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March 2013 |
March News
Europe, Drumming, and Spring Thaw |
 | | Students sledding |
 | | Frolicking in the snow (photos courtesy of J Carruthers) |
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Winter trimester has finished, and spring trimester has begun. Students made the most of wintry weather, and SKS's community still enjoys the photos as it waits for the last snows to melt and signs of spring to appear on the mountain. The March break provided opportunities for rest and relaxation, visits with families, and exciting adventures. Now the SKS community is rejuvenated and ready to make the most of the remaining months.
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.
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Spring Break Trip |
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SKS Travels to Switzerland, Bavaria, and Austria
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The group poses in front of Grossmunster Church |
From March 8 through March 18, Assistant Dean Harold Heno and his wife escorted a group of thirteen Storm King students through the Alpine regions of Europe. The tour began in Zurich, Switzerland, and then headed to Lucerne. There they spent two nights and a day exploring the old medieval city, host of the historic Chapel Bridge that was built in the Middle Ages and is still in use today. On the way to Innsbruck, Austria, they sampled fine Swiss handmade chocolates at Lederach Chocolate and loaded up on sweets to take home.
Next, they ascended the summit of Mount Pilatus, 7000 feet above sea level. Photos from there looked like they were taken from an airplane! They then traveled to Munich, Germany, in the Bavaria region, where they visited the Neuschwanstein Castle built by mad King Ludwig (used as the model for Disney's Cinderella's Castle) and watched the Glockenspiel ring off the noon hour in Munich Square. While in Munich they visited the Paulaner Brewery to learn how beer has been made for centuries. Outside of Munich, they had a somber experience at Dachau concentration camp.
 | | All aboard the cable cars up Mount Pilatus (photos courtesy of Explorica) |
After two nights in Munich, the group lunched in Luxembourg (Europe's tiniest country) and stopped in Saltzburg, Austria, where they toured a salt mine that was responsible for making Saltzburg one of the wealthiest cities in Europe during the Middle Ages. They then visited the home and actual room where Wofgang Amadeus Mozart was born! From Saltzburg, they traveled to Vienna, another home of famous musicians, including Mozart and Beethoven. They toured the city, visited the Interactive Music Museum, and viewed some of the most spectacular architecture of old Europe. After two nights in Vienna, they were off to Budapest, Hungary. Heavy snows had blocked the main highway, so they detoured through rural Austria and Hungary for a six hour bus tour of the region. In Budapest for their last two nights, they had a fantastic Hungarian dinner with live Gypsy music, cruised the Blue Danube, and explored the city shops and world famous Baths.
Whew! The group returned weary but thrilled by their adventures. Said Garcia X. '13, "This trip was a really impressive and joyful experience. Vienna was my favorite city. I just fell in love with its manymuseums, like the House of Music and Wiener Staatsoper."
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Psychology Scholars Put Research Methods into Practice |
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Students Test Psychological Principles via Hands-on Projects
As has been the tradition at SKS during the winter term, all students wrote formal research papers as part of their English and history department classes. Advanced Placement psychology students added a hands-on component to this project; students chose topics, reviewed the available literature on their topics, and conducted experiments or administered surveys related to their topics. Students used the writing process approach and Noodletools, a web-based program, to gather and organize their information, cite sources correctly, and finish their papers in APA style.
Katya A. '14 chose to research Piaget's stages of cognitive development. After studying Piaget's work, Katya replicated experiments designed to determine whether children ages three to six years were at the preoperational stage or operational stage. She filled two identical glasses equally with juice and asked each child if the amount of juice looked equal. (It did.) She then asked the children to watch as she poured the juice from one of the glasses into a taller, narrower glass. Although it was the same amount of liquid, the younger children thought there was more juice in the narrower glass. Katya administered several versions of the test; each time the younger children thought there was more in the spread-out material, even though they had watched and seen no change in the amount.
Dominique D. '14 researched the effects of colors on human emotions by asking participants to describe what they felt as they viewed color sheets. In researching how companies utilize sensory stimulation to sell their products, Linglin Z. '13 interviewed restaurant managers on the effects of lighting, aroma, and music. Eunice H. '13 studied sensory interaction by testing dorm-mates on the McGurk Effect, demonstrating that visual input interfered with what they thought they heard. Polina G. '13 administered surveys (known as the classic trolley dilemma) that forced moral choices in difficult situations.
