Keeping You Up to Date

Nepalese Human Rights Activist Speaks at Upper School

Bishnu Pariyar, a Nepalese human rights activist, recently spoke to Upper School students about the plight of untouchables (Dalits) in the Hindu caste system, her experience as a Dalit woman, and her mission to empower Dalit women.

“Dalits are the lowest of the caste structure,” Pariyar said. “Dalit means oppressed, and the Dalits suffer from extreme forms of discrimination and exclusion because they are thought to be spiritually and physically impure. Women are considered the property of their husbands and his family.”

Pariyar witnessed caste discrimination at an early age by listening to her neighbor being abused by her husband. “It affected me so deeply and made me want to be educated and fight for change,” she said. Pariyar had to walk two hours each way to high school, and was forced to sit on the floor while other higher caste students sat in chairs, and was also not allowed to drink from the same water jug.

“They treated me like an animal,” she said. “I had to be a very strong person because I knew if I left school I would never be anything.”

Pariyar, who recently obtained her master’s degree from Clark University, began a women-led financial organization with the purpose of educating Dalit women called Empower Dalit Women of Nepal. Pariyar’s organization has helped over 1,500 Dalit women, and more than 700 children have been awarded scholarships to secondary school. Top

LS Teachers Gain Tech Savvy with Mini-Workshops

Don’t know what SKYPE or QUIA is? You use a digital camera, but what’s a Document Camera, and how would you ever use it in a classroom? Not sure about the new generation of overhead projectors (MimioBoards, SmartBoards)? Answers to those questions and more were covered at the Lower School’s teacher-led technology mini-workshops on October 17th. The workshop allowed teachers to share how they are integrating technology regularly into the classroom with practical, realistic options.

The 15-minute snippets gave a taste of the possibilities, while the follow-up evaluation targeted areas for additional training and the need for hardware or equipment. The next step will be to offer more in-depth training for subjects that faculty found of interest, and then to use those skills and tools in the classroom. Special thanks to math teacher Kathy Dorkin, who came from the Middle School to lead a workshop, as well as the 12 Lower School teachers who shared their time and use of technology with colleagues. Top

Amanda George Awarded Certificate by U.S. Embassy in Russia

Senior Amanda George received a certificate in honor of her winning essay in a national contest sponsored by the U.S. Embassy and Mass. Historical Society. George, along with BB&N Russian teachers Armen Dedekian and Willa Chamberlain, attended a State House ceremony recognizing the 200-year-old—sometimes tumultuous—relationship between the U.S. and Russia. U.S. Ambassador to Russian William Burns and a representative from the Russian Embassy were present at the ceremony. While at the ceremony, Dedekian and the BB&N contingent ran into alums Jack Grinwold ’53 and Lincoln Gamble ’76. George’s winning essay (CLICK HERE) focused on U.S./Russian student exchanges. Top

Community Enjoys Iftar Dinner

Members of the BB&N community were treated to a variety of foods as well as several performances during the Iftar dinner, hosted by the Islamic Society in early October. Iftar, which refers to the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan, is traditionally done as a community right after sunset, with Muslims gathering to break their fast together.

While dining on traditional middle eastern fare such as falafel, grape leaves, hummus and lamb (as well as rice pudding and baklava for dessert), students, faculty and parents enjoyed performances from the Turkish band Dunya, a recitation of Arabic poetry by Tufts University Professor Mohammed Alwan, and a captivating Middle Eastern dance by BB&N senior Tarek Eljahmi. Top

One School-One World On Tap for November 17

One School-One World, BB&N’s first all-campus multicultural festival, will take place on Saturday, November 17. The free event, which takes place from 11-2 PM at the Nicholas Athletic Center, will highlight and celebrate the depth and breadth of our student and faculty community.

OSOW will take on a vibrant street-fair atmosphere, complete with a main stage, student performances; a student run DJ booth; sports and game demos, and art work from all three campuses. The festival will offer foods reflecting the various cultures/histories of our BB&N families. Clubs, organizations, and programs will have informational tables.

Music, drama, and dance will be featured on the main stage. A large-screen TV will be set up to broadcast a slide show highlighting the faces and activities on all campuses. Attendees will have free access to computers uploading Skype and everyone will have the ability to connect with others throughout the world.

One School-One World will bring greater awareness of all the diversity programs and initiatives at the school, plus give everyone a chance to celebrate our community under one roof. Top

Family Science Saturday Soars

T-minus three…two…one…mission control...we have blast off! Lower School students and their parents attended Family Science Saturday on October 20 to learn about and build model rockets. The afternoon was an opportunity for kids to combine science, fun, and learning in an exciting activity.

The Family Science Saturday program occurs several times a year, covering different science topics in an engaging manner. For more information or to get the scoop on the next Family Science Saturday, contact Lower School Science Teacher, Caitlin Drechsler. Top

Vegetable Oil-Powered Bus Visits Upper School

Last month, Upper School students were visited by a one-of-a-kind vehicle when the Creating a Climate for Change tour rolled into BB&N in a vegetable oil-powered bus. The tour, organized by the National Outdoor Leadership School, raises awareness of environmental ethics and drums up support for sustainable resource education.

