunt, Nate Lewis, Mary Volpe, and Piterson Ferdinand [Coach’s Award]. With the 10 other teammates, who improved tremendously and gained valuable playing experience, the team finished 8-0-0 for their second consecutive undefeated season. Kildonan’s modified soccer team had its most successful season in years, posting a record of 3 wins, 2 ties, and 1 loss. New and veteran players from the Middle School combined with a solid core of players from the Elementary School provided a balance of strong defense and steady offense. The future for the team looks bright with an influx of talented players from the Elementary school.
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Returning players from last year included “Steady Freddy” Osborn, Julian “The Battler” Butler, and Alec “Spitfire” Pifer. New players this year included Stillman Smith, James Hopper, Thomas Fitzmaurice, Amadeus Rule, and late comer Ryan Cicio, with a special nod to Elementary MVP Hayden Riva. The Elementary program continues to provide skilled and talented players that all contribute in a variety of ways to the success of the team. We have a lot to look forward to next season.
Educating a child with dyslexia is one of the most precious gifts you can give. Your gift to the Kildonan Annual Fund ensures ơ ǡ can continue to recruit and retain the most talented and motivated teachers, maintain and improve the campus buildings, and most importantly, provide the best possible programs and opportu-‐ nities for our students with dyslexia and other language-‐based learning ơ Ǥ Gifts to the Annual Fund range from $25 to $50,000 or more. Every donation demonstrates a commitment to Kildonan and its mission. While leadership gifts are key to setting the foundation to help us meet our goals, smaller gifts add up and are equally important and equally appreciated. On January 7th, the Board of Trustees announced a $100,000 Trustee Challenge. The Board encourages everyone to participate in the School’s Annual Fund. As an incentive, they will match every dollar given by April 1st with one of their own, up to $100,000. Please visit our website or contact Patricia Roberts (proberts@kildonan.org) to make a tax-‐deductible gift to our Annual Fund. And thank you! Your gift will change a child’s future.
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NEW FACULTY MEMBER DAN BALL
Dan joined Kildonan this past fall after retiring from an upstate police department having served for 20 years as a Patrolman, Detective, Road-‐Sergeant, Juvenile Investigator and Special Services Commander. During the early part of his career, Dan supervised an after-‐ school juvenile delinquency prevention program. Along with a few retired teachers and several recreation specialists, he supervised over 100 youths, ages of 7-‐15, each day after school, and 40-‐hours a week during the summer. Dan says “I can tell you wholeheartedly that these assignments involving youth proved to be the most rewarding assignments of my entire career.” At Kildonan, Dan performs many roles: Dorm Parent, Assistant Middle School Basketball Coach, Study Hall Proctor, and Guitar and Mandolin Teacher. He speaks Spanish on a conversational level, and for the past 6 years has been learning to speak and write Mandarin/Pinyin from his wife, Evie Wong, who also is employed at the Kildonan School. Welcome Dan!
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RESIDENTIAL LIFE PROGRAM RUNS TIMELY DISCUSSIONS
Students also attended a second walkathon in Waterbury, Connecticut, to raise awareness for dyslexia. Director of Admissions, Beth Rainey, who is from the Waterbury area, brought the experience home by introducing the Kildonan students to the Walkathon organizers and giving them a chance to speak up on dyslexia. It was a great moment for the dyslexic community and Kildonan.
This fall, the Residential Life team designed a program for boarding students featuring a different theme each month. The themes included Friendship and Bullying in September, Dyslexia Awareness in October to coincide with Dyslexia Awareness Month, Body Image and Healthy Living in November, and Family in December. The programs, all developed with the interests and needs of boarding students in mind, were engaging and encompassed a variety of activities both inside and outside the school community.
In November, the community’s attention switched to Healthy Living. The head of the Dining Hall, Lisa Mielich, was enlisted and introduced Meatless Mondays to give students a feel for not eating meat one day per week. A group of students also served dinner at the Dutchess Coalition for the Homeless for a full week and got a feeling for what it would be like not to have the benefits they have of three healthy meals a day. The month closed with a special program designed by faculty-member Melanie Felman and Susie Danziger, Director of Advancement, in which students shared in a discussion about healthy eating and then were challenged to create their own healthy trail mix using a variety of healthy ingredients. Students hope to see the winning recipe served as snack one day soon.
