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| Bridgton Academy E-Newsletter | August 9, 2012 |
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Hello from Bridgton Academy!
Hello from North Bridgton where it is hazy, hot and humid! As with much of the nation, we've experienced an unusually warm summer here at the Academy. Despite the warm temperatures, the level of activity on campus has not diminished. A number of new faculty and interns have arrived at Bridgton excited to begin their tenure, and renovations continue to many locations and facilities throughout campus. Most importantly, we are eagerly preparing for the arrival of the Class of 2013 who arrive on Saturday, August 25th!
Here is some of the latest summer news from North Bridgton...
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Bridgton Excited to Implement School-Wide iPad Program - As the world of technology continues to grow and change, Bridgton Academy is excited to be able to offer some of the latest technology to the Class of 2013 Wolverines. For the first time in Bridgton history, instead of receiving textbooks, each student will receive an iPad2. The iPads will come pre-loaded with a variety of apps including iAnnotate, Notability, Garage Band, iMovie, and Cloud On. Faculty have been working with their iPads throughout the summer to get accustomed to their implementation in the classroom.
"The Academy's iPad initiative is incredibly exciting," stated Fletcher Carr, Dean of Faculty. "Education, world-wide, is in a state of massive flux; in fact, in my quarter-century of work in independent schools, I do not remember a time in which so many changes have been afoot. The iPad initiative is important to the future of the Academy because it brings those changes directly to the students and faculty in a small western Maine town; we can be part of this enormous conversation on a continuing basis." "Moving forward, the iPad will allow us to more easily--both in and out of the classroom--engage in what the Partnership for 21st Century Education call the Four C's: Critical thinking and problem solving, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity and innovation. In this world, course content and new knowledge are no longer the keys to learning; our young men will need to leave with Bridgton with the ability to analyze, interpret, collaborate, and synthesize, and the iPad is, in our minds, the best tool that our faculty can use to reach these critically important learning goals," explained Mr. Carr. Student iPads will be purchased through their expense accounts, and as such, each student will be able to keep their iPad2 at the end of the year.
The iPad initiative was a joint effort that came to fruition as a result of work and research conducted by Academy staff and trustees. A special thanks to the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees for providing generous gifts to help support the purchase of the faculty machines and for their commitment to moving this program forward.
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Bridgton Welcomes Additional New Faculty for 2012-13 School Year
With the 2012-13 school year beginning in just a few weeks, several new staff members have been hired and are eager to begin their work with our students.
Ray Stauble has been hired as our new Dean of Students, and comes to Bridgton Academy with 27 years of high school teaching and coaching experience, primarily at Westbrook High School in Maine. Ray will be a major presence on campus. Not only will he be responsible for traditional Dean of Students supervisory and major rules enforcement duties, he will also be equally involved in the lives of our students, including various student activities and opportunities. Ray will continue his teaching career at BA, as well. Ray lives locally with his family in nearby Harrison, where he and his wife, Barbara, own the Greenwood Manor Inn.
Karen Cole has been hired as one of two new part time College Counselors. Karen comes to BA with an impressive and varied wealth of leadership experience in management, strategic planning, public relations, and communications. Karen, her husband, Sven - the Director of Institutional Advancement at BA - and their two daughters live on campus in O'Brien House.
Sue Rock joins Bridgton as our new School Nurse. Sue is a very accomplished R.N. who has a wealth of previous experience. Over the last 15 years alone, Sue has worked as a Case Manager for Western Maine Home Health Care, as a Health Occupations Instructor for Lake Region Vocational Center, and most recently as an R.N. Case Manager for Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice. Sue and her husband, Ed, live locally within a mile of the BA campus.
Andrew Leach has been hired in an Intern role as Assistant Athletic Director/Assistant Lacrosse Coach. A graduate of the University of New England, Andrew comes to BA with a solid resume of experience. Andrew has worked as an Assistant Lacrosse Coach at the University of New England and also has professional experience at Islesboro (ME) High School, where he has been working as both their Director of Athletics and Physical Education teacher. Andrew will reside on campus.
Stephen White will be working in an Intern role of Teacher/Assistant Football Coach. Stephen is a graduate of Morgan State University in Baltimore, and comes to BA with an impressive depth of experience in education, athletics, and music. Not only was Steve a Fine Arts in Music scholarship student at Morgan State, he was also an talented member of the University's football team. Since his graduation a few years ago, Steve has taught high school history, world cultures, music, and religion and has also coached football. He will also live on campus.
Bridgton extends a warm welcome to all of our newest faculty.
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Class of 2013 Incoming Student Reception A Success - On Sunday, July 29th,  the Class of 2013 Wolverines had the opportunity to meet with fellow classmates, Bridgton faculty and coaches, and Wolverine alumni at an incoming student reception. The turnout was fabulous, with over 70 families attending the event, and coming from as far away as Dallas, Texas! Bridgton guests were graciously hosted by the Colonnade Hotel in Boston, where Bridgton alumnus David Colella '71 is the General Manager.  Highlights included special words given to the Class of 2013 by Bob Bogan '83, President of the Board of Trustees, as well as a welcome speech by Headmaster Grady Vigneau. Director of Admissions Chris Webb led incoming students in a Bridgton trivia game, and those with winning answers scored some official Bridgton gear. Two Bridgton alumni, Doug Lyons '83 and John Jennings III '78 were present with their sons, who are members of this year's class. Other alumni who came were Eric Ericson '63 and Tom Geddes '11. Bridgton would like to thank all who joined us for this successful event, with a special thank you to The Colonnade Hotel for hosting us for this wonderful event. We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2013 to campus in less than two weeks!
