The Browning School Magazine Winter 2024
THE CORE OF A BROWNING EDUCATION: CURIOSITY PAGE 8
cur i s ity
HARNESSING THE POWER OF CURIOSITY PAGE 20
FANBASSADORS CORNER PAGE 28
CAMPAIGN AND BUILDING UPDATE PAGE 42
THE ISSUE THAT CELEBRATES CURIOSITY
Last December’s Holiday Program, “A Thankful Heart,” integrated performances celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali in a retelling of The Muppet Christmas Carol, an adaption of the classic Dickens tale. Boys in all grades narrated the arc of the story in small vignettes.
Signals
Dear Browning Friends, Innate to students’ ability to learn is their natural inclination towards deep curiosity. Research has shown that children may ask 10,000 questions a year before they enter school, and even preschool children ask about 100 questions a day. To engage a child between the ages of two and five is to swim in a sea of Why and What if questions; however, studies have also shown that as students moved through elementary school, they would ask as few as two questions per 45-minute class period, a far cry from the dozens upon dozens offered up by eager kindergartners. At Browning, one of our four core values is curiosity, and it’s crucial to us that boys never lose their capacity for wonder, their joy in discovery, or their satisfaction in a problem well solved. We hope to create an environment that also encourages this same disposition among our faculty, so they may recognize the success of their continually honed teaching practice. We want to supply both the adults and the children in our community with the tools and the desire to innovate through trial and error, and the inclination to collaborate even when it may seem more expedient to go it alone. This commitment to inquiry into our curriculum and teaching practice is exemplified by the Collaborative Learning Cohort, the focus of this issue’s cover story. The CLC allows our faculty members to spend time during both the summer and the school year refining techniques, exploring new ideas, and gaining crucial feedback on practices that can benefit our boys immediately. Our Browning Learning System, designed to give boys the tools they need to read more deeply and retain information more readily, is a prominent example of such a benefit; indeed, it was refined and promoted by a group within the CLC. Our boys, in turn, are finding their passions every day inside and outside our classrooms, and we are sharing some of these with you in this issue as well. Whether it’s artistic pursuits, chess, history, or rocketry, our boys are discovering new modes of engagement, and developing the agency required to take charge of their own learning. One of the many joys of being an educator is watching your students animate and activate their knowledge in unexpected ways. Learning doesn’t end within the classroom walls, and “aha!” moments happen everywhere. At Browning, we know that curiosity is the key that unlocks the door to deeper understanding, and encourages a thirst for discovery that can never be fully quenched.
Read Dr. Botti’s Margin Notes blog at browning.edu/head-of-school.
“
We want to supply both the adults and the children in our community with the tools and the desire to innovate through trial and error, and the inclination to collaborate even when it may seem more expedient to go it alone.
”
John Botti, Ph.D. Head of School
BUZZER — Winter 2024
Dr. Botti at the Holiday Program.
LETTER
1
INSIDE:
Winter 2024
FEATURE
THE CORE OF A BROWNING EDUCATION Pages 8–19
cur i s ity
HARNESSING THE POWER OF CURIOSITY Pages 20–25 What if I change one thing?
2
What if there’s more than one right answer?
CONTENTS
How can I think about this differently?
How do I express this concept?
How can I analyze this data?
ALUMNI
38
Alumni Reunion: Save the Date Alumni Soccer Game returns with special guests
The Browning School fosters growth of courageous and compassionate men of intellect and integrity who aspire to contribute meaningfully to our world.
39
Life After Browning
The Browning gentleman develops amid a community that upholds these values…
GOOD NEWS
6
Upper School students embark on exciting international exchanges Phone-free school day promotes better learning
Mission and Values
ATHLETICS
HONESTY
7
26
We speak the truth, act with integrity and take responsibility for our actions.
Freshman beats school record in math contest
Families build deeper connections at Speaker Series
We honor and celebrate the dignity of all people and support the power of a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community.
Grade 8 reporter joins Time for Kids magazine
Browning hosts film discussion on raising multiracial children
New Trustees named to Board
DIGNITY
44
CURIOSITY We encourage and celebrate open-minded inquiry about our world and the perspectives of those around us.
Browning faculty love stories in summer 2023
Service milestones
34
COMMUNITY
PURPOSE
Fall Season Athletes
We believe that education encourages exploration and discovery in pursuit of meaning and enduring fulfillment.
CAMPAIGN
Diversity Statement
28
Fanbassadors Corner: At Browning, boys are truly seen and known
4
Browning welcomes new faculty and staff
27
Book Fair celebrates family fun and literacy
32
Beach Bash at 62nd Street
30
Too ghoul for school BUZZER — Winter 2024
42
Campaign and Building Update
CONTENTS
The Browning School strives to create a diverse community in which all members are safe, respected and valued. We believe that in actively promoting a diverse learning environment, we are fostering intellectual, social and emotional growth for all. Recognizing and pursuing diversity, however, are not enough; we seek to transcend mere tolerance of differences and aspire to a celebration of the varied appearances, abilities, perspectives and values that characterize our community.
3
Browning welcomes new faculty and staff We are thrilled to have these dedicated professionals join our community this year. To help you get to know them better, we asked them to describe themselves or Browning in three words or to reveal a fun fact about themselves.
DAVE ASTROFSKY Grade 1 Associate Teacher B.A., Chapman University M.F.A., The University of Iowa—Writers’ Workshop Browning is: welcoming, encouraging, inspiring.
WENDY CAPELLAN Director of Human Resources B.B.A., Lehman College Fun fact: I enjoy creating sugar art.
REBECCA BURKE Grade 2 Head Teacher B.Ed. (Hons.), Trinity College Dublin Fun fact: I have seven sisters and three brothers.
MARY PAT DRADDY Middle and Upper School Counselor B.A., Loyola University Maryland M.A., New York University Browning is: energized, welcoming, dynamic.
4
COMMUNITY
EDWARD GOODALL Grade 5 Math and Homeroom Teacher B.S. (Hons.), Liverpool John Moores University M.S.Ed., Fordham University
JAMES HA Assistant Director of Middle and Upper School Admission B.A., Bowdoin College M.P.A., NYU Wagner Browning is: welcoming, empathetic, inclusive.
I am: an observer, advocate, supporter.