“The bus engine is a replica of the original diesel engine built in 1892 by Rudolf Diesel,” said representative Andy Bassett. “He actually designed the engine to run on vegetable oil, but diesel fuel, a byproduct of oil processing, ultimately became a cheaper alternative.

“We aren’t trying to make people stop using gasoline, even vegetable oil is not sustainable as a fuel for all vehicles, but we do want people to realize that there are healthier alternatives to gasoline,” Bassett said. “Gasoline is a finite resource where as vegetable oil is a replenishable fuel.”

Bassett and his other team members spent a few hours talking to BB&N science classes about the Creating Climate for Change tour, and gave tours of the bus and its “magic” motor. Top

BB&N Holiday Fair at Upper School on November 2

The annual BB&N Holiday Fair will take place on November 2nd from 2:30 – 7:30 PM in the Upper School Community Room. Students and Faculty will be able to shop at the fair during G block. The Parents' Association volunteers have confirmed vendors that include jewelry of many different designs, bags of many kinds, dog accessories, henna tattoos, stationery, plants, fleece clothing, and they are working on many more.

All proceeds go to the financial aid program. Top

2007-2008 Community Directory Updates

Please CLICK HERE to access Round Three of the password-protected document listing updates for this year's Community Directory. Top

Spooky Soul Cake Tradition Delights LS Community

The lights went out in the Lower School Gymnasium, a gong sounded, and a single figure bearing a candle walked slowly to the front of the assembled crowd. Amidst hushed whispers of the LS students, and attentive stares of parents and faculty, LS Librarian Heather Lee recounted the spooky story of the early English tradition of Soul Cake. The tradition—which features storytelling, musical performances, and period garb—dates back generations to the Buckingham School. Top

BB&N Rows in 43rd Head of Charles Regatta

BB&N’s boathouse dock was filled on a sun-soaked Sunday morning as parents, faculty, alumni/ae and friends gathered to cheer on Boys’ and Girls’ crew teams during the 43rd annual Head of the Charles Regatta.

The Boys’ boat, led by Alex Rose '08, Miles Grimshaw '09, Mike Copacino '08, Nick Haas '08, and Will Hakim '09, came in 23rd out of 51. The Girls’ team, led by Leslie Ahlstrand ’08 , Annie Streetman ’08, Brooke Baumgartner ’10, Jessica Mulligan ’10, and Dorothy Thurston ’08, came in 41 out of 51.

“ISL rules and academic commitments allow the student rowers to average only one training row per week in the few weeks leading up to the Head of the Charles,” said Boy’s Coach Peter Fiore. “The BB&N boys and girls who rowed can be especially proud of their accomplishment.” Top

Olympic Torch Is Passed with Hiring of New Girls' Hockey Coach

The BB&N girls’ varsity hockey team bid farewell to their two-time Olympian coach Courtney Kennedy ’97 last year, but are thrilled to welcome another two-time Olympian to the helm in the person of Laurie Mutch. The two share a history of hockey as both rivals and teammates, and now share BB&N as another common bond.

Mutch, who grew up in Concord, squared off against Kennedy often throughout high school. “We didn’t get along on the ice all that well as opponents in our early playing days,” grins Mutch. “But getting to play with Courtney (Kennedy) on the Olympic team in 2002, we became good friends and still keep in touch frequently.”

As the five-year starting center for the Women’s U.S. National & Olympic Hockey Teams, Mutch competed at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan, where her team won Silver and Gold Medals respectively. It was in Salt Lake City where she partnered with Kennedy as teammates on the squad.

With her professional hockey career behind her, Mutch is excited to shift her focus to coaching, and carry on the proverbial torch for as the BB&N girls’ hockey.

“Courtney (Kennedy) has done an unbelievable job cultivating the hockey program at BB&N,” says Mutch. “It’s neat, coming from similar backgrounds and experiences, to expand on what she started and to keep the program moving forward.”

In addition to raising her one-year-old daughter, Mutch lists winning the gold with team U.S.A. in 1998 as the highlight of her hockey career, modestly failing to mention many of her individual achievements such as being named USA Hockey Female Player of the Year in 1997. Let’s hope there’s room on the list for a BB&N Independent School League title in the coming years. Top

3rd Annual Golf Tournament Tees Off for Financial Aid

The rolling fairways of the Blue Hills Country Club in Canton echoed with the tight click of plastic against titanium once again this fall when 102 golfers teed off in BB&N’s third annual Golf Tournament. Under a cloudless sky and perfect conditions, multiple score cards boasted negative numbers, but as is always the case with the annual tournament, the real winner was BB&N’s financial aid program.

“The BB&N golf tournament is one of the highlights of the year for me,” said BB&N parent and golfer Suzanne Panico (P ’07, ’09, ’11). “It's so much fun seeing so many familiar faces, from our community, outside and enjoying themselves on the golf course—we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather or a better cause.”

Highlights from the day included Kevin Gruning coming within two inches of a hole-in-one en route to the 7th hole “closest to the pin” competition, and former Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman roping a drive more than 300 yards to lock up the long-drive competition. If the first fairway had been Fenway Park, Gedman’s drive would have soared over the center field scoreboard. Top