Construction Begins!
Transcription
Construction Begins!
ParkCentral The Park Day School Newsletter | Winter 2009 Construction Begins! By Tom Little I am thrilled to announce that construction has begun on the Matilda Brown building! We are grateful to all who’ve helped the school get to this momentous threshold. The purchase of the Matilda Brown property provided an extraordinary opportunity for Park Day School as well as a beautiful long-term solution for our need for additional space. Now, I am thrilled to announce that construction has begun on the Matilda Brown building! We are grateful to all who’ve helped the school get to this momentous threshold. Our plan is to have 7th and 8th grade move into the first floor of the renovated building in time for the start of school next September. This will give us a unified campus with Bridge-K through 8th grade on the enlarged property. Some specific benefits include: • Seismic upgrade of entire building to meet current California earthquake safety building codes partnership with public schools is seen as one of the strongest models in the nation. More recently, Park has become a leader in bringing mindfulness to the classroom setting and is being recognized nationally for this work. We delight in the stories of what Park Day alums are doing—making the world a richer, safer, more just and more beautiful place—and it is this gratification which fuels our commitment to education. We could not serve kids this way without the many years of dedicated support from parents, grandparents, and alumni families. The Open the Gate campaign provides an opportunity for us all to express our belief in Park Day School’s future graduates. We all share in this success – thank you! b • 7th and 8th grade core curriculum classrooms, computer lab, art room • K - 8 music room • Conference/dance/performing arts rooms • All-school commercial kitchen • Exterior courtyard and deck for 7 - 8 grade social and recreational activities • Spacious outdoor environmental education, gardening, and recreation areas for the whole school Thank you to the many donors whose contributions to our Open the Gate campaign have allowed us to take this first step. We will continue to seek the additional funding needed to achieve our long-term vision for the campus. Special acknowledgement goes to the project team members who have shepherded this project from the beginning. The campus and its buildings provide a home for a unique learning community. Park has always tried to live its deep dedication to social justice on a daily basis, and the expansion of our school buildings will help us continue this commitment. No other independent school puts as much effort into supporting low-income public schools as Park Day School. In fact, our Park Day School students (including Susan Erb’s 1st grade class, pictured here) painted on the walls of the former Matilda Brown Home as a last farewell before the building closed for renovation. The next time students enter the building they will be on their way to their new classrooms. Inside this issue: Construction Begins! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A Good and Fair Decision for Children. . . 2 Alumni Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Mindful Schools Expands Its Reach . . . . . 3 Inquiring Minds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Where Are They Now?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Alumni Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2008-2009 Donor List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Alumni Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 A Good and Fair Decision for Children By Tom Little For years I have been on a mission. The California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) is the major accrediting body for independent schools in the state, and many of the independent schools in the Bay Area are members of this organization. Park Day School has not been eligible for membership by virtue of the fact that we do not administer standardized tests, specifically the ERB CTP 4 (the Educational Records Bureau Comprehensive Testing Program, fourth edition). This test is required by CAIS for membership. In 2004, my colleague Scott Duyan, Head of Presidio Hill School in San Francisco, and I formally appealed to CAIS to reconsider allowing membership for schools that do not administer standardized tests. Our policy on standardized testing springs from deeply held core beliefs and values. As a progressive school, we believe in an authentic assessment model that provides a comprehensive body of evaluative material for each student. We have been affectionately referred to as “conscientious objectors,” an apt description I believe given the philosophy and “conscience” of our school. Unfortunately, the CAIS Board rejected our 2004 request without comment. This effectively rendered our school ineligible to become part of the broader community of independent schools, both locally and nationally (the National