October 2021| Volume 2 Issue 1 |
|
|
|
Dear Alumni,
The 2021-2022 school year is off to a fabulous start! Except for having to wear masks all the time, TSA feels more like “itself” than it has in a long time. I am really excited about a few things in particular:
-
The high school has adjusted well to the new Deeper Learning modular schedule. The feedback I’m getting is that students are more engaged, less stressed out, getting more work done in class, and really grappling with important questions and concepts. I’m also seeing a new level of energy when I drop in on classes.
-
We’ve dedicated time on Friday afternoons to clubs, some of which are student-run, like the new Phoenix Activities Organization (PAO), which was started by a group of 9th and 10th graders, and Dungeons & Dragons. There is also a lot of enthusiasm for other clubs that are led by teachers, like Engineering with Kimberly Barnhart and Trivia with Hannah Levinger.
-
And as pandemic travel restrictions lift, we are looking forward to three trips running later in the year: a classic 10-day trip to Europe with Hannah and Kayleigh, a potentially transformative module-long, home-stay/study trip to Guatemala with Christa and Rachel, and a quicker, but still epic, trek up Mount Moosilauke with Rob.
Most important, now that we are open for business, we’re back to welcoming visitors on both campuses, so please stop by if you’re ever in the neighborhood. You, our TSA alumni, are a constant source of inspiration and pride for us and we’d love to see you.
|
|
|
Hear from Mary how TSA is getting even better
Check out the video we just produced summarizing the amazing journey our high school students are on this year as we build deep relationships, improve curriculum to deepen their learning, and help them become the best versions of themselves!
TSA is launching its end-of-year fundraising efforts.
TSA needs to raise $275,000 and we could use your help. We appreciate donations of any size and ask that you consider making a donation that is meaningful to you. Thank you for considering supporting the next generation of TSA students with a donation!
|
|
|
It's official. The street addresses for the two campuses have changed, even though the buildings haven't moved! |
|
The Sharon Academy High School
205 Academy Drive
Sharon, VT 05065
|
|
The Sharon Academy Middle School
20 School Street
Sharon, VT 05065
|
|
2021 Musical Interim to produce Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr |
|
|
|
|
Musical Interim Returns to Chandler |
Although the pandemic is still with us, we are so grateful for the high rate of vaccination in the community, which allows us to bring Interim back.
We'd love to see you November 19 or 20 at the Chandler in Randolph for TSA's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr!
|
|
|
TSA High School Launches Deeper Learning Intitiative |
|
|
 |
Friday Forums (The New X Block)
The Friday Forum Block provides time and space for delving into an aspect of TSA’s mission. This might be accomplished with the introduction of a guest speaker, student presentations, or special activities.
In Module 1 we focused on “….a small school community.”
In Module 2 we focused on “…intelligent, independent, and creative thinking…”
|
|
|
|
Deeper Learning fosters engagement
One of the clearest, easiest-to-see signs of deeper learning is when students stay after class to work on a project when they could be purely socializing.
Students in this photo of Kimberly Barnhart's French class are working intently on a storyboard fifteen minutes after class has officially ended.
|
|
|
|
TSA Middle School Circus Interim Documentary |
|
|
Documentary shares essence of MS Circus Interim
Tray Fisk TSA '17 spent the 2021 Spring at the Middle School documenting the process of producing an original circus show. Fisk's interviews with Director of the Middle School Andrew Lane and circus impresario Troy Wunderle explain the importance of the program, while his video and sound capture the excitement of the show. Most gratifying is to hear alumni reflect on how important the experience has been on their lives and outlooks.
|
|
|
Do you have news to share? We'd love to hear from you and let others know!
|
|
Heidi Connor TSA '05 has opened an art gallery with her husband Chad Etting in White River Junction, VT. They feature artists from around the world to expose the local community to diverse means of expression.
|
|
|
Tim Luckey TSA '07 and his wife Signe married October 20, 2018, and settled in Western Springs, outside of Chicago, IL, where Tim is an aerospace engineer. Their first human baby, Soren Laine, was born October 26, 2021, and joined feline sister Millie and canine brother Moe to the family.
|
|
Jeanelle Achee TSA '09 and Calvin Borgmann are engaged to marry in July 2022. Both graduated from UVM and live in Winooski. Calvin is a radiologic technician at UVM Medical Center and Jeanelle is an orthopedic operating room nurse at Dartmouth Hitchcock.
|
|
Cody Spiegel TSA '09 married Kylie DeGroot, with Danny Moore TSA '09 in attendance, on September 3, 2021. They live in Charlotte. Cody is a mechanical design engineer at Beta Technologies where he designs pilot flight controls. Kylie is Director of Development at The Boys and Girls Club in Burlington.
|
|
Taylor Faccio TSA '10 married Sam Scheu from Woodstock on October 10, 2021, at Landgoes Farm in Tunbridge. They are now purchasing a home in Tunbridge. Sam is a large animal veterinarian and plans on opening a mobile large animal practice next spring.
|
|
Grayson Levy TSA '13 is back at TSA coaching soccer. After high school, Grayson spent time in London with the professional soccer team Arsenal, learning how to be a coach, working with kids, and getting coaching certifications. He graduated from Roanoke College with a BS in Sport Management.
|
|
Margaret Gish TSA '14 earned a degree from UVM in elementary education and is working on her master's. After teaching at the elementary level for several years, she joined TSA Middle School as a special educator. She just completed this year's Boston Marathon on October 11 in 3 hours 25 minutes, and was at work the very next morning!
|
|
|
|
Rebekah Lamb TSA '18 took a gap year in Shanghai, China, to study Mandarin at an immersive language school. She will graduate next year from Vrije University Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, studying Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology with a minor in Archeology. Vrije hosted a TEDx event titled We are in Charge; she made a presentation on Empowering Disabled Students in the University System, which led to work improving accessibility for students of all abilities.
|
|
Every year TSA says farewell to faculty and staff who have made a difference to the school and for students. Here we want to acknowledge those who have devoted at least five years to TSA. |
|
|
Ellen Bagnato
For seven years, Ellen guided students through the process of thinking about and planning for life after high school. Many alumni benefitted from her cheerful support as they navigated this challenging time.
|
|
|
|
Dave Eastman
Many alumni knew Dave as the devoted parent to Caleb '18 and Anika '21, while others knew him as the tireless booster of The Sharon Academy who helped raise millions of dollars for the school in his role as Director of Development.
|
|
|
|
|
Amber Wylie
Since 2009, Amber was one of the first TSA people students met when considering enrolling at The Sharon Academy; meeting her contributed to the decision of many to ultimately attend. In many cases, Amber was also an important reason why they stayed and returned as alumni to visit TSA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You're out in the world making a difference. Please consider helping TSA nurture other intelligent, independent, and creative thinkers who will make a difference with their immense potential.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
