The Courier- Concord Hill School (Spring '21- Winter '22)

COURIER

CONCORD HILL SCHOOL

SPRING 2021- WINTER 2022

CONTENTS

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

5

MIRRORS + WINDOWS

2 7

THE MIND OF A MAKER

ANNUAL REPORT

Writer: Jenna Murdock, Director of Communications

Editors: Laura Boyd, Advancement Assistant and Technology Facilitator

Allie Frosina, Director of Admission

Contributors Jaime Marcus, Nate Dennison, Michelle Farkas, Cynthia Raso, Lauren Huntley, Colleen Massaquoi, Jan Bennett

2021- 2022 Board of Trustees Sean Shannon, Paige Smith, Kenneth S. George II, Emily Porter, Cal Daggitt, Nancy Israel, Chris Appleby, Nate Dennison, David Don, Kim Henderson, Antar Johnson, Kristin Krasnow, Kathie Legg, Jaime Marcus, Jordan Muller, Susie Rosenbaum, Tejinder Singh, Ellen Spiegel, Jacob Thoppil

A necessity during COVID-19 became a wonderful sunny Friday morning tradition Community Meeting outside on the turf!

Field trips are slowly becoming part of our world again and it's such a gift to be among the world's best museums and the National Zoo.

Greetings CHS Community!

We are delighted to share with you highlights from around the CHS community over the last year and a half The last Concord Hill Courier was published in the summer of 2021 and so much has transpired since. We have seen record enrollment, record levels of generosity from our community, and dynamic evolution of our program and facility. We have so much to celebrate and we could not have done this without the unwavering support of the CHS community. We must begin with expressing our most sincere thanks for all of your support and encouragement through this time of uncertainty We could not have made it without your support and we continue to trust that whatever may come, Concord Hill will always be committed to doing what is best for our youngest, ever adapting, and together we will not only survive but continue to thrive.

This past year involved a very special celebration, the retirement of our beloved Susan Arzt. As a tribute to the legacy Susan leaves behind as part of her tenure at CHS, we proudly dedicated and renamed the Susan Arzt Community Room and established the Susan Arzt Fund for Financial Aid. This past year showed us that through incredible support from the families, faculty and friends of the CHS community, that together, we can accomplish so much. This was made all the more evident by the demonstrated generosity reflected in an annual giving total that topped over $415,000! The generous support of this community will make an impact for many years to come.

As we share these wonderful achievements of this past year in the pages ahead, we again want to extend our deepest gratitude to the entire Concord Hill Community We look forward to continuing the collaboration to help sustain the growth and positive trajectory of our small but mighty school.

Together we are #CHSStrong!

Sincerely,

Jaime Marcus Chair, Board of Trustees

Nate Dennison Head of School

dsofafeather

onsacrosscontinentsandclassrooms

Consider this… the tiny hummingbird that delights us outside the kitchen window has spent the entire winter half a world away in Mexico! The little thrush we hear chirping in the backyard in the spring has just flown thousands of miles from its winter home in the dense, tropical forests of Nicaragua. These marvelous little travelers are the inspiration for the creation of an academic program developed to introduce young learners to the science of migration

Ornithologist

a person who engages in the study of birds using formal scientificmethods

Bridging the Americas/Unidos por las Aves is a cross-cultural environmental education program through the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. This partnership pairs classes in grades 2 through 4 in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. areas with classrooms across Latin America. This connection provides opportunities to exchange information about the migratory birds that our regions share Many familiar bird species spend the winter months in Latin America and return to the U.S. and Canada each spring to breed. Since 1993, close to 45,000 students from classrooms in the U.S., Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela have participated. Teaching aids and information on migratory birds are sent to participating classes to inform them of their partner country through this exchange. With great delight, students experience connecting with peers from parts of the world that look quite different from our Mid-Atlantic region.

Students actively engaged with ornithologists when they visited CHS!

(ôr′nə-thŏl′ə-jist)noun

Partnered classes learn about the migratory birds that connect their communities (and one another) through the exchange of letters, artwork featuring migratory birds, photos, and other materials throughout the school year. The ability for classrooms to connect via video calls has made real-time interactions possible as well!

