| December 2009 Calendar |
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December 2
Picture Re-take Day
December 3
Upper School Holiday Concert @ 7 pm
December 4
Hearthside Holiday Gathering @ 7:30 pm
December 5
Admission Open House
from 10 am -1 pm
December 10
Doane Winter Arts Festival (Lower School art show @ 6 pm and Holiday Choral and Strings Concert @ 7 pm)
December 13
Burlington Holiday Tour 3 pm -7:30 pm
December 18
Christmas Mystery and Traditional Dinner @ 6:30 pm
December 21 - January 1
No School
Winter Break
Click Here for a Complete Doane Academy Year at a Glance Calendar |
| Highlight of Upcoming Events |
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Be sure to mark your calendars, as the next few months at Doane Academy will be filled with lots to do!
Upper School Holiday Concert
Thursday, December 3
at 7 pm
It is not your imagination. That really is the sounds of Christmas favorites spilling out of the door from the band room. The Upper School Band has been hard at work on some familiar tunes including "Holly-Jolly" and "Sleighrides" for our special seasonal events. Our twenty-two band members are excited to share with you the holiday's best songs and carols. We look forward to seeing you there!
Holiday
Hearthside Gathering
Fri., December 4
at 7:30 pm
Open to all parents and friends, this adult only event will take the place of our traditional Holiday Dinner Event. The Holiday Hearthside Gathering will include the culmination of our online auction, luscious desserts, fabulous wines and gourmet coffees. We want all our Doane Academy friends and family (adults only, babysitting available) to share in this wonderful beginning to the holiday season.
Ticket Order Form
Lower School Winter Arts Festival (lower school concert and art show)
Thurs., December 10
at 6 pm
Doane Academy will be presenting a Winter Arts Festival on December 10, 2009. The night will showcase Lower School students at their best. There will be an Art Show taking place before the winter concert for all to see. Light refreshments will be provided in the Science building. Art Show begins at 6:00pm and concert begins at 7:00pm with a reception to immediately follow. Tell your family and friends and come view amazing art and listen to wonderful music. You will not be disappointed. Any questions please contact Marie Darling at ext. 58.
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| New Photos have been posted! |
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Photos from the Halloween Parade, 2009 Burlington River Run, Pumpkin Festival and Family Thanksgiving Lunch have been posted on the website in our event gallery.
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| Alumni Spotlight
Ryan Ellis '05 |
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Ryan Ellis has been busy seeing and making his mark on the world, but has not forgotten his almamater.
While at Doane Ryan was heavily involved in the school community, was captain of three varsity sports and was
class president during Junior and Senior year. He most fondly remembers the four years he and fellow students spent helping to build a better school through various events as well as the infamous, "Saturday Work Days". Ryan urges you to come back and see the results of your efforts - a beautiful new Student Union, up to date sports facilities, the rebirth of the 3rd floor of Odenheimer are just a few on a very long list.
After Doane, Ryan attended Franklin College and the American International University and graduated in 2009 with a degree in communications and history. Ryan has traveled extensively throughout Europe and
Africa including places such as: the former Yugoslavia (studied invasion of Bosnia mid 1990s, the Serbs and
Croatians), Morocco (studied integration of Islamic culture in a EuropeanEnvironment), Czech Republic and
Slovakia (studied the culture and politics of the regions).
For the past five summers Ryan has returned to Doane
to assist soccer coaches (Yackel, Bobroski) in preparing
their teams for the PennJersey competition. Ryan has
also returned to host several events such as the 2009 Fashion show and the annual awards ceremony. Ryan is currently serving a three year term on the
SOG executive board as Vice President. His goals are to build a link and increase communications with more recent graduates and encourage more young alumni to stay involved with the school.If you graduated after 1999 join Ryan on face book via thehall2ktopresent or
contact him at EllisDoane@gmail.com to get involved.
