The Write Stuff: Fall/Winter 2014

FALL / WINTER 2014 2511 Numa Watson Rd. S easid e, C A 9 3 9 5 5 tel: 831.394.3468 chartwell.org newhighschool.org The Newsletter of Chartwell School and The New High School Project

Because Not All Great Minds Think Alike

Message from John Reid, Strategic Management Consultant I hope that your child is having a great year at Chartwell School and The New High School Project!

We are very pleased to have your family as part of the Chartwell family.

Great schools are relentless in their efforts to improve; to that end, we like to solicit feedback from parents on how we are doing. We are planning to do this via an online parent satisfaction survey, created by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and customized for our use. Please take 15-20 minutes out of your busy schedule to complete this survey over the coming weeks.

The results of this survey will be used to inform a process to develop a new strategic plan for the school, which will begin in January of 2015. This new strategic plan will help guide the work of the school’s leadership team and Board of Trustees over the next three to five years.

A critical part of this process will be focus groups designed to gather input from all stakeholders within the school family.

Please mark January 26th and 27th in your calendars; these two days will be dedicated to focus group meetings. A more detailed schedule, including specific meeting times, will be distributed early in January.

Although regular attention to the very latest and best professional practices is something that is hardwired at Chartwell, I wanted parents to know that the devoted teachers you see every day are also professional development machines, continually looking for ways to better reach and challenge your children.

Over the last term, Chartwell faculty have continued to be actively engaged in this area; several are completing course work toward their Master’s degree, while others have been taking an online course in language-based learning differences offered

by Landmark School in Massachusetts.

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Chartwell was also well represented at the 65th Annual International Dyslexia Association Conference held in San Diego. This conference provided an opportunity for four of our faculty to engage with the latest research and learn from experts in this field. They will be sharing this knowledge with the rest of the staff during upcoming meetings.

Finally, this term has seen construction of the Marti Mulford Ceramics Studio completed. This handsome addition to campus will provide a tremendous opportunity for the visual arts curriculum to expand in new and creative directions. Be sure to visit the next time you’re on campus!

Contact John Reid with any comments, questions, or concerns at jreid@chartwell.org

Chartwell School is going digital – and we want you to join us!

Email us at newsletter@chartwell.org to have The Write Stuff delivered directly to your inbox!

Visit chartwell.org

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

2014-2015 Board of Trustees

Fired Up: New Ceramics Studio Set to Open

Mary Ann Leffel President Katrina Maestri Vice President Ralph Bailey Treasurer Mary Jane Gonzalez-Huss Secretary Jonathan Beck Scott Fosmark (‘90) Catherine Hawley (‘91) Robert Hernandez Michael McMahan Carrie Miles Ronald Parravano Art Pasquinelli Jason Togneri TRUSTEES EMERITI Thomas deRegt

Chartwell is proud to announce the newest addition to our award-winning campus – the Marti Mulford Ceramics Studio! Made possible by the generous support of the late Marti Mulford and many additional friends and donors, the ceramics studio is set to open following the completion of construction this fall.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Bob Mulford, Jerry King, and the many fellow stakeholders who helped make this dream come true.

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Look to our spring issue of The Write Stuff to see how this studio will come alive through the creativity and passion of our students!

Judy Lewis Nicki McMahan Marsha Zelus HONORARY TRUSTEES Marjorie Love

Planning Your Estate?

Please help more young learners in need by including Chartwell in your plans.

Contact Diana Trapani in the Advancement Office at (831) 394-3468 ext. 1020 for more information.

Chartwell Trustees in Action: Mary Jane Gonzalez-Huss Alumni parent Mary Jane Gonzalez-Huss joined the Board in 2009 and has since provided invaluable expertise, support, and positivity in multiple leadership positions. As a member of the Executive Committee, she has helped our school negotiate challenges and explore new opportunities to advance our mission. As the long-time Chair of the Institutional Advancement Committee, she Mary Jane with her daughter Elena (‘05) at the has strongly supported our fundraising 2013 Chartwell alumni reunion efforts and events with tireless commitment and enthusiasm. For her service in these and other areas, Mary Jane recently received the Chartwell Churchill Award, which is bestowed on Trustees who go above and beyond the call of duty. We extend our most sincere gratitude to her and fellow volunteer Trustees for their tremendous support of our school.

