On Campus Magazine, Fall 2025 by Crane Country Day School

In This Issue

In this issue, we review our 2024-2025 fiscal milestones and the measurable impact of community service. We also celebrate the highlights of Fall 2025 - from welcoming our newest Staffulty to the cherished return of the Thanksgiving Feast - as we look forward to a new chapter of growth and educational excellence.

A LEGACY OF COMPASSION AND SERVICE: Honoring Carrie Towbes

For twelve meaningful years, Carrie Towbes P'10, P'13 served on the Crane Country Day School Board of Trustees, bringing wisdom and heart to every decision.

5 A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF SCHOOL Stage Theory of Growth: Children, Schools, and Crane’s Next Chapter

COMING TO CRANE Meet the ResnickNomikos Family

COMING TO CRANE Meet the New Trustees

COMING TO CRANE Four New Staffulty Members Join Crane

Crane Country Day School is dedicated to providing an experiental education characterized by a thoughtful balance of academic challenge and creative expression. We thrive as a community that builds character and confidence, while celebrating the joy of learning.

BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER Crane Students Rally to Support LA Fire Victims

Introducing Katie Allan, our new Families For Crane President

CRANE'S MISSION STATEMENT

CRANE'S CORE VALUES

CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL MAGAZINE FALL 2025

2025-2026 Board of Trustees

Courtney Smith, President

Matt Riley, Vice President

Clay Murdy '93, Treasurer

Susan McMillan, Secretary

Daniel Baker

Stephen Blass

Erik Cetrulo

Elizabeth Chandler

Dave Comfort

Samantha Daly

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Todd Eliassen

Amy Frank

Chris Gocong

Matt Hudson

Bob Ingersoll

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Marc Jones

Annie Kaiser

Woodwyn Koons

Andrew Nesbit

Louisa Ornelas

Mark Schmidt

Sarah Sheshunoff

Jennifer Siemens

Rae Wynn-Grant

Contributors

WRITING AND EDITING

Emma Balina

Kate Brody-Adams ’99

Erin Guerra ’88

Kristen Peralta ’96

Ann Pieramici

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jason Baffa

Teresa Pietsch

Staffulty and Students

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Haagen/Typecraft LR-LA.com

Every

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Stage Theory of Growth: Children, Schools, and Crane’s Next Chapter

Joel Weiss Head of School

Courtney Smith Board President

Dear Crane Community,

One of the joys of working in an elementary school is observing the beautifully predictable arc of childhood. From the tentative early steps of a kindergartner learning a school’s rhythms to the confident voices of eighth graders preparing to launch into high school, every student follows a developmental pathway that is both deeply personal and universal.

While each child is unique, educators can easily describe the recognizable stages through which they pass on their scholastic journey. Less commonly acknowledged is that schools themselves also grow through familiar developmental stages. Just as children move from dependence toward self-reliance, schools evolve in ways that follow a coherent trajectory. A school’s earliest years are marked by the improvisation of a startup, relying heavily on the passion of its founders. Over time, stability emerges, governance structures strengthen, traditions are born, and a sense of shared identity solidifies. As the decades pass, schools enter a period of maturity, marked by sustained excellence, deepening roots in the community, and the capacity to think boldly about the future.

Crane has now lived through nearly a century of its own developmental journey. From its modest beginnings in 1928, it has become a thriving school with a beautiful physical plant, a strong endowment, devoted families, and a legacy of exceptional hands-on teaching. Crane embodies many of the hallmarks of a mature school. We enjoy a cohesive community with deep traditions – daily Assembly and powerful community events like the Crane Country Fair generate a strong culture of belonging, allowing us to dream well beyond the present moment.

Standing on this almost century-long foundation, we are ready to steward Crane into its next stage of growth. Schools in their mature phase must balance the wisdom of past experiences with the courage to adapt and grow. We must honor the rituals and values that have anchored our community while remaining nimble enough to respond to the evolving needs of students, families, and the world around us. Finding this balance is precisely the work we are undertaking together as a school and as a Board of Trustees.

Over the coming years, we are committed to strengthening the programs that make Crane special, investing in our teachers, bolstering our culture of belonging, and ensuring that our campus and endowment remain sources of long-term sustainability. Simultaneously, we will look ahead with curiosity. This includes exploring innovative teaching practices, learning about new approaches to support student well-being, thoughtful use of technology, and discerning specific skills that children need to thrive in a world that is marked by rapid change.

Just as children grow in predictable stages while also managing to surprise us, so do schools. As we celebrate Crane’s first hundred years, we are filled with immense gratitude for the generations who have shaped this special school, and deep excitement for the decades that lie ahead. Together, we are committed to guiding Crane thoughtfully along its developmental arc, ensuring that this remains a place where students flourish, and that the next century is just as inspiring as the first.

Warm regards,

Joel Weiss Head of School

Courtney Smith Board President

the Resnick-Nomikos Family

When Will Nomikos and Elana Resnick were choosing where to live and build their careers as academic professors, the choice of school for their two young sons was central to their decision. As professional researchers and published authors, they did what they do best and applied their rigorous analytical skills to carefully evaluate their educational options.

“We toured some of the best school districts in the country," Will explained. "But when we visited Crane, it just felt different.”

Elana agreed, highlighting key factors that influenced their decision. “We wanted a school that reduced screen time, provided small classes, and prioritized individual teacher attention, all while fostering our son’s creativity.”

“Crane stood out as a place where our child’s unique sense of questioning and curiosity about the world would be encouraged,” she said. “As academics, we value critical thinking and Crane fostered a type of independent thinking that aligned with how we are raising our children.”

“One of the first things we heard about Crane is that you always know a Crane kid because they are the ones asking the questions,” said Will.

The couple were also struck with the current of kindness that runs through the school.

“There was a sense that kindness could be your

strength,” said Elana. “At Crane you can be inquisitive, smart and kind - none of these qualities are exclusionary.”

But perhaps what sold the couple more than anything was observing Assembly, when a teacher shared her personal story of potentially donating her kidney.

Elana and Will found it powerful because she shared everything - the journey, science, and ethics of the donation - with the entire school community, who sat enthralled.

“And this was just an ordinary Tuesday morning!” Will remarked.

The emphasis on questioning resonated with Will, whose doctoral research centered on evaluating ideas based on merit, not status or viewpoint. Seeing students engage freely at Assembly—and teachers welcome their questions— reflected that ideal, fostering openness, respect, and kindness in a way that felt unique.

“I also love how the teachers take our son so seriously,” said Will. “He asks a lot of questions and is met with a level of

interest and commitment; he is never dismissed.”

Most importantly, Ezra is excited to go to school every day. He said he loves the science experiments and Spring Study Week, because, “you get to travel into every classroom and meet almost every teacher.”

