the play`s the thing

REPORTS
VOLUME XXVII SUMMER 2014
FOR FAR BROOK ALUMNI & FAMILIES NEAR & FAR
“THE PLAY’S THE THING”
Shakespeare – A Central Part of
the Far Brook Experience
STEPPING INTO
THE CLASSROOMS
A Photo Tour of Art, Drama, Music,
and Woodshop
SPECIAL INSERT:
IMAGINE THE POSSIBLITIES
Campaign and Building Update
REPORTS
VOLUME XXVII SUMMER 2014
20 Development / 22 Graduates / 26 Alumni News / 30 Faculty News / 33 We Remember
4
12
SPECIAL INSERT
CONTENTS
4
12
“THE PLAY’S THE THING”
Shakespeare – A Central Part of
the Far Brook Experience
STEPPING INTO THE CLASSROOMS
A Photo Tour of Art, Drama, Music, and Woodshop
SPECIAL
INSERT
Campaign and Building Update
Editors
Jennifer Barba
Helen Kaplus
Editorial Assistants
Joan Burr
Peggy Fawcett
Principal Photographers
Jim Benz
Stephen Giordano
Todd Goodman
Emi Ithen
Helen Kaplus
Penny Sokolowski
Will Winburn
COVER PHOTO
Director of Drama James
Glossman works with 2013
Alumni Elijah Chilton, as
Ferdinand, and Amanda Celli,
as Miranda, in The Tempest.
A MESSAGE TO FAR BROOK ALUMNI AND FAMILIES
AS I ENTER MY FIFTH YEAR AS HEAD OF SCHOOL, I AM AMAZED BY THE PASSAGE OF TIME.
It is hard to believe that another school year has come to a close. Although it is summer, the campus is in
full swing as we prepare for the upcoming year. As a first step in the creation of our new Music and Arts
building and Science and Environmental Center, temporary classrooms are being constructed near the front
of campus. It is exciting to watch. Camps are in session, faculty are attending professional development
workshops and conferences, and the Administration is preparing for the first day of school
in September.
I am grateful to our dedicated community – the Board of Trustees, our current and past families,
alumni, and friends, who have generously supported our Capital Campaign this year and helped to
make these two new buildings a reality for Far Brook. We can “imagine” our students in new classrooms
opening to the Wetlands Habitat, inspired by natural beauty; such a meaningful piece of Far Brook’s ethos.
Please see the Campaign insert in this magazine which highlights our progress this year and also provides
an overview of the plans to improve our facilities.
We welcome our 2014 graduates to the alumni family and wish them well as they head off to new
adventures in high school. We congratulate the members of the Far Brook class of 2010 who move on to
an impressive list of colleges and universities this fall. You’ll find the school lists in these pages, along with
news from our alumni and updates on our exceptional faculty.
Also in this issue, I hope you enjoy our cover story on Shakespeare and the accompanying article illustrating
the importance of the integration of the arts and music in our curriculum. In addition, we have included photos
of events and learning experiences on campus during the past year. As always, we welcome your feedback and
updates as you continue your journey beyond Far Brook.
WARMLY,
AMY ZIEBARTH
Head of School
DEVELOPMENT / 15
“
“A Far Brook education is
interdisciplinary in nature...”
Zoe Gonzalez ‘14 as Nick Bottom with Isabel
Giordano ‘14 as Peaseblossom in the 2014
Production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
SHAKESPEARE – A CENTRAL PART OF THE FAR BROOK EXPERIENCE
“ The P lay s the Thing”
–William Shakespeare
Education Night Speech by Amy Ziebarth, Head of School, October 23, 2013
A
FAR BROOK EDUCATION IS AN
ARC FROM NURSERY THROUGH
THE EIGHTH GRADE AND IS MULTILAYERED AND DELIBERATE. The concept of “learning
through the arts,” which often describes part of our
philosophy, is based on the concept of deepening the
learning experience for children and increasing the
flexibility and creativity of the brain. For similar reasons,
students at Far Brook experience a broad education,
ranging from math, science, history, and literature, to
sports, woodshop, library, and the fine and performing
arts. A Far Brook education is interdisciplinary in nature and
cumulative by design. We give each one of our students
the gift of high expectations.
Speaking of great expectations, I want to talk with you
about the vital core values of Shakespeare and how its
teaching here is integral to the growth and education of
Far Brook children; how it will make a dramatic difference
in their lives.
I love to have the opportunity to spend time with our
faculty members, talking about the way they educate
children. I met recently with several of our teachers to
take a closer look at the Shakespeare experience; how
we approach it; how it is interwoven and integrated
throughout the grades.
You may not even realize what a central part of our
experience Shakespeare is – not just reading, but actively
investigating, comprehending, and then speaking and
performing great literature and language. I know of no
other school that recognizes the far-reaching importance of
being exposed to and then gradually and fully internalizing
the beautiful and compelling language of Shakespeare. It is
a lynchpin and beginning place for further adventures of all
sorts of great literature.
We give each one of our students
the gift of high expectations.
When my children first came to Far Brook, I was so
amazed at the breadth and depth of what we do here.
Each year increases my understanding and appreciation.
The final Shakespeare play at the end of the year, either
The Tempest or A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is the Eighth
Grade’s graduation gift to the School. But not only do
all the students experience multiple Shakespeare plays
throughout the year (Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, or
Henry IV for example), but others like Sophocles’ Oedipus
at Colonus or Euripides’ Ephigenia at Aulis, Shaw’s Saint
Joan, Brecht’s Galileo, and the works of American authors
such as Langston Hughes, Eudora Welty, and F. Scott
Fitzgerald, to name a few.
THE PLAY’S THE THING / 5
Matthew Melillo ’13 as Ariel in
the 2013 Performance of The Tempest
I would like to quote from “The Roots of Excellence,”
our discourse on Far Brook’s educational philosophy and
methods of teaching by Founding Director Winifred Moore.
She wrote:
“…Only where the arts are at the center of the
curriculum as qualitative, humanizing influences;
…only as arts are the bridge between methods
and subject matter, is moral thinking developed
in education. Far Brook plays...develop a special
dimension: children unafraid and unconscious
of audience; children deeply disciplined by
concentration on a center through a communal
effort. This develops wholeness, style, composition,
relatedness, proportion, and judgment.”
Our process begins with the youngest in Nursery and
Kindergarten, as the children learn the story and get to
know the characters. They see the scenes in Morning
Meeting acted out by their older role models, the Eighth
6 / THE PLAY’S THE THING
Graders. They memorize phrases and, as the children move
through their years here, begin memorizing whole parts of
the play. What begins in Nursery is woven throughout the
Lower and Middle Schools and culminates in the
Junior High.
When Ed Solecki (our Seventh and Eighth Grade history
teacher) first interviewed here over 30 years ago, he
witnessed a Shakespeare graduation play rehearsal and
was taken aback with how good it was. And he asked,
“How do you do Shakespeare in eight weeks?”
The reply: “Not eight weeks, ten years.”
Each year, Second Graders act out pieces of the
graduation play and memorize the songs. We are not
surprised when young children understand the nuances
and complexities of Shakespeare and take such pleasure in
the humor.
As our Director of Drama James Glossman told me,
“Shakespeare helps their humanity, like Bach helps
their math.”
By Sixth Grade, students are rehearsing their own class
play while also reading the entire graduation Shakespeare
play. They learn how plays evolved through the Middle
Ages; they memorize speeches and study the
relationship among the characters, as they gain a greater
understanding of the plot.
By May each year, all students are engaged in
Shakespeare. Remember, each class play is presented to
the entire school in Morning Meeting. If you think about
it, every child at Far Brook has a personal subscription to a
fully producing repertory theater!
The more time I spend with Jim Glossman, the more I
fully comprehend the method to his madness. He tells me
that over time, and through constant exposure and active
engagement, each child experiences poetry and rhythm
and develops the ability to communicate a compellingly
good story and analyze complex language as if it were
second nature to them. As he said last week, “At Far
Brook, the students get to experience Shakespearean
language and to make it their own before they realize it is
difficult or ‘something good for them’ or ‘highbrow.’ They
begin to own it from a very early age.”
Students get such tools here, tools that give them
tremendous power. And the growth is consistent and
constant, and with each year, the work is more challenging
and elaborate.
As I hope you know, writing is essential to us here.
The story-telling process begins as the children walk
through the door in Nursery. Through the study of
literature, students learn how to separate thoughts and
sub-thoughts. Shakespeare has very long and complex
sentences that can sometimes go on for as much as a
page. Eighth Graders thoroughly read and analyze their
play. Jim asks, “What is the verb in this sentence?” “What
is the noun?” “What is going on here?” As each student
begins to read the words out loud, he or she “owns” it
and then can take others along with them, wherever they
want to go.
I am really struck when I see at Far Brook even the
newest members of our community seamlessly enter in
Fourth Grade or Sixth or Seventh, and in no time at all are
full members of this School. They seem to fully understand
and value their experiences.
