SPRING 2021 VOLUME 27 / ISSUE 2
A PUBLICATION FOR THE WOODS ACADEMY COMMUNITY
Where curiosity and confidence thrive.
THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
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An inclusive Catholic community preparing boys and girls to lead lives of significance. The Woods Academy News is published by the Office of Marketing & Communications twice a year for families, alumni, and friends of The Woods Academy.
6801 Greentree Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 (301)365-3080 woodsacademy.org Special thanks to Freed Photography for many of the photos included in this issue.
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In this issue:
HEAD OF SCHOOL’S MESSAGE
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COVID-19 RESPONSE 4 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 6 ATHLETICS
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FACULTY & STAFF NEWS
12
COMMUNITY MATTERS
16
CLASS NOTES
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2019–2020 ANNUAL REPORT
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Dear Woods Community, I hope and pray this edition of The Woods Academy News finds you safe and well. I also hope and pray that it greets you with a sense of optimism for the days, weeks and months ahead. The effects of the pandemic are real and we pray for all those who have suffered and lost loved ones during this time. We have learned so much in this time and a vaccine is ready to go. Our country is in turmoil with hate all too prevalent in our political discord and racial divide. Respect and healthy dialogue must win the day. Equality and justice is not achieved until all truly feel the words of the Preamble to the Constitution. As a country, we are not there yet. As a school and community, we will do all we can to come together and actively promote love, support, and equity. I am optimistic for our country and our community because of the hearts and souls of our children who I see each and every day at The Woods. They care for each other and find joy in being together, even with masks on and six feet apart.
There is not always joy to see in times of darkness. This past year has been filled with much darkness. As we know, from the great Martin Luther King Jr., “only light can overcome darkness.” As I
reflect in the middle of a pandemic, it is the joy I have witnessed in our kids that will never be lost on me. Whether it be running around at recess and playing tag with pool noodles or a young lower school student who gets out of her car each day and announces she is “GREAT,” I am inspired by our children and the light they bring to this community.
Resilience is a virtue that has dominated our community since the beginning of the pandemic. Our teachers have been amazing. They have adapted countless times and never once wavered from our mission. Our mission, to prepare “boys and girls to lead lives of significance,” is alive and well. A pandemic has not stopped our kids from learning and growing, albeit in a different manner, and our teachers deserve all the credit in the world for meeting the challenges we face and preparing our kids for each day and beyond. I could not be more proud of our team for how they have committed themselves to their students and to each other in these times.
The Woods is a special place. I have said it many a time and heard it said just as many times. The pandemic has taught me to never take this phrase or school and community for granted.
In times of darkness, it is the uniqueness and special qualities of its people and community that get you through and allow you to thrive. The light that has brightened our community is from the people inside. Our students, faculty, and families are what make The Woods so special. I have always known and felt that. It is this light that will shine as we come out of the pandemic and do the difficult work of healing a nation and bringing people together.
Thank you, as always for your incredible support of The Woods and our mission. All, past and present members of our Woods Family, play a major role in bringing light to our kids and our world. Our faith calls us to this work and our kids will only amplify its impact in a world that needs their joy, resilience and love for each other. Peace,
Joseph Powers Head of School
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
COVID-19 RESPONSE
PANDEMIC
LESSONS, REFLECTIONS, AND REALIZATIONS
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I learned how quickly people are in adapting to a new way of teaching and learning. It was impressive how many of our teachers were willing to learn new software and hardware to keep their students engaged. A lot of our teachers spent hours on professional development to better meet the needs of the students. Many of our students did a great job as well with virtual learning. The quality of their work remained at a high level even if a teacher was not physically in the classroom.
For students, faculty and staff, I learned that the struggle is real, but it is okay to really struggle if a community supports you. I learned that recess supervision takes on a new element when you are in a pandemic. Seeing the kids interact and play at their first recess in seven months in October was a surreal and positive experience. I learned that lessons do not have to be perfect, but they can be effective virtually. It’s also good when you have a little luck on your side. Finally, I learned that is okay during a pandemic to just toss the lesson and chat with the kids. Making the connection and showing them they are cared for can be more important than math and IXL.
I’ve learned that we focus on what we can do now and trust that someday we’ll be able to tackle the rest. While there is much I miss – the sound of our students’ voices raised in song, conversations with parents in the hallway, the gift of all of us gathering together in one place – there is much in which to find joy – the sound of student laughter, the quiet conversations, the ‘what if we try’ ideas, the meaningful connections to one another. For all of this and so much more I am grateful to be part of this caring, creative, and intentional community.
Eric Smith Director of Technology
I learned that our community is strong for many reasons. We are strong because of the relationships the teachers have been able to maintain and foster with our students. Our students may not remember all of our lessons or objectives, but the foundation we have established and the importance of the relationship between teacher and student continues and is more important than ever. We are stronger because of what we have experienced, We have had this opportunity to work closer than ever before. The collaboration and support from our families and parents have only emphasized the importance of working hand in hand for our children. We are stronger because we have this chance to reflect and to learn from this experience and to continue the work towards our school’s mission of inclusivity and purposefulness. Katya Pilong (1998) Lower School Director
Paul Paoletti Upper School Director
Traci Grigg Director of Development
THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
COVID-19 RESPONSE
SAFE 1
INCLUSIVE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY LOVING AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER THROUGH CHALLENGING TIMES
& RESPONSIBLE
REOPENING BY THE NUMBERS
300+ COVID-19 TESTS ADMINISTERED PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION
12 TOUCHLESS THERMOMETERS FOR MORNING TEMPERATURE CHECKS BEFORE STUDENTS ENTER THE BUILDING EACH DAY 157 FLOOR STICKERS REMINDING US TO “BE SMART. STAND APART.”
