PARENT
BULLETIN
January
11, 2007
Dear
Parents:
Our new year’s resolution is to provide you with more information
more frequently about progress at the New Hampshire Equestrian
Academy as it emerges—what we are thinking, what you and students
are thinking, what we are doing, who is helping, etc.
Curriculum
Update:
Last Period Options
We are expanding options for the 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. time
slots. During 2nd Trimester we plan to offer sessions in new
and continuing topics areas, according to available instructors:
1) Spanish, 2) research projects, 3) math academy (individual
tutoring at all levels), 4) film studies, 5) Accounting I,
6) entrepreneurial business, 7) seminars in political science
and world religions, and 8) seminars in personal health.
NHEqA’s
math program is individualized and lab based. Students can
move at their own speed through the sequence of pre-algebra
through Algebra II, Geometry, and even calculus. We can see
that more direct teacher and text support will benefit students
at every level of instruction and so these additions are being
made: an additional a math teacher consultant, an additional
math instructor, two afternoon sessions per week for “Projects
in Math” from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for tutoring support
at all levels, and purchase of additional math books and workbooks.
The school would appreciate any math books or workbooks you
might have the build our library of problem examples.
World
Language:
In World Languages, Instructor Susan Hughes has signed on
for American Sign Language I—the official language of adults
who are deaf. She is very much enjoying our students and is
committed to 2nd trimester. The instructor will assist the
school mapping our 6 trimesters worth of American Sign Language,
all at the Beginner and Intermediate levels but including
introduction to interpreting.
The
school can schedule in one more language during the 2:00 –
3:30 p.m. slot or on a once morning/once afternoon weekly
schedule. We are searching for a Spanish instructor and, if
a Latin tutor can be found, we’ll try to integrate Latin as
well. We’re delighted our students want to learn multiple
languages.
Film
Studies:
A parent has advanced the idea of having intergenerational
film discussions on Thursday evenings. This would involve
viewing a film Thursday afternoons, preparing and sharing
dinner at the “student center,” and having intergenerational
film discussions that conclude at 7:00 p.m. Parents and students
will be asked to watch the film before Thursday night’s discussion.
The school would show each week’s film on Thursdays from 2:00
p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Supervised
Lodging:
A proposal is being advanced for a supervised lodging program
at the equine studies house, Monday – Thursday nights. A parent
and experienced nurse is helping to shape the proposal to
include an adult house residence manager Monday through Thursday
nights. Proposal details will be firmed up prior to February
1st. Interested parents should contact the school to advise
of their interest. Room for 4-5 students could be available
and arrangements would include dinner and breakfast for overnighters.
Science:
Our integrated science program offers, each year: physics,
1st trimester; chemistry, 2nd trimester; and biology, 3rd
trimester. Plus, students will all have equine science through
clinic rounds/discussion at the veterinary clinic. After three
years, NH EqA student transcripts will show 1 year physics,
1 year chemistry, and 1 year biology, 1 year pre-veterinary
medicine, and individual research projects in science. This
still leaves options for additional coursework.
The
integrated model for teaching science is actually quite advanced
but poses some difficulty transferring in and out of other
schools. Our students will have 1/3 credit from each trimester.
During this year’s 2nd trimester students are studying college
prep chemistry.
History:
We’ve located a highly qualified history teacher (American
and world history) who will help us develop course syllabi,
select texts, and assure we are meeting the same standards
as top high schools. He will also develop 2 afternoon seminars:
political ideologies and world religions. Text, seminar, and
speaker ideas are welcome.
Computers:
Three desktop computers are now set up at the student center
(the farmhouse). Students will be rotating to the student
center (farmhouse) one afternoon each week and all will be
there on Friday afternoons. As the equine studies program
becomes more project and hands-on, students will keep journals
and records of their work on student center computers.
We
are almost finished with computer policies and guidelines
for care and use. All students need to know the importance
of care and cleanliness. Please help us protect the computers
by reminding students to keep laptops in a case or sleeve
when not in use. Please also be sure your student turns the
computer off before moving it around, e.g. bumping around
in a backpack.
Student
Center/Farm house:
We have changed locks, cleared out more furniture, and are
in the student center. The lease agreement will allow use
for 5-20 years. The next interior improvements are cleaning
out and painting the upstairs rooms, locating bunk beds and
area rugs, making additional outside revisions including painting
the outside (at least the side students enter).
Business/Financial
Operations:
Our business/financial operations have relocated to a small
business office at the Myhre Equine Clinic that was set up
over the summer. A NHEqA parent with prior school accounting
experience is taking over the school’s business and financial
management after qualifying for a New Hampshire School Business
Manager certificate. Everyone who works for NHEqA must sign
a confidentiality agreement; the school has a high standard
for confidentiality. Having ordering and paying work handled
in Rochester will be helpful all around.
Horses:
We weren’t ready for horses before, but now we have funds
(over $12,000 from the auction), stalls, and insurance. We
would like to start with 2 horses and expand by spring. Needs:
horses, an appropriate permission form to be around horses
for parent review and signature, and weekend horse caretakers.
We could not take horses offered before but now we are ready.
Selection is by Mrs. Sellinger.
Parents:
The goal of 100% parent involvement is gradually being met—thank
you, everyone for your contributions to the school. Parents
have provided consultation, nursing services, legal expertise,
help with room management, lunch options, snack program, copying,
shared transportation, board governance, donated books, donated
equipment, donated labor, event organization, and much, much,
more. Thanks to everyone for helping to build a fine and unique
school.
Susan
Hollins & Casey Heimlich
susan@nhschoolreform.org
and English@nhequestrianacademy.org