As we have often heard – and we all know to be true
– one of our greatest fears as human beings is public
speaking. Last year, one of the Eighth Graders asked me if
I get nervous when I speak in public and I said “absolutely
– always!” She smiled and said, “Amy, if you had gone to
Far Brook, it would be a breeze.”
Our students begin speaking in front of others as
early as five years of age, and in a supportive and caring
environment. From woodshop shows in Morning Meeting,
to sports reports, class presentations, and plays, children
from the youngest ages are learning poise, articulation,
practice, discipline, and the beauty of good humor.
Winfred Moore writes:
“Great plays are given to children here; for they
deeply understand them in part and return to
them all through their lives. Children and the
great artists belong together. Shakespeare is not
cultural at Far Brook, but a good plot, a conflict
between good and evil, between monsters and
good spirits, between conspirators and noble
creatures; and Shakespeare leads children to the
limit of joyous, fantastic comedy.”
Our students begin speaking in front of
others as early as five years of age...
We hear comments all the time from alumni in both
high school and college – even about a Shakespearean
play they had never seen or done at Far Brook – and how
easy it is for them to understand it! Here, as students get
older, the acting for them may be new, but hearing the
language isn’t. What is known as “great works” has been
demystified so students can feel ever more at home and
actively engage with the words.
It is not uncommon for alumni to write about Far Brook
in their college essays. Let me share with you part of one
written by a Far Brook graduate about Shakespeare:
continued on page 11
2014 Alumni Ben Lee and Adebisi Adetoye
as Oberon and Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
LEFT TO RIGHT: Kindergartners love the characters of A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Kindergartners create Shakespeare character
figurines; Kindergarten Interpretation of The Tempest; Gavin Branch ’13 as Gonzalo in The Tempest 2013
Shakespeare
Begins in Nursery
and Kindergarten
Far Brook’s Nursery and Kindergarten students are
as comfortable with the stories and tales of William
Shakespeare as they are with Dr. Seuss. Every year in the
late spring, as Eighth Graders prepare for their Shakespeare
play, the Nursery and Kindergarten faculty “unfold” the
play for our youngest students. They listen with rapt
interest and anticipation as their teachers retell
A Midsummer Night’s Dream or The Tempest.
Teachers read child-friendly versions of the plays and
share their own personal excitement of how these stories
have been presented over the years, bringing to life the
magic and delight of our two Shakespeare plays. Nursery
and Kindergarten students are introduced to the flowery,
poetic language of Shakespeare by hearing and singing
the actual words of the Bard. We love their voices as they
sing together: “You spotted snakes ...” or “Where the Bee
Sucks, There suck I.” With their bursting imaginations they
relate to the fairies and to the magic.
8 / THE PLAY’S THE THING
Kindergartners dress up in the dramatic play area,
donning capes and hats as Titania, Oberon, and even
Prospero, the wizard. The kings, queens, and dukes of
Shakespeare connect with their study of the Middle Ages.
Math and art activities center on the characters, as well.
Kindergartners create murals reflecting the scenes that
take place in Shakespeare’s Ancient Athens, including such
wonderful characters as the Duke of Theseus, Hippolyta,
and the Mechanicals, or on the Island that Miranda and
Prospero inhabit.
In Nursery, each child creates a gift using wood blocks
or milk cartons, representing a tree or ship (depending on
the play that year) with a photo of an Eighth Grader and
a drawing of the character that he/she portrays. These
mementos are presented to the graduates on the last
Morning Meeting of the school year. How wonderful to
have our youngest look up to our graduates.
These students are poised and ready to sit back and
enjoy the words of the Bard by the end of the school year.
The Shakespeare journey, which ends on the stage in
Eighth Grade, has begun.
– by Helen Kaplus with faculty input
THE PLAY’S THE THING / 9
“...to work as a team...
demands a comfort in
taking risks...
”
2014 Seventh Graders as Feeble and Falstaff
in Henry IV, Part II, Part II
10 / THE PLAY’S THE THING
continued from page 7
“… And so it began, that every year, when the days
grew longer and the temperature would rise, I
would be asked to paint a portrait of “The bank
where the wild thyme grows,” to memorize the
monologue that started, “You spotted snakes with
double tongue,” to write a reflection on the line,
“If we shadows have offended.” Each new year,
whether from kindergarten to second grade, or
sixth to eighth, was like a new experience with
an old friend. While my first encounter with the
play mostly focused on the elements of fantasy
and magic, later on, I was more interested in the
literary techniques that abound in such a lyrical
work of art. Just as my knowledge of the play
became more sophisticated, and the expectations
of my analysis increased, so did my recognition of
what A Midsummer Night’s Dream meant to me as
an individual. ...It not only introduced me to the
compelling world of literature but it allowed me
to better realize the person I have become.”
Needless to say, this graduate was accepted to Amherst
College and is now a finance writer and editor.
As Jim has explained to me, if you can take a complex
idea and a long thought, and are able to understand it,
to present it simply, directly, and compellingly to others,
you can truly make your way in the world. Those who
can analyze and articulate complex ideas contribute to
the mastery and spirit of the world in whatever profession
they choose. To create an ensemble – to work as a team –
demands attention, a comfort in taking risks, the ability to
listen and to make room for others. The understanding of the Nursery child evolves into the
experience of the Eighth Grader presenting the play to the
entire community as the culmination of their educational
experience. The constant growth of students at Far Brook
comes from the “Roots” and continues through their
last night as graduating Eighth Graders on this campus.
Imagine a painter priming the canvas, spending years
mixing the paint and then, ultimately, after much study
and experience, finally getting to paint the picture.
[Special thanks to Far Brook faculty and
Carol Sargent]
LEFT TO RIGHT: Kindergarten Mural of A Midsummer Night’s Dream;
Myla Stovall ’14 and Magda Kligerman ’14 as Snug the Joiner and Peter Quince.
Shakespeare in
the Fourth Grade
Each year the Fourth Graders are reacquainted with
either A Midsummer Night’s Dream or The Tempest.
The Shakespeare play that they study is especially
meaningful because it will also be their graduation
play. Some students, from the earliest age, wonder
which character they will play when they are in
Eighth Grade, but as the time gets closer and the
students become older, they begin to understand the
importance of each role in the play.
In class, the students read through an abridged
version of the play with teachers Rebecca Campbell
and Kerry Jones and participate in several related
activities. They read excerpts from the play, make
choral recitations of speeches, and discuss comparisons
to other novels they have read. As a writing exercise,
the students often choose which role they would
like to play and explain what attracted them to that
particular part. They are also asked to write about
the characters as protagonists and antagonists and
to consider what motivates them. During Morning
Meeting, the Fourth Grade class also joins the School
in singing the songs associated with the plays.
The Shakespeare journey continues.
– by Helen Kaplus
THE PLAY’S THE THING / 11
welcome
12 / STEPPING INTO THE CLASSROOMS
At Far Brook School, the arts are an essential and
exciting component of everyday learning. This year, we
have chosen to highlight four disciplines that challenge
and inspire the children through the multiple forms of
art, drama, music, and woodshop. With the direction
of our talented faculty, students learn to express
their newfound knowledge and to make meaningful
connections to universal ideals. Art, Drama, Music,
and Woodshop
STEPPING INTO THE CLASSROOMS
by Helen Kaplus with faculty input
STEPPING INTO THE CLASSROOMS / 13
ART
Nancy McIntyre’s project-based art program frequently
relates to classroom core studies. Children develop skills
over time, and projects incorporate not only essential
questions about content, but also focus on critical
thinking, problem solving, working collaboratively, and
understanding the importance of narrative in art.
Through the years, the children are involved in creating
works of art through various mediums.
Nursery students paint bird families in temperas,
reinforcing their classroom study of winter birds. The birds
are cut out and placed on bases, ultimately becoming a
sculpture.
First Graders paint double-layered self-portraits entitled
“The Inside Outside Me.” The outside, formal self-portrait
is executed on clear workable acetate, while the inside
portrait is done on canvas board with oil pastels, and
depicts dreams, desires, and hopes that the children feel
are descriptive of them. Both portraits are attached as one
unit so the images can be viewed simultaneously.
Fourth Grade Egyptian death masks begin with a plaster
cast made of each student’s face. Students discuss Ancient
Egyptian iconography and a variation of this imagery is
included on the surface decoration of the mask and its
crown. “Jewels” and other decorative items complete
the project.
Sixth Graders create package designs for “commercial”
products and the logos that appear on them.
Understanding the psychology of selling and how shape,
size, and color influence the consumer are essential
components of this project.
14 / STEPPING INTO THE CLASSROOMS
Seventh Graders paint in oil on canvas in their “mini”
class. All formal issues of art, including perspective, texture,
composition, and shading are emphasized. Students
become familiar with using color theory to mix colors that
describe form and reflect the reality of the still life that they
are painting.
