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Life at School
A Photo Gallery |
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Rollin’ on a river – sixth-grade style
Sixth graders and teachers Jen Klemunes and Sarah Ballard canoed the Susquehanna River June 2 with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. They studied watershed, land use, and political maps of Pennsylvania and the Harrisburg area. By conducting their own hands-on macroinvertebrate survey, they discovered that the water is in good to excellent condition. The presence of sensitive organisms living in the river surprised many of the students. The sixth graders canoed close to Wade Island, where the egrets nest. Recent nesting by cormorants is stressing the egret nesting site. Students discussed what each person can do to preserve good quality water in the area, such as reducing water consumption so sewage treatment plants are not overworked and sharing their knowledge of the watershed with others so more people appreciate what pollutes the water and how organisms living in the water are affected by humans. Photos by Jen Klemunes
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Bienvenido a nuestro restaurante
Those fifth graders – and their teacher, Monica Velasco – really know how to throw a fiesta! With enticing menus and detailed poster boards, the fifth graders announced the opening of their “restaurants” using their bulletin board in the Lower School hallway. Then, on May 29, they held an official opening in the John Butler Davis Gallery with parents, teachers, and school administrators in attendance. Everyone had a chance to sample food at each of the locations. Deliciosa!
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Bienvenido a nuestro restaurante
Those fifth graders – and their teacher, Monica Velasco – really know how to throw a fiesta! With enticing menus and detailed poster boards, the fifth graders announced the opening of their “restaurants” using their bulletin board in the Lower School hallway. Then, on May 29, they held an official opening in the John Butler Davis Gallery with parents, teachers, and school administrators in attendance. Everyone had a chance to sample food at each of the locations. Deliciosa!
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Field Day a festive event for all!
Students from HATS to eighth graders – and many of their parents – took to the athletic field May 23 for a combined Field Day and Lower School class picnics event. Mild temperatures and sunny skies provided the backdrop for a festive gathering that included carnival games and even cotton candy! The event also included an “Art from the States” fourth grade art exhibit consisting of acrylic paintings, hand-colored photos, and sculpture. Each of the fourth graders created a work of art inspired by an artist, location, or type of art from the state he/she studied for States Fair. A special thank you and congratulations go to teachers Mona Northrup and Mary Mahaffey for pulling together staff and volunteers to make the day a success. Thanks also go to Chris Joyce, director of food services, and his staff, which cooked an estimated 600 burgers on the grill. Finally, we thank our many parent volunteers, without whom we could not hold an event such as this.
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Science is for the birds
Three Academy classes – Karla Sherman’s Kindergarten, Mary Mahaffey’s first grade, and Jen Klemunes’ fifth grade – joined other students from the region in Harrisburg’s Rachel Carson State Office Building May 22 to watch biologists weigh and band newly hatched Peregrine falcon nestlings. These three teachers, along with second grade teacher Mari Bender and Academy Technology Coordinator Marlynn Meyer – attended a PA Department of Environment Protection (DEP) workshop on the peregrine falcon prior to the banding event. One of our own students – fifth grader Sadie Todd – assisted the DEP staff in recording measurements of the nestlings. A pair of Peregrine falcons has made its home on the 15 th floor of the building since 1997. In Pennsylvania, the falcons are an endangered species and were extremely rare for many years. With a reintroduction program, these birds of prey have adapted to life in urban environments, often choosing the highest structures – office buildings and bridge abutments – for their nests. Earlier in the month, the Kindergarteners and first graders enjoyed a visit from the DEP’s Jack Forster, who talked about the birds’ migratory and nesting habits. The first graders used their interactive whiteboard to do some of their own mapping of falcon sites in Pennsylvania. They also created their own falcon replicas and poems. Photos by Jen Klemunes, Mary Mahaffey, Gene Trindell, and Linda Whipple
Samples of First Grade Falcon Poems:
Peregrine Falcon
By Ashwin D.
strong, hooked
diving, alarming, recovering
bird with powerful talons
bird of prey
Peregrine Falcon
By Luke P.
Pretty, gray
Pecking, hatching, flying
It flies 200 mph
parent
Peregrine Falcon
By Jack Z.
buff, speedy
diving, pecking, flying.
A powerful quick hunter
wanderer
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It’s a bird… it’s a plane…
… it’s the STATMedevac 13 helicopter! Lower School students and their teachers -- as well as Dr. David Buckthal and a few Upper School students – waited eagerly outside for the big “bird” to drop out of the clouds and land on the athletic field. To squeals of delight, the copter rounded the school building before setting down gracefully on the grass. Every student – from HATS to fourth graders – had a chance to view the inside of the helicopter. Our thanks go to HATS teacher Nancy Bowman for arranging the annual visit and to the York-based helicopter team for taking the time to visit us.
