Issuu

In this Issue: F E AT U R E

F E AT U R E

Building a Community of Belonging

Navigating a Pandemic World

Buzz at Burke’s:

Events and Happenings on Campus

SPRING 2021

Burke’s mission is to educate, encourage, and empower girls. Our school combines academic excellence with an appreciation for childhood so that students thrive as learners, develop a strong sense of self, contribute to community, and fulfill their potential, now and throughout life.

BURKE’S MAGAZINE

ON THE COVER The global Covid-19 pandemic turned the world upside down last year, impacting the lives of millions. In the midst of shifting health and safety guidelines, rising case counts, and political upheaval, Burke’s worked to keep educating, encouraging, and empowering our students. A year-long journey has allowed us to bring back nearly all students to in-person learning.

Table of

CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE

Opening Shots..............................................2 Snapshots from Burke’s Greetings from the Head of School............10 A Message from Michele Williams Buzz at Burke’s............................................12 Events and Happenings on Campus Traditions.................................................... 20 Family Festival

Burke’s Magazine is produced by Burke’s Advancement Off ice SELENA SHADLE Director of Advancement selena.shadle@burkes.org

DIANA SCHNEIDER Director of Communications diana.schneider@burkes.org

JEWEL DEVORA Communications Assistant jewel.devora@burkes.org

DIANA KAW Associate Director of Advancement diana.kaw@burkes.org

MONICA HERNANDEZ Advancement and Database Associate monica.hernandez@burkes.org ALI JONES-BEY Communications Assistant ali.jones-bey@burkes.org

Features.......................................................22 Navigating a Pandemic World Building a Community of Belonging Pansy Day....................................................32 Commencement.......................................... 33 Greetings from the Alumnae Association....35 A Message from Lisa Harada ’03 Alumnae Q&A............................................. 37 Mary Ann Jones ’75e, Sabrina Kivitz Braham ’87, and Kathleen Robbins ’09 Alumnae Events ......................................... 40 Virtual Games, Holiday Celebrations, Cocktails, and more! Distinctions.................................................44 Blair Rosenblatt Shane ’85 Alumnae Updates....................................... 46 Class Notes and In Memoriam From the Archives.......................................52 Burke’s Voices from the 1918 Flu Pandemic Tracing Burke’s Roots................................. 54 The Kendrick Family

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OPENING SHOTS

International Women’s Day 2020 02

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ust before the pandemic forced students off campus for remote learning, Burke’s celebrated its 13th annual International Women’s Day Celebration on March 6, 2020. The guest of honor was Kim Chambers, the only woman in the world to swim the 30 miles from the Farallon Islands to the mainland, through the most heavily populated shark-inhabited stretch of water in the world. She also had the chance to visit several classrooms, fielding questions such as “Have you ever seen a shark up close?” (Answer: she has not.)

SPRING 2021

BURKE’S MAGAZINE

Book Share & Pajama Families Event

hat could be better than curling up with a good book in your pajamas? Doing it at school! Just a few days before our campus closure, the entire school had the chance to gather for a Burke’s Families Pajama Day. It’s a memory made all the more sweet since a few days later the campus closed and we entered a world of social distancing.

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Campus Reopening

ur Head of School was smiling behind her mask! A return to campus finally came to fruition on October 5, 2020, as kindergarten and first-grade students came back to Burke’s. Reopening went in stages, with hybrid learning models available for the youngest cohorts of students first.

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SPRING 2021

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Celebrating Lunar New Year 2021

urke’s celebrated Lunar New Year with a lively Lower School Assembly and a reimagined third-grade Lion Dance. The event is a longtime Burke’s tradition, but health and safety restrictions required a different approach this year, and Distance and Hybrid Learners alike joined in the virtual dances and a socially distanced parade.

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Greetings from the Head of School A MESSAGE F ROM M ICH ELE W I L L I A M S

Unprecedented.

word that has appeared countless times in the news, school communications, and conversations with friends and family. I am sure we are all ready to retire that word for the next hundred years!

Of course, while we haven’t experienced a pandemic of this breadth and impact in modern times, this moment in Burke’s history does in fact have precedent. Over one hundred years ago, our school navigated the emergence of a novel influenza virus. Students were sent to the country or went into quarantine and people took to wearing masks. Businesses were shuttered, hospitals were strained, and the world was held in the dark grip of the pandemic — as well as World War I. Our Burke’s world was turned upside down once before and the historian in me decided to see what our Burke’s alumnae had to say about it. I was rewarded with a 1918-19 yearbook editorial that could easily have been written about this past school year (without all the Zooming): ltogether, the last year has been one of many trials. It was A filled with excitement and distraction, and then, to aggravate it all, we were quarantined. Our school work was broken into and disarranged, and to work, already hard, was added the further burden of “catching up.” But consider what Miss Burke and the teachers have done for us during these months of hard work. They have helped us to make up lost work; they have thought and planned and begged and demanded that we make good — and we have made good….This personal interest taken in each girl by the teachers is something that has always characterized Miss Burke’s. It is the result and interpretation of that wonderful spirit of mutual affection that is best known under the name of the “Burke Spirit.”

More than one hundred years ago, our school community held tight to “Burke Spirit” in the face of the many challenges, disappointments and fears of their world. This year I have been inspired and found strength in all we have done to keep Burke’s Burke’s. Maximizing health and safety, maximizing learning, and maximizing community — these are the three things that have driven all my decision-making. And, although much has changed regarding teaching and learning, our commitment to the whole child has been — and continues to be — our North Star. I am proud to share glimpses of our past year in this issue as well as the story of building our hybrid- and distance- learning programs. This issue also includes a feature on our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work and our continued investment in a critical, top-down focus on ensuring a culture of belonging and creating classrooms that are reflective of the community around us. Thank you for supporting Burke’s as we navigated this challenging year. Alumnae from around the world have reached out to check on our students and see how their alma mater was weathering the pandemic storm. Despite this year of distance and sorrow, you found ways to connect whether it was a virtual reunion or alumnae event, making a gift to the Annual Fund, or supporting families impacted by the pandemic. We are so grateful to remain part of your lives and thank you for your support as we continue our work to educate, encourage and empower our students. Warmly,

MICHELE WILLIAMS Head of School

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Keep up with all the happenings at Burke’s in real time on our social media accounts! facebook.com/katherine.delmar.burke.school twitter.com/burkesschool instagram.com/burkesschool youtube.com/user/burkeschool

MEDIEVAL MUSEUM One more special event before last year’s campus closure! The classroom space in our beautiful Campus Center became home to a special one-off exhibition in March 2020: The Medieval Museum.

Sixth-grade students created full-blown medieval villages using building materials such as wood and clay, complete with castle, church, and cottages. Visitors could tour the displays and hear more from class “docents” to learn about medicinal herbs and spices, buildings, and day-today life in a medieval village.

BURKE’S MAGAZINE

AN EXTRAORDINARY 2020 ALL SCHOOL OPENING ASSEMBLY The All School Opening Assembly means that school is in full swing at Burke’s. After the flurry of device pickups and supply distributions in the first days prior to school, we launched into distance learning and haven’t stopped for a minute! The school year kicked off officially on September 9 with the traditional All School Opening Assembly, where students, parents, faculty, and staff virtually celebrated the school’s 100+ year history and gratitude for being part of this special place. The Zoom room was filled with Burke’s students’ silent cheers for each other, our teachers’ smiles as they raised their arms to form a virtual tunnel for the Class of 2021, and the wonderful ways a Bundt pan and pot lid were used to ring in the new year!

and honored the Class of 2021 to kick off a year destined for top billing in the Burke’s history books! This was the year when we put our growth mindset and resilience to the test as we worked together to educate, encourage and empower our students.

The morning was dark, smoky, and orange...but none of that mattered as we welcomed our newest community members

LOWER SCHOOL TREE HOUSE VIRTUAL LUNCHTIME One of the strange things about this pandemic world is that while we have been unable to be close to those who are local — it has opened up a world where Zooming across the globe becomes possible during lunch! Tree House, the Burke’s aftercare program, has been working all year to design virtual activities during lunch and after school. This very special lunchtime event featured Samira Wayu Asibakaashi, who spoke to the students about her work with Indigenous people. She zoomed in from Acre, Amazonas, Brazil where she works with the Ashaninka indigenous people as part of the Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute of Benki Piyanko. Samira is of Northern African indigenous origin, specifically, the Imazhigen tribe.

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A COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY & SERVICE LEARNING Burke’s Community Connections is a parent- and schoolsupported committee dedicated to inspiring students and families to adopt a tradition of community engagement. In a normal year, each grade participates in activities such as: ● • Food pantry work days for each grade at the Richmond Neighborhood Center ● • Education and reflection relating to community engagement ● • Grocery delivery to homebound seniors and individuals with mobility issues ● • Gardening at the Richmond Neighborhood Center ● • Food drives and other seasonal drives ● • P urposeful projects for the Richmond Neighborhood Center and crafts for homebound seniors ● • Performances for neighborhood seniors Health and safety restrictions have limited student involvement at the Richmond Neighborhood Center this year, but students are still finding ways to serve their neighbors and strengthen our community! This year, fourth graders had a special guest visit from a Richmond Neighborhood Center (RNC) staff member to learn about the food pantry during Covid, and they created Zoom guides for seniors to help them stay connected during these challenging times. Second graders had a visit from the team at the RNC to learn about the “re-imagined” food pantry and created letters and pictures that were distributed to the RNC food pantry participants. The

sixth-grade project involved writing letters to elected officials to advocate for change regarding social justice issues such as food insecurity and homelessness. As has been the case in prior years, all grades are participating in drives to contribute items that are being packaged into emergency kits by the RNC and distributed to seniors. This year more than ever, Burke’s community commitment to service has remained a priority with the goal to encourage students to think beyond themselves and Burke’s campus; give them a developmentally appropriate understanding of community responsibility; and enable them to see themselves as agents of positive change in the world.

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BURKE’S PARENT EDUCATION WENT VIRTUAL! At Burke’s, all members of the community are treated as lifelong learners — parents and guardians included! This year, the Burke’s Parent Education committee, in partnership with the Head of School and administration, took its program online and brought local and national thought leaders to our virtual campus throughout the school year.

As part of a two-part series on “Parenting with Compassion,” the community was invited to hear first from James R. Doty, M.D., a clinical professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and founder and director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University. In April, we were joined by Susan M. Pollak, MTS, Ed.D., a clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Health Alliance and a co-founder of the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion at Harvard Medical School.

In September, author Rachel Simmons discussed “Pandemic Parenting: The Road Back” just a few weeks before we welcomed back our youngest learners in October. Angelique Downes, Lower School Math Specialist, and Jessica Goldstein, Upper School Math Specialist, teamed up to present “Encouraging Mathematical Thinking,” highlighting tips and strategies for supporting Upper and Lower School student math education. November offered an interview-style discussion titled, “Are You Raising an Anti-Racist?,” featuring facilitator Charmaine Pattinson, founder of leading child-development resource Plinkit, and panelist Misasha Suzuki Graham, co-founder and co-host of the award-winning podcast Dear White Women. In January, Michele Williams led a discussion for her selected Book Club reading, This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons to Wake Up, Take Action, And Do the Work by Tiffany M. Jewel. Also in January, community members were invited to “The SelfDriven Child” with William Stixrud, Ph.D., and Ned Johnson to discuss how fostering children’s autonomy can help solve two challenges endemic to kids today: facing anxiety and developing intrinsic motivation.