“In addition to academics, he is really learning how to be in the world,” said Elana. “His emotional growth and capacity for empathy is growing exponentially.”

“Crane reminds me a lot of the small liberal arts college that I attended,” she added. “It’s the kind of place where you figure out who you are as a person.”

“At Crane, Ezra truly gets to be a kid,” said Will. “The school strikes a remarkable balance— fostering joyful play while supporting his intellectual side.

Crane Staffulty really understand the energy and needs of children at this stage.”

“Our expectations have been surpassed at every level,” he added. “Crane has been a magical place for us and I’m so excited for our youngest, Ares, to have his own unique experience here.”

ABOVE Ezra (’33) and Ares (age 4)

COMING TO CRANE

Meet the New Trustees

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Carrie Towbes and Paul Gauthier for their many contributions to the school as Trustees. Both completed their terms at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Andrew Nesbit serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Wall Street Prep, the global industry leader in training and professional development for the financial services sector. As CMO, Andrew is responsible for building out their direct-to-consumer business and scaling their B2B business. Previously, Andrew was an executive at a leading EdTech company, Learneo, which focuses on building learning and productivity tools for college students. He spent over a decade at the Company where he helped scale the organization from 30 to 800 employees and grew revenue to over $300M through organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Andrew began his career in investment banking and venture capital in Silicon Valley, giving him a unique blend of startup operational expertise and finance and investing acumen. Andrew is a graduate of the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley where he graduated with honors and won two national titles as a member of the Men’s Water Polo Team.

Additionally, Andrew sits on the board of the Big C Society, a non-profit supporting the career development of current and past UC Berkeley student-athletes.

In 2021, Andrew moved to Santa Barbara to be closer to family.

Mark Schmidt and his wife, Maria, have owned a home in Montecito since 2013. Until moving here full time in 2020, they split their time between Montecito and Connecticut. They have two adult sons, both of whom live in Brooklyn.

Mark’s childhood home was in Salisbury, Connecticut, a rural town in the Berkshire hills. He graduated from Salisbury School and then attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He began his professional career at JP Morgan and in 1981 moved to San Francisco to work at Bain & Company, a strategy consulting firm. He later returned to the east coast to attend Harvard Business School.

With an MBA in hand, Mark spent the next 30 years in the alternative asset management industry. His final role was as Founder and Managing Partner of Ledge Energy Group, a physical energy trading business. When Ledge was acquired, he made a career switch and became the Chief Financial Officer of Salisbury School.

Following five years at Salisbury School, Mark and his family moved to Montecito full time, and he continued his work in the independent school world as the CFO of Crane Country Day School. After three years at Crane, he retired and is now enjoying the time and opportunity to engage fully in the community, including serving as a Trustee of Lotusland and embracing the many recreational opportunities available locally.

Louisa Ornelas is the Director of Operations at Carpinteria Children’s Project, where she plays a key role in fostering a healthy and productive organizational culture aligned with the nonprofit’s values and HR practices. She ensures operational effectiveness by overseeing systems that are cost-efficient, streamlined, and mission driven.

Born and raised in Oxnard, California, Louisa is a proud first-generation college graduate. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Cal Poly Pomona. With over 20 years of experience across the for-profit, nonprofit, and public sectors, she brings a deep understanding of business operations and human resource management to her work.

Louisa is committed to lifelong learning and professional growth. She holds a Professional in Human Resources – California (PHRca) certification, highlighting her expertise in California-specific employment laws and HR practices. She is also currently participating in a leadership development cohort in Santa Barbara to further enhance her leadership Skills.

Deeply rooted in her community, Louisa has volunteered in her children’s classrooms and served as Treasurer for the Carpinteria Family School Board, as well as campaign treasurer for a local elected school board member.

Louisa lives in Carpinteria with her husband, Alex, two children, Jade ’25 and Jacob ’27, and their dog.

Dave Comfort is an executive of 1st Century Bank, overseeing commercial and private banking in California. He serves as asset manager and board member of the hospitality division of Henry Crown and Company, operating the Ojai Valley Inn, Little Nell Hotel group and Limelight hotels. Dave currently serves on the University of Virginia Benefactor Society Board, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy Board, Collective Energy Board and on the Environment Committee of Crown Family Philanthropies.

Dave holds an Economics degree from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He previously worked for JP Morgan’s Private Bank and played soccer in the MLS. He lives with his wife, Kasey, and their three children: Avery ’26, Eden ’29, and Sophie ’32.

Daniel Baker is the founder of FlightAware, the global aerospace data company, and served as CEO from 2005 until its sale to Raytheon Technologies in 2021. He has been in the Internet services business for over 30 years and the aviation industry for over 20 years.

Currently, Daniel is a technology investor and philanthropist, including serving as a board member of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, the National Business Aviation Association, and Aspen Public Radio. He is an aviation safety expert and advocate who serves on the Aspen Airport’s Safety Task Force, and was the Chair of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s Safety and Accident Investigation Committee.

Daniel is a pilot instructor and holds FAA Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor Certificates. An avid cyclist and skier, he lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Natalie ’26, in Montecito, California and Aspen, Colorado.

Daniel Baker

Dave Comfort

Mark Schmidt

Andrew Nesbit Louisa Ornelas

Sarah

Eglin

Music Teacher

Katie Whipp

Interim Lower School Science Teacher (2025-2026)

MY JOY

I love scuba and freediving! Being underwater brings me peace and quiet, and I’m constantly in awe of the chance to interact with so many different marine species. This passion has taken me around the world, always leaving me filled with wonder. Here in California, some of my favorite moments are swimming through the kelp forest and spotting a friendly harbor seal or bright orange Garibaldi, our state fish.

Carly Klepp Second Grade Teacher

Ryan Evans

Development Associate

Meet the New Staffulty

MY JOY I love meeting new people who have found time in their busy lives to keep making music just for fun. One of my newest joys is sitting down in the Prime Time Band to play the French horn (something I hadn't done since high school), making mistakes like crazy (something I did all the time in high school), and having older people in their 80s and 90s give me a thumbs up and tell me, "We're glad you're here! You'll get it next time!"

WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO CRANE

I was first introduced to Crane during my time on Catalina Island, where I worked as an outdoor educator. I had the opportunity to be an instructor for one of the sixth grade groups and immediately fell in love with the students and the amazing community the school fosters. I was also deeply impressed by the Staffulty and how they come together to provide meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for the students.

MY FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS

The library! Every time we go there for meetings, it feels like such a cozy nest of stories and ideas and connections with the wider world – I want to spend a few weeks camping out there, just reading all the books I see on the shelves that are calling to me.