MEREDITH KEHOE Grade 2 Associate Teacher B.A., M.A. Hobart and William Smith Colleges
LUKE KELLY Middle and Upper School Art Teacher B.A., Boston College M.A.T., Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Fun fact: I have a twin sister. I am older than her by three minutes!
Fun fact: I can throw a vessel on a potter’s wheel while blindfolded.
ANDRÉS LÓPEZ Middle School Languages and Science Teacher B.S., NYU Abu Dhabi
JOHN MORIN Director of Alumni Affairs and Special Events B.A., M.A., Fordham University
I am: Insatiably curious, adventurous, candid.
Fun fact: I enjoy Survivor with my friends, and we gather often to watch new seasons and revisit old ones.
CAITLIN PIDCOCK Middle School Learning Specialist B.S., Syracuse University M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University
REBACA VARGHESE Biology Teacher B.S., University of Connecticut M.S., Johns Hopkins University I am: curious, growthoriented, purposeful.
Fun fact: I have three citizenships!
KEVIN WILKINSON Lower School Science Teacher B.A., Georgia State University M.Ed, Georgia State University I am: a risk-taker, positive, flexible.
BUZZER — Winter 2024
COMMUNITY
5
Good news to begin with
Brest
Learning goes beyond the academics; Browning boys shine in competitions.
Upper School students embark on exciting international exchanges
Paris
Razvan and Valentin, exchange students from Lycée-SainteAnne in Brest, France, interacted with students of all grades during their stay, even leading a Grade 5 French class and sharing their language insights.
This year, several Browning students have had the chance to participate in exchanges in collaboration with Marymount School and its partner schools in Colombia, France, and Italy. In the fall, we welcomed two French exchange students, who attended Upper School classes and stayed with Browning host families. In March, our host students will travel abroad to attend classes and stay with their exchange students’ families for three Razvan and Valentin with their hosts, Gabriel P. ’24 and Matteo B. ’25 weeks. These types of experiences foster cross-cultural interactions and learning for our students, strengthening our global connections within our school community.
Phone-free school day promotes better learning Browning has gone phone-free during the school day and the results are in: it is improving students’ engagement with one another, and with their education. Created at the recommendation of our Technology Committee, the policy drew upon strong research findings that access to phones has a decidedly negative impact on student learning and behavior, a result that did not align with our philosophies of either relational teaching or technology use in school.
BUZZWORDS 6
Visit buzzwords.browning.edu for a fresh approach to telling the Browning story online.
GOOD NEWS
STUDENT JOURNALIST
Grade 8 reporter joins Time for Kids magazine Out of countless young talents nationwide, Ninis T. ’28 was handpicked as one of the top 10 students to cover the latest in local and national news for Time for Kids magazine. “Becoming a Time for Kids reporter is one of the best things to happen to me,” Ninis says, who is also the founder and editor in chief of Browning’s Middle School newspaper, the Monthly Panther. “One of the most recent jobs I had was attending an advanced screening of the new Trolls film and interviewing the director.”
Freshman beats school record in math contest In an impressive feat, Austin C. ’27 not only secured the highest AMC (American Mathematics Competition) 10 score in Browning’s history but has also attained status as an AIME (American Invitational Math Exam) qualifier for the second consecutive year. AIME is a prestigious 15-question, three-hour test that serves as a gateway to the USA Mathematical Olympiad, with qualifiers representing the top 2.5% of AMC 10 participants. Congratulations to Austin on this accomplishment and good luck in the competition this coming spring.
BUZZER
The Browning School Magazine
Editors Jan Abernathy, Chief Communications Officer Jeremy Katz ’04, Director of Communications
Editorial Contributors John Botti, Head of School John Morin, Director of Alumni Affairs and Special Events Francesca Ryan, Senior Director of Major Gifts Andrew West ’92, Director of Athletics
Contributing Photographers Coffee Pond Photography Asher Dorlester Al Pareira Da Ping Luo Design by Michael Wiemeyer / Designlounge, NY. The Buzzer is published twice a year by The Browning School. Submissions may be sent to Jeremy Katz at jkatz@browning.edu. All submissions may be edited for length and clarity.
Follow Us @browningschool
Browning hosts film Families from Browning, Hewitt, and discussion on raising Marymount gathered in the fall for a film discussion of the HBO documentary multiracial children 1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed, where they shared stories and reflected on the enriching impact of diversity. The film candidly explores comedian W. Kamau Bell’s experiences as a mixed-race individual, delving into the challenges and joys of navigating multiple cultural identities with humor and insight.
Service milestones
Celebrating the longevity of our colleagues’ commitment to Browning.
@TheBrowningSchool
Visit our website: browning.edu
Board of Trustees 2023–2024 Valda M. Witt, President Alka K. Singh, Vice President Andrew E. Vogel, Vice President Jeffrey M. Landes ’83, Secretary Raul Pineda, Treasurer John M. Botti, Head of School Clare Hallinan, President, Parents Association Sarah H. McGee, Vice President, Parents Association Stuart A. Orenstein ’00, President, Alumni Association
20 YEARS Aaron Grill Director of Innovation and Technology
Mimi Basso Maegan Boger Hayley Broadbent Sandra Buergi Mitchell Bunnell George Cabrera, III ’98 Sandrine A. Cousquer-Okasmaa Nathaniel X. Garcia ’06 John M. Liftin
Kenny Marshall Director of Facilities and Security
Megan Ryan Middle School Dean of Student Life; French Teacher
James S. Chanos, Honorary Trustee Stuart J. Ellman, Honorary Trustee Allan L. Gropper, Honorary Trustee
John Young World Language Department Chair
Kelly West Director of Admission
10 YEARS Laura Alterman Grade 3 Teacher Matthew Bratnick Math Teacher Susan Kehoe Assistant Head of Lower School; Grade 3 Teacher
BUZZER — Winter 2024
15 YEARS John Campbell Chief Financial Officer
GOOD NEWS / MASTHEAD
Elizabeth G. Miller Nazmi Oztanir Manish S. Parikh Jerry C. Pi ’95 Ian J. Sandler Jodi J. Schwartz Martin Small Graig J. Springer ’98 Vance Wilson Sara B. Zablotney
7
THE CORE OF A BROWNING EDUCATION
cur i s ity By Jeremy Katz ’04 Director of Communications
Curiosity, one of the delights of childhood, is also one of the core values of our community. When combined with critical thinking, it forges paths to success because children invest more deeply in the personalized journey of exploration. At Browning, our goal is to teach boys not only to answer questions but to pose great new ones, to uncover unique challenges rather than solving existing problems, and to apply knowledge in innovative ways rather than merely acquiring it. Our dedicated faculty also continually explore new approaches to maintain their own curiosity and enhance the learning experience in their classrooms. Read on to learn how our boys and faculty stay curious.
