BaldwinEchoes The Magazine for Alumnae, Students, Families and Friends of The Baldwin School
summer 2015 Commencement | Reunion | Alumnae awards
Grade X celebrates Ring Day 2015 with a Cinderella theme.
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Then&Now
raditions at The Baldwin School are as much of an institution as the cherry trees that line the driveway. From the Father Daughter Dances to Marching-In Dinners, there is something special for every girl to hold dear, but nothing is more special than Ring Day. In Grade X, students purchase silver or gold signet rings. Prior to 1962, the classes were able to design their class ring. Since then, all classes have adopted the School’s seal as their chosen design.
A sample of Baldwin class rings from over the years.
The students receive their rings at a class dinner. Following their celebration, the girls spend the night decorating the Schoolhouse in their class color and a chosen theme, making it a surprise the next day for the rest of the student body. The tradition on Ring Day is for the girls to wear their new ring and have friends and faculty turn it, making three wishes: one for the wearer, one for the turner and one for Baldwin. They do this as many times as their class year, and the last person to turn the ring, turns it the opposite direction to close the circle of friendship. Ring Day in the 1970s.
ECHOESContents Features
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Commencement 2015 Baldwin celebrated its 127th Commencement in June. See highlights from the day and learn some fun facts about our newest alumnae.
Departments
2 Upfront
6 honor roll
8 academics
Editor: Lisa A. Algeo
Design: Veronica Utz
The Classes of Green came back to Baldwin’s beautiful campus to reconnect. See reunion class photos and highlights from all the weekend’s events.
Photo Credits: Katie Brogan, Jay Gorodetzer, Kenny Delio,
Mark Tassoni, Jessica Parrish, Jeff Reeder, Jessica Weld, Laura Nguyen ’15, Kristen Sarcu All photographs are identified left to right unless otherwise noted. We welcome letters regarding the contents of the magazine and/or issues pertaining to the School. Letters must be signed. The editor retains the right to edit at her discretion.
10 arts
12 athletics
28 Alumnae Awards
30 Class Notes
48 Closing Thoughts
THE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE, STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS OF THE BALDWIN SCHOOL
BALDWINECHOES
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Reunion Weekend
Lisa A. Algeo, editor, Echoes The Baldwin School 701 Montgomery Ave. Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 lalgeo@baldwinschool.org For general alumnae requests or information, please contact the Office of Advancement and Alumnae Relations: Stacy Gallagher, Chief Advancement Officer sgallagher@baldwinschool.org or 610-525-2700, ext. 286
Echoes is printed on recycled paper. On the cover: Laura Nguyen ’15 celebrates the Class of 2015 with a selfie. Photo courtesy of Jessica Parrish.
COMMENCEMENT
SUMMER 2015 COMMENCEMENT | REUNION | ALUMNAE AWARDS
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UPfront B
aldwin is a community of friendships and connections that continues to grow, even after graduation. As she learns and matures, each Baldwin girl enriches the community and remains an important part of Baldwin wherever life takes her next. We end another school year with our alumnae and students having demonstrated, yet again, that Baldwin girls are unafraid to lead, explore, participate and succeed.
During the 2014-2015 academic year, our girls were recognized nationally and internationally for their academics, artistic talents, athletics, service, leadership and good citizenship. Alumnae Weekend brought more than 300 of our beloved alumnae, former faculty and friends back to campus to reconnect and rediscover Baldwin traditions old and new. Our inspiring alumnae continue to make us proud and serve as excellent role models for our current students. As they begin their next chapter, more than three quarters of the Class of 2015 will find themselves at their first or second choice college with our graduates being collectively offered a staggering $2.7 million in merit-based scholarships. This Class of Green has brought a lively sense of fun and kindness to the Schoolhouse and will be remembered for their quiet leadership, friendliness and consideration for others. Our newest alumnae are a true testament to the School’s commitment to excellence and continual pursuit of greatness. Baldwin girls have always taken great pride in becoming a part of our school, our history and our community. Thank you for being a part of The Baldwin School and helping to build on this legacy for many years to come. Please join me in celebrating this past year’s success.
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The Classes of Green and Red, with laughter and love, took over the main hall.
Marching-In Dinner The Class of Red debuted its new blazers and newly composed class song at this year’s Marching-In Dinner. The juniors and seniors enjoyed reminiscing with one another while the senior class handed down some of their treasured pins.
Baldwin Fund 100% Participation BBQ Sally Powell hosted the Baldwin Fund BBQ for classes who reached 100 percent parent participation. The Classes of 2017, 2022 and 2027 had a wonderful evening celebrating Baldwin and our donors’ generosity. Grade X students Alexis Mosley-McLemore, Morgan Montoute and Ashley Chatman enjoyed a great dinner.
Juniors Ellie Greenberg, Margo Schoenberg, Mae Evans and Hayden Ivey show off their new blazers.
Grandparents’ Day More than 300 grandparents and special friends came to Baldwin’s campus to celebrate Grandparents’ Day in May. Baldwin’s Lower School girls had the chance to perform a special song, introduce family members to their teachers and share some of their most exciting accomplishments in the classroom. Marielle Snider ‘23 shares a special moment with her grandfather Ed Snider.
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The Lois Pressman Sabbatical Fund
Alex Wake Run/Walk The 12th Annual Alex Wake ‘05 Memorial 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk was a great success. More than 500 runners and walkers participated, and more than $65,000 was raised to support academic scholarships, athletic programming and domestic abuse awareness. Former USA Soccer Women’s National Team goalkeeper, Olympic gold medalist and professional soccer player Jillian Loyden was on campus the week prior to the Alex Wake Run/ Walk to speak to students about the work she performs with the Jillian Loyden Foundation. Jillian’s sister lost her life to domestic violence in 2012. Jillian formed the foundation in 2013 to bring awareness to domestic violence. She provided age-appropriate information on her athletic career, her sister’s story and how each Jillian Loyden and her foundation’s Chief student can use her voice and heart to change the Operating Officer Alyssa Radu pose for a photo during a visit to Baldwin. world. Thank you to Blue Gray, which provided the funds to host Jillian’s visit.
The Simpson Center’s Construction Kickoff
Sally Powell, along with Trustee Carolyn Simpson Scott ’74, kicked off The Simpson Center’s construction project with a celebration and a wrecking ball.
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The Construction Kickoff of The Simpson Center for the Performing Arts in Honor of Lois Goutman was held on May 8 in the Gray Gym. It was a fun-filled event that included an encore performance by our Maskers a proclamation by Lower Merion Township and updates from architect and Founding Partner Daniela Holt Voith of Voith Mactavish, LLP of Philadelphia.
