On Senior Day in May, the Class of 2000 picnics at Thetford's Treasure Island park and makes final plans for its Baccalaureate and Graduation programs in June.

..... Each year, Thetford Academy includes three "special days" in its school calendar: Mountain Day in the fall, Founders' Day in the winter, and Project Day in the spring. Each of these seasonal events has its own aims and character , but they share the common goal of creating a sense of community. The Special Days support the principles of cooperation and caring, providing students and teachers a chance to share memorable, positive experiences beyond the classroom.

>MOUNTAIN DAY

..... Established by Headmaster Fred Torrey in the early 1980's, Mountain Day takes place in September each year, on a day chosen for clear weather and -- if possible -- peak foliage. Instead of attending classes, the whole school goes hiking. By tradition, each grade has its "own" mountain, so that a student who spends six years at the Academy has a chance to climb all six peaks (all visible from the school itself, looking to the east over the Connecticut River Valley):

>Seventh Grade:	Mt. Cube
>Eighth Grade:	Black Mountain
>Freshman Year:	Smart's Mountain
>Sophomore Year:	Mt. Ascutney
>Junior Year:	Cardigan Mountain
>Senior Year:	Mt. Moosilauke

..... Alternative walks and climbs are also available for those who may not wish to complete a long hike. Students climb with the faculty who serve as advisors to their class, and each year some parents and community members (even the occasional dog) join the hikes. On all trails, the established procedures emphasize safety and cooperation. The purpose is not to race, or even to get to the top--the point is to enjoy the company and the landscape.

>FOUNDERS' DAY

.....Founders' Day is the annual celebration of the school's birthday, held each year in February. Part winter carnival, part arts festival, the day-long event includes class competitions in games and creative contests, an all-school banquet, and traditional ceremonies. The Student Council chooses a theme each year, and each class works on a related "sub-theme" in its preparation of murals, costumes, decorated sled "floats," snow sculpture, centerpieces, banners, songs, and narrative presentations.

..... In 2001, the theme for Founders' Day was "Decades of the Twentieth Century," chosen by the Student Council in honor of the new millenium. Each class selected a decade for its projects and competitions. On February 6, the annual celebration took place with high spirits and a foot of new snow.

Class presidents join the Head of school in the traditional candle-lighting ceremony each year.

Cake decorating is a popular competiton. Each class entered an elaborate creation. Other contests add to the fun of the day, including a three-legged race and a tug-of-war (below.)

Reflections on Founders' Day

Students wear costumes for the 1998
Founders' Day theme, "World Travel"

.....This account, part of the report on the school's "culture and identity" submitted to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, was based on reflections from a teaching intern after her first experience of Founders' Day:

Fun, yes. But while the students play, their teachers and support staff work hard to transform the school's gymnasium into a festive banquet hall -- setting places for nearly 400 people. How many students across the country, in public or private schools, can say they sat down to break bread with all of their school -- their teachers, their fellow students in every grade, the administrators, the custodians?

We believe in the power of symbol and gesture. We suspect that this simple act, the entire school sharing a meal as one community, has a powerful, if subtle effect upon TA students -- not least of all, because they know they are taking part in something that has roots in time. For the same reason, we suspect that whether or not the students pay close attention at first, over the years they are moved and heartened by the simple candle lighting ceremony. Each colored taper is lit by a class representative as a symbol of an old-fashioned virtue -- responsibility, commitment, faith. Then the light from all the candles is gathered by the senior class president who passes it on to the junior class president.

When we asked many teachers if they believed this school was different, everyone we spoke with agreed, and most pointed to two factors: TA's smaller classes, and its sense of community. We hear a lot of talk these days about "creating a sense of community", whether in school, church, or the workplace. Talk is cheap, and unfortunately even sincere efforts often fall short, shading into boosterism and forced, false consensus. It's rare and special to come across an organic community -- one with a real sense of shared history and of its tolerated differences."

(Report of Thetford Academy to NEASC, October 1998; VII. The Culture/Identity of the School, pp. #30-231)

Principal Carl Anderson (who began Founders' Day and many other traditions during his 36-years as TA's leader) and Class Presidents, at the Founders' Day Candle Lighting Ceremony of 1954

 

>Return to top> >

>PROJECT DAY

..... The Spring Special Day is devoted to field trips of all kinds, depending on teachers' and students' interests. Some groups go on overnight camping trips; some spend the day at a museum or historic site; some ride horses or look for whales or go fishing. Trips to amusement parks are popular options, as are visits to Fenway Park and other sports stadiums when tickets are available for games. Some students choose real "projects" in the community or school -- working on studio art, planning graduation events, providing services to neighbors or the town.

..... For 2001, in response to concern that the range of trips needs to expand, the Faculty Project Day Committee will work with the Student Council and interested parents to promote more options. As of June 2000, a preliminary list of possible trips includes those offered on PROJECT DAY 2000 ...

as well as these additional PROJECT DAY TRIP IDEAS....

..... To make suggestions or offer help, contact a Student Council representative, or Faculty Committee Chair Dan Williams.

>

>SCHOOL DANCES AT THETFORD ACADEMY:
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Once a month from September through May, TA schedules a dance for students.

Dates are listed in the School Calendar. Each dance is sponsored by a class (Seniors, Juniors, etc.) or student organization (National Honor Society, etc.), which takes responsibility for planning and hosting the event. Dance admission, usually around $3.00, helps defray the cost of a DJ, and helps the sponsor earn funds for its activities. Here are some questions parents ask:

>Who goes to dances?

>How long do dances last?

>Who supervises dances?

>What are the expectations at dances?