SPRING 2021

of single-gender education for girls pursuing STEM. “Watching my own daughters navigate through school, there were certainly times — specifically in math and science classes — when I felt I needed to reassure them that the confidence and enjoyment they found in these subjects was something to be honored, celebrated, and pursued with passion.”

Growing up in Michigan in the ’70s in a predominantly white neighborhood, Fran’s childhood experiences led

FACULTY PROFILE:

Fran Yang Makery Facilitator and Technology Integration Specialist

her to become an advocate and a voice for students who feel introverted, invisible, or left out. Fran’s philosophy is based on determining what works best for each student, and she can often be found encouraging students to focus less on completing tasks “the right way” and instead thinking creatively to engage with and solve problems. A large part of her role is supporting the H.E.A.R.T. class (standing for Health, Emotional Awareness,

What brings you pride, pleasure, and purpose? A tough question to answer, but a common question posed by Fran Yang to her students on a daily basis. In the midst of a pandemic, Fran realized that marrying curriculum development with technology brought her all of the above, and after working in public schools for more than 25 years, she joined the Burke’s community as the Makery

Responsibility, and Time Management), which is teamtaught to the fifth- and sixth-grade classes by the Upper School Counselor, the Learning Specialist, the Makery Facilitator, and the Library and Digital Media Specialist. Fran leads the H.E.A.R.T. conversations that surround digital citizenship, navigating social media, and being an upstander on digital platforms.

Facilitator and Technology Integration Specialist. When Fran is not on campus, teaching over Zoom, or Prior to working at Burke’s, Fran was a math and science curriculum coach, and she is a firm believer in the impact

completing her certification in Makery Spaces, she enjoys dancing, hiking, going on adventures, spending time with her family, and scrapbooking.

BURKE’S MAGAZINE

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO CREATE CHANGE? Fifth graders launched into their first novel of the school year — Amal Unbound — with an emphasis on exploring what it takes to create change. The book is dedicated to Malala Yousafzai and features a strong female protagonist in modern Pakistan. The students were asked two essential questions at the start of the novel: What do you think it takes to create change? and What is the change you want in the world? Working in a 10-minute window for a “quick write,” the students were given the opportunity to share their writing with the class. Kiana P.’s hand shot up to share her reflections on “What is the change you want to be in the world?”

Let human rights be equal rights Let honesty and trust lead us Let love and beauty prosper Let us stand in the face of fear We can have faith that you will do just as well as me We can have faith that you will be there, waiting for us to come home We can come together to fight injustice We can breathe the same air, and live on the same planet We can hope for the same outcomes We can live in peace

In Humanities Teacher Kelly Hoy’s mind, there is nothing better than hearing these kinds of inspiring words from her students: “One way I have been energized in these challenging times is to encourage our students to write, write, write...and keep telling their stories. I think a silver lining of the pandemic is that we are forced to really listen to each other and hear different voices and perspectives.”

SPRING 2021

VISITING WITH RUBY BRIDGES Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges, who was the first AfricanAmerican child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis, met virtually with the Class of 2020 at the end of last year. Eighth graders had the chance to ask her questions about her life and work, and she imparted some wisdom of her own as the pandemic settled in for the graduating students: “The best way to handle hard situations is to try to take it and do something positive with it.” We were fortunate to have Ruby Bridges return to talk to the Class of 2021 in this year’s “E Block.” The E-Block is partially funded by The Class of 2020 Legacy Impact Fund, created by some of the families of the Class of 2020, to honor the entire class and their commitment to activism and social justice.

BURKE’S MATH TEAM LAUNCHES! The Burke’s Math Team was launched this year to create a welcoming space for Upper School students to be curious, collaborative, and sharpen their math skills. Designed as a crossgrade program, students come to the virtual club at the same time, allowing Upper School Math Specialist Jessica Goldstein to think outside the normal curriculum and find activities to meet each student at their level. Students in fifth through eighth grades drop in on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or both to play math games, write and solve puzzles, and discuss problem-solving strategies. One week the students explored probability topics using the game Among Us. Team members had the opportunity this spring to compete in two competitions: Girls’ Adventures in Math and/or MathCounts. Twenty-seven Upper School students participated in the April Girls’ Adventures in Math competition, and for the first time, one of our Burke’s students is headed to the state-level MathCounts Competition!

BURKE’S MAGAZINE

University. She has taught sixth, seventh, and tenth grades, and prior to joining Burke’s, she was a math teacher and middle school advisor at Presidio Hill School.

Reflecting on her new role, Goldstein said, “I am really excited about my role since it allows me to be with students during the day, but also support the entire Upper School by thinking of fun math activities to incorporate into classroom lesson plans.”

FACULTY PROFILE:

Goldstein launched the Burke’s Math Team to create

Jessica Goldstein

curious, collaborative, and sharpen their math skills.

Upper School Math Specialist

compete in two competitions: Girls’ Adventures in Math

a welcoming space for Upper School students to be Team members also had the opportunity in spring 2021 to and/or MathCounts. According to Goldstein, “One really interesting thing about the Math Team is the cross-grade

In 2020, Jessica Goldstein joined Burke’s math faculty as

collaboration. I can have fifth graders, sixth graders, and

the Upper School Math Specialist, a role created to offer

eighth graders come to the club at the same time, and

students more opportunities to further math skills and

it’s an exciting challenge to think outside the normal

extend comprehension of concepts as well as to provide

curriculum and find activities to meet each student at their

extra support and practice.

level. I also think it’s really useful for the younger kids to see the kind of problems the older kids are working on.”

Originally from Minneapolis, Minn., Goldstein attended Reed College and worked for the Minnesota Historical

Still an avid cyclist, Jessica also used to be a rock climber

Society and a bike shop before getting her teaching

— and perhaps will be again post-pandemic! She is also

credential. She knew her goal was to be in charge of her

a big reader of both fiction and nonfiction, and her new

own classroom and went on to earn a 6-12 mathematics

hobby since shelter-in-place has been writing crossword

license and master’s in education from Johns Hopkins

puzzles to submit for publications big and small.

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traditions 03.

06.

A HISTORIC VIRTUAL

Burke’s Festival

he Family Festival is always a banner event, but this year was different — mainly, because for the first time ever, the Family Festival was online! The first Burke’s Family Festival was held in 1931, and this year Burke’s continued this proud tradition of celebrating our students and their families.

Moving the Family Festival from in-person to online, while also keeping the same elements of fun and excitement for attendees, was a huge undertaking, and we are beyond thankful to all our volunteers, faculty, and staff members that worked tirelessly to make Family Festival a roaring success. In a pre-pandemic year, almost 2,000 people come to campus to enjoy a day of playing, eating, and shopping. This year’s Festival kicked off on Friday with a magic show, cocktail party, and virtual dance party, and continued through the weekend. Burke’s also partnered with local Burke’s family-affiliated restaurants so that

festival-goers could order delicious food throughout the weekend while supporting the establishments and their employees. A generous group of boutiques invited shoppers in over the weekend and donated a portion of their proceeds to Burke’s. Saturday included a tie-dye session hosted by Upper School Science Teacher Susan Deemer, an Upper School digital escape room, and plenty of cooking, baking, and cookie decorating. The day was capped off with Burke’s BINGO and cocktails (or mocktails) for the alumnae community hosted by former Upper School Director Rebekah Wolman. Among the other special Saturday events were Burke’s Bakers parties for the Lower and Upper Schools, led by a James Beard Foundation chef who is also a Food Network Chopped Champion. Kindergarten parent volunteer and organizer Patricia Picache stated, “Burke’s Festival is a special expression of community, and I hope the students see how much they are appreciated and loved during

BURKE’S MAGAZINE

this challenging life chapter. Finding a way to keep Zoom interesting and fun for both the girls and parents is a challenge, but being able to connect with friends while also putting new faces to names is always fun.” Historically, the P.A. Inclusivity & Community Building Committee (ICBC) has hosted a quiet room as a calming space during Festival, to ensure that the event was inclusive of all children and families attending, and to provide relief from the excitement of the event for those that desired it. This year, the ICBC decided to host the first-ever Cultural Corner featuring “Indian Home Cooking” as a virtual replacement in order to highlight inclusivity, which is an integral aspect of every Burke’s event. This year’s Cultural Corner was hosted by a brand-new Burke’s dad, Sugam Jain, who volunteered to be both chef and guide for the Indian Home Cooking class. The chosen menu included palak paneer (saag paneer), bhuna chawal (cumin rice), and mango lassi, and was enjoyed by more than 50 Burke’s families in their home kitchens. “I’m excited that this is our first Festival,” Jain said. “I really enjoyed sharing my family’s culture with the Burke’s community. I hope all the families enjoyed this new experience and it helped to expand their culinary and cultural horizons.” Eighth graders got to start their Sunday with a special alumnae-hosted #SundaySweat, curated specially for the Class of 2021, and the entire Upper School was gifted with a professional hip-hop dance class in the afternoon. Sunday’s festivities also included Roblox, online parlor games like Burke’s BINGO and Family Feud, arts and crafts, and cookie decorating. Festival parent volunteer Katja Björner Gutierrez said, “The challenge was to reimagine, and not let the general tiredness of the pandemic rule. It takes brainpower and creativity and people coming together. When I saw the Festival offerings roll out, I thought, this is Burke’s! I love how we translated Burke’s Festival into a weekend of sharing that brought us all together.”

LOWER SCHOOL PICNIC Distanced or not — you can’t stop Burke’s from being Burke’s. Hundreds of Burke’s families, along with faculty and staff, came together over Zoom for the annual Lower School Picnic! It was a wonderful lunch break filled with laughter, dancing, and smiles. As Lower School Music Teacher Lisa Mandelstein said, we had many, persevering, and flexible snake dancers! In a normal year, fourth-grade students who are interested in helping Head of School Michele Williams lead the Snake Dance put their names into a hat for a random drawing. Since we couldn’t dance together this year, the selected fourth grader kicked off the event with a special welcome, followed by third graders who helped educate families on how to compost, reuse, and recycle their picnic fixings! Lower School P.E. Teachers Jonathan Portero-Brown and David Hay lead the families in warm-ups, and then came the dancing! We enjoyed our traditional Snake Dance (and all those fierce snake faces, caught on Zoom), along with “Bashana Haba’ah” to celebrate the Jewish New Year. In honoring our distance protocols, we ended with the classic line dance “The Electric Slide.” We may have just started a new Burke’s tradition!

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A PANDEMIC at Burke’s YEAR Here is a snapshot of the past year into February as we worked to educate, encourage, and empower our students from a distance and on campus.

2020

MARCH 6 Burke’s hosts International Women’s Day 2020 with the inspiring and esteemed athlete and conservationist Kim Chambers. It is the last all-school event on campus before the closure.

MARCH MARCH 19-20 Lower and Upper School conferences are quickly shifted to virtual meetings — the first of many online meetings, classes, and gatherings to come.

MARCH 12

MARCH 25

Effective Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m., all classes, and extracurricular activities on Burke’s campus are canceled.

Burke’s aligns with Public Health Officers around the Bay Area to extend the period of school closure through May 1, 2020.

These are far from normal times and as we push through this period we need to allow ourselves to embrace a new normal for the time being.

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n March 12, 2020, Burke’s sent out an announcement canceling all academic, extracurricular activities, athletic games/practices, and performances. This was the moment when Burke’s, like schools around the world, began a journey requiring a re-evaluation of nearly every aspect of our educational practices.