The Lois Pressman Sabbatical Fund was created in 2015 to honor Lois Pressman, teacher and administrator at the Baldwin School from 1976 to 2014. It celebrates her wholehearted commitment to her students, whom she inspired inside the classroom and out, and to the faculty, for whom she was a source of encouragement and guidance. At the heart of this fund is her deep belief that teachers need and deserve opportunities to broaden their horizons. This fund was created through the generosity of Scott and Danielle Kulicke. The inaugural recipients of this fund are Jennifer Cutler and Stephanie Wujcik.
Baldwin Head of School Search Update The Search Committee is continuing its work to identify the next Head of School for Baldwin. Thank you to all alumnae, parents, faculty and staff who have shared their thoughts through our online survey and personal conversations. Those comments helped create the Head of School position description, which is available at www.baldwinschool. org/SearchforHeadofSchool. During the summer, the committee has been reviewing the credentials and experiences of interested candidates with the goal of naming the next Head of School by the end of 2015.
(Front row) Michelle Kichline (P ’16), Marcy Gringlas (P ’16), Lizabeth Raynes (P ’16), Tuyet Wong (P ’16), (Back row) Christina Funston (P ’16), Stephanie Cohn Schaeffer ’85 (P ’16, ’17), Tracey Ivey (P ’16), and Diane Senior (P ’16, ’18) enjoy time together at the Fireside Fling dinner.
Lower School students perform “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah (A Letter from Camp).”
2015 Fireside Fling The Fireside Fling Auction and Gala was held on April 18. The Residence was buzzing with energy as guests enjoyed entertainment, a wonderful meal, spirited bidding and good company. For the third year in a row, more than $500,000 was raised! Attendees also raised their paddles for a newly enhanced Upper Field, which will provide a top-of-the-line playing field for our scholar-athletes.
Brenda McBride’84 (P ’24) and Linda Hallinan (P ’24), co-chairs of the Fireside Fling.
Upper and Middle Schools Have Powerful Service Days Baldwin’s Upper and Middle School students experienced powerful and achievement-packed Service Days this spring. The MS girls served nine community partners and were engaged in all forms of service: direct, indirect and advocacy. Baldwin’s US students served a record 12 organizations across the Delaware Valley. Grade X students focus on environmental service by restoring structures, planting trees, rebuilding trails, mulching, planting, weeding and other tasks. Grade VI students Georgia Paynter, Rani Bleznak and Hannah Plotkin work hard together and with their classmates.
To see many more photos from these events, visit our SmugMug page at baldwinschool.smugmug.com. Summer 2015 Echoes
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Honor Roll Congratulations to the Class of 2022, Class of Blue.
Grade V
Moving Up Ceremony Clara Page ’22 received the Baiba Vasys Core Values Award. Given in honor of the retired Lower School Director, the award recognizes a Grade V student who best exemplifies Baldwin’s core values of learning, honesty, respect, compassion and responsibility. In addition to her personal accomplishments, the recipient has also made success
Upper School Class Day
On Tuesday, June 2, Baldwin recognized outstanding seniors and select members of the junior class at Class Day in celebration of their high academic achievements and demonstration of Baldwin’s ideals in their everyday lives. These students received the Sally Powell presents The Baldwin Award to Alexandra Thaler ’15. following awards in recognition of the many contributions they have made as individuals to the Baldwin community. The highest honor, The Baldwin Award — given to a senior who has distinguished herself in pursuit of excellence in academics, the arts, leadership, service and sensitivity to others — went to Alexandra Thaler.
possible for others.
Other awards include:
Eve Issacs ’22 accepts the Blue/Gray cup on behalf of the winning Blue team.
Clara Page ’22 receives her award from Baiba Vasys.
The Baldwin Class of 2003 Award, endowed by the members of the Class of 2003, commends an Upper School student for her dedication to academic pursuits, creative approach to leadership and strong sense of class unity. This year, the Class of 2003 Award was given to Madison Dawkins. The Baldwin Class of 2002 Award, established by the parents of the Class of 2002, is given to the senior who, through her personality and character, has made her class special for its members. The award recognizes the winner’s sensitivity toward others, kindness, dedication and approachability. This year, it was awarded to Ting Fang. The Baldwin Class of 1998 Award commends an Upper School student for her achievement, perseverance and determination in the face of challenges. This year it was awarded to Amber Dugan. The Rachel Shao Sun Award is a memorial tribute to a Baldwin mom and Board of Trustees member and is awarded to a senior who has exhibited academic excellence, leadership, warmth, good humor and the ability to be a true friend: Valerie Yoshimura. The Caroline Simon Award goes to a student who has completed during the academic year an outstanding project, activity or body of work that demonstrates creativity, willingness to take a risk and sustained effort in the pursuit of academic excellence: Laura Nguyen.
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The Phi Beta Kappa Award is given to a student who embodies the ideals of academic achievement, character and a love of wisdom and learning. This year it was awarded to Rachel Zachian. Several Baldwin seniors were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as finalists this year: Caroline Cai, Rachel Dichter, Ting Fang, Sherrie Li, Jasmine Syed, Alexandra Thaler, Hannah Tipperman and Rachel Zachian. The winner of the Travelers Employees’ Club Scholarship in association with the National Merit Scholarship Association is: Julia Busby. The winner of the National Merit Pennsylvania State University Scholarship in association with the National Merit Scholarship Association is: Ting Fang. The Society of Women Engineers recognizes and honors high school women who have demonstrated excellence in the fields of mathematics and science for three years. Certificates were presented to Caroline Cai, Valerie Yoshimura and Rachel Zachian. The Arts Achievement Award, presented at the Arts Banquet in March, was given to a senior whose soul, spirit, enthusiasm, dedication and talent have been felt throughout the greater arts department — music, drama, dance and the visual arts. This year’s recipient was Sarah Douglas.
Congratulations to the Class of 2019, Class of Purple.
Grade VIII
Moving Up Ceremony Alexa Diecidue ’19 and Celia Page ’19 received the Ruth Fiesel ’38 Award in recognition of their contributions to the life of the Middle School. Both Alexa and Celia are leaders by example. They have incredibly positive attitudes and make an effort to help others feel comfortable and welcome in any setting. Both girls are eager to learn and always approach new or different ideas with a can-do spirit, both in the classroom and on
The Coughanowr Linguistics Award honors the teaching and learning of language. This year it was awarded to Valerie Yoshimura. The Baldwin School Academic Athlete College Scholarship honors a student who demonstrates academic strength as well as athletic contribution. The award has been given to Saranne Louth.
the playing field.
