October News
School Year Is in Full Swing 

Dwight R. Photo by Kathy Syvertsen

SKS Senior Dwight R. recently received notice that, as a result of his scores on his PSATs, he has been awarded recognition as an Outstanding Participant in the 2012 National Achievement Scholarship Program. As a result, he is being referred to U.S. colleges and universities.   The NASP, which is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation, was initiated in 1964 specifically to honor promising Black American high school students. Dwight entered SKS in 9th grade and was featured in our July 2011 newsletter. (To see archived issues of this newsletter, click here.)

Students carry lumber at a Habitat for Humanity build

Storm King's Cougar Boosters Club added a new community service component to its weekly activities. Every Wednesday afternoon, the group travels with advisor Emily Boronkay to the Center for Hope in nearby Newburgh, NY, where they tutor children in one of the area's most economically depressed neighborhoods.

The Center for Hope was started by three sets of parents who lost children to street violence. They felt there needed to be an alternative to spending time in the streets for children after school, and so the Center was born. It is a non-profit organization that offers a safe place for children of all ages. The kids are all there by choice and the program is free. Currently, the Cougar Boosters are the only volunteers that come regularly, and it seems our students get just as much out of it as the kids they tutor. Ms. Boronkay says, "They love it, they're really excited about it, and it's a real confidence builder for those who sometimes feel like they have nothing to give." She continued, "As they hear these kids' stories, they will gain a perspective of how incredibly blessed they are." The Cougar Boosters are a diverse, bright, college-bound group of students and it is their "goal to give these kids a bigger vision for their own futures." Ms. Boronkay met the organization's director at a local volunteer fair and jumped at the opportunity to help.

SKS senior Amanda F. added, "It's fun! We help kids with homework support, and sometimes we play games with them. They really appreciate it."

In a separate, but related, initiative, a new weekend activities curriculum requires all students to participate in at least two scheduled weekend community service trips a year. Ms. Boronkay organizes these trips as well and has planned outings this trimester to a Special Olympics event, a Habitat for Humanity build, a hiking trail clean-up, the Walk to Fight Hunger, a Hudson River clean-up, and a Lion's Club run. Additional volunteer opportunities are already in the works for the next two trimesters.

Students put their training to the test

The Storm King School's newly revived Crew team placed second in the four-person boat race and third in the eight-person boat race against the North Rockland Rowing Club and the Newburgh Rowing Club in their first race of the season. In all, there were five races with about five boats in each race. The SKS crew team competed again on October 2nd in Ringwood, NJ, against Suffern and the Newburgh Rowing Club and placed 3rd and 4th in both races. "Suffern won the Hudson Valley League last spring, but we were not far behind them," said

The team pulls together

Coach Stephanie Frank. Their largest race this season will take place in Philadelphia at the Head of the Schuylkill on October 30th.

Steven Q. and Evan E. practice color theory during Introduction to Art class

 SKS is well-known for its outstanding Performing, Visual, and Creative Arts. Every year, some of our seniors are accepted to some of the finest arts colleges and institutes in the country. These programs did not miss a beat this fall, as Intro Art students launched into preliminary studies, AP Studio Art students reviewed goals for their portfolios, students initiated or continued instrumental classes, the film-making and music studios initiated new projects, and the cast and crew of our fall theatre production began rehearsals. (There will be more about SKS's fall Shakespeare theatre production in next month's newsletter.)

Art students engage in traditional paper box study

The Office of Admissions cordially invites you to attend an Open House for prospective students and their families. The Open House will begin in Orr Commons at the center of The Storm King School campus.

This Open House will provide an opportunity to tour our beautiful campus and peek in on classes. There will be plenty of time to answer your questions about the School. You are invited to join us for lunch prepared with care by our own Chef Moises of the Culinary Institute of America. Enjoy fresh and local foods in our dining room, which overlooks the Hudson River.    

Open House Schedule:
10:00   Tour of Campus
11:15     SKS Video
11:30    Overview of Application Process and General Question
                and Answer Session
12:10    Lunch

1:00      Open House Concludes
 
Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.
314 Mountain Road
Cornwall on Hudson, NY 12520
845-534-9860
admissions@sks.org

Saturday, November 12, 2011    10:00 am-12:00 pm

Saturday, December 3, 2011    10:00 am-12:00 pm

Saturday, January 21, 2012    10:00 am-12:00 pm       

These Open Houses start in Orr Commons in the center of The Storm King School campus.  We will start with a tour of the campus after brief welcoming remarks.  You will learn about the School and its programs.  After the tour, you will see a short video about the School and participate in a discussion about the application process. Families attending Monday Open Houses only will be invited to stay for lunch.  

It is helpful if you call (845-534-9860) to register in advance.