List of 11 news stories.

• Have a fabulous summer!

  6/7/2017
  
  Dear Families:

  
  As we approach the end of this school year, I have had the pleasure of seeing so much student work on display. From the Gawlik awards to the gala, creative art expo to the science and psych symposium, from the intensity of athletic competition to the serenity of poetry readings, I have been struck by one overriding concept: deeply imbedded in the BBA culture is the quest for quality.

  
  In this day and age, there is much discussion about how students should be educated, what skills they need to develop to thrive in the complexities of the 21st-century, how will technology reshape education, what jobs will be created and what jobs will disappear in the future? While we are actively engaged in all of these discussions as we contemplate the future of BBA, there will continue to be a few constants that were essential in the past, are essential today, and will be essential in the future. Tops on that list is the quest for quality. If our students leave with a deep understanding that quality work requires commitment, care, attention, teamwork, open-mindedness, then the BBA education will have a lasting impact.

  
  It is my greatest hope that every member of the class of 2017 as well as the many classes that will graduate in the future will leave with this essential ingredient–along with many more, of course.

  
  Please join us on June 9 at 5:30 PM to celebrate the class of 2017, to hear from Governor Phil Scott, retiring department chair Dave Curtis, and BBA alumna and custodian Joel Secoy. Their speeches will surely enlighten, entertain, and celebrate the completion of another successful school year.

  
  And have a fabulous summer!

  
  Sincerely,

  

  Mark H. Tashjian
  Headmaster

   
  
  
  

• “And they are rounding the final turn and heading into the homestretch!”

  5/2/2017
  
  

  While the school year may be more like a marathon than a horse race (or a journey of discovery or an expedition), no matter what metaphor you want to use, we are unquestionably reaching the end of the school year. The pace around here goes from purposeful to something much faster, more exciting, chock-full of events, and climactic. A sprint.

  
  For the class of 2017, their time at BBA is coming to an end. While they will always be Bulldogs, each member of the senior class will venture forth into the world armed with relationships, support, aspirations, education, and, we hope, curiosity to continue to learn.

  
  We will bring the school year to a close on June 9 at 5:30 PM with commencement. If the weather gods are kind, commencement will be on the upper field overlooking our gorgeous campus, Manchester Village, surrounded by mountains. If the weather gods are less kind, we will celebrate at Riley Rink and will not let the weather diminish the great spirit of the day.

  
  I am delighted to announce that we have three amazing speakers for commencement. First, the senior class has selected two members of our workforce: Dave Curtis, long time science teacher and department chair who will be retiring at the end of this year, and Joel Secoy, a member of our custodial staff and a BBA alum himself. This dynamic duo will share remarks together.

  
  Our keynote speaker bestows upon us a great honor. Governor Phil Scott has accepted our invitation to join in commencement ceremonies. Governor Scott has devoted his life to public service, and with his election in November, a Republican in a deeply liberal state, he has proven himself to unite Vermonters across the political spectrum. I am certain he will have words of wisdom to share with us all, and this is also an opportunity to thank the governor for his instrument to work in helping to protect school choice and independence.

  
  So, buckle your seatbelts, get ready to cheer, as we run the gauntlet of these final events leading to another successful school year at Burr and Burton Academy. (With apologies to the English department for my brutal mixing of metaphors throughout this letter.)

  
  Yours in Bulldogs,

  

  Mark H. Tashjian
  Headmaster
  
  
  

• Our academic mission

  4/10/2017
  
  

  Dear Families:

  
  It has been a particularly arduous week, with yet another late opening due to the ice storm coupled with distracting events such as the debate, spike ball, and the now-postponed student-faculty basketball game. I am becoming increasingly concerned that we are losing focus on our academic mission, and as a result, it is time for us to make the following changes:
  
  

  1. We were planning on taking Friday, April 14 off to start the April break a bit early. However, given the number of snow days we have had, I am reinstating that day as a school day.
  2. After spring break, Fridays will become a full day rather than 12:45 PM dismissal. This will allow us to make up valuable learning time. I thought about lengthening Fridays immediately, but I think it is important that everybody have a bit of a heads up so you can mentally prepare for using your brains until at least 2:30 PM.
  3. After spring break, we will also start classes earlier. Arrival time will be 7:00 AM, and each period will be lengthened by 15 minutes.
  4. For seniors, we will be notifying colleges or future employers, including the military, of any symptoms of senioritis. Reportable symptoms include general malaise, talking in assembly, whistling in the hallways, or showing in any way that you might be in a good mood what with graduation peeking over the horizon.
  5. Music in the halls will feature exclusively music from the 1970s. That is when I went to high school, and it is really good music that can inspire you in all kinds of ways. For example, think of all the life lessons in Gloria Gaynor’s, “I will survive…”
  6. We are canceling Senior Bell Ringing and instead will be administering a standardized test to be determined. All sports practices will include a mandatory 30 minute study hall. The Gawlik Awards will be limited to educational films. Students traveling on spring break trips will be required to read from textbooks and fill out random worksheets while on buses or airplanes. I am sure I will think of some other things to enhance the educational environment around here.