Although the projects were a lot of work, they were very worthwhile. Students not only practiced research paper methods, they also put textbook principles to the test. First-hand experiences made studies more meaningful. |
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SKS's Creative Arts Center Hosts Renowned Musician |
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Student Workshop Features Drummer Richie Morales
 | | Creative Arts Center workshop with Richie Morales (photo courtesy of F Annunziata) |
On Thursday, February 28, 2013, at the invitation of Frank Annunziata, Head of SKS's Creative Arts Center, jazz drummer and composer Richie Morales came to Storm King School. Richie was the original drummer of the legendary jazz band Spyro Gyra, and he has recorded/toured with Dave Brubeck, Grover Washington, Jr., Stevie Wonder, Carly Simon, and many other luminaries of the music world.
The event took place in SKS's Walter Reade, Jr., Theater with CAC students sitting onstage. Richie shared the history of drumming with students, teaching them interactively by having them play along with a variety of percussion instruments. During the workshop, SKS piano teacher Martin Smith and math teacher Scott Simontacchi joined Richie and Mr. A. to play a diverse set, from jazz standards to a Jimi Hendrix finale that ended in a standing ovation.
"Mr. Morales is an inspiring character; it was amazing to play alongside and listen to such a legend!" gushed Alzira F. '15.
Added Dennis K. '14, "I was speechless. He taught a history of drums and percussion, but also showed different kinds of time signatures and beats being mashed up. His performance with Mr. A . playing Voodoo Child by Jimi Hendrix was unbelievable. I understood that he sure is a legend as I saw him playing the drums."
Up close and personal workshops with renowned artists enriches the curriculum and leaves lasting impressions. |
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SKS Visual Arts |
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Students Advance Their Skills
 | | Shohei N '14 shows his work |
The students in Mr. Carruthers art classes have been at it again, producing impressive works. The small clay "totem poles" and Celtic knot drawings are from Intro Art, and students in the Drawing and Painting class have been working on self-portraits. Other visual arts classes include Photography, Digital Design, and AP Studio Art. To view additional recent SKS's visual arts, access the art department blog by clicking here.
Classwork is supplemented by frequent trips to nearby museums including the world-class Storm King Art Center, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Dia Beacon, and more. SKS is fortunate to be located so close to so many cultural opportunities.
 | | Totem Poles |
 | | Celtic knot drawing by Gianni J '15 (photos courtesy of J Carruthers) |
 | | June C's Self Portrait |
Excitement is building for SKS's spring art show that will include selected works at nearby venues, including 2 Alice's restaurant in Cornwall-on-Hudson.
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Spring Sports Preview |
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A Message from Athletic Director Graziosi
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Running on the tennis courts overlooking the Hudson River
(photo courtesy of R Hecht) |
Spring sports are underway on the mountain. Teams are currently fitness training and working out in our indoor gym facilities while the last snow melts on the fields. SKS is looking forward to great success in its spring season with the addition of two new sports, baseball for the boys and girls lacrosse. The baseball team will play a full slate of games in the Hudson Valley Athletic League and the girls lacrosse team will operate on a club level with a seven game schedule.
The girls tennis and softball teams are both looking toward strong seasons with many returning players on both teams. Our tennis coaches have been training since last season to improve their coaching skills and this will help our teams improve. The softball team has most of its players returning from last season when they won their quarterfinal playoff game. Our golf coaches have devised a strategy to begin teaching the basics and build up to more complex skills.
 | | Snow melting on the athletic field (photo courtesy of J Evans) |
Both the boys tennis and lacrosse teams have a large number of returning players and should finish at the top of league standings and challenge for championships this season. The tennis team has five of its top six singles players back this season and, even though the team is still very young, this should carry them to the upper echelon of the HVAL. The lacrosse team has fourteen players returning from last year's HVAL Championship runners up and, also, is a very young team with only two seniors out of the twenty-three boys on the team. Both of these teams will be highly competitive for years to come.
It has been a good year for the student athletes, and The Storm King School is looking forward to this spring season with great anticipation. |
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One Act Plays Were a Success! |
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Students Experience Theater from the Director's Chair
Congratulations to the directors, casts, and crews of The Winter One Acts that were performed in SKS's Walter Reade, Jr., Theatre on February 22nd and 23rd! The plays, as listed in February's e-newsletter, were chosen, cast, and directed by SKS students, some of whom made their debuts as directors, and others who had previously directed plays at SKS.
Evan E. '15 commented, "I want to say that it was an amazing experience. It was hard working with kids in my own grade. But it worked out in the end. In all the craziness it was great. I want to make a shout out to my cast, 'YOU DROVE ME CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I love you guys.'" |
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Open House Saturday, March 30th |
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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.
Open House Schedule:
10:00 Tour of Campus
11:15 SKS Video
11:30 Overview of Application Process and Questions
12:00 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, April 13th, 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Saturday, May 18th, 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Open Houses generally start in Orr Commons in the center of The Storm King School campus 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 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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