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April 2012
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April News
Spring Events On-Campus and Abroad
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Unseasonably warm temperatures have brought an early spring to the mountain. Cheerful daffodils have come and gone, and redbuds bloom in the nearby woods. While the Bell Tower is a popular hang-out year round, learners now find themselves lingering longer in all outside venues. An urgency begins to fill in empty spaces as students and educators alike realize that time together is limited. Teachers press to cover more material before exams. Coaches squeeze in drills before facing rivals. Seniors dare to wonder what their lives will be like next year.
This morning, students celebrated Earth Day with campus beautification projects. In groups, they raked, weeded, and mulched flower beds, planted flowers, built new wood-framed plant beds for the vegetable garden, lined the main athletic field, painted a mural, built a fire pit, and cleared brush to make way for a campsite to be used by the Outdoor Adventure Program. Students and faculty worked hard all morning and it shows. The campus looks great! A well-deserved BBQ picnic lunch on the Ledoux Terrace rounded out the morning.
The Office of Admission cordially invites prospective students and their families to attend an Open House. All Open Houses begin in Orr Commons in the center of campus (follow signs) at 10:00 AM promptly. After brief welcoming remarks, you will tour our beautiful campus and receive a description of our programs. You will see a short video and participate in a discussion about the application process. Closing remarks will take place about 12:00. Please call 845-534-9860 to request more information or leave your name and telephone number to register.
For a more personal look at the School, you are invited to arrange a Student for a Day visit. Prospective students arrive in the morning and shadow a current student, attending classes and meeting current students and faculty. The visiting student goes to lunch with his or her host student and then returns to the Admissions Office for an interview. These visits are the best way for a prospective student to get a feel for the School. Hurry! There are only a few weeks left to see classes in action. Student for a Day visits are offered only through the third week in May.
It is not too late to apply. SKS accepts applications on a rolling basis, as long as there is space.
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 | Students Travel to France During Spring Break |
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Tour Includes Van Gogh's Home and Beaches of Normandy
A group of Storm King students and chaperones spent Spring Break exploring France. Assistant Dean of Academics Harold Heno and his wife, Jennifer, organized and chaperoned the trip. They spent 10 glorious days immersed in the French lifestyle, ascending the Eiffel Tower, cruising the River Seine, and touring Notre Dame, the Moulin Rouge, the Louvre, the Roman Baths, and an amphitheatre, to mention just a few of the many highlights. To read more about their adventures, click here.
Next year's trip is already in the works. As of now, the plan is a tour of Bavaria, Switzerland, Austria, and Hungary.
Photos courtesy of Harold Heno. |
| Classes Provide Water Quality Measures to the DEC
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Students Survey Eel Populations Along the Hudson River
Biology and Environmental Science teacher Jim Uhlig's classes performed some hands-on service for the Department of Conservation recently when they completed an eel survey on the Hudson River. They analyzed marine species that had been netted, paying particular attention to eels, which they counted and measured. The eels were in the midst of their annual migration up from the Caribbean, and their presence provided an indication of ecosystem quality. Students also took other measures of water quality, such as the temperature of the water, the presence of other species, etc. Kara K '12 found the service to be educational and fun. "I never knew how many eels there could be in a small stretch of river!" she exclaimed. |
| Winter Issue of The Voice Has Been Released |
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Student Literary/Arts Magazine Is Available Online
 "Cabin Fever" is the theme of SKS's Winter 2011 issue. It is filled with short stories, poems, drawings, paintings, photography, cartoons, and more. Check it out by clicking here. |
| Broadway Production Supplements Students' Literary Experiences |
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Students Call Death of a Salesman Powerful
Many students and faculty recently went to New York City to see the Broadway classic Death of a Salesman. Attending the show was one of SKS's many cultural activities, and it tied in with English classes that were reading the play. Students found the stage performance to be dynamic and powerful. Nick Q '12 had read the play three times and seen the movie but enjoyed the stage production of Death of a Saleman much better. He felt it gave him a deeper understanding of the characters' points of view. Brandon F '13 has seen dozens of Broadway shows but felt Death of a Salesman was one of the best. "Seeing Philip Seymour Hoffman up close and in person was wonderful," he raved. Brandon brought home a souvenir of the show, the character Happy's autograph.
SKS benefits from an ideal location; it is within an hour's ride from New York City, yet the campus is surrounded by a 6,000-acre safe and beautiful "outdoor classroom." To read about other trips, click here to see our previous newsletters.
Photo courtesy of Jeremy Freeman.
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| Second Annual Career Day |
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Alumni/ae Return to Share Their Experiences
SKS's March 30th Career Day presenters included a Harvard Medical School professor/ neuroscientist, a University of Massachusetts professor, a museum professional, a photography studio director, and a young alumna on the path to finding her vocation. Our special guests explained in a panel discussion in front of the whole school the twists and turns they took to where they are today. They each emphasized the importance of choosing a career in a field they love, and they advised current students not to be discouraged if they are unsure of what they want to do. This was especially welcome advice for our seniors, who are graduating on June 2nd and are going off to college in the fall. The presenters were invited to dine in Orr Commons, and many students took advantage of opportunities to speak with them one-on-one. For more on Career Day, click here.  |
| SKS Women Educate and Empower |
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Group Discusses Issues Facing Women Near and Far
 Storm King's Women's Group, 2Xist (pronounced "two exist"), aims to empower girls, educate and expand awareness of women's issues, and promote self-esteem and healthy living. The girls are divided into a younger group and an older group, and they meet bi-weekly during lunch. They have discussed transitioning to college life, how women are portrayed in the media, how to get along better with one another, nutrition, and other topics. The girls keep journals and, if there is a topic too personal to bring up with the group, they can use the journals to write notes to their advisors, who then write a response. Advisor Michelle Martinetti says, "It is so important that girls... have a safe place to talk about... issues affecting them as young women, especially in a boarding school environment... when social pressures, gender-role expectations, and wavering self-esteem are major players in their lives."