  Thank you for your attention, and please find a way to remember that today is April 1. Keep smiling!

  Foolishly yours,

  

  Mark H. Tashjian
  Headmaster
  
  
  

• So I have a new hero: and her name is not Tom Brady

  2/7/2017
  Olga
  
  

  She owns a slew of track and field records: long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus, javelin, weight throw and the 100-metres, 200-metres and 400-metres and 4 x 100-metre relay sprints.

  
  

  Nancy Strain gave me a book about her, which I have been reading with delight. Want to see a video of her? here you go:

  
  

  https://youtu.be/xYlrOOmK-V0

  
  

  So the book I am reading is called, "What makes Olga Run?” What with her extraordinary athletic prowess at her extraordinary age, she has been studied quite extensively, and I plan to apply her lessons so that I, too, can I have a book written about me in about 40 years. More to the point, though, whether you are 94,14, or somewhere in between, here's what you need to know from Olga. And, by the way, Tom Brady is well on his way to being a super ager himself.

  
  

  Don't smoke. Smoking is absolutely disastrous to your body. So is vaping, by the way. Don't be fooled. This stuff corrodes your insides. Olga doesn't smoke, neither does Tom Brady.

  
  

  Eat well. Olga does not have some kind of freakish diet. She simply eats well. Similarly, Tom Brady is meticulous about what he puts in his body.

  
  

  Sleep: Olga considers sleep to be part of her training. So does Tom. He goes to bed at 9 PM every night.

  
  Exercise. Olga was born on a farm and started working out doing this thing called for work. She was active her whole life – again, not to any freakish level, but she sure didn't sit around and let herself rot.

  
  

  Keep your mind active. Olga was a teacher her whole life, and after that, she exercised her mind by doing Sodoku. Several years ago, Brady had a program tailor made to “work out” his brain. The exercises enable him to more quickly process information, increase his peripheral vision, and help improve his memory.The good news is that all of you get to exercise your minds in all kinds of ways at this school.

  
  

  The goal isn't necessarily to be a high jumper at 94 years old or win a bunch of Super Bowls, but to live a full and healthy and productive life, starting now. Like I said, Olga is my new hero, and I hope she, or Tom Brady, inspires you, too.

   
  
  

• What’s YOUR story?

  2/1/2017
  
  

  Dear Families:

  
  What’s YOUR story? Each family that comes to Burr and Burton has a unique story, and as we continue the dialogue with the State Board of Education and various political leaders, we would like the opportunity to tell the many stories of how families found themselves living in Vermont and sending their students to BBA. What brought you here? How did the educational opportunities in our region affect your decision to live here? If you moved from out of state, from where did you come?

  
  Governor Phil Scott spoke in his inaugural address about a vision of Vermont being an “education destination.” He recognizes that in this region, we already are an education destination, with the many fine schools in our area, and it will be very helpful if we can tell your story. If you are willing, please share your thoughts by sending an email to my assistant, Robin Urbanski, at rurbanski@burrburton.org.

  
  And speaking of political leaders, on Monday, Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman came to BBA for a tour and assembly talk. In his speech to our student body, he spoke about the rising level of activism in Vermont and throughout this country. He also talked about his own inspiration for getting involved politically, which came from hearing a young(er) Bernie Sanders speak in the 1990s. Mr. Zuckerman’s recommendation to our students was to find 30 minutes each week to be involved in some way. 30 minutes to serve, to write letters to legislators, to do something that makes our community and our state stronger. I particularly appreciated that Mr. Zuckerman, a progressive, promoted the involvement and activism that is the cornerstone of an effective democracy without endorsing or espousing any particular issues. His simple, inclusive message was to get involved.