Eighth Graders learn about the artist Joseph Cornell
who created assemblage boxes that conveyed themes by
incorporating surrealism and symbolism. In their “mini,”
the students develop themes that communicate aspects of
their personalities or significant personal experiences using
symbolic imagery. The students write the meaning behind
the imagery of their assemblage box.
Through the years, the
children are involved in
creating works of art
through various mediums.
In art classes, creativity and imagination are consistently
emphasized within a balanced structure that permits
self-expression. Exposure to various mediums facilitates
the student’s ability to investigate multiple forms of
communication and reinforces the School’s philosophy
of experiential learning.
Drama Program
Director of Drama James Glossman leads Fourth through
Eighth Graders through the journey of story-telling. And
each year all Far Brook children – Nursery through Eighth
Graders – get to experience six or seven plays portraying
tales from Ancient Egypt to modern America. Over the
years of exposure to fine theater works at Morning
Meeting, the children gradually become comfortable with
“cultural literacy in motion.” Jim says, “It’s like swimming
– when you start early, and it’s always a part of your world,
you don’t have any reason to think it’s hard!”
Fourth Graders begin to work as an ensemble with
poetry and learn to breathe and speak together. Early in
the year, they often present pieces by Shel Silverstein or
Robert Frost that tell a short story in rhyming schemes.
Later, their class play, which relates a fable of Ancient
Egypt, is an ensemble-based choral work, peppered by
solos, duets, and smaller groups.
The curriculum in Fifth Grade is Ancient Greece. These
students act out tales of ancient legends told by a Chorus:
stories by Euripides, Aeschylus, or Sophocles. Here,
individuals step out of the Chorus to draw out conflicts
and the children delve into more complicated situations.
Early Rome and medieval times are the studies during
the Sixth Grade, and the class play is chosen from a library
of Shakespeare’s plays with Roman or early medieval
settings, or Ancient Roman comedies. Plot and character
begin to drive the story, and plots, told in scenes, take
Children gradually become
comfortable with ‘cultural
literacy in motion.’
place over days, weeks, or even months. It becomes a
challenge to the students to imagine themselves living in
another time.
In Seventh Grade, they continue to work on even more
complex and challenging pieces. As the children study the
history of Europe and China, Jim draws their plays from a
“whole world of drama.” These students have presented
Brecht’s Galileo, Shaw’s Saint Joan, and Hamlet, King Lear,
and Macbeth.
Eighth Graders apply all they have learned to colloquial
American literature by authors such as Mark Twain,
Langston Hughes, Thornton Wilder, or O. Henry and
present the first class play of the year in the fall. They
return to the stage in June with their traditional graduation
gift to the School of either A Midsummer Night’s Dream or
The Tempest.
STEPPING INTO THE CLASSROOMS / 15
Music Begins In
Lower School
Erasmia Voukelatos, Lower School music teacher,
owes her teaching philosophy partly to Zoltán Kodály,
the Hungarian pedagogue. “We all have music in us,”
she says, and it is her job to awaken that voice in each
student. She has based her music program on the belief
that folk music is the best material to sing and introduces
her students to American folk melodies as well as to those
from around the world, often in their original tongues
(French, German, Hindi, Mandarin, Arabic, Hebrew, et al),
“since we are a land of immigrants.”
In addition to singing, the young students use their
entire bodies to learn about the elements of music such as
rhythm, beat, and dynamics. Every day they can be seen
clapping, marching, jumping, or swaying to the music.
Students learn to read and sing using a system of
notation called solfège where syllables are assigned to
notes (do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do). The children sing the notes
and learn to recognize them on the lines and spaces of the
staff and incorporate more complex rhythm patterns and
meters as they get older.
In keeping with the methodology of Kodály, Erasmia
believes that singing should precede instrumental learning.
Second Graders thrill to the beat played on various
percussion instruments – drums and xylophones – and
16 / STEPPING INTO THE CLASSROOMS
perform in the Rhythm Ensemble, their first organized
ensemble experience. Third Graders begin playing the
recorder, playing traditional Native American melodies that
tie in with their classroom studies of those cultures. Each
spring, they join the Second Graders during Instrumental
Music Night to round out the Lower School Philharmonic.
Fourth Graders are the last students to work with
Erasmia. They continue their recorder studies in “minis,”
very small groups which meet once a week. They play
folk tunes, many in Arabic scales to complement their
Egyptian curriculum, and many short, classical pieces as
well. They often perform at the Medieval Feast as traveling
troubadours and during the Greek Feast playing Greek
folk tunes.
Through these diverse musical experiences, Erasmia is
preparing her young students for the rich, sophisticated,
formal music that is taught in the upper grades.
Every day they can be
seen clapping, marching,
jumping, or swaying
to the music.
Music education
In upper Schools
Every child graduating from Far Brook leaves with the
gift of fluency in the language of music. Director of Music
Allen Artz’s underlying focus through the years is teaching
the students to read music. As in literature, where our
children learn to read before understanding the great
models like Shakespeare, they learn the subtleties of the
language of music.
The music curriculum is based on the college text
Materials of Music. Mr. Artz likens a student’s musical
journey to the construction of a house. First, you need a
foundation – that is rhythm. Next, you “hang the melody”
by learning notation on the staff – the note names and
pitch. Then you “flesh it out” with the harmony – the walls
and roof of the house. When the structure is secure, you
add expression, the decoration – the dynamics, articulation,
and tempo. This is learned (built) slowly over the years
through hard work and repetition. Mr. Artz maintains the
big picture, the complete house, as well as the details, in
mind at all times.
Beginning in Fourth Grade, the students learn music
theory with Mr. Artz, which becomes more complex as the
years progress. They sing together in Choir, and in Sixth,
Seventh, and Eighth Grades, in Group. The children learn
to make connections between what they hear and what
they see on a music score, and through “ear training,”
Mr. Artz hones their listening skills until they can discern
musical intervals. Students learn through reading and sightsinging to see the patterns that create beautiful music.
Once they understand that music is built on patterns, they
can easily recognize a fifth and more complex notation.
They all sing the divine music of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater
for the Far Brook community in the spring.
Every child graduating
from Far Brook leaves
with the gift of fluency
in the language of music.
In Eighth Grade, the concluding project of the Far Brook
musical education is the handbell “mini.” Each student
plays two or three bells; one bell sounding one note. With
Mr. Artz’s direction, the eight or nine musicians in the class
use their cumulative knowledge to decode the music to
create lovely melodies together.
These years of focus on reading and understanding,
and on practicing skills and finesse, result in a lifelong
appreciation of music.
STEPPING INTO THE CLASSROOMS / 17
In The Woodshop
Chris Murphy’s woodshop studio, lined with hanging
saws, hammers, drills, metal files, and goggles, is a
classroom for Nursery through Eighth Graders. Most
students work with wood, creating age-appropriate
projects from simple boats to toys with movable parts and
diploma frames with precisely mitered corners.
Chris introduced several new projects this past year.
Through a design thinking program, the Third Graders’
challenge was to redesign the playground. They were
asked to draw their concepts of the playground equipment
of their dreams, and then to build wooden models of
them. Fifth Graders made “light sources,” which Chris
refrained from calling lamps because that nomenclature
could confine their imaginations! Students were given
a small cordless light and were expected to think about,
and solve the questions of, the direction and diffusion of
light in their final projects. A model of a cottage with light
pouring through its windows and a two-foot lighthouse
exemplify a few of their constructs.
New to Far Brook last year was the MakerBot
Replicator2, a 3D printer made possible by a grant from
the Faculty Endowment Fund and a generous gift from
a grandparent. This exciting new technology enables
students to design objects on laptops using the TinkerCAD
program. By choosing shapes, resizing, and manipulating
18 / STEPPING INTO THE CLASSROOMS
them on the screen, students learn to build a complex
object and then to have it printed in three-dimensional
plastic! The process of printing one thin layer at a time
takes around one and a half hours for the small objects
they have been designing. Last year, Sixth Graders created
mini, usable wind turbines and tested them to record their
speed. This year, Seventh Graders designed chess sets with
competing themes, like winter vs. summer, healthy food vs.
junk food, and birds vs. walking animals.
Chris encourages his students to focus on the design
aspect of their choice of projects with the overarching
goal of the completion of a process – not solely to make
something they can take home, but to think about its
design, test it, and learn how to improve upon it.
NEW TO FAR BROOK LAST
YEAR WAS THE MAKERBOT
REPLICATOR 2, A 3D PRINTER...…
…
EVENTS / 19
THANK YOU DONORS!
THE 2013-2014 ANNUAL
FUND RAISED $500,724.
