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HOLIDAYS

JUNETEENTH
Saturday, June 19

FATHER'S DAY / SUMMER SOLSTICE
Sunday, June 20

LAST DAYS OF SCHOOL

INTERIM-KINDERGARTEN
Thursday, June 10 (3:00 pm)

KINDERGARTEN
Thursday, June 10 (3:30 pm)

GRADES 1-12
Friday, June 11 (12:30 pm; No lunch served)

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View our current academic calendar or see what events we have coming up on campus.

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THE SUMMER SLIDE

CAMPUS UPDATES

Calendar Highlights

Summer Camps

STAFF FEATURE

2ND NATURE ACADEMY

Sweet Summer Respite is Upon Us

Elementary School

Middle School

High School

LET'S TALK LANGUAGE

Turning Corners in Spanish

Much Ado About Mandarin

Refrán del Mes

NATURE'S PATHWAYS

Splashing Safely Through Summer

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By Kerry Gleeson, President (The Nature of Things)

As we head into the summer months, this will be our last newsletter installment of the 2020-2021 academic year. It goes without saying that it has been one for the history books. Our children have experienced both the mundanities and the tragedies of a pandemic, right alongside the rest of us. Many families are concerned about the knock-on effects this period may have on the development of their children.

The term "summer slide" is used to indicate a decline in academic skills over the season, when school is not in session. All you have to do is type it into a search engine and you'll be presented with endless resources on how to combat your child's inadvisable descent. But what if letting them "slide" wasn't such a bad thing? We'd argue the merits of a summer "well spent" any year at 2nd Nature Academy. Perhaps, however, this summer more than any other there is a case to be had for allowing your child to relax, soak up the sun, and focus on the fun and trivial. (And this goes for all ages, whether they're in care, at home, on a big trip, or enrolled in summer camp.) So, as we wrap up the school year, we hope that you'll consider some of 2nd Nature Academy's expert tips for staying on top of your childhood learning and development all summer long:

Don't just get outside: Stay there. (Just keep the bug spray and sunscreen handy!)

Rescue worms from the pavement in the early morning hours and watch the clouds take shape overhead, before the sun rises high.

Once the sun does start to beat down and the cicadas get loud, dash through the sprinkler. Take shelter from the thunderstorms that cool down the night, but never run from the rain shower (it's better than the sprinkler).

Eat lunch on the lawn and eat dinner on the patio. Absolutely let ice cream cones drip down your wrists whenever the opportunity arises.

Catch frogs, catch fireflies, and, even "catch" feelings (summer is the most magical time for crushes).

Get a field guide and a pair of binoculars to connect with nature; Get to know your wild neighbors.

Plant a garden, harvest fruits and vegetables, and try your hand at new recipes.

Don't overlook the memories to be made with your family. Spend time at grandma and grandpa's house and learn their histories (the memories you make now will grow more sacred with time). Conduct an interview and share it on StoryCorps!

Stay up late, watch movies and play games, and remember that, often, your siblings can be your best friends. Conversely, remember that friends can make the best family. Trade dreams and share secrets without inhibition.

Ride bikes, play ball, jump rope. Build forts and fairy houses, make mud pies, and cry without shame when your pet caterpillar escapes.

Make art, keep a diary, read books, write stories, and stage plays. Keep learning, even when you aren't aware that's exactly what you're doing every single second of every day.

...And never let the detractors stop you from going down a slide.

Happy summer!

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2nd Nature Academy Summer Camps: 2021 Season

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2nd Nature Academy Summer Camps: 2021 Season

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Camp Lovewell: Space available

Brainwave STEAM Camps: Space available in certain weeks

Farm, Field, & Forest Camp: Full

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Summer Camp Programs

Each summer, we host multiple camp programs on campus. Learn more about each at its corresponding website.

Camp Lovewell

Ages

2021 Dates

Format

Location

Activities include

kayaking, swimming, archery, arts & crafts, drama, sports, hiking

Farm, Field & Forest Camp

Agriculture & Humane Education

Ages

2021 Dates

Format

Location

Activities include

farm animal care, barn chores, gardening, hiking

The Enrichment Center Brainwave Camps

Ages

2021 Dates

Format

Location

Activities include

science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics

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Summer Camp Programs Each summer, we host multiple camp programs on campus. Learn more about each at its corresponding website.

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Lower Elementary Teacher, 2nd Nature Academy

Drama Specialist Counselor, Camp Lovewell

We all know those people whom we associate with the exact timbre of their laugh or whose mere presence can brighten a room. Karla Vasquez is one of those people. Karla first joined our school community in November of 2012 as a preschool teacher at Nature's Pathways. She had recently moved with her husband to New Hampshire from Arizona, where she was an elementary teacher. Very quickly, Karla was recognized for her passion, kindness, and talents as an educator and moved into an open position as our lower elementary teacher in fall 2013. Ever since, Karla has been molding young minds at 2nd Nature Academy, as well as dramatically leading campers to peals of laughter each summer at Camp Lovewell. Never one to shy away from jumping into a vernal pool or dancing without a care, Karla is as good at eliciting a smile as she is at nurturing her students' raw curiosities. Simply put, Karla is the stuff that children's dream teachers are made of and we know that many 2nd Nature Academy lower elementary alum will always hold a special place in their hearts for her. As will we!in their hearts for her. As will we.

