Monthly Musings
REVERENCE FOR GOD AND THE HUMAN PERSON
RESPECT FOR LEARNING AND ORDER
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SHARED EXPERIENCE OF COMMUNITY LIFE
This is part of an ongoing series of informal communications with Portsmouth Abbey School?s constituents. Current parents, alumni, past parents and friends have all expressed an interest in hearing more about our school, more often. It is meant to be one element among a number of activities designed to keep you better informed about the School, the Monastery and our community.
Attention to all Reunion Classes: If you are from a graduating class ending in 0 or 5, or you graduated prior to 1955, your reunion is fast approaching and planning is occurring as we speak. To offer suggestions, ask questions, or be involved in planning your milestone event please contact Sarah McDonough at smcdonough@portsmouthabbey.org or 401.643.1276. Please check the official Reunion website often for up to date information on the weekend schedule, lodging information, etc. You can also log into the secure alumni community to get in touch with your classmates and post messages to one another. If you need your password please contact communications@portsmouthabbey.org.
Girls' Basketball has a Turnaround Season: Under the direction of new head coach, Ben Anderson, the Girls' Varsity Basketball team has had an exciting turnaround 04/05 season. With the addition of some strong Third Formers combined with our experienced veterans, the team has made notable improvements in all areas. They will enter SENE playoffs in 2nd place, with a SENE record of 7-3 and regular season 11-8. Good Luck! Don't forget to check out the Athletics Pages on the School Website for all up-to-date results and game highlights.
Annual Parents' Committee Brunch: The Annual Parents' Committee Brunch wrapped up a weekend of activity on campus with a panel discussion of the Portsmouth Abbey School curriculum and standardized testing. Nearly 150 parents gathered to hear Jim De Vecchi, Bowen Smith, Susan Wells, Dan McDonough, and Michael Bonin discuss the School's traditional curriculum and the ways in which it prepares students for taking tests such as the SAT. Susan Wells also provided a brief overview of the changes being made to the test, which include the addition of a writing section. In his talk Michael Bonin talked about the Guide to Writing at Portsmouth that he and Bowen Smith produced, which outlines the writing curriculum. If you are interested you can download a copy here. Please visit the new Parents' Community on our Website for any further information.
Cross Moline Available at School Store in time for Confirmation: Don't forget to order your beautiful and unique sterling silver cross Moline pendant in time for Confirmation on May 1. These pendants, from the original cross designed by Dom Peter Sidler, O.S.B. as seen in the front portal of the Abbey Church, are made by Portobello Jewelers in Newport, owned by Janet Curran P'03 P'06. There is a lead time as each pendant is especially made, so visit our School Store on the Web today to place your order.
Students Equate to Success in American Mathematics Competition: Over 60 students participated in the American Mathematics Competition this month, taking either the AMC-10 or AMC-12 exam. The School Winner on the AMC-10 exam was Traver Tischio '07. School Winner on the AMC-12 exam was Min Kwon Wang '05. Min Kwon, Conor Collins '06, and Josh Rumbut '06 have all qualified for the next round in the AMC, the American Invitational Math Exam, which they will write on Tuesday, March 22.
Upcoming School Receptions in Florida: The Office of Alumni & Development is delighted to head south for three events in Florida in March. We will be in Naples on Sunday March 6th, 2005 at the Ritz Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Drive; in Coral Gables on Tuesday March 8th, 2005 at the home of Roberto and Juanita Pesant; and in Vero Beach on Thursday March 10th, 2005 at the home of Jack and DeDe Burke. For more information please contact Sarah McDonough at smcdonough@portsmouthabbey.org or 401.643.1276. RSVP for these and other events using our online event registration tool. We look forward to seeing you in Florida!
9th Annual Student Art Exhibition at the Deblois Art Gallery, Newport: Portsmouth Abbey Students displayed their artwork in the 9th Annual Student Art Exhibition at the Deblois Art Gallery in Newport this month. This was an extraordinary art exhibition of student talents collected together in a professional manner, from local schools including Tiverton High School, Portsmouth High School, Middletown High School, St. Georges, and Rogers High School. Many thanks go to our art teacher, Colleen Sanchez, for her work in bringing the talents of our students to the public forum. Please visit the Photo Galleries on our Website for pictures of this event.
Students Bring Mardi Gras and Romance to Campus: A Mardi Gras Party was held on Saturday, February 5th in the Student Center, and attended by most of our students. Steve Garner '07 and PJ Arroyo '06 were the disc jockeys, and decorations and beads were provided by the school. Also the addition of authentic items from New Orleans was thanks to John Gray Parker '06 and his family, and truly added to the party atmosphere! Later in the month, a Valentine's Day Dance was held in the Auditorium. Costumes, snacks, music, and, of course, a 'love poetry' contest. Four original and creative poems were recited by Paul Willis '05, Naseemah Mohamed '08, Jean Paul Lagace '08 and Adam Towler '05. For pictures of this and other events on campus this month, visit the Photo Galleries on our Website.
Dom Julian Stead '43 Exhibited in Greater Fall River Art Association: The work of our own Dom Julian Stead, O.S.B. '43 was exhibited this month at the Greater Fall River Art Association. Father Julian joined 14 other local artists in showing some of his temperas to enthusiastic audiences in the exhibit entitled "Present". Local press also picked up on Father Julian's talent and personality, appreciating both as much as we do!
Your Annual Fund Contribution - Priceless!:
18 - Number of weeks left in Portsmouth Abbey School's fiscal year. (Ends June 30th)
398 - Number of people who gave to the Annual Fund by this time last year, but have not yet participated this year.
173,548 - Number of dollars contributed by those individuals as of February 24, 2004.
1,000,000 - Number of dollars Portsmouth Abbey needs to raise by the end of the fiscal year with YOUR help!
We hope that all of our alumni, parents, and friends will help Portsmouth Abbey School continue to thrive by making a gift the Annual Fund every year. If you have yet to make your Annual Fund donation please CLICK HERE and use our easy and secure online giving site today!
Nearly the Golfing Time of Year Again!: All current parents, past parents, friends, and alumni, please save the date for the 5th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament on Friday October 14th, 2005 at the Carnegie Abbey Club. For more information please contact Sarah McDonough at smcdonough@portsmouthabbey.org.
Answer to the January Musings Question: "The 200 Free Relay Swimming record was recently broken by Mike Reilly '07. When was the previous record set, and what was it?"
In the Portsmouth Abbey School victory against Thayer Academy in January, Mike Reilly broke the school record in the 50 yard Freestyle with a time of 23.12. The old record of 23.30 had been held since 1984 by Bill Holowesko '84. Many thanks for the unprecedented number of replies to this question, not least from Bill's proud sister, Susan Larson P'07!
The February Question of the Month: How many students are now in the Portsmouth Abbey Ice Hockey 100-Point Club? Please email answers to communications@portsmouthabbey.org