That journey has continued for over a year — and with cases falling and vaccines becoming available — there is a growing light at the end of this tunnel. It is incredible to look back and see how far we have come during this challenging and historic time.

APRIL APRIL 1

APRIL 13-17

Burke’s holds its first virtual Community Meeting. The school has since held 11 meetings and counting with discussions about campus reopening, ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion work, social-emotional learning, and mental health, as well as updates from the Burke’s Medical Advisory Group.

Tree House Spring Break Camp is offered online with new themes daily and drop-in morning and afternoon synchronous offerings. Online resources, craft, and activity ideas were shared throughout the week.

APRIL 15

APRIL 3

APRIL 10

Burke’s Community Emergency Support Fund launches thanks to the early generosity of members of our Board of Trustees. The Fund is established to support the Burke’s community on an ongoing basis and is immediately used to alleviate the unexpected economic burden resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Faculty members engage in their first Professional Development Day during a pandemic — ready to forge ahead to keep their students well, provide new challenges, and increase connection.

Taking direction from state and local officials, Burke’s extends the campus closure through the last day of school on June 10.

CLOSED

BY the NUMBERS

ZOOM TIME One Year

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BY the NUMBERS

OPERATIONS One Year

MAY

2020

MAY 2 Students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and grandparents come together for an incredible virtual Burke’s Benefit and Raise the Paddle that exceeds its goal of $300,000.

MAY 29 MAY 8 “I’ll be there for you.” The campus remains closed, but as Burke’s finishes the eighth week of teaching and learning from a distance, we celebrate our committed faculty and supportive Parents’ Association, and give thanks for the partnership of our families.

Protests unfold across the nation in response to George Floyd’s death, and staff and faculty hold a moment of silent outrage to name what is happening and find a path forward to process the moment and be ready to support students.

BY the NUMBERS

LUNCH TIME & CLEANING TIME

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They are reimagining science experiments, redesigning collaborative work, preparing at-home supply kits to make hands-on projects and lessons a reality, and exploring new apps and teaching strategies that will help close the gap between distance and in-person learning.

JUNE

JULY

JUNE 5

JULY 28

The Board of Trustees commits to a simple but ambitious goal: we want Burke’s to develop graduates who will leave our campus feeling that it is their personal responsibility not only to refrain from racist behavior, but also to actively work to dismantle systemic racism and inequity in all aspects of our culture.

San Francisco is on the state watch list, and Burke’s announces it will design hybrid and distance learning models for the 2020-21 school year.

JUNE 11

JUNE 10 A joyous Pansy Day and Stepping Up Ceremony are celebrated with Blair Rosenblatt Shane ’85, Distinguished Alumna Award Recipient, via Zoom.

Burke’s celebrates the resilient Class of 2020 with a virtual ceremony and a drivethrough “graduationin-a-box” event to distribute diplomas and well wishes.

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I have been so proud of how our students adapted to learning from a distance, and it has been a joy to see their resilience and energy as we tackled hybrid learning!

AUGUST-NOVEMBER

2020

SUMMER 2020 Burke’s teachers spend the summer participating in professional development on teaching in distance and hybrid settings.

SEPTEMBER 9 A dark, smoky, and orange morning dawns for the virtual Opening Assembly. We welcome our newest community members and honor the Class of 2021 to kick off a year destined for the Burke’s history books.

SEPTEMBER 25 A landmark moment! SFDPH comes by for a site visit, taking a critical step towards on-campus hybrid learning.

OCTOBER 5 Burke’s welcomes back its youngest learners to campus — beginning a process to bring all Hybrid learners back to campus by early November.

NOVEMBER 18 The first School Families event of the year allows our fourth-grade students to meet their new little (Burke’s) kindergarten sisters via Zoom for the very first time!

BY the NUMBERS

MAKERY TIME 26

One Year

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The Class of 2020 are becoming adults in an unforgettable time and I truly believe they will be changemakers, leaders, and much-needed voices for a better world.

2021

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

JANUARY 29 Burke’s Festival parent, faculty, and staff volunteers reimagine this historic community event with a special weekend of virtual activities.

FEBRUARY 12 Burke’s celebrates the Lunar New Year with a reimagined Lion Dance Parade held both online and on-campus!

sent home with 10 bicycle chains worth of chain links to make 300 total fidget tools

SPRING 2021

Building a Community of

BELONGING

BURKE’S IS A SCHOOL COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND ANTI-RACIST TEACHING.

s a community, we struggled in this last year to make sense of the painful and far too common hate crimes against Black people, Asian-Americans, Indigenous people, Latinx, and other marginalized groups. “Burke’s has a responsibility to change attitudes and behavior as we take a values-based approach to educating, encouraging and empowering our students to be future leaders in our society,” says Head of School Michele Williams. The work has been ongoing for several years with DEI activities and conversations woven throughout all parts of the Burke’s community, touching students, faculty and staff, parents, administration team, Board, and alumnae. Last June, the members of the Burke’s Board of Trustees committed to a simple but ambitious goal: for Burke’s to develop graduates who will leave the campus feeling that it is their personal responsibility not only to refrain from racist behavior but also to actively work to dismantle systemic racism and inequity in all aspects of our society. “The Board’s DEI work continued to be mission-critical this year, and we have been working to apply the appropriate DEI lens at all levels in the Board’s decision making. Every trustee now rotates through the DEI committee for a year-

long commitment to become familiar with the issues, the Board has prioritized DEI issues on our agendas, and it was the sole topic of our annual retreat. The work is never done, but you can’t participate in a conversation if you aren’t willing to do the work itself,” says Board President Adrian Dollard. Quise Rodriguez Edwards, Director of Inclusivity and Community Building, emphasizes that “at its core, DEI work is about lifting up people’s lives and experiences. As an institution, Burke’s is committed to strategically and systematically making DEI a priority. “The changes we are working towards can sometimes feel too slow since we are eager to see change. However, it is important to acknowledge that DEI work is grappling with cultural shifts that need to be internalized by large and diverse populations. We know changes won’t happen overnight; to the contrary, this must be an ongoing and continuous effort,” she says. “The work to build a genuinely anti-racist institution and community is longterm and ongoing. From the future-facing admissions outreach to the growing commitment to connecting with more alumnae and hearing their stories, the Burke’s circle expands every day.”

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About five years ago, the fourth grade added an identity unit to the social studies curriculum to raise other voices and perspectives in our study of California history. We want our students to see themselves in what we view and read in class. My training at Burke’s has allowed me to create space for each student’s voice, and we hope it lifts them up so they can determine the kind of changemaker they want to be. — TAMMI ABAD, Fourth Grade Teacher

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SPRING 2021

STUDENTS AFFINITY & ALLIANCE GROUPS (15 & COUNTING) Provide an opportunity for students who identify with similar characteristics, backgrounds, lived experiences, and shared commitments to gather in a safe space where they can build common connection. Affinity Groups begin in third grade.

ALUMS ALUMNAE DEI COMMITTEE A subcommittee of the alumnae board dedicated to reflecting on the experiences of former Burke’s students and creating inclusive spaces for current and future alumnae. ALUMNAE EVENTS

SERVICE LEARNING Burke’s K-8 service-learning curriculum is rooted in a social justice framework. Partnerships include: Richmond Neighborhood Center, The Presidio Trust, and Hamilton Families. YOUTH VOICE Burke’s student organization works to develop student leaders who take a leadership role in Upper School events and develop a sense of civic-mindedness and public service.

PARENTS & FAMILIES PARENT EDUCATION We are dedicated to featuring speakers on topics such as anti-racism, gender inclusion, learning and the brain, and social-emotional well-being. PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES Burke’s offers many positions within our Parents’ Association and has dedicated committees that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and events that build community. COMMUNITY DIALOGUES The purpose of the Community Dialogue is to invite all members into changing the dialogue around social justice. Each year there is a topic — this year, it is “Racism in America: Building Perspective.” Last year, it was “Brave Conversations,” and “Building Allyship” the year before. PARENT AFFINITY GROUPS

These groups have emerged so parents can have a similar experience to the student affinity groups and build community with each other. Highlighted Parent Affinity Groups include Parents of Students with Learning Differences, Latinx Families, and the White Accountability Group.

Alumnae events dedicated to DEI have included our Alumnae of Color Affinity Space and the LGBTQIA+ Affinity Space.

ADMINISTRATION FFICE OF INCLUSIVITY & COMMUNITY O BUILDING This office includes a Director of Inclusivity and Community Building on the Senior Administrative Team as well as an Associate Director. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & OVERSIGHT The Director of Curriculum Innovation and the Director of Inclusivity and Community Building intentionally share an office to collaborate and innovate on K-8 curriculum and interdisciplinary projects. ADMINISTRATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Burke’s administrators are required to participate in anti-racist and gender inclusivity training with DEI consultants and organizations to bolster our understanding and inclusion of multiple perspectives in the curriculum as well as increasing representation and inclusion amongst students, faculty and staff.

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FACULTY & STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Burke’s commitment to staff and faculty development is grounded in equity and excellence. Recent conferences and training include: People of Color Conference, Courageous Conversations training, Pollyanna Conference, and Gender Inclusion with Rosetta Lee. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT Burke’s teachers work with our Director of Inclusivity and Community Building and our Director of Curriculum Innovation, as well as collaborate with each other, to create grade-appropriate thematic and innovative interdisciplinary lessons designed to be taught with cultural humility.

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DEI and social justice work needs to be the bedrock of our curriculum in order to educate, encourage, and empower our students to be agents of change in their communities now and throughout their lives. - EMILY BANKS, Third Grade Teacher

AFFINITY GROUP LEADERS Burke’s faculty and staff serve as facilitators for our student affinity groups.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE All Board members participated in Dr. Eddie Moore’s 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge and completed a reading for the Racial Justice Task Force. BOARD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Board is required to participate in professional development around inclusivity and annually attends the Pollyanna Conference, Anti-Racism by Design, Diversity in Governance, and The Class Conference. QUITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE & RACIAL E JUSTICE TASK FORCE The E&I committee, in collaboration with the Racial Justice Task Force, is committed to supporting and strengthening community engagement and weaving racial literacy and anti-racist work into the fabric at Burke’s for all community members.

BURKE’S CURRICULUM CONTINUES TO EVOLVE FROM AN ALREADY EQUITY- AND INCLUSION-RICH FOCUS. Burke’s teachers are guided by Teaching Tolerance — specifically, the Anti-Bias Framework — and have introduced the Pollyanna Racial Literacy Curriculum as an additional resource. This year, in particular, the distance and hybrid learning models were designed with consideration for equity and access with every decision. ● THE UPPER SCHOOL “E” BLOCK CLASS explores issues of equity, empowerment, entitlement, race and racial injustice, class, and privilege. ● YOUTH VOICE, Burke’s student government body, has added a new position of equity and inclusion officers on the leadership team. ● AFFINITY, ALLIANCE, AND INTEREST GROUPS in third through eighth grades are formally incorporated into the school day and emphasize the value of connecting, supporting, and learning from each other.