8
FEATURE
CURIOSITY CONNECTS BROWNING
“I like being able to be challenged. I get excited for each school day, because it’s different and I never know what it’s going to be.” TRISTAN C. ’31
BUZZER — Winter 2024
FEATURE
9
cur i s ity
BROWNING INSTILLS CURIOSITY
“In the newspaper club, we can write about anything. With so many contributors, there’s a lot of variety as we’re always thinking about and discovering new topics to cover.” ANDREW B. ’29
10
The student newspaper is among numerous clubs available to Middle and Upper School students, providing opportunities for them to discover their passions and engage with the broader community.
BROWNING EXPRESSES CURIOSITY
“I normalize curiosity in my classroom by asking, ‘What does that mean?’ I make it okay not to know something, and then to find out about it.” ASHA LINDSEY Lower School Music Teacher
To empower our youngest students to embrace and comprehend our school values, Ms. Lindsey crafted a vibrant and rhythmic chant that incorporates them. The chant is enthusiastically recited by the boys at every Lower School assembly.
Ms. González-Gil focuses her professional growth in the neuroscience of language development, specifically in second language learning, to enhance her teaching methods for diverse learning challenges.
“I like to learn about my students’ interests to customize lessons and promote their use of the target MARIA GONZÁLEZ-GIL French & Spanish Teacher language beyond the classroom.” FEATURE
cur i s ity
BROWNING IGNITES CURIOSITY
“We’re researching how we can get our rocket to break the national high school altitude record and inspire others.” AHANAF Z. ’24
Over the past year, the Rocketry Team successfully conceptualized, built, and launched high-thrust rockets at various test sites including in Maryland and the Mojave Desert during school breaks.
cur i s ity
cur i s ity
BROWNING ELEVATES CURIOSITY
“History is not just facts, it’s about people and their experiences. History is one big story with other stories within it, and it’s that realness that attracts me to it.” NOAH A. ’29
“Our boys learn best when adults authentically share their interest in a subject. That’s really powerful because students are still figuring out their interests and what it means for their lives.”
In history classes, our goal is to cultivate students’ understanding of past events and foster critical thinking. Curricula have been enhanced; Grade 6 now covers ancient China, while Grades 7 and 8 also explore the Atlantic world as part of their American history study.
PETER WEISS History Teacher
BUZZER — Winter 2024
FEATURE
13
cur i s ity
BROWNING DEFENDS CURIOSITY
“As a captain, I am learning how to lead by example on and off the court.” MATT B. ’24
Sports captains support team culture and aid coaches in maintaining unity and success.
The chess program emphasizes game fundamentals, strategy, and sportsmanship. Our Family Chess Night and Rookie Tournament complement the program, with many students also participating in local, state, and national tournaments.
ASHER O. ’35
“Playing with really good chess players makes me wonder how I can improve my skills.” 14
cur i s ity
CURIOSITY PERMEATES BROWNING BROWNING INVITES CURIOSITY
“It’s important for kids to know that not only are they themselves interesting, but everybody around them is interesting and there’s so much to mine and explore.” ALEX FALBERG Grade 1 Teacher
With his theater background, Mr. Falberg captivates young learners through imaginative storytelling, tapping into their natural curiosity for an engaging and personal learning experience.
BROWNING INVITES CURIOSITY
“I’m eager to learn how I can add more depth and interest to a role I play to get the audience more interested in a story.” PETER P. ’28
Browning’s drama program features the Middle School Shakespeare Play, public speaking courses, and Upper School opportunities for acting in girls’ school plays.
16
cur i s ity
cur i s ity
CURIOSITY IMPROVES BROWNING
“The Island School trip sparked my interest in sustainability, motivating me to contribute to environmental causes in my community.” NOAH L. ’26
The annual trip to The Island School in The Bahamas takes freshmen out of the classroom to learn about sustainable living and problem-solving through inquiry.
College guidance at Browning includes an annual three-day trip that helps juniors and seniors explore diverse college options, discovering new possibilities.
SANFORD PELZ ’71 Director of College Guidance
“Asking, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ isn’t helpful because they don’t know that yet. ‘What matters to you?’ is where you want to focus their curiosity.” BUZZER — Winter 2024
cur i s ity
BROWNING SUPPORTS CURIOSITY
“A student asked me a question that no one had asked before. His question soon led to other questions. Even though the original question was not answered, it was a great teaching moment.” JUDIT RESIKA Math Teacher
As the Math Team advisor, Ms. Resika encourages curiosity and creativity through the questioning of mathematical concepts. Her philosophy emphasizes embracing the unknown as a pathway to improvement and learning.
“Bringing my questions to life in a hands-on project is both rewarding and challenging.” ANDREW G. ’32
Grades 3 and 4 explore semester-long research topics through such programs as the STEMfocused Invention Convention, as well as the Genius Hour, which allows them to apply their writing and speaking skills.
18
FEATURE
BROWNING VALUES CURIOSITY
“Exploring various art techniques motivates me to learn new approaches, unlocking endless creative possibilities for expression.”
cur i s ity
SANTI B. ’24
Upper Schoolers pursue academic passions through our signature Certificates of Distinction program, which grants them greater agency over their learning through independent inquiry.
BUZZER — Winter 2024
FEATURE
19
Where can I learn more?
What happens if I mix these colors?
How can I think about this differently?
What can a collaborator bring to this project?
What if I fail?
What if this is a bad idea?
How do I express this concept?
FEATURE
What were their lives like?
How does this thing work?
How do I make this better?
20
What if there’s more than one right answer?
What if I change one thing?
How can I analyze this data?
What if I succeed?
