Parent Newsletter: February 2007

DEAR BLAIR PARENTS AND FAMILIES,
Winter greetings from Blair…I hope you enjoyed your time with your son or daughter during the Winter Long Weekend, which of course never seems to be long enough. During the break, marine science students traveled to the Turks and Caicos Islands to assist with marine conservation efforts; international students and friends visited Disney World; juniors began their college search; but mostly, students caught up on their sleep and enjoyed being home with their families.

Read below for more upcoming events on and off campus. Please let me know if you have any questions by contacting me at 908-362-6121 ext. 5653 or habers@blair.edu.

Sue Habermann P’07, ’04, ‘02
Director of Parent Relations

SADIE HAWKINS DANCE
By far the highlight of January was the annual Sadie Hawkins dance. Parent volunteers spent many hours creating “Midnight in Morocco,” this year’s theme. Amidst jewel-toned fabrics, tropical birds and balloons, students and faculty enjoyed the evening and were treated to a performance from a belly dancer. Thank you to all the parents who helped with this year’s dance. Special thanks go out to the following parents who coordinated the evening: Carol-Ann Buchanan P’09, Jean Clark P’09, Debbie Devenny P’08, Gretchen Hargis P’08, Tammy Redos P’09, and Valerie Tozzi P’08. To view photos of your son or daughter at the dance and the decorations, click here.

JUNIOR PARENT DAY
Parents of the class of 2008 attended the Junior Parent Day on January 27. This program was sponsored by the college counseling office to discuss the college application process. Lavin Rapelye, dean of admission at Princeton University, and members of the senior class gave insight and shared stories concerning the college search process. http://www.blair.edu/Parents/par_jr_parents_day07.shtm

THE BLAIR ACADEMY PLAYERS present “URINETOWN”
Don’t let the title stop you from seeing this great tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold.
Thursday, February 15–Saturday, February 17, 7:30 pm, DuBois Theatre, $8 at the door. For more information click
http://www.blair.edu/News_Events/2006_2007/news_ev_Urinetown.shtm.

“HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES”
This British farce by acclaimed playwright Alan Ayckbourn lends humor and hilarity to the topic of infidelity. “How the Other Half Loves” is an ingenious and brilliantly crafted masterpiece, juggling time and space to present the lives and loves, passion and panic of three married couples in a performance that is sure to make you laugh. (Not suitable for younger children.) February 22-24 at 8:00 pm, Wean Theatre, $8 at the door.

DANGERS OF THE CYBERWORLD
A presentation on the Dangers of the CyberWorld will be made to students on February 20 by Katie Koestner, a nationally known speaker. For more information concerning Katie, click http://www.campusoutreachservices.com/presenter-katie-koestner.html.

FAMILY FUN DAY
Blair’s Community Service will sponsor Family Fun Day in Walker Gymnasium on Sunday, February 11, 12:30-3:30 pm. Local special needs students and their parents join Blair students for a day of games, swimming and lots of fun.

BLOOD DRIVE
The Blair Health Center is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Thursday, February 22, Walker Gymnasium, 9:30 am-1:30 pm. The Miller Blood Center of Lehigh Valley will be on campus to facilitate the drive. Faculty, students (17 years or older) and the community are invited to participate. Contact Diane Sauve at sauved@blair.edu with questions.

SPRING BREAK TRIPS SCHEDULED
Baseball – Vero Beach
Crew – South Carolina
Softball – Orlando
Katrina Relief Trip - Gulfport, MS
Foreign Language – Normandy, France
Micki and Chris McMillian – Germany
Dance – Los Angeles (TBD)

BLAIR SUMMER SCHOOL IN ECUADOR
Blair Academy is pleased to announce Blair Summer School in Ecuador. From June 18-July 19, Blair students will have the opportunity to study and live high in the Andes in the Republic of Ecuador. Click for more info.

SENIOR PARENTS
Make your travel plans early for graduation, THURSDAY, MAY 24. The college counseling office will be sending you information soon.

SKEPTICS SERIES (Cowan Auditorium – 7:00pm)
February 13
William Hindle ’74, parent of Colton ’10 and Nic ’04 - “Entrepreneurship: Is it in you or not?” Herman Hollerith Lecture on Entrepreneurship

February 20
Dr. Randall White - Center for the Study of Human Origins
Department of Anthropology, New York University
The Evolution of Symbolism: Humanity's Earliest Images

February 27
Lance Odden - Former Headmaster of The Taft School (CT)

GLASS ART EXHIBIT
Ellen Miret, parent of Maria ’08 and Ben ’06 Jayson and nationally recognized glass artist whose work can be seen in churches, temples and mausoleums around the country, will be featured February 5-March 3 in the Romano Gallery (Reception: Thursday, February 8, 7-8 pm). http://www.blair.edu/News_Events/2006_2007/news_ev_Ellen_Miret.shtm

VOLUNTEERS SELLING CAR RAFFLE TICKETS
You have six more weeks to sell your tickets. They are due to Christy Burkart ’97 March 5 (beginning of Spring Break). Contact Christy at burkac@blair.edu with questions.

Upcoming Activities

FEBRUARY 9
Home - Boys’ Varsity Basketball, 7 pm and Prep Wrestling, 6 pm

FEBRUARY 10
Valentine’s Day Dance, sponsored by Annie Hall

FEBRUARY 15-17
“URINETOWN” – student winter musical

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 19-23
Headmasters’ Societies Competition

FEBRUARY 20
Presentation by Katie Koestner, “Dangers of the CyberWorld”

FEBRUARY 22-24
“How the Other Half Loves” – student winter comedy

FEBRUARY 24
Prep Wrestling Nationals at Lafayette College, Easton, PA

FEBRUARY 27
Fall Video Project “Straight Talk, No Chaser,” 10 am, Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Performing Arts

MARCH 2
Exams begin

MARCH 5
Exams end and Spring Break begins (students return by 7 pm, Monday, March 26)

MARCH 27
Classes resume

Let us know if you have any e-mail address changes by contacting lists@blair.edu.