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

Racing Legend Sir Jackie Stewart Makes a Pit Stop at Chartwell In August, the Chartwell community was honored to host three-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE for a very special speaking engagement at our campus in Seaside. A high-performing dyslexic, Sir Jackie shared his powerful story of overcoming learning challenges to find success and self-assurance both on and off the track.

Raised in a small village in Scotland, Sir Jackie spoke of the tremendous anguish he felt as a boy while struggling in school due to his severe dyslexia, which was poorly understood and highly stigmatized.

Sir Jackie Stewart stopped into Chartwell in August during Monterey Car Week

In recalling how his teacher would ask students to read aloud in front of the class, Sir Jackie remembered: “In my case, I would get up, and I couldn’t read, I couldn’t write, and I couldn’t spell. So when I read that book, it was just like a jungle. I couldn’t understand a word of it.” These early years at school, where he felt shame and isolation from the “clever folk,” were “the worst” of his life, he recalled.

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The turning point for Sir Jackie came, as it does for so many dyslexics, in his discovery of a unique strength – in this case, clay-pigeon shooting. “I was very lucky. In my particular case, sport saved my life. When I was fourteen years of age, I started trap shooting…It saved [me] from a huge inferiority complex of not being able to do the things that everybody else in my class could do. I suddenly found something I was good at…It gave me a tremendous feeling of achievement. For the first time in my life I was getting praise. For the first time in my life I wasn’t a failure.”

Indeed, before he started racing, Sir Jackie became a champion marksman in his native Scotland and in competitions throughout Europe. It was at this time that he also discovered and developed another of his great strengths: attention to detail.

After leaving school at age 15 with “no education at all,” Sir Jackie worked as an attendant at a gas station and auto shop, where he showed his exceptional attention to detail by meticulously cleaning customers’ cars.

By impressing customers with his thorough service, he began to earn more in tips than in wages and he ultimately used his earnings to purchase his own car. This experience helped him embrace the strengths he found in his differences: “From that attention to detail, I was able to think differently than the clever folk, because the clever folk all think the same way.”

Sir Jackie racing in a Matra Cosworth at the Nürburgring in 1969. Photo credit: Lothar Spurzem. Source: Wikipedia.

Wearing classic plaid...

...and speaking passionately about out-of-the-box thinking

Chartwell welcomed more than 125 guests to hear Sir Jackie share his powerful story

From these important stepping stones, Sir Jackie channeled his abilities into a highly successful career as not only a racing driver but a businessman and commentator who brought innovation and a star’s personality to the sport.

In referring to his commercial ventures, Sir Jackie spoke with a smile of how dyslexia enabled him to take the road less traveled: “Let’s say you become a businessman and you go to Harvard…You come out all thinking exactly the same way…So all those Harvard guys go down the highway, and the highway is very congested. Dyslexics – they’re using the rural roads, the B roads. They’re not busy, and you get there faster! You find other ways.”

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

Sir Jackie signs an autograph for Gabe, a Chartwell alumnus (‘12)

Students in Action Sir Jackie cited Steven Spielberg, Winston Churchill, and Albert Einstein as other highly successful “out-of-the-box thinkers” whose learning differences gave them the very strengths that enabled their tremendous achievements.

Sir Jackie noted that, even without racing, he feels he could have been a success by using his strengths and differences to out-think and out-work competitors. Describing his own skills as a meticulous cleaner, he said: “You find a way of doing things differently than everyone else. I don’t care if it’s cleaning windows – everyone always says, ‘Well, he’s only a window cleaner.’

But he’s a very rich window cleaner!” In this way, Sir Jackie stressed that there is no shame for dyslexics to find success in whatever productive manner works best for them.

Noting that he still faces severe challenges with reading and writing, Sir Jackie revealed that for a long time he hid his differences but today he no longer feels any embarrassment or shame.

He described how, like many dyslexics, he uses books on tape to read and dictation methods to write. Throughout the speech, he demonstrated his superb skills as a public speaker, another common strength among dyslexics.