1 EXPANDED WIFI NETWORK FOR USE OUTDOORS
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GROWING, THRIVING STUDENTS WHO LEAD WITH JOY AND PURPOSE
100% OF ADMINISTERED COVID-19 TESTS RETURNED WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS
19 MEETING OWL PRO CAMERAS FOR ENABLING LIVELY AND ENGAGING CLASSROOMS CONNECTING THE STUDENTS AT HOME WITH THE STUDENTS AND TEACHER AT SCHOOL
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HARD-WORKING FACULTY AND STAFF COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A SAFE AND JOYFUL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
72 HEPA AIR PURIFIERS FOR IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND MINIMIZING TRANSMISSION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES 44 AUTOMATIC FAUCETS AND TOILETS FOR TOUCHLESS SINKS AND BATHROOMS
1000S OF REIMAGINED EVENTS, ACTIVITIES, AND LESSON PLANS THAT ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO PREPARE BOYS AND GIRLS TO LEAD LIVES OF SIGNIFICANCE REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES
42 PICNIC TABLES FOR SOCIALLY DISTANCED OUTDOOR SNACKS AND LUNCHES
100S OF POOL NOODLES FOR PLAYING FUN SOCIALLY DISTANCED GAMES DURING RECESS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES
7 ELECTROSTATIC SPRAYERS FOR SAFER, MORE EFFECTIVE, AND LESS TOXIC CLEANING
5 TENTS FOR SHADY OUTDOOR CLASSROOM SPACES
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
ROBERTS
HUGH
CLASS OF 2006
After graduating from The Woods Academy, Hugh Roberts attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School and then continued his education at George Mason University where he majored in Accounting and played soccer. Today, Hugh is an athlete activist and professional soccer player for the United Soccer League (USL) Charlotte Independence. He is in the Top 15 in USL History in Minutes Played and hopes to make a difference for Blacks in the game of soccer. He recently launched Footy Academy, a course aimed at mentoring young athletes on and off the field. When did you know you wanted to be a professional soccer player?
I knew I wanted to be a professional athlete since I was a kid. I wasn’t sure what sport at first because I was playing two sports – basketball and soccer. Growing up watching my father play soccer, I knew I wanted the same lifestyle. Now that you have enjoyed eight seasons in the USL, how much longer do you think you will play and what will you do when you retire from the sport?
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I see myself playing for a little while longer, close to 10 years if my body lets me.
THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT It would be a dream and a big goal of mine to become a sports anchor on ESPN representing soccer. I would love for my brand BackYardFooty to grow to where I can use that as my business and continue to grow the game of soccer after my career. I would also like to be a coach and a mentor. My dreams are to positively influence the youth, sharing my knowledge on and off the field is my goal. Your podcast BackYardFooty was recognized by The Charlotte Observer as an insightful, inspiring, and informative must listen of 2021. What inspired you to provide this behind the scenes look into professional athletes’ lives and experiences on and off the field?
Honestly, what inspired me was the lack of soccer media coverage here domestically. I was watching ESPN in 2018 frustrated about the lack of notoriety of soccer players and thought to myself why not use my experience and showcase what we go through from the behind the scenes standpoint. At the time, there were no podcasts about athletes’ experiences and that is what separated me. You also use your podcast as a platform for discussing the struggles of professional Black athletes. What is your primary message to your listeners?
My primary message to my listeners would be to get out of your comfort zone and educate yourself on others’ struggles. What is missing to me is a lack of understanding. Most people do not get out of their comfort zones and try to understand different races of people, for example. If people got to know others this world would have a lot more empathy and I think that’s lacking still. Your BackYardFooty brand includes your podcast as well as philanthropy (Footy’s Got You Foundation) and now Footy Academy, a webinar series to help aspiring professional athletes. Your mission is to speak up and make a difference for Blacks not just in soccer, but also in the community. What do you hope to teach the young athletes that participate in your Footy Academy?
In my program, I aim to teach young athletes how to be the best selves they can be. Sharing my experiences, bringing other pro guests on, and creating resources to help them grow into the complete athlete they want to be. They not only learn from my journey, but we also touch on important topics like nutrition and academics. Being a good athlete is only half the battle. Going through my struggles, I hope the youth can learn and use that to better themselves in their lives. With the Footy’s Got You Foundation, I created an outlet for people to help impact their communities. Creating the
foundation also helped bring awareness to the growing poverty levels in the city of Charlotte as well as help kids and families with clothes and food they need during these tough times.
You recently spoke to our Upper School students and teachers via Zoom. What are the main points and action steps you hope they take away from that meeting?
I ultimately hope they learned from my mistakes and struggles and understand how they can use that to better themselves. We all will go through our own struggles, but if they can remember what I have been through and use my tips to help guide them in life they will have more success. I hope they use their platforms to make a change within their relationships and communities. We all can make a difference and they have the power, at a young age, to do that as well. I hope they saw the importance of using their platforms through me and my success in using my platform. Keep asking those tough questions and be open to learn from others, qualities I wish I knew at their age that I know will make them successful in life. The Woods Academy’s mission is to prepare boys and girls to lead lives of significance. Looking back at your time at The Woods, what experiences helped prepare you for the work you are doing now?
The school as a whole is a family and helped groom me to become the man I am today. The teachers take the extra time to care for the students. They keep students together with field days, field trips, school dances, and a basic understanding of Catholicism. This all helped shape who I am.
I think being one of the few minorities also helped me adapt to the country today. Being the only minority in my class, I had to adapt to fit in. It helped me understand a different culture, learn how to converse with them, build relationships, and ultimately know how to survive as a minority. They were all great experiences. I still have friends from Woods and being able to survive and adapt is a key component in a minority’s success in this world. I carry myself with high standards because of Woods and I am very thankful for it. And, one last question, what brings you the most joy?
What brings me the most joy is being able to make an impact in someone’s life. Nothing makes me happier than knowing I helped a kid get to college and achieve success. It brings me joy giving back to the homeless and creating outlets for those who are in need. I think we are all called here to do something.
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
ATHLETICS
A Different Kind of
FALL SPORTS SEASON BY ERIN RICCA, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
This fall was not our usual busy sports season full of soccer games and tennis and volleyball matches. However, we did find ways to safely compete and stay active. To kick off the school year, since we were in distance learning mode, we hosted First Day Fun Day, a virtual community-building event designed to promote school spirit and encourage excitement about the start of a new school year. Montessori students, Grades 2, 4, 6, and 8 competed against Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 in six events that required just a few household items to complete. Congratulations to Montessori and the even grades students who won the First Day Fun Day competitions! In addition, we hosted two All School Competitions this fall – a Virtual Free Throw Competition and a Virtual Soccer Skills Competition. We were thrilled to have so many Mighty Owls participate in these athletic skills events. Congratulations to the winners!
