The Allyn or “Main” Building of Northwood School. Photo by Mr. John Spear.

Devin Smith ‘26, a two-year senior here at Northwood, recently moved mid-year from the Bergamini dorm to the main building. With many boys’ residents who have spent time at both buildings, I feel it is worth getting opinions on the pros and cons of each building.

“The move from Berg to Main has been different. Berg is for sure quieter and more peaceful, but I had a roommate down there. Up here in the main, I got my own room and my own space. I am not going to miss the early walks in the cold weather.” Smith said.

Now we hear from Casey Morrissey ’26, who was in Main last year and is now living in Berg this year.

“In Main I had a roommate, which was fun, but now in Berg I have a single. I was lucky enough to be with such a good group of kids last year in the Main building, and the memories I made will last a lifetime. It is also nice to be close to everything, like the fitness center, the living room, and the dining hall. In Berg, I sometimes feel like I am isolated from everything.” Morrissey said.

Now with me, who has lived in both Main and Bergamini. I want to add my thoughts to this.

Bergamini Dorm at Northwood School. Photo by Josh Baker ‘28

“My first year in Berg was an experience; the group of guys living there was unreal, and I’m sure everyone can talk about the walks up and down. It’s nice sometimes to walk down, and you can see the mountains in back as well as the sky and sights, also the dreadful cold walks at 6 AM in the wintertime.”

“Honestly, living in Main has so many benefits, and I would rather be living here. You are close to everything, and it is so easy. You can get a few extra minutes to sleep in the morning. After school in the winter, I can wear shorts and a t-shirt or a hoodie. Without having to bring a jacket or pants. I could go on forever about the benefits of living in the main building.”

“Last year, in my junior year, the people we had were unbelievable. We had so much fun every night in the lounge or in each other’s rooms; those memories we made will last a lifetime.”

Suppose I were to recommend to someone whether they should choose the Main or Berg. I would say Main in a heartbeat.

As we swing into the holiday season, Northwood is hosting many activities to help us all get into the holiday spirit. In the halls of the main building, students participated in an after-study hall activity to decorate dorm room doors. With limited supplies, students hung up wrapping paper. It was great to walk around the halls and see all the different wrapping paper on the dorms, as it makes the floor shine and brings up the holiday spirit. It was good to decorate our doors with wrapping paper for the Christmas season. I don’t think anyone here isn’t excited for Christmas, and doing little things like this makes us more excited.” As we move into the Christmas season, many kids want to do more with their doors, like printing out decorations and putting them up. Still, for now, all we can do is enjoy our time together with the Christmas spirit and look forward to the upcoming decorations of dorm rooms and community events!

Phillipe Joly ’29 and Paul Lahaie-Bolvin’s ’29 door. Photo provided.

Jack Kroll’s ’26 door. Photo provided

As winter settles over campus and fresh snow brightens the grounds, Northwood shifts into its winter schedule—a routine that begins with morning athletic practices and continues with afternoon academic classes. The schedule is designed primarily for skiers, who benefit from better snow conditions early in the day; with daylight saving time, afternoon skiing would mean training in the dark.

The 2025-26 Winter Schedule.

As a third-year student, I prefer the winter schedule, but for newcomers, it’s an entirely new experience.

“The schedule changes are something I haven’t experienced before, but the adjustment so far has been easy, and I feel more energized throughout my day,” said Luke Lalonde ’26.

For some students, the school day can feel longer, with first-period classes beginning at 12:40 p.m. and the last class ending at 5:05 p.m., followed by a flex period. Lalonde noted one benefit of the change: “Something I did not like about the fall schedule was that sometimes we would finish practicing and then have to go to a workout that overlapped with dinner time, so we’d miss half of dinner. That was sometimes frustrating.”

While the transition takes some getting used to, the winter schedule offers a refreshing shift in daily rhythm. Quiet, snowy mornings set a calm tone for the day, and with practices completed early, athletes can turn their attention fully to academics. Evenings feel more relaxed, and many students appreciate the balance created by this structure.

As the season continues, the routine becomes second nature. The campus settles into a rhythm that feels productive, grounded, and connected. For many, the winter months bring not just colder weather but also a renewed sense of energy, focus, and community.

As the snow keeps falling and the days grow shorter, students find warmth in their routines and friendships. The winter schedule may begin as an adjustment, but by the end of the season, it becomes a meaningful part of campus life—a time that reminds everyone just how close the Northwood community truly is.