SPRING 2021

PANSY DAY 2020

Wednesday, June 10 marked our Pansy Day to celebrate the outgoing eighth graders. The pandemic kept us at a distance, but the spirit of our traditions was strong as hundreds of community members joined online to celebrate the Class of 2020. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2020 PANSY DAY AWARD WINNERS May Hickey Award Caroline Batchelder Patricia Franklin Swanson Writing Award Annabella Chanel Sarah Babcock Award Ever Bogosian & Faith Park Performing Arts Lucy Samuels & Nora Visser Visual Arts Julie Song Award Samantha Domm Kaia Hayes

Head’s Award Kathryn Flemming Page Sparks Head’s Cup Annabel Bourgon Carter Flemming Outstanding Athlete Award Carter Flemming Kathryn Flemming Page Sparks

“As we gather on Zoom, let’s take a moment to bring to life in our minds’ eye the Pansy Day ceremony as it takes place in the courtyard. Parents and guests are seated, and the Upper School processes in from four directions to the sounds of Vivaldi. The ceremony is filled with movement and music. We rise to recite the school pledge and sing the school song. The eighth graders wind among their Little Sisters, draping green and yellow ribbons around their necks to further welcome them – many of the eighth graders wearing the very ribbons their eighth-grade Big Sisters draped around their necks four years ago. Class of 2020, know that your presence lingers in the courtyard just like those beautiful pansy impressions. The courtyard and tree and all of Burke’s await your return!” — Rebekah Wolman, Former Director of Upper School

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COMMENCEMENT 2020 We bade a fond farewell to the 44 members of the Class of 2020 on Thursday, June 11 through a virtual graduation ceremony, special gifts, and many good wishes. We wish them the best of luck in high school and beyond!

CLASS OF 2020 HIGH SCHOOL DESTINATIONS The Bay School of San Francisco Berkshire School The Branson School Brentwood School Cate School Convent High School Drew School Groton School International High School Lick-Wilmerding High School Marin Academy Menlo School The Nueva School St. Ignatius College Preparatory San Francisco University High School The Urban School

Congratulations as well to the members of Burke’s Class of 2016, who wrapped up four years of high school. A list of some of their college destinations is below. CLASS OF 2016 COLLEGE DESTINATIONS American University Amherst College Barnard College Bucknell University California Institute of Technology California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Carnegie Mellon Claremont McKenna College Columbia University Dartmouth College Denison University Georgetown University Harvard College Macalester College Miami City Ballet School New York University Northeastern University Pomona College

San Francisco State University Santa Barbara Community College Santa Clara University Stanford University Syracuse University The University of Western Australia Trinity College (CT) University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Riverside University of California, Santa Barbara University of Colorado, Boulder University of Iowa University of Miami University of Oregon University of Richmond University of St. Andrews University of the Pacific University of Virginia University of Washington Washington University SPRING 2021 (St. Louis)

MAKE a gift to Burke’s. MAKE a difference for current and future students. MAKE sure that the legacy of your Burke’s experience lives on. At Burke’s, we teach our students to learn by making. They make their own inventions. They make works of art. They make connections between what they’re studying and real life. With a donation to Burke’s Annual Fund, you can make magic happen. Support your alma mater, fellow alumnae, beloved faculty and staff, and generations of Burke’s girls. Donate to the Annual Fund now at burkes.org/give.

Every gift, of any size, makes an impact. MAKE yours today.

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Alumnae Updates

t is hard to believe that we have lived more than one year in a pandemic world. Wearing masks, staying home, social distancing — we have all had to drastically change the way we live our day-to-day lives. As I stepped into my role as your new Alumnae Board president last July, I was forced to consider what a pandemic might mean for our alumnae community. Personally, I had first gotten involved with the Board after attending a number of fun and fulfilling alumnae events, and even after we had hosted a fantastic virtual Alumnae Mentorship Network panel, I wasn’t sure what alumnae engagement looked like in a long-term Covid-19 world. One year later, I am so proud of what the Alumnae Board has accomplished and the ways that we have continued to come together, despite having to stay apart. Just as Burke’s teachers, students, and families are making hybrid and distance learning work, we have transitioned events and traditions to Zoom, and the creativity and commitment of your Board members has allowed us to stay connected in a time of isolation. With alumnae-specific events like our Holiday Celebration and through our participation in reimagined community events like our beloved Family Festival, a silver lining has been the way virtual events strengthen ties with alumnae outside of the Bay Area — technology has been a welcome equalizer in that sense! Whether or not you have had the chance to attend a virtual event, I hope you enjoy seeing the flexibility and resourcefulness of Burke’s alumnae in the pages to come… and that you are saving the date for our first virtual Alumnae Reunion Weekend on June 5 and 6! We look forward to celebrating four sets of milestone reunion classes: graduation years ending in ’0, ’1, ’5, and ’6. The challenges of the past year have also led to new developments for our Alumnae Board. One of the changes I am most proud of is the creation of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, led by Vice President Jewel Devora ’09. With Jewel’s leadership, we have held two Affinity Spaces for Alumnae of Color to gather in community, hold space in hard times, and share changes we hope to see with administration and each other. We look forward to continuing this work, starting with our first LGBTQIA+ Affinity Space in a few weeks (as of this writing), and we hope that each of you will engage in our ongoing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work in meaningful ways. When I reflect on how much we have accomplished in a global pandemic, I am even more excited about what’s to come in during our “next normal.” If you want to get involved, learn about joining the Alumnae Board, or have a suggestion, don’t hesitate to contact me at lharada530@gmail.com. I hope to see you in the coming months, whether that is online, from six feet away, or hopefully with a hug or handshake soon enough. Take care,

LISA HARADA ’03 President of the Alumnae Board

SPRING 2021

Burke’s Alumnae Board THE BURKE’S ALUMNAE BOARD REPRESENTS MORE THAN 2,000 MEMBERS OF THE BURKE’S ALUMNAE POPULATION. The purpose of the Alumnae Board is to strengthen and maintain the ties between Katherine Delmar Burke School and its alumnae. It is also to encourage interest in the school and promote its welfare. The Board convenes four times per year and is available to share updates with and hear perspectives from the alumnae community year-round. The Alumnae Board’s 15-20 person membership is open to any alumna who is interested in serving Burke’s and who is able to participate for at least one two-year term (July 1 through June 30). Would you be interested in joining? We are always looking for new members, and we want the Alumnae Board to be as reflective of the wider alumnae population as possible! Please contact Board President Lisa Harada ’03, VP of Governance Rachel Adam Rogers ’97, or Burke’s Associate Director of Advancement Diana Kaw to learn more about joining the Alumnae Board for our 2021-2022 year!

2020-21 BURKE’S ALUMNAE BOARD Lisa Harada ’03 President

Rachel Adam Rogers ’97 Vice President, Governance

Natalie Jamison Tiret ’98 Vice President, Development

Sinclaire O’Grady ’09 Secretary

Katherine Abbey Prill ’03 Vice President, Mentorship

Julia Baron ’01 Laurie Hanna Carrade ’92 Allison Broude Friedberg ’00 Max Boyer Glynn ’94 Diana Ziola Jansson ’95 Callie Ranahan ’06 Rachel Rubenstein ’02 Tiffanie Tse ’99 Katy Congdon Williams ’96 Danielle Broude Yokell ’96

Jewel Devora ’09 Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Darby Gaynor Glickman ’98 Vice President, Events

Class Representatives CLASS REPRESENTATIVES ARE ADDITIONAL ALUMNAE VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP FOSTER CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ALUMNAE AND BURKE’S, AS WELL AS AMONGST ALUMNAE. Ideally each graduating class has at least one Class Agent who helps promote alumnae and school programs, encourages support of Burke’s Annual Fund from their class, and collects alumnae contact information and life updates for our annual Class Notes. Don’t know who your Class Representative is? Interested in volunteering? We can always use your help! Contact Diana Kaw at diana.kaw@burkes.org today!

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world. My work has taken me to remote areas of Africa and, with along my husband, I’ve traveled and worked around the world.

“ Burke’s was a really great experience for me and made me feel special.”

Mary Ann Jones ’75e Mary Ann Jones ’75e is the CEO at Westside Community Services here in San Francisco and has her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She has championed the care, mental and physical health, and well-being of those living in low-income and underrepresented communities. Prior to working at Westside, Jones worked as a researcher, clinician, and administrator in health care management and advocacy. Jones has worked around the world in the area of trauma, and her experience includes work with the African Union in Darfur, Sudan; Partners of the Americas and EDUCARE in Georgetown, Guyana, to address childhood labor/trafficking and bring violence prevention strategies to youth; and developing services for families impacted by sexual violence for the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Her work in grassroots program development, sexual violence, and mental health-care literacy extends around the world and includes Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Cuba, and the Caribbean.

I finished my doctorate and moved with my family to South Florida where I ran a sexual violence awareness campaign for Palm Beach County and was appointed by then-Governor of Florida Jeb Bush to serve as his Vice-Chair on the Governor’s Task Force on Domestic Violence. In 2004, I returned to San Francisco to care for my mother after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and worked at Westside Community Services where I eventually became CEO. I have served in this role for the past 11 years. I don’t know if I would have done all of this if I had not gone to Burke’s. What three words or phrases come to mind when you hear “Katherine Delmar Burke School”? Dream Big, Go Lancs!, Best Years of My Life What would you tell incoming kindergarten families about the journey ahead? Cherish this experience and enjoy the journey. What is your favorite memory from Burke’s? The annual May Day celebration.

How do you think Burke’s influenced or helped your journey to your current career? Burke’s set me on a trajectory for success, which allowed me to have the kind of life that I have now. When I came to Burke’s, my mom was a single parent with three girls. We lived on Hayes and Buchanan, and the neighborhood was somewhat rough back then. Burke’s was a really great experience for me and made me feel special. At that time, being one of the only Black students in the Lower School was extremely important for me. Everyone — teachers, students, staff — was really nice to me, and I learned and heard, constantly, “You can do anything!” Being at Burke’s, it felt like I was part of a family. It was a really positive experience, being around girls and women at Burke’s. Because of my experience at Burke’s, I chose to attend Mills College majoring in chemistry with a year in an exchange program at Spelman College. After graduating from college, I moved to Washington, D.C. to complete a Society for Neuroscience Fellowship at Howard University, and later attended Georgetown University Experimental Medical Studies

Program which led me to HIV/AIDS research at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. I returned to San Francisco to work at the SF Department of Public Health AIDS Office in 1987 at the height of the AIDS epidemic. After leaving the SFDPH, I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant at the Bay Area Perinatal AIDS Clinic at UCSF on the first AZT study with pregnant women. This was so exciting because I would go into my old neighborhoods and offer HIV testing to pregnant women with substance abuse disorders. This was the first time that these women were given access to AZT and devoted physicians with experience in HIV/AIDS research and women’s health. But more importantly, this was the first time that these women were able to have children and babies that were born HIV-free. After three years of intensive HIV/AIDS research and advocacy, I moved to India to work with women living with HIV/AIDS. My experiences in grassroots development were directly related to my education at Burke’s because I realized how important it is to give back and uplift women wherever I am in the

What is something you learned at Burke’s that you still carry with you today? You can do anything with self-discipline and hard work. How would you encourage Burke’s students and fellow alumnae to give back to Burke’s? Connect with the Alumnae Office and volunteer. What Burke’s experiences do you attribute to your personal or professional success? The personal relationships that I had with Georgia Malan and David Fleishhacker provided me with the encouragement and confidence to pursue my dreams. Through these relationships I learned that I had a responsibility to do my best no matter what the circumstance. If you had it to do all over again, your time at Burke’s and since, what might you do differently? I would be a better student and take better advantage of all the opportunities that I had at Burke’s.

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“ .... I learned how I wanted to engage with other women — as a confidante and an ally.”

