On Campus: Volume 1, 2024/2025

Academic Year 2024/25 • Volume One

CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

A Newsletter for Families, Grandparents, Alumni, and Friends

COMMUNITY IS A VERB

SEE PAGE 2 FOR MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY

visual

Leading the Way

arts

Artists have long admired the uniquely beautiful light that blankets our California landscapes. This year, we are celebrating that light and studying artists who captured it in their work. We will start the year looking at David Hockney’s pool paintings, landscapes, and portraits. After getting familiar with his style, all Crane students will work together to recreate one of Hockney’s largest works, Mulholland Drive: Road to the Studio.

Years ago, I was interviewed by Roger Durling of the Santa Barbara Independent using a famous collection of prompts referred to as the Proust Questionnaire, and it was such fun, I decided to use the same format to highlight Crane Staffulty. Last year, I had a wonderful conversation with John Pagano, Crane’s Director of Engineering and inaugural Experiential Education Coordinator, and this year, I had the pleasure of chatting with our new Campus Safety Officer, Brent Wallace. Brent brings extensive experience to his role, having worked previously at Garden Street Academy, and is a thoughtful, warm, ready-for-anything addition to our Crane community.

-Joel J. Weiss, Head of School Brent Wallace, Campus Safety Officer

Joel Weiss: What is your favorite food?

Brent Wallace: Mexican food, specifically burritos with lots of guacamole. Los Arroyos is a favorite restaurant to go to.

JW: Least favorite food?

BW: Brussels sprouts! As a kid, I was always told, “no dessert unless you eat your Brussels sprouts,” so I’d sneak them to my dog under the table.

JW: Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“COMMUNITY IS A VERB” Throughout this issue “community” will be illustrated in photos and described in the words.

Community is an essential ingredient and a necessary condition for us to achieve our school’s mission. We provide community to teachers so that they can provide community for our students. We provide community to our students so that they can leap forward confidently in their learning. When all of this is in place, Crane is unbeatable.

BW: “Be safe,” and “Have a nice day!”. As a safety guy, that’s my thing.

JW: Which living person do you most admire?

BW: My father. He’s a very caring, loving person.

He had a career in law enforcement, which I really respect. I even had a chance to work with him years ago up in Humboldt. He now lives in Nevada and I try to visit him at least three times a year.

JW: What is the quality you look for most in a friend?

into it. I don’t have time for it now, but hopefully in the future!

BW: Trustworthiness. Compatibility. Being there for each other.

JW: Who are your favorite writers?

JW: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

BW: Raising my two independent daughters who are actively achieving their goals in life. My older daughter is an administrative nurse in Seattle, and my younger daughter works in development at the University of Oregon for the athletic department (which means I get some cool U of O swag!).

JW: What is your greatest extravagance?

BW: Buying sports hats – I hang them on the beams in my garage (which my wife doesn’t love!) – every time a team wins I buy two of their hats, no matter the sport or franchise.

JW: Which talent would you most like to have?

BW: Musicality. I played slide trombone growing up, and it would be nice to be able to get back

BW: Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway – I like their style of writing.

JW: What is your most treasured possession?

BW: Family photos. I have albums after albums after albums, which we now keep in a fireproof safe just in case.

JW: What is a favorite hobby of yours?

BW: I have a green thumb – I do tree trimming, and I like tending to plants and vegetables.

I’m in the process of landscaping my front and backyard, but much of it will have to wait until the spring.

JW: Is there anything else you want us to know about you?

BW: I enjoy being around people and socializing, especially the wonderful folks at Crane.

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Meet the New Trustees

Meet the Board President Dear Crane Community, As the new Chair of the Crane Board of Trustees, I want to introduce myself and share a little about our family’s involvement with the school. We have a daughter Maude, in fifth grade, a son Angus, in seventh grade, and a daughter Maisie who is a sophomore at The Thacher School and who attended Crane from fifth to eighth grade. This is my fourth year on the Board of Trustees, having joined the Board two years after our family became part of the Crane community.

Crane played an instrumental role in our family’s decision to move to Santa Barbara six years ago. After two decades in New York City, where our three children attended excellent schools, our family wasn’t looking to

Erik Cetrulo

Amy Frank

Erik was born in Denver, Colorado, but grew up in Boston. He attended

Amy was born in Seoul, South Korea but spent much of her childhood

Matt grew up internationally as a third-culture kid, and lived in five

Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts, before coming west to

in Durango, Colorado. She moved to San Francisco to attend the

different countries before graduating high school. He received his

Stanford University.