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
ATHLETICS We were also fortunate to be able to participate in several Cross Country Meets this season. Congratulations to all of our 5th–8th-grade cross country participants for joining the Virtual Cross Country Meets this fall competing against Lowell, Norwood, and Burke Schools. Runners Max C., Grant W., Manny V., Dylan R., Johnny F., Henry W., Oscar W., Clayton T., Ava S., Izzy F., Abby S., Alexandra H., Ava S., and Aitana M.
Virtual Free Throw Winners MONTESSORI – GRADE 2 Boys Jett B. & Gavin B. – 7 out of 10 Girls Kylie R. – 6 out of 10 GRADES 3&4 Boys Ben H. – 9 out of 10 Girls Emma W. – 5 out of 10 GRADES 5&6 Boys Jake R. – 5 out of 10 Girls Rebecca H. – 7 out of 10 GRADES 7&8 Boys Griffin L. & Grant W. – 9 out of 10 Girls Ananeah N. – 9 out of 10
Virtual Soccer Skills Winners MONTESSORI – GRADE 2 Boys Jett B. – 4 Goals Girls Cali B. – 3 Goals GRADES 3&4 Emma W. – 4 Goals
Fall Virtual Cross Country Meets Woods Runners Top Results
XC MEET KICKOFF – SEPTEMBER 16 Woods Boys Overall 1st place – Max C., 2nd place – Grant W. & 4th place – Manuel V. Woods Girls Overall 1st place – Ava S., 2nd Place – Izzy F. September Invite – September 30 Woods Boys Overall 1st – Max C. & 4th – Johnny F. Woods Girls Overall 1st – Abby S. & 5th – Alexandra H. MID-SEASON CHALLENGE – OCTOBER 7 Woods Boys Overall 1st – Max C. Woods Girls Overall 2nd – Alexandra H. OCTOBER INVITE – OCTOBER 14 Woods Girls Overall 2nd – Izzy F. & 5th – Ava S. & Aitana M. (tie) Woods Boys Overall 2nd – Max C. 4th – Oscar W. & 5th – Manny V. CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP – OCTOBER 28 Woods Boys Overall 3rd – Max C. & 4th Johnny F.
GRADES 5&6 Boys Ze D. – 8 Goals Girls Maren P. – 7 Goals
GREAT JOB, MIGHTY OWLS! We look forward to seeing you on the fields and courts again soon.
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
ATHLETICS
WINTER 2005–2006
WINTER 2007–2008
VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL
JV BOYS BASKETBALL
Coach Ken Tyrell Assistant Coach Ric de Voest
Coach Eric Smith
WINTER 2009–2010
VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL Coach Ken Tyrrell Assistant Coach Jerry O’Leary
RECOGNIZING ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE:
UNDEFEATED TEAMS OF THE 2000S BY ERIN RICCA, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR SPRING 2010
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FALL 2014
JV GIRLS SOFTBALL
VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER
Coach Susan Connell
Coach Michael Nagy
THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
ATHLETICS
WINTER 2015–2016
FALL 2018
JV GIRLS A BASKETBALL
JV BOYS A SOCCER
Coach George Leftwich
Coach Bob Kalas
With our competitive sports seasons on hold this year due to the pandemic, it is the perfect opportunity to take a look back at the outstanding achievements of our Mighty Owl athletes over the years. We have quite a list of UNDEFEATED teams from each season and across a variety of sports to recognize from the 2000s when we really started the recordkeeping. Thanks to our previous Athletic Directors Susan Connell (2003–2012) and Christy McCauley (2012–2016) for beginning our Athletic Archives.
WINTER 2018–2019
JV BOYS A BASKETBALL Coach Tom Parker
If you know of any teams prior to the early 2000s that achieved an undefeated season, let us know. You can send us an email with the information and team photo, if you have one, to alumni@woodsacademy.org. WINTER 2017–2018
SPRING 2019
JV GIRLS A BASKETBALL
VARSITY GIRLS SOFTBALL
Coach George Leftwich
Coach Erin Ricca
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
FACULTY & STAFF NEWS
NEW FACULTY Profiles
We are pleased to welcome the following new faculty and staff members to The Woods community. All were hired since the last issue of The Woods Academy News was published.
Cristan Canales World Language Teacher
Cristian grew up in the city of San Salvador, El Salvador. He lived there until he was sixteen years old. He has the best childhood memories from living there. He enjoyed the eternal spring (70 degrees year round) from the city. Most recently, Cristian worked as a Spanish language and culture instructor at the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, VA. He coordinated language classes for small and large groups in order to train U.S. government officials to defend and promote U.S. interests and politics in the Spanish language. Cristian loves watching musicals on Broadway and in the theater industry. His favorite play is Wicked.
Julie Branitsky (2012) Associate Teacher
Julie was born and raised in Potomac, MD, and attended The Woods Academy. Prior to joining The Woods as a teacher, Julie was a studio assistant at Marigold & Grey a designer gift box company in Kensington, MD. Julie loves to cook and is always trying out new recipes!
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
FACULTY & STAFF NEWS
Bianca Cole 5th Grade Math Teacher
Bianca is originally from Philadelphia, PA and frequently visits her extended family on the weekends and proud high school graduate of Clarksburg High School in Montgomery County, MD. Prior to shifting her career path to teaching to follow in her mother’s footsteps, Bianca explored her passion for math in the financial services industry. On the weekends, she enjoys finding new hiking trails and SoulCycle classes!
Stephanie Chapman 3rd Grade Teacher
Stephanie was born and raised around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She considers her hometown to be Cranberry Township, a suburb 30 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. Stephanie last worked as a Mental Health Therapist through the PLEA Agency in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PLEA is a school-based partial hospital program for children with disabilities, primarily Autism. Stephanie’s parents are from England and moved over to America in 1988. Her family traveled to England frequently when she was younger. Her visits are not as frequent nowadays, but they are still able to keep in regular contact through social media. Stephanie and her husband plan to visit again next summer!
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
FACULTY & STAFF NEWS
NEW FACULTY Profiles Andy Rhein
Director of Guidance & Counseling
Andy grew up in Framingham, Massachusetts, a town (now a city) a little over 20 miles west of Boston. Most recently, Andy was the Director of the Learning Resource Center at The American School in Switzerland. Something interesting about Andy is he is one of triplets (all boys) and he is the oldest by just a few minutes. He also has a younger sister.