Association of Independent Schools requires for membership that schools be accredited by their regional association – in our case, CAIS). Many schools in California face this dilemma, and concern about this policy has been growing. That any school, because of a deeply held philosophy about testing, is not allowed to be a part of an important community of schools has always seemed unfair to me. We didn’t give up. In January of 2008, we renewed our appeal to the CAIS Board in a letter detailing a significant amount of research and material to augment our argument. The timing was right; the response was altogether different. Since our first appeal, a membership survey in 2005 and a major strategic planning process in 2007 revealed that several member heads of school questioned the advisability of the test being mandated by CAIS. Several schools were making a case for a more flexible policy regarding the testing requirement. By 2008, the CAIS Board Contact Information Main campus: 370 43rd Street, Oakland, CA 94609, (510) 653-0317 Development office: ext. 104, 117, or 119 Community campus: 215 Ridgeway, Oakland, CA 94609, (510) 923-0505 www.parkdayschool.org This issue’s contributors Laurie Grossman is the Community Outreach Coordinator and mother of Perrin ’03 and Ariel Grossman-Wright ’00. Tom Little is the Director of Park Day School and father of Matt ’00 and Courtney Little ’93. Carolyn Winter is Development Associate at Park Day School, editor of Park Central, and mother of Rey Ocampo ’16. Photographers: Ralph Granich, Martha Henderson, Carolyn Winter Design: Lisa Winter Design 2 w i n t e r 2009 had decided to devote a significant amount of time to exploring the issue in depth, and in May 2009 my colleague and I were invited to present our appeal to a board sub-committee. In our presentation we outlined the rationale for the appeal, presented our philosophy on assessment, provided several assessment alternatives to standardized testing, and demonstrated the accountability and measurement practices inherent in our methodology. We made the case that schools choosing not to administer standardized testing assume a special responsibility to understand deeply the nature of assessment, and to align assessment to instruction and student growth. In short, we attempted to demonstrate that schools with well-developed assessment systems take responsibility to align curriculum, benchmarks and assessments to established standards. These schools regularly analyze assessment results to monitor student progress and use assessment results to evaluate the efficacy of curriculum and instructional practices. They allocate time for teachers to collaborate, reflect, and make decisions—individually or in teams—based upon authentic student assessment data and their instructional implications. While we may never know the specific impact of our work on CAIS, we do know that this past August CAIS revised its policy. Jim McManus, Executive Director of CAIS, announced that CAIS “will no longer require schools to administer the ERB CTP4.” According to his letter to school heads announcing the decision, McManus stated that CAIS considered several factors in arriving at the decision to change the policy with respect to standardized testing. He outlined these factors as follows: • CAIS honored the “independence” of independent schools, recognizing that no single test meets the needs of all schools. • CAIS recognized that there exist multiple respected methods of assessment and measurement of student progress. • CAIS acknowledged that they were the only association of independent schools in the country that had required administration of the ERB for admission. • And, CAIS recognized a growing sentiment that “mandating the use of the ERB had the unintended consequence of having schools focus more upon administering the test, rather than upon developing assessment philosophies, tools, and practices.” This opens a door for teachers, students and administrators at schools throughout California. CAIS provides a wealth of resource and connection for educators guiding schools through the accreditation process, a course of action that involves a comprehensive self-study. Park Day School will take up the question of accreditation and membership over the course of this year. Meanwhile, we consider this a victory for progressive schools. And, if even one school previously unable to join because of the testing policy now derives benefit from the opportunities offered by CAIS, it is a positive outcome. Mission accomplished! b Alumni Day 2009 On June 9, 2009, Park Day School hosted Alumni Day for all past students. Of course alumni are welcome to visit us at any time during the year, and we’ve always made a point of honoring graduating high school seniors before they go on to college. This year, however, we expanded our invitation list and encouraged any alums and their families to join us for a day of reminiscing and reuniting with old friends. The afternoon included a short welcome from Tom