  
  We have passed the halfway point in the school year. We are now fully up to speed, with all students adjusted to BBA’s expectations and opportunities. The days will start to get longer, winter will start to release its grip, and this school year will really start to accelerate in the coming months. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

  
  Sincerely,

  

  Mark H. Tashjian
  Headmaster
  
  
  

• I wish you a very happy new year

  1/1/2017
  
  

  Dear Families:

  
  I don’t know whether you are one of those families who cares about New Year’s resolutions or, at the other end of the spectrum, hates the whole exercise. Regardless, I hope you agree that some reflection at various points in time is worthwhile. With that in mind, I came across four different articles during this break that I thought were worth sharing, each one with its own cause for thought, and each bearing implications for how we approach education here at BBA.
  
  

  • The Long-Term Jobs Killer Is Not China. It’s Automation. This article points to the tremendous impact that automation is having on our economy. Certain jobs are not just disappearing overseas, drawn by lower wages, but are being eliminated entirely as technology explodes. If ever there were a case for education, this is it: young people must develop a range of higher-level skills in order to thrive in the economy of the future. 
  • Is Giving the Secret to Getting Ahead?  This article focuses on a professor, Adam Grant, who sounds extraordinary in his ability to give of himself. In fact, his secret to his own success is to give to others; his giving helps those around him succeed and is pivotal, therefore, to his own success.
  • New Head of Nutrition Gives Liverpool a Taste of Premier League Success. No matter how many ways we cut it, we are what we eat. The focus of this article is on a nutritionist for an elite sports team, but the lessons are the same for all of us: putting good food into our bodies helps us perform mentally as well as physically. Along with sharing this article for your own edification, we want to continue to move the food service at BBA towards healthier and tastier options.
  • Tragedy Made Steve Kerr See the World Beyond The Court: This article about Steve Kerr, who coaches the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, explores a deeper side to him than just trying to put a round ball through a round hoop. More to the point, everyone has challenges in their life, and Mr. Kerr gives us an example of how to take those challenges and create depth and perspective.

  And in closing, I want to share an observation gleaned from nine years at this great school: the ONLY thing that separates our top tier students from the second and third tier is their commitment to quality.  Those students with the resolve to complete all assignments thoroughly and to approach all classes with a desire to learn will be the ones who succeed now and into the future.  They will get into the best colleges, be the most employable and will have the greatest control over their destiny in life.  So if you want to make a New Year’s resolution, here’s a suggestion: help your sons and daughters resolve to do their absolute best in 2017.

  
  I hope you are enjoying the holidays, and I wish you a very happy new year.

  
  Sincerely,

   

  Mark H. Tashjian
  Headmaster
  
  
  

• Comments by the Headmaster at the beginning of Stakeholder Hearing

  12/13/2016
  
  Dear State Board of Education members as well as concerned citizens:

   

  Thank you all for being here today to grapple with the most important question facing our communities and, quite frankly our country: How should young people be educated in the 21st-century?

   

  I want to thank the board members here tonight, Bill Mathis, Stephan Morse, and Sean Marie Oller, and Peter Peltz, Thank you for caring, thank you for listening, and thank you for working together.

   

  Tonight, as you can see from this audience, you will experience a community that cares deeply. I am proud to be a part of this community not only as headmaster at Burr and Burton Academy, but as a father of four young children; not only as chair of the Vermont Council of Independent Schools, but as a Manchester resident, someone who moved here from New York City and fell in love with the special nature of what we have here

   

  We have a packed house tonight. The latest count I got is that 4 of you are in favor of the rules, and over 120 are opposed.

   

  And that's not all. Our state senators are concerned. The governor-elect is concerned. Our state representatives are concerned...

   

  I love Burr and Burton more than any school I have been associated with. But our community is better if Long Trail School continues to exist. Our community is better if Maple Street School, the Mountain School at Winhall, MEMS, Dorset and Flood Brook all provide a system of care for our students. Our community is better when we work together rather than against each other.

   

  Respectfully, chairman Morse, if these rules reduce choices, they reduce choice. The rules as currently written would most definitely reduce the choices available to those in our community.

   

  As an educator, I recognize that not every school, large and small, can be best for every single kid. Rather, my hope for this community is the same as my hope for my own children: that we have a range of offerings so that each child can find his or her special place.

   

  Thank you for your attention, and thank you, everyone, for being here tonight. The world is run by those who show up, and you are most definitely running the world!

   
  
  
  

• A grave threat to school choice and independence

  12/4/2016
  
  Dear Families, Alumni and Friends of Burr and Burton,

   

  So many of you have written letters to our legislators defending against the proposed rule changes by the State Board of Education. THANK YOU!

   

  The rules as currently written pose a grave threat to school choice and independence. Thanks to those of you who have written letters and lobbied legislators, we are making progress. However, our work is not yet done.