Marcela Falck-Bados Long Term Substitute Teacher
Marcela was born in Alabama, lived in the Netherlands, and studied in Texas, but Bethesda, MD is her hometown she has lived there for almost 17 years. Marcela’s last position was as a Lead Teacher at AppleTree ELPCS where she taught Preschool. Marcela knows Spanish fluently and Chinese proficiently and loves to travel. She has traveled to at least 10 different countries and counting!
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
FACULTY & STAFF NEWS
FACULTY & STAFF
10 YEARS
Anniversaries
The following faculty and staff member recently celebrated a milestone anniversary at The Woods.
Ron Carbis Technology Support
A Fond Farewell Ray Briscoe
Associate Head of School (2014–2020)
In November, we said goodbye to our Associate Head of School Ray Briscoe. Ray left The Woods to take a position outside of education where he is leading a non-profit and serving as the chief of staff for its founder.
In his six years at The Woods, Ray guided and supported our faculty, families, and community in numerous ways. Among other duties and responsibilities, Ray led several curriculum reviews, served as Chair of our AIMS and Middle States Reaccreditation Committee, taught the 7th & 8th Grade course Owl Seminar, and coached a few sports teams. In 2019, he received the ACT K-12 Champion Award for his oversight and efforts to enhance The Woods Academy’s curriculum with a focus on entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. We could not be more grateful for all that he has given to our school and our community during his time here. Luckily, he has not left the community entirely as he will still be a Woods parent.
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
COMMUNITY MATTERS
COMMUNITY MATTERS Now, more than ever, it is important for our community to remain connected and engaged. While at times, we are disappointed that we cannot gather and celebrate all that makes The Woods so special, we still find creative and memorable ways to come together in grand Woods fashion. Here are some of the ways we have enjoyed community-building experiences this fall and winter. #WeAreTheWoods
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First Day Fun Day To kick off the school year, since we were in distance learning mode, on August 31, we hosted First Day Fun Day, a virtual communitybuilding event designed to promote school spirit and encourage excitement about the start of a new school year. Montessori students, Grades 2, 4, 6, and 8 competed against Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 in six events that required just a few household items to complete. Congratulations to Montessori and the even grades students who won the First Day Fun Day competitions! Thank you to Athletic Director Erin Ricca and PE Teacher Tom Parker for organizing this event.
THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
COMMUNITY MATTERS
Can We Talk? Series Each month WAPTO hosts a thought-provoking and dynamic parent discussion series based on Ted Talks. Topics discussed include kindness, overlapping stories, misinformation, true callings, and inclusion. There are still several dates in the series remaining – March 25, April 22, May 27, June 24. Listen + Discuss = Growth
Virtual Parent Coffees with Dr. Rhein and Ms. Michlik Throughout the year, Director of Guidance & Counseling Andy Rhein and Learning Support Coordinator Michelle Michlik have led a variety of virtual parent coffees via Zoom and Google Meet. Parents have enjoyed discussions about mental health and how to support your child during distance learning as well as coping with the winter blues especially during a pandemic. Stay tuned for future virtual coffee talks.
Opening Mass via Livestream Fr. Mike Conway from Don Bosco Cristo Rey celebrated our Opening Mass of the Holy Spirit with us via Livestream on September 3. The Mass readied us to be the light for the world in dark times.
Upper School Family Scavenger Hunt On October 17, WAPTO hosted an at home, socially distanced scavenger hunt organized by Watson’s Adventures! Upper School students and their families exercised their brains and tickled their funny bones with photo-op challenges, finding unusual items, solving puzzles, and cracking a code to decipher a mystery message. Based on the photos, we’d say they had some fun. Congratulations to the McCormick family who won 1st place!
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
COMMUNITY MATTERS
Montessori & Lower School Virtual Pet Parade On October 24, our younger students enjoyed a Virtual Pet Parade organized by WAPTO. Special thanks to Kevin Fandl and daughter Izzy (8) who emceed the Montessori event and Dan Dresser who emceed the Lower School event.
Annual Book Fair & Virtual Movie Night Thank you to WAPTO and Event Chair Kate Nolan for organizing our Annual Book Fair, which was held exclusively on scholastic.com this year. To celebrate the Book Fair and our love for reading, WAPTO also hosted a Virtual Movie Night on November 11. Upper School students enjoyed The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind while Lower School students viewed Monsters, Inc. with friends via Zoom.
Virtual Grandparents & Special Friends Visiting Day
We missed seeing all of our grandparents and special friends in person this year and look forward to the day when we can invite them back on campus. We hope they enjoyed spending some quality time with their grandchild or special friend on November 20 at our first ever Virtual Grandparents & Special Friends Visiting Day. Special thanks to Event Chair Alison Plotas as well as Pat Dresser who gave the Grandparent Blessing. Be sure to check out the event page on our website – woodsacademy.org/grandparents
Virtual Christmas Instrumental Showcase
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We were excited to bring music to The Woods Academy in a new way this year. Like Jesus’ birth, our music is light in the darkness – such a gift during this difficult year. Our Mighty Owl musicians performed a variety of festive pieces that we shared with the community on December 17. It was the perfect way to celebrate the Christmas season. Special thanks to Music Teacher Sharon Pabon who organized this event.
THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
COMMUNITY MATTERS
MLK Jr. Day of Service at Home On January 18, we did not have school and we could not gather in the MPR to make 100 pot pies as we have in the past – BUT as a community, we still prepared pot pies at home, froze them – and brought them to school for distribution to organizations serving hot meals to those in need. Thank you to all of the families who participated in this at home service opportunity.
Holiday Charity Drive Led by 8th Grade Leadership Network On December 18, the 8th Grade Leadership Network came together with the goal of supporting the less fortunate members of our community. In preparation for the winter months, they delivered winter clothing and food to Mission of Love in Capitol Heights, an area particularly heavily affected because of COVID.
Thank you to The Woods community for your generous spirit and willingness to give back to the community. All grades saw active participation during the challenge and deserve special recognition. Though the drive for coats and food may be over, we will be organizing more opportunities to help support our community in these difficult times.
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
ALUMNI NEWS
CLASS NOTES 1970s Send us your news. 1980s Send us your news. 1990s Send us your news.
