The MacDuffie School Newsletter, Volume 19, Issue 7, January 2013

Greetings from the Head of School

Hello everyone, Last week, with the town of Newtown and the children and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary School returning to school on our minds, we held a moment of silence in assembly to remember the victims of this senseless tragedy. This past Friday, we held a lockdown drill for our students, and we continue to address our lockdown policies and procedures. While we will not live in fear, it is clearly our responsibility to take reasonable precautions to provide a safe environment for our students. One of our significant changes includes the set up of a system whereby any faculty or staff member in the building can initiate a lockdown if they see a stranger of concern. Parents can help us with this consistency by signing in at the main office and getting a visitor’s badge. As part of our strategic framework, 2012-13 has had a focus on the Path to Excellence; the focus for 2013-14 is going to be based on academic assessment and evaluation. During last week’s faculty meeting, we spent some time reflecting on our own teaching and how we use assessment and evaluation to enhance student success. I have challenged our Curriculum Committee to spend some time informing themselves and our faculty about current pedagogy and best practice on assessment and evaluation, with an eye to continuous improvement.

The second installment of our MacDuffie Speaker Series will occur on Tuesday, January 22nd at 7:00 pm in the student center. Entitled "Curiosity and the Search for Water and Life on the Red Planet”, Dr. Darby Dyar, Professor of Astronomy at Mount Holyoke College, will lecture about her work with the Mars Rover project. Lastly, just a reminder that MacDuffie will be closed for students on Monday, January 21st, to observe Martin Luther King Day. Regards,

Steve Griffin Head of School

MacDuffie News and Notes

From the From the From the From the OOOOffice of the Registrffice of the Registrffice of the Registrffice of the Registrarararar

Ms. Pat Boudreau

� Adding and Dropping Second Semester Courses Attention Parents/Guardians of Juniors and Seniors: Students were reminded in December that the second semester begins Tuesday, January 22, and that the final day to drop or add courses without a penalty is Wednesday, January 23. Students were asked to review any second semester course(s) they signed up for at the beginning of school (they received a copy of their schedule with second semester courses). If your student plans on adding or dropping a semester course, they must be sure to obtain a drop/add form from Ms. Boudreau, room 217, between January 7 and January 22. Students must be enrolled in at least five (5) courses, excluding PE/Health. Visual Arts: If a student wishes to enroll in Visual Arts for the second semester, he/she must obtain an add form from Ms. Boudreau, room 217, between January 7 and January 22.

� Address / Phone / E-mail Changes

Attention Parents/Guardians: Please notify the Registrar, Pat Boudreau, of any changes in address, telephone numbers (home, cell, work or emergency), and e-mail address by calling (413) 255-0000, ext. 217, or e-mail your change(s) to pboudreau@macduffie.org.

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Coach’s Corner Mrs. Susan Fischer, Director of Athletics

Come out and support the Mustangs in action this winter! We have five teams competing on the basketball court representing MacDuffie. New Residential Advisor, Aps Kinnan, leads the Boys’ Thirds team this season. Adding

this third team on the boys’ side has allowed some of our newer players the opportunity to develop their skills in a less competitive arena. Returning JV Girls’ Coach Bob Marvel, and his assistant, science teacher Brittany Rechtin, are instilling in their players an excellent work ethic and dedication, as this small group of students learns the game of basketball, and gains experience with some well-played games this season. The Girls’ Varsity team is still recovering from the loss of key players to graduation, but Coach Gil May remains positive and passionate, and the girls are playing as a cohesive unit. Based on the successful 2011-2012 season in NEPSAC Class D, our Varsity Boys’ Basketball team was reclassified and competes this season in the elite Class AA. While their win/loss record is not as impressive, the skill and talent in some of the new recruits this year is remarkable. Look for some very competitive games as the season ends. Believe it or not, it is time to sign up for the SPRING SPORTS SEASON! Badminton, Crew, Lacrosse, Tennis, and Ultimate Frisbee will be offered once again.