Little, a special reprise of “Metamorphosis” from current Bridge-K (former kindergarten) teacher Harriet Cohen, and a rousing game of boffo ball organized by sports teacher Will Hughes. MINDFUL SCHOOLS EXPAN D S ITS REACH by Laurie Grossman Two and a half years ago, the idea of offering mindfulness education to children in schools was just that—an idea. In fact, it was only because we had such strong relationships with Oakland public schools that we were able to waltz in with this previously untested but inspiring concept and believe in its success. Now, Mindful Schools is very much a reality and interest in our work continues to grow. I’m pleased to report that, since those early discussions with principals in Oakland schools, we have offered mindfulness education to 7,000 children in 26 schools in the Bay Area. Our staff has also expanded. We now have three volunteer staff members (Richard Shankman, Randy Fernando and Kate Janke), and consultant Megan Cowan, in addition to myself. Our website, launched only seven months ago, has had hits from people in 47 states and 49 countries. We receive inquiries every week from all over the country! We believe that mindfulness in education is here to stay. When we started the program I had no idea why getting children to listen to sound and follow their breath could be so profound. As I’ve learned, mindfulness actually changes brain chemistry. Integrating the brain stem, limbic system and prefrontal cortex creates new neural pathways and can break habits that cause us to respond to stressful situations in unskillful ways. Every day we hear stories from children that describe how their mindfulness practice has helped them change their thinking and coping strategies. The last time I wrote about this program I mentioned conferences that we had attended. Now we are the ones who are being invited to present at conferences. In the last school year we presented to: all the psychologists and language therapists in the Oakland Unified School District; the California Association of Independent Schools; the University of California Berkeley Psychology Ph.D. conference with Dan Siegel; the Center for Mindfulness in Massachusetts; the Omega Institute in New York; and most recently at Georgetown Medical Center where we were brought in to talk to doctors who are considering using mindfulness with pediatric oncology patients. At our third annual summer workshop in August, 140 people attended from 12 states and Canada. Everyone got into the boffo ball game at Alumni Day in June. We’re pleased that so many friends came back to visit. lumni! A l l A g n i an d we Call from alums aring if yo u di dn’t we lo ve he to visit. Even co m munity. it enough; ck y ba sa e m n’t co ca r ou We they yo u part of ve it when d especially lo Park, we still consider achieve d, an ve ha s nt de om u fr ni st m e lu st at A pa du gra our ents in d of all that of their acco mplishm ow! We’re prou e e want to kn m W so t y? ou or st ab d R a U re YO n s t’ ca ha u yo we r. W is newslette t a ddress so . Notes in th ay yo ur curren D ve ni ha m lu e A w make sure or a future to ns t io an un w re dates. We also n about send any up u informatio can send yo @parkdayschool.org to ge an d ni Facebo ok pa at Contact alum ay School’s th D on rk Pa os t ot ou ph re to check ically post events an d n, yo u can fa a Also, be su e od m ri co n. We pe If yo u be beco me a fa to use to o. channel, yo ur page a Yo uTube s ’ deos it ve t ha bu , so al page loa d any vi e W up . n n photos l. Yo u ca . post yo ur ow om/user/parkdayschoo there or on Facebo ok .c y it be un tu m ou m .y www our co share w ith yo u’d like to yo u. aring from rward to he We lo ok fo So why is mindfulness so popular? I believe it is because all people can benefit from mindfulness. In fact, I am of the opinion that mindfulness is the first skill that should be taught in schools. Its primary benefits are qualities that all schools need. Mindfulness: • Teaches children to pay attention • Enhances children’s impulse control and self-regulation • Reduces stress for children, teachers and administrators • Builds a caring community While there is extensive research on the benefits of mindfulness for adults, there is very little research that explores the effects of mindfulness with children. We are currently conducting research in Oakland schools that documents how mindfulness can affect children’s attention, behaviors, and self-perception. Our researcher, Gina Biegel, MFT at Kaiser San Jose, found that 80% of the 102 teens in her MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program) actually improved their mental health diagnosis! We are also examining the impact of mindfulness on teacher efficacy and are looking at how to scale and replicate our program. This is an exciting time for Mindful Schools; please visit our website (www.mindfulschools.org) to learn more about our work. Now, my only question about mindfulness is why it took so long to introduce it to schools! win t er 2009 