Photographs of the 2009 graduation ceremonies are now online. Click BBA Photo Albums in the left-hand column to view all the latest photographs.
For a full description of the ceremonies and a list of graduates please click here.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Graduation 2009
Photographs of the 2009 graduation ceremonies are now online. Click BBA Photo Albums in the left-hand column to view all the latest photographs.
For a full description of the ceremonies and a list of graduates please click here.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Bill Muench Receives 2009 Ormbsy Hill Award
English teacher Bill Muench is the 2009 recipient of the Ormsby Hill Trust Fund for Excellence Award. Muench plans to use the grant to “travel, meet, interview and thank the guest speakers” who have addressed his students in his Space and Time class at Burr and Burton.
Muench started teaching the course five years ago to share his passion for space exploration with his students. “This class has evolved into a truly interdisciplinary course,” said Muench, who over the years has invited dozens of speakers to address the students, both in person and through teleconferencing. The award will give him the opportunity to visit space-related sites and meet the men and women who have been involved with space exploration. He will start his journey in Pasadena, California, at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and end at the Kennedy Space Center where he will have an front-row seat at the launch in August of the Space Shuttle Discovery. “I will videotape interviews with each person I visit and present the final project to my future students.”
The Ormsby Hill Trust Fund for Excellence provides selected teaching faculty of the school with the financial resources necessary to further their professional development in a profound way. Each year a grant is given to a teacher whose proposed program or project best fulfills the award’s goal of supporting the improvement of the school’s educational mission by enhancing the professional abilities of its teachers.
The object of the grant is to allow faculty members to get outside their routine and engage in activities that will re-energize them as passionate learners and committed teachers. The fund, established by the late Ed Latz, a Burr and Burton teacher and coach for over twenty-five years, is administered by the Board of Trustees as part of the school’s restricted endowment.
Muench started teaching the course five years ago to share his passion for space exploration with his students. “This class has evolved into a truly interdisciplinary course,” said Muench, who over the years has invited dozens of speakers to address the students, both in person and through teleconferencing. The award will give him the opportunity to visit space-related sites and meet the men and women who have been involved with space exploration. He will start his journey in Pasadena, California, at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and end at the Kennedy Space Center where he will have an front-row seat at the launch in August of the Space Shuttle Discovery. “I will videotape interviews with each person I visit and present the final project to my future students.”
The Ormsby Hill Trust Fund for Excellence provides selected teaching faculty of the school with the financial resources necessary to further their professional development in a profound way. Each year a grant is given to a teacher whose proposed program or project best fulfills the award’s goal of supporting the improvement of the school’s educational mission by enhancing the professional abilities of its teachers.
The object of the grant is to allow faculty members to get outside their routine and engage in activities that will re-energize them as passionate learners and committed teachers. The fund, established by the late Ed Latz, a Burr and Burton teacher and coach for over twenty-five years, is administered by the Board of Trustees as part of the school’s restricted endowment.
Math Teacher Cindy Mowry Receives 2009 Bigelow Award
Cindy Mowry, mathematics teacher and Mountain Semester committee member, is the 2009 recipient of the David Bigelow Fund for Excellence Award. Mowry will use the grant to take a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course and experience a wilderness adventure that will help her inspire students in wilderness education.
Mowry, who has been studying place-based and environmental education for the past four years, is enthusiastic about more about how to lead backpacking trips, leadership strategies, on-trail teaching methods, and experiential learning. “NOLS is the leaders in wilderness education and I see this course as fulfilling two goals,” said Mowry, “to inspire me to become a better leader and to reaffirm my love for the wilderness.”
The David Bigelow Fund for Excellence was established by the Bigelow family to honor alumnus and longtime trustee David Bigelow who died in 1998. The purpose of this endowed fund is to give the teaching faculty of the school the financial resources necessary to further their professional development, which will in turn enhance their ability to provide the highest quality education to the students of Burr and Burton Academy.