As President of the non-profit organization Dyslexia Scotland, Sir Jackie is committed to helping today’s young dyslexic learners receive the support and understanding that was lacking in the educational system of his youth – and still is in many areas today. In speaking to the children and teens in the audience, he noted: “For the young ones who are here, you’re lucky to be in a school like this that’s specializing in helping you prepare for the future.”

In closing, Sir Jackie called for a compassionate understanding of this unique population: “Please give sympathy to your children who have learning disabilities. Really give them time, really help them. They can be brilliant, successful people – probably more successful than the ‘clever ones!’”

Johanna, Tessa, and Camille on the first day of school

Emily and Caroline team up for the new Chartwell volleyball squad Isaiah samples the harvest as he and fellow students pick apples in the Chartwell orchard

Joey cracks a smile while reading in language class Goooaaalll! Liam scores on a beautiful left-footed volley!

5 Middle school students and faculty show their hops while on a bike trip into the wilds of Fort Ord, Chartwell’s backyard

Taylor, on guitar in music class

The cheer squad!

Nina, Michelle, Sara, and Summer

Students load up in kayaks for the annual sixth-grade field trip to Elkhorn Slough

Students wear their team colors with pride on a spirit day during the 2014 World Series – an instant classic!

Ryan and Gavin play in the Chartwell oaks on recess Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

Tech Lab: Lego® Robotics The Chartwell tech lab is a site of daily exploration and skills-building for our hands-on learners. This fall, students have been learning about robotic motors, sensors, and basic computer programming as they work together on Lego® Robotics kits.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Gerry Davis and the Packard Humanities Institute for helping our students to access these and other 21st century technologies for learning and doing. Such activities not only build invaluable skills – they bring out our students strengths and smiles!

Students get excited as tech educator Kris Hill presents the Lego® Robotics kits

Check this out! Chiara looks over the instructions with her classmate Isaiah

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Working in teams to build the robot

Liam programs one of the robots to perform its manuevers

Students enjoy a visit from Katie Randolph, the sister of current Chartwell student Lizzie, who demonstrates a larger robotic device that she built. Very cool!

Pink Day: Supporting the Fight Against Breast Cancer In October, students and staff came together to recognize Pink Day in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They donned their pinkest clothing and accessories and also brought in donations totaling $220 to give to the Breast Cancer Assistance Group of the Monterey Peninsula. We are very proud of our students for supporting the fight against a disease that touches so many lives.

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

Center for the Advancement of Language and Literacy (CALL) In October, Chartwell’s Center for the Advancement of Language and Literacy (CALL) presented a Free Community Workshop designed to help teens and parents navigate today’s higher education options. Higher Education Consultant Duffy Grant and Certified Financial Planner® Catherine Hawley served as our presenters for this special two-part workshop, which drew upward of 35 parents, students, and community members.

Duffy Grant leads the first part of a two-part Free Community Workshop designed to help families plan and pay for college

Duffy Grant, a former Chartwell Trustee, opened the workshop with a presentation about tips and strategies for choosing the right school for students who learn differently.

Duffy stressed that choosing the right college is “all about fit” – meaning students need to worry less about social pressures and trends and focus on their specific needs and objectives to truly find the best school for them. For students, this process involves knowing their academic profile and considering what kind of learning environment and level of support is best for them. For parents, this means communicating with their children about family finances and helping to ensure that they fully explore and understand their options.

Duffy also stressed the need for students who learn differently to be equipped with effective self-advocacy skills, including the ability to articulate their learning differences and need for accommodations. These are skills that both our K-8 and high school programs strive to instill in our young learners, and they can be particularly vital in determining a student’s success in college.

Catherine Hawley, a Chartwell alumna (’91) and current Trustee, presented the second part of the workshop: family financial planning for college. She provided a cost-benefit analysis of higher education, noting the many benefits of college in terms of both self-development and financial rewards. Catherine stressed that “college at any cost” is not a recommended approach, however, as families need to balance their educational objectives with their financial capabilities and long-term goals.

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Catherine discussed the various options for paying for college, including scholarships, grants, loans, work study, and savings and investments. In terms of the latter, she described different planning strategies, such as the 529 college savings plan, and she detailed varying approaches for families depending upon how much time they have before their children are college bound.