Alexa Diecidue ’19 and Celia Page ’19
The Fourteen Year Club recognizes students who have been at Baldwin from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade XII. This year there are eight new members: Vanessa Auritt, Nicole Baker, Madison Dawkins, Alexa Horwitz, Hannah Tipperman, Rachael Tipperman, Valerie Yoshimura and Sarah Zarsky. The Thirteen Year Club recognizes students who have been at Baldwin from Kindergarten through Grade XII. This year there are seven new members: Nicole DeLuca, Amber Dugan, Aliki Karnavas, Elizabeth Mantelmacher, Laura Noteware, Alexandra Thaler and Rachel Zachian.
For a list of students who received Junior Book Awards, Department Awards and certificates for Outstanding Contributions to the Life of the Upper School, please visit the news section of our website: baldwinschool.org/news. To see photos from US Class Day and Grades V and VIII Moving Up ceremonies, please visit baldwinschool.smugmug.com.
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Academics Grade XII Builds Wind Turbine After studying renewable energy, the Grade XII environmental science class built a small wind turbine system to power an outlet in their classroom. The girls worked with science teacher Kristen Sarcu and art teacher Kenny Delio to design and build the system. The generator powers a battery bank that can be used to charge small electronic devices, such as laptops.
Mathcounts Achieves Gold Level Status Baldwin’s Middle School Mathcounts Club has once again achieved gold level status in the National Math Club. Each year to reach this highest honor, students need to complete a challenging, creative, team-oriented project. Throughout the year the girls had fun playing with games and puzzles, using problem solving and critical thinking skills, in preparation for the final project. For this year’s Gold Level Project, the girls had to create a “Math Puzzles and Games Pack.” This entailed creating three different types of puzzles with step-by-step solutions and three different types of games with playing instructions. 8
Grade IV Hits the Red Carpet Baldwin’s Grade IV students hit the red carpet at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute (BMFI) in April. This project was done in conjunction with a PECO energizing education grant. Each year Baldwin picks a project to encourage environmental stewardship. This year, each Grade 4 girl was partnered with a classmate and charged with making a 60-second commercial on an environmental issue. The students also designated a charity that helps with their cause. Public service announcement (PSA) topics included animal testing, puppy mills, global warming and lack of clean water in Africa. Their charities included Mainline Animal Rescue, Clean Air Council, Rainforest Alliance and Save the Manatee Club. Each girl walked the red carpet at BMFI as the famous director of their movie. The students then settled into the theater to watch all 17 PSA videos made by their peers.
Grade XI Explores Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Grade III Colonial Day On Colonial Day, a favorite tradition in Lower School, our Grade III students traveled back in time to the Colonial period, participating in activities like cooking, candle making, crafting and traditional games and dance.
Grade X Creates Poetry Timelines This spring, the Grade X English classes created British Poetry Timelines spanning from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Working in groups, students studied their literary time periods, developed insightful analysis, planned engaging designs and competed good-naturedly with their rival teams. And, much to the surprise of our digitally-savvy learners, they did so on vast sheets of paper with markers, colored pencils, rulers, paint and digital images. Students were assigned 10 poems from the Renaissance, Neo-Classical, Romantic and Victorian time periods, provided with resources and given two weeks to complete their work. The project was designed to be student-driven; they were encouraged to seek out similarities among the poems, note key literary techniques or themes and take risks as they studied the literature and worked with each other.
Following an in-depth analysis of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Grade XI students had the opportunity to act out scenes from the play, guided by experienced Shakespearian actors from Samantha O’Keefe’16 Revolutionary Shakespeare Theater Company. This weeklong works on her Shakespeare. workshop was made possible through the Elisabeth Klebanoff ’80 Memorial Fund, which was established in 2002 to remember Elisabeth and assist Baldwin’s faculty in nurturing the success of Baldwin students. The fund supports Baldwin’s English department faculty in attending seminars, bringing in guest authors/speakers and purchasing special programming to enrich student learning. The actors and our students engaged in energetic debates, performed scenes from Hamlet, and explored how Shakespeare connects to our 21st century lives in meaningful ways. The week ended with a discussion on contemporary theater in the Philadelphia area.
Grade I African Feast Grade I enjoyed a delicious lunch, traditional garb, lessons about African animals and culture, and then joined the performers in a dance during the annual African Feast.
US Students Travel During Spring Break Several opportunities for travel during Spring Break were offered through the language and music programs. French exchange students visited France as part of the Villefranche Exchange Program. Now in its 26th year, the program with sister school, Notre-Dame de Mongré in Villefranche-sur-Saône provides students with an opportunity to stay with a French family in a total immersion environment. Upper School Spanish students participated in an exchange program with the Colegio Puertorriqueño de Niñas, a private school near San Juan, Puerto Rico. Chinese students had the opportunity to practice their language skills as they visited Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. While there, they saw a number of ancient and historical sites including the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Soldiers. In addition, music students from Baldwin and The Haverford School traveled to Denmark to attend classes with students at Ordrup Gymnasium and perform at multiple locations including University Hospital of Copenhagen, Ordrup Kirke and Frederiksborg Castle Church.
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Arts First-Ever Senior Solo Art Show Laura Nguyen ’15 was the exhibiting artist in the Residence’s FackenthalPethick Gallery this spring. Laura’s exhibition, titled “Tales of Her,” is Baldwin’s first-ever Senior Solo Art Show. On view were photographs, jewelry, drawings, mixed-media works and clothing embodying Laura’s multi-discipline response to her theme of women in today’s world.
US Art Exhibit and Concert
MS Music Wins Awards at Music in the Parks Three Middle School Baldwin music organizations participated at Music in the Parks at Six Flags Great Adventure this spring. Baldwin came home with five large trophies and one medal: Excellent Trophy - MS Orchestra; Excellent Trophy – Malala; Overall Instrumental Ensemble - Malala; Superior Trophy - MS Chorus; Overall Choral Ensemble - MS Chorus; Outstanding Student Accompanist - Taylor Levinson ’21.
Grade V Performs 101 Dalmatians Grade V students prepared a wonderful rendition of 101 Dalmatians for their parents, faculty and students in the Lower School. It was a showstopping performance.
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The Upper School Art Exhibit in the Fackenthal-Pethick Gallery featured students’ sculpture, drawings, paintings, ceramics, jewelry and photographs. The artistic side of our Baldwin students was certainly something to see. The Music Department then took over the evening in the Assembly Room with performances from the US Chorus, Orchestra, Jazz Band and Eliza-B-Thans.
Kindergarten Art Show
Baldwin Wins Two Cappies The 10th annual Greater Philadelphia Cappies Awards Gala was held in May to celebrate high school theater. Baldwin students were awarded two Cappies: Alexa Kent ’16 won for Best Comic Actress in a Play and Jane Bradley ’17 won for Best Supporting Actress. Going into the evening, Baldwin’s Maskers had received seven nominations for its entry, the fall drama titled Chamber Music by Author Kopit, including student costume design, best ensemble, best play and four individual acting categories.