SIMPLE GIFTS
CAN BE EXTRAORDINARY
Over the years, we have been the proud recipient of
bequests from members of our community who hold Far
Brook so close to their hearts. As a way to recognize and
encourage planned gifts to this extraordinary School and
community, Far Brook initiated The Simple Gifts Society to
highlight how easy it is to create such a gift, as it provides
significant funds for the Endowment and for Far Brook’s
future. More recently, we have been pleased to learn of
those who included Far Brook in their estate plans many
years ago. We encourage you to do the same!
A bequest is the simplest way to do this, by specifying a
gift amount or percentage from your estate. You can be
included in future planned giving lists for creating such a
gift or you can remain anonymous. There are other ways to
direct planned gifts to Far Brook as well.
Mary Sue Fisher, Chair of the Simple Gifts Society,
remarked, “Although there are many ways to support Far
Brook, planned giving is an effective and convenient way
to help the School in years to come.” Bequests are vital to
increasing Far Brook’s Endowment and ensuring that the
School is here for generations, long into the future.
20 / DEVELOPMENT
We are so appreciative for the
support of our Current Parents,
Alumni, Alumni Families, and Faculty
and Administration. Far Brook is truly
a Community of Giving!
TRIBUTE GIFTS
SIMPLE AND SIGNIFICANT
Tribute gifts are a simple and significant way to express
joy or sorrow for events in the lives of relatives and friends
– in honor of a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or other
special occasion, or in memory of a loved one.
To make a Tribute gift, advise the Development Office
of the type of gift and the name and address where you
would like the acknowledgment card to be sent. You
may make your gift by mail, at Far Brook’s website,
www.farbrook.org, or by calling. Please contact the
Development Office, 973-379-3442, for more information.
Far Brook will send an acknowledgment card to the
person(s) indicated, including a message of your choice.
The amount, of course, will not be disclosed. Contributions
are tax-deductible.
Tribute funds, unless directed otherwise by the donor,
are added to Far Brook’s Endowment.
Accreditation Update
During the 2013-2014 school year, Far Brook received dual accreditation
from the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) and from
the Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools of the Middle
States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA). As accredited members
of these two organizations, Far Brook places itself among the most wellregarded independent schools both in New Jersey and throughout the
country.
CAROLYN DORFMAN DANCE
A DAY OF DANCE
In March, Far Brook students communicated without
words, tuned their “instruments” (bodies), and stretched their
imaginations with the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company. Alumni
parent, internationally celebrated choreographer, and master
artist/teacher Carolyn Dorfman and her company of eleven
contemporary dancers provided an inspirational experience for all
Far Brook students. The day was made possible by the Fredda S.
Leff Special Projects Endowment.
DEVELOPMENT / 21
CLASS
OF
2014
Here they are, members of the Class of 2014, dressed in costume for this year’s graduation play,
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The majority of these students began in Far Brook’s Nursery or
Kindergarten, and many joined in later years. They all say they will cherish Far Brook’s Traditions,
especially Morning Meeting and the Thanksgiving Processional, and the supportive sense of
community. We wish them success in the years to come, knowing that they have received the best
education an elementary school can offer.
5RECENT ALUMNI - THE CLASS OF 2014, IN
COSTUME FOR A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
L EFT TO RIGHT BACK ROW: Ellie Reinhardt, Ben Aronson,
Jesse Cross, Hallie Schwartzstein, Jack Goodman, Joey Fazio
LEFT TO RIGHT MIDDLE ROW: Audra Wagner-Carlberg, Myla Stovall,
Katherine Stevens, Magda Kligerman, Zoe Gonzalez, Joey D’Angelo
LEFT TO RIGHT FRONT ROW: Ben Lee, Adebisi Adetoye,
Isabel Giordano, Andy Portes, Alexandra Dumas, Ryan Hinton,
Renée Reiter, Drew Sokolowski
5Seventh Graders donated 20 Gold Key Legacy books to the Segal
Family Library in honor of every graduating Eighth Grader. All
selections were made from a list compiled by the Class of 2014.
This program connects past, present, and future generations of
Far Brook students through their passion and love of learning.
22 / CLASS OF 2014
ADEBISI ADETOYE joined the class in Sixth Grade and appreciates
feeling part of the Far Brook family where everyone looks out for one
another. Bisi played Titania, Queen of the Fairies, in A Midsummer
Night’s Dream and will attend Newark Academy in the fall.
MAGDALEN KLIGERMAN was Peter Quince in the graduation
play. Magda liked the “lack of hallways” at Far Brook and the close
relationships she had with her teachers. Her favorite memory is of the
Kindergarten trip to the zoo! Columbia High School is her next school.
BENJAMIN ARONSON came to Far Brook in the Fifth Grade and is
going to miss being on the baseball team and practicing on the sports
field with his friends. His favorite memory is going to Montréal and
Québec on the Junior High trips. Ben shared the roles of Demetrius and
Cobweb in June and will be a freshman at Columbia High School this
September.
BENJAMIN LEE thinks that what he will miss most is all of the
School Traditions that make Far Brook unique and remembers when he
was an angel in The Masque as a Sixth Grader. Ben played Oberon, the
fairy king, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and will be at Millburn High
School in the fall and beyond.
JESSE CROSS also entered his class as a Sixth Grader and got to be
the mischievous Puck in the play. His favorite memories of Far Brook are
eating outside for lunch and travelling to Montreal. Rutgers Preparatory
School is where you will find him for the next four years.
JOSEPH D’ANGELO has attended Far Brook since the First Grade
and was Flute, the bellow’s mender, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Joey will miss the community setting and taking part in Traditions like
Morning Meeting and Stabat. He will also miss his friends and the close
faculty that prepared him “in so many ways,” including teaching him
calligraphy this year. He will attend Oratory Preparatory School
in September.
ALEXANDRA DUMAS began her Far Brook years in Fifth Grade and
was cast as Hippolyta in the play. She will miss being on the lacrosse
and field hockey teams with her classmates and loved the Junior High
trip to Montréal. Alexandra is off to Morristown-Beard School.
JOSEPH FAZIO played the part of Egeus in June. He liked the
sense of community and family bond he had with his classmates and
everyone on the campus. After 10 years here, he recalls his favorite
project from Nursery days – a cardboard owl made with classmate Hallie
Schwartzstein. Joey will attend Morristown-Beard School next.
ISABEL GIORDANO shared two roles, Hermia and Peaseblossom,
in June’s performance. She felt comfortable with her peers and her
community and will miss the Far Brook Traditions. Her favorite memory is
the trip to Montréal where she experienced bonding with her classmates
“in a whole new place.” The Pingry School is Isabel’s next stop.
ZOE GONZALEZ played Nick Bottom in the June performance.
Zoe said she will cherish every smile and every laugh she experienced
during her 10 years as part of Far Brook’s tightly knit community. One
recent memory was staying up until two in the morning to create a 3D
hologram with Adebisi. Zoe will attend Columbia High School in
the fall.
JACK GOODMAN’s roles in the play were Lysander and Moth.
He says he is partial to Far Book’s Traditions, especially Thanksgiving
Processional. He has fond memories of going to Pok-O-MacCready
Camp and to Québec. Field Day is also “in there” as top events. Jack is
off to Morristown-Beard School in the fall.
RYAN HINTON joined the class in Fifth Grade and played Theseus
in June’s play. He will miss being with all of his classmates in and out
of school. One of his favorite Far Brook moments was the Eighth
Grade sleepover at School. Ryan plans to go to Orange High School in
September.
ANDRES PORTES entered Far Brook in the Sixth Grade and shared
the roles of Lysander and Moth in the graduation play with Jack. The
family-like community is what Andy talks about and he singles out
the Thanksgiving Processional and Stabat as favorite Traditions. He
remembers always leaving Morning Meeting with a relaxing feeling and
a smile. Andy will be attending Oratory Preparatory School.
ELEANOR REINHARDT also joined the class in the Sixth Grade
and played Helena and Mustardseed in June. Ellie said she will miss
singing every day in Morning Meeting and in the choral concerts. And
of course, she will miss her classmates. Ellie remembers her first day of
school, when she and fellow newcomer, Adebisi, got lost on campus!
This September, Ellie will be attending Morristown-Beard School.
RENÉE REITER has been at Far Brook for nine years. She and
Ellie shared in the roles of Helena and Mustardseed, one of the fairies.
Renée focused on the major part Far Brook has played in her life and
will miss the campus, teachers, community, and Traditions. Renée will
also be entering Morristown-Beard School’s freshman class.
HALLIE SCHWARTZSTEIN shared the roles of Hermia and
Peaseblossom with Isabel. Hallie loved taking part in the Thanksgiving
Processional where students are paired with children of other grades
and sing beautiful music together. Among many memories of projects
made through the years since Nursery, Hallie recalls sewing a penguin in
Kindergarten. She will be attending Morristown-Beard School in the fall.
ANDREW SOKOLOWSKI has been at Far Brook since the Fourth
Grade, and shared the roles of Demetrius and Cobweb with Ben
Aronson. Drew considers everybody at Far Brook “so nice” and
remembers when his Processional partner told him that he ate a bear!