Birds that migrate and have "two homes” are a wonderful way to reinforce the concept of how globally connected species and regions of the world truly are. As the impacts of climate change become more clear, it’s undeniable the impact that it has on migratory species, specifically birds, who rely on certain conditions for food and breeding throughout the year. In recent years, many migratory birds are altering their breeding and migration patterns in response to changing temperatures and food availability This can disrupt their entire life cycle and make it difficult for them to find suitable breeding and feeding grounds. As the climate changes, many birds are losing the habitats they rely on for feeding and seasonal shelter. This can lead to population declines and increased competition for resources.

Further enriching their experience, ornithologists from the Smithsonian visited CHS in the early spring, and worked quickly to set up special nets around campus to capture the birds who frequent the neighborhood. This allowed them to collect an array of common birds such as wrens, orioles, and robins for research. The ornithologists then carefully banded the birds’ legs with color coded bands; cataloging them for ongoing research before gently releasing them Our young researchers were able to observe each step of the process and asked insightful questions along the way based on the things they learned throughout the course of the program. Our own budding ornithologists are already feeling such resolve and commitment to impact the world for the better Our science program has been deeply enriched by the participation in this program and we look forward to continuing in the years to come.

CommonMid-Atlanticmigratorybirds:

Northern Cardinal American Goldfinch

Blue Jay Baltimore Oriole Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Mirrors+ windows

What affinity group spaces bring to a school community

What makes you who you are? What actually shapes your identity?

Decades of research and years of anecdotal experience tell us that there are a number of aspects of our lives that define our individual sense of identity As we focus on the early years of development, we know that children form an understanding of the world around them beginning in infancy. By recognizing differences in spoken language, physical attributes in others such as skin color or hair texture, and nuances in facial expressions and body language, meaningful impressions are formed that impact a child’s sense of belonging, safety, and connectedness as they move through the world.

*Affinity Group:

Dedicated spaces where individuals who share a common identity or experience can come together in support of one another. These spaces can be physical, such as meeting rooms or designated areas within a building, or they can be virtual, such as online forums or chat groups. Some examples of affinity groups include those for women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities.

When forming a sense of identity, it’s important to be affirmed by others around you in a shared experience in order to form a positive selfimage. Sharing specific parts of the human experience with others is the very thing that serves to connect us with others outside of our own family, especially as a young child A simple “Me too!” can go a long way

when building connections with someone new in most any circumstance. This act of affirmation or actively affirming is the premise for the forming of *affinity groups. Positive affirmations are the building blocks for confidence; a critical element of success in school, work, and life

A myriad of “differences” present for each one of us Differences are not limited to racial and ethnic characteristics that we tend to think of most often. Living in a multi-generational household with extended family members, living in a home where another language aside from English is spoken primarily, a home with one parent or two homes with separated parents, families created through adoption, neurodivergence, or being a multiple such a twin or triplet, etc., are among the many considerations that students navigate daily.

Mirrors allow children the opportunity to reflect themselves and windows allow us the opportunity to see beyond ourselves and perhaps see others more clearly. There is a need for both in this world and now, more than ever, we need them simultaneously.”

Schools, like many other institutions, have begun to understand the importance of providing people with opportunities to connect and share with one another outside of the context of work or academics exclusively. Many schools support and encourage the formation of formal affinity groups to support students, faculty, and families These groups allow students who share an identifier to gather together and share their experiences, both positive and negative, related to their shared identifier. Often, with the support of a faculty member who also shares that identifier, school affinity groups provide opportunities to organize and transfer that discussion into further action, if needed, to make for a more equitable experience at school for all

As more and more schools (both public and independent) now explicitly name the goal of promoting inclusivity and diversity for all community members, affinity group spaces are a natural extension of that commitment. Affinity group spaces are becoming increasingly recognized as important in promoting diversity and inclusivity not only in schools but across a range of organizations in the community as well These spaces provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals who share a common identity or experience to connect with others and receive support. By fostering a sense of community and promoting awareness, affinity group spaces can help to reduce feelings of isolation and promote inclusivity and equality Ultimately, these spaces can lead to increased engagement, productivity, academic success, and overall well-being, not just for individual students but the entire school community.