MY JOY

Musical theater (once a theater kid, always a theater kid!) — I spent the last eight years in New York soaking up as many Broadway and off-Broadway shows as I could. Now I’m thrilled to be back home and to cheer on the amazing talent here in Santa Barbara!

MY FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS

My favorite spot on campus has to be the garden and goat pen (how many schools have a place where you can hang out with goats between classes?). I love that Crane has such a playful, whimsical space, which is not just fun, but also a place where students get to learn in hands-on ways.

MY JOY

I love being outside and engaging in sports! I played volleyball in school and am now coaching one of the Crane volleyball teams. I have also recently taken up golf and surfing.

MY FAVORITE CRANE TRADITION

Assemblies! I love everyone coming together as a school and seeing students from all different grades. My favorite Assemblies are the spotlight performances on Fridays.

A LEGACY OF COMPASSION AND SERVICE

Honoring Carrie Towbes

For twelve meaningful years, Carrie Towbes

P'10, P'13 served on the Crane Country Day School Board of Trustees, bringing wisdom and heart to every decision.

Her dedication was recently recognized when she was named the Santa Barbara Foundation's 2025 Person of the Year, following in the footsteps of both her parents who received the same honor.

Carrie's service extends far beyond Crane. As a licensed psychologist with over 30 years specializing in child clinical psychology, she has strengthened mental health support throughout Santa Barbara County. Carrie is a past member of the First Five Advisory Board of Santa Barbara County and

a former clinical supervisor at CALM. She has served on several nonprofit boards that address the needs of children and families including Planned Parenthood California Central Coast and Storyteller Children’s Center.

Stepping up in 2017 as President of the Towbes Foundation - founded by her parents in 1980 – she is part of a legacy that has granted over $25 million to more than 400 organizations in Santa Barbara County since its inception. At Crane, her ability to blend strategic thinking with compassion was transformative. During the 2017 mudslides, she organized our first all-community reunification meeting. When local fires devastated families, she established on-campus support groups. She advocated for support of neurodiverse students, helped to develop our current Strategic Plan and, with her partner John Lewis, championed hiring our first Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

As Carrie steps down from Crane's board, we celebrate both her service to our school and her broader impact across Santa Barbara. Her dedication—whether through the innovative Youth Mental Health Providers 4R Grant Program she recently established, or her countless hours as both a professional and a volunteer—has truly made our entire community stronger.

LEFT Carrie Towbes, recipient of the 82nd Persons of the Year awards.

ABOVE Current and past members of Crane’s Board of Trustees celebrate Carrie Towbes at the Person of the Year award luncheon.

BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER

Crane Students Rally to Support LA Fire Victims

WHEN THE DEVASTATING LOS Angeles fires struck in January 2025, one Crane seventh grader knew she wanted to help. Like many Crane students, she had close friends and family who lost their homes. She approached Upper School teachers and the Coyote Cares elective leaders

Kate Tannous and Alexa Hughes with an idea: organize a bake sale to support fire victims.

Students in the Coyote Cares elective moved quickly, and the community responded with overwhelming generosity. The bake sale raised a recordbreaking $3,000, which several anonymous donors later matched, bringing the total to $15,000.

After carefully researching where their funds could make the greatest impact, the Coyote Cares students chose the Pasadena Community Foundation, knowing their donation would reach lowincome families in Altadena who needed support most. The students then traveled to Pasadena to deliver their check in person and learn about the foundation's work—a trip that proved both rewarding and meaningful.

The gratitude came full circle when the foundation sent a framed t-shirt and heartfelt thank-you note. In a touching coincidence, one recipient organization was The Flintridge Center, run by the great-aunt of two Crane students, showing how our community's compassion creates connections that reach far beyond our campus walls.

BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER

Introducing Katie Allan, our new Families For Crane President

Below is an excerpt from a speech Katie Allan P'28, P'32 gave at the 2025 State of the School Address. We welcome her as our new Families For Crane (FFC) President!

"As FFC President, my goal is to ensure that every child and every family feels part of something special here. That they feel safe, connected, and cared for.

The culture here isn't built solely by policies; it's built by people. And we all own a piece of it. The school sets the tone, but the environment is a shared responsibility. Crane’s values of “Put We Before Me” or “Value Your Voice” are not just slogans. They need to echo in every classroom, every carpool, every hot lunch shift, and every moment we spend together. None of it means anything unless we, as a community, live them out.

Serving in this role has given me a unique look behind the curtain. Attending Board meetings and being part of school discussions has

deepened my appreciation for the work, the dedication, and the sheer thoughtfulness that go into every decision. It's constant, and it's done with great care.

When a school has a strong, cohesive environment—one built on collaboration—it becomes nimble and resilient. Whether we're responding to a natural disaster, supporting a family in crisis, or adjusting to the ever-changing world around us, we're able to move quickly and compassionately—because we move together.

Looking ahead, my hope is that the FFC continues to serve as a warm, welcoming front door to our school. A place where every new family, every visitor, and every member of our community feels seen and included. It's our chance to show the heart of this school—the people, the culture, and the care that defines us.

Thank you for being part of this community. And thank you for all the ways you help shape it.

We also wish to take this opportunity to recognize Marcy Eliassen, P’22, P’22, and P’25, for her extraordinary service and dedication to Crane as our 2023-2025 Families For Crane President. Over her family’s twelve years at Crane, Marcy nurtured our parent community and helped give countless families a sense of belonging. For that and so much more, we give our heartfelt thanks.

ABOVE Members of the Coyote Cares elective sell their home-baked goods outside of Gelson’s in Santa Barbara to raise money for LA Fire Victims

CRANE COUNTRY FAIR 2025

Celebrating 70 Years of Community

The Crane Country Fair has been bringing our community together since May 1955, when it first began as the "Carnival" or "May Faire." After a hiatus from 1978-1992, and again from 20202022, this cherished tradition returned in 2023 stronger than ever. The Fair is now firmly rooted as one of Crane’s most beloved traditions.

This year's Fair on October 19, 2025, was a perfect reminder of why this tradition endures. From old-fashioned games like the Cupcake Walk and Lollipop Toss, to inflatables, a petting zoo and pony rides, and student-led face painting, the day was filled with joy and connection across all ages. The Country Kitchen & Market, food vendors, and raffle created opportunities for families to gather, play, and build memories together. What makes the Fair truly special is its focus on friend-raising rather than fund-raising. While this year’s Fair raised $65,000 for the 2025 operating budget, it is more a day

that current families, prospective families, alumni, and the broader Santa Barbara community can come together on our fields. The strength of the Crane community is on full display as parents volunteer at grade-level booths, recent graduates and their families return to campus, children run from activity to activity often sporting wacky hair and carrying armfuls of prizes, and neighbors discover what makes Crane special.