Drew will be entering Morristown-Beard School in September.
KATHERINE STEVENS began her Far Brook years in Nursery, and
Snout, the tinker, was her part in the play. She will miss her teachers
and seeing “all the little kids” everyday. Some of her favorite memories
are of the Third Grade High Tea and the Medieval Feast in Kindergarten
and again in the Sixth Grade. Katherine will also enter the freshman
class at Morristown-Beard School in the fall.
MYLA STOVALL played Snug, the joiner, in A Midsummer Night’s
Dream. She said she will miss all the unique Traditions: the Processional,
Morning Meeting, the graduation play and sports day. Myla loved
interacting with everyone, from Nursery students to the teachers.
She began here as a Kindergartner and will be at The Pingry School
in September.
AUDRA WAGNER-CARLBERG has also been here for 10 years
and was Robin Starveling, the tailor, in the play. She thinks about
being on the same campus as the youngest students and seeing them
every day. She remembers making costumes for the Medieval Feast in
Kindergarten with her Sixth Grade partner. Audra will be at Newark
Academy in the fall.
CLASS OF 2014 / 23
ALUMNI REUNION
May 4, 2014
3
1
2
6
4
5
9
7
8
24 / ALUMNI REUNION
10
1 – Alumni Watching Slide Show
2 – Liz Burke ’93 and Daughter
3 – Members of the Class of 2013
4–N
icole Fabian Engelke’88 and Her Sister Melissa Fabian
Friedman ‘90
11
12
5 – Erasmia Voukelatos led the Sing-Along.
6 – Welcome Table
7 – Liz Plotkin Keil ’93 with Her Daughter
8 – Alumni Eating Donuts on a String
9–A
dam Abrahams, Adam Plotkin ’92, Gordon Keil,
Charlie Oransky, and a Student at the Ice Cream Truck
10 – K
athryn McRae with Charlie Miller ’81,
Gill Sawhney ‘80 and Son
11 – Jeanne Goetz with 2012 Alumni Kai Taylor, Lauren Burr,
and Ming Goetz
12 – Alice Doherty Shaber ’55 and Her Family
13 – Nancy McIntyre and Claire Miller
13
14 – Craig deLaurier with Bess Oransky ’92, Their Boys, and
Her Parents, Dee Hellring and Charlie Oransky
14
ALUMNI REUNION / 25
ALUMNI NEWS
SHARE YOUR ALUMNI NEWS!
Graduation, wedding, birth, promotion, anniversary, award, or retirement?
Submit news of your major life events via email at [email protected].
Friend us on facebook.com/farbrookalumni
1971
publishing startup that rescues
out-of-print, vintage genre books
and “ebookifies” them. Ash and
Jessica live in Brooklyn.
DAVID VON SALIS
Joe Baker ’62 received Drew
University’s Alumni Service Award.
1962
5JOE BAKER
Attended: Morristown-Beard
School ’65; Drew University ’69
Joe, a former Far Brook trustee
and active alumnus, recently
received the Drew University
Alumni Service Award. The
award recognizes his outstanding
character and exceptional and
sustained loyalty to Drew by
making significant contributions
to furthering the university’s
mission and goals.
1967
ROBERT JOHNSON
Attended: Holderness School;
Union College; Pratt Institute
Robert is a senior electrical
engineer at City Theatrical in
Carlstadt, New Jersey, and is
designing LED dimmers and
wireless lighting controllers for
the theatrical and architectural
industries. A most interesting
project of his involves an
archeological investigation to
locate the crash site of Max Miller,
a famous airmail pilot, with the
help of Rutgers students from
their Department of Earth and
Environmental Sciences.
26 / ALUMNI NEWS
Attended: Bethany College ’78;
The Drama Studio ’79; Benedict
Language and Business School
’80; Ohio University ’82
David is a freelance theater
carpenter and used his expertise
creating sets for Broadway’s
Peter and the Starcatcher, and
television’s “Seth Meyers” and
“Live with Kelly and Michael.”
1976
HELEN NEUMANN
Attended: University of
California, Berkeley ’84; Pacific
College of Oriental Medicine
’05; Institute of Integrative
Nutrition
A licensed acupuncturist, Helen
provides private treatments
at Vineyard Complementary
Medicine in West Tisbury,
Massachusetts, and is the clinical
coordinator of the Acupuncture
Community Clinic where she
provides free acupuncture for
veterans, active-duty fire fighters,
and police officers. She specializes
in herbal treatments for Lyme
disease, sports injury acupuncture,
and nutritional counseling.
Previously, she worked for
Acupuncturists Without Borders.
BESS ORANSKY
Tim ’89, Olivia, and Christian Shoaf
Attended: The Pingry School
’96; Yale University ’00
Andrew Seth deLaurier was born
on May 28, 2014, to Bess and her
husband, Craig deLaurier. Andrew
joins siblings Samuel (age 4) and
Eli (age 2). Congratulations to
them all!
1989
1993
Attended: St. George’s School
’94; Colorado College ’98
Congratulations to Tim and Olivia
on the birth of Christian Eastman
on November 2, 2013. Tim is the
materials manager for Timbuk2
Designs. They manufacture
“tough-as-hell” messenger bags,
travel bags, backpacks, and
accessories. The family lives in San
Francisco.
Attended: Madison High
School ’97; Smith College
Liz works for the public defender’s
office and is actively involved
in Far Brook life. She thinks it’s
wonderful to watch her son,
Alexander ’21, at school here and
her daughter, Eleanor, will join the
Nursery in September. Liz has also
reconnected with 1993 alumnae
Becca Wildman Repetti and
Elizabeth Plotkin Keil. The
Burke-Lacy family of five lives
in Millburn.
5TIMOTHY SHOAF
1992
ASHUR KALB
Attended: Pittsford Mendon
High School ’96; Cornell
University ’00; Columbia Law
School ’03
Best wishes to Ash and Jessica
Elizabeth Cole (aka Cici James)
who were wed on October 26,
2013, at the Romanesque Revivaldesigned Down Town Association
in lower Manhattan. Ash is
co-founder and COO/general
counsel for White Ops, an
internet security company with
offices in New York City, San
Francisco, and British Columbia.
He is also the founder of
Singularity & Co., a science
fiction bookstore in Brooklyn
and an innovative and successful
ELIZABETH BURKE
NOAH LEVIN
Attended: Livingston High
School ‘97, University of
Michigan ‘01, Lewis & Clark
Law School
A new addition was born to the
Levin family. Rowan Stephen
was born to Noah and his
wife, Cay Yanca, on October
24, 2013. Daughter, Calla, is
now three. Noah is a practicing
environmental attorney in Ann
Arbor, Michigan, where the
family lives. Congratulations to
all, including grandmother, Far
Brook’s Director of Lower School,
Paula Levin.
Rebecca Wildman Repetti ’93
with Son Nathan
1996 Alumna Whitney Brown’s
New Horse, Juniper
5REBECCA WILDMAN
REPETTI
1996
Attended: Millburn High
School ’97; Barnard College
’01, Columbia University School
of Nursing
Becca continues to work as a
nurse practitioner at Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
in New York and is excited that
her son, Nathan, will be entering
Far Brook’s Nursery in September.
Becca, her husband, Mike, and
son, Eliot (who will be two in
October), live in Maplewood.
Attended: Montclair Kimberley
Academy ’00; Kenyon College
’04; Auburn University ’06;
Auburn College of Veterinary
Medicine ’11
Whitney is currently working at a
private equine general practice in
Poulsbo, Washington, across the
Puget Sound from Seattle. She is
happy to announce the birth of
Juniper, her first “baby horse” on
April 24, 2014.
5WHITNEY BROWN
BELLE KOVEN
Attended: Sieshiri International
School; Dartmouth College ’04
Tomoko started as an assistant
in the Barney’s New York fashion
office out of college and now
she’s the senior fashion director.
They are “always trying to find
new, cool things, or developing
special projects, working with
designers on exclusives and
helping to nurture and develop
their businesses.”
Attended: Montclair Kimberley
Academy ’02; Harvard
University ’06; University of
Southern California ’12
Belle is the data acquisition
manager for HERE, the mapping
division of Nokia in Berkeley,
California. It provides the data
that drives most in-car navigation
systems and all Garmin units.
Belle lives in Emeryville, California.
She organized a reunion of her
classmates this winter at her
mom’s house in Upper Montclair.
Attendees were Abby Zackin,
Amanda Richardson, Ariel Seeley,
Ashley Inserra, Jacob Appel, and
Rachel Alliston.
1997
ELIZABETH PAGOS
CHAPARRO
Attended: Newark Academy
’01; Mt. Holyoke College ’05;
Simmons College
Elizabeth is currently living in
Salem, Massachusetts, with her
husband Sergio Chaparro, whom
she married in September 2011.