September’s Friendship and Bullying theme encompassed discussions on: defining friendship and bullying, how to cope with bullies and ways to prevent bullying. One special evening in September included a discussion led by faculty member Jerry Wall and Sandy Charlap, Co-director of the Visual Learning Center, specifically on bullying with boarding students. That presentation led to an all-campus discussion led by Upper School students to help the youngest members of the Kildonan community understand how to prevent bullying. In addition, boarding students participated in “Out of the Darkness,” a walkathon for suicide prevention in Saratoga Springs. The walkathon, led by Headmaster Kevin Pendergast, was extremely moving for everyone who attended.
NEW THEATER PROGRAM THIS SPRING We are excited to announce the inaugural season of our new Theater Program, headed by April Pendergast. The new program will join forces with the highly acclaimed Performance Art Program led by Christine Maraia. Open to all ages and grade levels, the program aims to allow students to explore their creative side with theater games in the vein of Viola Spolin, The Second City, and 500 Clown, and to allow students the space and time to hone their theater skills with skits and scenes from shows such as The Sure Thing, Romeo and Juliet, and Rapunzel. We look forward to showcasing students’ talents on Founders’ Day Weekend.
LESSONS IN DEMOCRACY
The year rounded out with December’s focus on Family – the perfect theme for the holidays! Students held a food drive and wrapped presents for the Dutchess County Homeless Coalition. It was a wonderful reminder to the students as to how lucky they are to have the people that they do in their lives. The second half of the school year promises to be as engaging and thoughtprovoking as the first half. In January, the theme is Girl Power and Male Identity. And in February, the theme will be Relationships. The highlight of October’s program included an all-campus event, organized by Co-director of the Visual Learning Center, Michelle Sorrentino and Jennifer Younge, Director of Marketing Communications. Students were given the tools to create posters depicting their feelings about dyslexia in both pictures and words. It was a terrific opportunity to see students of all ages working together toward a common cause.
This past Election Day, Brian Zolet’s government and economics students stocked up on lots of food and then monitored TV, the Internet, and even radio, to keep all interested members of the Kildonan community updated on the election results in real time. Students were assigned areas of focus. A hotline was even set up for folks to call in for updates. We thank all the parents who called in and emailed their questions on this educational evening.
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2013 -‐ Volume 1
CONTRIBUTORS We would like to thank the following individuals for their valuable contributions to this newsletter (in alpha order):
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BUY TICKETS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT KILDONAN.ORG. UPCOMING EVENTS 2/1 - 2/2
Kildonan Classic Basketball Tournament Tailgate Party on 2/1 from 5 to 6:30pm
2/5 2/10 2/29 2/24-2/28 2/25 3/1-3/19 3/21 3/23 4/15-4/19 4/16 4/17 4/18-4/23 4/21
Upper School Informational Tour Kildonan Community Skate Party Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences Upper School Ski Week Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences Spring Break Upper School Informational Tour Camp Dunnabeck Informational Tour Earth Week Upper School Informational Tour Elementary School Informational Tour Open Weekend Alan Alda Talks with the Experts
For more information on upcoming activities and events, be sure to check our online School Calendar or sign up to recent News and Sports Alerts on our website at kildonan.org and click on Calendar.
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Dan Ball Frances Borden Ken Borden Sandy Charlap Susie Danziger Jessica Eckert Alli Gubanich Robert Lane Jamie Martin April Pendergast Kevin Pendergast Beth Rainey Jeremy Robbins Yvonne Schutz James Scribner Michelle Sorrentino Beth Utter Marcie Wistar Blake Wynot Jennifer Younge Brian Zolet And thank you to all the students that make The Kildonan School such a special to place to live, work, and learn.
The Kildonan School 425 Morse Hill Road Amenia, NY 12501 845-‐373-‐8111 kildonan.org