Third Grade Teacher, Co-Coordinator of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Caring @ CHS

THE MIND OF A MAKER

BUILDING CAPACITY IN YOUNG LEARNERS THROUGH ENGINEERING

A ride on an elevator, the traffic light at a busy intersection, or simply stapling papers together…. all things that might never have come to be if not for those with a “maker mindset.” This phrase is one that conjures up notions of both perseverance and experimentation. This approach to inquiry and learning reflects an even further elevated combination of curiosity and capability in the context of young learners. Maker learning isn’t just a subject or a designated space within a school; it’s a hands-on, design-centered way of engaging that can further enhance learning in both formal and informal environments. By referring to young learners as “makers”, we invite them to confidently demonstrate their thinking and interact with their learning spaces and materials as masters of their own curiosity By empowering young children to ask questions, challenge preconceived notions, and engage with unfamiliar materials and tools, we then provide them with chances to answer their own questions and one another’s questions. In turn, this approach helps to further develop the things they thought they already had the answers to.

"One of the most valuable roles of a modern educator is helping children become more aware of their own curiosity and more deliberate in their drive to seek answers. "

- Michelle Farkas, Director of Teaching and Learning and STEM teacher @CHS

Through a thoughtfully developed pilot partnership program for D.C. area schools, Bethesda-based KID Museum welcomed the young makers of Concord Hill School to their newly realized KID HQ space in the Spring of 2022 This thoroughly modern, openconcept workshop and maker lab provides students endless opportunities to work through circuitry, wood-cutting, computer coding, and everything in between.

MAKER LEARNING

This inspiring space is the manifestation of the vision of KID Museum’s Founder and Executive Director, Cara Lesser, who worked diligently for nearly a decade to bring KID Museum to life and ultimately oversaw this welcomed new space and location shift to downtown Bethesda (from the original location inside of Davis Library in Bethesda). While the mission and goals have remained since its inception, the incredible potential for this new location is undeniable given increased sq footage for learning and a now Metro accessible location.

Through a series of visits, CHS students from Kindergarten through Third Grade were challenged in robotics, coding, and engineering. The model of maker learning that we know to be most impactful for young learners is one where adults simply pose questions, answer minimal queries, and offer a range of materials, allowing learners the chance to “ go from there” as problem solvers. It’s not often that children are seen as fully capable in the areas of engineering and opportunities such as these remind us that young ch ld h b l t to problem-solve and develop e el supported and empowered.

(KID Museum, 2020)

For young learners, developing an understanding of coding and programming early on means that as they are ready for more complicated and multi-layer elements, they have a solid foundation to further build upon.

Coding (computer programming) being taught to young learners is a reflection of the increasingly digital world we are coming into. This new “language” is the foundational piece of many of the devices and technology that we have come to rely on daily in modern life. For young learners, developing an understanding of coding and programming early on means that as they are ready for more complicated and multi-layer elements, they have a solid foundation to further build upon. The next time you plug an address into your GPS or even log into your email, imagine what developments today’s young engineers might come up with in the years to come!

Try this (tech-free) coding game at home...

Feedthemouse!

This game teaches children about algorithms, which is a group of instructions written by the programmer to tell the computer what to do. They will also learn the concept of debugging, which is how to fix a problem in a program. In this game, adults can design a path for the mouse using a deck of cards and place some yummy "treats" for the mouse throughout the path.

The objective of the game is to move the mouse through the path without missing any treats on its way.

materialsneeded: A deck of playing cards

A toy "Mouse"

A few toy yummy "treats"

Howtoplay:

One player acts as the Computer (who moves the mouse by listening to the programmer ’ s instructions) and the other player acts as the Programmer (who gives the commands). The Programmer gives verbal instructions like " move forward" (state how many card spaces), 'Move Backward' (state how many card spaces), and 'Turn Right' or 'Turn Left' to guide the computer/mouse throughout the path, without missing any of the yummy treats. The challenge level of the game can be increased by creating a more complex maze and putting obstacles in pathways that the mouse has to escape from or maneuver around.