2000s
Adeeb Mahmood (2002) and his wife Rachel welcomed their first child Liam Adeeb Mahmood on November 15.
Catherine (Robertson) Herman (2004) On January 18, Catherine (Robertson) Herman (2004) and her husband Alex welcomed their son, Paul Alexander Herman. Named after Catherine’s dad, Paul Robertson, the Hermans are thrilled to have baby boy join big sister Elle (21m). Samantha (Mayo) Buttery (2005) and her husband Kevin welcomed their first child Clark Robert Buttery on October 15.
Adeeb Mahmood (2002)
Share your news
Please send in your notes for the next issue of The Woods Academy News to keep your classmates and other Woods’ friends up to date. Photos are always welcome!
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Email your updates to Jodie Shoemaker, Director of Marketing, Communications, and Alumni Relations, at alumni@woodsacademy.org
Samantha (Mayo) Buttery (2005)
THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
ALUMNI NEWS
Anesu Nyawata (2010)
2010s
Anesu Nyawata (2010) is currently working as a research scientist for Smithers Avanza, a contract research organization. In addition to his job as a scientist, he also works as a basketball skills trainer for players in elementary school through high school (@nessskillsanddrills on Facebook & Instagram). Anesu is also passionate about giving back to the community through charity work and service. Anthony Mahshigian (2013) will graduate from University of Maryland in May and has accepted a position as a Software Engineer with SpaceX.
Jessie Egan (2006) On January 29, Jessie Egan (2006) married Brian Jaron in Boulder, CO.
Hugh Roberts (2006) recently spoke with Grades 7 & 8 students about his journey to becoming a professional athlete and activist. See Alumni Spotlight on page 6.
Nicholas Mori (2014) will be working as a Manufacturing Analytics Intern at Tesla during the Spring and Summer of 2021.
Travis Scala (2016), a student at Davis & Elkins College, has been named to the president’s list for the fall 2020 semester. The president’s list includes all full-time students with a 4.0 GPA for the semester. Travis also plays lacrosse at Davis & Elkins. Travis Scala (2016)
Hugh Roberts (2006)
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
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Annual Report
2019–2020
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Dear Friends,
I never cease to be amazed at the graciousness and generosity of this community. I am so deeply grateful for all your support this past year. You touched all aspects of our school community and that made all the difference for our students. Thank you!
The 2019–2020 school year certainly didn’t end the way any of us would ever have predicted at the start of the year, and yet, we stayed together as a community, strengthening our bonds and meeting challenges while finding ways to celebrate accomplishments, grow, and laugh. We have taken this same spirit into the current extraordinary school year. Your gifts reflect a shared belief in our mission. Together we create a strong and joyful community for our students, our teachers, and our families, new and old.
Your contributions to The Woods Annual Fund, the Tuition Assistance Fund, the Kathy Pikwo Merit Scholarship Fund, the Arts Fund, and numerous other donations have an enormous impact on our students today and for generations to come. For that, we thank you. And, as always, we thank you for being part of The Woods community. Until we can see each other in person again, stay in touch, stay well, stay safe, and find joy every day. With gratitude,
Joseph Powers Head of School
The Woods Academy’s Mission
The Woods Academy is an inclusive Catholic Community preparing boys and girls to lead lives of significance.
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The Woods Community
The wonderful Woods community-building events held each year would not be possible without our dedicated WAPTO leaders, Event Chairs, and scores of volunteers that create spectacular events. While we don’t have room to list everyone who gave of their time last year, we offer the biggest THANK YOU to each of you for all you do for The Woods.
2019–2020 Events
Grandparents & Special Friends Visiting Day
WARREN BLANCHARD, CHAIR
RAY BRISCOE ASSOCIATE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Montessori Parent Breakfasts
DONNA BYRNE
Parent Visiting Days
ROBIN CLARK
Founders Day Mass & Legacy Council Reception
PHILIP DOLAN
1st Annual Scavenger Hunt
TED FARRELL
Family Fun Day
MELANIE FUNKHOUSER
Scholastic Book Fair
BOB GREGG
5th Annual STEAM Showcase
BRAD HEMING
Christmas Concert
JULIA JORDAN
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
PETER KENNY
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work – the 35th Annual Night Owl Auction
HASMIG MAHSHIGIAN DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Spring Instrumental Showcase Frozen Jr. From Home Milk, Cookies & Art Upper School Chapels
2019–2020 Woods Academy Parent Teacher Organization (WAPTO) Officers ERIN GREEN PRESIDENT
EUNICE D’AUGOSTINE VICE PRESIDENT AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR FLORENCE OTT, TREASURER MONIQUE FIELDS, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
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2019–2020 Board of Trustees
TEDLA MEKONNEN JOSEPH POWERS HEAD OF SCHOOL ERIN RICCA FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE NADIA SCHAREN-GUIVEL ANNA STEWART CATHERINE VALENTE-GROSH INES VEGA SHERYL WILBON DARIEN WRIGHT
Financial Operations
2019–2020
REVENUE Tuition and Fees
$ 6,786,079
Auxiliary Services
627,794
Annual Fund
159,427
Auction Income
111,510
WAPTO and Fundraising
65,165
Dividends and Interest Income
48,531
Contributions, other
22,538
Total Revenue
EXPENSES
7,821,044
$
Program and Supporting Services
5,121,003
General and Administrative
2,031,102
Plant Operations
446,686
Fundraising and Events
269,164
Funds from Reserves
-46,911
Total Expenses
7,821,044
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Revenue ■ 87% TUITION AND FEES ■ 8% AUXILIARY SERVICES ■ 2% ANNUAL FUND ■ 1% AUCTION INCOME ■ 1% WAPTO ■ 1% DIVIDENDS AND INTEREST INCOME
Expenses ■ 65% PROGRAM AND SUPPORTING SERVICES ■ 26% GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ■ 6% PLANT OPERATIONS ■ 3% FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS
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Annual Giving
2019–2020
Annual Fund, Raise Your Paddle, Kathy Piwko Merit Scholarship, Sharing the Growth Fund, Sotos Fund, Special Gifts THANK YOU! Every child makes a difference at The Woods. And so does every gift. Parents, faculty & staff, trustees, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, and friends – your generosity helps give every Woods student the best possible experience every day.