Importantly, throughout the workshop, parents in the audience were not only able to ask questions but also share and exchange their own concerns and experiences with the different stages of this transition to higher education. Some parents had helped one child in the college admissions process but had more college-bound teens on the way, while others were looking ahead to their first experience in guiding their children to college or university. Together, with our experts, they prepared and supported each other for this often challenging but exciting and deeply rewarding process.

We extend our gratitude to Duffy and Catherine for sharing their expertise with the many students and parents who joined us!

Birdies for Charity is now Charity Match!

Chartwell is pleased to once again participate in the Monterey Peninsula Foundation’s annual Charity Match fundraising program, which will run this year from November 3 through February 27.

Please visit the Charity Match website to make a donation in support of Chartwell School.

All donations earn a 20% match!

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

Faculty Facts and Figures

1:4

86%

8

teacher–student

of faculty have earned

average number

ratio at Chartwell

or are working toward

of years teaching

and TNHSP

a Master’s degree

at Chartwell

Faculty hold graduate degrees from: California State University, Monterey Bay Chapman University

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17

average number of years of total teaching experience

Concordia University, Portland Harvard University Lesley University National University

49

Pacific University

number of schools our

Pepperdine University

teachers have worked

Purdue University

at throughout the U.S.

San Jose State University

and in Canada,

Simmons College

Japan, and Sweden

St Mary’s University (MN) University of California, Davis University of Redlands University of Phoenix University of Texas University of Washington Utah State University

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

100% accomplished, inspiring, and energetic!

New Faculty and Staff Britney Hill is the new fifth-grade teacher at Chartwell. She grew up in the Monterey region and earned a B.S. in Kinesiology from San Diego State University. Prior to Chartwell, Britney worked in various roles in the Salinas Union High School and Monterey Peninsula Unified School districts. She has experience teaching English language development and language arts classes for the Migrant Education Department and, most recently, she taught health and numerous CAL classes in a multicultural setting at Everett Alvarez High School. Britney has completed many professional growth courses, and she is very excited to be teaching at Chartwell, where she strives to provide her students with a learning environment that fosters growth and mastery.

Alicia Jones has been a long-time member of the Chartwell community. Over the past five years, she has served as an educational aide and substitute teacher for our K-8 program. This year, she is job sharing with Ms. Kaye in teaching fourth-grade language, math, and humanities, as well as sixth-grade humanities. Alicia is currently pursuing coursework with the long-term goal of becoming a math instructor. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking naturally, and dancing in the living room with her husband Mike and their three boys, ages 10, 7, and 1. Alicia is thrilled to be working with students and contributing to the irreplaceable role that Chartwell plays in the lives of its young learners.

Brandy Kanatzar joins the middle school faculty as a new language and humanities educator. She grew up in Pacific Grove and recently returned to the area after living abroad in Okinawa, Japan and, most recently, in Colorado Springs for a number of years.

Brandy has more than eight years of experience in teaching middle-school English, as well as one year of experience working with the Veterans Upward Bound program at Pikes Peak Community College. She also has extensive experience serving on various curriculum design and program implementation committees. Brandy earned a B.A. in English from the University of Maryland and a teaching credential via the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

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Erin Rodrigues is a new language and humanities educator in the Chartwell middle school. She has eight years of teaching experience at the middle-school level and has worked at schools throughout the Sacramento and Monterey regions. Erin graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Modern Literature and a Minor in Education. She then earned her Master’s in Education and a teaching credential from the University of California, Davis. Erin lives in Pacific Grove with her husband Lance and two daughters, Kylah (aged 6) and Makena (aged 4).

Katia Stornetta is the new executive assistant at Chartwell School. She joined the Chartwell team in July after working as an office manager for the past 12 years. Katia earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies and a teaching credential from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She lives in Del Rey Oaks with her husband Steve, a construction supervisor, and her three boys, Tyler (aged 17), Nicholas (aged 16), and Matthew (aged 14). Her hobbies include photography, reading, and watching her sons’ various sports teams.