Academy of Art University where she received a BFA in Knitwear Design.

bachelor's degree, and then his MBA with high honors from UCLA,

Erik has always enjoyed exploring and learning about external and

She continued her studies at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts and

majoring in business, finance, and art.

attended Amblard Leather Atelier. While in San Francisco, Amy worked

Today Matt is an entrepreneur, investor, and software developer. He is

leave. However, after spending a week with close friends whose children attended this school, we experienced

TRUSTEE

firsthand the extraordinary warmth and strength of the community. Crane felt like a magnet, drawing the

Matt Hudson TRUSTEE

TRUSTEE

most incredible families together in a shared vision of how we want to raise our children – so much so that it inspired our cross-country move and a radical shift in our family’s trajectory.

This deep appreciation for Crane, its values, and our strong community informed my decision to take on the role of Board Chair, alongside the opportunity to work with a stellar group of Trustees and to partner with Joel Weiss, our longstanding and exceptionally talented Head of School.

internal systems, whether financial and geopolitical, or spiritual and psychological.

for various boutiques and showrooms buying and merchandising.

This year, we're focusing on two key pillars of our 2022-2027 Strategic Plan: developing and supporting

After Stanford, he worked and traveled internationally for Putnam

Amy and her husband, Mark, moved to Santa Barbara in 2017 looking

helping companies manage their real estate and other assets globally.

for a slower pace after living in San Francisco for 13 years. They have

Matt is also a prolific angel investor – his early stage investments

two boys at Crane, Camden ’29, and Asher’31. Since moving to Santa

include Airbnb (IPO), Coinbase (IPO), SoFi (IPO), Stripe, Scale AI, Gusto,

Barbara, Amy has become involved in local charities like the Teddy Bear

Front, and Vanta. Matt is also an active investor in private equity funds,

Dartmouth Business School and MA in International Relations from The

Cancer Foundation and the California Scottish Rite Foundation.

public equities, and real estate.

Fletcher School.

She enjoys hiking, yoga, baking, and pretty much any adventure that

Matt and his wife Jenny live in Montecito, with their two daughters who

After graduating, Erik worked for 20 years for several global hedge

includes her husband, kids, and their German Shepard, Miles.

attend Crane. Maddie is a third grader and Sophia is a kindergartner.

funds, including Point72 Asset Management, as a Global Macro Portfolio

Amy has enthusiastically embraced various roles within the Families

Matt’s hobbies include reading, surfing, golf, running, traveling, and

Manager, investing using international macroeconomic cycles in

for Crane community. She has contributed to the Back-to-School Picnic,

learning each year, and we are revamping our teacher evaluation and compensation systems. Investing in our

currencies, international bonds and commodities.

served as a Class Liaison, and participated in the Crane Country Fair, the

'human infrastructure' is critical to our mission and an expression of our values.

He is currently on the board of Nine Gates Programs, a spiritual retreat

Art Show, Staffulty luncheons, and classroom holiday parties.

our Staffulty and strengthening our approach to neurodiversity. These initiatives naturally overlap and complement each other in ways that multiply their impact. When we support our Staffulty, they become better equipped to create inclusive learning environments that benefit all students.

We've made remarkable progress already. We have meaningfully increased faculty compensation over the last five years with the support of the entire Crane community. We created the Crane Community of Summer Scholars program, where 20+ Crane educators deepen their understanding of DEIB and neurodivergent

Investments on their Emerging Markets team, covering Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. After a year in Morgan Stanley’s currency trading division, Erik went back to school for a combined MBA from

program that curates master teachers from Buddhism, Hinduism, Another cornerstone of our mission is embracing the wide spectrum of learning styles within our student

Sufism, Hawaiian and Native American wisdom traditions to each teach

body. Crane is committed to adapting pedagogical approaches to meet each learner where they are, under-

their perspectives.

standing that the methods developed to support neurodivergent learners benefit all students. Much progress

He also enjoys hiking, swimming, Olympic level triathlons, and skiing.

has been made in the Lower School, and plans are underway to expand our services in the Upper School as

Erik and his wife Sarah have two children, Nico, currently in eighth

well. Driving these efforts are new staff who bring fresh perspectives and extensive experience to their roles

grade, and Oliver, in sixth grade, and they love to ski, sail, and play

and who are deeply committed to improving programming for neurodivergent students.

poker as a family. Erik has enjoyed coaching his kids over many seasons

currently the founder of Spacebase, the modern real estate platform

watching sports.

