Classroom Spotlight
AP Biology & the Electron Microscope
I’ve taught about electron microscopes for 22 years. You don’t hear about magic in a science class often—this is magic. The fact that we have access to this is absolutely unbelievable."—Ms. Mahoney
Students in Ms. Mahoney’s AP Biology class were recently introduced to Berkshire’s electron microscope. The high-powered tool works by shooting beams of electrons at an object and collecting the ones that are reflected, or bounce back, from the specimen. Since living material has the potential to absorb electrons (vs. reflect them), specimens are coated in gold prior to imaging to provide contrast and produce a better quality image. Students viewed goldenrod and a ladybug in class––both specimens produced incredible views that just might change the way they look at the natural world!
The microscope's magnification is so powerful that it was like looking into a secret world. I got to work with the sputter coater to coat the ladybug with gold as well. To have been able to create one of (probably) the world's most expensive ladybug’s was an amazing experience!”–Akari Ikeda '25
“A big concept in AP Biology is that of emergent properties,” said Ms. Mahoney. “The idea that when you increase your level of study, new properties show up that allow you to understand what you are studying even more. Being able to see the hairs on the ladybug's leg (called ‘setae’) helps students see the complexities that arise when you study things at a deeper level. In general, the more we understand, the more we care. Seeing the ladybug at that level helps us understand it more. I would imagine that the next 100 times our students see a ladybug, they will remember that image.”
Berkshire School presented its Fall Concert during Fall Family Weekend with live performances from the Jazz Ensemble, Chorus, Chamber Music Ensemble, Greensleeves, Ursa Minor, and selections from the Digital Music class.
To watch the concert on-demand, click here.
The Warren Family Gallery Presents
PARADE: An Abstract Art Show by Jesse Tobin McCauley
Opening Reception for the Artist on Friday, Nov. 3, from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Artist Jesse Tobin McCauley lives and works in Pittsfield, Mass., where she creates out of her studio at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts.
Tobin McCauley studied design at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. Her work has been collected across the U.S., and her large-scale murals can be seen throughout the Berkshires. Known for her vibrant abstractions that combine geometric shapes, mark-making, and a playful use of a modern palette, Tobin McCauley hopes everyone "smiles and feels a sense of happiness that is evoked by the flood of fresh color interacting on the canvas."
Fall Play
Berkshire Theater presents: "Middletown" by Will Eno
Thursday, Nov. 2 – Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in Allen Theater
“‘Middletown’ is an offbeat, funny, and heartbreaking human portrait of a town whose residents are stuck in the murky middle of things while reaching for a handhold on the way to the next step,” says Theater Director Jesse Howard. “An experienced cast and crew have taken great care in presenting the sophisticated and poetically moving piece of theater.”
There is a $2 suggested donation at the door. The play runs about two hours with one 15-minute intermission with refreshments. Come out and enjoy the show!
“Middletown’s” mature themes make it best suited for audience members 13 years of age or older. For more information, email Jesse Howard at jhoward@berkshireschool.org.
40th Year of the Sheehan Cup
Bears hold onto the Sheehan Cup on Canterbury Day!
The Walter E. Sheehan Trophy is awarded annually to the overall winner of the athletic competitions that take place each year during Family Weekend between the Bears and the Saints. Last weekend, the Bears held onto the Sheehan Cup on Canterbury Day, winning 7 out of the 11 athletic contests.
Follow us!
Photo: Canterbury Flickr
Head of the Charles Regatta
Berkshire’s 1V enjoyed a successful day on the water at last weekend’s Head of the Charles Regatta, billed as the world’s largest 3-day rowing competition.
Our four performed quite admirably. There were a number of fast boats starting behind us and our Bears successfully held them all off, allowing no boats to pass them throughout the entire 5 km race. This drove the Bears to a competitive finish, ending at 17:58.249, good enough to land us 32nd overall out of 90 entries in the division.”—Coach John Palmer
Shoutout to the crew: Coxswain: Micaela Quintero '25, Asher Lefkoff ‘24, Roy Krueger ‘24, Sebastien Madan ‘25, and Will Faucett ‘24
Row Bears!
For more crew news, follow the team on Instagram @berkshireschoolcrew.
This month’s resources—shared to help families foster emotional well-being—the Counseling Office is featuring two works by Devorah Heitner, Ph.D.: her new book, “Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World,” and an article from The Atlantic called “The Very Common, Very Harmful Thing Well-Meaning Parents Do.”
Dr. Heitner specializes in parenting and technology and earned her Ph.D. in Media/Technology and Society from Northwestern University.
Equipping our kids with good judgment—and letting them experience the consequences of messing up without trying to get in front of every mistake—is the only way to raise young adults who will be equipped to function on their own."—Dr. Devorah Heitner
You'll often find Bears walking along Berkshire's Campus Loop, a one-mile stretch around campus. Join Jeff Depelteau for a walk along the Campus Loop to meet some of the people (and learn about the places and programs) that make Berkshire such a special place.
Mr. Depelteau and Associate Head of School Jean Maher, go for a walk along the Campus Loop.
Calling all Seniors
Interested in a class ring?
Samuel Shapiro ‘08 will be on campus to share class ring samples and sizing. Stop by his table in the Jack on Friday, November 10, from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. to order.
Password: gobears!
Questions? Contact Samuel Shapiro at hello@trustinsam.com or call 914.200.4584.
Alumni Spotlight
Zach Haberman ’96
Sometimes a career choice is unplanned. That was the case for Zach Haberman ’96, when he happened to accept an internship position at the “New York Post” in the summer of 2000. At the time, he hadn’t considered a career in journalism, but after college, the “Post” hired Haberman as a full-time staff reporter. The rest, as they say, is history.
The DEI Alumni Council Presents Collective Voices: A Virtual Conversation Series on DEI
Watch last week's virtual conversation between Fred Williams ’69 and Head of School Pieter Mulder, as they discussed Williams’ reflections on Berkshire, the judiciary, and his career teaching at an HBCU (historically Black college or university) law school, below.