At the end of this school year, Karla and her husband are moving back to Arizona to be closer to family. Throughout these eight and a half years, Karla has grown from a teacher to an integral community member, and even a close friend to many of us. We know that she will continue to inspire a joy for learning in students for years to come, no matter where she is and even though we are sad that it will no longer be at 2nd Nature Academy. Karla may be returning "home," but we hope she knows that she always has a home at 2nd Nature Academy too.

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By Kaitlin Quinn-Stearns, Deputy Head of School & Meghan Ayer, Head of School

Well, here we are once again: the end of a school year. It’s funny; the end of the year often seems so far away and yet always seems to show up, sort of out of nowhere. There has yet to be a school year that we haven’t marveled at the speed of its passing.

This school year, in many ways, is no exception. However, we all know that these many months have been unique, presenting us with challenges that no one could have predicted just two years ago. We won’t rehash how unprecedented this time was; we all know that well. We would instead like to focus on the resilience of our school community throughout this past year. Our teachers and students have worked so hard in the face of significant challenges and we cannot express our appreciation enough. We continue to be grateful for everyone at 2nd Nature Academy.

We echo Kerry’s sentiments in the introduction of this month's newsletter and encourage everyone to take time this summer to relax and reset. We need this respite every summer, but this year, more than ever. We wish you all a wonderful break and look forward to seeing you in September.

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The kindergarteners are having a blast counting down the alphabet backwards with thematic days

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Submitted by: Elizabeth Swett (Kindergarten), Karla Vasquez (Lower Elementary), and Bernadette Chiccino (Upper Elementary)

In kindergarten, we are in the midst of celebrating the last 26 days of school by counting down the alphabet... backwards! Some of our favorite days so far have been making zebra art for Z Day, dressing up as western cowhands for W Day, and making new names for letter N Day! This is a great way to wrap up the year and review all of our letter sounds.

In lower elementary, we started doing barn chores, such as changing water, cleaning the buckets, giving feed and hay, collecting eggs, and sweeping the barn. The students are doing awesome with their reading fluency; they are able to read with expression, at a good rate, and with accuracy. We are also working on our math books at all different levels. First grade is enjoying literary centers while second grade is working on our reading packets.

In upper elementary language arts, we are learning about prefixes and suffixes, wrapping up our Literature Circle Groups by writing book reviews, and we've begun reading Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo. Meanwhile, in social studies, we are preparing to wrap up our year working on a PBL project planning our dream vacation somewhere in the United States, to wrap up our study of the states. The students must choose a place to travel in the USA, research the destination, and stick to a budget when planning their trip.

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Explorations and big discoveries were underway at the vernal pools in May

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Submitted by: Ali Pearson (Lower Middle School), Bernadette Chiccino (Lower Middle School ELA), Meghan Ayer (Upper Middle School), and Nini Wu (Mathematics)

This month saw the culmination of lower middle school’s genius hour projects. Back in the fall, the students had time to think about a long term project they would like to work on. It had to be something that would provide them with challenge, learning, an outcome, and a measurable target, while also hopefully being fun! They had to pitch their ideas to their peers and get approval to continue. They have been working on a range of ideas from a wind up phone charger to a dance blog, or a student-based tour of the campus to a book of math puzzles. We are enjoying seeing them present their final products and celebrating their challenges and successes!

In language arts, we will next be working to create a class book of poetry based on the book Dictionary for a Better World by Irene Latham. Each student will write two poems and create the corresponding illustrations/imagery based on the concepts presented in this book, and then we will publish it.

Upper middle school are concluding the year with an essay writing unit. After reading a number of “This I believe” entries on NPR, students identified a number of beliefs they held dear. Having decided on one they feel strongly about, students are writing essays whilst learning about the structure and techniques for creating a great essay. The topics they have chosen are diverse and interesting, ranging from the benefits of video games to the importance of living every moment to the fullest.

In math, we are in the process of exploring cartesian coordinate systems and discovering how the slope of a line can dictate the direction of a linear graph. We are also learning about the geometric family of lines and angles, as well as about real numbers, absolute values, and inverse numbers.

All of middle school has also been taking advantage of the beautiful weather and all our campus and its surroundings have to offer. In addition to resuming barn chores, the students took a trip to the vernal pool to investigate and explore. There was great excitement when several frogs were found. The students tried their hand at identifying them. We think we found a bullfrog, a wood frog, and even a pickerel frog! We hope to hike out to Lovewell Pond by the end of the year and make some connections to our yearlong geology study. Specifically, we want to develop the students’ understanding of the glacial formation of kettle ponds through real-world observation.