Amy has also been a dedicated supporter of the recent Capital Campaign, helping to fundraise for the school’s ongoing improvements.

in flag football, basketball, soccer, and lacrosse. He has been a Big As Board President, I recognize that the thoughtful leadership and vision of past Trustees and Staffulty created the school in which our children thrive. I'm grateful to those decision-makers, and, just as our children benefit from their leadership years ago, we now have the privilege of continuing to plant seeds for future generations.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as Board President and to work with so many of you to preserve and

Brother in Big Brother/Big Sisters for 35 years, and continues to stay in regular touch with his “Little,” now 40 years old.

Erik currently mentors several college-level individuals in life and financial markets. He is very aware of the unique and wonderful place Crane is and is grateful for the impact it is having on his children. Before serving as a Trustee, he was a member of the Crane Finance Committee.

evolve our great school together.

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Courtney Smith

2024-2025 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Board President

Top (left to right): Paul Gauthier, Clay Murdy ’93, Courtney Smith, Samantha Daly, Matt Riley, Jennifer Siemens, Chris Gocong, Amy Frank, Steve Blass, Marc Jones, Erik Cetrulo, Bob Ingersoll Bottom (left to right): Annie Kaiser, Sarah Sheshunoff, Woodwyn Koons, Susan McMillan, Yutopia Essex, Matt Hudson, Carrie Towbes Not pictured: Elizabeth Chandler, Todd Eliassen, Rae Wynn-Grant

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New Staffulty

New Staffulty

Emma Balina Director of Development MY FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS I love the redwood tree so much. Growing up in Maine, I was surrounded by evergreens. In California, I savor my time with giant sequoias and redwoods. I joke with my kids that nature is my religion and the forest is my church. Being under the redwood at Crane instantly transports me to some of my favorite places and grounds me like nothing (or no one) else can. The smell, the darkness, the quiet—it's magical.

MacKenzie Harris Admissions Assistant WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO CRANE The people and community here. I remember in the midst of my interview day, calling my husband and exclaiming, "everyone here is so warm and kind and friendly—and I feel like I am a warm and kind and friendly person. I think I've found my people!" Everything about this place spoke to me and it has truly felt like home so far.

MY FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS My favorite spot on campus is the Wolf Performing Arts Center.

Whether I'm backstage doing makeup for a production or sitting in the audience, the energy of the space is electric. I've had the chance to help bring characters to life through makeup, which is always rewarding. But what truly makes the Wolf PAC special is watching my daughter, Elle, perform. Seeing her in the spotlight fills me with pride and joy. It’s a place where creativity and family come together in the most meaningful way.

Kate Bridgford Second Grade Teacher MY FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS I love standing under our gorgeous sycamore trees on campus and looking up into their branches to see the birds and squirrels hanging out. I didn’t grow up with sycamores and when I moved here I learned that hummingbirds use the soft fuzz from the underside of the leaves for their nests. I love how these trees support such a vast community of critters!

Rebecca Waid Third Grade Teacher

WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO CRANE The dedicated and compassionate community of educators we have here at Crane! With our unique backgrounds and experiences, I learn something new every single day.

MY FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS The Crane campus is beautiful, and it is hard to choose just one spot. But I do love being in the Oak Tree Quad. I specifically enjoy being on the wooden deck under the trees where teachers do yoga on Monday afternoons after school. The sun shines through the trees and the leaves rustle while we practice.

Kathryn Gray Upper School

Sophie Rasura Teaching Fellow

Brent Wallace Campus Safety Officer

MY FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS The Library! I love that so many children gather there throughout the day, and that it is welcoming, calm, and a special place for contemplation, new ideas and perspectives from all around the world.

MY FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS The peaceful purple room with the fireplace in the Library

MY FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS The oak tree area by the wooden table near the parking lot

WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO CRANE Crane views community as a verb, not a noun. The school’s commitment to community is visible through acts of kindness the Staffulty and students engage in everyday. I love that we are encouraged to explore joy and share what we find through experience, creativity, and play. We are also so grateful to live in an environment where nature weaves into a Crane education so beautifully through our local mountains and beaches!

WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO CRANE The Staffulty working together to support students’ well-being in such a welcoming environment.

Learning Specialist

WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO CRANE The Staffulty and their commitment to the craft of teaching! It is clear that our teachers truly love what they do, and I believe it speaks volumes that so many Crane alumni come back to the school after their own educational journey to be part of this wonderful community.

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WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO CRANE My love for Crane deepened profoundly when I first became a Crane parent and witnessed how seamlessly my daughter adapted to school, effortlessly forging friendships and thriving in her new environment. This experience not only filled me with pride but also helped me connect with other parents, forming genuine and lasting friendships. Now, as an employee, I’m grateful for the incredible camaraderie and support from my colleagues. The relationships I’ve built at work mirror the warmth and community I cherish in my personal life, making my time at Crane truly fulfilling.

WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO CRANE Crane’s approach to learning closely aligns with my teaching philosophy. I believe allowing children to learn by doing, and finding joy in the process creates a meaningful experience. I love teaching through an experiential and hands-on approach while also being able to individualize instruction for each child. Crane is truly a magical place creating this environment.

Learn more about Brent on page 3.

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Crane Country Fair

Fun Family Fridays

OCTOBER

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

NOVEMBER

Celebrating Chumash Culture and Heritage

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Building Leadership, Engineering, and Power Tool skills Cinnamon and Nutmeg, Crane’s Nigerian Dwarf goats, continue to provide opportunities for students. In addition to enriching social-emotional learning as they help students regulate their emotions and teach them to be present and mindful, they are also creating a complex and engaging real-life problem for Upper School students to tackle. Last year’s seventh graders were tasked with researching and designing floor plans for the goat pen, including climbing structures, sleeping areas, and automatic watering and feeding.

Students measured the goats and their pen to draw their plans to scale. Their research included types and cost of materials, which each seventh grader packaged into their own convincing idea that they pitched à la Shark Tank to their peers. Then four final contestants faced Crane’s five “sharks” - Head of School, Head of Upper School, Head of Lower School, Director of Facilities, and Design & Engineering Teacher - in the Brittingham Family Library where one engineer made a deal! The assignment didn’t end there. Phase two of the project launched this fall. The now eighth graders in the Goat Pen Construction Elective have begun building alongside Design & Engineering Teacher John Pagano and Teaching Fellow Emma Goldin who have been coaching the students from the start.

This project is unique in that it spans two academic years. It also aligns with Crane’s values, merging the concepts of Doing Deepens Discovery, Find Joy in the Pursuit, and Value Your Voice.

The student with the winning design sums it up nicely. When asked about the project she commented, “Building this is so exciting because I finally get to see all my hard work come to life. I get to watch what started off as an assignment become something far more meaningful. I also get to learn so many things like how to use a table saw, the difference between a drill and a driver, and how to make a sturdy structure for climbing.” With this excitement also came challenges and hard work. She added, “Researching and designing was the most challenging part because there were so many different aspects and steps to it, like what types of wood are safe for goats and what goats like to do, and how to build those things. Designing took time, a lot of refining and help from many people at Crane.”

Reflection is a key part of the experiential learning process at Crane and it is rewarding for students and teachers to see the connections made.

“This project has helped me to grow my leadership, engineering skills and my knowledge of power tools. All of these things I have learned will serve me all my life and I am so proud of myself and grateful for this opportunity.”

THE WINNING PITCH

FOURTH GRADE MUSICAL

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Crane Community of Summer Scholars

Crane Community of Summer Scholars

CULTIVATING EXCELLENCE: CRANE’S COMMUNITY OF SUMMER SCHOLARS At Crane, we believe that learning should be lifelong. This isn’t just an ideal – it’s how we operate and it is core to our community. This commitment begins with investing in our most vital asset – our teachers.

Assistant to the Head of School, and Dr. Megan

surrounded by my esteemed colleagues made it all

Donahue, School Psychologist, they condensed the

the more meaningful.”

program into five days and moved it to the end of

The program's curriculum aligns with our strategic

summer, enabling teachers to apply the learning

plan, maintaining a consistent focus on diversity,

immediately into the new school year. In addition,

equity, and inclusion while alternating between

another significant change is that participation in

social-emotional learning strategies and approaches

CCSS is now required of all Staffulty on a three-year

to support neurodiverse learners.

rotating cycle.

