Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Spring 2014

balancing change with tradition In This Issue In 2004 a Visiting Team of educators from schools around the Northeast arrived at Thornton Academy. Sent by our accrediting agency, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), we had prepared them with a selfstudy document created by the whole faculty in which we explored every aspect of our school. We described our strengths, identified areas of need and proposed an ambitious path for the future. The task was rigorous but rewarding. We were reminded not only of why this school is so special, but also of our exceptional capacity to move forward. Ten years later, we are once again engaged in an all-school self study; a NEASC accrediting team will arrive in October, 2014. This Postscripts shares some of Thornton’s wonderful and positive growth over the past decade. Since 2004 we’ve added a middle school, a boarding program, and strengthened our curriculum. For example, Advanced Placement offerings increased from six courses to 24, the most offered anywhere in the State of Maine. Also, myriad special interest classes are offered by the unique after-school “5/X” program. Special education, literacy and credit recovery teachers gather regularly with counselors, deans and social workers to tailor interventions that guide our most at-risk students. Lastly, the University of Maine School of Engineering has partnered with our STEM program such that students who complete TA’s rigorous STEM curriculum may enter with sophomore standing. In addition to college preparation, our school-to-work counselor assists work-bound seniors to transition effectively to jobs. Thornton Academy has partnered with the NTMA-U program and a local machinist company to prepare students for a career in that field, and the Jobs For Maine Graduates program has recently been implemented. Campus improvements since 2004 include the Arts & New Media Center, the engineering lab, a new dance studio and library, the renovation of Hill Stadium (synthetic turf field, stadium lights and new bleachers, tennis courts and track). Stasio and Nelson Hall dormitories have been constructed to house 90 students and eight faculty families. The dining service has enlarged the kitchen and serving area to accommodate the growth of the school community. Three state-of-the-art classrooms have been refurbished in the old Bryant lab. From the Headmaster - Rene Menard ‘88 The Difference a Decade Makes Looking at where we’ve been, where we’re going It’s not just the 3R’s anymore 4-5 6 Dedicated Donors Ryan Lagan ‘01, John & Anita Binette Colpitts ‘53 7 In the Classroom Flipping the classroom - Teri Hogan Arenstam ‘77 8-9 Arts Joel Zayac ‘05 “Pippin” and Friends of the Arts 10 11 Athletics Planting seeds, growing teams 12 Volleyball serves up demand 3rd Annual Golf Tournament TA International How global is TA? “The changes of the last decade represent our best efforts to educate every single TA student to the highest possible standard.” Freshman Orientation, students often excitedly tell me that their parents and grandparents went to TA. At the Senior Alumni Reunion, the reverse happens. Alumni/ae talk proudly about their grandchildren and greatgrandchildren attending TA. Our school mirrors our close community connections. That will never change. Thornton Academy honors the trust we are given. The youth of Saco, Dayton and Arundel have attended Thornton Academy for generations, while others have joined us more recently. The changes of the last decade represent our best efforts to educate every single TA student to the highest possible standard. This historically good school is better than ever. Despite all of this, Thornton Academy is clearly recognizable. As an alum myself, I know firsthand what is crucial to protect - our most cherished values, traditions and customs. At 2 2 POSTSCRIPTS Rene M. Menard ‘88, Headmaster 12 13 14-15 Middle School Excellence, from scratch Alumni in the News Keith Caldwell ‘97 Shawn Patrick Ouellette ‘89 16 17 17 Alumni Gatherings 18 Class Notes 19-22 In Memoriam 22-23 About the Cover: TA alumna Teri Hogan Arenstam ‘77 gave Postscripts a glimpse of how she’s turning her classroom on its head -- a teaching strategy known as “flipping” -- and making the experience that we’ve all had a thing of the past (see p. 8). Postscripts is published twice a year for Thornton Academy alumni and friends. Its production is made possible through gifts to the Thornton Fund. TRUSTEES Eric Purvis ‘81 - President Earle Cianchette Vangel Cotsis ‘85 Dr. Brian Dallaire ‘75 Philip D. Fearon ‘70 Dennis Flaherty Bernard Gaines ‘65 Stephen Garland ‘64 Robert Gowen Joyce D. Haley ‘75 Dr. Jeanne Hey Kenneth Janson ‘72 William D. Johnson William S. Kany ‘77 Karen B. Lovell James E. Nelson ‘67 Dr. Paul Remmes Kathleen Boutet Santamore ‘80 Mark G. Willett ‘65 ALUMNI BOARD Todd M. Davis ‘81, President Joshua Fearon ‘98 Lauren Chenard Folsom ‘75 Roberta Sargent Gallant ‘62 M. Corey Gray ‘97 Benjamin Harris ‘99 Vera Gallant Kalagias ‘80 Anthony M. LeBlanc ‘88 Sean LeBlanc ‘01 Susan Willey Marston ‘62 George Mendros ‘76 Harry J. Nielson ‘69 Christina Dolby O’Brien ‘86 Gregory Paradis ‘91 David O. Pendleton ‘81 Susan Mondor Spath ‘67 Giselle L. Tardiff ‘90 Nathaniel Tripp ‘00 Diana Grant Walker ‘75 Designed by: Marissa Gagnon Fortier ’99 and Joshua Pulsifer ‘06. Edited by: Patricia Erikson. Contributors: Brittany Brown, Kathryn DanylikLagasse ‘00, Emma Deans, Patricia Erikson. Cover Photo: Emma Deans. Read Postscripts online at www.thorntonacademy.org/postscripts POSTSCRIPTS 3

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