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Submitted by: Nini Wu (Mathematics) and Kaitlin Quinn-Stearns (Humanities)

We are still exploring new concepts in trigonometry, like inverse functions of sines, cosines, tangent, and cotangent. We will also explore how angles are applied to solve practical questions like an airplane taking off, speed on a hill, and building of structures. In June, we will review and apply what we have learned to more complicated and practical questions.

In the Art of Language and Storytelling and Modern World History and Global Issues (Humanities), we are wrapping up the year with a final novel study of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. This is our second protest novel and we have very much enjoyed reading it. In conjunction with reading Animal Farm, we have focused on propaganda and the art of persuasion. Students spent time researching the use of persuasive techniques in modern marketing and political campaigns. Students assumed the roles of various (animal) characters from Animal Farm and challenged Napoleon (dictatorial leader of Manor Farm) in an election. They crafted speeches that incorporated various persuasive techniques and forms of propaganda to unseat the incumbent leader. We will see how that plays out in an election next week!

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Student Spotlight: High School Humanities

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Student Spotlight: High School Humanities

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POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS: "ANIMAL FARM"

In addition to the brutalities against our own animals, Napoleon has lied to all of us over and over again. He has said that all animals are equal, but has acted superior to all of us, even those who are pigs like him, by using his power to negotiate with our sworn enemy the humans, and by changing our laws... my eyes have been opened! I am no longer blinded by his tomfoolery. And now I wish to help all of you come to this realization. - Joey Hanlon, grade 10

I promise that as long as I am the leader, everyone will get their fair share of food and drink. Now comrades, I do ask that you consider all that I’ve said, and I hope you do consider me as a good fit to be the leader. Now remember, Moreover Your Best Bet Is With Clover! Thank you. - Olivia Richardson-Brown, grade 9

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Submitted by: Mariona Oca Jordan (Spanish)

The lower elementary students have been using storytelling techniques to strengthen our 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, cooperation, flexibility, and teamwork. We read the Spanish-language book: Por cuatro esquinitas de nada (Four Little Corners) by Jérôme Ruillier. The students spotted a problem and came with different solutions. This story also talks about acceptance, friendship, self-esteem, diversity, and inclusivity. The students finished the lesson by recording their very own audio book of the story! Click here to listen.

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Submitted by: Karla Vasquez (Lower Elementary Teacher)

To posh oneself up. / Se pone pipirisnais.

This month's phrase comes from Mexico, rather than Spain! Just like English-speaking cultures have different sayings from one another, you'll often hear different idioms across the many Spanish speaking countries of the world.

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Submitted by: Long Laoshi (Serena Chen) and Nini Wu (Mandarin)

Ms. Nini continues to guide students through an exploration of spring. In kindergarten, for example, we are reviewing vocabulary while thinking up original stories. Meanwhile, the high schoolers learned how to describe allergies! Long Laoshi’s middle school students are learning about clothing (衣服: yī fú) from mask to shoes, and recently crafted origami shirts (upper left). Her high schoolers are focused on a “cities and countries” unit involving international place names, directional phrases, and descriptors for landmarks and food cultures. From practice through playing games to giving presentations, the students are currently able to match 30 different countries and their capital cities in Mandarin!

NEXT UP IN JUNE: Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival, through stories, food, decorations, and activities!

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By Jillian Towne, Director of Early Childhood Education

It's the time of year that we've all earned after a New England winter! The sun is shining, the temperatures are rising, and it seems like every weekend there are family pool parties, visits to the lake, and beach vacations. While not a fun topic to think about, it is important to keep water safety at the forefront when planning fun summer activities that include water.

There are a lot of scary statistics about kids and drowning. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related deaths in children (of all ages). While we certainly don't want to create panic or fear, we do want to emphasize just how important it is to be prepared. Here are some tips to keep you safe during summer time fun!

SUPERVISE, SUPERVISE, SUPERVISE: It seems simple, but supervision is the most critical defense against drowning. At least one responsible adult should be supervising any water activities including children. Many organizations recommend assigning a "Water Watcher" so there is no confusion over who is watching the kids. Taking shifts allows for everyone to relax and have fun while also playing a key role in keeping everyone safe.

BE READY TO RESPOND: Supervision is great, but do you know what to do if a drowning situation does occur? It is our firm belief that all parents, caregivers, and even older siblings should be training in CPR/First Aid. The more people who are ready to respond should a situation arise, the better the outcomes are sure to be.

PROPER EQUIPMENT: Be sure to utilize proper water safety equipment and gear! All pools (and other water features like backyard fountains, drainage ditches, and ponds) should have a safety fence around them with a locking gate, and children who are not competent swimmers should wear a Coast Guard Approved life vest or other personal flotation device.

SWIM LESSONS: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons for most children over the age of one, especially when those lessons cover water survival competency skills. Remember that swim lessons do not replace proper supervision, but do add to the layers of protections in preventing drowning.

Resource Round Up

Water Safety for Children (ZERO TO THREE) >>

Swim Lessons: When to Start & What Parents Should Know (HEALTHYCHILDREN.ORG) >>

Water Safety (KIDSHEALTH) >>