Sabrina Kivitz Braham ’87 Sabrina Kivitz Braham ’87 had a winding journey to becoming a pediatrician. After a high school internship for former California Senator Barbara Boxer, Braham briefly entertained a career in law. After graduating from Georgetown, where she studied English literature, she worked in finance with a focus on pharmaceutical stocks. She started to notice that every time she went to a medical conference she was more interested in the patients and the medicine than the economics. Realizing that her passion had always been about helping people, she went back to school for a post-baccalaureate at Mills College in Oakland. From there, she finally decided to take the leap and go to medical school. As an older student, she juggled medical school with the birth of her first child, taking an extra research year in pediatric dermatology before starting residency at Stanford with a 9-monthold in her arms. She had her second child during her second year of residency and then joined Menlo Clinic Pediatrics in Menlo Park. In addition to her busy clinical practice, Braham teaches Stanford medical students and residents and serves on several philanthropic boards in her community. She is a believer that a wandering journey can sometimes take you farther than a straight shot.

How has Covid changed your life as a medical professional? Pre-Covid I had an amazing work-life balance; I loved what I did and I did it three and a half days a week — perfect. I could be a functional human, an involved mom, and an active participant in my community. But when Covid arrived, everything changed. I found myself working around the clock to make sure my patients and staff were safe, and relying on creativity and courage to act when there was no clearly established path. It’s been challenging to figure out how to protect and serve our most vulnerable patients while also keeping our staff and ourselves safe. Ultimately, we’ve done an excellent job, I think, despite being the only community pediatric practice open in our area during the early months of the pandemic.

What is your favorite memory from Burke’s? Hmmm. I don’t have a terrific memory in general, which I attribute to the huge mental real estate taken up during medical school, but my fondness for Burke’s is rooted in the years being “raised” in a single-gender school environment. Growing academic and social emotional skills in the absence of the opposite sex during adolescence allows one to develop a better sense of self the world. I spoke up (or not) in class because I was interested, not because I wanted to get a boy’s attention. I’m known to be a pretty outspoken person in general, particularly when the stakes are high. I think that trait comes from being in an all-girl school environment where I had the opportunity to develop my own voice.

What is something you learned at Burke’s that you carry with you today? I think I learned how I wanted to engage with other women — as a confidante and an ally, not a competitor, or, as my daughters might say, “a hater.” It’s been a passion of mine to be supportive of other women and raise my children to seek relationships that build and don’t tear down. I think my desire for my children to develop empathy and be supportive of others was born from my time at Burke’s.

Who is a Burke’s teacher who left a lasting impact on you? I remember my English teacher Mr. Bell very fondly. I was an English major in college, probably largely because of the impact of his English classes. We had such rich discussions about language and the many ways it can be used in the expression of ideas. He may not remember me as fondly though. I was a handful.

What advice would you give to a young person? I talk to my teen patients about this a lot, because the Bay Area can be an intense place and teenagers feel very defined by where they are accepted into college. Many kids think that where they attend college will determine the path of their life. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Life is such a fascinating journey that we have to be open to. You need to know yourself well, lead with your strengths, grow from weaknesses, and pursue things that matter to you. If you do those things together, you will find something that you can’t help but work hard at and that no one could do as well as you. That is true success in my opinion. I didn’t find my way to medicine overnight, but I couldn’t keep myself from doing this work because I care so much.

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“I knew the basic strengths I had to offer were an ability to think critically, a little bit of curiosity, and a willingness to learn.”

What is a strong memory you have from Burke’s?

Kathleen Robbins ’09 At first look, you might not know that Kathleen Robbins ’09 spends her days supporting and providing information to F-16 fighter pilots. Yes, you read that correctly: Kathleen is an Intelligence Officer in the United States Air Force. After applying to ROTC out of high school, Robbins chose to attend the University of California, Los Angeles. She focused on political science and the Russian language and decided to join the Air Force after graduation. In college, Robbins saw many people around her heading to Washington, D.C. or moving towards think tanks. But she wanted to explore big ideas and employ an understanding of geopolitics and international relations to help others make informed decisions about our world today and our future.

Where do you live? And what do you do? I have lived in Germany since December 2019 and work at Spangdahlem Air Base, which has been around since the 1950s. My job on this base is to provide intelligence support for F-16 fighters.

clearly and articulately share my knowledge and assessments of the world. There is something so special about a Burke’s education. The emphasis on presenting our ideas verbally and in writing began at a young age and carried through each year. My time at Burke’s made me a better thinker, writer, and speaker.

How did you get into this work? Who was a teacher you remember fondly? I didn’t completely know what I was getting into, but I knew the basic strengths I had to offer were an ability to think critically, a little bit of curiosity, and a willingness to learn. I leveraged the amazing education I received at Burke’s and chose this career as a military officer.

How did Burke’s prepare you for your career choice? Burke’s made me confident in my own mind and in my ability to examine the world around me. It also taught me how to

I really look back on third grade with Ms. Auberson and Mr. Davidson, and also Ms. Mosheim in second grade. She always took the time to read my poetry scribbles and she would have us meditate (center ourselves) after recess to help us calm down. Mr. Davidson was a shining example of a teacher who was unapologetically supportive. Ms. Bryant taught me to focus on the game, play hard, and be aggressive. I wouldn’t have been an athlete in high school without her support. We spent so many hours shooting layups outside in the fog!

Burke’s was a special time when I was surrounded by female friends. Being out in the world post-Burke’s, I can say there is really something to be said for having a community of supportive women around you. That was a time when I was just surrounded by true, caring, supportive friends, and where I felt completely myself.

What three words or phrases come to mind when you hear Katherine Delmar Burke School (Burke’s)? Green and Gold, which encompasses all of the sports that were such a huge part of my Burke’s experience. “Educate,” because Burke’s delivers a fantastic education and it is an amazing place. Finally, I fundamentally tie Burke’s to San Francisco, my home. The fact that it’s right on the water and there’s fog all the time and it’s freezing but beautiful.

If you were to do it all over again, what might you do differently? I don’t think I would do anything differently. I think in adulthood you are presented with many moments where you think “I should’ve done this” or “I should have gone on to this.” But as Burke’s students, we were guided, helped, and encouraged at every turn.

What excites you about Burke’s today? I’ve been super excited to hear that we are expanding the idea of what it means to have girls’ education. As we should be; we are talking about the education of the whole child.

SPRING 2021

A pandemic couldn’t stop the Class of 1960 from enjoying their 60th reunion!

possibility of gathering more than 100 alumnae together seemed very uncertain, and after consultation with event professionals and Burke’s staff, the Alumnae Board opted to cancel the reunion, with plans to celebrate milestone reunions for graduating years ending in ’0, ’1, ’5, and ’6 come June 2021.

Alumnae Reunions In April 2020, a few weeks into the pandemic, the Executive Committee of the Alumnae Board called an emergency meeting to discuss the upcoming Alumnae Reunion Weekend, the hallmark annual event for Burke’s alumnae community. Scheduled to highlight milestone reunions for the graduating classes ending in ’0 and ’5 in June, the

We are grateful to our alumnae community for their understanding in our decision and proud to have done this small thing to help keep all communities and individuals safe! And we delighted in the resilience of a few of our alumnae classes, who took to their screens for virtual reunions. Just a few weeks into the pandemic, the Class of 1988 set up an impromptu call — finding connection and comfort on their computers. Four members of the Class of 1950 celebrated their 70th high school reunion together via Zoom, some using the technology for the very first time! The Class of 1960 hosted an incredible 60th high-school reunion

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on a Saturday night in June, with 13 participants calling in from the shores of Hawaii, the East Coast, across California, all the way to New Zealand, and just about everywhere in between. They had such a great time that they vowed to do it again the next month, and regularly to follow. The Class of 1995 enjoyed a special 25th reunion, with one participant dialing in close to midnight in her local time zone! “Gathering” from far distances and with many classmates parenting young children, a virtual reunion ended up being much better attended than an in-person event might have been… even without a pandemic! While we look forward to being able to gather in person once it is safe enough to do so, Burke’s is thrilled to host our first virtual Alumnae Reunion Weekend on June 5 and 6, and we hope to see you all there! With four sets of milestone reunions to celebrate, it will not be an occasion to miss!

SAVE the DATE!

Burke’s Virtual Alumnae Reunion Weekend: June 5 & 6, 2021 This year, we will be making up for lost time! Burke’s Alumnae Reunion Weekend returns on June 5 & 6, celebrating our alumnae from milestone graduation years ending in ’5, ’6, ’0, and ’1. For everyone’s safety and comfort, this year’s reunion will be entirely virtual. Email Associate Director of Advancement Diana Kaw at diana.kaw@burkes.org for more information!

While the pandemic has created more distance for people, for our alumnae the pandemic has actually brought people together from all over the world. Thanks to the power and flexibility of Zoom!

Affinity Spaces We started the year by holding a series of spaces specifically designed to build, foster, and create community among Burke’s alumnae who identify as people of color. Our first affinity space, in August, was led and facilitated by former Burke’s science teacher Dr. Tone Rawlings, who guided our alumnae in a workshop around decolonizing the heart and mind. A second affinity space was facilitated in October by our Director of Inclusivity and Community Building, Quise Rodriguez Edwards. We will continue to hold affinity spaces for alumnae as we expand our offerings and focus our attention on the well-being of our graduates with different identity characteristics. We continued our efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice work in March with our first Affinity Space for Burke’s LGBTQIA+ Alumnae.

SPRING 2021

Alumnae Holiday Celebration In lieu of the annual cookie decorating party that we host on campus in a normal school year, the Alumnae Board rallied together to create more than 200 cookiedecorating kits, with 92 kits being sent to 6 states — including Hawaii!

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Burke’s, Cathedral, Hamlin, and Town Alumni Trivia Night

We went virtual with the third annual expanded Alumni Cocktail Party! Alumni from the four schools joined in a battle for trivia domination hosted by Grammynominated musician, producer, composer, and all-around awesome guy Deke Sharon.

Alumnae Social and Bingo/ Happy Hour In January, Burke’s alumnae had a special Family Event hosted by former Burke’s Director of Upper School Rebekah Wolman. Alumnae from ’95 all the way to graduates of the Class of ’20 joined in the the fun for Happy Hour and Burke’s BINGO. At times, making events happen during Covid-19 felt daunting and challenging, but our Alumnae Board was dedicated to providing connection and safe spaces for our fellow alumnae.

3 RD ANNUAL

Alumnae Mentorship Network Panel An inspiring evening with a terrific panel of alumnae speakers! Our returning moderator Kimberly Fullerton ’77e, Partner at Spencer Stuart was joined by panelists: Talia Seidman Rhodes ’03, Humanities Teacher and former Dean of Curriculum and Instruction at Uncommon Schools (bottom left); Rachel Rubenstein ’02, Executive Leadership and Communication Coach (top right); Blair Rosenblatt Shane ’85, Burke’s 2020 Distinguished Alumna Award Recipient, Change Agent, and Entrepreneurial Leader (top left); and Stina Skewes-Cox Trainor ’96, Head of Policy Visits at Facebook (bottom right).

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2020 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD:

BLAIR ROSENBLATT SHANE ’85 The Katherine Delmar Burke School Distinguished Alumna Award is given each year to an alumna who embodies the values at the heart of the school’s mission to educate, encourage, and empower girls. The recipient exemplifies a life of learning, service to community, individuality, and the ability to make a difference in the world. The awardees are nominated by the alumnae community and voted on by the Alumnae Board. Blair Shane is Chief Operating Officer of TCG, where she leads an incredible team dedicated to running the firm and scaling portfolio companies.