COVER STORY: CURIOSITY
Harnessing the Power of Curiosity The Collaborative Learning Cohort helps faculty make learning better By Jan Abernathy Chief Communications Officer
“
T
eaching is a constant proWhile professional development cess of revision; you’ve never in schools can be used to serve a varicompleted your final draft. ety of functions, including exposing Our Collaborative Learning Cohort faculty to new and innovative ideas, (CLC) provides faculty with the space and allowing them to learn new skills, and time to complete their next best programs that encourage them to be draft.” curious and reflective about examinDanielle Passno’s eyes light ing what they are already doing in the up as she describes the program, classroom (or what they would like which consumes about a quarter of to do), may create quicker and more Browning’s professional developdurable curricular enhancements. ment budget. “These are the best “The great thing about independollars that we can spend on our dent schools is that you are able to A group assignment during a faculty because 100% of the benefit have some agency over how you Collaborative Learning Cohort meeting. is going directly to the boys,” the are going to teach the given subAssistant Head of School / Director of Teaching and Learning ject matter,” says Director of Innovation and Technology Aaron says. “We are funding ideas that faculty members develop for Grill, who was one of the originators of the program. “This helps how to make learning better and giving them time to collaborate the teachers feel more curious and more engaged because they with others on these ideas, which is almost impossible to do have ownership. We are providing the framework and setting during the course of a busy school year.” them up with a group to collaborate with, to hone their ideas.” BUZZER — Winter 2024
FEATURE
21
Harnessing the Power of Curiosity
A group of 15 Browning faculty were invited to a workshop called the Blended Learning Cohort in summer 2015. It was housed in a temporary office space in the Financial District.
Renamed the Collaborative Learning Cohort with a growing participant base, the group convenes at Browning every summer prior to the start of classes.
Originally conceived as a way for teachers to explore ideas for integrating online learning with classroom instruction into their curricula, the Blended Learning Cohort got its start in the summer of 2015. After a couple of years, the “blended learning” focus seemed unnecessarily limiting. “By 2017, we had changed the name and broadened its mission,” Mr. Grill says. The skills and dispositions honed in the rebranded CLC were particularly valuable when all learning quickly shifted online with BrowningConnect as the world grappled with the effects of the COVID19 pandemic. “We relied on faculty who had been through the CLC to help in coaching others on moving their curricula and assessments online. They were of huge benefit during those challenging times,” he adds. Starting with about 15 faculty members in the first cohort, the program has grown to 36 participants in the 2023–24 school year, representing roughly 40% of teaching faculty. This summer, the program, which starts with research and pre-work during the previous school year and summer, included six teachers who were new to Browning. The cohort members came into school for a few days during the summer to collaborate, finalize a plan for the execution of their ideas in the classroom,
22
FEATURE
and share it with other cohort members for feedback. Quite often, the plans have immediate benefits for the boys. As an example, the faculty who will accompany Grade 9 students on the annual trip to The Island School have focused their plan on creating ways to leverage the ecological field data collected during the trip to enable students to publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals around the world. The process will allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystem while developing critical research and communication skills. “Our new Grade 9 biology teacher, Rebaca Varghese, was in this cohort before she even started working with students, and because of that, she can be planning for what students will learn on this trip while she’s teaching skills and concepts to the boys,” says Ms. Passno. “That goal has an immediate impact on our curriculum.” Other groups are working on learning skills (see sidebar), math differentiation, global studies, writing programs, diverse representation in literature, grant writing for tech projects, and research skills. Feedback is a crucial part of the collaborative experience, Ms. Passno says. “Collaborating in the cohort allows teachers not in your discipline, or even in your division, to ask you, ‘Have you thought about this?’ or ‘Maybe take another look at that?’ And that process can be used when a group is studying either something that’s working in our curriculum and making it better or something that’s not quite working and needs additional attention.”
COVER STORY: CURIOSITY
“The great thing about independent schools is that you are able to have some agency over how you are going to teach the given subject matter.” Aaron Grill, Director of Innovation and Technology
Following their summer professional development courses, members of the teaching faculty collaborate for three days as part of the Collaborative Learning Cohort to create new curricular programs and learning targets, all aimed at fostering deeper learning in Browning students.
BUZZER — Winter 2024
FEATURE
23
Harnessing the Power of Curiosity Peers provide feedback to a teacher on the learning targets created for their class during a CLC meeting.
The desire to enhance something that was already working well was the genesis of the collaboration between our library and history department members. “Building on the success of past collaborations in Grades 5 and 8, we wanted to extend and strengthen the partnership between the two departments to benefit our students even further,” says Murielle Louis, Library Director. “Both teams recognized that the best way to equip students with comprehensive research skills was to pool the resources and expertise of our library and history departments. This joint effort guarantees that the students obtain a comprehensive research education, including the skills of gathering sources, utilizing sources efficiently, evaluating sources, and properly citing sources. Providing a smooth and comprehensive research experience for students is our goal.” Working across grade levels was important for Julianne Rowland, a Grade 1 teacher who has been at Browning for 12 years, and who participated in the CLC for the first time this year. “The opportunity to engage with like-minded educators about our K–2 writing curriculum and to share our collective expertise was truly invaluable,” she says. She adds that the new K–2 scope and sequence for writing incorporates new teaching methods and more targeted strategies that are specifically tailored to how boys in K–2 learn best. “This helps them feel more engaged and successful in their journey as writers,” Ms. Rowland says. And it’s the close discipline and grade-level collaboration that helps support and spark curiosity as well. “The CLC gives people permission to experiment,” Ms. Passno says. “It affords the opportunity to ask questions in a different way and to be curious about topics in a different way.” Andrés López, who joined Browning this school year and is working with his group on developing a more robust global studies program, says that it was beneficial for him to join the CLC to get a better sense of faculty culture and to learn more about the school. “Usually, when arriving at a school as new faculty, you’re just adapting to whatever exists. But here, I was able to contribute my ideas to a new plan, so it was a great experience,” he says. A group of English and world language teachers worked together on a writing program that is designed to teach skills and grammar in a different way. Doing a deep dive into
24
FEATURE
the Hochman Method, which offers explicit instruction in sentence construction, teachers are now utilizing the program in their classrooms. “This method offers students complexity and sophistication while at the same time providing structure. It’s a way to elaborate on your thinking and go more in depth by using grammatical concepts. So it’s interesting on many levels,” says Anne Rawley, who teaches English in Grades 5, 8, and 12. Ms. Rawley adds that her group, made up of both world language and English teachers, “talked about an essential quality of being human—the ability to connect through reading, writing, talking, and thinking. Across disciplines we are supporting each other in this intellectual endeavor of precise communication, the beauty of words, the power of grammar, and the politics of language.” Ms. Passno notes that one unexpected benefit of the program has been how proud teachers have felt about their work, and how much more deeply engaged in it they became as they collaborated in the cohort. “The CLC working days were about full-on engagement with the projects that faculty wanted to do. It was amazing to see just how productive people were during that time and how much they enjoyed working together.”
