Commencement: 2010 Sunshine and Oratory
By School Chronicler Harry Tubman

Once again, Forman dodged a flurry of dismal weather forecasts and convened in full sunlight (and humidity) to honor the graduating class of 2010. And honor them we did with bagpipes, cheers and some eloquent oratory.

Head of School Adam Man addressed the seniors by exhorting them to heed the advice of many recent Forman graduates who have used Forman’s regimen during the academic year, especially mandatory study halls, as the basis for achieving success in the much less structured environment of college life. He then expressed gratitude to the class of 2010 for their spirit, individualism and unique contributions to our community. “You are irreplaceable,” he told them.

Renowned film director Norman Jewison greeted the graduates by extolling the symbolism of the Graduation Tree that has represented strength and continuity for 79 commencements. He quoted Wordsworth’s “Tintern Abbey” with “Never did nature betray the heart that loved her,” and urged the seniors to respect nature’s power and beauty, to pursue truth and individual passions rather than celebrity and to avoid the pitfalls of society’s “days of hype and glory.” Because “we live in a participatory democracy,” Mr. Jewison urged the graduates to “beware of phonies,” trust in their own instincts, learn to serve and harmonize their goals with their talents. And finally, “Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts.” “It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice,” he said.

Senior Class President Cameron Billik echoed Adam Man’s sense of community and reminded his classmates that they have forged a vital bond through the strength of their common goal, namely turning individual learning differences into assets. “As Ernest Hemingway once said, ‘The world breaks everyone and afterwards, many are stronger at the broken places,’ ” said Cameron. “Today on June 5, 2010, I can say that on behalf of my senior class, we have been broken, but now, we are stronger at the broken places…together.”

The Forman School 2010 Commencement Slideshow- Click here

The Forman School 2010 Commencement Award Recipients- Click Here

Now that graduation is over, it's time to collect photos from that beautiful June 5 Saturday morning.  Highpoint Pictures is the company that documented this event and can be reached for all your Commencement 2010 photo needs.  Below is a link to a page with all the contact information.  The firm also has photos from Commencement 2009.

Click here to view Graduation Photo Information.

At Forman’s 79^th Commencement Ceremony on June 5^th, the Class of 2010 surprised Head of School, Adam Man, with a special gift. Each of the fifty-one graduates personally handed Mr. Man a gift for the Annual Fund, making Forman history as the first class ever to reach 100% participation.

Welcome New Class Agents for the Class of 2010

(L-R) : Josh Sacks, Cameron Billik, Gretchen Conyers, Dayne Price and Doug Patch.

At Forman, we know that second chances make a difference. Many of our generous supporters make more than one gift to the Annual Fund. We would like to offer everyone that opportunity, and invite you to join our second-chance effort by making an additional gift this year.

Less than a month left to make your gift!

Have you made your gift to the Annual Fund this year? If not, there’s still time for you to make a difference. Click here to make your gift using our secure online giving form.

Dear Parents,

The Summer Reading program at Forman is built around the belief that reading over the summer is fundamentally important to maintaining and building students' reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Additionally, the program presents us with the opportunity to nurture a love of reading amongst our students.

The Summer Reading list has been created with a focus on contemporary fiction and nonfiction, with the specific intent of offering high interest, accessible selections.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

Choosing the Books:
Students who are enrolled in Honors English classes in the fall must read at least two selections from the list, and all other students must read at least one. The list is organized by genre this year, and students may pick any title, regardless of what grade they will be entering in the fall.

Descriptions of each book to help you make your choice can be found by clicking here.

Completing a Project:
This year, we are asking students to create a project that reflects their engagement with an understanding of the book they've read. This project must be completed over the summer. Students have many options, including creating a book trailer or poster, a video, a new book cover, or an artistic representation (through drawing, paint, collage or sculpture) of the book. Specific guidelines, information and rubrics, as well as the Summer Reading list, can be found by clicking here.

Our goal is that these student-created book projects will be used to promote these books to other students throughout the school year.

Have a wonderful summer and enjoy reading!

Sincerely,

Casey Leenders-Redington
Chair of the English Department

Sara Kelley-Mudie
Librarian