3 I n quiring Minds Where would you like to go for a field trip and why? Izzy, Tess, Mikai, Mickey 6th Grade A water park. It’s really refreshing, and it’s a way for the whole class to be together and not just with your friends. Disneyland. Because it’s super fun, and I love all the rides. Niko 5th grade Siena 6th grade Japan. We studied it in 4th grade and I really got interested in it. Sông-An 5th grade Hawaii. We go there every summer and I really like it. Abe 1st grade Soccer game. Because I like to watch them play. Isaiah 1st grade The desert. Because it has all sorts of cool creatures. We studied it last year in first grade. Ian and Max 2nd grade Antarctica. Because people don’t usually go there. Finn 2nd grade To the Park Day School field to play privately. 4 w i n t e r 2009 Santa Cruz. It’s really fun to ride on all the rides. Margo 4th grade Dolci, Charlotte Waterworld. When it’s really hot it’s a fun place to go with your friends. Bridge-K Yoel 6th grade Where Are They Now? Alumni Spotlight Congratulations to the Park Day School Class of 2009, who have moved on to their high school adventures! We’ve included information here about 8th grade students graduating from our own Park Day School community campus as well as students who attended Park in earlier grades but moved on to other schools. If you don’t see your name here, please let us know. If you have information about one of your classmates, we’d like to know that too. Send an email to alumni@parkdayschool. org and we’ll include an update in the next newsletter. We love to hear from you, so please keep in touch! Not surprisingly, a significant number of Park Day alums are freshmen at Berkeley High School. Daniel Bennett, Marie Bose, Leo Goldin, Ben Knobel, Sasha Lopez, Conner McKinnon, Ruby Moore-Bloom, and Juliet Wayne are all starting their high school careers at BHS. Another sizable cohort includes Lila Bell, Cassady Bogatin, Annalisa Fredricks, Alex Rez, and Sky Wolfram, who are attending St. Mary’s High School. Kenya Granich, Scott Brenner, Emma Davis, and Ian Hardy are classmates at College Preparatory School, while Catherine Collison, Maddy Mazzola, Kate Ranahan, Taylor Page, and Kimiko Russell-Halterman can be found at Bishop O’Dowd High School. The San Francisco contingency includes Evan Gallagher at Urban High School, Queen Nefertiti Shabazz and Owen Smith-Clark at LickWilmerding High School, Thayer Phox at Drew College Preparatory High School and Keyara Milliner at St. Ignatius College Preparatory. The tunnel crowd includes Johnny Seal and Will Smyer at Orinda Academy, Michael Alvarez at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, and Tai Vugia at Miramonte High School. Austin Bisharat, Milo Davis, and Will Talcott can be seen at Piedmont High School. Wilson Morris is enjoying life at Boulder High School in Boulder, Colorado, and Agheeba Ahmed has returned to Yemen with her family. Staying local are Troy Jenkins at Oakland Technical High School, Kyle Choate at Maybeck High School, Molly Galvin at Albany High School, while Camille Trujillo is in the Oakland hills at Holy Names High School. Max Perel-Slater Currently a junior at Wesleyan University, Max (Class of ’01) travelled to Shirati, Tanzania in June 2009 to work on two rainwater catchment systems, one at the Nyamagongo primary school and the other at the AICSC vocational school for women. The project helped foster clean water collection and sanitation in the community, using sustainable methods to directly impact the health of the community. He also helped develop community-wide lessons on water sanitation and hygiene. He received funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to complete this work. It’s not Max’s first trip to Africa. In the summer of 2006 he traveled to Shirati as part of a school trip from Berkeley High School, and stayed with Christina ChaCha of African Immigrants Social and Cultural Services (www.aiscs. org). For this visit, he sought to help with the water and sanitation problems that he was made aware of during his previous trip. With two rainy seasons annually, the tanks will collect and store approximately 62,000 liters of safe drinking water. A sand filtration system will be used to sanitize the water, and after completion of the project a council from the women’s group will oversee regulation of the drinking water. Top: Max Perel-Slater with friends in Tanzania. Bottom: Max in overnight stay with hosts. During the second half of the summer he worked in Kibera, Kenya, (the largest slum in all of Africa) with Shining Hope for Community (www.shofco.org), building a primary school for girls. He also spent time studying Swahili and ecology in Arusha with The School for International Training (www.SIT.edu). Max’s mother attributes his value system, motivation and empathy to his seven years at Park. What’s your story? Send us news of your adventures and challenges to [email protected], and we’ll include it in a future issue of Park Central. Congratulations also to the following