Shane started her career at General Mills on brands including Yoplait and Total Cereal, followed by time at start-ups Questium and Time Dance and seven years at Charles Schwab.

Prior to TCG, Shane served as CMO/partner at Sequoia Capital, CMO/Associate Dean at Stanford Graduate School of Business, and CMO of the California Academy of Sciences.

Whatever job she is in, Shane creates possibilities and gets done what may be perceived as impossible. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband, Rick, and is the proud mom of Zoe and Luke.

The following is excerpted from the speech Blair Rosenblatt Shane ’85 gave at the virtual Pansy Day Ceremony on June 10, 2020.

hank you, Michele. I am honored to be here today.

share a few practices to help pave your way, join me in an exercise.

I believe in celebrations.

I’d like you to dream for a moment. Close your eyes. I’ll let you know when it’s time to open your eyes. Who do you dream of becoming? This can change but for now, this instant, please paint a vivid picture in your mind of who you want to become.

Especially in these uncertain times, cherishing accomplishment and joy is everything. So, before I begin, please join me in giving a huge shout-out to our graduating class. Grandparents, parents, friends and teachers, and eighthgraders — or, should I say, soon to be Burke’s graduates?

My name is Blair Rosenblatt Shane and I am jazzed to speak to you today. Why? Because, you are the women who will develop vaccines, and fight to end racism. You will be better parents, incredible artists, journalists, and friends. Each and every one of you will make a difference — especially if you set your mind to it. So again, before I

What are you doing? Where are you? Who are you with? How are you spending your time? Think for a moment. Paint a detailed picture in your mind. You just did my first bit of advice — “Set Intention.” Having a North Star that grounds you and is malleable will guide you. Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where you are headed. The fun thing is you are the only one who can decide. You get to choose.

BURKE’S MAGAZINE

I graduated in 1985. Can you believe that was 35 years ago? Well, maybe you can since due to Covid-19, I am a lot more gray than I was three months ago!

both mundane and complex and should be used for big things and small. And I would be remiss not to ask you to not let today go by without questioning the systemic racism in our country. Please ask:

The year 1985 was also the year Nintendo was introduced, Michael Jordan was Rookie of the Year, Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in Russia, and Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, and Cyndi Lauper organized Live Aid to help stop the famine in Africa.

● Why is our country divided?

Thirty-five years is 2.5 times longer than you have lived. Thirty-five years ago today, I sat on the Upper School steps, wearing this middy, and my parents gave me this pin that I still wear today for my most important meetings. And I was surrounded by friends on all sides — just like you are right now.

This is not just your parents’ job. This is not just your teacher’s responsibility. This is not just our elected officials’ job. This is not the job of people of color.

Look to the right of your screen. Look to the left. Go into gallery mode and take those faces in. Many will become lifelong friends. The best of them will have your back, help you stay out of trouble, encourage your passions, and love you for who you are. Focus on spending time with those people. That’s Practice #2 — ”Focus on Great Friends”. OK, are you sick of my reflections yet? Because I have one more. Who is your favorite teacher? Please think of one. I have been lucky enough to have several — Maggie Neale in graduate school, who taught me to negotiate with power; Professor Hagen, the history professor who gave me my first research job when I was a freshman in college; Rob Spivack at UHS, who helped me realize I was actually darn good at science. And, the teacher who made the biggest difference in my life was at Burke’s. After UHS, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford, I repeat, the teacher who had the single biggest impact on my life was my seventhand eighth-grade history teacher and Head of the Upper School. Mrs. Clark still lives down the street from me on Lake, and this is what she gave me all those years ago: ● My love of history ● A desire to make sense of today by understanding the past ● A desire to stand up for those less fortunate She was the first teacher who believed in me without question. She made me feel like I was super smart, special, and could do anything — when there were other people who did not think I was quite so extraordinary. That first teacher, Mrs. Clark, helped me find myself and charge forward despite the obstacles. Nancy, or Mrs. Clark, sat me down and showed me each day that if I stayed true to myself and worked hard, I would realize my dreams. It wasn’t any different than my Mom’s mantra of “Blair, you can do anything you set your mind to.” But she wasn’t my Mom and she saw me in my element every day. Mrs. Clark, taught me to go for it and to silence the naysayers. Thank you, Burke’s. Thank you, Mrs. Clark. Great people are those who truly see and hear you. Thank them and don’t forget Practice #3: “It just takes one person.” Who is that person for you? Can you be that person for someone else? Now, all great teachers, including yours at Burke’s, have taught you an essential skill: ask questions, and even better, ask good questions. It is simple and necessary. It is

● How do my friends of color feel? What do they experience? ● What will I do to stop racism?

This is your job. This is all of our jobs. Now is the time. Get involved. So here’s where are we in terms of practices to park in the back of your mind as you move forward: 1. Set Intention 2. Focus on Great Friends 3. It Just Takes One 4. Ask Practice #5 is somewhat obvious and follows “Ask” nicely. It is “Listen.” Ask to learn, and then take it in. Spend three times more on listening than talking. Make sure you are open and not so certain about things. Seek out many different ideas and perspectives that aren’t your own. Make sure your friends don’t all look like you. Listening will make you smarter and it will bring you joy. Practice #6 is “Love.” Now, of course, you will have first kisses, crushes, and serious relationships. But the kind of love I mean here is “loving and respecting yourself.” Find your passions: yours, not someone else’s. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Revel in the joy of playing guitar, solving hard math problems, feeding the hungry, playing soccer. Whatever it is, do it well and with all your might, and revel in it. This is what life is about. And loving these things will fuel how you show up in the world and help others. So love deeply and start with you. It’s a little quirky, I know, but I love prime numbers so I am going to end on a 7th Practice. This one is “Act.” All 44 of you, from Amani to Zina, are on this earth for a reason. With intention, a great team of a few good friends, your parents, grandparents, a single teacher, and others, you have the power to think critically, ask tough questions, listen hard, know who you are, and then go forth and do great things. You have the power to ACT to create good in the world — in your families, schools, and communities. Start today and I have no doubt that you will be speaking here in 35 years, having shaped your business, medicine, education, and politics. That journey begins with small acts today, tomorrow, and next week. We are all Burke’s alumnae. You are my sisters. I am on your team, and please reach out if I can ever help you in life. Let’s all get to it.

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CLASS NOTES

Alumnae Updates From Burke’s Class of 1938 VIRGINIA LOWREY BROWN ’38 celebrated her 100th birthday last June! (1)

Class of 1949 BARBARA FENGER CUMMINGS says that she is really happy at Villa Marin in San Rafael. She’s enjoying reading, doing puzzles, volunteering in the gift shop library, and visiting with her dear family.

Class of 1950 MARY JONES KELLEY is self-isolating, and her daughter is teaching virtually. WANDA HERRINGTON WALKER writes that she is still doing well at 87, and she ventured on a 30-day cruise from Capetown to Singapore just before the pandemic.

Class of 1956 SUSAN ROTHMAN SEELY shares the exciting news that she just became a greatgrandmother, to Eara Areyeh Gutman, and a grandmother again, to Hannah Arya Abrami-Cox!

Class of 1958 LYNN ARIAS BORNSTEIN: “As I’m sure is the case in the lives of all my classmates, things have drastically changed in this time of Covid. For me, no more happy days aiding in K-3 science at Saint Isabella. No

more three-hour lunches with friends. On the bright side, plenty of time for writing. I’m still in the poetry master class at College of Marin and also contribute work in a private group of poets; both on Zoom. When not at the computer, I’m walking the hills of Marin and talking with friends on hour-long phone calls. I hope, as soon as we are all vaccinated, that we will be able to gather together for one of our always enjoyable potluck lunches.” JOAN BRANSTEN SUTTON: “I’m in my 80th year and looking back on a rich, full life. Although coronavirus has made things difficult, I don’t condemn 2020 because my second grandson, Joseph Sutton, was born in March. My older grandson, Olby Sender, is 8 years old and thriving. I continue to study Latin and Ancient Greek. So, it hasn’t been a bad year — or a bad life either!” JEAN BETTMAN DANA: “This has been a year to remember. Many in the class of ’58 turned 80. I celebrated my birthday on Zoom with family and close friends. I’m fortunate to have many interests that were not prohibited by the pandemic. Aside from the tragedy of so much loss, I’ve enjoyed time to paint, swim, and meditate. I’ve appreciated having access to Zoom which has allowed me to stay close to family and take classes.”

Class of 1960 ALLISON ANN BALAAM MILLER says that she’s bought a document camera so she can teach lettering workshops online. She recently put together a new calligraphy class

for the Academy of Art, which took a good amount of time, and she’s looking forward to getting some decent studio time!

Class of 1961 The Class of 1961 had a fun reunion in Carmel in October 2019 organized by Carmel residents SIS CAMPION CONNOLLY, SUZANNE C. MATTMILLER, PENNY TENNEY HERSHMAN, and LYNN HEATLEY KNOOP. CYNTHIA SUTCLIFFE POETT drove down for the event with Missy Barrett Reynolds, and they stayed with LYNNE BARRETT REYNOLDS. BEATRICE BOWLES invites other Burke’s girls to check out her free monthly newsletter, Bea’s Buzz, on her website at beatricebowles. com. It includes stories about nature, gardens, and other delights!

Class of 1964 KATHARINE ASHLEY ROBB hopes that all in the Class of 1964 are staying safe and well in this unusual year of Covid!

Class of 1965 SUE MILLARD BARCH writes that she wishes she had been her age now when attending Burke’s: “I might have recognized the priceless and deep well of benefits there. Wishing you all safety and joy in true things.” ALICE RUSSELL-SHAPIRO: “Not news but continued affirmation for the excellent education I received at Burke’s from sixth to 12th grades. Señora Frances Arrieta, incomparable Spanish teacher, Ms. Roche and Miss Hughes in English — among others — so useful in my landscape architecture career.”

Class of 1966 ANDREA SOLARI: “My husband, Jim Klaczak, and I have moved to Arizona. Our daughter, Sylvia Bronson ’94, has also moved out of San Francisco to Tahoe. Sylvia and her daughter Lucy are loving the skiing. Jim and I are loving the warm weather! (2)

KAY DEE BEE MAGAZINE

Class of 1967 SUE SHOEMAKER ADAMS: “I finally retired last year after 23 years as a reporter and editor for several Bay Area newspapers, and then 25 years doing employee communication for Pacific Bell/SBC/AT&T. Still in San Francisco and can’t imagine leaving. I’ve been spending my time taking classes at USF’s Fromm Institute via Zoom; taking masked, socially distanced walks with friends; and pondering the crazy state of our world. Here’s hoping for better days to come before too long!” CATHLEEN COX: “This year, my husband Jonathan and I relocated to Redding, California to be near family. My older daughter and five of my seven granddaughters (aged 20 to one month) are here. I know I’m in the country now because it’s half a mile to pick up the mail and leave the trash. A very new kind of life for this San Francisco gal! On July 18, my daughter, BonnieClaire, and her husband, Lee, welcomed my newest granddaughter, Georgiana July. This year, I retired from my private spiritual direction practice, but old ministers — like old soldiers — may fade but never quite disappear!! I’m always looking for ways to contribute, and new projects are in the works. We are, together, facing so many challenges in our world, but I am most grateful for the many gifts and graces in my life.” AMY BULLIS TREMPER: “Hardest thing I have done was to hang up my spurs and sell my saddle. My husband Steve and I retired from ranching, and we now live along the Mexican border in an artist village called Tubac. I love swimming laps, hiking, and working for thoroughbred racehorse nonprofits. My grandson, Owen, was born on September 9, 2019, and currently the only thing that Covid has seriously impacted are visits to be with him and his parents! I would love to see my Burke’s classmates, and I dearly hope each and every one of you are well.” (3)

Class of 1968 PEGGY DEAMER retired from Yale School of Architecture at the end of 2018 and now works with the Architecture Lobby, an activist organization she founded that pushes for a more relevant and rewarding architectural

02 01

02 04 profession. She received the Architectural Record 2018 Women in Architecture Activist Award. She spends four months of each year in New Zealand, where she has a home on the north island, and the rest of the year in Brooklyn, New York.