She was hired as the circulation
manager of the Lynnfield Public
Library in August 2011, where
she is still employed full time.
1998
4HEATHER KEIL STERN
1995
Attended: The Pingry
School ’02; University of
Pennsylvania ’06
Congratulations to Heather and
her husband, Eric Stern, who
were wed on September 1, 2013.
4JARETT KAPLUS
Attended: The Pingry School
’99; Georgetown University
’03; New York University
Schack Real Estate School ’06
Three boys were born to Jarett
and his wife, Lauren, on January
13, 2014 – Noah, Jarett, Jr., and
Samuel. Jarett is now a principal
at Admiral Capital Group a real
estate investment firm in New
York.
TOMOKO OGURA
Jarett Kaplus ’93 with Wife, Lauren,
and Their Triplets, Samuel, Jarett Jr.,
and Noah
1999
LAUREN ANDERSON
Attended: Newark Academy
’03; Brown University ’07; New
York University Stern School of
Business
Lauren received her MBA
and works with a non-profit
fundraising and development
consultancy called CCS
Fundraising. She works and lives
in New York City.
Heather Keil ’98 married Eric Stern.
ALUMNI NEWS / 27
ALUMNI NEWS CONTINUED
HEATHER PODVEY
KATHRYN PAGOS
Attended: Newark Academy
’03; Muhlenberg College ’07;
New York University ’09
Congratulations to Heather and
Daniel Asip who were married
on August 3, 2013, in Montclair
followed by a reception at
Mountain Ridge Country Club in
West Caldwell. Far Brook alumni
in attendance were Heather’s
sister, Sarah ’95, the maid of
honor, and Lauren ’99 and
Deborah Anderson ’03. Heather is
an elementary school counselor in
New Jersey, and Daniel, who also
attended Muhlenberg, is currently
working for Madison Square
Garden.
Attended: Newark Academy
’04; Tufts University ’08
Katie is living in Long Island City,
New York, and has been working
as the director of client services
for Greater Talent Network, Inc. in
Manhattan for the past five years.
After prolonged training, Katie
ran in her third half marathon in
Brooklyn in May.
Patrick Corrigan proposed to Devon
McIntyre ’02 in October 2013.
5DEVON MCINTYRE
Emily Abramowitz Adam ’02 with
Justin and Brooke.
2002
5EMILY ABRAMOWITZ
ADAM
Katie and Torrie Pagos ‘00
2000
5VICTORIA PAGOS
Attended: Lawrenceville
School ’04; Carnegie Mellon
University ’08; Benjamin N.
Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva
University ’13
Torrie will be clerking in Newark
for the Honorable Dennis F. Carey,
III, the presiding judge of the Civil
Division of the Superior Court of
New Jersey - Essex Vicinage until
the end of August 2014. She
currently lives in Manhattan.
28 / ALUMNI NEWS
Attended: Kent Place School
’06; Gettysburg College ’10
Emily, her husband, Justin, and
two-year-old daughter, Brooke,
recently moved into their first
house in Allamuchy, New Jersey.
Emily currently works at Tronex
International, Inc., a leading
global brand and innovator of
personal protective equipment.
She wears many hats within the
company supporting departments
including customer service,
national account support, and
human resources.
Attended: Kent Place School
’06; Colby College ’10
Congratulations to Devon and
Patrick Corrigan who announced
their engagement in October
2013 and have set the date for
their wedding on September 12,
2015. They will be wed on Cape
Cod where Pat’s family has a
beach house. Devon is living in
Philadelphia with Pat and their
dog, Calvin, while attending
Cooper Medical School of Rowan
University in Camden.
at a solo exhibition entitled
“Variation and Transformation”
at the Ukrainian Institute of
America in New York City in
February 2014. In April, her
work was featured in Fresh Paint
Magazine and was in another
solo exhibition at the Stimson
Center in Washington, DC,
from the end of March through
June. Also in June, two of her
works were included in Studio
Montclair’s 17th Annual Juried
Exhibition “Viewpoints 2014” in
Newark, New Jersey. Katia lives in
Philadelphia.
2004
NICHOLAS BAUER
Attended: Glen Ridge High
School ’08; Juniata College ’12
Congratulations to Nick and
his bride, Erika Brown, from
Hollidaysburg, Minnesota. They
were married in Stonington,
Connecticut, on June 8, 2014.
Nick is a student at the University
of Minnesota Medical School and
an ensign in the US Navy. The
newlyweds reside in Minneapolis.
ZACHARY FILZER
Attended: Millburn High
School ‘08; Seton Hall
University
Zach has accepted a teaching
job in Thailand. He’s been at Far
Brook for three years in the AfterSchool Program and Extended
Day Program. Bon voyage!
DUNCAN FISHER
Katia Setzer ’02
5KATIA SETZER
Attended: Newark Academy
’06; Colby College ’10;
Pennsylvania Academy of
Fine Arts ’13
After graduating with an MFA,
Katia showed her oil paintings
Attended: Newark Academy
’08, Stanford University ’12
Duncan became engaged to
Molly McCoy on July 3.
Congratulations to the
happy couple!
.
Alumni, please include Far Brook School
in your bios and LinkedIn profile.
leadership program at Duke
University. This program
recognizes 18 first-year women
whose four-year college
experience will include academic
seminars, a residential living
experience, and internship and
mentoring opportunities.
2010
ANNA BALDERSTON
Keith Rush ’05
2005
5KEITH RUSH
Attended: Millburn High
School ’09; University of
Pennsylvania ’13
Keith is working on his PhD
in math at the University of
Wisconsin and completed his last
year on the rowing team.
GRACE TOOLAN
Attended: Villa Walsh
Academy ’09; Bucknell
University ’13
Grace is back on campus! Last
fall, she joined the Kindergarten
teaching staff in the mornings
and the admissions staff in
the afternoons. She will return
full-time in the classrooms this
September.
Attended: Hotchkiss School ’14
Anna is off to Claremont
McKenna College in southern
California, where she will be
running cross country and
focusing on environment studies,
politics, and economics.
LOUIS BARTHOLOMEW
Attended: Sidwell Friends
School ’14
Louis joins the freshman class
at New York University this
September. He still loves to
debate, compose, and sing.
ELIZABETH KLEIN
Attended: Kent Place School ’13
Lizzie has been selected for
the Alice M. Baldwin Scholar’s
Attended: Montclair High
School ’14
Jesse will enter the freshmen
class at the School of Visual Arts
in New York City this September,
majoring in printmaking.
2011
RYAN JONES
Ryan attends Barnstable Academy
in Oakland, California, where he
is the captain of the varsity soccer
team, writes for the school paper,
and studies French and Spanish.
A.J. Bernstein ’13, Young
Philanthropist
2013
5A.J. BERNSTEIN
Many thanks to A.J., for donating
a portion of his Bar Mitzvah gift
money to Far Brook to purchase
new uniforms for the baseball
teams. A.J. attends The Pingry
School.
Nina Yoshida ’12 loves to dance.
2012
KATE WEINER
2009
JESSE WEINER
September 2013, and is being
homeschooled during the evening
and on weekends. The program
continues throughout high school
and beyond.
ROGGI CHUQUIMARCA
2006
Attended: Montclair High School
’10; Syracuse University ’14
Kate has graduated with honors
from Syracuse’s School of Visual
and Performing Arts majoring in
Design Communications.
Championships in March. Kasey
will be attending Penn State in
the fall and will join the fencing
team.
Shane ’14 and Kasey ’10 Accepting
Their All-State Awards for Fencing
5KASEY IVERSON
Attended: Newark
Academy ’14
Kasey was on Newark Academy’s
District 3 foil team during her
years there. She placed second
in girls’ foil at the district
level last January 2014 and
qualified for the State Individual
5NINA YOSHIDA
Nina is pursuing her dream of
becoming a professional ballet
dancer. The Gelsey Kirkland
Academy of Classical Ballet in
New York City has accepted her
into their unique program which
combines classical ballet training
with the art of storytelling. Nina
withdrew from Kent Place School
to take part in the rigorous
full day training at GKA in
Roggi represented Delbarton
School at the Far Brook School
Fair for Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth
Graders in April after speaking on
an alumni panel to families who
were in the process of choosing a
high school.
SHANE IVERSON
Shane, now an incoming
sophomore at Newark Academy,
captured the District 3 foil
champion title in January 2014,
advanced with the team to the
State Squad Championship in
February, and qualified for the
State Individual Championships in
March. He started fencing at the
age of six.
ALUMNI NEWS / 29
FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION NEWS
French teacher Rosemarie Alagia and
her husband, Anthony, welcomed Charlotte
Rose into the world on August 1, 2013.
Rosemarie took the year off to be with her
little one and will return to Far Brook in
September.