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| Thank You to our Volunteers |
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Pumpkin Festival
Michelle and Brian McManus
Linda Aregnano
Renee Wisniewski
Savitha Raja
Lindsay McClellan
Pat Blair
Carol Vasile
Lisa Walker
Lisa Eastman
Mary Ann Sieb
Sarah Simpson
Chane Gilliam
Yvonne Perrottet
Kathleen Keays
Susie Haine
Ernest Haines
Jodi Albanese
Andrea Minton
Stacy Spatizer
Madelyn Quinones
Adriana Obando
Deirdre Cobb
Leah Simpson
Trent Eastman
Connor Newman
Jenna Walker
Tommy Simpson
Mary Jo Sieb
Chelsea Titus
Rachel Bell
Brett Keays
Becca Perrottet
Gabby Perrottet
Mary Burdowski
River Run
Cathy Siravo
Clyde Lumadue
Michael Wootson
Emily Curci
Jermall Keels
Robert Curci
Andrea Brown
Chance Van Sciver
Sue Gillespie
Paul Sanders
Mark Keays
Brett Keays
Jack Jurecko
Tim Sadar
Jeanette Siminski
Bobbi Becjer
John Corra
Pat Wexler
Denise Bell
Ron Monokian
Eric Blow
Stephen Gibson
Spartan Sports Club |
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Call for Submissions for Student in the News |
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Do you know of a student who should be featured in Student in the News? Looking to highlight student accomplishments in academics, atheltics, the arts, community service, travel etc.
Email submissions to sgillespie@doaneacademy.org
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| REMINDER |
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Lunch Menus and order forms, will no longer be sent home. You must download it from the schools website and send it in to school with payment. Menus will be posted mid -month for the upcoming order.
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Message from the Headmaster |
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 I remember a definition of "culture" from my days as a sociology and anthropology student at Notre Dame. Dr. Erwin Press was an expert on Mayan Indian culture. He would remind us that culture is "the total way of a people."
The culture we enjoy at Doane Academy is like no other school I have ever experienced. The spirit of community is so total and so embraced that our varsity basketball coach, Dan Williamson, was inspired to describe it with the phrase, "I am Doane." We have since sold hundreds of "I am Doane" t-shirts to students, faculty, parents and trustees. The "total way of a people" for Doane includes a sense of personal identity with what we have all contributed and what we have become individually and as a school.
It would all sound too homogenous or too conformist if the culture didn't also celebrate the unique interests and talents of our students and faculty. In other words, we are together as one community and culture in that we respect and celebrate our differences. (Dr. Press would be pleased to know his anthropology had such application).
Our "I am Doane" initiative that continues to find its way over some hurdles and through some open space is the expectation that students and faculty will take more ownership of the campus. School families are adopting garden spaces, student groups are signing on to maintain and enhance common areas in the school, individual students are volunteering to help faculty and staff members as an "RA" (resident assistant). Our inspiration for this initiative comes from cultural experiences we've had at youth hostels where "leave it better than you found it" is understood. We have also taken a page from some of the best independent boarding school traditions, including St. Mary's Hall on the Delaware. We appreciate the support and encouragement we've had from parents. We hope it inspires an "I am Doane" turn out for a Campus Improvement Day on Saturday, December 5, 2009. Along with everything else, we all own our beautiful campus and all of its leaves. Bring a rake and a child or two who has never had the pleasure of jumping in a huge pile of leaves.
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We thank God every day for all of the blessings we share at Doane Academy.
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Headmasters Scholars
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by John McGee
Doane Academy continues to be guided by its college preparatory mission and moved by needs and opportunities to fulfill that mission. We are pleased with the quality and quantity of our high school applicants these last 2 years, especially at the 9th grade level. Some of these new students and their families made the  final decision to enroll based on a need based tuition reduction. A few others, beginning last year, were offered renewable merit scholarships for the first time. It was such a successful recruitment year that the Board of Trustees has opted to establish a 9th grade merit scholarship program under the title "Headmaster Scholars." All rising 9th graders and new 9th grade applicants are eligible. The scholarship amounts will range from $1000 to $6000, based on achievement test scores, an essay and a faculty interview.