The program's design also intentionally reflects

Twenty-six people participated in last summer’s

Crane’s commitment to experiential education,

program featuring renowned speakers Dr. Liza The Crane Community of Summer Scholars (CCSS),

Talusan and Dr. Tina Bryson. Talusan, an educator,

now in its second year, embodies these values

speaker, coach, and parent, is the author of The

while addressing three key initiatives from our

Identity Conscious Educator: Building Habits and

2022-2027 Strategic Plan: to support, develop, and

Skills for a More Inclusive School. She has more

inspire Staffulty; strengthen the school’s approach

than 25 years of experience in education and is a

to neurodiversity; and expand efforts related to

gifted facilitator in conversations around diversity,

diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). CCSS’s

anti-racism, bias, privilege, and power. Bryson

integrated approach supports Staffulty, recognizing

co-authored The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama

offering immersive, interactive learning, with facilitators modeling the lessons for practical use in the classroom.

“I’ve already noticed shifts in several classes, from Bryson’s book was the focus of her work with Staffulty.

how teachers engage with students to the books they select for discussion,” noted Dawn. There are regular check-ins throughout the year to gauge the impact

“I’ve already noticed

that when we invest in our teachers’ growth, we

Discipline and is the founder and executive director

of the workshops and to offer

naturally enhance student learning, belonging, and

of The Center for Connection, a multi-disciplinary

ongoing support. In addition,

achievement.

clinical practice in California.

professional development

“The opportunity to sit with experts in their field for

“The week of professional development was

three days, and work on real challenges that teachers

incredible and top-notch,” said school librarian Traci

are facing in their classrooms is an incredible

Cope who participated this past summer. “I felt so

opportunity and is unique to Crane,” said Michelle

supported and spoiled that Crane is investing in me

“I really appreciate that what

Holmes, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion,

and my colleagues.”

we are doing is harvesting

and Belonging. “I don’t know if you can find a better

“The summer professional development offered

professional development opportunity.”

at Crane really helped arm me with the tools,

Michelle co-leads the program with Lower School

strategies, and resources necessary to elevate my

Head Dawn Brews and the two built on feedback from

teaching and meet the high expectations that the

last year's two-week pilot. Together with Joel Weiss,

Crane community sets,” said fourth-grade teacher

Head of School, Kate Brody-Adams ’99, Executive

Chandler Hartnett. “I was honored to hear directly

“The program exemplifies our belief that the

from acclaimed authors and field leaders about how

strongest schools are built on a foundation of

to better support my students. And to do this work

continuous learning and growth,” added Dawn.

days are devoted to reviewing lessons and refining the curriculum.

what we already have and taking a look at how we can

shifts in several classes, from how teachers engage with students to the books they select for discussion.”

make it better,” said Michelle.

“We are not approaching this program from a deficit perspective, and that’s really important.”

Each summer scholar read Talusan’s book prior to the professional development sessions.

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Professional Development DOROTHY C. WAUGH GRANT

ELDON BOYD FELLOWSHIP GRANT

Gretel Huglin-Ridge and Carla Neufeldt

Kristi Dichard LOWER SCHOOL LEARNING SPECIALIST

UPPER SCHOOL ART TEACHER AND LOWER SCHOOL MATH SPECIALIST This summer we traveled to North Carolina to participate in the Wild Abundance Tiny

ELDON BOYD FELLOWSHIP GRANT

Alexis Fischer UPPER SCHOOL SPANISH TEACHER The first time I went to Aruba I was five years old and it was 1980. Imagine a sleepy little island with white sand beaches and clear blue water. I grew up on the East Coast and my family purchased a timeshare there, so we went every summer for one week. I have been to Aruba over 30 times and it was actually my inspiration for learning Spanish. Just off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba was a popular destination for many Venezuelans. Just being kids, we played with locals who spoke a variety of languages: Papiamento (the local language), Dutch and English and we met lots of Venezuelans. We would play and swim every day not knowing Spanish and they didn’t know

their grandparents in over two years so this trip was especially meaningful.

we learned so much from both the content of the course and the immersion into Western

We spent quality time with family that lives in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. My kids golfed,

North Carolina rural life.

fished, and mucked stalls with their grandparents. We even worked at a painting activity that

We worked alongside and learned from instructors who, in some cases, were

created a LOT of laughs as most of the family does not consider themselves creative. We created

marginalized in their own learning environments growing up. They have skills and ideas

memories that will last!

that were difficult to quantify in the narrowly-focused, traditional schools of the ’80s

My oldest daughter and I shared special time exploring colleges and deciding what type of campus

and ’90s. These folks discovered that, in carpentry, math came alive in a way that felt

she liked and what she no longer wanted to pursue. She determined that city environments are not

relevant, useful and tangible.

for her and she prefers a quiet, enclosed campus with fewer students.