This year proved once again that the Crane Country Fair is more than an event—it's a living tradition that connects generations of our community.

Thank You for Making the 2025 Crane Country Fair a Success

Every contribution—whether time, resources, or presence—helped create a day that strengthened our community and showcased the heart of Crane. Thank you!

Special thanks to our 2025 Crane Country Fair Co-Chairs:

Amy Frank P’29, P’31

Heather Jimenez P’28, P’31

Leslie Nevius P’27, P’29, P’32

Their leadership, creativity, and countless hours of planning brought this day to life.

Thank you to our business partners:

The Food Liaison

Kona Ice

Magic Jump Rentals

MOXI

Santa Barbara Trapeze Co.

Sol Wave Water

Tawni’s Ponies

Town & Country Rentals

UCSB Department of Recreation

Village Coffee SB

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

HARVEST MOON

Amirkhanian Family

Baker Family

Comfort/Crown Family

Canterbury Consulting

Gore Family

Gray Malin and Jeff Richardson

Hudson/Haeg Family

Levine Family

Mark Frank Family

McClellen Family

Montecito Plastic Surgery

Nevius Family

Randy Solakian Estates Group

Robbins Family

Sternberg/Reitman Family

AUTUMN BOUNTY

Coyuchi

Daly Family

Grunewald/Shields Family

K. Frank.

Kaiser Family

Montesano Group

Sage Society

Schwan Brothers Excavation

Trippers & Askers

Williamson Family

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this year's Crane Country Fair such a success! To the families who volunteered at booths, donated items to the Country Kitchen & Market, sold raffle tickets, set up, cleaned up, attended with friends and family, and invested in Crane through this event—thank you. Your partnership means so much.

Thank you to our raffle prize donors:

Carpinteria Nails

Coyuchi

The Eddy

The Food Liaison

Godmother’s Books

Gray Malin

Lobero Theater

McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams

Michelle K Montecito Brow Studio

Montecito Inn

Montecito Plastic Surgery

MOXI

Olada

Patagonia

Rincon Coffee Roasting Co.

Robert Polidori

Rori’s Artisanal Creamery

Santa Barbara Company

Santa Barbara International Film

Festival

Santa Barbara Sailing Center

Summerland Salon & Spa

Trippers & Askers

Yoga Soup

Zaytoon

LEAPING INTO FUN The sack race is one of 18 activities for students aged 3-14 that are led by parent and caregiver volunteers.

FAR LEFT Seventh graders run the face paint booth, bringing magical creatures and whimsical looks to fairgoers faces.

LEFT Co-Chairs of the 2025 Crane Country Fair

Q: What have you enjoyed about being a Crane parent?

A:"The beautiful campusit has developed so much but at the same time it’s the same amazing campus I loved as a kid."

-Mike Duca ’96

Q: What is something that you appreciate about Crane today that is similar to your time as a Crane student?

A: I love the energy and ease of the Crane community - it feels both comfortable and warm, but also exciting and rigorous.

-Rachael Knight ’96

Q: What is something that you appreciate about Crane today that is similar to your time as a Crane student?

A: No question it is experiential learning that I appreciate most about what Crane did and does. Learning while being outside of the traditional classroom is such a valuable experience.

-Clay Murdy ’93

Q: What is something that you appreciate about Crane today that is similar to your time as a Crane student?

Q: What have you enjoyed about being a Crane parent?

A: I love that Crane continues to enrich my life, now through the lens of my daughter's unbridled happiness and excitement in going to school every day. I love being part of the community in a new capacity and continuing to be a steward of the Crane culture that makes this place so extraordinary.

-Lauren McEwen '99 Bryson

A: Bigger school. Same feeling -Jason Siemens ’84

A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT for 16 Crane Alumni

The 2025-2026 school year highlights a powerful legacy, with sixteen alumnispanning graduating years from the early ‘80s to the early ‘00s - proudly serving as Crane parents to 21 children. Drawing on their dual experiences as students and parents, these alums offer a unique historical knowledge of the school, providing significant insight and sweet stories about Crane then and now. Their responses to

Q: What is something that you appreciate about Crane today that is similar to your time as a Crane student?

A: Crane has always been great at recognizing that many students learn differently... Some are more visual, some need structure etc.

-Jeff Theimer ’93

Q: What is something that you appreciate about Crane today that is similar to your time as a Crane student?

a recent questionnaire reveal a powerful and consistent narrative about Crane's identity today, anchored by four common threads: the enduring power of community and culture, highly appreciated physical and academic modernization, the preservation of experiential learningas a core differentiator, and the shared joy and vicarious happiness seen in their own children. Here is a sampling of those responses:

Q: What is something that your Crane student(s) love about Crane today?

A: All of it. The student body, supportive faculty/staff, and challenging academics - which she craves - keeps her fully engaged on a daily basis.

-Scott Willey '88

-Michael Smith ’92

A: Seeing amazing interactions between classes and that a positive and encouraging atmosphere and relaxed vibe continues!

ABOVE An array of photos representing several of the sixteen alums and their children and families.

A NEW TRIP HIGHLIGHTING INNOVATION

Seventh Grade Explores the Bay Area

Trip Week is a long-standing tradition at Crane, serving as a highlight of the fifth through eighth grade experience. Over the years, while destinations may shift to best align with the curriculum and to adjust to travel challenges, the resulting meaningful and experiential focus remains the unwavering constant. This year’s inaugural seventh grade trip to the San Francisco Bay Area was intentionally crafted to center around innovation and inspiration.

INNOVATION

THE ITINERARY ALSO INCLUDED:

Exploring high-tech science and exhibits at the California Academy of Sciences and the Exploratorium.

Experiencing iconic landmarks like a walk on the Golden Gate Bridge and a historical tour of Alcatraz Island.

Viewing the stunning architecture of the Salesforce Tower, sparking interest in urban development and business.

Connecting with Innovation and Alumni

The students enjoyed a full and rewarding week, setting the perfect foundation for their upcoming mentorship project - Quests, Explorations, and Discoveries (QED) - as well as Design and Engineering classes, which both take place during the second semester. The packed itinerary offered cutting-edge science and engineering exposure alongside famous landmarks.

The trip served as a powerful introduction to the world of technology and potential future careers. Students had the unique opportunity to connect with Crane alumni along the way, bridging the gap between their current education and future possibilities. At the Apple Visitor Center, they met up with Rivers Ingersoll ’04, and were greeted by Cooper Lender ’20 at the Stanford Robotics Lab.