Jim Benz
5Jim
George Stralkus and F. Allen Artz
5Congratulations to Director of Music
F. Allen Artz and his long-time partner,
George Stralkus, who were officially married
on November 5, 2013 in the Crescent Avenue
Presbyterian Church in Plainfield, where
Allen continues as the director of music and
organist. Allen also serves as artistic director
of Crescent Concerts producing monthly
offerings of music, including organ recitals,
and as conductor of the Crescent Choral
Society. This 45-voice ensemble presents
two concerts annually accompanied by an
orchestra.
30 / FACULTY NEWS
Benz, director of Upper Schools for
10 years, was named head of school at the
Peninsula School in Menlo Park, California,
and started his new position on July 1, 2014.
During his years at Far Brook, Jim helped
to preserve and refine the philosophy and
mission of the School, and helped guide the
School through transitions in leadership. He
expanded student academic support; directed
the redesign of assessment reports; enhanced
the Junior High’s socials; initiated the advisory
program, Opportunity Period, and parentteacher conferences in the Junior High; and
expanded special days for Junior High students
during parent-teacher conferences and during
teacher-student report reading days.
Jim is especially proud that he brought the
Connections program with him from Seattle
Academy to the Middle School and Junior
High students. Connections is a social and
emotional awareness program designed for
adolescents.
Jim also expanded the school-wide service
learning program, increasing opportunities
for students to interact with the broader
community. Fresh produce, which has been
collected at the Thanksgiving Processional
and donated to Isaiah House’s food pantry
for years, is now complemented by nonperishable food items. Far Brook students have
also participated in emergency drives for coats,
furniture, and household goods for alumni
parent Roger Hinton’s
Family Assistance Resource Center in Orange.
Jim has enjoyed having a leadership role
in the School and working with the heads of
school, faculty, and students. Jim was able
to experience the Far Brook education from
the parent perspective as well; his daughter,
Chloe, graduated in 2013. With all this insight,
Jim has a wonderful career opportunity
ahead of him.
Joan Burr joined the Development Office
as communications coordinator, managing
the website and sharing school news via
publications and other communications. Joan,
mom of Lauren ‘12, has long been a familiar
face around campus, previously filling in
when needed in the library and at the front
desk, and bringing valuable experience and
knowledge to her new role.
Sally Adams Chernoff ’57
Heather Chaffin ’92
Nicole Fabian Engelke ’88
5Sally Adams Chernoff ’57, Junior
High math and science teacher, retired in
2013 and was honored for her 30-year tenure
during Morning Meeting on January 29,
2014. Moore Hall was filled to capacity with
students, alumni, alumni parents, current and
former faculty, and a large family contingency.
It’s no secret that Sally has Far Brook running
through her veins – she was practically born
here! Her mother, Mary Adams, taught
here for 30 years. Sally began kindergarten
at Buxton Country Day School (Far Brook’s
predecessor) and remembers when Far Brook
was chosen as the School’s new name. After
college and other life changes, Sally eventually
moved back to Short Hills. When her son,
Brian ’93, was Nursery age, Sally was invited
to join the Far Brook faculty while her mother
was still on the faculty. Two years later her
son, Mike ’95, entered Nursery. Sally’s Far
Brook journey was chronicled in the
December 2013 Bulletin (available at
www.farbrook.org). She is now sharing her
love of learning with her four children and six
grandchildren, who live in Brooklyn, Cleveland,
Chicago, and Washington, DC.
5Heather
5We congratulate Nicole
Chaffin ’92, a staff member
at Far Brook since 2001, has taken the position
of educational director with BIC. Her new job
entails travel, domestically and to Canada and
France, giving Heather the opportunity to use
her bilingual skills. Heather’s wide range of
roles during her 13 years at Far Brook included
assistant teaching in the Second and Fourth
Grades, and working in the Admissions office
in the afternoons. Heather had worked in
technology since 2004, and most recently,
in the Development office in the role of
communications coordinator and as Co-chair
of the Accreditation Steering Committee with
Ed Solecki.
Science teacher and Director of Sustainability
Mike Chodroff serves as Communications
Director of the Association for New Jersey
Environmental Educations (ANJEE ), and was
a presenter at their January conference, as
well as at the NJAIS Sustainability Workshop
in April.
Fabian
Engelke ’88, who assumes the role of
director of Upper Schools (Grades 4-8). Nicole
has been at Far Brook five years, teaching
Third and Fourth Grades, serving as Upper
Schools learning specialist, and most recently,
working as director of Upper Schools faculty
and academic support. Nicole returned to Far
Brook in 2009 after teaching in independent
schools in New Jersey and New York City. She
and her husband Mark are the parents of
Alec ’22 and Will ’19.
On May 12, 2014, Director of Drama
James Glossman directed a reading
of Jay O. Sanders’ Unexplored Interior at
the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New
York. Honed through a series of workshops
and readings, the powerful, moving play,
featuring a cast of 15 international actors,
commemorates the 20th anniversary of the
Rwandan genocide and was simultaneously
seen at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
in Rwanda. Jim has also been a lecturer on
directing and Shakespeare in the Theater
Arts and Studies program at Johns Hopkins
University.
FACULTY NEWS / 31
FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION NEWS
CONTINUED
Linda Katz leaves her post as Kindergarten
Nancy Ring, First Grade associate
teacher for 10 years, moves to Seth Boyden
elementary school, as art teacher. Nancy
shared her love of art through our core
curriculum Patterns, and her passion for art
has always been apparent as she worked
with our young students. Recently, Nancy
successfully ran the art studio for two months
while Nancy McIntyre was on medical leave.
assistant teacher to teach seventh grade
English at Gill St. Bernard’s School.
After 8 years teaching Fifth Grade and running
Far Brook’s Girls Learn International (GLI)
chapter, teacher and alumni parent Ellen
Maddrey has decided to embark on new
adventures. She plans to spend time with
her family in Seattle and to travel - perhaps
to visit her daughters, Hannah, who is in the
Peace Corps in Swaziland, and Sara ’10 at
Skidmore College. While at Far Brook, she
“had the freedom to develop a curriculum
that taught children how to interact with each
other; to have respectful discussions and build
ideas; to express their feelings and thoughts
through multiple genres of writing; to find joy
and excitement in reading; and to hunger for
information about their world through history,
literature, and other cultures.” We wish Ellen
all the best.
Art teacher Nancy McIntyre has been
working on large watercolor pieces in
preparation for a future show. Her highly
energetic, colorful paintings have depth
and movement, created by shading and
overlapping shapes, and are inspired by her
First Grade students who also work
in watercolors.
Lower School science teacher JoAnn
Nancy Muniz and Judy Hnat
5Director of Athletics Nancy
Muniz
and her partner of 10 years, Judy Hnat, were
married at their home in Hunterdon County
on December 27, 2013. The civil ceremony
was held in front of their Christmas tree and
was attended by their parents; Betty Melville,
and Connie and Peter Hnat. The couple met at
Far Brook in 2000 when Judy began work as
technology coordinator. All happiness to them.
32 / FACULTY NEWS
Jhanae Wingfield moves on to work at
Newark Educator’s Community Charter School
after five years at Far Brook as a Kindergarten
and Fifth Grade associate teacher and this past
year as a Third Grade co-teacher.
This August, Chris Murphy, woodshop
teacher, was a presenter at NYSAIS’ STEAM
Camp (Science, Technology, Engineering,
Arts and Math), where individuals and school
teams from all disciplines work together in
design thinking to explore and develop new
ideas and plans for the year ahead.
3Best wishes to math teacher
Rob Olazagasti, partner Lew
Breckenridge, and their daughter Ava ’24,
who welcomed baby Margot Josephine to
their family on March 17, 2014.
Margot Josephine Breckenridge
Tutino happily announces the birth of her
granddaughter, Charlotte Rose McCloskey, on
May 27, 2014. Laura and Kyle McCloskey and
baby Charlotte live in Oakton, Virginia.
Deborah Wraight and Rafael Coasta
5Congratulations to technology specialist
Deborah Wraight and Rafael Costa who
were engaged on February 21, 2014. Rafael
surprised Deborah with flowers, candles, and
a table set for two during renovation of their
new home. A wedding in Tuscany is planned
for July 2015. Buona fortuna!
WE REMEMBER
MARY “MIMI” MORIN
CAROL FERRISE
August 30, 2013
Alumni Parent
Mary Morin came from Summit,
NJ, attended Wells College,
graduated magna cum laude
from Drew University with a
BA in economics, and earned
a master’s degree in clinical
social work from Rutgers. After
attending the New York Center
for Psychiatric Training, Mary
served in hospitals and county
mental health clinics as well as
conducting a private practice.
Mary and her husband, Edward,
raised their children in Chatham,
NJ, and lived in Rome, the
Netherlands, and London as
members of Exxon’s “foreign
legion.” She passed away
while living in Maine. Survivors
include her children, Edward ’65,
Constance ’69, and Elinore ’75;
and three grandchildren.