Annual Report Supporting CHS

On Friday, April 1, 2022, The Columbia Country Club was transformed into a magical Big Top; welcoming CHS families, friends, and faculty together to celebrate our wonderful School community Guests enjoyed curated craft cocktails and a range of appetizers while browsing more than 500 silent auction items With aerialists flying, jugglers juggling, and magical experiences all around, guests enjoyed a decadent assortment of food, delicious desserts, and rousing entertainment while connecting with one another in support of Concord Hill School It was a magical evening "under the Big Top" and we thank our entire CHS community!

Total Auction Revenue: $115,117

Auction Committee Chairs

Kathie Legg

Jaime Marcus

Elise Snyder

Ellen Spiegel

Annual Report Supporting CHS

ANNUAL FUND

2021-2022

$416,343

The Ralph W. Lee, III Trust

The CHS Annual Fund was the recipient of a gift from the Ralph W Lee, III Trust in the amount of $158,340 Lee was the husband of DeVisme Lee, co-founder of Concord Hill School

Susan Arzt Fund for Financial Aid

As the Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Susan Arzt led the effort to make CHS accessible for as many families as possible For more than 20 years, Susan devoted her life to Concord Hill School, ensuring that families and students felt welcomed and supported. In July 2022, Susan retired from her full-time work at CHS. To recognize her years of service and to extend her legacy as the founder of CHS’s Financial Aid Program, the Susan Arzt Fund for Financial Aid was established. The Susan Arzt Paddle Raise Campaign, coupled with her retirement celebration, raised approximately $177,000. The Fund will provide financial assistance to the School by providing up to $40,000 annually to the School’s financial aid budget.

Gratitude for your ongoing support...

A special thanks to Virginia and Malcolm O’Hagan for their generous support of Concord Hill! The O’Hagans are grandparents to alumni, Jack (class of 2019) and Jolie (class of 2022) Their generous contribution enabled Concord Hill School to expand its marketing impact and branding. Director of Communications, Jenna Murdock, reimagined the CHS logo to reflect the ongoing learning and growth that happens in our school community and it's now visible in a myriad of print and digital materials and new school store apparel that further reinforce the CHS brand. Thank you, Malcolm and Virginia, for helping CHS to continue to thrive!

Annual Fund Donors

Head of School Circle

$7500 +

Rajib Chanda and Kathie Legg

Jack and Cal Daggitt

David and Meghan Don

Henry and Ann Dudley, Jr.

