September 2012 

September News

New School Year is Underway 

The campus was bustling with activity on September 4, Registration Day, as students poured onto campus with families and belongings. Students moved from one station to another, processing the necessary paperwork and getting their first glimpses of what the new school year held for them. Scholars reviewed their course schedules, chose sports and activities, and moved into dormitory rooms. An iPad was issued to each. Some students renewed old friendships, and new students approached new friends with a touch of shyness, glancing into new faces of classmates and teachers who would soon grow quite familiar. A couple of new students had already "met" new friends through social media, such as Facebook.

The previous week, new international students had arrived on campus and spent their orientation learning the basics of life at a U.S. boarding school, breaking the ice with a myriad of activities, enjoying trips to a Broadway show, a museum in New York City, and the Hudson River in kayaks. All the activity helped them get acclimated to the time zone, the pleasant climate, and the scenic environment. This year, SKS learners hail from seventeen countries.

Although some students approached the new school year with uncertainty, by the end of the first week, they were feeling much more confident and eager for the challenges ahead.

 The Admissions Team cordially invites prospective students and their families to attend an Open House. 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. 

Photos courtesy of Stacy Graziosi and Amanda Penecale.

Teachers Hone Talents

Summer Faculty Development    

 

As usual, many teachers spent their summer not only "recharging their batteries," but also engaged in fulfilling pursuits. Visual Arts Chair Amanda Penecale released her first full length album, Time and Tide, which draws influences from folk and country music. Click here to go to her website. (Her students provided opinions about several drafts of the cover last spring.) 

Artist-in-Residence and Choral Director Jim Resink had a great summer on the French Riviera and in Monaco. He performed "Rhapsody in Blue" and sang Gershwin tunes. Mr. Rensink also hosted Metropolitan Opera tenors Nico Castel and John Fowler for master classes and performed concerts in the New York area with New York Philharmonic Assistant Concertmaster Michelle Kim.

English Chair Jeremy Freeman was inspired at the Institute for Writing and Thinking, an acclaimed program held at Bard College that is famous for teaching teachers of writing. Mr. Freeman exercised his augmented skills while working with SKS faculty during faculty meetings.

Learning Center Director Kaitlin Nolan completed her Masters Degree in Education and will take her Literacy Specialist exam this fall.

ESL and English Teacher Kristen Casey and Mountain Center Teacher Joseph Graziosi taught at the Vassar College Summer Institute for the Gifted. Casey taught courses in Script Writing and Humor and produced the program's summer theater musical, and Graziosi taught Chemistry, SAT Math Prep, Geometry, Web Game Design, and Website Design. 

Other members of the faculty attained personal milestones. English teacher Cory Bova traveled throughout Europe. Community Service Coordinator Emily Boronkay attended her son's wedding. Academic Dean Jonathan Lamb hiked the New York section of the Appalachian Trail. Director of the Outdoor Program and History Teacher Taras Ferencevych traveled to the homeland of his parents in Ukraine to recognize the incredible legacy that he had inherited, and also witnessed world-class soccer.

Campus Facilities Receive Summer Upgrades 

Breathtaking view of the Hudson River Valley from the dining hall

While students were away this summer, Storm King staff was busy with several improvements to the campus. New carpeting was laid throughout the boys' dorms, and the lounge in McConnell was expanded. New glass in the Orr Commons wall of windows enabled clearer views of the Hudson River and the surrounding landscape. The head-of-school's house received necessary maintenance and other faculty  residences across campus were spruced up. Improvements in the business office created a more welcoming space, and new paving provided a face lift to the business office road. Attractive stone walkways replaced old macadam paths near classrooms and offices. The campus wireless network was upgraded, and twelve wireless boosters were installed. Cell phone boosters were also added. As a result of lightening storms, the theater needed and received a brand new dimmer pack. A new wrestling mat was delivered to complement the burgeoning team. A new flat screen television was mounted in Stillman Hall to double as a Smart Board in the science and math classrooms.

SKS is proud of the quality and variety of the programs that it offers and is always looking for ways to make students' experiences even richer.

To view a video of summer campus improvements that was produced by SKS's Creative Arts Center Video Production Class during the first week of school, click here.

McConnell Lounge

New paths

Singer/Songwriter's New Album Includes Regional Lyrics

Save the Date!

Open House Saturday, September 15th  

The Admissions Team

The Admissions Team 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

Monday, October 8th, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM  
Saturday, November 10th, 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon 

Saturday, December 1st, 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon 

Open Houses generally 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.   Participants at our Monday Open House will be invited to lunch in our dining hall.

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