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Earth Day’s a time to celebrate and discover
Middle and Upper School students took to the great outdoors for Earth Day celebrations in April. Fifth and sixth graders tested water quality on the Conodoguinet Creek and at Wildwood Lake; seventh graders identified birds, plants, and trees at Gifford Pinchot State Park; and eighth graders toured the Harrisburg Water Authority and sewage treatment plants. In the Upper School, activities included environmental jeopardy, T-shirt painting, greenhouse sprucing, mural drawing, and planting flowers around a recycled bench donated by Giant Food Stores in recognition of our school’s recycling efforts this year.
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Traveling ‘round the country
Louis Lehrman Gymnasium was packed May 2 for the annual fourth grade States Fair. An institution at Harrisburg Academy, States Fair draws the entire Academy community – from students in all grades to parents, teachers, and staff. Just ask any fourth grader to tell you about his/her display, and you’re likely to learn amazing facts about everything from sports teams to famous native sons and daughters. Students dress in costume to illustrate some aspect of the states they’ve chosen. But the best part? The food! Samples of regional food are available at every table. You literally can eat your way through almost all 50 states.
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Just give me that ol’time music
Old-timey folk artist Bruce Hutton spent the day April 30 at school – introducing audiences to 20 antique and handcrafted instruments, including banjos, dulcimers, mouth-bow, washboards, tub-bass, and limberjacks. He told about the diverse origins of these instruments and their impact on American culture. With the Lower School, he shared the titles of books about old-time folk music and the names of people who became famous as musicians. In a third grade workshop, he had students playing the mouth-bow and limberjacks; some third graders also got a chance to play in a jug band! Hutton did a workshop with Upper School music theory students, too.
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The amazing, inspiring Chinese acrobats!
A troupe of five Chinese acrobats mesmerized students from 3-year-olds to 12 th graders during two assemblies April 15. Their feats of contortion and balancing skills brought “oohs” and “ahhs” from the audience. More important, the acrobats demonstrated what can happen when performers dedicate themselves to discipline, practice, and hard work. They were achieving to their full potential! We are grateful to Rose Ann and Dr. Norman Woldorf, whose generosity in memory of their son, Robert ’88, allows us to bring assemblies like this one to Harrisburg Academy. Thank you!
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Families explore their artistic sides
Academy families gathered in the Davis Gallery April 11 to share quality family time and discover the artists within themselves. The facilitator was none other than Academy art teachers and portrait artist Tina Reiley. Our thanks go the Parents Association for hosting this wonderful event and taking the photos.
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What a week of service to others!
The week kicked off Monday, March 17, with a cookies, coffee, tea, and milkshake sale by the Women’s History Month Committee. The $450 in proceeds will go to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Then, on Wednesday (March 19), the Global Awareness Club sold pizza donated by Pizza Hut to raise enough money for at least 30 family malaria nets in parts of the world stricken by the disease. The club is studying the global malaria problem as part of the National Association of Independents Schools’ Challenge 20/20 program. Finally, on Thursday, March 20, at an All-School Assembly with some parents attending and media cameras trained on them, 12 girls of all ages and US Biology Teacher Mary Toth bravely donated 10 inches of hair each to Locks of Love. Four boys, two teachers, and a parent had their heads shaved to show support. The hair-raising experience was a result of raising $2,800 in coins and cash for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients program.
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Vive Las Vegas – we’ll take those winnings, thank you
The Academy’s annual Blue & Gold Auction March 15 was phenomenally successful, both as a gala social occasion and as a fund raiser. Although we’re still counting, it looks like our school raised at least $120,000 in net proceeds from Vegas Vibe. That’s an all-time record high! We’d like to thank our sponsors once again, especially Platinum Sponsor Hershey Foods Corp., and our Auction Committee co-chairs, Joyce Kantor and Stephanie Otto, for all of their support and hard work. Thanks also go to the bidders – we couldn’t have done it without you!
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Learning to share a good book
Adults know that when you read a good book, you want to share it with someone else. Our Kindergarteners through second graders are learning the value of sharing good books early in their reading careers. Earlier this month, for Read Across America Day, all of the young readers brought books to school to trade with book buddies in other classes. Students gathered in the Gallery to select books appropriate to their ages and reading levels. After selecting the books, they immediately found a place on the floor to listen as their buddies read the books aloud. Part of the homework assignment for some of the students was to complete a worksheet explaining why they enjoyed reading the book they picked to share.