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

“Selfie”: Empowering Students to Know and Apply Themselves Message from Alyse LeValley, Head of School

Michael and Quinn gear up for the TNHSP field trip to Pinnacles National Park Ms. Anderson and Michelle stop for a pic on the trail at Pinnacles

At TNHSP, the first project period of each year is designed to help students learn about themselves, their unique learning styles, and how they interact with the world. This process helps students to enhance their self-awareness and to better understand and take command of the ways they learn. We explore these ideas from a different approach each year to keep the exercise fresh and exciting for new and returning students alike. This year, the theme of the introductory project period was “Selfie.”

We designed this approach to activate the learning process from an engaging entry point for our students: the “selfie” – today’s version of the self-portrait in which individuals take a picture of themselves, often as part of a group. Our goal of the project period was to encourage students to take a comprehensive “selfie” – one that considers their learning styles, beliefs, values, and interests, as well as the science of the brain and all the other factors that make us who we are.

As part of our “Selfie” project, we were very happy to host John Aulenta, an educational psychologist based in Pacific Grove, for a special guest lecture. John has been working in the field for more than three decades and has conducted psycho-educational evaluations for many current and past students at Chartwell.

The evaluations John administers help students identify their learning strengths, stretches, and areas of potential.

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John provided students with an accessible overview of the general parameters of the psycho-educational testing, such as cognitive ability, achievement, types and styles of processing, and social/emotional makeup. He also discussed how diagnoses across these different areas can be expressed in different ways.

After his informative lecture, students responded with question after question about specific diagnoses, with John explaining them in clear, direct terms but also with compassion and humor. We were delighted to see the students engage John with such thoughtful and discerning questions as the discussion ranged from scientific explanations to anecdotes and exchanges of laughter.

Having fun with a group photo op

Nat gets comfortable while working on a perspective drawing for art class

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

Through this authentic learning activity – a discussion with a real expert – students gained better insight into their individual learning styles and were able to do so among a group of peers who understand and support each other. They were also able to demonstrate how much they already know about themselves. This is just one of many ways in which our students were empowered to take a “selfie” as part of the larger TNHSP group portrait of Project Period 1.

At the end of his lecture, John sketched three drawings on the dry-erase board: a brain, a heart, and a light bulb. He identified these as “smarts,” “heart,” and “creativity,” and said, “You guys are lucky because you’re at a school where you get to use all three.” As they continue to shape themselves at TNHSP, our students will no doubt draw from their strengths in these areas to paint a comprehensive portrait of who they are and who they can become!

Self-Defense Training: Martial Artist Ryan Gray Visits TNHSP In October, TNHSP students enjoyed a very special visit from martial artist Ryan Gray of the esteemed Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts in Marina Del Rey. Originally from Hawaii, Ryan is a long-time martial artist who has been an instructor of Capoeira, a Brazilian form of martial arts, since age 20, and he is also trained in Jeet Kun Do, the martial arts style developed by Bruce Lee.

Ryan demonstrates a technique to Taylor (right) and Makenna

Outside of the gym, Ryan puts these skills to work as a professional stuntman, having appeared in such films as Spiderman 3 and Star Trek: Into Darkness as well as television shows such as True Blood, CSI, and Sleepy Hollow.

Ryan shared his time and expertise with TNHSP students over the course of two days. On the first day, he provided a three-hour women’s self-defense training class to female students from TNHSP and the Chartwell middle school. In this session, students learned basic self-defense strategies, including how to block strikes and break holding maneuvers posed by an assailant. They also worked with bamboo sticks to receive some very basic weapons training. Our students absolutely loved this lesson, as they practiced techniques with their partners and exchanged as much laughter as they did simulated strikes and blocks!

On the next day, Ryan returned to campus to speak to the entire TNHSP class. He shared his story with students, including his own experiences with dyslexia. Students were greatly inspired by Ryan’s message about the many strengths and advantages to be found in learning differences. As just one example, Ryan noted how dyslexics, as studies have shown, can have better peripheral vision and greater ambidexterity than others – characteristics that can be especially useful in martial arts!