The two of us also witnessed beautiful intersections between math, physics and art

This grant allowed us to spend quality time with family on the opposite coast and experience a

and creativity. It was fascinating to note the many ways carpenters and designers have

crucial stage in our daughter’s educational journey.

labored to create architectural elements that form both structural strength and visual harmony. Much of our work was spent making sense of roofing and rafter systems.

Rafters are a visually pleasing set of triangles along the ceiling that are interesting to create and a delight to behold.

We relished this learning space where there were – TRULY – no stupid questions, where we were all given opportunities to try out new skills and tools right from the start, and where instructors and fellow students really took the time to get to know us and they, in turn, shared generously about themselves.

Sharing what we’ve learned about the design and structure of small-scale living with our

Venezuela. Traveling from California with young children made it harder to get there annually, so it

students is so exciting. This fall we gave an all-school Assembly presentation about the

had been eight years since I had last visited.

workshop. And in the spring, we’re eager to collaborate on a project that will connect the

and reconnect with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. Aruba’s motto has always been “One Happy

with family and friends and explore colleges with our oldest daughter. Our three kids had not seen

House Building Workshop. It was truly a transformational experience for each of us and

English. That was the start of many lifelong friendships with travelers from the United States and

As a recipient of the 2024 Eldon Boyd Fellowship, I was hoping to share this tradition with my kids

The Eldon Boyd Fellowship made it possible for me and my family to spend 14 days on the East Coast

art and design with the mathematics of wood building in a way that engages students of all ages. We cannot wait!

HOLSMAN GRANT

Lauren Davenport THIRD GRADE TEACHER

Island” and this still holds true today. We traveled as a trio, my son - a sixth grader at Crane, my

Thanks to the Holsman Grant, I had the chance to go on a three-day kayak camping trip around the

daughter - a freshman at Carpinteria High School, and I this August to the happy island. We enjoyed

San Juan Islands. We spent each night on a different island, paddling through beautiful waters by

barbecues with my friends and their children. Everyone visits the same week, Week 32, in timeshare

day and camping under the stars by night. One night, I was fortunate enough to watch the Perseid

talk. It’s a multi-generation event with grandparents, kids and grandkids all together. It was so

meteor shower and see bioluminescence light up the water—an experience that felt truly magical.

special to spend time swimming, snorkeling, sailing, playing volleyball and soccer on the beach at sunset, playing bingo by the pool, reading, and just being together with family and friends.

I’m so appreciative that Crane allowed me to share this tradition with my own children. Soaking in that salty clear ocean water helped me reenergize before the beginning of a new school year.

My kids fell in love with Aruba just like I did, and I hope we make our way there many more summertimes in the future.

One highlight of my treck was visiting the historic one-room schoolhouse on Stuart Island. This experience offered me a unique perspective on the history of education that I look forward to sharing with my third-grade students.

The goal of the trip was to learn more about whales and their natural behavior. This directly supports our class novel study, A Song for a Whale, about a whale who struggles to communicate through echolocation with other whales. Observing whales in their habitat and understanding how they communicate and travel in pods has provided valuable insights that I am excited to bring into the classroom.

HOLSMAN GRANT

Louis Caron ’97 UPPER SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER Thanks to the Holsman Grant, I was able to travel to the East Coast of the United States and Canada to practice the martial art Aikido. I have been practicing Aikido since I was five years old, the same year I was enrolled in Crane School. Since that time, I have practiced this martial art and am now a fifth-degree black belt. Having advanced to this level in Aikido, the best and only way for me to enhance my knowledge of this art is to travel to international seminars where I have the opportunity to learn from the world’s best practitioners.

Aikido is unique in that it is a purely self-defensive martial art where practitioners help each other to learn in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. There are no competitions. The global Aikido community is vast and cosmopolitan.