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Our Newest Hall of Famers - As Bridgton Academy prepares for the induction of our tenth Hall of Fame class this fall at our Alumni & Parent Homecoming Weekend (September 28th-30th), we would like to take the opportunity to further share the achievements of this diverse group throughout the next few editions of the e-news. This week, we have highlighted Alice Colby-Hall '49, Waldron Fernald '23, and the Class of '91 Ski Team.
 Alice Colby-Hall, PhD. 1949 Alice attended Bridgton Academy as a high school student during the time when the school was still a co-educational four year institution. Residing in nearby Denmark, Maine, Alice was very active on campus during her 2 years at Bridgton, participating in a variety of activities such as sports, musical groups, The Stranger yearbook committee, debates, and other events. She was also a member of the Honor Society, ultimately being awarded a scholarship to Colby College upon graduation in 1949. Click here to continue.Click here to continue.
 Waldron E. Fernald 1923 (Posthumous) Waldron Fernald originally came to Bridgton Academy from Boothbay Harbor in the days when the school was a four-year high school, completing his junior and senior years at Bridgton. His sister, Carrie Fernald, was an employee here at the time. As a student, Waldron participated in drama, junior debate, oration, The Stranger board, and was also class secretary during his junior year. In his senior yearbook, the editor of "The Stranger" wrote of him, "...When it comes to brains he can't be beaten." Click here to continue. Class of 1991 Ski Team
In the Winter of 1991, the Bridgton Academy Ski Team, led by coaches Peter Gately and Bill Bearse, made Bridgton Academy history when they won the 1990-1991 NEPSAC Championship. The 1990-91 NEPSAC Championship skiers were Scott Leslie, Thomas Kendrick, Kyle Kennison, Jeffrey Weymouth, and John Wickenden. In addition to those five skiers, Thomas Fickett was the sixth skier able to compete in the MAISAD Championship. The format for the 1990-91 Ski Team was based on both a series of individual races at the state level and one team race to decide the league championships. Comprised of an A and B team, skiers competed at two levels based on their ability. Of those who competed at the MAISAD (Maine) Championship, the top five racers of the season were then invited to compete at the NEPSAC (New England Preparatory School Athletic Council) Division II Championships. Click here to continue.
Each of these stories will be shared during our Hall of Fame dinner on Friday night of Alumni & Parent Homecoming Weekend September 28-30. Invitations will be sent out shortly, so stay posted for further details about joining us for fabulous weekend!
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Bridgton Academy Online Holiday Auction - Although summer isn't over yet, cold weather will be here before we know it. Along with the cold comes the holiday season, and time for Bridgton Academy's Third Annual Online Holiday Auction. This is always the perfect place to score some great holiday gifts - from unique experiences to one-of-a-kind Bridgton Academy gear - while supporting a wonderful mission and cause. This year's auction is scheduled for November 23rd- December 2nd, so be sure to look for more information in the weeks to come! Have an idea for an auction donation? Please contact Michelle Cross in the Office of Alumni & Development at mcross@bridgtonacademy.org.
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Campus Beautification Projects - This summer has been the time for many projects on the Bridgton Academy campus. Not only is construction on the new foyer at Hamlin  well underway, the bottom floor of Goldsmith Dining Hall is being converted into Bridgton's new Residential Life suite. The Res Life Suite will house the Dean of Residential and Community Life, the School Store, the Nurse's Office, a student infirmary, and the Dean of Students. All paved surfaces on campus are being repaired and sealed, including a new walkway from the Wolverine Den to the main campus. Additionally, the beautiful spires atop Twitchell Memorial Chapel are getting a new and much-needed coat of paint. These campus beautification projects and facility improvements are a direct result of the generous philanthropic support of several Academy alumni and parents. Thank you to these supporters for their generosity and dedication - because of your support our campus is undergoing an amazing transformation. A sincere thank you from all of us at BA! Click here to view photos of campus projects.
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Annual Alumni Picnic at Crystal Lake - For nearly 30 years, some of our local four-year Bridgton alumni have gathered at Crystal Lake Park in Harrison, ME on the day after Labor Day for a picnic lunch. This tradition was originally started by the late Celia Tarbox Ballard, Class of 1930, as a way to get together high school alumni before many of many headed south for the winter. Sadly, this tradition becomes more cherished each year as a number of the older alumni are no longer with us. It is always special to hear the stories from these early years, and the day atypically ends with a rousing chorus of The Black & Grey Forever, Bridgton's school song. This year's picnic is scheduled for Tuesday, September 4th at noon. Although many who come to this event each year attended Bridgton when it was a four-year high school, we welcome any alumni who would like to join us and help to keep this tradition strong. If you would like to attend, please call the Alumni & Development Office at 207-647-3322, x1229 or email alumni@bridgtonacademy.org.
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Upcoming Events-
Registration Day - Welcome Class of 2013!
August 25, 2012
Alumni & Parent Homecoming Weekend
September 28th - 30th
Alumni Lacrosse Game
October - date TBA
Bridgton Academy Online Holiday Auction
November 23 - December 2
Alumni & Parent Hockey Game
December 1
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