R. Gibbs Fogarty

Robert H. Fogarty

Robert and Susannah Fogarty

Judith Gelman and Steven Salop

Sean Shannon and Rachael Kent

Ralph W Lee, III

Greg and Jaime Marcus

Malcolm and Virginia O'Hagan

Dennis Potter and Emily Katz

Christopher Ourisman

Sean Shannon and Rachael Kent

Adam and Ellen Spiegel

Todd and Elizabeth Wilkinson

Champion Circle

$5000-$7499

Seth and Romina Faulb

Kenneth II and Carolyn George

Erik and Leslie Heyer

Hugh and Caroline Kaplan

Jorge Mariscal and Shannon Dominick

John and Lisa Ourisman

Tejinder Singh and Anna Holloway

Marc and Emily Porter

Leadership Circle

$2500-$4900

William and Susan Arzt

Justin Wilder Bausch and Elizabeth Bausch

Robert and Lane Bennett

The Boufford family

Nathaniel and Amanda Dennison

Michael and Shannon Diamant

Jeffrey Francer and Lori Bettinger

Brett and Shelley Guiley

Jon and Danielle Hauck

Ross and Kristin Krasnow

Nichola Lee and Jiayan Chen

Joshua and Angela Lipshutz

Micah Myers and Olga Vaytsman

Ken and Shannon Rovak

Paul and Sara Russell

Gautam Siram and Rachel Harrison

Richard and Paige Smith

Friends Circle

$1000-$2499

Abdulrahman Aleryani and Hadil Alk

Afzalul Bari and Sofia Chaudhry

Anonymous

Patrick and Becca Bennett

Patrick Boyle and Rebecca Dernbach

Jeremy and Debbie Brown

Stuart Carragher and Wendi Hausfeld

Warren Crowdus and Barbara Rollinson

Lowell Davis

Roberto DeJesus and Ivelisse Cruz

Todd Eardensohn and Diana Embrey

The Farber family

Jason and Michelle Farkas

The Farr family

Carlos Fernandes and Martha Marmo Fernandes

Matthew Friedson and Jessica Kleinman

Kris Garin and Semra Mesulam

Dan and Heather Geldon

Joel and Denise Gershowitz

Adam and Elizabeth Goozh

Matt and Kristen Gunther

Kimberly Henderson and Ernesto Monter

Jason Hoffman and Rachel Dinkes

Robert and Patsy Ernst

Lee and Rachel Licata

Will Hudson and Christine Minarich

David and Paulette Kessler

Brian and Dalia Kirschbaum

Andrew Madar and Tamara Schlinger

Luke Meixner and Sarah Katt

G. Roland and Sarah Miller

Donald and Allison Muller

Kyle and Jenna Murdock

Rick and Valerie Moore

Fiyin and Toyin Oladiran

Elizabeth Callard Olson

The Pommer family

Brian Reilly and Gayle Horn

Luke Sobota and Anna Haglund

Jeff and Caroline Revis

Joshua and Jennifer Rothenberg

The Sokolowski family

Michael and Patty Stern

10% of the School's operating revenue comes from donor contributions

Concord Hill School Donors

Cub Circle

$25- $999

James and Mary Anton

Chris Appleby

Peter and Bobbi Arnold

William Baer and Nancy Hendry

The Baldwin-O'Rourke family

David Band and Susan Klein

Andrew Bartley and Jill Herscot

Curtis and Kate Beaulieu

Howard and Jan Bennett

Richard and Luana Bogue

Ghalib Bradosti and Ruth Moreno

Bennett Brady

Matt and Hillary Brill

Bryan and Deborah Cahill

Scott Carpenter and Catie McKenna

The Carrington family

Marissa Thomas-Chan

Michael Chiswick-Patterson and Jennifer Patterson

David and Margaret Clark

David Cooper and Amy Scott

The Corrales-Casas family

Cameron and Jennifer Coursen

Cheryl Crain

The Danielson family

The Davies family

Larry and Ellen Dinkes

Vladimir Dubinsky and Elizabeth Candler

Shahemdie Emran and Mariatulzulfah Said

Michael Fauntroy

The Feld family

Allie Frosina

Joseph and Patty Gallagher

Bijan and Goli Ganji

Thomas and Carol Garvey

Nancy Cloud Giblin

Steve and Wendy Glasser

Eliza Gordon

Maggie and Maia Grieve

Peter and Shari Gronvall

Jean Gwaltney and Robert Lyford

Richard Haass and Susan Mercandetti

Sarah and Webb Hayes

Mark Heaslip and Nancy Dudley

Cindy and Bob Hibbert

Michael and Pressie Hoffman

David and Donna Huchel

Gerald and Marilou Huchel

Colin and Lauren Huntley

Nancy and Phillip Israel

Matthew and Lilli Issembert

Leah and Stuart Johnson

the Johnson family

Daniel and Julie Kahn

Theo Kaitis

The Kakhi-Delgado family

Chris and Erin Kaufman

Carol A Kempske

Emilia King

Bibi Krasnow

Neal Kurzrok and Dorothy Bulas

Adrian Kutko and Colette Devine

Gideon Lachman and Nina Goodman

The Laukitis family

Francois and Adele Lebreton

Lauren and Eric Lieberman