Faculty members are invited annually to “think outside the box” and write a proposal that goes to the heart of who they are as teachers and enriches their passion for teaching. Previous recipients of the Bigelow Award include social studies teacher John Graf, who traveled in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, Arts Department Chair Betsy Hubner who fulfilled a dream to paint in Ireland, and Julie Freebern who studied medieval music in England. The fund is administered by the Board of Trustees as part of the school’s restricted endowment.
Mowry, who has been studying place-based and environmental education for the past four years, is enthusiastic about more about how to lead backpacking trips, leadership strategies, on-trail teaching methods, and experiential learning. “NOLS is the leaders in wilderness education and I see this course as fulfilling two goals,” said Mowry, “to inspire me to become a better leader and to reaffirm my love for the wilderness.”
The David Bigelow Fund for Excellence was established by the Bigelow family to honor alumnus and longtime trustee David Bigelow who died in 1998. The purpose of this endowed fund is to give the teaching faculty of the school the financial resources necessary to further their professional development, which will in turn enhance their ability to provide the highest quality education to the students of Burr and Burton Academy.
Faculty members are invited annually to “think outside the box” and write a proposal that goes to the heart of who they are as teachers and enriches their passion for teaching. Previous recipients of the Bigelow Award include social studies teacher John Graf, who traveled in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, Arts Department Chair Betsy Hubner who fulfilled a dream to paint in Ireland, and Julie Freebern who studied medieval music in England. The fund is administered by the Board of Trustees as part of the school’s restricted endowment.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Burr and Burton to Move Ahead with Mountain Semester Program
Burr and Burton Academy Headmaster Mark Tashjian announced today that the school’s Mountain Semester program is back on track after an agreement was reached with three Peru property owners who had filed an appeal to the school’s Act 250 and Town of Peru permits. The Environmental Court has approved the settlement and incorporated the terms thereof into a revised permit. Burr and Burton will now purchase 100 acres of land in Peru for its wilderness education program.
Tashjian explained that, following several mediation sessions, an agreement was reached with the abutting property owners. “Everyone negotiated in good faith,” he said. "The process was a long one but I believe we are in a better place to begin the project. Our discussions have helped sharpen our focus and respond to the legitimate concerns of our future neighbors. ”
The basic terms of the agreement set limits on the land use, student population, automobile traffic, summer use, and construction projects. It ensures that the ridgeline onto the Utley Flats remains forever wooded, with no school structures visible from roads or the surrounding areas. It assures that the property will not be used in any way as a facility for boarding students. While this is consistent with Burr and Burton’s oft stated intentions, the agreement adds comfort for the neighbors that those intentions will be lasting.
“This agreement gives assurance and legal recourse to Peru and Landgrove residents that we will do exactly what we say we are going to do: create an academically rigorous, inspiring semester program for Burr and Burton students so they can connect with and study the natural world,” Burr and Burton Board of Trustees Chair Seth Bongartz stated. “We are happy to provide contractual insurance that we will keep it small, that we will minimize traffic on Hapgood Pond Road, and that we will protect the unique character of the Landgrove and Peru communities.”
“We reached a compromise, which by definition means everyone had to give a little,” added Tashjian. “I am excited that we are now ready to move forward, and I believe the restrictions we agreed to provide ample flexibility to create the program we envision. I appreciate the collaborative spirit we developed with the neighbors, and I look forward to building on this working relationship so we can move this project forward in a spirit of partnership. I know there remain residents in Landgrove and Peru who are skeptical of our intent and of the wisdom of this program, and even members of team with which we just reached agreement admitted ‘the proof will be in the pudding.’ We intend to prove to the Peru and Landgrove communities that we will be good neighbors, and my hope is that this program will quickly become a source of pride all around.”
After closing on the land, the immediate plan is to build a bridge, rudimentary driveway, and a small structure to provide a base for operations. Construction of the main building will begin once sufficient funds have been raised. As with all building projects at Burr and Burton Academy, this project will be funded entirely through private donations; no town tuition funds will be used for construction.