Your gifts enhance everything we value at The Woods: a program of excellence, integrated curriculum, personalized attention, and a faith that guides students to serve others along the way.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this listing. If you find an error or omission, please contact Traci Grigg, Director of Development, at tgrigg@woodsacademy.org. All gifts listed in this report are those received between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019.
The unwavering generosity of The Woods community creates greater opportunities and stronger offerings for our students, allowing this to be a place where curiosity and confidence thrive. Giving Circles Head Philanthropists $10,000 + VINKA AND MARC FERRELL
CAROLYN AND JACK O’ROURKE
ROBIN CLARK AND JOHN RIDENOUR INES VEGA AND ALEJANDRO VILLEGAS ROXANA AND EDWIN VILLEGAS (1984)
Benefactors $4,000–$9,999
ANA MAYANS DE LA LASTRA AND MARK BAIER LEILA AND JASON BAKELAR DONNA AND MATTHEW BYRNE KELLI AND DAN CAMPBELL
THE FRANCIS P. CHIARAMONTE FAMILY FOUNDATION CLASS OF 2018 PERI DE ORIO MAUREEN AND PHILIP DOLAN CATHLEEN AND SEAN FROMM MELANIE (1988) AND CORY FUNKHOUSER BETH, GEOF, AND DAVID (2015) HOBART BROOKS AND PETER KENNY MOLLY AND BILL LEBLANC THE SHEPHERD FOUNDATION SHERYL AND MICHAEL WILBON JEAN AND CLINTON WRIGHT
Thank You
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
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Thank you
1975 Leaders $1975–$3,999 ANONYMOUS (1)
DONNA AND JUN SUN
LISA AND MIKE GUITERMAN
CECILE AND CHARLES TONER
LENNA ISRABIAN-JAMGOCHIAN AND HRANT JAMGOCHIAN
PETRA KANN AND THOMAS WEIR LAURA AND DARIEN WRIGHT
LANA AND JOHN BUSSARD DON CLUBBS ELIZABETH AND CORKY CROVATO LILIANA CUERVO AND JOHN CURRY
STEFANIE MORGAN-DAVIS AND NIKEL DAVIS LESLIE AND TOM DOLSAK MARYBETH AND JOHN GAUL INGRID AND STEVEN GOBIEN KATHRYN BEERS AND JASON HARMAN CAROLINE AND BRAD HEMING MEGAN AND JOHN LANEKENAU SUSAN AND TIMOTHY LYDON
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Patrons $1,000–$1,974 ANONYMOUS (3)
MONA AND ALLEN ABSALON
ORLENA AND WARREN BLANCHARD SALMA MOGHISI AND MIKE CAIN CAMPANARIO FAMILY CATHOLIC BUSINESS NETWORK JEANEEN AND DAVID CAVANAUGH NANCY RIPP CLARK AND KEVIN CLARK
MATAAC FAMILY FOUNDATION (LARA AND FRANCIS MATAAC, VILMA AND CELSO MATAAC)
CLASS OF 2020
ASHLEY AND WHIT MATHIS
JULIA JORDAN AND JAMES CUMMINGS
KATHY AND LARRY PATEROS
LINDA RIDENOUR AND RICHARD DIMOCK
LEILA AND RUSS PHILLIPS
JAMES N. DRESSER
BRIT AND JOE POWERS
PATRICIA H. DRESSER
KATE AND TONY SCAFIDE
AMY HALVERSTADT AND STEVEN FAY
PEGGY AND GEORGE SOTOS
MONIQUE AND JASON FIELDS
LYNN AND ROGER JASEK ANA TSCHEN AND JORGE KAMINE JACLYN AND KEVIN MADDEN JILL AND J. PAUL MCNAMARA MARIANA AND RYAN MCCORMICK NADIA SCHAREN-GUIVEL AND SERGIO MONARO DERMOT O’CONNOR FLORENCE NOVELLINO AND KEITH OTT ALISON AND PETE PLOTAS BETH AND CHRIS PRIEST HOLLI AND HENRY RIVERA FRANNY ROCK KERRIE RUSHTON TERESA MAGONE AND PETER SCHUCK KATIE AND ERIC SMITH PATRICIA AND GREG STEIS CARL THORSEN SUZANNE O’NEILL AND CLESSON TURNER CHRISTINE AND GREG VIRGIN
THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
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“I’ve lost count of how many weeks we’ve been at home now. I think three. We miss The Woods Academy so much. Today’s Morning Message brought a lot of sadness, not because we are getting on each other’s nerves at home, which we aren’t, but because we miss the smiles, miss our wonderful teachers, miss friends, incredible class discussions, laughing together, seeing Coach and Ms. Pontius direct traffic, hearing Upper Schoolers talking in the hallway, the smell of cooking class from Montessori, and the happy chatter of teacher greeting one another in the hallway. We miss real Morning Meeting, playing outside with friend, dismissal routines, and even lunch. We knew it was a special school before the virus, but being at home truly confirms that The Woods isn’t just a school, it’s a unique community, a hidden treasure in Bethesda, and a family.” 2019–2020 4th grade family 29
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Friends up to $999 ANONYMOUS (10)
KATHRYN AND SHEP ABEL
JAMIE ALISBAH MEENA AND JASON ANDREW MARGARET APAU MARY AND RICHARD ARCHI RINA BADOS VALERIA ARANA AND JON BARRENECHEA ANNE AND JAMES BARTER BATLLE FAMILY MARTIN BEDNAR RANDY BEDNAR MICHELE BERNARD MARCY AND MARC BORGER (1994) KAREN AND JEAN BORNO RACHELLE AND LINDY BOWMAN ANNE BRADBURY LISA MONROE AND RAYMOND BRISCOE BRISCUSO FAMILY CAROLINE QUIJADA AND ANDY BRISTOL ANGELA AND DOUG BRITTON TRISH BRITTON MARY AND ROBERT BRYANT LORI CAMALIER MARILYN CAMPBELL AMANDA AND BLAYNE CANDY LYNDSEY CANTER RON CARBIS MICHELE CARPENTER ISABELLE CASSIDY JUSTIN CASSIDY ANNAH AND PAT CAVE DANA LANGGUTH AND KEVIN CAWLEY KRISTEN AND ROY CHROBOCINSKI STEPHANIE CLARK (2005) ROSALIND AND THOMAS CLARK JP CLUBBS COLANGELO FAMILY
MARIA AND ANDREW DEYELL
TAMARA AND GEORGE KUCIK
CARRIE AND DANIEL DRESSER
PENNY AND JOSH LACUESTA
DRISCOLL FAMILY
BARBARA LANG
MARY ELIZABETH DRISCOLL
CHERRY JOY BEYSSELANCE AND MATT LERNER
EATON FAMILY
SUSY LEVIN
DONNA AND JOHN EATON
BARBARA AND PETER LUCHSINGER
ECONOMOPOULOS FAMILY
DELANEY AND W.B. LUNDBERG