Class of 1969 NANCY EVERS KIRWAN: “Living on 25 acres in Sonoma during the pandemic has made the isolation tolerable. Growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables, walking and hiking in surrounding beauty, and helping coordinate preparation for fire safety in the community have all played a part. Another activity has been helping preserve the local environment through activities supporting local state and city parks, Sonoma Mountain, and sustaining urban growth boundaries.” MARCIA MERRYMAN-MEANS: “Life is quiet here in Vermont. I keep busy working from my home office as an academic writer/editor,

03 now freelancing and focusing on a project that helps students understand literature. “After the death of my husband in a car accident almost 15 years ago, I have recently found companionship with (!) the now-retired state police commander who headed the investigation into his death. (The other driver fell asleep at the wheel.) “Here is a picture of me removing the black armband from a post of my house the day Joe Biden won the election. That band had been on my house for four years.” (4)

Class of 1971 SEBELLE VON HAFFTEN POOLE writes to let us know that her eldest sister, Katherine Kitsy Van Hafften ’67, is still around, but sister Caroline Van Hafften ’69 has passed away. Neither she nor any of her sisters ever went to detention! Sebelle’s first grandson was just born a year ago.

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CLASS NOTES Class of 1975e In 2020, Penn State University Press released a new book by ELIZABETH BOONE, “The Spanish Element in Our Nationality”: Spain and America at the World’s Fairs and Centennial Celebrations, 1876–1915.

Class of 1975 TAMMI(S) DOYLE is a Theatre Director, Playwright and Professor of Theatre at Bellevue College and lives in Seattle where she celebrated her 25th anniversary with her

wife, the voice actor, singer, actor, teacher and podcaster Bradetta Vines. Their three 30-ish daughters are doing well in Washington and California, pursuing nursing, helping Washington State Schools assess risks, and acting on film and TV — with their partners and pets. (5)

Class of 1978e ROBIN HAUSER: “I am just finishing a new documentary called $avvy, which investigates the historical, cultural, and societal norms around women and money. $avvy questions why women often take a backseat to managing their money and reveals why it’s increasingly critical for women to take the reins of their financial futures. It’s definitely a film I would like to screen at Burke’s!” SHERYL ISHIZAKI writes that she is currently the director of food and beverage

for The Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, and the regional board president for the southwest region of Canine Companions for Independence.

Class of 1982 ALEXANDRA BELLIS KROMELOW found her eighth-grade middy while cleaning and packing up her Burlingame home in preparation for a move to Washington state. (A Burke’s classmate since kindergarten helped find her new house!) What a trip down memory lane to see all of the signatures from her classmates! She reached out to a few to see if she was the only hoarder. “Burke’s has been home to many generations of my family, and it was really special to find this memento,” she said. (6)

Class of 1984 EMILY HOBIN JANOWSKY: “My oldest son, Nick, is in his first year at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. My youngest, Sam, is a sophomore at Redwood High School in Larkspur. Wishing many of my Burke’s classmates a happy 50th!”

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ANNE TOLPEGIN tells us that she splits her time between New York City and California as a professional actress. She recently got a new pup, Sherlock, and got engaged to Blake Stadnik, who you might recognize from NBC’s This is Us.

Class of 1986 ALIX SPIVACK: “I continue to teach environmental science to ninth graders at Gateway High School in San Francisco. Unfortunately, my mother — Karen Burrill Spivack (1938-2020) — passed away this past December. I look forward to resuming my sweep rowing competitive practice once Covid lifts, and to hikes on Mt. Tam with my Canaan dog Caleb in the interim.”

Class of 1988

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BETINA SUESSMANN BAUMGARTEN organized a virtual reunion for her class via Zoom: “About 10 of us joined, and it was a really fun happy hour of sorts, catching up and sharing our experiences during this crazy time.”

KAY DEE BEE MAGAZINE

KATIE HULTQUIST writes: “I helped OutRight Action International launch a Covid Emergency Fund to provide emergency support to LGBTIQ people around the world who are suffering from hunger, economic insecurity, family violence, and human rights abuses due to the pandemic. We thought we might raise $100K — but a year later, we have distributed approximately $1M to 125 grassroots organizations in 65 countries, and we are getting ready to do a second round of grantmaking this spring. This support is critical because LGBTIQ people are especially vulnerable during times of crisis yet often left behind by traditional relief efforts. When I think about the toll the last year has taken on all of us, including my own family (with three kids doing virtual school from home), I feel very fortunate to be a part of doing something to help people in my community around the world.” (7)

After deciding to have their wedding in 2019 rather than 2020 (a lucky decision that they will be forever grateful for), RENÉE SHARP was married to Liz Grubin at Arista Winery in Healdsburg, California on June 15, 2019. Among the 200 beloved guests were KATIE HULTQUIST and ELIZABETH FARIS! (8)

Class of 1996 KATY CONGDON WILLIAMS and her husband, Michael, welcomed their first child, Paige Parker Williams, on July 2, 2019. (9)

Class of 1997 RACHEL ADAM ROGERS’ second child, Nate, was born in May of 2020: “Our (almost) 4 year-old daughter, Wynn, adores him, and we are so thrilled to now be a family of four!” (10)

Class of 2002 ALEXANDRA FARBER lets us know that she is a winemaker for her own brand as well as Lange Twins Family Winery in Lodi, Calif.

Class of 2003 TALIA SEIDMAN RHODES and her husband, Jeremy, welcomed their first child, Elyse, on February 11, 2021. (11)

02 02 12 KATHERINE ABBEY PRILL and her husband, Derek, welcomed their first child, Charlie, on September 29, 2020. (12) ELISA GORES writes from Toronto: “My spouse, Stella Green Sanderson, and I were married July 31, 2020. My family is FULL of Burke’s girls and there were a lot of alumnae even at our small pandemic wedding. It was really a family affair: my mom, Adriana Schwartz Gores ’75e, planned it, and my sister Genna ’10 was part of the wedding party. My cousin Ana Clare Smith ’07 did the flowers, her sister Stella ’16 did my makeup, and my great-aunt Vicki Escamilla Fleishhacker ’60 and her kids, including Edie Fleishhacker Rindal ’84, helped organize and clean. We got married at Green Gables, which

14 is Vicki’s husband David’s family’s property in Woodside, Calif.. Also in attendance were my grandmother Elisa “Bambi” Escamilla Schwartz ’56, Ana Clare and Stella’s mom Mariana Schwartz ’77e and sister Eva ’13, and my second cousins Kara Fleishhacker ’12, Orrie Rindal ’18, and Kären Rindal ’21. (13)

Class of 2006 LISBY SKEWES-COX married her fiancé, Chris Symmes, in a small legal ceremony in Hong Kong, and then was joined virtually by her bridal party for a Zoom ceremony, which included three Burke’s girls: Stina Skewes-Cox Trainor ’96, Natalie Seward ’07, and Ana Clare Smith ’07! (14)

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Utah and works for Quip. Sister Caroline Hashagen graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Colgate University in May 2019, and she also lives in Utah, but works for Qualtrics.

Class of 2016 RANIA BORGANI is a first-year student at Barnard currently serving as an editor for a student publication. While living at home, she does absurd amounts of reading, baking, walking my dog, and riding her Peloton.

15 KATIE YEILDING has returned to Burke’s as a classroom support and supervision specialist, one of a group of new employees to act as proctors and supervisors for the various student cohorts during learning, at recess, lunch, and arrival/dismissal.

Class of 2007 NATALIE SEWARD WALL married her college sweetheart, Roger Rhodes Wall Jr., in Healdsburg, Calif., on January 2, 2021! (15)

Class of 2008 JOHANNA BALLESTEROS MALAER reports that she is living in Manhattan and working for The Aerospace Corporation. TIFFANY MILLER transitioned from Lazy Bear to tech in July 2018! Just in December, she was promoted to the Senior Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at Cruise, where the company is developing autonomous vehicles in San Francisco!

Class of 2011 ALEXANDRA HASHAGEN graduated magna cum laude from Bucknell University in May 2019, and she lives in

MADISON KJELDGAARD graduated from St. Ignatius last spring and moved to Lewisburg to attend Bucknell University, studying political science on a pre-law track! “I have been lucky enough to be on campus this year and absolutely loving it.” CAROLINE KELLEY is currently studying film studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. This past semester she was in Scotland doing in-person school as well as playing volleyball for the school’s team. ASHLEY YANKULIN graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep in 2020 and is currently enrolled at the University of Miami where she is on the pre-med track. She is attending mostly in-person classes and is part of the scuba diving club and trying out for the Hurricanettes in a couple weeks. “Burke’s taught me to always seek out opportunities that allow for me to better myself and let my voice be heard, therefore I am also considering a student government position,” she says. ALEXANDRA LENZO is taking a gap year due to the Covid pandemic, and will be attending Harvard this coming fall! She is currently working as a research intern and Gen Z advisor to a seed investor within the health, eCommerce, and clean beauty space. LILY DING is busy with remote learning and happy to be spending time at home. Her part-time fun job at a bakery is like therapy that takes her away from studying for a bit on weekends. “I’m making the best of it during this odd time of the world. Would love to hear from the class of 2016. Hope everyone stays safe and well! Xoxo.” ALEXA ELLWEIN: “This year is definitely not how I expected my freshman year in college

to go, but I am lucky enough to go to college in person so am making the best of it and having lots of fun!” AVERY ARCURI: “I am currently taking a gap year before heading off to college this fall! I have visited DC, Hawaii, and planning on spending time in Costa Rica this April, and currently I am living at home working for a pediatric healthcare company called Cortica. My gap year was super last-minute, but I have been loving it so far!” ISABEL SHEPPARD: “I am currently on the varsity volleyball team at Carnegie Mellon, and our first real game since Covid is this spring! I am also working with Global Business Brigades to help developing countries’ small businesses, and plan to be taking a trip later this year to Panama to continue this endeavor.” OLIVE MAUNUPAU is currently on campus at UC Davis in the heat of tennis season. “Very busy with school and tennis and excited to be back in SF for the summer!” HARRIET STEIN-SMITH is currently on track to study early childhood psychology at the University of Washington.

Class of 2018 SOPHIA WHEELER has transferred from Lick-Wilmerding to Walnut Hill School of the Arts outside of Boston to pursue her studies in dance.

BURKE’S MAGAZINE

In Memoriam Burke’s is proud of its strong legacy of graduating strong, confident women. We sadly report the loss of these membersof our alumnae family.