Tashjian explained that, following several mediation sessions, an agreement was reached with the abutting property owners. “Everyone negotiated in good faith,” he said. "The process was a long one but I believe we are in a better place to begin the project. Our discussions have helped sharpen our focus and respond to the legitimate concerns of our future neighbors. ”
The basic terms of the agreement set limits on the land use, student population, automobile traffic, summer use, and construction projects. It ensures that the ridgeline onto the Utley Flats remains forever wooded, with no school structures visible from roads or the surrounding areas. It assures that the property will not be used in any way as a facility for boarding students. While this is consistent with Burr and Burton’s oft stated intentions, the agreement adds comfort for the neighbors that those intentions will be lasting.
“This agreement gives assurance and legal recourse to Peru and Landgrove residents that we will do exactly what we say we are going to do: create an academically rigorous, inspiring semester program for Burr and Burton students so they can connect with and study the natural world,” Burr and Burton Board of Trustees Chair Seth Bongartz stated. “We are happy to provide contractual insurance that we will keep it small, that we will minimize traffic on Hapgood Pond Road, and that we will protect the unique character of the Landgrove and Peru communities.”
“We reached a compromise, which by definition means everyone had to give a little,” added Tashjian. “I am excited that we are now ready to move forward, and I believe the restrictions we agreed to provide ample flexibility to create the program we envision. I appreciate the collaborative spirit we developed with the neighbors, and I look forward to building on this working relationship so we can move this project forward in a spirit of partnership. I know there remain residents in Landgrove and Peru who are skeptical of our intent and of the wisdom of this program, and even members of team with which we just reached agreement admitted ‘the proof will be in the pudding.’ We intend to prove to the Peru and Landgrove communities that we will be good neighbors, and my hope is that this program will quickly become a source of pride all around.”
After closing on the land, the immediate plan is to build a bridge, rudimentary driveway, and a small structure to provide a base for operations. Construction of the main building will begin once sufficient funds have been raised. As with all building projects at Burr and Burton Academy, this project will be funded entirely through private donations; no town tuition funds will be used for construction.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Barbara Miceli and Meg Kenny Receive 2009 Rowland Faculty Chair Awards
Burr and Burton faculty members Barbara Miceli and Meg Kenny received the third annual Rowland Endowed Faculty Chair Awards from Wendy and Barry Rowland during a special meeting at the school recently.Ms. Miceli is chair of the Foreign Languages Department, teaches German, and is the coach of the varsity dance team. Ms. Kenny, chair of the Social Studies Department, teaches world and U.S. history and economics.
The $10 million gift to the endowment made in 2006 by Wendy and Barry Rowland included the establishment of two endowed faculty chairs. These endowed chairs will honor two accomplished teachers every year. In addition to funding a teacher's salary, the endowed positions also carry a professional development award that permits the faculty members to upgrade course materials, attend conferences, travel or pursue other academic enrichment activities.
Rowland Sabbatical Awards were given to guidance counselor Cristin Rose, science teacher Dale Spring, English teacher Wil Mackey, art teacher Betsy Hubner, and mathematics teachers Mary Rita Manley and Mike Caraco.
“We feel very strongly that the future of Burr and Burton depends on attracting and retaining highly qualified and engaged faculty members,” said Mr. Rowland. “By recognizing and rewarding excellent teachers every year we hope to make Burr and Burton an even more attractive place to teach and to continue learning.”
In setting up their gift to the school’s endowment, the Rowlands identified specific areas they wanted the funds to support. Gifts to the endowment are invested and carefully managed much like a perpetual savings account that will continue to grow, giving Burr and Burton a solid financial foundation and the flexibility to create new programs as the need arises.