Kindergarten invited family and friends to its annual Art Show. Highlights included a collection of beautiful artwork, several musical numbers and discussions about some of history’s greatest artists with our young students.
Maskers Present Behind the Stage Door In April, Baldwin Maskers presented Behind the Stage Door, a Broadway musical revue celebrating backstage relationships. The performances were the last to be held in the Gray Gym, as Baldwin begins to transform the space into The Simpson Center for the Performing Arts.
2015 Arts Day This year’s Arts Day involved a morning of workshops mostly led by external experts. These special sessions were available in dance, art, music and drama, and also included topics the students would not typically experience in school such as floral art and architecture. A cabaret showcase followed in the afternoon, offering performances from a select group of students who were able to show off their many talents. An evening “Celebration of the Arts” banquet was also held.
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Athletics Nine Student-Athletes Commit to Colleges
Laura Noteware ’15, Lizzie Grubman ’15, Rachel Sutor ’16 and Evelyn Wasson ’17 practice on the river.
Crew Qualifies Five Boats for Nationals
Baldwin Hosts Lacrosse Doubleheader
Baldwin crew qualified boats in the Varsity Single, Lightweight Double, Varsity Double, Junior Varsity Quad and Freshman Quad events at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships held on the Cooper River in New Jersey. Three boats advanced to the semifinals and one boat advanced to the grand final.
Baldwin welcomed The Haverford School varsity lacrosse program, the nation’s #1 ranked team, to Lower Field on April 17 as part of a Baldwin and Haverford lacrosse doubleheader. Baldwin played Penn Charter in the first game and Haverford battled Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in the second game. The event was organized by Tracey Ivey (P ’16) and Baldwin’s Athletic Association. Fans wore commemorative white game day shirts to create a “White Out” atmosphere.
Nine Baldwin seniors have announced their intentions to participate in collegiate athletics next year: Nicole DeLuca (squash, Dickinson College), Krista Hinchman (soccer, Loyola University – Maryland), Madison Dawkins (soccer, University of Pennsylvania), Alexa Horwitz (squash, Bowdoin College), Elizabeth Mantelmacher (lacrosse, George Washington University), Saranne Louth (swimming, Butler University), Madeleine Brill-Edwards (soccer, College of Charleston), Alexandra Thaler (lacrosse, Harvard), and Valerie Yoshimura (swimming, Harvard).
Baldwin Softball On the Rise First-year Head Coach David Pulli led the team to six victories and sweeps of league opponents Agnes Irwin and Germantown Academy. Samantha O’Keefe ’16 and Noelle Zimmerman ’16 were selected 1st Team All-InterAc League and Angela Smith ’17 and Samantha Martin ’18 were named 2nd Team All-Inter-Ac League. 12
Rosen ’16 Earns 1st Team Squash Players All Inter-Ac Honors Named All-American Co-Captain Caroline Rosen ’16 shot a nine-hole 49 to finish in 6th place out of 13 qualifiers at the Inter-Ac Golf Championships held at Gulph Mills Golf Club this spring. Rosen earned 1st Team All-Inter-Ac League honors.
Sumi Mudgil ‘17 and Morgan Steelman ‘16 were named 2014-15 High School All-American by US Squash. Steelman is currently ranked #7 in the Under 19 division and Mudgil is the #1 ranked player in the Under 17 division.
The student athletes from the Class of 2015 strike a pose.
2015 Athletics Awards Announced Jennifer Dietrich ’17 is 2015 PAISAA 400m State Champion.
Track Success q Baldwin’s
emerging track program had two relay teams participate in the 121st Penn Relays at University of Pennsylvania’s historic Franklin Field on April 23. The 4x100 relay team of Ellie Greenberg ’16, Jennifer Dietrich ’17, Rachel Zachian ’15 and Haley Tavares ’18 ran a personal record time of 52.44 and finished 112th out of 364 schools. q The 4x400 relay team of Greenberg, Dietrich, Tavares and Aquilla Lee ’17 ran a 4:16.76 to finish in 11th place out of 18 schools in the Philadelphia Academic division. q Varsity track won medals in a programbest five events at the 2015 Inter-Ac League Track and Field Championships. Greenberg and Dietrich each won four medals. q Dietrich also captured the Track and Field program’s first individual state championship gold medal in the 400m dash with a time of 58.05 at the 2015 Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) championship on May 13 at The Hill School. Additionally, Dietrich teamed with Greenberg, Zachian and Tavares in the 4x100m relay to win a bronze medal at the PAISAA championship. q The track program has made great strides the past two seasons under the direction of Head Coach Ije Iheoma and Assistant Coach Dashera Richardson. The program’s participation numbers have increased and the team’s performances in running events have steadily improved.
The Varsity Athletics Awards program was held on June 1 in the Athletic Center Blue Gym. The following student-athletes received awards for their contributions and service to Baldwin athletics:
Special Awards White Blazer Award: Alexandra Thaler ’15 Pat West Award: Danielle Hammond ’16 Alice Comly Award: Julia Navarro ’15 Lois Harlos Award: Rachel Zachian ’15 Tina Roak Award: Alexa Horwitz ’15 Ruth Davidon Elite Athlete Award: Valerie Yoshimura ’15
Margot Cunningham Award: Alexa Horwitz ’15, Alexandra Thaler ’15, Rachel Zachian ’15 MVP Awards The Liz and Kate Braemer Volleyball Award:
Alexandra Thaler ’15 wins 2015 White Blazer.