Go Mustangs!

From the Health Office Mrs. Karen Romanowski, RN and Mrs. Lynn Bouyea, RN

Dear Parents and Students, You have probably heard a great deal of talk about the flu in the past several weeks. While the flu spreads easily from person to person and should be taken seriously, there are simple things you can do to protect yourself and your family from the flu, and there are ways to lower the risk of complications from the flu if you or your family are infected. What is the Flu? Seasonal flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect people every year. In New England, flu season usually begins in December and lasts until April. Most people who get the flu have a sudden onset of fever, dry cough, body aches, sore throat, headache, and extreme tiredness or weakness. The fever and body aches usually last two to three days and rarely more than five days. Cough, tiredness, and weakness may last longer. Some people who get the flu may feel tired or weak for two or more weeks after the fever goes away. The common cold is also different from the flu. The most common symptoms of a cold are a stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, and sore throat. Colds are usually milder than the flu and do not come on as suddenly. Special Health Care Needs If you or a family member have a chronic illness such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, or other special health care needs, you should check with a doctor before flu season about how flu care might be different. Ask the doctor what symptoms to look for, and how to know when to get medical care. How is the Flu Spread? The flu spreads mostly through droplets (like spit and mucus) from the mouth, nose, and throat. This happens when a person with the flu coughs or sneezes near another person (within three to six feet). Sometimes people

become infected by touching something like a doorknob or telephone that has been touched by someone with the flu, and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

People who have the flu can spread it to other people one day before they become sick and up

to three to five days after they feel symptoms. Children with the flu can spread it to others for up to seven days after they become sick.

Ways to Prevent the Spread of the Flu 1. Get a seasonal flu shot. It’s not too late. The seasonal flu can continue to spread throughout the

winter and spring. The sooner you receive a flu vaccine, the better. It takes approximately two weeks to develop full immunity following vaccination.

2. Limit contact with others if you become ill. Stay at home if you are sick, particularly if you have a bad cough. Do not allow visitors while people in your home are sick.

3. Do not share food, eating utensils, or drinks. 4. Clean your home. Clean dishes and laundry with hot water and soap. Use a dishwasher if one is

available. Clean surfaces with a household disinfectant that are touched by a person who is sick. 5. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands. 6. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.

Flu Care Resources For more information, please visit:

• Flu Vaccination Clinics in Massachusetts (866) 627-7968

• flu.masspro.org (Do not type “www”)

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH): (888) 658-2850 or (617) 983-6800

• MDPH Flu Website - www.mass.gov/dph/flu

• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Flu Website - www.cdc.gov/flu

If you shop for groceries at Big Y or Stop and Shop, you can link your discount card to MacDuffie, which will allow us to earn valuable points toward school supplies and even cash. Target also runs a year-round campaign to support schools through their “Red Card” program.

For Stop and Shop, all you have to do is log on to www.stopandshop.com/aplus to register online OR call 1-877-275-2758 to register your card over the phone (ID 05150). If you prefer, stop by and see Ann Rivers in the front office, who will be happy to register your card for you. You can track the amount of points you earn for our school by checking your grocery receipt or online when you create an account at www.stopandshop.com. For Big Y, you can easily register your card upon checking out, using our school code 6414.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Key Club Teams with

Visiting Nurses’ Association Mr. Charlie Shrader, Music Teacher and Key Club Advisor

On Friday December 15, shortly after the last classes prior to

winter break, a jolly group of six MacDuffie students rode over

to Holyoke Mall, but not for shopping, this time. Instead, they

served as representatives of the School’s Key Club,

volunteering to gift-wrap and raise money on behalf of the

Holyoke Visiting Nurses’ Association, which is responsible for

hospice care in the local area. The students (Kitwanie “Kitty”

Carbon ‘14, Xia’nan “Bill” Li ‘13, Andrei Tatuiko ‘13, Lauren

Liderman ‘15, Aqsa Ahmad ‘15, and Kwok “John” Wong ‘15)

displayed excellent teamwork and a keen aesthetic sense as

they handled heavy holiday traffic in the heart of the Christmas

shopping season. Their work was warmly received by a hospice worker whose shift followed theirs, and

they were eagerly asked to return for a repeat visit! We look forward to helping out with the gift-wrapping

next year.