MONICA LUGO AND KEVIN FANDL
ANDREA (1985) AND TOM LYNCH
JENNIFER AND BRYANT FARLAND
MARIE AND PIERRE MADON
HEATHER AND TED FARRELL
HASMIG AND DAVID MAHSHIGIAN
LIZ FEELEY
CHRIS MALONEY
MONICA FERNANDEZ
MARGARET MALONEY (2015)
GERALDINE AND PETER FILPI
TRACIE AND JEFF MANCABELLI
KATE FOGARTY
SARA P. O’NEIL-MANION AND WILLIAM C. MANION
LORI AND DAVID FRANCESCANI MEGAN AND SONNY GANGULY TRACY OLIVER-GARY AND DARIAN GARY SAMANTHA AND BRIAN GALLAGHER MICHELE SHANNON AND MIKLOS GASZNER STEPHANIE AND ANDREW GEORGE JOANNE AND JOE GERBER DEBBIE GHAMKHAR MARIA AND DEMETRI GIAKOUMATOS LESLIE AND PAUL GNATT ERIN DONOVAN AND ROBERT GOODSON NICOLE AND BRIAN GORMLEY LISA AND NEIL GRAMMER MAUREEN AND RICHARD GRANT ROBERT GREGG TRACI AND DREW GRIGG
MARBELLY DAVILA AND OSMEL MANZANO EDITH AND FRED MARINUCCI MARIANGLES AND PAOLO MARTELLI LOUISE AND RAY MATHIS JD MCLEAN (2014) BRIAN MCCORMICK (2017) CHRIS MCCORMICK (2014) MICHELLE MICHLIK WANDA AND STANISLAW MIKULSKI JEN AND BRENDON MOYO MEGAN AND MATT MULLALLY TONJA AND DAVID MURRAY D. TYLER MURRAY (2007) MARGRIT AND KIRK NAHRA MEREDITH NOLAN (2012) MARY KATHRYN NOLAN
CATHERINE VALENTE-GROSH AND MARK GROSH
REBECCA KENNEDY AND JOHN OLESZKIEWICZ
MARY GROSH
CLAIRE O’KEEFFE
KAYANA GUERRA
SHARON AND TIM PABON
LINDA HANDY
KATE STEIN AND STEPHEN PALLEY
JILL AND SCOTT HARPER
PAUL PAOLETTI
STEPHANIE AND DAN HICKEY
SUSAN AND WILLIAM PAPPERT
PATTY HORN
TOM PARKER
CAROL AND PAUL HOWARD
SONYA CHAWLA AND VIVEK PATIL
MOLLY MCNAMARA HUGO AND PAUL HUGO
PARIS PERSON
ANU AND RAJA IYER
CHRISTINE AND TIM PHELPS
KIMBERLY JIBLADZE
RICK AND JULIE PHILLIPS
JANE AND CHARLES JOHNSON
KATYA (1998) AND KEVIN PILONG
CARLOS DIAZ
PAULA PRYOR AND JOHN JONES AND PAULA PRYOR
KATHLEEN PIWKO
MADELINE DODGE
ALIDA KALAS
IVETTE DOMINGUEZ
KATIE AND BOB KALAS
DEBBIE DOSH
CHRISTINA KORENGAY
SALLIE AND RICHARD CROSS EUNICE (1990) AND SEAN D’AUGOSTINE
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Thank you
JANE PONTIUS ANN AND NICHOLAS POULOPOULOS LORE AND RUDI PROFAIZER ADELA BARRIO AND VLADIMIR RADOVIC
THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
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TRICIA MURPHY AND JOHN RATINO HELIBERTO RESTREPO JUDY AND EDWARD REZAC ERIN AND KEVIN RICA KRISTA AND PAUL RITACCO MICHELE ROOME (1987) SUSAN SABATANO HAIFA SHABAN AND ISHRAQ SALMAN MARICELA SANTIAGO-TORRES LISA SARAFIDIS AND YIANIS DANIEL SAUCEDO GEOVANNA BRITO AND EDGAR SAUCEDO GERARDO SAUCEDO MARIA SAUCEDO CHELLY AND TRAVIS SCALA ASHA AND MAX SCHULICK LIS SHEEHAN DANIELLE SHEGERIAN HEGGIE SHEGERIAN CHRISTOPHER SHARKEY BARBARA SHOEMAKER JODIE AND KEITH SHOEMAKER MARYBETH AND RJ SMITH WENDY AND MARTIN STANISLAV ANNA AND JOHN STEWART
“We are so glad to be able to support Woods! It has been such a wonderful change our children.” Current Parent JEAN STEIS
ASHLEY WOODS
SULLIVAN FAMILY
SHERRY AND WILBUR WRIGHT
JOAN SULLIVAN
TERESA LEE AND BENJAMIN WU
TRISH SWEENEY
LEE AND ANDY WURST
NANCY TALBOT
KATE AND JOHN WYCKOFF
FRED AND LAURA TAN
CLAIRE AND RAY WYRSCH
KELLY TANZI
LAURIE AND FRED YANG
CHARMAINE TAVERNER
TANYA ABRAMS AND DAVID YOUNGBERG
CARINA LUPICA AND GERARDO UÑA
NANCY ZACHOR
ERICA VASSOS
LLOYDIE AND BILL ZAISER
WAPTO
PEGGY AND CARL ZWISLER
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THE WOODS ACADEMY NEWS SPRING 2021
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“So proud to be part of The Woods community. The academy leads with integrity, compassion and ACTION! Not just ‘talking the talk” but ‘walking the walk.” Thank you for leading our youth by embracing Gandhi’s famous words – ‘be the change you want to see in the world.’” A Woods grandparent Corporations, Foundations, Schools, Matching Gifts BANK OF AMERICA MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAM BRIDGEPOINT HEALTHCARE
CATHOLIC BUSINESS NETWORK CLARK CONCEPTS COLD STREAM FOUNDATION CONNELLY SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILD FAIR OAKS CHANTILLY THE FRANCIS P. CHIARAMONTE FAMILY FOUNDATION
Our Amazing Sponsors – Thank You! ADULT SCAVENGER HUNT IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA BRIDGEPOINT HEALTHCARE FAIR OAKS MOTORS ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL WAPTO TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM AUCTION BRIDGEPOINT HEALTHCARE FAIR OAKS MOTORS JOHN RIDENOUR AND ROBIN CLARK
GEORGETOWN VISITATION PREPARATORY SCHOOL
SEAN AND CATHLEEN FROMM
GONZAGA COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
CLARK CONCEPTS
MARSH & MCLENNAN COMPANIES MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAM PARODI EDUCATIONAL CONSULTING
PARODI EDUCATIONAL CONSULTING MICHAEL AND LISA GUITERMAN WAPTO
POTOMAC VALLEY CHAPTER OF JACK & JILL REDHILL TOWN DESIGN ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL SHELL OIL COMPANY FOUNDATION STONE RIDGE SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART TEXAS INSTRUMENTS THE SHEPHERD FOUNDATION THORSEN FRENCH ADVOCACY, LLC TUGLEY WOOD FOUNDATION WAPTO
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Kathy Piwko Merit Scholarship Fund
The following donors generously gave to the Kathy Piwko Merit Scholarship Fund established to honor of Kathy’s extraordinary 34 years of teaching at The Woods.