The Baldwin School Dance Award:
Sarah Zarsky ’15
Aurora Guo ’16
The Natalie Georges & Erica Miller Softball Award: Samantha O’Keefe ’16 The Lyn Hopkins Swimming Award:
The Baldwin School Diving Award:
Valerie Yoshimura ’15
Caroline Rosen ’16
The Margaret Johnston Lacrosse Award:
The Baldwin School Soccer Award:
Alexandra Thaler ’15 and Elizabeth Mantelmacher ’15
Krista Hinchman ’15
The Nancy Park Basketball Award:
2015 Varsity Squash National Championship Team
Danielle Hammond ’16
The Julia Pudlin Cross Country Award:
Lauren Fosnocht ’17
The Baldwin School Golf Award:
The Baldwin School Squash Award:
Lila Williams ’17
The Baldwin School Indoor Track Award:
The Tracy Tunnel Field Hockey Award:
Jennifer Dietrich ’17
Madeleine Carré ’16 Alexandra Thaler ’15
The Baldwin School Outdoor Track & Field Award: Jennifer Dietrich ’17 Most Valuable Manager Award:
The Baldwin School Crew Award:
Meagan Cohen ’15
The Steffan Wright Tennis Award:
Elizabeth Grubman ’15
Golf Benefit for the Bears The inaugural Golf Benefit for the Bears will be held at Green Valley Country Club on Monday, October 5. All funds raised will directly benefit the teams and student-athletes. To sponsor or register for the event go to www.baldwinschool.org/golf. Many thanks to our co-chairs: Arlyn Landow (P ’22, ’24, ’25) and Amy Griffith Adelman (P ’23). Summer 2015 Echoes
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Presenting the Class of 2015:
Class of 2015 College Matriculation: Bates College (2)
Abigail Douglass Andrews
Aliki Maria Karnavas
Vanessa Julia Auritt
Katherine Madeline Leone
Nicole Julia Baker
Sherrie Li
Madeleine Laurel Brill-Edwards
Saranne Louth
Bentley University Boston College Bowdoin College Brown University (2) Butler University Colgate University College of Charleston
Julia Kirsten Busby
Elizabeth Rose Mantelmacher
Xueming Caroline Cai
Jie Mao
Ruonan Chen
Julia Dalawna Navarro
Gabrielle Mae Ciccone
Laura Thereasa Nguyen
Meagan Leah Cohen
Laura Cameron Noteware
Taahira Teshi Davis
Roshni Nareshkumar Padhiar
Madison Lauren Dawkins
Madison Catherine Polignano
Nicole Marie DeLuca
Kiana Charisse Porter
Rachel Ishin Dichter
Gayatri Rai
Sarah Elizabeth Douglas
Jane Butler Roberts
Amber Michelle Dugan
Abigail Noa Schork
Sarah Anne Durlofsky
Alicia Jie Song
Vera Emegha Ekhator
Jasmine Sonya Syed
Sarena C. Elliott
Alexandra Sears Thaler
Sarah Jasmine Elmongy
Hannah Peck Tipperman
Ting Fang
Rachael Peck Tipperman
Elizabeth Mils Grubman
Emily Joanne Urban
Evelyn Anne Aurora Grupp
Jingyi Wang
Rachel Kathryn Heitman
Sarah Elizabeth Wing
College of William and Mary Columbia University Cornell University Davidson College Dickinson College Duke University (2) Emory University Franklin and Marshall College The George Washington University (4) Georgetown University Gettysburg College Goucher College Harvard University (2) Johns Hopkins University Loyola University Maryland McGill University New York University (2) Saint Joseph’s University Sarah Lawrence College St. John’s University St. Olaf College Stanford University Swarthmore College Tulane University United States Military Academy University of California, Los Angeles University of Delaware University of Florida University of Pennsylvania (3) University of Pittsburgh
Krista Ellen Hinchman
Valerie Michele Yoshimura
Alexa Paige Horwitz
Rachel Leigh Zachian
Ivelisse Mari Ibrahim Gonzalez
Sarah Elizabeth Zarsky
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Ursinus College Wake Forest University Washington and Jefferson College
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1 Baldwin’s 13-Year Club: Aliki Karnavas, Rachel Zachian, Alexandra Thaler, Laura Noteware, Amber Dugan, Nicole DeLuca and Eliza Mantelmacher. 2 Sally Powell poses with Linda Cliatt-Wayman P ’20, principal of Strawberry Mansion High School in Philadelphia and this year’s commencement speaker. 3 Baldwin’s 14-Year Club: Row 1 (Front): Alexa Horwitz, Hannah Tipperman, Vanessa Auritt, Madison Dawkins. Row 2: Rachael Tipperman, Valerie Yoshimura, Nicole Baker and Sarah Zarsky. 4 Baldwin runs in the family. Jane Roberts ’15 with mom Caroline Prutzman Roberts ’71, Krista Hinchman ’15 with great-aunt Eleanor Shockley Gordon ’52 and Abigail Andrews ’15 with grandmother Jill Hudders Douglass ’58. 5 Alexandra Thaler, Madison Dawkins, Amber Dugan and Ting Fang prepare for graduation. 6 Katherine Leone rings the bell.
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7 Members of the Class of 2015 with their alumnae siblings. Row 1 (Front): Amber Dugan, Sarah Elmongy, Laura Noteware, Sarah Douglas, Madison Dawkins, Valerie Yoshimura, Vanessa Auritt and Sarah Wing. Row 2: Rizzo Dugan ’12, Hanna Elmongy ’11, Madison Noteware ’12, Alice Douglas ’14, Morgan Dawkins ’10, Stephanie Yoshimura ’04, Elizabeth Auritt ’11, Melissa Wing ’00, Sydney Wing ’11, and Maria Wing ’97. 8 The Class of 2015 enjoys a moment on the bus. 9 Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church provides a beautiful setting for commencement.
Class of 2015 Fun Facts • The Class of 2015 had 52 graduates. • The class earned 200 acceptances to 110 colleges and universities in 17 states, as well as one in Canada. • Graduates were awarded $2.7 million in merit-based scholarships. • Twenty-seven percent of the class will attend an Ivy League or highly selective liberal arts college or university.
• Nine students have committed to play college athletics at the following schools: Bowdoin College, Butler University, College of Charleston, Dickinson College, The George Washington University, Harvard University (2), Loyola University - Maryland and University of Pennsylvania.
• Seventy-five percent of those who indicated a preference were admitted to their first or second choice college. • Percentages of likely area of study: 38% science/engineering, 48% humanities/liberal arts, and the remaining 14% are considering careers in areas such as business or the arts.
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1 Madison Dawkins and her classmates celebrate their graduation. 2 Abigail Andrews and Meagan Cohen take a moment together to celebrate. 3 The Class of 2015 returns to Baldwin to ring the bell and gather with friends and family. 4 Jasmine Syed, Noa Schork and Aliki Karnavas get together for a photo. 5 Laura Noteware shows off her tote bag and caricature. 6 Amber Dugan delivers her commencement speech.
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6 “Baldwin is a prep school, and the more I think about it, the more I realize they really have prepared us for the world. Baldwin girls are strong, confident girls who know how to speak out. That seems unremarkable in this room, which in itself is remarkable. Some of us will be doctors. Some of us will be lawyers. Some of us will be mothers, artists, CEOs, hippies, inventors and, hopefully, teachers. Every one of us will change the world in some way. But no matter how far we are from home, we will always be The Green Squad.”