Reflections: Before and After

Each seventh grader was asked to write a letter to their future self prior to the trip to express curiosities and concerns, and then reflect on that letter upon their return. The excerpts below show glimpses of the academic and socialemotional growth and learning process that the trip fostered.

Dear Future Self:

I'm curious about Alcatraz because I've always wanted to see what the prisoners faced, and I'm thrilled about the Golden Gate Bridge because it's the Golden Gate Bridge! Come on, who wouldn't want to walk on the Golden Gate Bridge and go to the Roblox headquarters? It's going to be so fun, and wait, who will be my cabin mate?

I hope the San Francisco trip was great! I'm really excited to see Stanford and the Golden Gate Bridge. Are there actually nets underneath the bridge? (There is, and it's metal wire.) Who did you room with, and did you have to sleep on the pullout bed? (No, I slept in the bathtub instead of having to sleep on the pullout.) I hope you enjoyed swimming and that the food was delicious. (OMG it was so good.)

Post-trip reflections:

I thought that I would be having once-a-day activities and light days, and our trip was not that! My worry did not come true, thank god. I double checked my bags to make sure I had them and breathed a breath of fresh air when I got to the hotel. I saw some new careers and colleges that I think I would be very interested in. What I know now that I did not know before the trip is that being in a hotel room with your good friends is so much fun and bathtubs are quite cozy! I really loved seeing the Salesforce Tower because it was so beautiful, and I think that being a project manager is something I would want to do!

My biggest surprise was the Stanford Robotics Lab. I didn't really understand how many amazing things they had inside the building. What I know now that I didn’t know before the trip is so many cool things… The history of Alcatraz, life as a Stanford student, what it is like working at Salesforce, and much more.

ABOVE From robots to video games, the trip presented students with opportunities to engage their hands and minds.

FAR RIGHT The aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences sparked wonder and curiosity.

2025 TRIP WEEK DESTINATIONS

FIFTH GRADE

Joshua Tree National Park

SIXTH GRADE

Catalina Island

SEVENTH GRADE

San Francisco Bay Area

EIGHTH GRADE

Alabama and Georgia

SUMMER

OF SPARK

Teacher Grants Ignite Classroom Joy

Crane teachers may apply for summer grants to support personal and professional growth. These summer experiences are made possible by generous donors who fund the summer professional development program. Each trip, activity, or experience has takeaways that enrich the classroom and strengthen the learning environment. Here are the teachers' impact stories from their summer 2025 adventures:

HOLSMAN GRANT

Rebecca Waid Kindergarten Teacher

Rebecca Waid embarked on a meaningful journey to Greece and Croatia, marking her first time in Europe, thanks to the Holsman Grant. Her purpose was clear: to recharge her passion and gather experiential learning tie-ins to model for her young students, showing them how learning comes alive through real experiences. The trip provided a fresh, professional perspective and a clearer sense of purpose.

She is excited to bring her explorations to life. The Greek alphabet will connect directly to the phonics work in her classroom, showing students the origins of language. Ancient architecture, such as the Parthenon, will inspire hands-on STEM projects focusing on shapes, design, and engineering. Ms. Waid plans to introduce her students to Mediterranean culture through taste, incorporating food to foster curiosity and connection. Her revitalized energy and concrete examples ensure that her students will engage with the world beyond Crane.

DOROTHY C. WAUGH GRANT

Louis Caron ’97 and Matt DeGroot ’04, Upper School History Teachers

Kathryn Gray Upper School Learning Specialist

Louis Caron, Matt DeGroot, and Kathryn Gray teamed up for an important summer project funded by the Dorothy C. Waugh Grant. They focused on refining history curriculum with a neurodiversity lens, working specifically on the materials used in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. This work is a core part of Crane's strategic initiative to embrace neurodiversity while sustaining the highest academic standards. The three-person team dedicated their time in August to making the curriculum more accessible to all eager learners, particularly those with learning differences. Their refinements included finding new ways to teach difficult, above-gradelevel texts to younger students and standardizing eleven physical geography maps. These targeted improvements to our instructional materials have transformed the more complex areas of the history curriculum into content that is both accessible and engaging for a wide range of learners. The new materials are already being used and actively benefiting dozens of Crane students.

This summer’s professional development experiences, made possible by the generosity of three grants, demonstrate the importance of the joy of learning, the power of focused time, and the gift of exploration. We are grateful to the donors who allow Crane teachers to bring fresh energy and ideas into the classroom to improve the learning experience for their students.

ELDON

BOYD FELLOWSHIP GRANT

Megan Flannery ’99

First Grade Teacher

Megan Flannery used the Eldon Boyd Fellowship to travel to the island of Kauai with her family. While the trip was a valuable time for rest and reconnection, it provided deep professional inspiration that will directly benefit her students this year.

Days spent hiking through lush rainforests, biking along breathtaking ocean paths, and snorkeling in Hanalei Bay were deeply restorative, renewing energy and creativity. This time away reinforced the importance of balance, curiosity, and connection— core values that she emphasizes in her classroom.

Crucially, the experience provided firsthand examples and stories for the first grade rainforest unit. Having explored Kauai’s tropical ecosystem, Mrs. Flannery now has vivid, authentic details to help bring the thematic unit to life for her young students, including descriptions of the dense jungle, the magic of sunrise rainbows, and the joy of snorkeling with sea turtles. She returned to Crane refreshed, grateful, and eager to share the spirit of discovery with her first graders.

ELDON BOYD FELLOWSHIP GRANT

Shana Arthurs ’84 Drama Teacher

Shana Arthurs used her grant for a "NYC Summer Adventure," spending six days in New York City with her family, immersing themselves in the heart of professional theater and culture. Seeing three distinct Broadway productions provided an invaluable professional lens into the highest caliber of the art form.

Watching Jonathan Groff in Just in Time offered renewed insight into teaching musical theater and stage presence, specifically reminding Ms. Arthurs of the importance of authenticity and vulnerability for student performers. Even more transformative was the modern feminist adaptation, John Proctor is the Villain. This powerful production reinforced her core mission: to teach theater as a medium that gives voice to important stories and creates space for difficult conversations within the classroom.

Returning to Crane, Ms. Arthurs feels reinvigorated with fresh perspectives and a deeper understanding of theater's relevance. Experiencing professional performance at this level has solidified for her why this art form matters and how she can better inspire students this year.

Sophie Rasura Assistant Teacher for the Design & Engineering Center (DEC)

Due to the generosity of the Holsman Grant, Sophie Rasura was able to attend the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine. She participated in a two-week woodworking workshop focused on exploring human connection through craft and design. This immersive, hands-on experience was vital for her transition into her new teaching role in DEC this fall.