Darius Lilaoonwala and Ava Ayrton

Kathryn Marsh

Jonathan and Colleen Massaquoi

Everett and Tracey Matias

Kenneth Max

French B. and Robert McConnaughey

Jim and Karen McManus

Kert Mease

Gerald and Anna Moody

Jordan and Meg Muller

Dean and Allison Nordlinger

Lucas and Amber Norman

John O'Hagan

Chris and Romy Ott

David and Alison Ottenbreit

Eser Ozdeger

Jim Pavle and Nancy L Wolf

Bruce C and Pamela Perkins

Matt Phillips and Brooke Shoemaker

The Pinto family

Karol Pope

Mike and Cynthia Raso

Michele and Tina Remillard

Monika and Patrick Rhodes

The Rodriguez family

Susie Rosenbaum

Amy and Larry Ruberl

Steven and Sue Schiffman

H. Edward Sears, Jr.

Kulapriya Shingdia

Steven and Rebecca Siegel

Charlotte and Doug Siegler

Robert and Betty Smallridge

The Snyder family

Richard and Judy Spiegel

Sarah and John Stephens

The Sterling family

Ronald Stern and Elisse Walter

Seth Stern and Claire Workman

Daniel Szymczak and Elise Ledsinger

Elizabeth Tanzi and Peter Pinto

Tempe Thomas

Jacob Thoppil and Alexandra White

Amol Tripathi and Moina Banerjee

Emily and Troudy Vaughan

Danny and Sandy Vogelman

Sue Williamson

John, Carol, and Cara Wilner

Cindy Yi

Christina Young

The Zwicker-Gilbert Family

Corporations + Foundations

Blackbaud Giving Fund

Fidelity Charitable

The Johnston Trust for Charitable and Educational Purposes

The John R and Carolyn J Maness

Family Foundation Inc

The Ganzi Family Foundation

The Nemec Family Foundation

Mad Science

Merriweather Post Family Foundation

T Rowe Price

The Nord Family Foundation

Google Inc

Vanguard Charitable

21-22 Buddy Families

Carragher family

Coursen family

Farkas family

Ganji family

Geldon family

Hoffman family

Krasnow family

Lee family

Lipshutz family

Marcus family

McCarron family

Muller family

Murdock family

Myers family

Oladiran family

Reilly family

Rothenberg family

Siram family

Snyder family

Sokolowski family

Tripathi family

Wilkinson family

Fall Festival Co-Chairs

Tamara Schlinger

Ellen Spiegel

Teacher Appreciation Day Co-Chairs

Anna Holloway

Allison Muller

Grade Level Representatives

Anna Holloway

Celebration Hosts + Kit Sponsors

Liz Candler and Vladimir Dubinsky

Jiayan Chen and Nick Lee

Shannon and Michael Diamant

Romina and Seth Faulb

Goli and Bijan Ganji

Carolyn George and Kenneth George, II

Liz and Adam Goozh

Shelley and Brett Guiley

Kristin and Matt Gunther

Anna Haglund and Luke Sobota

Danielle and Jon Hauck

Wendi Hausfeld-Carragher and Stuart Carragher

Anna Holloway and Tejinder Singh

Rachel Kent and Sean Shannon

Kristin and Ross Krasnow

Jaime and Greg Marcus

Elise and Mike Snyder

Ellen and Adam Spiegel

Spring Party Hosts

Rajib Chanda and Kathie Legg

Michelle and Alan Feld, Jessica Kleinman and Matthew Friedson

Heather and Dan Geldon, Liz and Adam Goozh

Claire Workman and Seth Stern, Gayle Horn and Brian Reilly

Allison and Don Muller, Shannon and Kenny Rovak

Emily and Troudy Vaughan, Shelley and Brett Guiley

Sarah and Roland Miller, Ellen and Adam Spiegel

CHS Family Association

Chair- Angela Lipshutz

Vice-Chair– Natalie Angelo

In-Kind Donations

Ann and Henry Dudley, Jr.

Anna Holloway and Tejinder Singh

Rachel Kent and Sean Shannon

Michael Kress Photography

Kathleen Legg and Rajib Chanda

Levain Bakery

Jaime and Greg Marcus

Allison and Don Muller

Tamara Schlinger and Andrew Madar

Ellen and Adam Spiegel

When tasked with formally establishing the inaugural CHS Family Association, Angela Lipshutz, a devoted mom to three CHS cubs (both former and current) and consistent champion of Concord Hill School, did just that! Together, along with fellow current CHS parent, Natalie Angelo, the two set out to create an opportunity to connect our wideranging school community by supporting parents and families through special speakers, hosting family-focused events, and working cooperatively with faculty in support of our students and families; creating an ongoing legacy for many CHS families to come. We thank you immensely for the time, attention, and care you have shown in the creation of our CHS Family Association.