COVER STORY: CURIOSITY
“Usually, when arriving at a school as new faculty, you’re just adapting to whatever exists. But here, I was able to contribute my ideas to a new plan, so it was a great experience.” Andrés López, Middle School Languages and Science Teacher
Championing unified study techniques to enhance boys learning A unified approach to studying ensures that our boys will build on the tools they need to become strong learners from the earliest ages. The new Browning learning system, which grew out of work in the Collaborative Learning Cohort, helped launch two major initiatives that are now in use in Grades 3 through 12. “This approach will give students access to well-established, researched methods to allow them to grow from dependent to independent learners,” says Danielle Passno, Assistant Head of School / Director of Teaching and Learning. “It will also provide predictability across grade levels and disciplines, which should contribute to consistency when moving from grade to grade.”
BUZZER — Winter 2024
SQ(L)3R SQ(L)3R—survey, question (and link), read, recite, review—is an evidence-based reading and study technique that encourages active engagement with the given material, and helps improve comprehension and retention. From the initial “survey” of the material—scanning for the headings, subheadings, and images that help put the reading in context—through “review,” this method ensures that boys more deeply understand what they are learning by making connections. CORNELL NOTES Cornell Notes is a system for active note-making. Rather than simply writing what the teacher says, students are taught to divide a page into three sections: a skinny left column, a wider right column, and a section that runs across the bottom of the page. On the left,
FEATURE
a student writes cues or questions, while the right is reserved for the bulk of the notes, and the bottom for a summary section where the student will consolidate the main points of the lesson. One benefit of Cornell Notes is that students can use this method in a variety of situations— while listening to a lecture, in group work, or when preparing their own essay. It allows them to capture information consistently and to use their notes for studying. “In addition to helping boys study more effectively, these methodologies also teach executive functioning during the years when students are still learning the organizational skills necessary to be successful in school as the material grows more challenging,” says Learning Specialist Kristen Sheppard. “These are skills they will use for life as they move into higher education and beyond.”
25
Good news keeps on coming New leadership at Browning; Book Fair combats illiteracy in NYC.
New Trustees named to Board The Board’s new members include a new Vice President of the Parents Association and a Co-Chair of the Building Our Future Campaign. Maegan Boger is Head of Trading & Capital Markets at Octagon Credit Investors, a leading credit investment adviser focused on leveraged loan, high-yield bond, and structured credit investments. Previously, Meg worked in the syndicated and leveraged finance group at J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., where she primarily covered the technology, media, and telecom sectors. She currently serves as a one of the Co-Chairs of Browning’s Building Our Future Campaign. In addition, Meg has served as a Class Representative. She and her husband, Owen, have four children: James ’30 and Burke ’32, Harriet ’35 who attends Convent of the Sacred Heart, and baby brother Christopher.
Mitchell Bunnell is the co-founder and CEO of the metaverse tech company Modrokkr. He developed Modrokkr’s core geometry streaming system and infrastructure, which can be used for collaborative 3D environments, virtual experiences, and video games. Mitch also co-founded Pixelux Entertainment, where he has served as CEO and as manager of the Digital Molecular Matter (DMM) simulation tools group, an academy-winning technology used for destruction effects in over 300 feature films and in Star Wars video games. Mitch and his wife, Alicia, have two children, Sebastian ’32 and Olivia, who attends Marymount School.
Sarah McGee serves as the Vice President of Browning’s Parents Association. She is the co-founder of Social Promise, an organization that partners with Ugandan nonprofits to help provide critical health and educational resources for the local communities they serve. Through her work, she seeks to inspire children in the U.S. to think critically about problems in the world, feel inspired to help other people, and foster a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy. Sarah and her husband, Douglas, are parents of three children: Cassidy ’27 and Cameryn ’28, who attend Marymount School, and Douglas ’31 at Browning.
Manish Parikh, MD is a Professor of Surgery at NYU School of Medicine and works primarily at Bellevue Hospital Center as the Director of Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery. He is also the Chief of Perioperative Services at Bellevue Hospital and is the Perioperative Lead for Health and Hospitals Corporation. He had joined NYU Hospitals / Bellevue Hospital to develop a laparoscopic and bariatric surgery program with a focus on providing these services to the underserved population in New York City. Manish and his wife, Nicole Hindman, have three children: Kaya ’26 who attends Hunter College High School, Alisha ’28 at the Brearley School, and Nikhil ’30 at Browning.
SPEAKER SERIES
Families build deeper connections at Speaker Series
Browning’s first Speaker Series event of the year provided a day of insightful discussions with Dr. Ray Swann and Dr. Mark Dowley, from the Foundation for Positive Masculinity. Browning families learned about strategies to build stronger connections with their sons, while the faculty learned about the cornerstones of +M Foundation’s work with boys and young men: connectedness, motivation, and authenticity. Dr. Dowley specializes in improving boys’ classroom engagement and consults globally on culture, belonging, and behavior, while Dr. Swann is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Melbourne who leads well-being programs and is also known for his podcast and book on positive masculinity.
26
GOOD NEWS
Book Fair celebrates family fun and literacy
A fun Family Day and class visits at the Book Fair The 2023 Browning Book Fair united families for a celebration of reading, with games and festivities for all. Our community supported the Browning Library through book sales and donations. We also donated more than 1,250 books to the Brooklyn Book Bodega, making a meaningful contribution to fighting illiteracy in New York City. The event showcased our community’s strength and generosity, proving that our love for reading can drive positive change.
BUZZER — Winter 2024
COMMUNITY
27
Michelle drops off her son, Jasper, on the first day of school.