Please join us on Tuesday, January 22nd at 7:00 pm for The MacDuffie School Speaker Series

Location: Student Center

"Curiosity and the Search for Water and Life on the Red Planet" Presented by

Darby Dyar, Professor of Astronomy at Mount Holyoke College Light refreshments will be provided.

Admittance is free, and no rsvp is necessary.

COLLEGE COUNSELING Mr. Bill Morris, College Counselor

COLLEGE COUNSELING WORKSHOPS – JUNIOR CLASS Beginning in the 3rd quarter, each member of the junior class will attend weekly college counseling workshops. These meetings will cover a wide range of topics including researching colleges, “what colleges look for,” standardized testing (SAT, SAT II, ACT), essay writing, and college visits and interviews. Additionally, students will be introduced to the Naviance database and Method Test Prep’s online SAT/ACT programs. COLLEGE FAIRS College fairs are a great opportunity for students to speak with admissions officers and pick up some preliminary information about colleges and universities. There are two national college fairs offered in the greater areas of Hartford and Springfield:

Springfield National College Fair Eastern States Exposition (The Big E), West Springfield, MA Sunday, April 7: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Monday, April 8: 9:00 am – 11:30 am

Hartford National College Fair Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT Thursday, April 11: 9:00 am - 11:30 am, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Friday, April 12: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID To apply for need-based financial aid, families must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is required for dispersal of any federal funding. Filing is free and forms are available online after January 1st at www.fafsa.ed.gov. (Beware of any FAFSA site that asks for money. There are ghost sites that offer to complete the FAFSA for a fee; the true FAFSA site is above.) Some colleges also require the CSS Profile, which requires more in-depth information than the FAFSA, but unlike the FAFSA, the Profile carries a fee. The Profile can be found on the College Board website: www.collegeboard.com. Additionally, some colleges also have their own financial aid forms. Check their websites or call their financial aid offices to find out whether they have their own institutional form. No aid

Continued. . .

METHOD TEST PREP

Students can start using Method Test Prep by following these steps:

1) Go to the link at https://app.methodtestprep.com/TheMacDuffieSchool/signup

2) Entering this referral code to set up an account: tkn.12584593

For more information on Method Test Prep, feel free to visit their website: http://www.methodtestprep.com/

will be granted unless all required forms are complete and submitted on time. (It is especially important to submit aid forms on time because colleges only have finite amounts of money. If you are late, they may not have funds for you, no matter how deserving you are.) FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES For Massachusetts residents, the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) has set up a terrific website devoted to helping families negotiate college financial aid. MEFA is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting students, parents, colleges and universities in meeting the challenges of financing higher education. MEFA’s Parent Assistance Services can help parents of students in grades 9-11, as well as senior parents. Anyone can find more information, and parents can register for the free Parent Assistance Services at www.mefacounselor.org. Links are also available at www.mefacounselor.org to many sites with information about financial aid and paying for college.

For your calendar....

The MacDuffie School Semi-Formal

Friday, February 15 ~ 6:30 to 11pm

The Shriner Center, 133 Longhill Street in Springfield

Open to Grades 10 through 12, and to Freshman by invitation

More details to follow soon

Get Help Completing the FAFSA!

Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 1:00 pm Offered at American International College, Holyoke Community College, and other sites throughout Massachusetts. Sponsored by College Goal Sunday™, a volunteer-driven program designed to assist students and families in completing the FAFSA. Organized by the Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Visit www.fafsaday.org for specific information on site locations and how to get there, student registration, and what to bring. You may also call 877-4CGSMAS.