members of the class of 2009, who we were unable to reach but hope to hear from in the future. Best of luck in high school! Tealanie Baldwin Melody Dehghan Jordan Hill Madison Hirsch Emmett Mountjoy Eli Nash Aili Osteraas-Constable Isa Prieto Jordan Wright The class of 2009 enjoyed their moment in the spotlight during their graduation ceremony. win t er 2009 5 Thank You to O ur 2008-2009 D onors Many thanks to all who contributed to Park Day School. We deeply appreciate that you have made our school a priority for your charitable giving. Your generosity speaks volumes about your appreciation for our work, our kids, and our community. We thank each and every person here for helping to ensure the ongoing success of Park Day School. Gifts listed here were made between July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. This list includes donors to the Park Day School Annual Fund as well as to the Open the Gate capital campaign. (Gifts made during the current school year will be reported after June 30, 2010.) Alumni Rachel Kreps-Falk Seph Petta Justin Pritchard Aisha Sims in honor of Harriet Cohen Zac Unger and Shona Armstrong Friends Anonymous Diane Adam Richard C. Barker Gina Biegel Leila Cowan Joyce and Stanhope Cunningham Andrea and Julius Elzie Jane Erwin and Fenton Erwin, Jr. Randy Fernando Bonnie Glass Joan and Daniel Gorfain Jane Grossman Nancy Grossman-Samuel Catherine Haley Kristine Halverson and Edward Haggerty Susan Hart Betty and Arthur Herring Carol and Joseph Lacey Katharine Lindow Shari Lowen Birju Pandya Albert Sachs Selena and William Scheffer Robert Stahl Kathleen Strader Scott Strader Roger Strauch in honor of LeAnn Bischoff Ellen and Harold Strunin Molly Stuart Betty and James Trimble Son Tu and Doan-Trang Tu Robert Wishart Patricia and Robert Wright Dawn Zimmerman Joe Zimmerman Grandparents Michael Asimow Valerie and Ian Bailey Anita Barrows Rose and Bert Bell in honor of Lila Bell’s 14th birthday Noreen and Leo Benedetti Nancy Bogatin Sharon and Gordon Bower Cynthia Brown and Jack Robbins Patricia and Leonard Burger Bonnie Burnette in honor of Park Day School Mary and Preston Cooper in honor of Master Henry Dolan 6 w i n t e r 2009 Marsha Dean Patty Dominick Janet and David Dynak Lori* and Peter Ellis in honor of Sadie May Ellis-Caleo Lois and Charles Epstein Anina Fuller Lee Fuller Marty Gordon Kazue and Michael Granich Sharon and David Green Sylvia and Leonard Griego Ronne and Robert Hartfield Fran and Leon Hurwitz Sondra Ilgenfritz Mary Alice Jennings in honor of Ali, Michael, Drew, Charlie, and Kate Ranahan and Tom Little Judy and Richard Keene Dave Kent and Margaret Love Phyllis and Cliff Kirst Maria and Dan Kivel Carol and Ralph Kuiper Peggy Love Chiyeko and Marleen Masuoka in honor of Nicole and Genevieve Henry McKean Sylvia McKean Betty Medsger and John Racanelli Monika and Jim Miller Helen Moress in honor of Bella Kocabiyik Elaine and Steve Mulligan Judith and John Mullin Gail and Kevin Murphy Silvia Nemzer Gertrude Porter Carol Potratz Susan and Peter Ralston Abe and Roz Rapp in honor of Sammy Rosen James Rez Deborah and Mervyn Silverman Janet and John Sherman Bernece Simon in honor of Grandparents and Special Friends Day Don and Alison Steel Anne Stewart Dirk and Susan ten Grotenhuis Gale van Druten Linda and Carl Wang Elaine and Irv Weinstein in honor of Nava Sophia Weinstein Mary Helen Williams and Rick Winter Wanda Rees Williams Barbara Winter in honor of Rey Ocampo Nancy and Charles Wolfram Jan and Bruce Wunder Linda Ziegahn and Wolfgang Bauer Parents Anonymous (2) Megan Atchley and Ian Swinson Adina Bailey and John Fielding Gizelle Barany and Dave Scharff Nora Barrows-Friedman and Greg McKay Julie Benson and Kent Thudium Maureen Bessette and John Orbon LeAnn Bischoff and Dan Asimow Stacie Blair Michelle Blakeley and Patrick Hoge Joelle Boismenu and Julian Proctor Cari Borja and Lloyd Bernberg Christina Boufis Peterson and Scott Peterson Nuria Bowart and Giancarlo Muscardini Lori Bower and Charles Neifeld Nancy Brahm and Josh Feldman Jude McAnesby and Surinder Brar Karen Breslau Lisa Brughera Susan Burns and Mathis Wackernagel David Cain Tamar Carson and Rogelio Giron Melissa Casado and Brett Gottlieb Marianne Cleary Gordon Clegg Adrienne Cool and Anne Simon Jennifer Cooper and Tom Dolan Betsy Cotton and Chris Pattison Rosemary Cowen-Knight and Lewis Knight Stephanie Cutler Peter Davé Robyn Dean and Ernesto Rodriguez Kelly and Jon Dees Crossley and Donald Dellis Valenta DeRegil and Marc Weinstein Frances Dinkelspiel and Gary Wayne Jessica and Mike Dodson Bo and Melinda Drayton Hadley Dynak and Kent Strader Tanya Eggers Holly Ellis and Paul Caleo Fernanda and David Fisher Toni Fitzpatrick Kelly and Larry Forsberg Andrea Franchett and Michael Schrag Dana Francis Ellen Frankel and John Crossman Ellen and John Fung Robin and Tomas Galguera Pam Gelman and Rick Rosenbaum Yvette Gentry and Jon Harlan Susan Goldstein and Andy Kivel Tinka Gordon and Arnie Fischman Lexy Green and John Seal Jennifer and Gabriel Griego