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After the session, several students spoke with Ryan and shared their appreciation for his message and his instruction. Afterward, Ryan described his time with the students: “It was quite moving…I know that all people with learning differences just need to realize that they’re not alone, and that there isn’t something wrong with them – there’s something wrong with the system.”

Ryan recently launched a new program, Urban Warrior Academy, to share his knowledge and expertise, which includes not just martial arts training but a comprehensive mind-body approach to health and self-development. For our TNHSP students, this message complemented their activities in Project Period 1 as they learned to better understand and appreciate their learning differences as part of their overall academic and personal growth.

Ryan is planning to extend similar training to LD students in his home base of Southern California, and we hope that we can welcome him back to Chartwell for more fun and insightful training sessions with our students. Thanks, Ryan!

Makenna sets up to practice with her partner

Michelle and Hannah demonstrate a blocking exercise under Ryan’s guidance

Kristy uses bamboo sticks – a gift from Ryan to Chartwell

Dominique and Katie practice hand-speed exercises Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

Alumni Profile: A Different Road Taken – Joe Solis (‘95)

By Judy Gaughf, Chartwell Dean of Students Howard Gardner is credited with developing the theory of multiple intelligences. He contends that intelligence can be classified into three categories: 1) the ability to create an effective product or offer a service that is valued in a culture; 2) a set of skills that makes it possible for a person to solve problems in life; and 3) the potential for finding or creating solutions for problems that involve gathering new knowledge.

In my many years of teaching at Chartwell, I have witnessed a variety of forms of intelligence. Among our alumni we have artists, an opera singer, filmmakers, musicians, medical doctors, a few Ph.D.’s, and more. Not every Chartwell graduate moves on to higher education, but they are just as successful as their academic counterparts in pursuing their own paths.

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Not just a business but a hobby – Joe works on a classic car

In the fall of 1990, I was on maternity leave from Chartwell when I received a phone call from Roni Solis asking me to tutor her son, Joe. He was struggling in third grade and I was asked to be his “reading program” for that year. Joe arrived at my door every morning at 8:00 a.m. and together we decoded, spelled, wrote paragraphs, and read novels for an hour.

At the end of that year, the Solis family decided to enroll Joe at Chartwell School for the 1991-1992 school year. Joe stayed for the next three years, although he would have liked to stay longer. According to Joe, he never did become a strong reader, and that bothered him, but at Chartwell he learned he could be good at other things – and strengths are strengths!

Joe poses with fellow Chartwell alumnus and friend Lloyd Wheless (‘95) in front of Solis Automotive, where business is growing

“The teachers at Chartwell never made me feel bad about what I couldn’t do and they understood what I was good at,” says Joe. “I remember they let me drive my remote control cars around the playground. That was the best! It made school fun.”

Joe Solis (‘95) is now the proprietor of Solis Automotive in Sand City, and he is utilizing every part of Howard Gardner’s definition of multiple intelligences. What started as a small automobile repair service has grown into a thriving business with a great reputation.

What makes Joe’s business so successful is his ability to solve mechanical problems, but he also has interpersonal skills that enable him to work well with his customers. He has never had an unsatisfied customer in his five years of business. Joe’s business has grown so much that he has had to hire more mechanics, and now he is learning a new skill – being the boss and giving orders.

Joe knows he is a lifelong learner and he is looking forward to the next adventure his business will afford him. “I learned so much at Chartwell,” he recalls. “Things I use every day. I especially remember things I learned from Mr. K (Kirshner) in science and Mrs. K in homeroom and art. Chartwell ‘ruined’ me on school, because after that no other school could compare.”

We are happy to share Joe’s story as just one of many examples of students who have taken their own road to success.

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

Party in a Pear Tree Join us at our 21st annual

Party in a Pear Tree Saturday, December 6, 2014 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm Pebble Beach Gourmet Dinner Silent and Live Auctions Live Music and Dancing Tickets to this elegant black tie affair are $225. Proceeds benefit educational programming and financial aid for students at Chartwell and The New High School Project. To RSVP or to make a donation, please contact Diana Trapani at (831) 394-3468 ext. 1020 or dtrapani@chartwell.org.