By becoming a student again, Ms. Rasura gained the practical skills and confidence needed to operate tools she will be teaching, including band saws, routers, joiners, and planers. Beyond the necessary technical proficiency, the workshop emphasized the immense value of community in cultivating a love of learning. She returned to Crane with a tangible excitement for the material, deep technical knowledge, and a commitment to weaving these lessons on craft, design, and connection into Crane's exceptional DEC curriculum this school year.

to all students

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM LEFT Architecture of Greece and Croatia will make their way into the kindergarten classroom

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM RIGHT Rainforests of Kauai foster curiosity and creativity in first grade.

TOP Finding joy in a woodworking workshop in Maine

BOTTOM New York City and Broadway culture bring new light to the Crane stage

HOLSMAN GRANT

OPPOSITE, TOP The beloved sixth grade maps project gets refined to make the content accessible

"Students and Staffulty, dining the Mulberry Tree... filling the

SPIRIT OF APPRECIATION

Thanksgiving Feast

At Crane, there is so much to be thankful for! That spirit of appreciation came to life once again at the 2025 Thanksgiving Feast. This cherished tradition, paused during the Covid years, returned at last—a joyful opportunity to gather as a community, share a meal, and celebrate all that binds us together.

As Joel Weiss explained to current parents, most of whom have never experienced the Crane Thanksgiving Feast, “Picture it: our students and Staffulty, dining together under the shade of the Mulberry Tree, surrounded by the art rooms, the library, and the fourth grade classrooms, experiencing laughter and joy, filling the quad with beautiful energy.”

The event would not have been possible without the Crane village — dedicated Families for Crane Co-Chairs; 90+ parent volunteers prepping, serving, and cleaning up; Staffulty tending to logistics and details to enhance the student experience; students rehearsing a song; and eighth graders planning activities to keep their “Families” engaged at the tables.

dining together under the shade of the quad with beautiful energy."

LEFT This kindergarten smile says it all! The Thanksgiving Feast will be enjoyed once more by generations of Crane students.

ABOVE A Crane “Family”—a multi-grade group of students who are led by their eighth grade “parents”—enjoys each other’s company while parent servers offer all the fixings.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Impact our Future

In 2022, Crane embarked on a bold Capital Campaign with dual goals—enhancing the campus environment and making a significant investment in the school’s most important resource: its teachers.

Renovating the theater demanded effort and care, yet the path was clear. Determining how best to uplift and sustain our extraordinary educators required much research, reflection, and imagination. From that heartfelt process, the remarkable Staffulty Support Fund was born.

This visionary fund was specifically created to reward and support every teacher and staff member whose dedication leaves an enduring mark on young learners. In just three years, Crane’s total endowment assets have grown, with the new fund creating a living engine that will nurture and empower our Staffulty for generations to come.

This endowment exists because of the profound generosity, trust, and love from a community that believes deeply in the transformative work of our educators. It stands as a powerful symbol of Crane’s unwavering commitment to the people who bring our mission and values to life every day. We are deeply grateful to those families who contributed to the Impact Our Future Campaign. The impact of this campaign will be felt for generations through the new Wolf Performing Arts Center, the Staffulty Support Fund, other campus enhancements as well as restricted funding for Staffulty professional development and neurodiversity support for students. Thank you for helping us realize this vision for Crane’s future.

Anonymous (13)