Amy and Roy Grigsby Khira and John Griscavage Dawn Hannafin and Audrey Grubman Lisa Hartfield Robin Helbling and Leisha Fry Jill and Paul Hollenbach Rachel and Leigh Hollowgrass Sherry Hsieh and Paul Wang Elise Hurwitz and George Spies John Huster Karen Kiyo Huster Jill Jacobs Deborah Joy-Harger and Bradley Harger Naoko Katakami-Koch and Hilmar Koch Nina Katz and Craig Upson Moira Kenney and Mark Spencer Lauren Kerr Yvonne Kettels Victoria and Bahram Khadjenouri Sara and Michael Khoury Nichelle Kitt Carolyn and Kevin Knudtson Liz and Yusuf Kocabiyik Mya Kramer and Jef Loyola Lita Krowech and Herb Van Deventer Heather Kuiper and Loren Rauch Karen Ladd and John Gillis Genevieve Leslie and Bill Greene Hannah Love Liz Lummis O’Neil and Tom O’Neil Jean Lutwak and George Pavlov Beth Maher and Tom Darci Miri Malmquist and Chiffon Pruit Karen Manuel and Bart MacLeod Lorianne Masuoka Mari Mayeda and A.J. Kutchins Jude McAnesby and Surinder Brar Elizabeth McKoy and Tim Choate Heather McMillan and Robert Inchausti Sabrina Merlo Christine Metawati and Michael Eggers Jeannine Miles and Tim Urdan Colleen Miller Jill Miller Lauri Miller and Clay Lewis Tina Milliken and Bill Castellon Theresa and Jason Moehring Ann Mohler and Bill Moseley Kathrina Moore-Richardson and Paul Richardson Naomi and Bill Morris Alexis and Mike Mulvihill Gordon Murray Virginia and Keith Nelson Laurie Nemzer Rachel Neumann and Jason DeAntonis Deborah Oropallo and Michael Goldin Tina Owenmark and Paul Bostwick Jennifer Pahlka and Chris Hecker Preston Parsons Gaia Pine Valeria Ponte and Bruce Fritz Jill Potratz Karen Racanelli and MJ Bogatin Keneuoe Ramabele and Derek Newell Ali and Michael Ranahan Carolyn Rashby and Michael Smith Tracey Rattray and Joseph Perl Gigi Reinheimer and Susan Southwick JoAnne and Geoff Robb Andy Ross and Leslie Berkler Merry Ross and Patrick Zimski Mary and Chris Rossi Joel Rubenzahl Lucy Rudolph and Steve Lomprey Steve Schecter Rebecca Schwartz and Jonathan Berk Susan Scott and Ashesh Patel Julie Silas and Isidro Gonzalez Dashka Slater and Cliff Baker Mary and Hal Smyer Sarah and Shawn Steel in honor of Simrita Pamela Student and Charles Mazzola Diane Swirsky and Sukie Magraw Kristen and Ted Talley Lisa Tana and I Made Moja Joni Tanis and Alan O’Neill Heidi Tarver and Raleigh Duncan Tracey Taylor and Lance Knobel Jane Thrush and Warren Hukill Lynn Tracy and Doug Patterson Jennifer Traub and Paul Epstein Linda Udall and Christina Aguilar Lesli and Kirk van Moon Ayelet Waldman and Michael Chabon Lee Walker and Jorge Sarvide Linda Williams Leela Willow Catherine Wolfram and Matthew Barmack Catha Worthman and Scott McCoy Todd Wright Hamu Yaropa Shirley Yee Carol Zabin Laurie Zimet Past Parents and Past Grandparents Anonymous Denise Abrams and David Harrington Louise Anderson and Jafar Zaidi Peggy Anstrand and Ted Claire Eunice and Philip Ashizawa Cynthia Ashley and Michael McGee Jim Barstow and Susan Ensign Judith Belzer and Michael Pollan Barry Benioff Paul Bernstein Lyn Berry and Les Millett Mary Bisharat Anne-Marie and Al Bloch Beth Bonora and Mike Laine Aggie Brenneman and Roger Edwards Dianne and Jerry Brenner Steve and Pamela Brett Jim Bullock and Ralph Elder Michaelyn Burnette and Terry Tierney Jeanine Chatman Jeff Clark Mary Ann Cobb and Peter Wilson Bob Colaric Carol Cohen and Sandra Blair Joyce Cole in honor of Harriet Cohen Catherine Coleman David Coleman and Sylvia Ehrenthal Ilana DeBare and Sam Schuchat Lyda Dicus and Bob Hanson Donna and Ralph Diksis Anne Diskin and Soane Veamatahau Kathy Doi and Bruce Phillips Loretta Early Netoff Karen Eng Gini Erck and David Petta in honor of Harriet Cohen Jeremy and Rachel Evnine Janet Falk Simona and Kimberley Farrise Beth Fein and Mike DiFilippo Josh Feldman Alice and Fred Feller Linda Fogel Pat Fraser and Rose Frigo Josie and Joshua Gallup Margie Gelb and Mark Aaronson Anna Griffin Sherry Grossman Steve Harvey and Pam Seifert CJ Hirschfield Carol Hoffman Shelley Horwitz in honor of Eliot Davidoff Susan Jacobs and Michael Grodzins Glen Jarvis Al Jessel and Inderpal Grewal Susan Johnson Judy Kahn Leah Kaizer and David Salk Carol Kizziah and Ray Craun Gina and David Larue Leslie Laurien and Gary Yabrove Ronald Lee and Melissa Nelken Judy Levin and Barry Epstein Leah Levy Ann Leyhe and Andy Pauley Teresa E. Little Lewis Lubin and Laura Baker Peggy Ludwig and Michael Butterfield Anita Martinez and Jeff Sloan Jami Matanky and Vandi Linstrot Sharon and Charles Matthews Kate McKean and Eric Schwartz Suzie McLean and Fred Schwartz Barbara McSwain and Daniel Greenson Andrea and Jeff Meghrouni-Brown Linda Miller Judy Muschel and Tom Horton Marge Nicholson Mary Norton and Charlie Bryant Laurie Olsen and Mike Margulis Jo O’Malley and Michael Brucker Cherlyn and Steven Oto Joyce and Doug Parks Mary Patton and Roger Phelps Arlene Pearl Freda Perel Leslie and Bill Piels Nancy Pietrafesa and John Danne Pat Pinkston Roger Pritchard in honor of Tom Little Jim Reed and Bobbi Schear Terry and Bertha Reilly Gigi Reinheimer and Susan