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— Excerpt from the commencement speech of Amber Dugan ’15
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Friday 1 Elizabeth Forster Camerota ’80, Marjorie Wachs Weingarten ’80, Deborah Segal ’80 and Stefanie Porges ’80 celebrate their 35th reunion at the Alumnae Dinner. 2 David Smith, Wendy Williams Smith ’85, Ellen Spampinato ’85, Stephanie Cohn Schaeffer ’85, Elizabeth Sower Ziegler ’85, Katayoun Copeland ’85, Alexandra Mindy Aldridge ’80 catch up at the Alumnae Dinner. 3 Megan Gilman ’95, Carmen Lennon ’95, Laura Rhoades Zungolo ’95, and Tiffany Cavanaugh ’95 attend the Alumnae Dinner to celebrate their 20th reunion. 4 Jann Wolfe Williams ’70, Hannah Tipperman ’15, Rachael Tipperman ’15, Madison Dawkins ’15, Jeannette Geter ’00, Kiana Porter ’15, Julia Navarro ’15, Carole Mikita York ’70, Emilie Knud-Hansen ’70 during the Friday reunion lunch. 5 Meg Glascott-Birch is the 2014-2015 recipient of the Rosemond Cross Endowed Teaching Chair award. 6 Marynia Kruk ’00 and Audrey Susanin ’00 reconnect at the Classes of Green reception. 7 Cora Ann Dobbs de Fierro ’60, Robin Powell Thomas ’60, Mary Oehrle French ’60, Ellen Phillipps Wales ’60 and Louise Topsy Ward ’60 with Grade IV students for a meet-n-greet. 8 Suzanne DiLenge Kraus ’90, Blaire Baron ’90, Maryellen KoenigRiggio ’90, Deborah Schein ’90 with Lauren DeBruicker ’90 and the Distinguished Young Alumna Award recipient.
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Echoes
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50th Reunion – Class of 1965 1
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1 Elizabeth Swoope Sweetow, Katherine Lynch, Elissa Getto and Tatjana van der Horst Schwendinger connect at the Alumnae Dinner. 2 Dena Greenblat Sheridan, Rita Bloom Gombar, Faye Doyle West, Judith Chamberlain, and Elizabeth Swoope Sweetow greet each other at the Coffee and Conversation. 3 Bernadette Cutaiar Forster, Carol Canda Clark and Elizabeth Yusem Fuerst enjoy drinks at Tango Restaurant. 4 Julie Koelle Light and Pat Coffin Fry enjoy reconnecting at their class party. 5 Ann NobleKiley and Cathy McCaslin enjoy a special dinner at Sally Powell’s house in celebration of their 50th reunion. 6 Elizabeth Shaffer and Carol Wilkinson catch up.7 The Class of 1965 celebrate their 50th reunion while toasting their Champagne Challenge Cup win for the highest reunion giving participation.
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8 Class of 2019 classmates Skye Jackson, Savannah Sanford, Alyssa Morales and Andrea Coler enjoy lunch at the Spring Festival. 9 Taahira Davis ’15 and Rachel Zachian ’15 construct their bears at the Build-a-Bear station during the Spring Festival. 10 Daniela Holt Voith, principal at Voith & MacTavish Architects LLP answers questions during the Simpson Center Q&A. 11/12 Ann Jerome ’70 and Maisha Smart ’90, this year’s presenters for the Alumnae Speaker Series. 13 Families enjoyed a fun-filled Spring Festival during Alumnae Weekend. 14 The Class of 2005 honors their classmate, Alex Wake, during the annual Alex Wake 5K Walk/Run.
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Summer 2015 Echoes
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Anne Shoemaker Celebration of Life 1 William “Bill” Shoemaker speaks about his mother’s legacy. 2 Head of School Sally Powell fittingly remembers the life and legacy of Anne Shoemaker. 3 Row 1 (Front): Sarah Lange (wife of Bill Shoemaker), William “Bill” Shoemaker, George Shoemaker, Sharon Shoemaker. Row 2: Gordon Shoemaker, son of Bill and Sharon, Rachel Shoemaker ’08, daughter of Bill and Sharon, and Erich Barchi, Rachel’s fiancé. 4 Jan Pethick, former faculty, offers a personal tribute in honor of Anne Shoemaker. 5 Anne Shoemaker display case curated by Penelope Tsaltas Lisk ’77 and Marcia Reiver ’78 highlights the academic accomplishments of our 5th Head of School. 6 Various members of Baldwin’s past and present share their personal memories at the Celebration of Life.
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class photos 1955
Row 1 (Front) Margaret Dewey Hicks, Lucinda Longley Slate, Barbara Rucker Seaton. Row 2 Barbara Caulton Sterne, Jane Krumrine, May Geggis Holgren, Rachel Bok Goldman
1960
Row 1 (Front) Betsy Haakinson Breziner, Cora Ann Dobbs de Fierro, Mary Oehrle French, Nancy Corbit Lewars, Byrle Sloan Walters. Row 2 Mary Jane Niness Littlepage, Robin Powell Thomas, Topsy Ward, Meg Cormeny O’Brien. Row 3 Ellen Phillipps Wales, Betsey Trotter Chalmers, Karen Peterson McLean, Susan Haddad, Nancy Martin Saunders, Kathy Magee Jaunich.
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class photos
1965
Row 1 (Front) Elissa Getto, Elizabeth Swoope Sweetow, Monique de Varennes, Bettie-Julia Williams Certain, Gretchen Eichholtz Chamberlin, Caroline Heisler Moore, Jane Rowen Sibley. Row 2 Mary Bartlett, Avery Rome, Judith Chamberlain, Katherine Lynch, Faye Doyle West, Tatjana van der Horst Schwendinger, Carol Canda Clark, Bernadette Cutaiar Forster, Suzanne Reider Beach. Row 3 Christine Wetherill Ouren, Ebby Yeats Pinson, Ann Noble-Kiley, Kathleen Vick Stack, Joan Johnson, Rita Bloom Gombar. Row 4 Dena Greenblat Sheridan, Rosemary Brody Brown, Adele Harvey Gercke, Catherine McCaslin, Marjory Yewer Alexander, Susan Bunting Larson. Row 5 Barbara Robertson Bohlander, Gale Rawson, Elizabeth Shaffer, Ann Sass, Patricia Coffin Fry. Row 6 Barbara Duffield Erskine, Carol Wilkinson, Marsha Barnes, Juliet Koelle Light.
1970
Row 1 (Front): Lisa Nissenbaum, Kathy Taylor, Lynn Williams Ray, Rosalyn Targa-Roig Row 2: Marsha Saylor, Emilie Knud-Hansen, Diane Jorgensen Schmidt, Linda Mauger Onorato Row 3: Susan Flood Thorkelson, Jann Wolfe Williams, Carole Mikita York, Kit Parsons, Miki Rapp Mahood.
