Fall Family Weekend
October 13-14, 2023
Join us under the Mountain next weekend! We’re looking forward to welcoming families for class visits, athletic contests, and more, including special guest Lynn Lyons, LICSW, who will present her talk, “Modeling Matters: What Parents Need to Know (and Do) to Decrease Stress, Worry, and Anxiety" on Friday at 1:00 p.m.
Plus, enjoy Friday afternoon games on the turf field and food trucks under the lights from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.! Offerings include pizza, barbecue, tacos, coffee and espresso drinks, Ben & Jerry’s, and more!
* Don't miss the Fall Concert! Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. *
Spring 2023 Academic Awards
Congratulations to our academic award winners from the Spring 2023 semester! We will celebrate this year’s achievements at the close of each trimester, in the winter, spring, and next fall.
As we look to the year ahead, remember that we’re just getting started. In the academic year before us, I wish for each of you academic curiosity, the opportunity to demonstrate your perseverance and your resilience, and that you always display academic integrity, showing respect for yourself, your peers, and your teachers."—Dean of Academics Brooke Depelteau
Classroom Spotlight
Adv. Algebra II & Trigonometry
In Mrs. Gappa’s Adv. Algebra II & Trigonometry class, the Egg Bungee Lab allows students to practice their graphing skills and their ability to write the equations of lines in a real-life situation. It’s also a great way for the class to feel comfortable with each other early on in the school year by having a little fun!
Using an egg and some elastic bands, students take measurements comparing the number of elastics and the amount of stretch, to run a linear regression which they use to predict a bungee run at a height revealed on the last day. Students then spend time analyzing the correlational coefficient and any errors that they may have made in their approach to gathering information.
Egg Bungee Lab
Third former Rori Nisi shared, "The equation we used to determine the amount of rubber bands needed gave us the number 16.8. We were nervous that the egg would hit the ground, so we went with only 16 bands. We should’ve used 17 because the probability that our equation would work was 98%. So we learned we should have trusted our equation."
This lab was a fun, hands-on way to practice linear functions. I had a lot of fun actually looking at how linear equations are used in the real world.”–Rori Nisi ’27
College Rep Visits
Through the course of the year, nearly 100 college and university admission officers visit Berkshire to meet with students. It’s been busy in the College Office this fall, with reps from Northeastern, Bucknell, University of Southern California, Colby, and SMU, all on campus this week and many more to come. Go Bears!
Mystery Swag Bag Giveaway!
Wednesday, October 11th
Are you following Berkshire School Athletics on Instagram? If so, you'll be entered to win a "Bag of Swag" from Berkshire! Give us a follow to stay up-to-date on the Bears and for a chance to win Berkshire gear!
And be sure to follow @BerkshireSchoolAthletics on Threads for game day scores and highlights!
Mic'd Up with Coach Holmes
Go behind the scenes with Varsity Field Hockey Coach Janna Holmes as the Bears prepare for game day. Watch the video below.
For more field hockey action, follow the team on Instagram!
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 Sixth Form Dean and Latin teacher, Mike McCabe, go for a walk along the Campus Loop.
Fall Photo Day Reminder
Fall Photo Day is THIS TUESDAY, October 10. Photographers from Highpoint Pictures will join us on campus to capture photos of ALL students! No pre-ordering is required! Parents or guardians will receive email proofs prior to purchasing.
STUDENTS: Look for a photo schedule to arrive in your email, and don't miss cider donuts and hot cocoa at the photo table!
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.
Student Center Construction Update
Construction on the renovation and expansion of Berkshire’s new student center is well underway! Members of the Board of Trustees recently toured the space, and Director of Facilities Tim Fulco '78 provided an update, below:
Since early July, the general contractor has been systematically removing all of the components of the interior to the point where the building now consists of the structural steel and building envelope. The selective demolition is essentially complete. Site demolition is taking place in an effort to begin installation on the exterior infrastructure.
Being in the early stages, work is currently taking place on the ground floor. Subfloor electrical and plumbing infrastructure is being installed, and once complete, a new concrete subfloor will be poured over the top.
Next, the supplemental steel is due to arrive, which will be used to install the new top floor, which will house the Music Department. This work will be performed in conjunction with the excavation for the new addition, as well as the installation of additional steel beams and columns. Stay tuned as the project progresses!
The DEI Alumni Alumni Council Presents Collective Voices: A Virtual Conversation Series on DEI
A Conversation with Fred Williams ’69 and Head of School Pieter Mulder
Wednesday, October 18th at 8:00 PM EST
Public defender, judge, law professor, and one of the first Black students at Berkshire, Fred Williams ’69 arrived on campus in 1966 through the A Better Chance program. Along with classmate Joe Dirl ’69, they were among the first Black students to attend and the first to graduate.
Please join us for the inaugural DEI Alumni Council’s Collective Voices event, a virtual conversation between Fred Williams ’69 and Head of School Pieter Mulder, as they discuss Williams’ reflections on Berkshire, the judiciary, and his career teaching at an HBCU (historically black college or university) law school.
The DEI Alumni Council’s Collective Voices speakers series highlights the importance of hearing from and including the perspectives and experiences of historically marginalized identities within our alumni community. By listening to and valuing our voices, we aim to work toward a more just, equitable, and inclusive community at Berkshire School and beyond.
Sneak Peek: Student Center 👀
This view is from the Soffer Center side of Benson Commons across the dining hall and back around to Mrs. Gilligan and Mr. Bjurlin's offices. Stay tuned for more updates!