Lucy Harrison Campbell ’43

Leslie Clark Menetrey ’’50

Mary Franck ’50

Terry Luke Hamilton ’51

Edna-Gene “Eddie” Davis Morrell ’51

Jane Fortune Hickerson ’53

Carole Anixter Cohen ’55

Nancy Ellis Falk ’59

Penelope Lockridge Hartnell ’59

Jill Norman Faloon ’60

Elizabeth Newstat ’66

Linda Sloss Woodside ’66

* As of March 16, 2021

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

Burke’s Voices

FROM THE 1918 FLU PANDEMIC Over one hundred years ago Burke’s alumnae shared their stories of pandemic life with classes disrupted, sports put on hold, and friends and family gone to the country or shut into quarantine. Their voices are even more powerful as look back from our pandemic year.

BURKE’S MAGAZINE

With the ‘flu’ quarantine and much individual illness we have had a hard time to maintain the standard we had set of old, but with all the girls entertaining a sincere desire to bear their share most willingly we ought yet to graduate (as the group of girls that has been here longest) an honor to our Alma Mater, a pleasure and a satisfaction to Miss Burke. — FRANCES REVETT, CLASS OF 1919

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Tracing Burke’s

ROOTS THE KENDRICK FAMILY

id you know that Burke’s has a Grandparents’ Council? In fact, we even have an active Council member who is a great-grandparent! (The rest are all great grandparents, of course.)

But Barbara Kendrick Callander ’44 is not only a great-grandparent to two current students, Nina Louise Stephens ’27 and Cecilia “Cece” Stephens ’26. She’s also a proud Burke’s alumna herself and a grandparent, mother, aunt, and sister to many other Burke’s graduates. Like two of her older sisters, Geraldine “Gerry” Kendrick Morris Lindsay ’36 and Kathryn Kendrick McNeil ’39, Barbara attended Burke’s when it was a high school on Jackson Street. “I enjoyed the whole atmosphere of the school,” remembers Barbara. “It was just a great experience for me. It meant a lot to me, and it led me into a wonderful life afterwards, due to my relationships there, and for what it gave to me as a student.” This could be considered an understatement; in 1949, Barbara married John Callander, brother

Olivia Callander ’17 catching pansies on Pansy Day 2017, a longstanding Burke’s tradition beloved by many alumnae, including her grandmother and aunt.

of one of her best friends and Burke’s classmates, Elizabeth “Betty” Callander Tight ’44. Since graduating, Barbara served on the Alumnae Board and remembers helping plan Family Festivals while daughter Sara Callander Stephens ’69 attended Burke’s, staying engaged with Burke’s traditions in a new way. Both Barbara and Sara remember Pansy Day with great fondness. Barbara remarked on what a special, almost sacred day it was, and Sara reminisced, “I also loved watching the pansies fall over the graduating seniors on Pansy Day, as they walked two by two into the courtyard in Upper School.” Both women also talked about how much they enjoy the annual Alumnae Reunion. While Sara joked that it can be hard to see each other growing older, at Burke’s last in-person Alumnae Reunion in 2019, Barbara and three fellow ’44 classmates celebrated their 75th high school reunion together, catching up over lunch as though no time had passed. All those years ago, Barbara and her two sisters set the tone for being quite involved at Burke’s, as the family’s first generation of attendees. Kathryn, Gerry, and Barbara all served on the Works & Days yearbook staff and were active in school athletics. Although Kathryn settled down on the East Coast, after Gerry served in the Marines, she was also a parent to Burke’s girls Geraldine “Gerry” Morris ’64, Diana Morris Wild ’66, and Jane Leslie “JL” Morris Williams ’72. She even served on Burke’s Board of Trustees.

Kathryn Kendrick McNeil ’39

Barbara Kendrick Callander ’44

Geraldine “Gerry” Kendrick Morris Lindsay ’36

In addition to Sara ’69, who Diana, Gerry, and JL overlapped with at Burke’s for several years, a few other cousins paved the way at Burke’s for the Morris sisters. Marie Luise “Mimi” Otto ’54, Elizabeth Anne “Betsy” Otto Dohrmann ’56, and Susan Otto Comartin ’59 attended high school on Jackson Street. Betsy reflected on her time at Burke’s, sharing: “I received a wonderful and rewarding education at Katherine Delmar Burke School. I have fond Cece Stephens ’26 and Nina Stephens ’27

BURKE’S MAGAZINE

Diana Morris Wild ’66 and Sophie Saviano ’95, taken at Burke’s Centennial Celebration, a memorable experience for much of the family.

memories of those formative years, which were happy and filled with new knowledge and rich experiences and left me with an insatiable curiosity to travel the world and study new cultures.” Diana, as the resident family historian and genealogist (she updates and shares a family information book called Kendrick Kith and Kin!), delights in remembering the deep friendships she and her mother developed at Burke’s. She also has a profound appreciation for her own Burke’s experience and has long volunteered as a Class Representative. Diana commented, “The education I got at Burke’s was a foundation of such excellence that it created a passion for lifelong learning in me.”

gave [her] a strong foundation. There’s lots of girl empowerment at Burke’s that carried through.” Similarly, both Sara ’69 and Sara ’08 expressed their gratitude for their experiences at an all-girls school. Sara ’08 remarked, “there is huge value in single-sex education, especially for women growing up. Of course there is value in co-ed schools, but the idea of young girls learning and growing without the pressure of looks or popularity with boys was a huge value-add in my education and is one of the reasons I was able to do what I have in my lifetime.” She reflected that Burke’s was a “really authentic place to grow and learn about yourself, really special and formative” and expressed her gratitude to experience such a place, “the most beautiful campus, with most open-hearted beautiful people” with her sister, Jayne. As for Jayne, she reflects, “Burke’s taught me how to advocate for myself. The teachers were always willing to go the extra mile and if we needed help, they told us to ask for it. [It] was a place where you could really be yourself, where you were supported, nurtured, and really loved.” Burke’s is proud that that was true then, true in 1944, and is still true now!

And keeping it in the family, Diana’s daughter Sophie Saviano ’95 was not the only member of the Kendrick family tree in her eighth-grade graduating class! Second cousins Sophie and Claire Kendrick ’95 had the pleasure of attending middle school together in the same class at Burke’s — a rich and unique experience to share with a family member. As the most recent Burke’s graduate, Barbara’s granddaughter Olivia Callander ’17 laughed when recounting how close she was to attending Burke’s with multiple family members. Olivia started kindergarten just a few months after her cousin Sara Callander ’08 graduated — a pattern that repeated when Olivia’s first cousin once removed, Cece, started at Burke’s a few months after her own graduation in 2017. Still, Olivia cherishes the Burke’s ties throughout her extended family: “It makes me feel more connected, both to Burke’s and my family. I get to know that they’ll have the same amazing experiences I was lucky to have.” For example, Olivia delights in hearing that Cece and Nina are now learning from Ms. McDonald and Ms. Mandelstein just like she did, and she remembers feeling lucky whenever teachers like Ms. Handler reminisced about teaching her cousins Sara ’08 and Jayne Callander Parker ’05 years before. Grateful for her time at Burke’s and the chance to share it with so many family members, Olivia is also proud that she’s “not afraid to voice an opinion at all, because Burke’s

Sara Callander ’08, Sara Callander Stephens ’69, Barbara Kendrick Callander ’44, and Jayne Callander Parker ’05, also taken at Burke’s Centennial Celebration (top) L to R: Claire Kendrick ’95, Sophie Saviano ’95 (right)

Charles Kendrick Marron Kendrick Stephen Hayes Kendrick

Marie Angela Kendrick Otto

Rose Kathryn “KK” Kendrick McNeil ’39

Barbara Kendrick Callander ’44 Marie Luise Susan Otto “Mimi” Otto ’54 Comartin ’59 Elizabeth Anne Claire Kendrick ’95 Peter Bruce Callander Sara Kathryn Callander “Betsy” Otto Callander Stephens ’69 Jane Leslie “JL” Geraldine Diana Morris Dohrmann ’56 Morris “Gerry” Wild ’66 Williams ’72 Morris ’64 Jayne Callander Sara JT Stephens Olivia Parker ’05 Callander ’08 Callander ’17 Sophia “Sophie” Saviano ’95 Cecilia “Cece” Nina Louise Stephens ’26 Stephens ’27 Geraldine “Gerry” Kendrick Morris Lindsay ’36

The Kendrick Tree

SPRING 2021

BARBARA BURKE LEGACY SOCIETY

Planned Giving at Katherine Delmar Burke School

The values, education, and relationships from my time at Burke’s have been a bedrock in my life. I want to do my part to ensure Katherine Delmar Burke School has the resources necessary to continue its mission to educate, encourage, and empower girls for years to come. — KIMBERLY FULLERTON ’77e Member of the Barbara Burke Legacy Society

Burke’s is grateful for the many gifts it has received over the years through estate plans. These gifts are a way to ensure that our mission not only continues, but thrives for years to come. By including Katherine Delmar Burke School in your estate planning, your gift has a long-lasting impact on the school — just as Burke’s has made an impact on you.

For more information about making a gift through your estate plans or another type of planned gift, please contact Selena Shadle at 415.666.3204 or selena.shadle@burkes.org. You can also visit our Planned Giving website at burkes.org/plannedgiving.

BURKE’S MAGAZINE

Ways to Give CASH, CHECK, OR CREDIT CARD

PLANNED GIVING

OTHER DEFERRED GIFTS

Gifts of cash, typically payable by check, and credit card gifts are tax deductible and provide immediate funds to the school. The easiest way to give is online at www.kdbs.org/give.

The Barbara Burke Legacy Society honors alumnae, past parents, grandparents, current parents, and friends who have remembered Burke’s by bequest in their estate plans or who have made a life income gift or other type of planned gift. You can become a member by:

It is possible to make gifts of property that may allow income tax benefits for the donor during his or her lifetime, may be used during the lifetime of the donor, and which would revert to Burke’s, with possible estate tax savings. Institutions can achieve stability and growth through planned giving. Contact your tax adviser for specific advice that relates to your particular circumstances.

You can also send a check to: Katherine Delmar Burke School Advancement Office 7070 California Street San Francisco, CA 94121

MATCHING GIFTS Many companies offer their employees the opportunity to double or, in some cases, triple their gifts to certain programs or organizations by matching them. Please check with your employer about their Matching Gift Program.

SECURITIES & PROPERTY Gifts of stocks, other securities, or property have two significant advantages to the donor — they are tax deductible for the full fair market value of the gift when it is made, and the donor does not pay capital gains on the appreciated value of the stock or property. Contact the Advancement Office for more information on making a gift of securities or property.

• placing Burke’s in your will • making Burke’s the beneficiary of a retirement account • making a gift of a life insurance policy (a gift of life insurance can result in tax savings and can be made through an existing or a new life insurance policy) • establishing a charitable trust • making a gift of real estate or other tangible property Each of these gifts can result in substantial tax savings for the donor. Please consult the Advancement Office or your tax adviser for more information. Please notify the Advancement Office if you have made a deferred or planned gift to Burke’s so that you will be included in The Barbara Burke Legacy Society.

GIFTS IN KIND Burke’s welcomes donations such as classroom supplies, athletic equipment, and other items related to the educational program, as well as donations of auction items to the annual Burke’s Benefit. Gift value is determined by the donor through appraisal or a record of purchase. Please contact the Advancement Office if you would like to make a gift in kind.

For more information about making a gift of any type, please contact Selena Shadle, Director of Advancement, at 415.666.3204 or selena.shadle@burkes.org. To make a gift online, please visit www.burkes.org/give.

SPRING 2021

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid San Francisco, CA Permit No. 1734

KATHERINE DELMAR BURKE SCHOOL 7070 CALIFORNIA STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121 WWW.BURKES.ORG