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The Bears' Den | 9.23.23 A semi-monthly newsletter designed to keep our Berkshire community connected and engaged.

Berkshire came together for its first community dinner of the school year—an opportunity for our Bears to meet new friends and connect with faculty over a meal together.

Senior Faculty Jesús Ibáñez will share a few words at the start of each community dinner “as a way of giving thanks and as a way of reflecting upon our moment of time under the Mountain.” On Tuesday night, he reminded us that there is no such thing as an ordinary mortal, and encouraged us to bring our formidable talents and personalities to the community over the course of the year ahead.

Fall Family Weekend

October 13-14, 2023

Join us under the Mountain on October 13-14! We’re looking forward to welcoming families for class visits, athletic contests, and more.

Don't miss the Fall Concert! Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Lynn Lyons

Plus, special guest Lynn Lyons, LICSW, 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. Lynn has been in private practice for 30 years, specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults and children. She travels internationally as a speaker and trainer on the subject of anxiety, its role in families, and the need for a preventative approach at home and in schools. She is a sought-after expert, appearing in the New York Times, Time, NPR, Psychology Today, and other media outlets.

Academic Achievements

Gabe Dahari '25 is one of eight high school students chosen to compete in next week's Science Story Slam at the Cambridge Public Library. The event, launched this year by two MIT professors, brings together storytelling and science in a unique way.

The route I went is a gripping retelling of a historical, scientific discovery. I felt like I could make it poetic." —Gabe Dahari '25

Classroom Spotlight

Director of Geier Library Jen Tuleja Travels to India and Nepal

Jen Tuleja

This summer, Ms. Tuleja traveled to India and Nepal with the nonprofit group GEEO, thanks to funding from Berkshire’s Jonathan W. Strom Program for Asian Studies. Her group, which included 11 other teachers from across the U.S., traveled from New Delhi and Jaipur across northern India to Agra, Orchha, and Varanasi and finished in various regions of Nepal. Her goal was to use her experiences to help enhance the third- and fourth-form history curricula and to better support students as they learn, research, and write about historical and contemporary issues in South and Southeast Asia.

Visiting one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Visiting the ancient royal cities of Bhaktapur and Patan in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal—where the 2015 earthquake destroyed many buildings, many of which have been reconstructed.
Being able to travel among urban and rural communities visiting religious sites and cultural spaces while having conversations about the impact of historical events on the people of India, all while witnessing the emerging geopolitical landscape of the modern world, created a profound impact on me.

It quickly became evident that I would be able to inspire teachers to partner with me on projects, specifically to help third- and fourth-formers develop research and presentation skills related to the various religious, cultural, and historical events of India. Most importantly, to inspire students to explore the complexities of these topics with a lens of curiosity and growth mindset toward greater understanding of the global world.”–Jen Tuleja

Academic Resources

The below resources are available to all students for help and support. In addition, faculty members hold office hours twice each week at 8:00 a.m. and are available by appointment.

Writing Center

Monday – Thursday, 7 – 10 p.m. in Berkshire Hall

MRC (Math Resource Center)

Monday – Thursday, 7 – 10 p.m. in Berkshire Hall

Kenefick Center for Learning (KCL)

KCL provides additional support focusing on learning strategies and study skills. Students may contact Mrs. Driscoll for an initial meeting to discuss resources.

Email Mrs. Driscoll at dorydriscoll@berkshireschool.org

Public Speaking Coaching

Email Mr. Howard at jhoward@berkshireschool.org

From the Counseling Office

Led by Steph Holmes '06, Berkshire's Counseling Office is made up of three licensed mental health professionals trained in providing one-on-one and small group counseling and crisis intervention. They partner with families and all areas of school life to continually improve the student experience and the well-being of the whole community. The Counseling Office sponsors community-level initiatives such as all-school speakers, small group workshops, and faculty/staff training.

The Counseling Office also regularly highlights resources to help families foster emotional well-being and promote self-care in their daily lives. Check out this month’s recommendation!

“Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic and What We Can Do About It” by Jennifer Wallace

An award-winning reporter investigates the deep roots of toxic achievement culture and how parents and families can fight back.

Fall Team Photos are Here!

Girls Varsity Soccer Team

Be sure to follow @BerkshireSchoolAthletics on Instagram and Threads to keep up-to-date on athletic news, scores, and highlights!

Mic'd Up with Coach Cary

Go behind the scenes with Varsity Football Coach Tim Cary as they prepare for game day. Watch the video below.

For more football action, follow the team's Instagram account @Berkshire.Football.

Green Key Leaders

Shout out to this crew of student leaders responsible for leading the Admission touring effort for prospective students and families. They, along with over 225 fellow Bears who signed up to give tours, led over 1,100 campus tours last year! 😲

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 Director of Admission Allison Letourneau ‘07 go for a walk along the Campus Loop.

Fall Photo Day Reminder

FALL PHOTO DAY is scheduled for 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.

Sponsored by the Green and Gray Student Leaders

Alumni Spotlight

Angela Meredith-Jones ’87

During her career as a private art consultant, Angela Meredith-Jones ’87 has witnessed a lot of change in the art world as art has become more accessible through the decades. What hasn’t changed, however, is her dedication to Berkshire, and to her recent new roles as DEI Alumni Council member and Berkshire parent.

Join us!

Reception in Mexico City

Chef Martha Ortiz Chapa

Alumni, parents, and friends of Berkshire, please join Associate Head of School Jean Maher for an Admission Reception in Mexico City on Tuesday, September 26, at 7:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by Kiyoshi Tsuru and Isabel Davara Fernadez de Marcos, parents of Noboru '25, and will feature renowned Chef Martha Ortiz Chapa of Top Chef Mexico (and a culinary theme in honor of Nobel Laureate Octavio Paz). To RSVP, click here.

The Admission team will also be hitting the road for school fairs and more receptions across the country and the world. We hope you'll meet us on the road or join us for an upcoming event this fall. And please feel free to spread the word!

Fall Concert Sneak Peek!

Dr. Clive Davis leads the jazz band through a rehearsal of "Come Together," by the Beatles.