We have been blessed with Kathy’s brilliance, enthusiasm, sharp wit, and her tireless advocacy on the part of our students. Her legacy will continue to nourish future generations of Woods students through her merit scholarship. BETH, GEOF AND DAVID (2015) HOBART
MATT LERNER AND CHERRY JOY BEYSSELANCE CHRIS MALONEY MARGARET MALONEY (2015) BRIAN MCCORMICK (2017) LUPICA CARINA AND GERARDO UÑA CLAIRE AND RAY WYRSCH
Lisa Mataac Dodson Memorial Scholarship
The Liza C. Mataac Dodson Memorial Scholarship Fund established at The Woods Academy to honor the memory of Liza, a proud Woods alumna, former teacher, and parent. We have awarded this scholarship annually to the rising 8th grader who in his/her Woods career has best exemplified the qualities of mentorship of younger students and involvement in school and community life that Liza so consistently displayed as a member of The Woods community
AWARDED TO SKYLER THOMPSON FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR. LESLIE AND PAUL GNATT
MATAAC FAMILY (LARA AND FRANCIS MATAAC, VILMA AND CELSO MATAAC) SOTOS FACULTY DEVELOPMENT FUND (SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS, OUR SCHOOL) GEORGE AND PEGGY SOTOS
Thank you Legacy Council
The Legacy Council is an honorary advisory group to the Head of School. Members are recognized as trusted friends, advocates and ambassadors of the school. The main role of the Council is to advise, support, and collaborate with the Head of School and Board of Trustees as they work to fulfill the school’s mission.
2019–2020 Legacy Council Members TOM AND GERRY BORGER
FRANCIS AND JENNIFER CHIARAMONTE KEVIN CLARK AND NANCY RIPP
KEVIN AND PAM COSIMANO
DOUG AND GABRIELA SMITH
HARRY AND LAURA CRISWELL
GEORGE AND PEGGY SOTOS
LOU AND NIKKI DIESS
MARTY AND WENDY STANISLAV
PHILIP AND MAUREEN DOLAN
MARK AND MARIROSE UNGERMAN
PETER AND STEPHANIE FARRELL
JEAN WALSH
CHARLIE AND ELIZABETH GARNER
JOHN AND KATE WYCKOFF
RICK AND MAUREEN GRANT MIKE AND LISA HOTCHKISS DAVID AND SALLY IANNARONE DAN AND LISA JOBE THOMAS AND KAREN MORGAN DAVID AND TONYA MURRAY DAVID PAPPERT LARRY AND KATHY PATEROS JOHN AND ROXANNA PIERCE
Advancement Office
SAM GALLAGHER, DATABASE MANAGER
TRACI GRIGG, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT MOLLY MCNAMARA-HUGO, DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS JODIE SHOEMAKER, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS, & ALUMNI RELATIONS
GEORGE AND PAT REESE DION AND MICHELLE RUDNICKI ROSE SCOZZAFAVA HELENE O’NEIL SHERE BOB AND NATALIE SMITH
Mom: How was your day? Child: Amazing! Mom: How so? Child: It was just another day at The Woods.
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“
IN
ONE BY THE CLASS OF 2020
WORD”
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e l b a r o y m t e i m mun m o y c l i m a f fun
welc
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l a u t i r i p s ade ven v i e s v u i l s c r in e m im e l b a y o j n e d e t c e n n co h t i a f g n i h t y s r u e o v e i e v r i u t c erac int
WELCOME
Woods Babies ALEXANDER
NICO
CLARK
BORN MARCH 2020
BORN AUGUST 2020
BORN OCTOBER 2020
SON OF ELLE (DWYER) (2009) AND KEVIN SHEEKS
BROTHER OF AIDAN M (2024)
SON OF SAMANTHA (MAYO) (2005) AND KEVIN BUTTERY
It is so exciting to see the next generation of Woods growing and thriving! 35
The Woods Academy 6801 Greentree Road Bethesda, MD 20817 301 365 3080 www.woodsacademy.org
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID Bethesda, MD Permit No. 5578
Save the Date! Save the Date:
MONTESSORI PROGRAM
Thursday, May 16 & 15th Annual Arts Celebration & KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION Friday, May 17, 2019 featuring The Wizard of Oz
JUNE 4
Friday, May 31, 2019 at 9:00 am
Montessori Program and
Friday, May 31, 2019 at 5:00 pm
8th Grade Graduation
GRADE 8 GRADUATION Graduation JUNE 4 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL JUNE 9
Please visit woodsacademy.org/artscelebration to purchase tickets to The Wizard of Oz and support the Arts at The Woods.
woodsacademy.org