At Browning, boys are truly seen and known A Kindergarten family shares why Browning was the right choice for their son. By Jan Abernathy Chief Communications Officer
28
COMMUNITY
FANBASSADORS CORNER: MICHELLE VARGO AND BONNIE THURSTON
M
ichelle Vargo and Bonnie Thurston joined the Browning community this year, enrolling their son Jasper ’36 in Kindergarten. The mothers were interviewed jointly about their son’s Lower School experience, how welcomed they have felt and why others may want to set aside their preconceptions about boys’ schools.
Michelle and Bonnie with Assistant Head of School Danielle Passno and her wife, Julia, at the New Parents Dinner.
How did you find out about Browning? We have a daughter in sixth grade, and we were going through the school search process for both of our children at the same time. While visiting a girls’ school for our daughter, we were told about Browning. Around the same time, we heard about Browning from our son’s friend’s family. Why did you end up choosing Browning? It was the only boys’ school we considered for our son. We were initially looking exclusively at co-ed schools for him but had heard such great things about Browning that we had to learn more. When we walked in, any preconceived notions we may have had about what a boys’ school would be like evaporated. We walked through the Red Doors into a place of warmth, kindness, and respect. Our tour was led by a longtime Browning parent, and while we were impressed with the facilities, we were BUZZER — Winter 2024
more impressed with the interactions we witnessed between students, and between students and faculty. What made you feel particularly welcome as you were going through the admissions process and before the first day of school? We attended a few virtual programs that gave us a better sense of the school and the community, and we stayed in regular contact with Kelly West, whose warmth and expertise made the process very pleasant. Our son benefited from the Encore summer program because he became more familiar with Browning and that helped us to prepare him for the transition to Kindergarten. We also had some direct outreach from a member of the Browning PA, who offered insights and answered questions (and continues to do so today!). His outreach was invaluable.
with other members of the community (our daughter says she’ll be back every year). The most important thing, though, is that Browning prioritizes communication. Our class reps send out weekly emails to remind us of upcoming events. Teachers send weekly recap emails and photos and are always available to answer questions. What are the most impressive features of your son’s experience thus far? Our son is having an amazing Kindergarten experience. He loves Browning and is happy to go to school every day. His brilliant teachers make learning fun and we have witnessed his growth in such a short time. There is a real sense of belonging at Browning and our son, though he may not have the words for it, feels it already. He shakes hands with Dr. Botti and other faculty when he walks in the door every morning and shakes hands with his teachers as he says goodbye each day. He has Grade 4 buddies whom he looks up to. When he realized that Browning goes all the way through Grade 12, he got very excited. He never wants to leave.
What were some of your initial impressions once school started, and how was the transition for your family and your son? The Browning comWhat would you munity does a great tell a family that job of making families is considering feel welcome immediBrowning, but is ately. The New Parent unsure about the Dinner provided an boys’ school opportunity to engage experience? with so many other parIn one of the early ents who were starting Z o om me eting s their Browning journeys during the admisat the same time. There sions process, Assishave been numerous tant Head of School coffee hours on a variDanielle Passno ety of topics that offer said that Browning new families a chance “leads with love.” to meet each other as Older boys take well as faculty and staff. Jasper engaged at 62nd Street. classes on modern Lower School Family masculinity and talk Day and the Book Fair offered our whole about vulnerability. At Browning, boys family a chance to play games and mingle are truly seen and known. COMMUNITY
29
Too Ghoul for School It was another outstanding showing of creative costumes for our Lower Schoolers in the annual Halloween Parade. Dr. Botti, dressed as “Tailor” Swift (complete with tailor-themed accessories, Kansas City Chiefs decals, and a lyric-inspired “13” on hand), led the boys up and down 62nd Street while paying tribute to the infamous artist-football couple of ’23. Middle School students enthusiastically enhanced the experience also by forming a human arch for the parade to walk under as well as exchanging high fives, while parents and caregivers cheered from the sidelines.
30
COMMUNITY
BUZZER — Winter 2024
COMMUNITY
31
32
COMMUNITY
Beach Bash at 62nd Street Created by ade from the Noun Project
BUZZER — Winter 2024
DEC 16
1888 In the midst of Decemb er’s chill, parents, alumni, Trustees, facult y, and friends found themselves wh isked away to a sun-kissed oasis! Orga nized by the Parents Association, Brownin g’s Beach Holiday Party transformed the School’s gym and cafeteria into a tropic al paradise, where guests became imme rsed in festive merriment, seizing mo ments to spark bright conversations amid the lively ambience.
COMMUNITY
33
THIS PAST FALL SEASON had some really exciting moments as all of our teams showed remarkable improvement in their teamwork throughout the season. The varsity soccer team, with a 4–6 overall record, showcased their best play late in the season. In a thrilling showdown, they faced UNIS, the eventual NYCAL champion and NYSAIS runner-up, in a hard-fought 2–1 battle while vying for a playoff spot. The JV team improved throughout the season, culminating with a 3–3 tie against LREI. Browning soccer’s future looks promising, thanks to the strong performances of both the 5/6 and 7/8 Middle School teams. While the varsity cross country team performed admirably, the standout of the fall season was undoubtedly the 7/8 cross country team, who achieved a historic milestone for Browning by finishing the NYCAL season as the top-ranked team. All in all, our players’ honorable and inspiring play on the field made us all proud. Panther Pride on high!
View photos from this season at browning.edu/athletics-photos
By Andrew West ’92 Director of Athletics
34
Fall Season Athletes ATHLETICS
The Middle School cross country team finished the season ranked first, a historic achievement for Browning.