Robert Abbott '91 and Tessa van der Werff

Whitney Abbott '86 and Murray McTigue

The Adams Family

Wayne Adams and Lorie Bacon

Tamar Adegbile

The Allan Family

Brier and Kent Allebrand

Mr. Chuck Althoff

Ann Jackson Family Foundation

The AuBuchon Family

Marta Holsman Babson '61

Jennifer and Daniel Baker

Emma and Roque Balina

The Ball Family

Jill and Edward Banman

Shane and Michael McAnally Baum

Jill and Ryan Bell

Michelle Berkowitz and Shane Holt

Mary and John Blair

The Bochsler Family

Petra and Stephan Bode

The Bonilla-Zakosek Family

The Bratcher Family

Dawn and Darren Brews

Susan and Jeff Bridges

Jessica Smith and Kevin Brine

Ella and Scott Brittingham

Karina Kulangara and Julien Brun

The Bryson Family

The Butler Family

The Capozzoli/Foord Family

Debbie and Ric Castile

Erik and Sarah Cetrulo

Ms. Carolyn Chandler

Brian and Jordana Chossek for Hudson Chossek

Dr. Bernd Christiansen and Ms. Emel Zaim

Tim and Janey Cohen

Julia Collins '56

David Comfort and Kasey Crown

Don Cook and Charlie Siegel

Tara and Matt Cooper

Sheri and Jim Copus ‘92

Doris E. Cottam

Basil & Jayne Adair Cox

Anne and Larry Crowe

Elliott Crowe and Josh Murray

Terry Cunningham and Randi Miller

Dan and Samantha Daly

Dancing Tides Foundation

Sheila and Jim Davidson

Barbara and John DeGroot

Matthew DeGroot '04

Christopher Dentzel

Cathy and Owen Donahue

Megan Donahue

Mr. Joseph Donner '41 and Mrs. Pamela Donner

Ms. Lilian Drury

Christine & Reece Duca

Suzanne Duca

Graham Duncan and Courtney Smith

Whitney and Tyler Duncan

The Duran Family

Adam and Josh Duvendeck

Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Eckhart

Annie and Charles Eckhart

Brook and Jasper Eiler

Marcy and Todd Eliassen

Yutopia Essex

The Eustice Family

The Fallows Family

Melissa and Trevor Fetter Family

Nancy (Grancy) Fishkin

Fishkin Family

Courtney and Wes Fleming

Henrietta Holsman Fore '63

Tiffany and Frank Foster

The Mark Frank Family

Mr. William Freeland '00 and Alanna Matlick

Andrea and Mark Gabbay

Jennifer and Jason Gagne

Gabriela Garay-Marvin and Sanders Marvin

Valarie '85 and Evan Gardner

Paul and Stacy Gauthier

Beth and Dodd Geiger

Devon Geiger Nielsen

Ryan Gellert and Xiaomin He

Molly and Dino Ghoussias

The Gocong Family

The Gumins Family

The Ha Family

Michael Hakan

MacKenzie and Douglas Harris

Harte Family Fund

The Haydon Family

Jeremy Hilton and Karen Webster

The Hochevar-Perez Family

Java & Hunter Holloway

Cyndee Howard

The Hudson Family

Daniele and Frank Huerta

Gretel Huglin and Tripp Ridge

Whitney and Bob Ingersoll

Susan and Palmer Jackson

Jaimie Jenks '91

Andreana and Marc Jones

Mr. Eric Jones and Ms. Osbelia Castillo-Jones

Irma and Morrie Jurkowitz

Annie and Andy Kaiser

Ms. Ellen Kardon

Tom Kenny

Bobbie and John Kinnear

Kirby-Jones Foundation

Kristen Klingbeil-Weis and Karl Weis

John Knecht and Ashley Muenstermann

Woodwyn Koons and Dmitri Siegel

Robin and Brian Kopeikin

Mrs. Ruth Hardee Kovacs

Mr. Joshua Kulkin and Dr. Christina Kirby

The Laffont Family

The Lafitte Family

Leigh and Kurt Legler

The Lender Family

Ben Levi and Millie Tadewaldt

Jill and John Levi

The Levinson Family

Tray London

Dr. Adam Lowenstein and Ms. Elizabeth

Musson

Lupoli Family

Renee and Peter Mack

Paasha and Megan Mahdavi

The Matt Family

Storm McGovern Family

Sharon and Doug McKenzie

Kay R. McMillan

Susan McMillan and Caroline and Lauren

Kenny

Linda and Michael McTigue

The Mehrabi Family

Dan Meisel and Amy Wendel

Kristopher Moller and Lawren Howell

Emma Morton-Smith '02

Kami and Tim Morton-Smith '97

Louise and Ken Muenstermann

Marcy, John, and Mark Mullan '06

The Murdy Family

The Murray Family

The Muzzy Family

The Narva Family

Dr. Roland Nassim and Ms. Randa Seif

Lindsay and Eric Newlove

The Nurture Foundation

Sarah W. O'Brien '82 & Aaron Dowling

Gail Pierce O'Brien

Karen and Luke Ohrn

Louisa and Alex Ornelas

Otis Booth Foundation

Otis & Elizabeth Chandler Foundation

The Otto Family

Ann and Dante Pieramici

Robert Polidori and Brittany Sanders

Wendy and John Powell

Susanna V. Pullen '86 and Jennifer E.

Drury

Anita and Matthias Pusch

Rameson Family

The Reiter Family

Rick/Maloney Family

Ricks Blagden Family Foundation

Tracy and Brian Robbins

Nirasha and Jason Rodriguez

Bryan and Paola Rodriguez

Tony and Kyra Rogers

Jeannette and Kevin Root

Mizz Cathy Rose

The Saint Denis Family

Jessica and Roberto Santana

Izabela Santos

Lynda and Mark Schwartz

Nancy and Mike Sheldon

Jacobs / Shelmerdine Family

The Sheshunoff Family

Mr. Ryan Shields and Ms. Sarah

Grunewald

Jennifer and Jason Siemens

The Spence Family

Tiffany D. Levin and David Stanforth

The Stein Family

The Steinwurtzel Family

Carla Stellwagen

The Sternberg and Reitman Family

Christina and Greg Stoney

Mr. Alec Sulkin and Ms. Tal Rabinowitz

Kate Tannous

Susan and Brian Thompson

Tomchin Family Foundation

Carrie Towbes and John Lewis

Casey and Hunter Turpin

The Turpin Family

Diego Velazquez and Lucia Jimenez

Nina and Jeff Verkoeyen

Betsey von Summer

Jing Wan

Joel and Mary Anne Weiss

The Werts Family

Peter Wilder '57

Deanna Solakian Williams and Brett Williams

Debbie and Dave Williams

The Wintringham Family

Dick Wolf

Mary Lee and Paul Wren

Rae Wynn-Grant and David Seligman

Nell and Adam Yates

Mr. Fred W. Yeadon and Ms. Michele

Sutton Yeadon

This list reflects donations received through June 30, 2025.

LEFT The stunning entrance to the new Wolf Performing Arts Center, affectionately coined the Wolf PAC.

Transforming the Lower End of Crane's Campus

The data is clear: Elementary school students in small classes of 13 – 17 children perform significantly better in reading and math than those in classes of 22 – 25 (Mosteller, 1997). This finding holds even when the larger class has a teacher’s assistant. The academic benefits last into later grades, impact college entry, and are even associated with higher earning potential in adulthood (Chetty et. al., 2011). Smaller class size achieved through a two-section model has been consistently associated with greater individual attention, increased student participation, more capacity for differentiated instruction to support varied learning styles and needs, and closer

academic monitoring. Additionally, the two-section model enriches the social community, for both students and families, creating more opportunities for diverse peer interactions and friendships and reducing social isolation. Smaller class size combined with a larger social community not only reflects best practices, but it aligns with Crane’s philosophy of learning: The Crane experience celebrates the joy of learning and balances academic challenge and creative expression.

NEW LUNCH PAVILION

TWO NEW CLASSROOMS REIMAGINED ART DECK

-Dr. Carrie Towbes PhD and Licensed Clinical Psychologist and former Crane parent and Trustee

SPACE TO LEARN AND ROOM TO GROW

The Two-Section Model in Lower School

More than 20 years ago, the Lower and Upper School Art Rooms and Brittingham Family Library opened on Crane’s campus. Now, the school aims to complete the initial scope of that original project by adding two new Lower School classrooms, reimagining the Art Room deck, revitalizing the lunch area, and adding hardscaping and landscaping to the south end of Crane’s campus to be more welcoming for visitors and guests.

Crane’s decision to embrace a two-section model in Lower School (kindergarten through fifth grade) reflects decades of research on optimal class size and student/teacher ratio. By making this change and adding the spaces to bring it to life, Crane can cultivate a Lower School where every child gets exactly what they need—whether that’s the lively buzz of a big group or the calm focus of a smaller one. Smaller classes mean more personalized attention for students, clearer teacher roles, and more room for students to move, spread out, and dive into hands-on projects that spark curiosity. Flexible grouping lets the school better foster friendships, balance learning needs and peer dynamics, and separate students when helpful. This change has the benefits of strengthening enrollment flexibility, ensuring consistency across grades, and elevating the quality of teaching and learning.

REIMAGINING THE ART DECK AND LUNCH PAVILION AND ADDING TWO CLASSROOMS

The project aims to add new roofing, skylights, and seating to the Art Deck to create a more inviting space for students. In the lunch area, the current sail cloths and chunky posts will be replaced with more streamlined steel beams, new shade cloths, new tables, and lighting, so that this pavilion can be used more intentionally for school events in addition to lunch and recess.

Fitting seamlessly into the existing building, two new classrooms will be added to the west side of the Art Building.

Each classroom will be equipped with a learning wall, modular furniture for optimal student learning, and adjacent outdoor space and cubbies for backpack storage. A new roof for the entire building, hydration stations, electrical work, lighting, new landscaping, and tiered seating will transform this currently overlooked and underutilized area of Crane’s campus.