Science Exploration Day Ms. Brittany Rechtin, Science Teacher

While the Upper School students were busy taking their English exams in the gymnasium, the seventh graders were busy making slime in the chemistry lab. On December 18th, the seventh grade came to school for "Science Exploration Day". In the chemistry lab, students performed two science experiments: “Kool-Aid Chromatography” and “Polymer Slime”. In the chromatography lab, students separated the components that make up eight different colors of Kool-Aid. In doing this, they concluded that the visible color of the mixture is made up of a combination of different colored food dyes. For the polymer lab, students created their own slime and then analyzed the physical properties of their creations.

Along with the science experiments performed in the lab, students participated in science-themed team challenges in the classroom. There, the students participated in two activities led by Ms. Norton: “Build a Bridge” and “Shape Replicate”. The bridge activity challenged groups to build the strongest bridge using only duct tape and newspaper. The Shape Replicate activity required students to write detailed procedures and follow them carefully, like they do when performing labs and writing laboratory reports. To do this,

one group created a picture using different cut-out shapes, wrote directions on how they assembled it, and then challenged the other group to re-create the image. Ultimately, the day ended with a lot of laughs and fun with science. Special thanks to MacDuffie alumna Ashley Figueiredo ('04) and the Mount Holyoke College Chemistry Department for providing the lab kits.

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Boarding Program News Mrs. Dettey Bielizna, Assistant Dean of Boarding

The first day of school creates a mixture of exhilarating feelings. Walking through the doors, you can feel the fusion of excitement and nervousness in the air. Usually, students feel these emotions at the end of their summer vacation in August. However, the MacDuffie Community will be welcoming a group of new students for mid-year enrollment. A majority of the students will be arriving over the weekend,

coming from all across the globe and enrolling in grades 8 to 12. In addition to students from Korea, China, Brazil, Columbia, and Jamaica, we will be adding Slovakia to the world map of the MacDuffie community. We will also be gaining two local students from the towns of Belchertown and Longmeadow. Reflecting on how stressful the first day of school was for many of us in August, let us all commit to welcoming and displaying to this great group of students what it means to become a part of our MacDuffie family.

Left, Ashley Stebbins, Jocelyn St. Onge and Mikayla McEwen took turns reading from books donated by the Stebbins family.

Middle School Activities Ms. Susan Fischer, Middle School Coordinator

During the Upper School exam week in December, the Middle School teachers prepared an exciting and enriching program for each grade level. The 7th graders not taking the Math Exam had two choices of community service opportunities: volunteer work at Kate’s Kitchen in Holyoke with Mr. Shrader, or a visit to a day care facility. Mrs. Fischer took eight students to the Belchertown Day School, located a few miles north of our campus on Route 202. Our students were divided into three rooms where they read stories to the young children, aged 15 months to five years. While hesitant at first to switch roles and act as teacher, by the end of the morning the MacDuffie students were rolling out Play-Doh®, putting together puzzles, and buttoning up coats like pros! The students at the day care were particularly receptive to having the “big girls” from MacDuffie spend the morning with them.

Continued. . .

Left, Alexis Woloshchuk read the B Book to a captive audience.

Reagan Os, below, enjoyed outdoor recess with the younger kids.

Left, the 6th and 7th grades enjoyed a packed day the Springfield Museums on Thursday, December 20. First, we explored the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts for a program entitled “Picturing America” where we looked primarily at American art and artists and learned about genre paintings.

Next we moved to the Springfield Science Museum for a Forensic Science Lab which had our students work together in small groups

to solve a “crime” by analyzing fingerprints, fibers, DNA, and handwriting samples all left at the fictitious crime scene.

After a lunch break, we explored the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History with informative guides to learn all about the amazing businesses and things that were invented in the Springfield area. The students were particularly taken with the new Hasbro toy exhibit and the two full scale airplanes soaring over the exhibition hall.

On Tuesday, December 18, Ms. Hastings, Art Teacher, worked with the sixth graders, who spent the morning learning various book binding techniques. They learned how to make an envelope accordion book, a star fold book, a maze book and a stab book.