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Sharing their books with parents
Lower School parents had the pleasure of hearing their children read aloud from their own written work during the annual Authors Day earlier this month. Adding to the experience in fourth grade was a visual component – students brought in artifacts to represent their chosen stories and explained what they learned from composing a story. In Kindergarten, parents and students shared stories one-on-one – with many parents squeezing into the student seats or squatting on the floors and rugs to get close to their children’s eye level. The day had all the ingredients for success – with reading, writing, children, and parents all coming together.
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Training that may save a life
All Academy ninth graders were trained in CPR and AED March 13 as part of the health class taught by Chris Clark and Virginia Leary Getz. This is the same training that adults in our community receive to become certified in CPR/AED. Instructor Denise Yohn and her assistants from Holy Spirit Hospital led a spirited three-and-a-half-hour American Heart Association class (which included pizza donated by parents Larry and Vicki Warkoczeski – thank you!). Students learned the ABC’s of CPR response for adults, children, and infants. They also learned how to operate an AED ( automated external defibrillator) and what to do when someone is choking. The ninth graders’ CPR/AED certification is good for two years – after that time, they will need to take the class again to become recertified.
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Congratulations to our artists!
Harrisburg Academy had a strong showing in this year’s Scholastic Arts competition. Five Upper School students won awards. Single Gold Key winners were Amanda F., photography portfolio, and Mickey M. and Allison Z., art portfolio. Emma G. won a Silver Key for art portfolio, and Maike V. won both Gold and Silver keys for photography. In addition, Allison won the Art Association of Harrisburg Award and the Harrisburg Senators Spirit Award for Art; Mickey won the Clyde & Barbara McGeary Award; and Maike received the American Visions Nominee Award for photography. The American Visions Nominee Award is presented to only five students in the visual arts; selected pieces will go on to the national competition for further judging. This is the fourth time in the nine-year history of this award that an Academy student has been selected.
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Locke shares Native American traditions
Native American artist Kevin Locke brought the evocative music, stories and dances of the American Northern Plains to Harrisburg Academy February 8 during a full-day residency. A visionary hoop dancer and the preeminent player of the indigenous Northern Plains flute, Locke performed and told traditional stories to students of all ages. He also taught hoop dancing to fifth and sixth graders. In 1990, Kevin Locke received a National Heritage Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. He is Lakota (Hunkpapa Band of Lakota Sioux) and Anishinabe. “Tokeya Inajin” is his Lakota name, meaning “The First to Arise.” Guests from The Londonderry School and the Country Meadows Retirement Community in Mechanicsburg joined Academy students at the assemblies. His residency was supported by grants from Jump Street/PA Council on the Arts, The Greater Harrisburg Foundation, Target, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Sniffing out a trail
First and second graders had an out-of-classroom experience recently while studying a unit on mammals. Working in teams, they first had to sniff and memorize their team’s “scent” – by smelling a cotton ball soaked in a strong fragrance such as vanilla – and then they had to find the match to their team’s scent at various stations. Each station had a card with written clues to help them identify what mammal they were. The clues covered a description of the mammal, habitat, food, reproduction, and special facts. When they regrouped after visiting all the stations, the teams had to figure out the answer!
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Eat like a Roman
Latin students were guests earlier this month at a Roman Convivium. The feast was held to celebrate the Roman festival of Lupercalia, from which Valentine’s Day derives, and to toast the Latin V students, Dan F., Cameron R., and Max W. Latin teacher Kim Eckman cooked the entire menu – all served on bread platters and eaten with fingers – consisting of:
fericula (courses)
gustatio (appetizers)
romaine lettuce with celery, roasted red pepper, olives and an olive oil vinaigrette
mulsum (white non-alcoholic wine mixed with honey)
prima mensa (main course)
pullus with leeks
ricotta frittata (omelet)
asparagis (what do you think?)
dormice !!!!!! (chocolate-covered cherries in the shape of mice)
secunda mensa (dessert)
patina de piris (pear tart)
dulcia thebaecai (dates stuffed with pine nuts and swimming in honey)
Latin I (8th grade students) Rose L. and Stephanie K. served as “slaves”; Latin II and III students Nathan K. and Drew Y. were the young men assisting the vestal virgins; and Latin III students Aurelie T. and Philine P. were the vestal priestesses who performed the Lupercalia ritual prior to the festival.
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Academy welcomes MS grandparents
Middle School grandparents got a chance to see both the arts AND sciences January 17 at the Academy’s annual MS Grandparents/Special Friends Day. Musical performances and project presentations provided a glimpse into the range of students’ talents and abilities. Afterward, grandparents and grandchildren mingled with teachers and staff as everyone spent time examining displays and enjoying refreshments at the science fair in Louis Lehrman Gymnasium.