Construction is projected to begin in June 2026 with students moving in for the 2027-2028 school year.

$1.4 MILLION

$1.5 MILLION $1.3 MILLION

2024-2025 FINANCIALS

Solid Financial Footing

Crane has firmly established itself on a solid financial footing and continues to build upon its success. Enrollment during the 2024-25 school year was the highest it has ever been, which also helped drive fundraising to historic highs. The Annual Fund recorded an outstanding year and the campaign for the Staffulty Support Fund is well on its way to hitting its target. Looking ahead, as it approaches its centenary, Crane is maintaining its financial momentum through steady planning and growth. Yet, it also continues to seek to develop bold, new programs to further enrich the Crane student experience.

WE ARE IMMENSELY GRATEFUL TO ALL DONORS IN THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR. SCAN FOR THE DONOR LISTS AND USE CODE: COYOTES

Parents

Past Parents Alumni

Grandparents

Katie Ohrn ’16 is currently working as a lighting designer at a university in Irvine, California, designing for a world-class concert hall. She is also preparing to pursue her Master of Fine Arts degree in Lighting Design beginning in the fall of 2026. Katie loves coming back to Crane to help her mom Karen Ohrn set up her classroom each year and enjoys reconnecting with her former teachers whenever she visits. In her free time, she likes having barbecues by the pool and trying out new recipes.

Blake Ladd ’12, a Montecito native and UCLA graduate, has built a dynamic career at the intersection of media, marketing, and technology. After early pursuits in music and acting, Blake transitioned into digital marketing, working with agencies and media companies to help brands connect authentically with their audiences. Today, he serves as a Business Developer at BeReal, joining the platform during the launch of its U.S. advertising efforts. In his role, Blake partners with forward-thinking brands such as Dior and Netflix, developing ad solutions designed to resonate with Gen Z in an authentic,

The Cronshaw Family Distinguished Alumni Award

Established in memory of former Crane teachers Margery and Peter Cronshaw, this award is presented annually to an alumnus or alumna who has made a significant contribution in their field, spanning career, special interest, community leadership, or volunteer service.

This year, members of the Cronshaw family presented the 2025 award to Peter Bonning ’94 for his exemplary work as an educator, community activist, and driving force behind the Carpinteria Skatepark.

Peter, accompanied by his parents Ellen (a Staffulty member for 30 years) and Bob Bonning, spent the morning on campus. He was interviewed by Ms. Ohrn’s third graders and later captivated the entire student body during Assembly, sharing his journey and career path. Peter emphasized the importance of community dedication and reminded students that the gift of a Crane education is learning to be hands-on and creative and to think outside the box.

filter-free environment. Having grown up in Montecito, Blake credits his hometown with shaping his ambition and worldview, while also fueling his appreciation for community and creativity. Though now based in Los Angeles, he frequently returns to Santa Barbara, finding balance between its tranquility and the cultural vibrancy of city life.

Levi Murdy ’25 began attending Dos Pueblos High School this fall. He is playing soccer and volleyball for Dos Pueblos and is very excited to continue his soccer career in both club and school. He is also focusing on a lot of engineering. He loves engineering and is considering it a possible career in the future. He misses Crane deeply, from the academics to the teachers and students. This special school will always hold a place in Levi’s heart although he is ready to start this new chapter in his life.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM MORE CRANE ALUMS AND FEATURE STORIES IN FUTURE PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE SCAN AND SUBMIT YOUR NEWS.

Little Legacies Playdate

On a Sunday morning in November, Crane alums with their young children visited campus for the first Little Legacies Playdate. Alums spanning three decades shared elementary and middle school memories and explored the grounds with their spouses and children who greatly enjoyed the monkey bars, play house, and sand box in the kindergarten yard.

FAREWELL TO the Eliassen Family

Todd and Marcy Eliassen both grew up in Santa Barbara, attending Monte Vista Elementary and La Colina Junior High School. Though they lived just blocks apart, their paths didn't cross until years later after returning home from college. When it was time to choose schools for their three children, they assumed their kids would follow in their footsteps—or perhaps attend Marymount, where their twin sons were.

But when their niece and nephew enrolled at Crane School, Todd and Marcy decided to take a look for themselves. One tour of the campus changed everything.

“We were sold from the very beginning,” said Marcy.

“Education for us has always been about nurturing the whole child—not just academics and sports, but also instilling strong values. The kindness that Crane embodies mirrors what we practice at home and is exactly what we hoped to find in a school community."

Todd recalled sitting in Assembly during their initial tour, captivated by the magic happening on stage.

"I remember watching the interaction between students and faculty and seeing how genuinely happy and connected everyone was,” he shared.

“Then a student took the stage and confidently named every single child at the school and that sense of knowing everyone blew me away.”

As the first in her family to attend college, Marcy values building a strong educational foundation from an early age, emphasizing a love for learning.

"Joy is such an integral part

of Crane,” she said. “Here, children have fun in the pursuit of learning.”

All three of their children found joy at Crane. For Charlotte ’25, it was often on stage performing in musicals, while Jack ’22 and Luke ’22 enjoyed competing in Math Superbowl, taking class trips, and especially loved history with Dr. Caron.

“Dr. Caron taught me to think critically, write clearly, and debate confidently,” said Jack.

“All of Crane’s teachers instilled great study habits, collaboration skills, and kindness.”

“Crane taught me to be my own advocate,” said Luke. “I felt well prepared for high school and comfortable approaching teachers because of the foundation Crane gave me.”

Marcy and Todd were amazed at the transformation in their children. Charlotte, who was shy at first, found her voice and confidence on stage. Luke, who initially struggled, received the Tower Achievement Award for academic improvement through effort and application.

Todd and Marcy also found joy at Crane. Marcy served in many roles, most notably as Families For Crane (FFC) President. Todd brought his building and

property management expertise to Crane's Board of Trustees, chairing the Building & Grounds committee. His family business, founded by former Crane Trustee and Todd’s mother, Cyndee Howard, and now led by Todd, played a key role in renovating the Wolf Performing Arts Center and the school’s kitchen.

For Todd, contributing to an institution that has served multiple generations of his family brings profound satisfaction. The entire Eliassen family agrees that Crane's strength lies in its people— the dedicated teachers who genuinely care and the families who start out as strangers and become lifelong friends.

“I have loved the relationships between parents and teachers and felt so much support through my own parenting journey,” said Marcy. “This is not the kind of place where you just drop your child off; you are connected to the school and you just know that you are part of something exceptional.”

“It’s been magical,” she added. “When I look back, it’s with such fondness - Crane has been everything we ever wanted for our children.”

ABOVE Jack ’22, Charlotte ’25, and Luke ’22