Get Ready, The Arts Department’s Annual Fund Raiser

is back! The Chocolate Festival

Sunday, February 10, 3 to 5 pm

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1. Bake! Chocolate anything: cookies, bars, cupcakes, cakes, pies, snacks, chocolates, fudge. Feel free to be creative with the packaging!

2. Get together with friends and create a THEMED GIFT BASKET. Not enough friends? Then you can donate a single item, and we will make a basket for you.

3. Are you an artist, or do you know an artist that would like to have table space and sell their art? There are a limited number of tables, so contact Jo-Ann Hastings, ASAP.

4. Help us set up for the event Sunday, February 10, 1 to 3 pm. We need to move some furniture, set up the tables, decorate and more.

5. Work at the Festival. We need greeters, help with collecting money, selling raffle tickets and keeping the tables looking good.

6. Most important, tell your friends, family and neighbors to come to the Chocolate Festival! 7. Help us clean up. Clear the tables, pack up, move the furniture back in place. Sunday,

February 10, 5 to 6 pm.

If you would like to help the MacDuffie Arts Department, please e-mail Jo-Ann Hastings, Visual Art Teacher at MacDuffie, jhastings@macduffie.org.

Thank you!

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Math Team Travels to Fourth Meet Mr. Peter Shelburne, Math Teacher

The MacDuffie Math Team travelled to Longmeadow High School for a meet on January 8. It was an extremely close meet, with Deerfield and MacDuffie going into the final team round with tied scores. One small mistake tripped up the MacDuffie team and they unfortunately finished in second place, but only three points behind Deerfield Academy. Highlights of the day included the highest score from two of our seniors, team captain Ling (Kelly) He and a very good score from team alternate Shangzhe (Jason) Dai, who filled in for an ill teammate. Only one meet remains in the regular season, and MacDuffie is in first place, with the second place team (Deerfield) 67 points behind. The team is also looking forward to being able to compete in the State Meet in the spring. The next meet is February 5 at Hopkins.

Congratulations MacDuffie Math Team!

We are very proud of you.

NewsNewsNewsNews from the Admissionfrom the Admissionfrom the Admissionfrom the Admission’’’’ssss OfficeOfficeOfficeOffice Alex Seymour, Director of Admission

Thank you to all of the parents and students who helped the Admission team with the January 15th Open House! We had a great turnout with ten prospective students and their families who toured the campus, met faculty and chatted with current students and parents about MacDuffie.

Admissions season is upon us in full swing at this time of year with many international and local students applying to MacDuffie and other schools in the area. We’ve seen a significant increase in interest from 6th, 7th and 9th grade day students in Granby, Belchertown, South Hadley, Hadley, Amherst, Northampton and other surrounding towns.

Visit MacDuffie Week, when prospective students spend a morning shadowing current students and visiting classes, is coming up quickly, February 19 to 22. If you have friends, neighbors or business associates who might be interested in a MacDuffie education for their children, please let us know, or ask them to contact us for a campus tour or to reserve a visit day.

A Family Event Focused on A Family Event Focused on A Family Event Focused on A Family Event Focused on Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate andandandand Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day

Sunday, February 10, 3 to 5 pm, in the Student Center

• Tables and Tables of Chocolate

• Live Music • Gift Shop

• Gift Basket Raffles

Please join us for the next Parents’ Association Meeting

Friday, February 8 at 5:00 pm

Everyone is welcome. Please bring new ideas!

Location: The home of Elizabeth and Steve Griffin

35 Alvord Street

South Hadley, MA 01075

Calling all Calling all Calling all Calling all

STARS and STARS and STARS and STARS and

parents!parents!parents!parents!

Please join Admissions in welcoming

prospective families at the next

Open HouseOpen HouseOpen HouseOpen House

Sunday, February 10

1:00 - 3:00 pm

e-mail Ann Rivers

at arivers@macduffie.org

if you can join us!