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October 2012 |
October News
Fall Joys in a Stunning Landscape |
 | | Photography Class (photo courtesy of A Penecale) |
 | | Fishkill Orchards (photo courtesy of A Penecale) |
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Autumn is starting to make its presence known on the mountain. Sugar maple trees are turning shades of red and gold, and leaves are beginning to fall. Routines are growing familiar, friendships are developing, and academic horizons are expanding.
The fine fall weather has prompted outdoor photography class and science field trips. Weekend activities have included apple-picking, hiking, rock-climbing, walking at an outdoor sculpture park, and enjoying foods and fun at regional fairs and festivals. Clear evenings have provided opportunities for multiple viewings from the campus telescope in the Cobbs-Matthiessen Observatory. The Moon Festival was celebrated with moon cakes and other sweets.
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. Families attending this Monday Open House will be invited to join the campus community for lunch. Closing remarks will take place about 1:00. Please call 845-534-9860 to request more information or leave your name and telephone number to register.
 | | Rocking Horse Ranch (photo courtesy of M Koby) |
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Environmental Science Class Studies Hudson River |
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Students Add to Ongoing Research Studies
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Hudson River Studies (photo by Justin R)
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On Thursday, October 04, SKS Environmental Science students joined hundreds of students from up and down the Hudson for "A Day in the Life of the Hudson River," a project sponsored by the Department of Environmental Conservation. It is run in conjunction with Hudson Basin River Watch, which coincides with National Estuaries Day and World Water Monitoring Day.
Biology Teacher Jim Uhlig and his students used scientific equipment to collect data about aquatic species, water chemistry, detritus composition, and more. Justin R '14 and Yuta S '13 reported that they caught white perch, eel, and blue gill with their rods, and they tested water temperature, salinity, clarity, dissolved oxygen, sediment, and pH. Their data indicated that the river is growing more acidic, which is a cause for concern because changing pH affects all marine species. They provided their data to the DEC to be combined with that of the other students and used for ongoing research projects that analyze trends and shape a picture of the Hudson River's ecological health. In addition to its research and educational value, the hands-on scientific discovery was just plain fun, as described by Justin, Yuta, and others on the trip.
Mr. Uhlig's students will make several trips to the Hudson throughout the school year for field studies to supplement their classroom lessons.
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SKS Creative Arts Center Encourages Young Artists
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Students Create Music and Videos Using Latest Technology
 | | Video Production Lab |
Creative juices are flowing fast in SKS's Creative Arts Center. Under the guidance of Director Frank Annunziata, students write, produce, edit, and publish their own music, videos, and multimedia projects. In Music Production, Video Production, and iPad Multimedia Arts classes, teams of students begin by writing lyrics and composing music for their songs, or writing scripts for their movies. After revision and editing, students begin what is perhaps the most fun aspect of the projects, creating the music or acting out their parts and filming or recording. Many reworks and special effects later, the finished product, which might be a musical CD or a movie, is ready for sharing.
Annunziata schools his students not only in past and present trends and the use of state-of-the-art software technology, but also in issues such as the legal aspects of production and copyright. Already this year, the music arts classes have produced many new songs from rap to pop, and some new ensembles have formed, including an acoustic quartet, duos, a pop band, jazz ensemble, and some classical groups as well.
The video arts classes are cranking out videos and digital art combos on a regular basis. The CAC students are in the process of building their own websites to showcase their accomplishments as well as posting on The Creative Arts Center YouTube channel and Soundcloud. To view some of their videos, click here.
Photos courtesy of F Annunziata.
 | | Music Production Studio |
 | | Dylan C Focuses a Camera |
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Class of 2013 Heads to Black Rock Forest |
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Seniors Retreat to Establish Goals and Celebrate Friendships
 | | Skits Parody SKS Characters |
Senior Retreat, under the guidance of Dean of Students Al Lewis, has been an annual tradition at SKS. After lessons on October 4th, the Class of 2013 packed a few clothes and headed into nearby Black Rock Forest Preserve for an evening of "no phone or internet" bonding activities and soul-searching. Despite rainy weather, spirits were high. Black Rock consists of 3800 acres of hiking trails, reservoirs, and rustic yet state-of-the-art dormitories and science facilities, as described here.
After a delicious barbecue dinner, Mr. Lewis and a few other teachers facilitated activities that began with individual examination of goals. The room was seriously silent as each student listed private goals for the remainder of the school year and beyond, to be sealed in envelopes and deposited in a time capsule that will be opened in May at Senior Dinner. Next, students were randomly divided into groups, and each group composed a skit describing some aspect of people and events at SKS. The room erupted into raucous laughter as each group portrayed typical school scenes, mannerisms, and expressions of classmates or their teachers. For example, a student portrayed Mr. Simontacchi bellowing, "Math is a lot of fun!"
The rest of the night was given to free time, and students and teachers played various games, such as Truth or Dare and ping pong indoors and flashlight tag outside, told ghost stories, and more. The next morning, Mr. Lewis and others cooked breakfast, and then the group hiked back down the hill to resume their senior year. "It was fantastic!" exclaimed Violet W. "The food was great... we were surrounded by nature ... it was fun getting to know teachers and classmates better."
It is typical for tales of senior retreat to be brought up years later at alumni events, and this year's experience provided a pool of both hilarious and memorable stories.
 | | Austin O Lists Personal Goals |
Photos courtesy of T Ferencevych.
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Save the Date!
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Preparations for Fall Theater Production are Underway
The Storm King School Department of Performing Arts will present Frankenstein, by Tim Kelly, based on the classic novel by Mary Shelley. Performance dates will be November 9th and 10th at 7:30 PM and November 11th at 2:00 PM in SKS's Walter Reade, Jr., Theatre.
SKS 11th and 12th graders and faculty read the novel Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus over the summer, and many teachers are incorporating elements from the classic into their classes.
Visiting Middle Schoolers may obtain a free ticket by telephoning the Admissions Office at 845-534-9860. For all other ticket information, call 845-534-4135. |
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Open House Monday, October 8th |
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Tour, Video, & Discussion with Students & Faculty
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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. This Monday Open House includes lunch, presented by SKS's own Chef Moises of the Culinary Institute of America, overlooking 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 Conclusion
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, November 10th, 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Saturday, December 1st, 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Saturday, January 26th, 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.
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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 school video.
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See you soon!
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 | | SKS students and faculty gather on top of Storm King Mountain. Photo courtesy of Taras Ferencevych. |
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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 (22 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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