Unlike other schools who offer merit scholarships, our program will evaluate students in keeping with Doane's mission, on both their academic and their character/leadership potential. Headmaster Scholars' application forms are available through the Admissions office. The deadline for applications is January 1. The scholarship interviews will take place January 11-15. Headmaster Scholars will be notified of the awards by February 1.
Doane Academy's unique college preparatory environment is enhanced by the ethnic, racial, religious and socio-economic diversity of its student body. Affordable tuition levels, need based financial aid and now merit scholarships are an integral and strategic part of our plan to achieve the Doane Academy mission. |
| Fall Sports set tone for a great year! |
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By Justin Cooper
Varsity Women's Soccer 
Led by an experienced junior and senior class, the Varsity Women's Soccer team breezed through the Penn Jersey league schedule. Highlights included a win over rival Life Center on Homecoming and a tight loss to PIAA power Phil-Mont Christian. In the Penn Jersey semifinal, senior Brittany Achilles notched her first career hat trick to propel the Lady Spartans past Life Center into a finals showdown with Solebury School. In the finals, Doane took an early one goal advantage but Solebury had the equalizer on a penalty kick. During the first over time period Solebury buried a shot into the top corner of the net. While the loss would be the last game for seniors Wilhy Eugene and Brittany Achilles, the Lady Spartan soccer team looks to return to next year's championship game with a host of returning players and newcomers. Doane finished the year with 9 wins 5 losses and 2 ties.
Varsity Men's Soccer 
The Varsity Men's Soccer team was the epitome of heart and hustle which earned them a winning record. The highlight of the year was a mid season five game winning streak including victories over International Christian and eventual league runner-up Morrisville. Doane earned a first round playoff game but was beaten handily but by a healthy Life Center squad. While the squad showed glimpses of the future it will sorely miss senior leadership and goals from Bless Sherrill and William Robinson next year. Add to that, the graduation of goalkeeper Larry Boyd. The Spartans will look to rebuild and reload for next season with incoming freshman and some talented upcoming eighth graders. Doane finished the year with 7 wins and 6 losses.
Varsity Cross Country 
Once again, led by senior Raine Robinson the cross country team has quietly become a driving force in the girls division. Along with freshman Nyesha White and Christiana Sanders the Lady Spartan runners took second place at the Penn Jersey Invitational in September and earned a second place league trophy at the finals hosted at Mill Creek Park. Raine took third place and Nyesha took fourth place at the championships. On the boy's side, young runners Gareth Haynes and Tyler Heupel make the future a bright one for the cross country team.
Middle School Soccer 
With a host of new sixth grade faces to the team and led by some savvy eighth graders, the Middle School Soccer team had an outstanding year. The offense was led by seventh grader John Victor who led the team in goals with 11. On defense Jason Peterson and goalies Alvin Hall and Tyler Peltz preserved leads and eventual wins all year. Highlights included a season opening win against King's Christian and two wins each over Life Center and Faith Christian. The team will graduate five 8th graders. Kirsten Mullen, Matt Czyewski, Tyler Heupel, Jason Peterson and Alvin Hall will all make a significant impact at the Varsity level next year. Doane finished the year with 8 wins and 2 losses. |
| Doane Academy is due for a checkup! |
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As an independent school, we, at Doane Academy, are always interested in knowing how we are doing so we can continue to improve and grow. We do that in a variety of ways. In the classrooms, the teachers receive feedback on a daily basis whenever they assess their students. The athletic teams do so by checking their win-loss records or when they might win a sportsmanship award. As a school, we get very real feedback by our yearly enrollment figures.
