Graduation Reflections and Other School News

by Frank Bartolomeo, Executive Director

After what seemed to be a long, cold winter, spring weather has finally begun to arrive in Western Massachusetts. In March 09, we graduated seven students. Following are excerpts from my opening remarks at the Commencement Ceremony.

"The process of change, growth, transformation, whatever we wish to call it, is not magical, nor easy, nor quick--nor is it over. If your child is a changed person today, it is because he or she chose it. And before they could choose to change, they had to assume responsibility for the condition of their lives and what it had become prior to ASR. Which meant they had to stop blaming others, making excuses, cast off their "victim" persona, stop putting their energy into opposing either through outward protest or surreptitious subversion of efforts to help them fulfill their potential.

"It takes many people to create the conditions in which willful adolescents can choose change. As the African proverb goes, "it takes a village to raise a child." Thus I want to acknowledge those who comprise the village of ASR. In the beginning there was the Admissions staff who helped you to make the decision to choose ASR, then there are the Pathways staff, the residential supervisors and mentors, and the night staff. I must acknowledge the teachers, the therapists, the nurses as well as Richard Champoux and Peter Stevens. Read More

Developing Self-Esteem: Learning that You are Not So Special and Life's Not Fair

by Tanya Beecher, Director of Counseling

At thirteen I wanted to taking riding lessons and the answer was no. "That's not fair!" I whined and my mother replied, as she always did to this comment from me, "And who ever told you that life was going to be fair? I sure didn't." I crossed my arms, let out a dissatisfied sigh and proceeded to give her glaring looks of contempt. It didn't change anything. It never did, and I had to find some way to learn how to deal with the disappointment of the day. I also had to learn that I was not alone, and that having disappointments and frustrations is part of being human. This is preparation for real life and, believe it or not, this builds self-esteem.

One of the most common cited comments by parents in their child's application to the Academy at Swift River is a wish to improve their child's self-esteem. The comments that usually follow include mention of their children's lack of confidence in themselves resulting in a pattern of poor achievement; high intelligence and strong abilities, but a lack of motivation, drive, or belief in themselves. Usually this is tied to a reported pattern of school failures, dropping activities or hobbies they once loved, and turning to unhealthy friendships and behaviors including skipping school, defiance, succumbing to peer pressures, and a variety of conflicts at home with family. Read More

The Season of Change

by Dan DuBois, Academic Director

This is the season of great change and new beginnings. The weather is softening and warming and all seems to be in the midst of change and possibility. It is also the time of year when students receive letters of possibility from colleges and universities, for acceptance into the next matriculating class. For many students, this is the time they receive the first reflection from the outside world that their work, struggles, and commitment to change have been successful. For some, the dream of going to college previously seemed to be disappearing into a fog of confusion and impossibility. It takes the integrated support and work of many individuals to make this new beginning possible.

Our teachers encourage, support, create clear expectations, and challenge the intellect, creativity, and curiosity of our students. They do this day in and day out while maintaining an awareness of the individual needs, challenges, strengths, and interests of each of their charges. The magic of this process and its subsequent transformation become possible only when our three realms—student life, counseling, and academics—work in a synchronized effort, and the student, as well as the family, is willing to embrace change. Read More

In the Spotlight: Shelley Hughes, Clinical Counselor/Substance Abuse Specialist

by Anne Strader, Editor

We are pleased to introduce Shelley Hughes, Clinical Counselor and Substance Abuse Specialist. Shelley joined the ASR staff about a year ago and quickly became a strong member of our clinical team. She brings a wealth of varied experience along with a rich background to her work with ASR students.

Born and raised in Columbia County, NY, in the area of Old Chatham, Shelley is the middle child of eight. Her parents are deceased, and her four brothers and three sisters are now scattered up and down the East Coast from North Carolina to New Hampshire. Faith and spirituality were always a vital part of her family life, and Shelley was naturally surrounded by and immersed in lively discussions involving theology as she grew up. There is some history of alcoholism in her family background, contributing to her interest in addiction issues—what causes it, how it is most effectively treated, and so forth. Given this combination of factors, her continuing interest in the psychology of spirituality and addiction is not surprising. It became her quest to find ways to "marry" these vitally important interests somehow as she pursued her education and career. Read More

Sports Update

by Nathan Loux, Learning Specialist/Coach

The boy's soccer team was given the privilege of participating in two sessions of indoor soccer this winter/spring. Though cliché, the seasons were quite different, and it was the difference of two worlds. This first session the team was disadvantaged by students on home visits and ineligibility because of restrictions. As a result, the team finished the regular season with a disappointing 1-7-1 record, good enough for 8th place. They were left with a hunger to do better and prove to the outside world that ASR could compete with the public schools and would return to their previous stardom. Read More

Alumni News: An Interview with Ashley P, Peer Group 48

by Lisa Hunt, Admissions Counselor

Our thanks to Ashley for agreeing to add an interview with us to her super-busy schedule, and to Lisa Hunt, Admissions Counselor, who conducted the interview.

What were some of the thoughts you had about being sent to ASR?

Well, when my mom first told me that she wanted me to leave St. Albans (my hometown) and go to a school in Massachusetts, of course, I thought she was crazy! I did not want to leave my friends, school, everything that I was doing. After some thought, I figured I would try something new. I had checked the internet about this "Swift River" school. The brother of one of my friends had been sent to a school like Swift River and she said you could do what you wanted, schedule your own appointments, etc. So after all that, I agreed. I was excited to try something new—but little did I know!

What did you think it was going to be like?

Since my friend had said that you could pretty much do whatever you want, that's what I thought I could do. I thought that it would be a normal high school but with a little therapy. Read More

Residential Life and Activities

by Kevin Linker, Director of Residential Life

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. ~William Shakespeare

On campus spring has started to finally appear. We have shaken off the bitter cold of winter and the rainy, cold days of early April. We've had our first weeks of sunny weather and around the campus there is a spirit of youth in everything.

This is my second spring at ASR and it is wonderful time. During the harsh winter months we are often restricted to indoor activities except when we have down hill and cross country skiing. Though I really enjoyed cross country skiing with the students this winter, the spring opens a lot of opportunities for all of us to get out and enjoy our favorite outdoor activities.Read More

Spring into Sports

by Jackie MacNeish, PE Coordinator/Pathways Supervisor

Track was a huge hit this early spring! On any given day even in the rain you could see the group doing drills of high knees, butt kicks, side shuffles, lunges, high skips, grape vine and backwards running, as well as some stretching, sit-ups, pushups, and of course a couple of laps around the loop. There has even been talk of taking an off campus trip to run a 5K.Read More