The girls organized a fundraiser to earn money for field trips and guest speakers. They raised about $3500 selling "BeadforLife" jewelry. BeadforLife is a non-profit organization that supports impoverished women in Uganda. The group participated in a Habitat for Humanity Women's Build and a horseback riding field trip. Advisor Irene Seguin writes, "The girls learn that in spite of seemingly insurmountable differences in race, beliefs, class and culture, they share so many similarities.... Exposure to global issues facing women educates them to the world beyond the campus."
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| Parents' Weekend Performances Showcase Talent and Effort |
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Piano, Chorus, Dance, ASL, & Film-Making Included
On April 13th, students, families, and friends were treated to a presentation featuring a wide range of talents from the Performing and Creative Arts departments. First, Martin Smith's students each presented thirteen piano snippets ranging from Bach's "Two part Invention No.4 in D minor" to Lizst's "Hungarian Rhapsody." The performers kept their varied and delightful selections short to provide time for what was to come, and the audience was hooked. Members of the Chorus impressed the crowd with wonderful solos, causing a decibel increase in audience appreciation. Next, the advanced American Sign Language class awed the audience with an interpretation of "Beautiful." Just as the audience was savoring the "feel good" moment, the cast of the upcoming spring musical (see below) came onstage and provided a preview of some of their delightful dance numbers, again drawing enthusiastic applause. Then, the advanced dancers, including one senior who is destined for The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan, took the stage. Again, the audience responded with great appreciation. The Creative Arts Department presented three student written and produced videos, "A Ghost Tale," "Awesome Spray," and "The Thinker," complete with student and faculty acting and special effects, which had the audience glued to the screen and howling with laughter.  The arts are a big part of the SKS experience for many students, and Parents' Weekend gave students and faculty an opportunity to display some of this year's accomplishments.
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| Spring Sports Season off to a Good Start |
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Teams Are Developing Skills and Competing
SKS's "no cut" sports policy (everyone plays) gives students an opportunity to join any team, providing a combination of experienced returning players as well as eager rookies. This year, the boys' tennis team is showing promise with the addition of some new players, and the first girls' tennis team in recent years is developing their skills. The unseasoned co-ed golf team is practicing at West Point's golf course and showing passion against varsity players. After winning a recent game, the girls' softball team is hoping for a strong season. Many of the fall's crew team members returned for spring competition, providing strength and confidence. Boys' lacrosse is a powerful force with many returning players and is undefeated thus far this season.
For a wrap-up of winter sports, click here to read "Winter Athletes Honored at Awards Ceremony."
Photos courtesy of Amanda Penecale and Billy Shovan.
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| Save the Date! |
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Spring Musical: The Drowsy Chaperone
The Storm King School's Department of Performing Arts will present The Drowsy Chaperone on May 18, 19, & 20 in the Walter Reade, Jr., Theatre. Evening performances are at 7:30 PM and the Sunday matinee is at 2:00 PM. Twenty-five students are involved in the production, which includes many dance numbers. Performing Arts Department Chair Anne Fulton offers this synopsis: "To chase his blues away, a modern day musical theatre addict known simply as 'Man in Chair' drops the needle on his favorite record--the 1928 musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone. From the crackle of his hi-fi, the uproariously funny musical magically bursts to life on stage, telling the tale of a pampered Broadway starlet who wants to give up show business to get married, her producer who sets out to sabotage the nuptials, her chaperone, the debonair groom, the dizzy chorine, the Latin lover, and a pair of gangsters who double as pastry chefs. Man in Chair's infectious love of The Drowsy Chaperone speaks to anyone who has ever been transported by the theatre." For tickets and information, please call (845) 534-4135.
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| Open House on Saturday, April 28
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Tour, Video, & Discussion with Students & Faculty
 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. After the tour, you will see a short video about the School and participate in a discussion about the application process. There will be plenty of time to answer your questions about the School.
Open House Schedule:
10:00 Tour of Campus
11:15 SKS Video
11:30 Overview of Application Process and General Question
and Answer Session
12:00 Closing Remarks
Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.
314 Mountain Road
Cornwall on Hudson, NY 12520
845-534-9860
admissions@sks.org
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| For Your Calendar
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Upcoming Open Houses
Saturday, May 10, 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Saturday, June 23, 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Open Houses start in Orr Commons in the center of The Storm King School campus. We will begin 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.
It is helpful if you call (845-534-9860) to register in advance.
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| Check Out Our School Video
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Inside America Visits The Storm King School
Click here to view our new school video.
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See you soon!
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SKS students and faculty gather on top of Storm King Mountain.
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| | Founded in 1867, The Storm King School celebrates a long tradition of helping students translate potential into success as they prepare for college and meaningful lives. Through academic classes, outstanding fine and performing arts, competitive and club sports, and interesting extracurricular activities, the faculty and staff offer students in grades 8-12 opportunities to enrich themselves through learning and confidence building. For college-bound students with learning differences, a small (35 students) school-within-a-school program called The Mountain Center, offers specialized, differentiated instruction in up to four core classes. Mountain Center students are full participants in the SKS community. In addition, The Learning Center offers support to any SKS student who needs extra help with study and organizational skills. Boarding and day options are available.
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Contact Information
To visit us on the web, click here.
Click here to see our new school video.
Email: admissions@sks.org
Phone: 800-225-9144 (in the U.S.) or 845-534-9860
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