 In addition to all of these, and many more like them, we periodically turn to an outside, independent source to look us over and tell us, through their unbiased, objective lenses, how we are, in fact, doing. This is our year to do this and we will be doing it by going through an accreditation process with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
To prepare for this formal process, the faculty and staff have been meeting since last spring doing a self-study covering every aspect of our school -- from governance to health and safety, from finance to curriculum, from athletics and extra-curricular activities to academic assessment, etc., etc. etc. There is literally no stone left unturned in this process. To guide us through this self-study, there are very specific guide lines that we must follow as we perform our self-study and produce our reports.
This spring, from March 16th through the 19th, a team of educators chosen by the Middle States Association and headed by Mr. Robert Walton of The Christian Academy located in Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, will be on campus to see, first-hand, if our self-study and recommendations are on target.
This process of self-study has been and continues to be an exciting one. We look forward to sharing the total Doane Academy experience with the visiting team next March and hearing their assessment as to how we are doing and their suggestions for our continued improvement and growth.
However, we are not waiting for the accreditation team's visit and report before we move Doane Academy forward. We have added an entire new computer lab since the beginning of the year. We continue to enhance our preK-12 Spanish initiative in a variety of ways; one of which is to soon begin having the entire faculty learn and use Spanish throughout the school day. This year we have an enhanced administrative structure designed to help the many and varied educational opportunities occurring at Doane Academy to move forward in a more cohesive and efficient manner.
If you should have any questions about the upcoming Middle States visitation or would just like to give us your input about "how Doane Academy is doing," don't hesitate to contact any one of the Doane Academy faculty or staff. We would be very happy to hear from you. |
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New addition to campus |
| by Pam McCormick
 Early in October, the long-awaited new computer lab opened in the science building. We are excited to finally have a teaching space where classes can meet to do collaborative research and writing, as well as prepare and share presentations. In just a few weeks, our teaching and learning have been enhanced by the opportunities of this in many ways. The sixth grade Earth Science class researched and created virtual volcano eruptions as part of their Volcano project. The seventh grade has researched, prepared, and shared presentations on viruses in Life Science, Canadian provinces in Geography, and explored Victorian culture via the Victorian Web in their English class. The eighth grade Physical Science students had a great time researching the Periodic Table and prepared ads to "sell" elements to each other. Ninth grade Biology students researched various biomes for presentations, and learned about invasive species and their impact on local ecosystems. History, literature, and science classes are doing research and learning how to evaluate and authenticate internet sources used for papers. They are sharing results of their research with classmates through the use of glogs, web-based "posters". AP Biology students have discovered review sites and virtual lab sites to help prepare them for the test they will take in May. The Statistics class is getting ready to research and study regression analysis using the computers. All this, and more, in just six weeks! |
| A New Teacher's Perspective |
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by Tim Henderson
 Prior to my arrival at Doane Academy, I believed that I attended exceptionally small schools. My high school enrolled less than five hundred students and my college had slightly less than two thousand. At times, I struggled with the scrutiny and closeness that these communities imposed on me. Now I am a few years older, a bit wiser, and quite grateful. I have noticed that students here have an even greater experience. There cannot be many schools where students are given the same encouragement and accommodation.
Doane Academy has given me a new understanding of "school community". A student in a school with a faculty-student ratio of nearly 1:7 is a fortunate one. However, these numbers do not do our school justice. Any school could remain small and create an illusion of closeness. Doane Academy distinguishes itself by executing its bold mission statement: "Doane Academy is committed to developing intelligent, capable young people within a school culture where students are known, loved, and strongly encouraged to realize their full potential".
The small size and great resources available at Doane Academy are what distinguishes it in my eyes. As a novice teacher, I remind myself to provide the experience the school pledges in its literature. Doane Academy will continue to develop into a superior school by demonstrating that the mission statement is a reality and not an ideal. Students and parents alike must be reminded to capitalize on this opportunity. I look forward to helping sustain this school's superior educational experience.
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