During my journey this summer I visited and practiced at the New York Aikikai, one of the world’s most famous Aikido schools (known in Japanese as a dojo). I then traveled from New York to Montreal where I participated in a weeklong international seminar featuring no fewer than twenty experienced instructors.

I bring Aikido with me wherever I go in life, and the classroom is no exception. At Crane for the last six years, I have been able to model humility, compassion, and to foster mutual respect—in large part because of a lifelong martial art I have come to value so highly. Thanks to the Holsman Grant, I am more committed to fostering excellence and happiness at Crane

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than ever.

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SEMESTER SABBATICAL

ALUMNI NEWS Peter Kwiatkowski ’81 has been coaching football at the collegiate level for the last 36

Elizabeth Teare

years with stops at his alma mater Boise State

UPPER SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER

(1988-96, 2006-13), Snow College (1997), Eastern Washington University (1998-99), Montana State

When I started my first teaching job in 1985, at what was then the Westlake School for Girls in LA, I

Covid arrived. I worked on house projects and craft projects, knitting gnomes and making my first

looked so young that I was always carded at Barney’s Beanery, and a colleague tried to kick me out

quilt in 20 years. I carried my decluttering energy to my parents’ house on the East Coast and got

of the faculty lounge.

my mother to clear out one whole drawer in her guest room! And I spent many happy hours reading

It’s been a long time since I’ve been carded, but I felt nearly that young again this spring when I boarded a small cruise ship in Juneau, Alaska, with my mom. It was an Elderhostel program; I was the youngest passenger and my mom, at 87, was the oldest. A sabbatical is meant to be rejuvenating, and this cruise certainly checked that box.

University (2000-05), University of Washington (2014-20), and University of Texas (2021-present).

Peter lives with his wife Lara Cather. They have three daughters - Shelby (29), Riley (22), and

or dozing on the coach with my cat dozing on me.

Olivia (19).

I did not finish my novel.

What I learned from my sabbatical is that I’ll be a happy retiree when the time comes–and also that I’ll be happy until it comes. I loved snoozing on the couch, and I especially loved spending time with

Besides the bucket-list trip to Alaska (glaciers! whales! grizzlies!), I also traveled to Paris with my

my parents. But I missed Crane: the kids’ energy, my colleagues’ companionship, and the constant

husband and daughter. My sisters and I went back to Mexico City for the first time since we lived

laughter of teaching middle-school English. I am grateful to Crane for both giving me time off and

there as kids, and I visited lots of friends and family, including some people I haven’t seen since

making me want to come back.

Jillian McIntyre ’07 and Taylor Stoll were married this past September in Moab, Utah. They met after graduating from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. When they weren’t riding the Wasatch Mountains, they were down enjoying the desert – camping, rafting, hiking, and more.

Moab has become a very special place to them. It’s the place where they really got to know each other.

Lana, Jillian’s mom and long-time member of the Crane community, hosted a beautiful wedding.

John, Jillian’s late dad and Lana’s late husband (former Crane Trustee), was certainly there in spirit. It was a sunny, crisp, fall day – a beautiful day in Utah’s red desert. Former Crane students, Jackie McIntyre ’11, Jana McIntyre ’06, and Lauren Gurley ’07, stood by Jillian’s side at the altar.

In the spring of 2024, Caroline Stoll-Zimmerman '09 and her husband, William Zimmerman, welcomed their first child: a baby boy named Billy (William), born on May 21, 2024, in College Station, Texas. Caroline teases her husband by saying she "cannot wait to have four more," and her husband lovingly returns a smile and Hayley Bridges ’00 has had a lot to celebrate this year, starting with the birth of her daughter Lilah Rose on February 26. She also celebrated the 10-year anniversary of her interior design business, Hayley Bridges Design.

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breathes deeply... Perhaps picturing the square footage they'll need... Caroline and Will will be moving back home to Santa Barbara in the spring of 2025 and are looking forward to being back with their families once again.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS

BEATRICE TOLAN ’12

SHERIDAN SPIVEY ’08 AUNER

It was during my time at Crane, starting from the fifth grade until

This summer I achieved a goal I had visualized for over a decade:

graduation, that I knew whatever I’d pursue in my adult life, it

working at the Olympic Games. My time in Paris was a whirlwind

would involve art.

of extremes—simultaneously exhilarating and strenuous, marking

Crane was the perfect place to incubate my creativity. Through most of my classes I doodled imaginary worlds in my sketchbook; instead

My journey towards working at the Olympics started in 2014 as

of reprimanding me, I remember teachers like Mr. Ingersoll and

I learned my passion for the industry as an intern for Super Bowl

Mr. McCaslin peering over my shoulder to take a look, encouraging me.