The Home-School Connection

Alumni News

CONGRATULATIONS

on completing the first year of your college journeys...

Members of the Class of 2013

Quinn Bausch- Grinnell College

Kate Burton- University of Wisconsin

Jack Farber- Claremont McKenna College

Owen Fernandes- Villanova

Jack Freedman- Arizona State University

Mia Graham- University of Alabama

Ally Jones- Emory University

Jenna Krinsky- Northwestern University

Micah Lachman- Haverford College

Ellie Moseman- University of Wisconsin

Lola Nordlinger- University of Michigan

Gray Rager- Colorado College

Hadley Sharp- University of Georgia

Michael Sweeney- Claremont McKenna College

Alex Walker- St. Mary’s College

Quentin Wise- Union College

Alumni Spotlight

Lola Nordlinger '13 (Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Class of '22), was part of an impactful PBS News Hour special entitled "Our New Normal", a project of the PBS Student Reporting Lab As a member of the B-CC school newspaper, The Tattler, as multimedia editor, Lola explored the impact of social media on teens and the connection with mental health Along with a fellow B-CC student, Lola set out to interview a range of psychologists, classmates, and educators; capturing a range of voices and perspectives on this important topic Lola continues to study journalism and is currently a freshman at University of Michigan.

Teddy Sears '86 has been busy on the small screen and beyond this past year, playing a range of roles on series such as A Walton's Thanksgiving, American Horror Story, NCIS- Hawaii, Chicago Fire, and The Flash. Teddy's most impactful role yet, as a new father, began in October 2022 when he and his wife, Milissa, welcomed a baby boy!

Ian Berlin '10 is hitting all of the right notes these days! Last year, Ian was a lead member of the famous Yale University undergraduate a capella group, Mixed Company Ian is continuing to share his talent with the world through song as part of the prestigious and historic Yale Glee Club called the Whiffenpoofs As Assistant Musical Director, Ian now leads this group of talented vocal performers as they travel the world, touring, performing, and sharing the joy of music and song

We are always wondering what our CHS alums are up to! Please tap the link (if viewing digitally) to let us know... everything from new jobs to new babies, new adventures, and new joys. We want to celebrate and share so keep us posted! You can also email Cynthia Raso, Director of Advancement, at craso@concordhill.org

What's New @CHS?

We are so happy to share a few of the ways Concord Hill is continuing to be responsive to our students' evolving needs and provide new opportunities to learn and grow, together.

TheConcordHillClimber!

A new famous landmark has been established as part of our outdoor learning space! This dynamic climber allows our young learners to conquer new heights, enjoy new challenges, and take healthy risks while playing. Seeing the campus (and Wisconsin Ave ) from a different perspective pushes the boundary of our play space and makes for a great place to make new CHS memories with friends!

Maker + Media Lab!

This space was recently reimagined to combine our library resources with our STEM and maker learning program as a unified, cohesive learning space. Browsable, front-facing picture book shelving now makes it easier and engaging for our youngest learners to make their book selections and the aesthetic is now reflective of a more neutral colored, light-filled space to learn and investigate We look forward to the continued exploration of books, materials, and concepts in this newly revitalized part of our building

Spanish language program expansion

The Concord Hill experience has been further enriched this year by the expansion of our Spanish language learning program. The decision to increase the frequency and exposure was driven by a desire to give students a foundation for Spanish that reflects the proven capacity to learn and absorb foreign languages most effectively at a young age. Spanish classes now occur three times a week for our upper grade levels and the youngest grade levels now benefit from the presence of a full-time Spanish speaking classroom assistant who supports the class in an immersive way; modeling the functional use of the language through play and project work

Contributions to the CHS Annual Fund help us to sustain these and many other facilities upgrades and programmatic elements of the Concord Hill experience. Tap the link to donate or visit concordhill.org/support to give. All contributions to Concord Hill School are tax deductible.

for being part of such a wonderful school community