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class photos 1975
Row 1 (Front) Lisa Dautrich Black, Ann Jerome, Lindsay Carroll Farrell, Eve Edelman Russ. Row 2 Lisa Senior, Christine Meyer, Beth Tripp LaCour. Row 3 Lee Kennedy, Julie Ewing Pitney, Ellen Hanson, Meg Bell Knysh
1980
Row 1 (Front) Margie Wachs Weingarten, Deirdre Richards, Joy Bargava Singh, Stefanie Porges. Row 2 Carol Urban Herman, Betsy Torg Taranta, Nora Alter, Lavinia Nardini Smerconish, Debbie Segal. Row 3 Kim Elliott Proud, Beth Rosenwasser, Julia Grant Barol, Audrey Kamrin. Row 4 Mindy Aldridge, Babs Forster Camerota, Susan Casper Brenman, Lyn Rosenbleeth Lavin. Not shown: Tammy Blankfield Coopersmith.
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class photos
1985
Row 1 (Front) Rochelle Rudolph Weiss, Lyn Agre, Emily Klebanoff, Mrs. Chesick, Wendy Williams Smith, Ellen Spampinato, Row 2 Amy Saler Ostroff, Stephanie Cohn Schaeffer, Ann Cappalonga Bunn, Liz Sower Ziegler, Katayoun Copeland
1990
Heather Annesley Hoyt, Blaire Baron, Jen Granite Matunis, Stacey Jacovini Storm
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class photos 1995
Row 1 (Front) Erica Shapiro Hart, Amanda Parlett, Megan Gilman Row 2 Tiffany Cavanaugh, Amanda Birnbaum Steinberg, Carmen Lennon, Laura Rhoades Zungolo
2000
Row 1 (Front) Christine Ellis, Kate Hebert, Jeannette Geter, Keira McFadden-Roan. Row 2 Marynia Kruk, Emily Scott Frankel, Sarah Klavans, Lauren Sheerr. Row 3 Audrey Susanin Saunders, Stephanie Harmelin
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Alumnae Awards Beth Swoope Sweetow ’65 2015 Alumnae Award
The Alumnae Award was established in 1967 to honor Rosamond Cross on her 25th anniversary as Head of School. It is given annually to an alumna who has distinguished herself in her field of endeavor and whose life reflects a dedication to the principles of The Baldwin School. Beth Swoope Sweetow ’65 is a retired senior vice president with Bank of America where she worked for 15 years. She came to Baldwin in 1961 and holds an A.B. from Smith College and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan. In her acceptance speech, Beth shared memories of her time spent at Baldwin and as a boarder. She described her application process and said that although there was an initial adjustment period, she soon made friends and discovered that her teachers truly cared. She especially remembered fondly Miss Sterns, Miss Pabst, Miss Cox and Mrs. Shoemaker and the special relationship she formed with Head of School Rosamond Cross. “I am particularly thrilled that the award I am being honored with today, The Baldwin School Alumnae Award, was established in 1967 to honor Miss Cross,” she said. “Miss Cross was Headmistress during my four years and as Head of Students in my senior year, I had the privilege to work under her guidance.” At Bank of America, Beth worked in various departments including Trust and Private Banking, Commercial Real Estate, Residential Real Estate and Corporate Finance. She credits Baldwin with having a large impact on her. “Baldwin was a source of intellectual adventure, long-term friendships and the foundation for much of my life both professionally and personally,” 28
she said. “Baldwin gave me the sense of self-esteem and confidence that stayed with me throughout my years at Smith and my career in finance and banking.” In the mid-1990s, Beth joined the Board of the Business Arts Council and served as its President. She has extensive non-profit board experience, serving on the boards of the San Francisco YWCA, the Nittany Valley (State College, PA) Symphony, the Centre County (PA) Historical Society, as well as The Deborah Slater Dance Theater (SF). In 1995, she was appointed to the Mayor’s Fiscal Advisory Committee (SF). She is a member of The Baldwin School Advisory Committee and is a longstanding class fundraiser for Smith College. Dedicated to Baldwin, Beth has been a class agent for annual giving, an area hostess, served on the National Board of Advisors, worked as a volunteer and helped with her class reunion. She said she loves hosting Baldwin events in San Francisco and that it’s always fun to meet alumnae from other years, especially recent graduates. “I know Baldwin is continuing to make sure that young women have the knowledge and self-confidence to move into the world today and I’m sure that future generations of young women will graduate from Baldwin with the same excellent education and ‘can-do’ mindset that has empowered Baldwin graduates over the years,” she said.
Susan Bunting Larson ’65
2015 Award for Lifetime Achievement
The Alumnae Award for Lifetime Achievement was established in 1991 to honor an alumna who has had a significant impact on an institution or community and has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to empower those who have experienced challenges and societal barriers. The daughter of an alumna, Susan Bunting Larson ’65 was an active Baldwin student. She was in charge of the Pep Club, sang in the chorus, played varsity field hockey and lacrosse and was head of the Athletic Association her senior year. In 1965, she was awarded the Tina Roak Award and went on to attend Hollins College. Susan then pursued executive MBA programs at Wharton, Stanford and The University of Texas. She said that her 13 years at Baldwin prepared her for her professional and personal life and shared that when she and her classmates graduated, they absolutely believed in the future of their own success and were determined to win the contest of their own potential. “We knew everyone of us could be and would be the best actress, the best architect, the best editor, the best headmistress, the best entrepreneur or the best costume designer that we could possibly be and for me, it never occurred to me that there was something called a glass ceiling out there waiting for us,” she said. After graduating from college, Susan began her sales and marketing career in the broadcast advertising field
in Philadelphia. As personal computers were first being introduced by IBM and Compaq, she was tasked with introducing a new computer from Apple called Macintosh. She went on to concentrate on PC sales and sales management to Fortune 500 companies, initially in the New York/Connecticut area and later based out of Texas and California. The early success of the industry resulted in fierce competition and a lot of consolidation, which ultimately led Susan to Dell. “Timing was everything for me when the PC industry was born,” she explained. “And I was ready to work harder and work smarter and get more results than anyone, all because of my Baldwin tenacity.” In 1987, Michael Dell asked Susan to start up a corporate division for the three-year-old Dell Computer Company. Susan became Dell’s first female vice president/general manager of the commercial marketing division and in 1998 relocated to London to become senior vice president of Dell United Kingdom/Ireland. She said that above all at Dell, they learned to never stop learning, which reminded her of exactly what she had been taught at Baldwin. One of the last roles Susan held at Dell was as vice president of strategic staffing, focusing on recruitment of executive women to Dell, both in the Americas and in Europe. By the time she retired, almost half of Dell’s executives were women and minorities, and the first two women had joined the Board of Directors. Susan’s involvement with community has extended far beyond technology. She helped kick-start the annual Girls to Women Conference and has served on the Board of Directors of NWCOVNA, Boys and Girls Club of Steamboat Springs, the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, the Yampa Valley Healthcare Foundation, Women in Technology International and the Women’s Foundation of Colorado. Her interests in children and supporting the underinsured are common threads among her projects and she has also been involved with Advocates Against Battering and Abuse and Habitat for Humanity in Steamboat Springs.