   

  On Monday, December 12 at 6 PM, the State Board of Education will be holding a public “stakeholder meeting” in the Riley Center here at BBA. We need everyone to show up prepared to share stories.  If you are a parent, you and your students are our most important stakeholders. If you are alumni, your experience and insights are invaluable for context and history. If you are a friend of the school, your belief in the transformative power of a great education is important to share with the state board.

   

  Please be prepared to tell the State Board of Education:

  • Why the board should not change a system that has served our communities so well for over 180 years.
  • What you value about the school choices available in our community.
  • If you moved into this area from another state, what caused you to come here?
  • What your son or daughter is getting out of the Burr and Burton experience.
  • What you experienced here at BBA as an alumni.

  Please mark your calendars, and please show up. We need your voice to be heard! Only with your participation can we protect the right to maintain school choice and have continued access to Burr and Burton Academy.

   

  Thank you very much for your support and participation. This effort is truly democracy at work.

   

  Sincerely,

  Mark H. Tashjian

  Headmaster
  
  

• Assembly Remarks

  11/29/2016
  Dear BBA Students:
  
  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. It's been a very busy fall, and for the first time, we are having exams before the holiday break, so the next few weeks are going to be intense. Everyone needs to be at the top of their game.

   

  As we all know, we had all an election earlier this month. As a result, we will have a new president and we will have a new governor of this state. We had the opportunity to see the new governor just weeks before the election, and I suspect we will see Phil Scott again. He was very impressed with this school.

   

  Governor elect Scott and outgoing governor Peter Shumlin issued a joint statement that I thought was worth sharing:

  
  "At this time of national discord, Vermont can present a united voice urging compassion, commitment to community, and fierce dedication to equal rights and justice. The example we set for the nation can help guide us forward through this turbulent time."
  
  

  I want to take a moment to emphasize that all students are safe here. By federal law, even if your family is undocumented, you have a right to be educated. Furthermore, BBA is an independent school, and we will fight tooth and nail to protect each and every one of you, your right to learn, and your right to be educated in a community that is respectful to each of your individual differences.

   

  And I would like to say a few words about the Pledge of Allegiance. When I first arrived at the school nine years ago, I had never in my life said the Pledge of Allegiance. Not once. I went to a progressive elementary school in the 60s, at the height of the Vietnam war. I attended Quaker school from 6-12th grade. I was raised to think independently.

   

  And I was raised to value family and community.

   

  When I arrived at BBA almost ten years ago, I saw that it was a community whose traditions and values included rising for the Pledge of Allegiance. It felt odd at first, despite my deep love for this country. However, I recognized that we are one community, and I wanted to be respectful of the community and the traditions within.

   

  I also want all of us to recognize the gap between our ideals and our reality. And I want us all to work individually and collectively to close that gap. Peter Shumlin and Phil Scott are asking us to be a united voice urging compassion, commitment to community, and fierce dedication to equal rights and justice.

   

  Here are some ideas for what we can do

  • Let's try to hold a citizenship ceremony at BBA so the newest Americans can be sworn in as citizens of the United States.
  • Let's organize to welcome Syrian refugees and offer them spots in this school.
  • Let's invite guest speakers like Onaje Woodbine, who spoke passionately and eloquently about the power of sports to make our world more just.
  • Let's remind ourselves of the ideals of this country and of the constitution – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We hold these truths to be self evident that all PEOPLE are created equal.
  • Let's treat each other with respect every day, honoring the differences and enjoying our similarities, our common ideals.
  • Let's stand up together and make this community as close to our ideals in our values as possible.

  And let's look to our flag as a symbol of hope, a symbol of idealism, a symbol of justice. Let's look to our flag as a call to rise and move towards our ideals.

   

  Governor Shumlin and governor elect Scott closed their statement as follows:

  "Together, we’ll defend the rights and freedoms of all; set an example for the nation to follow; and stand united in our commitment to move forward."

   

  I ask very respectfully that we rise together for the Pledge of Allegiance, and we stand united in support of our ideals, our traditions, and our community.

   
  Mr. Tashjian
  
  

• Reflections on the Election on the Eve of Veterans Day

  11/14/2016
  
  

  Dear Students and Colleagues:

  
  

  As I read accounts of the reactions to Tuesday's presidential election, I am seeing a range of emotions from jubilation to deep disappointment, with some demonstrations against the president-elect. These reactions have caused me to want to share some personal thoughts on this country, the divisions we face, and my hopes for our community here at BBA.

