April 2024| Volume 4 Issue 2 |
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students preparing the yurt for relocation |
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Dear Alumni,
After two late-season snowstorms, it is finally starting to feel like spring around here. If you haven’t seen, all four yurts were moved to the back of the school last fall to make room for the new building (coming soon, believe it or not!). The spring flowers are up, classroom windows are open, and the 11th-graders are getting ever closer to deciding on next year's Interim show!
I had the pleasure of connecting with many of you recently at our annual Career Day on April 15. I am incredibly grateful to those of you who participated (in-person and remotely!) by speaking with current students about your post-TSA journeys. Both high school and middle school students heard from a panel of 18 visitors with careers ranging from single-origin coffee roasters to social workers, massage therapists, a pilot (Luke Crocker!), software engineers, and “life-long learners” (Michael Livingston!).
Lastly, we are getting excited about the big events that mark the end of every school year: school trips to Hulbert (MS) and Boston (HS), the Middle School Semi-formal and High School Prom, and, of course, our two graduation ceremonies. We hope you will join us for corn hole, volleyball, wood-fired pizza, local beer, live music, and really good company at our 3rd annual Phoenix Phest!
With love,
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P.S. Our Spring Appeal is here. Over the next several weeks you will hear why your support of TSA is vital to the success of our cherished school. During this Spring Appeal, we celebrate the enduring traditions that make TSA such a special place. Your donation will help ensure these experiences continue to shape the lives of our students for years to come. Please donate today here. Your support means the world to our community.
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Alumni meets Exchange Student |
Tray Fisk '17 has been living in Turkey see the 10/26/23 issue for details. He came home in November and was invited to meet Aleyna Aydogan, an exchange student from Turkey in TSA's 10th grade class this year. He very thoughtfully brought Turkish goodies for her. This was a delightful connection for Aleyna so far from home.
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Tray Fisk '17 was home from Turkey for Thanksgiving and very thoughtfully brought goodies for Aleyna Aydogan, one of TSA's exchange students, who is from Samsun, Turkey. |
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Middle School welcomes special guest |
The Middle School English Language Arts class welcomed on Friday, February 2, Chris Gish '16, who got students to brainstorm contradictions and confusions they see within our food system. Their work prompted students to ask important, critical questions about how to make access to healthy food more equitable worldwide. Chris's visit also helped to demonstrate that the work students are doing is not just "an assignment for a class" but can have real-world effects and lead to other connected work in adulthood.
To get ready for his visit, students read both Chris and Margaret's articles from the Middle School's biannual food and hunger newsletter. Do you remember yours? Current middle school students are working on the latest version of this newsletter (now on a digital platform) in social studies.
We really appreciate Chris taking the time to visit with the middle school community!
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Chris Gish '16, brother of middle school teacher Margaret Gish '14, talks with students about his work around food systems in Vermont. |
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TSA is very happy to have Josephine Adamski TSA '12 supporting the Board of Trustees' Development Team. She has been volunteering her time and expertise to help the school meet its annual fund goal. She currently lives in Oregon, working on a non-partisan County Commission campaign while also handling brand strategy contract work. "My professional passion lies at the intersection of community, data, and land." Josephine tries to ski, bike, climb, and chill out as much as possible. |
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Circus Interim reminisces |
The Middle School opened the annual Carnival and Circus on Friday, March 22, to enthusiastic community participation. A winter storm that dumped almost two feet of snow delayed but did not deter the intrepid troupe. The final performance was held on Sunday, March 24, with another rapt audience that was happy to be entertained after shoveling out.
This year's students, under the guidance of Troy Wunderle of Big Top Adventures, took the audience through a "Vinyl Vortex" that included music through the decades and "visits" by musical icons like Elvis, Dolly, and Abba. Special appreciation goes to Jason Pratte '23, who assisted Troy and the students in the show's development.
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Family Arts Day took place on Sunday, April 7. TSA students and faculty, along with several community visual artists and musical performers, led workshops and presented music for an afternoon of creativity, exploration, and expression.
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Career Day welcomes alumni |
On Monday, April 15, TSA middle and high school students gathered to hear from alumni and other community members about their work and career paths.
We especially appreciated the six alumni who participated on the panel, as well as those who are still in college and Zoomed with 11th graders in a special breakout session.
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Elise Barry '08, Anastasia Sizesky '11, Elyza Kelly '08 and Luke Crocker 'xx |
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Alumni Engagement Opportunities |
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Saturday, June 1
4–8pm
TSA High School
- Free
- Rain or Shine
- Bring family and friends!
- Silent auction
Bring chairs or blankets to sit on. We'll supply the food and drinks.
Coordinate with your classmates for a little reunion. We'd love to see you and take a group photo!
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Saturday, June 8, 3pm
Sawtooth Kitchen, Hanover, NH
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Save the date for TSA Graduation. Support your friends on Saturday, June 15, as the members of the Class of 2024 give their final speech to the community on graduation day.
Coordinate with your class and reunite on this special day. We'd love to see you and take a group photo!
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Jason Pratte '23 adds character to his graduation outfit |
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Do you have news to share? We'd love to hear from you and let others know!
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On Sunday, March 3, former TSA teacher Charlie McMeekin died surrounded by his family. He taught 9th and 10th-grade Humanities and was Director of TSA's High School Musical Interims 2005–2016.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, June 1,1pm at Chandler Center for the Arts, 71 N Main St, Randolph, VT 05060.
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At the end of June we will say an incredibly bittersweet good-bye to one of the longest-serving members of our community, Brian Tonks.
In his 23 years at TSA, Brian has been a Math Teacher, Environmental Science Teacher, Advisor, Girls’ Varsity Soccer Coach, Assistant Head of School, Academic Dean, Magical Schedule Creator Extraordinaire, and Parent '22 and '24. Brian was instrumental in our shift to proficiency-based education, has guided the faculty through numerous changes in grading software, has been a voice for progressive education at every turn, and has taught us all about the importance of always seeking “good data” and leaving space for “the humans in the room.”
Every single TSA alum has directly benefited from Brian’s work, and TSA owes much of its “intelligent design” to him. Brian, you will be deeply missed, and we are forever grateful for what you have taught us. We wish you nothing but the best as you begin your next journey on the other side of the world, and we hope that now and then the rolling, green hills of New Zealand remind you of us, some of your biggest fans.
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Commemorate a TSA Teacher |
Brian Tonks has taught at TSA since 2001. Over the past twenty-three years he has taught many, if not all of you.
Has Brian made an impact on your life? TSA recognizes the importance of quality teachers for delivering an education that nurtures and awakens students to their potential. We would love to collect your memories of Brian (or any other teacher) by submitting this form.
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TSA's Spring Appeal is a critical fundraising effort that helps sustain the cherished traditions and exceptional educational experiences that define our community. Each year, we rely on the generosity of our supporters—current families, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends—to raise essential funds that directly impact our students' lives. Our goal to raise $240,000 by the end of the school year will support the programs, events, and opportunities that make TSA an extraordinary place to learn and grow. Our alumni have made gifts to TSA ranging from $1 to $5,000. Every gift at every level is important, but what matters most is how many of you make the gesture. So, please donate what you can, no matter the amount, and help ensure that these hallmark experiences continue to shape the lives of our students for generations to come.
Please...
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