Lauren DeBruicker ’90
2015 Distinguished Young Alumna Award
The Distinguished Young Alumna Award was established in 1991 to recognize an alumna who has graduated within the last 25 years and has made significant contributions to her profession or volunteer pursuits. Lauren DeBruicker ’90 came to Baldwin in first grade. After graduation, she went on to Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. In 1998, she joined Duane Morris LLP in Philadelphia, where she is now a partner representing clients across the country in complex business litigation. She said in her acceptance speech that every day she uses valuable skills she learned at Baldwin. “In its finer moments, my job allows me the chance to write effectively and clearly, speak directly and persuasively, and address issues from angles that other people may not have thought of,” she told a room of students, faculty, staff, alumnae and friends. “Those aren’t things I learned in law school—those are things I learned at Baldwin.” A wheelchair user since an accident in 1991, Lauren is a staunch advocate for those with physical disabilities. She is a frequent speaker on issues of disability in the workplace and spoke about the
way people respond to her when they see she is in a wheelchair. Lauren said that at Baldwin, she is known for the person she is and not for her wheelchair. Over the years, Lauren has remained involved with Baldwin and has served on the National Board of Advisors. She is the Chair of the Board at Inglis and serves on the boards of HelpHOPELive and the Philadelphia Chapter of the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. She is the recipient of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital’s 2013 Champion in the Community award and was recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s Rising Stars in business litigation in Philadelphia Magazine. Lauren said that as a student, she remembers thinking that as soon as you graduate, your Baldwin days are over; but has since learned that she could not have been more wrong. She shared multiple instances of times in her life when she had received guidance in her career, friendship and support from various members of the Baldwin community. She said Baldwin has remained an integral part of her life in ways that she could never have imagined and for that she will forever be grateful.
Award winners Beth Swoope Sweetow ’65, Susan Bunting Larson ’65 and Lauren DeBruicker ’90 pose after the ceremony with Head of School Sally Powell.
Summer 2015 Echoes
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closingthoughts “
After thoughtful consideration, Baldwin’s Middle School will adopt a new class schedule for the 2015-2016 school year, allowing for longer class periods, a more manageable structure and more in-depth collaboration between students. MS Director Cindy Lapinski provides insight into the process of developing this new schedule.
What prompted the review of the MS schedule?
After reviewing last year’s parent survey as well as input from conversations with parents, students and faculty during the school year, we concluded that an adjustment to the schedule was needed. We began looking for a schedule that would allow increased options for students while being more manageable and less stressful day-
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I feel like the new schedule will be less stressful on time and homework. I am happy the classes are longer and that the information we learn will not be as chopped up.
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– Melody Yu ’20
to-day. The new class schedule also sought to increase instructional time by reducing time lost during transitions between classes. As the US and MS share content teachers, the new schedule will increase flexibility with the US.
What process was used to make the revisions? During a fall faculty meeting, MS faculty held discussions to determine 30
the benefits and drawbacks to the current schedule, create schedule wish lists and identify potential roadblocks accompanying these wish list items. Additionally, we researched other independent schools (Penn Charter, Haverford, etc.) to see how they solved similar scheduling problems. The Haverford School MS Director, Jay Greytok, also offered information about their schedule specifics. Based on this conglomerate of input, we created different scheduling models to share with our scheduling coordinator, who provided suggestions for further adjustments. Working within the parameters of the US, staffing and facilities, we put out a draft of the new schedule. Additional revisions were made after the draft schedule was shared with parents and faculty.
What are the benefits of longer class time?
The new 70-minute format is better suited for how students learn and retain information. New research shows that the adolescent brain relates incoming information to what is already known. Traditional classes using shorter class time to dispense facts causes students to resort to memorization for the short term. The new schedule will provide uninterrupted focus, allowing students to more readily detect patterns
between the whole of a concept and its parts. In addition, students will study fewer subjects each day, making their workload easier to manage. They will experience fewer outside distractions and will be able to concentrate more fully. Research shows that a longer class period results in higher student success because they retain more information. Problem-solving skills are better developed. In addition to improving the quality of work, the new schedule is expected to improve student-teacher relationships. Generally, students feel more organized and are more aware of their progress in the class. Parents also report homerelated benefits to longer schedule blocks. There are fewer hassles about school, students have a more positive attitude in general and they take more responsibility for their homework. All of this results in a more relaxed family environment.
What professional development will be offered to support the teachers?
Professional development efforts during MS faculty meetings began in January and have included studying how the teenage brain
I am looking forward to the new schedule because it will allow me to be more available to my students who may need help outside the classroom. The longer class period will also provide opportunities for the girls to develop deeper insights into the ‘why’ of the material.
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– Jeannette Keshishian, US and MS Latin teacher
processes information and learns. US faculty have shared how to manage a longer teaching block, how to amend methods of teaching to accommodate the longer class time, ways to continue the learning process on an A/B day schedule, processes to manage homework and assessments, and how to plan for teaching segments within a single lesson to increase both hands-on and mind-on learning. There will also be ongoing professional development opportunities. For example, in April, a number of MS teachers attended a conference titled “Mindset, Perseverance, and Belonging: The Psychology of Learning.” In addition, teachers will participate in lesson design professional development this summer, which will continue to prepare them for the coming school year.
generous donations fund numerous academic programs at baldwin, such as allowing our kindergarten students to become monarch butterfly experts. they learned about the butterfly’s life cycle and how to determine whether it is a male or female. the girls had so much fun tagging and releasing approximately 50 butterflies. the tagging allowed the students to track the butterflies’ 2,000 mile winter migration to mexico.
For more than 125 years, girls have been coming to Baldwin with big dreams. Thanks to the generosity of alumnae, parents and friends, Baldwin can continue to make those dreams a reality. Thank you for another successful year of giving. We raised nearly $4 million in contributions to The Baldwin Fund, The Simpson Center for the Performing Arts, New Upper Field, Gala, Endowment, Planned Giving and other initiatives. Your pride makes Baldwin shine, your involvement makes Baldwin grow and your contributions make Baldwin strong. THANK YOU for your heartwarming support of The Baldwin School.
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage
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Permit No. 13 Conshohocken, PA
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elebrating C Baldwin’s History ON E SAL W! NO
Established 1888
The Baldwin School is pleased to present 125 years of memories in this keepsake Tribute Book. Don’t miss highlights of our academic and extra-curricular offerings over the years, our time-honored traditions and the innovative and inspirational faculty — all in this beautiful coffee table book.
Quantities Are Limited—Purchase Your Copy Today! Order Online at www.BaldwinSchool.org/TributeBook