  
  

  "Give me your tired, your poor,
  Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
  The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
  Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
  I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

  
  

  We all know this excerpt from the Statue of Liberty, one of the greatest symbols of our nation.

  
  

  My grandparents were part of these huddled masses, the wretched refuse. On my Japanese side, they came to America to find a better life. On my Armenian side, they were fleeing genocide. For both sides, America held the promise of opportunity. Even as my Japanese grandparents, my 4-year-old mother, and her brothers and sister were imprisoned during World War II for the simple crime of having Japanese ancestry, they held faith in the promise of America.

  
  

  This election has unearthed tremendous resentment towards immigrants and highlighted racial divides. President-elect Trump, with some of his unvarnished rhetoric and sweeping generalizations, has emboldened some to speak in a manner that offends. Yet the heart and soul of this country has always been the promise of opportunity, the torch of liberty, and our ability to live in harmony among our differences.

  
  

  We have a long way to go as a country. Mr. Trump has the potential to move us forward, and my greatest hope is that he becomes a president exceeding even our highest expectations. I also recognize that we have very little influence over Mr. Trump just we would have had very little influence over Mrs. Clinton were she to have been elected.

  
  

  What we all can influence, however, is how we treat each other. I've said all along that we must hold ourselves to a higher standard than that demonstrated by our national politicians, and I want to reiterate that point. Our racial differences, gender and orientation preferences, our immigrant histories, our political differences all must be sources of strength in this community. We must not succumb to the baser instincts of celebrating victory with coarseness, and we must not handle our disappointments by belittling the good intent of those who see the world differently.

  
  

  Please be reminded of a very important core value of the school: respect for individual differences. That was an essential value before this election, and it will remain a core tenet long into the future. Engage in dialogue to learn, not to demean. Listen to others to seek understanding. Help us live up to the ideals not only of the school, but of our country, even though we know our reality is still reaching for those ideals.

  
  

  And remember that tomorrow is Veterans Day. Our servicemen and women fought and died to protect our freedoms. Let's use our freedom wisely.

  
  Mr. Tashjian
  
  
  
  
  

• School Choice

  10/19/2016
  
  Dear BBA Community:
  
  

  School choice and your right to send your children to BBA is under severe threat. The State Board of Education has proposed a set of rules that, if adopted, would effectively eliminate school choice in all of our towns. Because Burr and Burton is an Independent school, this means that most families would no longer be able to send their children to Burr and Burton. These rules would destroy smaller independent schools, and would seek to force BBA to become, for all intents and purposes, a public school. This is something we will not allow to happen.

  
  The proposed rules would prohibit sending towns from sending students to BBA unless we effectively became a public school. We would be required to have certified teachers, when many of our finest teachers are not certified. We would be required to have certified administrators, when most of our administrators are not. Under these rules, our independent board of trustees, which helps to raise millions of dollars each year ($30 million in the past 10 years) would be disbanded, and with it, our ability to raise funds that directly support education. Representative Oliver Olsen, who is fighting these rules tooth and nail, has calculated that real estate values in this region would plummet by as much as $200 million.

  
  I am attaching two pertinent communications:

  • A letter to education secretary Rebecca Holcombe from the Council of Independent schools, of which I am co-chair. Click here to view.
  • A letter from Representative Olsen to the state board of education. Click here to view.

  What can you do? Make your voice heard!

  Write a letter to Stephan Morse, Chair of the State Board of Education, and Rebecca Holcombe, the Secretary of Education and ask them to reject these rules. Tell them why school choice is important to you. Tell them how strongly you feel about Burr and Burton. Their contact information is as follows:

  • Stephan Morse, Chair, State Board of Education: Stephan.A.Morse@vermont.gov
  • Rebecca Holcombe, Secretary of Education: Rebecca.Holcombe@vermont.gov

  Write your State Senators and Representatives. Urge them to fight these rules.

  • Rep. Cynthia Browning: cbrowning@leg.state.vt.us
  • Rep. Steve Berry: sberry@leg.state.vt.us
  • Rep. Oliver Olsen: oliver@oliverolsen.com
  • Sen. Dick Sears: rsears@leg.state.vt.us
  • Sen. Brian Campion: bcampion@leg.state.vt.us

  The State Board of Education is made up of unelected political appointees. Their proposed action goes around the legislative process and may very well be deemed unconstitutional. We need to put the maximum pressure on the board and all parties involved so they know that BBA and other independent schools are a source of strength for our community.

  
  This is a test of our strength. We must rise to the test.

  
  Sincerely,

  Mark H. Tashjian