Master of Ceremonies: Ben Sugar (‘07) Alumnus Ben Sugar (’07) will join us as Master of Ceremonies at this year’s Party in a Pear Tree fundraising gala. Ben attended Chartwell from 2005-2007 and will soon graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, where he has thrived in numerous academic and extracurricular areas.

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Ben will graduate a full semester early from Berkeley, where in addition to his coursework in integrative biology he has served as a student instructor in chemistry – a role typically reserved for graduate students. As he finishes his undergraduate degree, Ben is currently interviewing for admission to medical school, with the goal of pursuing a career as a physician or a professor of academic medicine.

Ben is also a committed philanthropist, serving as the philanthropy chairman for his fraternity and as a committee member for the ALS Association, Golden West Chapter. He also volunteers for Eye-to-Eye, a non-profit organization that recruits successful college students with learning differences to mentor high school and middle school students facing similar challenges. In addition to all of this, Ben also finds time to pursue other interests such as sports, playing guitar, and poetry!

Ben credits Chartwell for helping him to achieve these and other successes. As a student who was struggling with reading and writing, he remembers discovering Chartwell as a “safe, welcoming environment” where for “the first time in my life…I really felt like I could be myself.” He further recalls: “It was at Chartwell that I discovered my natural gravitation toward the sciences (through my classes with Mr. Kirshner and Ms. Hill), as well as my love for poetry and public speaking (through project expertise with Ms. McMurdo). Most importantly, Chartwell taught me the importance of advocating for myself and using my different learning styles to my advantage.”Join us at Pear to hear this bright and ambitious alumnus share more of his story as we celebrate another year of advancing our mission!

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

Mission Accomplished Alumni Updates Class of ’94 – Meghan (McNeil) Smith Meghan (McNeil) Smith attended Chartwell from 1990-1994. In 1995, she moved with her family to Georgia, where she currently resides. She fondly recalls her time at our school: “Chartwell was a huge part of my life! I was sad to leave such a loving and caring school.” Today, Meghan is happily married and is a proud mother of six children, including three boys and three girls. She writes: “I am very blessed with a big family! I am a stay-at-home mother and I love my job. I’m very active in my children’s education and their other activities such as sports. I keep them busy, which keeps me busy. I love every bit of it!”

Class of ’10 – Luke Schrader After attending Chartwell from 2005-2010, Luke Schrader transitioned to Pacific Grove High School, where he graduated with honors in May 2014. He recently served as the alumni speaker at our annual Achievement Night in June. In a lively and inspiring speech, Luke offered students three points of advice: “Stay positive. Be excellent. And work hard!” Luke also noted, with his trademark humor, how Chartwell gave him the skills he needs to succeed: “What I learned at Chartwell prepared me for high school. When I was a freshman, I wrote my first high school essay. It was a beautiful three-paragraph essay and I got an A+ and everyone else got C’s. Yes! The dyslexic kid on top!” Luke has since entered the University of Arizona in Tucson, where he is enrolled in the SALT (Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques) program and is settling into college life. His mother Stacey writes: “Thank you so much for all the support the Chartwell family has given us over the years.”

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Alumni! We want to hear from you! E-mail us at alumni@chartwell.org

Chartwell has a Big Idea – and we need your support!

Please visit mcgives.com and check out the November 13th issue of the Monterey County Weekly to support our school in the annual Monterey County Gives! fundraising campaign.

All donations earn a match via the MC Weekly Community Fund and the Community Foundation for Monterey County. Thank you!

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

Off to College TNHSP Graduation

The New High School Project Class of 2014: Kelsey, Andrew, Mari, Ben, and Mark

Andrew (left) is enrolled in the SALT program at the University of Arizona

Mark is volunteering with Rustic Pathways in Thailand as part of a gap year program. He is slated to enroll at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX in the fall of 2015.

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An aspiring teacher, Kelsey is studying education at the University of the Pacific in Stockton

Ben is enrolled in the Digital Arts program at Chapman University in Orange County

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combined college acceptances

$528k in total scholarship offers

Mari, pictured here with her portfolio, is studying fine art at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle

Chartwell Newsletter – Fall 2014

Chartwell School and The New High School Project 2511 Numa Watson Rd. Seaside, CA 93955

Because Not All Great Minds Think Alike