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Academy celebrates holiday traditions
Our holiday traditions – the annual holiday assembly featuring the popular senior class presentation of Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and the holiday concert at The Forum – brought the first half of the school year to a close on a festive note. First through 12 th graders demonstrated their vocal and instrumental talents and skills in an eclectic collection of both holiday and non-holiday music. The Forum audience went wild over the Upper School guitar ensemble’s rock arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon in D. For the holiday assembly, Max W. played the Grinch in highly dramatic style, while Chris C. garnered his fair share of laughs as the dog pressed reluctantly into service as a reindeer.
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A legacy of love
Early Childhood and Lower School grandparents and special friends were our guests November 20 for performances, exhibits, and treats. At the conclusion of the program, guests had an opportunity to visit classrooms.
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The play’s the thing
We know the school year is well underway when our students begin to present their class plays. Second grade, led by teachers Michelle Woodfork and Mari Bender, recently gave a rousing performance of “Nuts!” – a musical play that celebrates the circle of life. Third grade teachers Penny Quigley and Missy Meyer chose a Western theme with “Go West!” As always, the music department helped with the singing; Barb Gutekunst provided the stage lighting; and Debbie O’Day designed the playbill. All of this would not be possible, however, without the parents who help children study their lines, design costumes, and arrange for the cast party. Thank you, parents!
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Community Service Day benefits 20 agencies
From Harrisburg Academy Threes or HATS (3-year-olds) through 12 th graders, all students in school October 19 spent the morning helping others in the greater Harrisburg community. Projects included:
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Decorating bags for Caitlin’s Smiles, an organization that delivers art supplies to children in hospitals; decorating pumpkins for local nursing homes; and distributing blankets to area shelters (EC&LS).
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Games and activities at area nursing home/retirement communities, including Camp Hill Manor Care, Seidle Memorial Nursing Home, Country Meadows Retirement Community (Mechanicsburg) and The Jewish Home.
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Trail maintenance, tree planting and other outdoor projects at Ned Smith Center, Wildwood Lake Sanctuary, and Greenbelt Association.
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Stocking shelves, cleaning and other indoor tasks at Simpson Public Library (Mechanicsburg), Bethesda Mission, Salvation Army, South Central Food Bank, Messiah Lutheran Food Pantry, Volunteers of America, Interfaith Shelter, Dauphin County Historical Society, YWCA and the State Museum.
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Reading books to preschoolers at six Harrisburg City School District Head Start sites.
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Building walls and sorting wood for Habitat for Humanity.
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Ice Cream Social’s a cool start to the year
Academy families, teachers, and staff enjoyed perfect late August weather for the annual Ice Cream Social to kick off the school year. Everyone gathered outside to eat, socialize, and play. Photos by Linda Whipple and Sherry Andersen.
Gallery
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Adding a social dimension to adolescent learning
We kicked off the year with a new social learning program in Middle School called Developmental Designs. The program offers an array of strategies for keeping young people safe, connected, responsible, and engaged in learning. The Developmental Designs approach is based on the research-grounded belief that healthy, enjoyable relationships are the foundation for success. Middle Schoolers spent the first three days of school developing a sense of community within their homerooms and establishing a set of rules for day-to-day school life.
Gallery
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Set the butterflies free
Thanks to Joe Z. and his dad, the Academy’s two Kindergarten classes learned all about butterflies during the first month of school. All eyes were on the butterfly house where caterpillars munched on milkweed and eventually turned into chrysalises. After two weeks, a couple of gorgeous monarch butterflies emerged and were ready to migrate to Mexico. So, bright and early on a late September morning, the Kindergarteners and other Lower School friends gathered on the lower field to set the butterflies free.
Gallery
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A spirited Homecoming week
Crazy hair day and other Spirit Week activities culminated September 28-29 in a fun-filled and festive Homecoming Weekend. This year’s pep rally featured a pillow fight as well as the traditional Alligator Song, introduction of fall sports teams, rock music, and “greening” of Dr. Banks, head of Middle and Upper School, and Middle School teacher Heather Jorgensen. While students caught Spartan fever in Lehrman Gymnasium, Academy golfers took the Blue Ridge Country Club for the fourth annual Golf Classic. Athletic contests and the all-school picnic and family fun activities kept everyone busy Saturday. In the evening, four alumni – Eris Pettis ’78, Dave Heisey ’79, Kimberly Swank Mount ’79, and Robert E. Bartley III, M.D. ’79 – became the newest inductees into the Athletics Hall of Fame.
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Life at School Archive
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