50. I realized that I felt right at home being employed in sports and

Though I had love for all my subjects at Crane, I could hardly wait for art classes with Ms. Pincus each week. I’d never explored mediums outside of digital art and pencils; I vehemently disavowed acrylics and clay until the wonderful class art projects at Crane introduced me to new tools of expression.

I went abroad for the first time in seventh grade, traveling with a group of my peers led by Ms. Pincus to Paris. We tried pastries and explored Parisian streets, but my favorite activities were visiting art museums—particularly, the Musée d'Orsay.

Though I held onto my digital art roots until the end of college, leaving Boston’s Northeastern University with a bachelor's degree in animation, I believe my class trip to Paris planted the seed that would later bloom into my pursuing fine art as a career. After incredible burnout from working in the social media industry after college, I took a few years to reinvent my creative expression.

In the summer of 2024, I held my first solo art exhibit in Elsie’s Tavern on De La Guerra Street. My high school teachers came out, and even my fifth grade teacher – and my first experience of Crane, We would love to hear from more alumni! Please scan and submit your news or updates that may be used in future Alumni News or Alumni Spotlight sections.

one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

Mr. Caretto – supported me. My teachers have always guided me towards my true passion: living and creating authentically.

that I wanted to work for what is widely considered the pinnacle of international sport. I enthusiastically joined the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) in 2022, where I focus on supporting engagement for board members and trustees of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation. Given Team USA receives no federal funding, our fundraising arm is vital for supporting the athletes of Team USA. In my role this summer, I managed an incredible team, and together we delivered world-class hospitality and behind-the-scenes access to Team USA for a program of over 200 philanthropic families and individuals. These guests were able to see their donations come to life in Paris through live-action sport, conversations with medalists, and other events with the incredible backdrop of Paris. It was nonstop preparation, action, excitement and pressure, (not to mention very little sleep!) for more than 30 days. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

My husband recently reminded me he was surprised that I shared with him my Olympic goal halfway into our first date 7 years ago.

While it might feel uncomfortable, setting lofty goals that don’t feel achievable today helped me look at the big-picture – the 5-year plan – and take steps in that direction. It was a great reminder that

The selected prints from my show are available for purchase on my

I shouldn’t be afraid to set my goals higher than I think possible

Etsy shop, TolanPrints, which you can find linked on my website,

and to vocalize them to my community of friends and family, and

www.beatricetolan.com.

teachers! In my experience, they will support and help you get there, and celebrate you along the way.

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Trip Week

Trip Week

FIFTH GRADE: JOSHUA TREE

SIXTH GRADE: CATALINA ISLAND

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Trip Week

Trip Week

EIGHTH GRADE: ALABAMA AND GEORGIA

SEVENTH GRADE: BIG BEAR

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CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 1795 San Leandro Lane Santa Barbara, CA 93108 www.craneschool.org

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Courtney Smith PRESIDENT

Matt Riley

A Newsletter for Families, Grandparents, Alumni, and Friends Academic Year 2024/2025 • Volume One

CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Camp Kono @ Crane returned in July 2024. Campus was alive with laughter and play for two amazing weeks of this much-loved program run by our very own music teacher, Konrad Kono.

VICE PRESIDENT

Clay Murdy '93 TREASURER

Yutopia Essex

SECRETARY

Stephen Blass Erik Cetrulo Elizabeth Chandler Samantha Daly Todd Eliassen Amy Frank Paul Gauthier Chris Gocong Matt Hudson Bob Ingersoll Marc Jones Woodwyn Koons Annie Kaiser Susan McMillan Sarah Sheshunoff Jennifer Siemens Carrie Towbes Rae Wynn-Grant EDITOR Kristen ’96 Peralta DESIGN & PRODUCTION LR-LA.com PHOTOGRAPHERS Katie Browne ’15 Teresa Pietsch Various Staffulty COPY EDITOR Rhoda Lauten PRINTER Boone Printing