November 18, 2013
Alumni Parent
Carol Ferrise received her BA
and MA in elementary education
from Kean University and began
her teaching career in the
Belleville and Newark school
systems. She was a dedicated
teacher and a member of several
organizations and committees.
Carol is survived by her husband,
Frank; and predeceased by her
son, David ’96.
EILEEN BARRY
October 14, 2013
Alumni Parent
Eileen Barry attended Saint
Vincent’s Hospital School of
Nursing and spent her working
years as a registered nurse. She
was especially proud of her Irish
heritage. Eileen is survived by her
sons, John ’73, Tim ’74, Dan, Joe
and Kevin; 5 grandchildren; and
one great-grandchild.
JAMES HOWARD
FRASER
November 25, 2013
Alumni Parent
James Fraser earned his
Doctorate of Library Science
from Columbia University. He
worked in and with academic
and research libraries as a
librarian and consultant and
wrote on broadly diverse
topics. As library director at
Fairleigh Dickinson University,
editor of Phaedrus, author and
contributor to numerous books
and articles, James inspired
students, scholars, artists, and
friends. James is survived by his
wife, Sibylle; and his children,
Stephen ’73 and Caitlin ’78.
ADAM ROBERT
GREENE ’76
December 22, 2013
Adam Greene earned his first
BA degree from the University
of Massachusetts, continued on
to receive a BA in fine arts from
the California Institute of the
Arts, and then an MA from the
Mason Gross School of Arts at
Rutgers. He was a Madison, NJ,
resident for 30 years and the
rooms of his home were covered
with his art. He loved to sing
as loudly as possible, to read to
small children, to help people in
need, and often gave gifts of art.
Adam is survived by his mother,
Judith; his sister, Elizabeth; and
his brother, Jay.
DOROTHEA MOONEY
Former Teacher and
Alumni Parent
Dorothea Mooney was a Far
Brook Nursery assistant and girls’
sports teacher from 1952-59.
Her last place of residence was
Knoxville, Tennessee. Her son,
Richard Holden, was a member
of the class of 1957.
DR. LAWRENCE MILLER
March 2, 2014
Alumni Parent and Former
Board Member (1970-71)
Larry Miller was born in Brooklyn
and attended the University
of Tulsa and the Philadelphia
College of Osteopathic Medicine.
He served as chief of orthopedic
surgery at West Essex General
Hospital, then at Memorial
General before adding psychiatry
to his life’s work in 1976. Larry
became the head of psychiatry at
the criminal justice department
of the Middlesex County Jail.
He also lectured throughout NJ,
hosted several radio programs,
and wrote King of the Hill. Larry
and his family have had a longtime relationship with Far Brook
and have been enthusiastic
supporters. He is survived by his
wife, Diane; his children, Jeffrey
’74, Noah ’75, Jenifer ’77, and
Charlie ’81 and his wife Far
Brook teacher Mona Boewe;
and 11 grandchildren including
Rachael Miller ’08, Brian Miller
’12, Erin Schwartzstein ’09,
Grace Schwartzstein ’11, Hallie
Schwartzstein ’14, and current
students Cole Miller ’21, and
Quinn Miller ’22.
WE REMEMBER / 33
WE REMEMBER
CONTINUED
ROBERT MILLER III
ELIZABETH HUGHES
March 10, 2014
Current Parent
Bob Miller was born in
Washington, DC and studied
architecture at the University
of Virginia and at Princeton
University. He was the
co-founder of Miller & Wright
Architects, a New York City
firm that has designed awardwinning homes, clubs, schools,
and churches. His work
also appeared in numerous
publications including
Architectural Digest, The New
York Times, and The Wall Street
Journal. He was most proud
of his design of the St. Coletta
School in Washington, DC. He
was active in Far Brook events
and loved to attend the class
plays. Bob is survived by his wife,
Grace; four daughters, Eve ’16,
Margot ’17, Elizabeth
“Lily b” ’19, and Frances
“Poppy;” his sisters, Emily
Bruun and Jennifer Anderson; his
brother, Robert Anderson; and
his parents, Daniel and Margot
Anderson.
May 5, 2014
Alumni Parent
Betty Hughes was a graduate
of the Mills College of
Education, formerly of New
York City. Throughout her
life, she always thought that
community involvement, locally
and statewide, was of foremost
importance. Betty served on
the League of Women Voters,
the New Jersey Board of
Transportation, Head Start, and
with Habitat for Humanity.
The Hughes family has a long
and valued history with Far
Brook. Betty spearheaded the
fundraising effort in the 1950s
to create our current sports
field, among a number of
other volunteer activities, and
was married to the late James
Hughes (Jim), a former Far Brook
trustee and president of the
Board from 1958 to 1963. She is
survived by her son, Jay ’56; her
daughters, Elisabeth Templeton
’63 and Barbara Gibson ’65;
15 grandchildren; 27 greatgrandchildren; and was
predeceased by her son,
Peter ’59.
34 / WE REMEMBER
MICHAEL CLARKE
PATTON
June 20, 2014
Alumni Parent
Mike Patton was born in Salt
Lake City, UT, and graduated
from the United States Air
Force Academy with a BA in
engineering and the University of
Utah with a BS in meteorology.
After flying as an Air Force
captain during the Vietnam war,
he graduated from the Illinois
Institute of Technology with an
MA in architecture. Mike worked
as a structural specialist for
FEMA in many states, helping
families and businesses get
back on their feet after natural
disasters. A devoted father, Mike
was also an avid sailor, golfer,
and Denver Broncos fan. He is
survived by his wife, Cynthia
Zimpfer; his children, Annabelle
’10, Michael Casey, and
Donovan; his father, Lyle Patton;
two sisters Robin Angela-Arkell
and Susan Patton; and five
grandchildren.
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE CLASS OF 2010,
WHO WILL BE ATTENDING
THE FOLLOWING COLLEGES THIS FALL:
Louis Bartholomew.........................New York University
Griffin Burrough..............................Kenyon College
Mack (Robert) Craighead................University of British
Columbia
Sydney Giordano............................University of Miami
Harrison Glatt..................................Union College
Denver Hinton.................................Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute
Kasey Iverson..................................Pennsylvania State University
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Rafeya Rahman...............................Rutgers University
Chris Burns
Carmine Fanelle
Mary Sue Fisher
Kate Hewitt
Anne-Marie Kim
Tom Kligerman
Leah Kronthal
Marybeth Leithead
Krissy Mannello
Elyse Post ’78
Christine Susko
Bradford Wiley, II ’54
Kara Stevens....................................New York University
ADMINISTRATION
Josh Lee...........................................Connecticut College
Teddy Leithead................................Dartmouth College
Sarah Maddrey................................Skidmore College
Ethan Marks....................................University of Vermont
Tyler Park.........................................Georgetown University
Annabelle Patton............................University of Denver
Abigail Tizzio...................................Marist College
Noah Verzani...................................Bowdoin College
Jesse Weiner....................................School of Visual Arts
Dan Winkler ....................................Northwestern University
Maia Yoshida...................................University of Pennsylvania
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE CLASS OF 2014,
WHO WILL BE ATTENDING
THE FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOLS THIS FALL:
Columbia High School
Millburn High School
Morristown-Beard School
Newark Academy
Orange High School
Oratory Preparatory School
The Pingry School
2014-2015
Tommaso Zanobini, Chair
Tony Stovall, Vice Chair
Robert Kelly, Treasurer
Michelle Swittenberg, Secretary
Amy M. Ziebarth, Head of School
2014-2015
Amy M. Ziebarth, Head of School
Marcela Figueroa, Executive Assistant/Placement Coordinator
Paula Levin, Director of Lower School
Nicole Engelke ’88, Director of Upper Schools
Admissions
Mikki Murphy, Director of Admission, Placement and
Financial Aid
Kathy Ike, Admissions Assistant
Business Office
Donna Chahalis, Director of Business and Finance
Janice O’Shea, Accounting Manager
Robert Andolina, Systems Administrator
Development
Suzanne Glatt, Director of Development
Caroline L. Sargent, Senior Philanthropic Advisor
Jennifer Barba, Director of Communications and Volunteers
Peggy Fawcett, Development Associate
Joan Burr, Communications Coordinator
Stacey Layton, Development Coordinator
Front Office
Alisha Roig, Office Coordinator
Jerilyn Campbell, School Nurse
After-School Program
Greg Bartiromo, After-School Program Director
Mona Boewe, After- School Program Coordinator
Facilities
Melissa Stampoulis, Kitchen Coordinator
Arthur Gannon, Plant Supervisor
Rutgers Preparatory School
WE REMEMBER / 35
52 GREAT HILLS ROAD
SHORT HILLS, NJ 07078
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
FAR BROOK SCHOOL
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973-379-3442
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“IMAGINE...the Fifth Grade
class using design-thinking
to build a new bench for
the Playground in the
new Woodshop…”
– Amy Ziebarth April 24, 2014 Campaign Kick-off Remarks