Seasons Greetings from New England
by Frank Bartolomeo, Executive Director
One of the benefits of residing in New England is the dramatic change of seasons. Throughout history and across cultures, societies, especially agrarian ones, developed rituals to mark and celebrate the recurring seasonal cycles; rituals which have both psychological and social meaning. Although the modern day celebration of Thanksgiving, celebrated each year in the USA and Canada, is relatively new in historic terms, harvest festivals are not; for centuries different cultures, from the ancient Egyptians to pagan practices in Europe, have celebrated the gathering of the harvest and given thanks for the sustenance the Earth literally provides. Depending on the country, the season and timing of the gathering of the harvest varies; but traditionally, harvest festival is associated with the months of fall. At ASR, "harvest" celebrations occur four times per year in the form of commencement ceremonies. Read More
Slam Dunk! Athlete, Addict, Inspiration:
Basketball Legend Chris Herren Visits ASR
by Lisa Hunt and Frank Bartolomeo
The parents of a current ASR student read in The Boston Globe about Chris Herren, a former professional basketball player who seemed to have it all: amazing athletic talent, devoted family, fame and a promising NBA career, all of which was derailed by addiction. "I've been to hell and back," said Herren. "I lived the life that most people, a lot of people, don't get a chance to come out of, straight up. By the grace of God and the help from a plethora of people, I was able to come out of this." Read More
ASR Science Teacher Wins Marathon
May 3, 2009, dawned cloudy and 55 degrees, a perfect day for the Second Annual Cox Providence Rhode Races. Thousands of runners, ranging from children to senior citizens, raced through the streets of downtown Providence, RI, but it was ASR Science teacher, Drew Best, who won the marathon. Although Drew says he had "hoped to run faster," he set a course record with his 2-hour, 35-minute, 19-second time - 27 seconds faster than the runner-up. Read More
ASR Science Teacher Is Serious About Fun
by Mindy Misener, English teacher
Greg Williams, physics and chemistry teacher at the Academy at Swift River, is standing on a stool in his classroom, hanging Christmas lights around its perimeter. He explains that he's trying to create festive lighting for the science movies he occasionally shows, which range from Myth Busters to a movie on sky diving. Read More
The Haunted Village
On Friday, October 16, students went off campus to the17th annual Haunted Village at the Holy Cross Campgrounds in Goshen, Massachusetts. Read More
ASR Sports
by Jackie MacNeish, ASR Athletics Director
The summer started out with a Staff vs. Student Softball Game. The staff and students actually tied this year which hasn't happened in a long time! Read More
Pathways: ASR's Experiential Education Orientation Program
by Jackie MacNeish, Pathways Supervisor
Helping students make the transition from wilderness programs, previous programs and home to the therapeutic boarding school setting and community, Pathways provides eight school days of focused theme work: Stages of Change, Community Living, Elements of Acceptance, Who's Who (Staff Resources), What's What (Programmatic Orientation), Academic Shadowing, Transitions, and Celebrations and Intentions. Read More
Why Fitness Is Important to Adolescents
by Megan Sward, Res Mentor
According to the Center for Disease Control, almost half of Americans between the ages of 12 and 21 "are not vigorously active on a regular basis." Additionally, they report:
- About 14 percent of young people report no recent physical activity. Inactivity is more common among females (14%) than males (7%).
- Participation in all types of physical activity declines strikingly as age or grade in school increases
The physical benefits of being active at this age include decreased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer as an adult. Kids who are regularly active or participate in sports report better sleep and increased energy. Read More
Young Women in Recovery
by Shelley Hughes
Since 1935, when Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded, an increasing number of young women have entered recovery programs based on the twelve steps of AA. As more and more young women have entered recovery programs over the last twenty years, we have found that young women's recovery may differ in significant ways from young men's recovery, and that a number of issues unique to young women are overlooked in most twelve step programs. Read More
Mystery Dinner
by Cherie Dame, Residential Supervisor
On Sunday October 18th ASR staff and students presented their first Murder Mystery Dinner! The script was provided by a student's parents, who have hosted many of these events. Read More
ASR Graduates
by Anne Strader, Editor
ASR staff joyfully celebrated with the families and friends of 24 students as they officially completed their ASR programs during the August and November graduation ceremonies, 12 of them earning high school diplomas. Read More