Southwick Nancy Ricci and Dean Gloster Robyn and John Roberts Val Rodgers Arnie and Donna Russell-Snyder Emma and Harry Saito in honor of Anne and Robert Calef John Schindel Elly and Fred Schowalter Lynn Simon and Dan Lachman Steve Sugarman and Karen Carlson John and Denny Tibbetts Ralph and Johanna Tondre Renee Torres and Bruce Wade Marjorie and Barry Traub Joyce and Richard Unger Linda and Greg Urban Andrea Walt and Charles Dithrich in honor of Hannah and Lily Dithrich Jill Weed Martha Wellbaum and Terry Odean Connie and Stephen Wirtz Staff and Former Staff Foundations and Donor-Advised Funds Julia Burke Foundation California Community Foundation California HealthCare Foundation Community Health Charities of California Cisco Systems Foundation East Bay Community Foundation (2) Amy Ensign-Barstow Memorial Scholarship Fund Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Walter and Elise Haas Fund Kazan, McClain, Abrams, et. al. Foundation Marin Community Foundation Oregon Jewish Community Foundation Ross Family Fund The San Francisco Foundation (3) Schwab Charitable Fund (6) Y & H Soda Foundation Steel Family Charitable Foundation United Way of New York City Bernard E. and Alba Witkin Charitable Foundation Jane Angeles and Shane MacKay Sabina Aurilio Lesley Bell Amida Cary Siobhan Cassidy Harriet and Mort Cohen Karen Colaric Simrita Dhanjal and Kanwaldip Anant Jenny Ernst and David Cunningham Gretchen and Thomas Griswold Suzann Grody Laurie Grossman and David Wright in honor of Tom Little; in honor of Shery and Ivan Grossman Martha Henderson and Steve Ladd Flo Hodes and Michael Hickey Jared Karol Alla Krel and Roman Sheykhet Susan Lee Tom and Elizabeth Little Maria Montes Clemens and Steven Clemens Kelly Orphan-Martinez Gena Rabinowitz Bob and Merritt Rollins Cathy Shields and Carl Stromsness Wendy and Chris Wilkinson Carolyn Winter and Tom Ocampo Susan Worthing and Stephany Allen Joan Wright-Albertini and Lou Albertini Nikkia Young Nancy and Eugene Zastrow In-Kind Gifts Corporate and Matching Gifts We have made every effort to produce an accurate list of our donors. We regret any omissions and appreciate being notified of any changes. Ace Garden Center Ackerman’s Servicing Volvos, Inc The Clorox Company The Gap Foundation Gift Match Program Insight Meditation Center of the Mid-Peninsula Lam Research Corporation Novartis Target Marin Academy Bakesale Betty Julie Benson and Kent Thudium Jon Carroll Tamar Carson and Rogelio Giron Michael Chabon Kim Coleman-Phox and Jim Phox Sarah Dandridge and Brian Lemco Hannah and Mark Davis Leah Kaizer and David Salk Karen Ladd and John Gillis Jean Lutwak and George Pavlov Karen Manuel and Bart MacLeod Ann Mohler and Bill Moseley Rita Moreno Mrs. Dalloway’s Diana Obrinsky Cherlyn Oto Chris Rossi and Citron Restaurant Royal Coffee Robert Sasaki Pamela Student and Charles Mazzola Yvonne van Leeuwen and Russell Leefer Lesli and Kirk van Moon Joshua Winn Lisa Winter Suzanne Zuerbig and Jane Tierney Students A’nia Ferguson Rey Ocampo *Deceased win t er 2009 7 Alumni N otes Anya Poppink-Emerson - 1989 - married Jonah Staw in May 2009, after she proposed on a hike in the Catskills. She is currently a lawyer at the nonprofit New York Legal Assistance Group | Gabe Yarra - 1989 - is a software engineer working at Wireless Generation, an educational software company in Brooklyn. He writes, “New York is great but I miss my friends back in the Bay Area. I recently got engaged to Rina Dorfman, an attorney and artist. Through the magic of Facebook, Sierra Rein and I reconnected several months ago. Looking forward to meeting up with some other Park Schoolers in NYC.” | Molly Aaronson-Gelb - 1991 - was married in October | Adrian Chang - 1994 - has taken a break from the fashion world to work as head of a preschool in Tokyo, Japan. In the Park tradition, he is working on a play with original music and words based on The Hungry Caterpillar | Quise Rodriguez - 1996 - is a third grade teacher at Thousand Oaks in Berkeley | Eliot Danner - 1996 - is working in Washington DC as a principal in a small consulting firm. His abiding interest is in technical diving, which he teaches and participates in during most of his free time. Technical divers use complex breathing equipment and participate in wreck and cave diving. In order to entertain himself further and up the price of his life insurance, Eliot has just acquired his pilot’s license. | Alison Chang - 1997 - is living in Brooklyn (and loves it) with two of her friends from high school. She works for Warner Chappell licensing music for video games. | Gregory Manley - 1997 - continues to attract interest in the game he invented, Circle Football. In the last six months, the game has been featured in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal and on “Good Morning America”. | Sasha Werblin - 1997 - was accepted into a 24-week internship with Kituo Cha Sheria for Legal Empowerment in Mombasa, Kenya. “This position affords an invaluable opportunity to build on my passion for