Varsity Cross country runner Asher O. ’27
Varsity soccer player Sam K. ’25
BUZZER — Winter 2024
ATHLETICS
35
Fall Season Athletes
7 L The 7/8 soccer team members huddle up.
7/8 soccer players Elliot S. ’28 and Declan R. ’28
7/8 soccer player Eli P. ’29
Varsity cross country runners Blake H. ’26 and Quinny B. ’25
Varsity soccer player Oscar S. ’26 5/6 soccer player Blake F. ’30 JV soccer player Adam W. ’25
36
ATHLETICS
JV soccer player William R. ’26
7/8 cross country runner Luca L. ’27 5/6 soccer player Chase B. ’30
Varsity cross country runner Henry L. ’27
The 5/6 soccer team lets out a Panther roar. JV soccer player Jack G. ’27
JV soccer player Matthew S. ’27 Varsity soccer players Nick S. ’24 and Eduardo A. ’24 BUZZER — Winter 2024
ATHLETICS
37
ALUMNI: EVENTS / SOCCER
We look forward to welcoming all Browning alumni back through the Red Doors for our annual Alumni Reunion. Reconnect with former classmates and teachers as we come together to share in our love for Browning! Classes ending in 4 and 9 are celebrating milestone reunions this year, but all alumni are invited and encouraged to attend. If you have questions or for more information, please email jmorin@browning.edu. We look forward to seeing you there.
Save The Date!
Friday, April 19, 2024
Alumni Soccer Game returns with special guests The Browning Alumni Soccer Game made a triumphant return in our Upper Gym last fall. Former soccer coaches Dave “Wattie” Watson and Gerry Protheroe joined the festivities, cheered from the sidelines, and shared postgame refreshments with the players. Thanks to all attendees for showing your Browning spirit!
38
ALUMNI
ALUMNI: CLASS NOTES
Life after Browning 1970s
1990s
2000s
John Cook ’71, son of former Browning Headmaster Charles W. Cook ’38, served as a guest speaker at an all-school Biodiversity Day assembly to discuss Geothermal Technologies, a company that is working to bring geothermal energy to the U.S. and around the world.
Nader Mobargha ’91 and Michael Beys ’89 are continuing to find success with their own law firm, Beys Liston & Mobargha. The firm specializes in complex civil commercial litigation, security corporate governance issues, and criminal and civil investigations.
Andy Sandberg ’01 recently directed the U.K. premiere of Operation Epsilon, which tells the true story of Germany’s leading scientists who were held captive in England by the British and Americans at the end of World War II. Sandberg’s production ran for a month last fall at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant in London. Chris Pelz ’12 had the opportunity to see the show and thoroughly enjoyed it!
Chris Coffey ’98 visited Browning last year to share insights about WIN (Women in Need), a nonprofit he chairs. WIN provides safe housing and essential services to homeless women and children in NYC while shedding light on global migrant issues.
Paul Dano ’02 recently starred in the film Dumb Money, which tells the true story of the GameStop short squeeze of January 2021. Alexander (Sasha) Forostenko ’98 and Michael Afshar ’98 recently got together to celebrate Sasha’s son’s baptism.
Sandy Pelz ’71 and his son Chris Pelz ’12 caught up with Dana Dunne ’81 on their summer trip to London.
1980s Nicolas Meltzer ’87, who is the owner/ operator of an after-school golf academy in Summit, NJ, recently had one of his students, his daughter, Isabelle, commit to play golf at Bates College. BUZZER — Winter 2024
Samora Legros ’03 was honored by the Scouts’ Greater New York Council last summer for his outstanding contributions as a Browning Panther Mentor, lawyer, and board member of FMC, dedicated to providing oral surgery and dental care in Haiti. This “Good Scout Award” was presented by Leonardo G. ’27, who holds the rank of Life Scout.
Michael Afshar ’98 and his wife Shannon welcomed Harrison Houman Afshar into their lives on June 28, 2023.
ALUMNI
39
ALUMNI: CLASS NOTES
Adam Dalva ’04 was a contributor on the Summer 2023 issue of Cake Zine (Volume 3: Humble Pie), an independent print magazine exploring society through sweets. In his essay, “On Grief, Pizza, and the Power of Food to Evoke Memory,” Dalva explores how fond memories of food serve as vehicles to remember his late brother. Alex Vadukul ’07 was recognized in the Excellence in Journalism competition by the Silurians Press Club, which honors work in New York City and the tristate area. Vadukul won two merit awards: one in the People Profiles category, and one in the Arts and Culture Reporting category.
2010s On a fall coffee run, Aleksandr Schiavetta ’12 ran into Director of Athletics Andrew West ’92, and they took the time to reconnect and reminisce.
Ralph McElvenny Earns Acclaim in the NY Times This past October, Ralph McElvenny ’87 published his new book, The Greatest Capitalist Who Ever Lived, which chronicles the rise of IBM under his grandfather, Thomas Watson Jr. In a review from the New York Times, McElvenny was praised for how he “spins the Watsons into near-Shakespearean figures,” chronicling a compelling story of the family struggles that forged a tech giant. He was joined by fellow Browning classmates and former Dean of Faculty Michael Ingrisani at a book party on the Upper East Side.
Gregory Belgorod ’13 and his wife, Annie, were married this past June in Atlanta, GA. The two met during their freshman year of college at Georgia Tech. Greg’s brother, Douglas Belgorod ’15, served as Best Man, and classmate Ben Jacobs ’13 was in attendance. Greg works for Raytheon as a Systems Design Engineer in Tucson, AZ.
Chaz Philips ’13 and Alex Bendo ’13 ran into each other at a mutual friend’s wedding at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles in late September. It was the first time they’d seen each other in almost 15 years.
JR Chansakul ’12 married Bridget Killian last summer at Spruce Point Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The two met while attending Bowdoin College. Browning classmates James Adeleye ’12, Max Liu ’12, and Chris Pelz ’12 were in attendance.
Kevin Cox ’17, Logan Stark ’17, Luke Spellman ’17, Terrell Edwards ’17, Will Warren ’17, and Gianni Chiovetta ’17 reunited last June for some fun at Belmont Stakes.
40
ALUMNI
ALUMNI: CLASS NOTES
Chris Stephens ’14 is cultivating a new musical artist in the form of a rapping puppet named Shjango. Stephens recently filmed his first music video, with more songs on the way.
2020s
Obituary
On the annual College Trip, Browning faculty reunited with several alumni currently attending Hamilton College. Austin Stapleton ’20 and Greg Parizhsky ’22 grabbed a picture with John Young, and Jack McNeil ’23 reunited with Dr. Melodie Ting.
Eric Ordway ’67
Last September, Oliver Obeid ’20 captured the “C” flight tennis singles title for Tufts University at the 2023 Middlebury Invitational. On September 9, 2023, Skyler Bell ’21 scored his first touchdown of the 2023–24 year for the University of Wisconsin football team. The wide receiver caught a 16-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter against Washington State University.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Alumni Basketball Game Gabe Soluri ’18 is currently pursuing Navy Intelligence Training, whereby he will be working at the Pentagon.