Barry and Wendy Rowland presented this year’s Rowland Faculty Awards to Burr and Burton teachers. Pictured (left to right): Wendy Rowland, Barbara Miceli, Meg Kenny, Barry Rowland and Headmaster Mark H. Tashjian.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Richard Ehler '10 Wins Art Award
Burr and Burton Academy junior Richard Ehler, shown here with Congressman Peter Welch, won the Congressman Peter Welch Choice Award last week at the annual Congressional Art Competition held in Montpelier. His winning painting was a still life entitled "Silver Bowl." Emery Boudreau ‘10 won honorable mention for her self-portrait. Other students who represented Burr and Burton in the event were seniors Paige Woodward, Sarah Garay, and Anna Beth Brabazon. “Burr and Burton was the only school to win two awards,” said Arts Department Chair Betsy Hubner. “We are incredibly proud of all these young artists.”
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Former Astronaut Jerry Carr To Be Burr and Burton Academy’s Commencement Speaker. Bill Muench To Give Faculty Address.
Headmaster Mark H. Tashjian is pleased to announce that Skylab astronaut Jerry Carr has accepted the school’s invitation to be the speaker at the 2009 Commencement Exercises.
“We are very excited that Jerry has agreed to be our speaker,” said Tashjian. “As this year is the 40th anniversary of the Apollo lunar landing and the 400th anniversary of Galileo's invention of the telescope, Mr. Carr's presence has historical as well as present-day relevance.”
Carr, who is currently living in Manchester, was one of the nineteen astronauts selected by NASA in April 1966. He served as a member of the astronaut support crews for the Apollo 8 and 12 flights, and was involved in the development and testing of the lunar roving vehicle used on the lunar surface by Apollo flight crews.
He was commander of Skylab 4 (third and final manned visit to the Skylab Orbital Workshop) launched November 16, 1973, and concluded February 8, 1974. This was the longest manned flight (84 days, 1 hour, 15 minutes) in the history of manned space exploration to date. After working on several technical assignments involved in the development of the Space Shuttle, Carr left NASA in 1977 to become a professional engineer and consultant, and subsequently set up Camus, a family business that provides consulting services to the space industry in the development of space stations and exploring the moon and Mars.
The Class of 2009 has requested a new tradition be established this year with the first Faculty Commencement Speaker. The seniors elected English teacher Bill Muench to be the first speaker. Muench, who teaches a very popular course called Space and Time, has brought many famous scientists and astronauts to his class via videoconferencing and is a good friend of Jerry Carr’s. He also teaches Advanced Placement psychology, coaches basketball, and is an adjunct professor at Castleton State College.
Commencement ceremonies will take place on Friday, June 12, at 5:30 pm at the school.
“We are very excited that Jerry has agreed to be our speaker,” said Tashjian. “As this year is the 40th anniversary of the Apollo lunar landing and the 400th anniversary of Galileo's invention of the telescope, Mr. Carr's presence has historical as well as present-day relevance.”
Carr, who is currently living in Manchester, was one of the nineteen astronauts selected by NASA in April 1966. He served as a member of the astronaut support crews for the Apollo 8 and 12 flights, and was involved in the development and testing of the lunar roving vehicle used on the lunar surface by Apollo flight crews.
He was commander of Skylab 4 (third and final manned visit to the Skylab Orbital Workshop) launched November 16, 1973, and concluded February 8, 1974. This was the longest manned flight (84 days, 1 hour, 15 minutes) in the history of manned space exploration to date. After working on several technical assignments involved in the development of the Space Shuttle, Carr left NASA in 1977 to become a professional engineer and consultant, and subsequently set up Camus, a family business that provides consulting services to the space industry in the development of space stations and exploring the moon and Mars.
The Class of 2009 has requested a new tradition be established this year with the first Faculty Commencement Speaker. The seniors elected English teacher Bill Muench to be the first speaker. Muench, who teaches a very popular course called Space and Time, has brought many famous scientists and astronauts to his class via videoconferencing and is a good friend of Jerry Carr’s. He also teaches Advanced Placement psychology, coaches basketball, and is an adjunct professor at Castleton State College.
Commencement ceremonies will take place on Friday, June 12, at 5:30 pm at the school.
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