public service/advocacy on an international stage, and develop new skills. My local and national efforts have taught me great lessons about the struggle for social justice. I am now eager to globalize my vision by advocating in a developing nation, functioning in a similar capacity with Kituo as I have thus far. Kituo empowers poor and marginalized Kenyans by increasing their access to social justice and improved standards of living through legal aid, education, and lobbying efforts.” | Annie Butterfield - 1999 - graduated from Santa Clara University in June with a double major in Anthropology and Environmental Studies. Anne will be completing an internship in New York City before going to graduate school. | Chris Danner - 1999 - recently won the Student Travel Association, Internship Around the World by submitting a series of interviews, videos and blogs. He’ll be in Fiji, Australia, India, Tanzania, Dubai, South Africa, Greek Islands, Ireland and Scotland and many small places in between. Chris would love to have his Park Day School friends follow his videos, blogs, and twitter, etc. at: worldtravelerintern.com | Adam Butterfield 2002 - spent his summer in New York City, after completing his freshman year at NYU, Tisch School of the Arts. He also travelled to Thailand in summer 2009 for adventures further afield. | Will Danner - 2002 - is the happiest student at UCLA. He loves it! He’s traded an art and architecture major for history, writes a music blog and trained at O Chamé as a sous chef for the summer. | Albert Black-Goldin - 2003 - was featured in an exhibit in November at the Alameda Library, showcasing his pinhole and travel photography. | Micah McAlpine-Bellis - 2003 - is attending Sterling College in Vermont. Sterling’s educational philosophy emphasizes many of the precepts of Outward Bound, including combining academics, physical challenge, craftsmanship, and service to others. | Nick Pauley - 2003 - is taking a year off before enrolling in Vassar College in fall 2010. In fall 2009 he travelled with an organization called Carpe Diem, which specializes in experimental learning through travel. He will return to Berkeley in December. | Kaela Farrise - 2004 - was selected to be a debutante in the Oakland Bay Area Links’ 54th Annual Cotillion in December 2009. She is a senior and scholar-athlete at Crossroads School for the Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, California. Her many honors include membership in the National Society of High School Scholars, the California Scholarship Federation, the National Honor Society, and National Society of Black Engineers, Jr. chapter. She has also received numerous academic awards, and was invited to participate as a Presidential Classroom Scholar in Washington, D.C. | Tomás Moreno-Johnson - 2004 - was in the Youth Musical Theater Company (YMTC) production of “Les Miserables” at the Julia Morgan Theater. Cast members are college, high school and middle school students who auditioned for the parts. Tomás played Jean Valjean | George Kaela Farrise McQuillister - 2007 (6th grade class of 2005) - was awarded a trip to Greece for himself, a friend, and his family through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which also helps those with chronic illnesses. | Gabriel Ladd - 2007 (6th grade class of 2005) - eschewed his final years of high school to enroll in the Integral Program at St. Mary’s College, where he is loving every minute | Lansana Lapia - 2008 - was named the most inspirational player on the Berkeley High freshman basketball team. He was also awarded a certificate for being a student athlete with a GPA of 3.5. His coach announced that he is the youngest assistant coach for players in the Amateur Athletic Union league. | Rori Fararo-Brooks 2010 - visited Park Day School in March 2009 with her parents. Rori is doing well in New York City, but was happy to see old friends. Attention Class of 2003 alumni and families! In our next issue we will include a list of colleges. If you haven’t been in touch with us about your college plans, send an email to [email protected]. November 25 Grandparents and Special Friends Day February 5 December 7Jon Carroll interviews Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman, 7:00 pm, Berkeley Repertory Theater Thrust Stage. Visit www.parkdayschool.org to purchase tickets. March 8Jon Carroll interviews Scott Rosenberg, 7:00 pm, Berkeley Repertory Theater Thrust Stage. Visit www.parkdayschool.org to purchase tickets. February 1Jon Carroll interviews Dave Eggers, 7:00 pm, Berkeley Repertory Theater Thrust Stage. Visit www.parkdayschool.org to purchase tickets. 370 43rd Street Oakland, CA 94609-2223 Readathon April 24-25Secret Gardens of the East Bay tour. Contact Cathy Shields at (510) 653-0317, x103 for information. Rori Fararo-Brooks with her parents, Kim and Bennett Stay co nn ected! Get eve nt infor mation by em alumni@ ail – write to parkda yschool. org Save the Dates! Non-profit Standard U.S. Postage PAID Oakland, CA Permit No. 259