GET IN TOUCH! Email John Morin, Director of Alumni Affairs and Special Events, at jmorin@browning.edu and view upcoming events at browning.edu/alumni.
BUZZER — Winter 2024
The Browning community mourns the loss of Eric Ordway ’67, who passed away on July 9, 2023, at the age of 73. For nearly a decade, Mr. Ordway served in a number of teaching and administrative roles at Browning: Assistant Headmaster, Head of the Upper School, and Teacher of European history, English, and film. Mr. Ordway later began a storied law career, representing Fortune 500 companies and sovereign nations. Mr. Ordway graduated from Princeton University with his A.B. in political science, received his M.A. in Latin American studies from New York University, and earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. In 2017, he was one the recipients of Browning’s Charles W. Cook ’38 Alumnus Achievement Award, which recognizes exemplary qualities of citizenship and outstanding accomplishments, whether in the private sector or in public service. Mr. Ordway is survived by his wife, Kate, and his sons, Demian ’95, Nick ’98, and John.
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Alumni Reunion Friday, April 19, 2024
IN MEMORIAM
(Classes ending in 4 and 9 are celebrating milestone reunions.)
John P.Z. Kent P ’02 Eric Ordway ’67, Former Faculty James Pi P ’95 Colette Rossant, Former Faculty Gail Vareilles P ’04 Betsy Zuppone P ’16
Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association Monday, June 3, 2024
ALUMNI
41
BUILDING OUR FUTURE
Campaign and Building Update As of November 2023, Building Our Future: A Comprehensive Campaign to Advance Browning’s Mission had raised nearly $24 million, 48% of its $50 million goal. Donors to any of the priorities shown below are supporting the Campaign, which is vital to the school’s growth.
15 + 30 40
CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES $20 million: Facilities
$15 million: Annual Fund*
*Over the eight years of the Campaign (FY20–FY27)
$7.5 million: Financial Aid
42
$7.5 million: Programmatic & Faculty Support
Construction is fully underway for our new Upper School at 337 East 64th Street. Upon rezoning to achieve a doubleheight regulation-sized gym and community gathering space, demolition began over the summer. Walls and an elevator shaft were removed, and the roof was prepared for dismantling. Next, the roof will be raised and new columns built to support it. The existing brick frontage and superstructure will be retained, encompassing almost 60,000 square feet of more space. By comparison, our 62nd Street schoolhouse has 46,000 square feet. In appreciation of their service and leadership, Browning Annual Fund volunteers, Campaign Co-Chairs, and Trustees were treated to a hard-hat tour of the new building on October 17, 2023. As the project continues, we look forward to offering additional tours to all interested members of the Browning community.
CAMPAIGN
BUILDING OUR FUTURE CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP We are grateful to our Executive Committee and Co-Chairs for the pivotal role they are playing in the success of the Campaign. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Owen Boger P ’30, ’32 Carolyn Lamphier P ’24, ’27 Elizabeth Miller P ’22 Jodi J. Schwartz P ’22 Angelos Stergiou P ’35 Maria Anna Stergiou P ’35 CO-CHAIRS Erica Berthou and Nazmi Oztanir P ’24, ’27 Maegan and Owen Boger P ’30, ’32 Susan and Stuart Ellman P ’18 Clare and Blake Hallinan P ’31 Carolyn and Matt Lamphier P ’24, ’27 Jeffrey M. Landes ’83 Elizabeth and Richard Miller P ’22 Jerry C. Pi ’95 and Grace Wu P ’32 Phyllis Rachmuth P ’10 Stevie Rachmuth ’10 Steven F. Richman and Jodi J. Schwartz P ’22 Rachel and Martin Small P ’27, ’30 Matthew Solum and Sara Zablotney P ’32 Maria Anna and Angelos Stergiou P ’35 Véronique and Andrew Vogel P ’28 Valda M. Witt P ’20, ’22, ’26
If you are interested in learning more about the Building Our Future Campaign and how you can be involved, please contact Francesca Ryan, Senior Director of Majors Gifts, at (646) 844–2605 / fryan@browning.edu.
BUZZER — Winter 2024
CAMPAIGN
43
Good news to end with
K–8 Math Learning Specialist Becca Landon married Zack Kessler on July 2 in Jackson Hole, WY.
Director of Equitable Practices & Social Impact Naledi Semela married Jaliz Albanese last June 16 on the Upper East Side of New York City.
Browning faculty love stories in summer 2023
Coach Jon Stoler married former Lower School Teacher Shannon Balaban on August 26 in Glen Head, NY.
44
GOOD NEWS
Support Browning’s Annual Fund! As we celebrate our 135th school year, we embrace the changes that an extended campus brings, while knowing that Browning’s mission and values remain the same: to uphold honesty, curiosity, dignity, and purpose. Together, let’s invest in a brighter future for the next generation of leaders and learners. If you haven’t already made a gift during this academic year, please make your donation today. Thank you! WAYS TO GIVE ONLINE AT: browning.edu/giving BY CHECK, MAILED TO: The Browning School Office of Institutional Advancement 52 East 62nd Street New York, NY 10065
CONTACT BY WIRE OR STOCK TRANSFER: Please visit browning.edu/stock or contact Krizia Moreno-Cruz at kmoreno-cruz@browning.edu or (646) 844–2608.
SCAN QR CODE
MATCHING GIFTS: If your employer has a matching gift program, please follow the company’s instructions to initiate the match and we will complete the process.
Browning’s 2023–24 Annual Fund closes on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
Soo Mi Thompson Senior Director of Annual Giving sthompson@browning.edu (212) 256–1081 For more information, please visit browning.edu/ ways-to-give.
5 2 Ea s t 6 2 n d S tre et, New York , NY 1 00 65
NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
AUGUSTA, ME PERMIT NO. 121
TO UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS Please email Krizia Moreno-Cruz at kmoreno-cruz@browning.edu.
FROM THE ARCHIVE Lower School boys collaborate to build an imaginative sculpture from building blocks, 1995. Learn how curiosity is at the core of a Browning boy’s education, on page 8.