Bulletin Board | Fall/Winter 2006/2007

bulletin board Fall/Winter 2006-2007

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efs faculty profile

The Math Team

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learning along

Herschell Carousel Museum

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efs alumni

Peter McGennis ’85

For Alumni, Families, and Friends of Elmwood Franklin School

www.elmwoodfranklin.org

board of trustees

2006-2007

Alice Jacobs, President Philipp L. Rimmler, Vice President James Gately, Treasurer Grace Walsh Munschauer ’70, Secretary George Bellows Steven Biltekoff Matthew Enstice Annette Fitch Robert Glenning Arthur Glick ’71 Michael Hogan Alison Keane George Kermis Seymour Knox IV ’69 Andrea Kuettel Madeline Ambrus Lillie ’64 Eric Lipke Elizabeth Duryea Maloney ’70 Gail Mitchell Trini Ross

alumni council

2006-2007 Stephen Kellogg, Jr. ’77, President Amy Decillis Bard ’86 Gitti Barrell ’71 Kristin Schoellkopf Borowiak ’82 Missy Kennedy Cleary ’72 Kary Fronk ’91 Charles Hahn ’68 Susie Lenahan Kimberly ’64 Madeline Ambrus Lillie ’64 Kim Rich Lupkin ’80 Elizabeth Duryea Maloney ’70 Howard Saperston III ’85 Mary Franklin Saperston ’60 The Bulletin Board is published twice a year by the Development Office for alumni, families, and friends of Elmwood Franklin School.

Julie Raynsford, Director of Development Editor/Writer Sally Jarzab, Communications Coordinator Design and Layout Rebecca Murak, Development Associate Covert Art Details of collages by second graders Jayne Appelbaum and Grace Newman.

Elmwood Franklin School is Western New York’s oldest pre-primary through eighth grade independent school, emphasizing high academic achievement, good study skills, and positive character development. Elmwood Franklin accepts qualified students without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.

contents FEATURES 2

from the board president A message from Board President Alice Jacobs

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a head of his time Head of School Tony Featherston

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alumni profile Peter McGennis ’85

12 learning along Learn with the EFS Second Graders at the Hershell Carousel Museum.

16 faculty profile The Math Team 20 thinking beyond In more ways than you can count, math matters.

22 getting involved Community service takes a center role in school life.

24 student perspective Fourth Graders write words of encouragement.

30 efs sports College hoops in the Fifth Grade

DEPARTMENTS 32 development office update 26 day to day 28 names in the news 34 alumni update 36 class notes

a message from the

board president Alice F. Jacobs Many of you may occasionally wonder, what does the Elmwood Franklin School Board of Trustees do? A legitimate question, as there is not a published record or annual meeting at which the role of the Board is discussed.

Indeed, the Board may often take the blame for cafeteria food choices, vacation schedules and snow days, when in fact it does not exercise control over any of these areas (though I have not managed to convince my own children of this).

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In fact, the Board’s primary responsibility is to work in partnership with the Head to ensure that the framework exists, now and in the future, for faculty members to effectively carry out the mission of the school every day in their teaching.

Last year, the Board’s most important job was to undertake the search for a new Head of School and to facilitate the administrative transition. The passing of the baton from Keith to Tony has been remarkably smooth, thanks to the efforts of both individuals and the welcoming atmosphere of our entire community. With this transition successfully behind us, we are turning to our next task: to develop jointly with the administration a strategic vision and roadmap that will continue to move Elmwood Franklin forward as an institution. Time Magazine recently featured an article on the challenges facing our country’s school systems in educating students for the 21st century. The author posits that the skills needed for today’s generation of students to succeed in our global environment are vastly different than what the average public school curriculum was designed to address. In fact, the article asserts that the reliance on standardized testing to ensure a minimum level of competency is detrimental, in that it emphasizes the rote learning of large amounts of information as opposed to the fostering of analytical, creative, and inter-personal cooperative skills that are now critical. What does this tell an independent school board about moving our school forward? We need to be in the forefront of bringing education into the 21st century by listening to high schools, colleges, universities and employers as to what types of skill sets, values and knowledge they see are needed and provide our students with the best possible base for such. While this programmatic aspect will drive a good portion of our strategic vision, the Board will also be looking at ways to ensure that EFS is financially, environmentally and demographically sustainable for future generations, while at the same time maintaining the core values of our school. Although this is a daunting undertaking, it is also an exciting one as we begin to see what Elmwood Franklin will look like down the road. I look forward to sharing the results of this process with the entire EFS community.

Over the holidays, I saw a family friend who is a recent college graduate and an alumna of Elmwood Franklin School. She had enjoyed an impromptu reunion with one of our faculty members and classmates and relayed to me that her EFS experience continues to mean so much to her and credits it with giving her an excellent foundation in life, both academically and personally. That makes all the commitment we all have to this institution worthwhile.

Thank you for your continued support.

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A

headtime. of his

Elmwood Franklin is a school with a history. A long history.

Tony Featherston wants to make sure that it’s also a school with a

future.

Never mind that his teaching background is in history. As EFS’ new head of school, Tony Featherston is focusing on the future. Specifically, Tony is thinking about the 21st century—and what shape Elmwood Franklin should take in it. What are the biggest issues facing educators in the next few years? In what ways is EFS well-positioned for the future? In what ways, if any, might EFS need to change to better prepare our students for a changing world?

Tony isn’t the only one thinking about these questions: the administration, the faculty, the trustees are all mulling the same points as EFS approaches its next long-term planning process and the re-accreditation process. In fact, the topic is becoming a national conversation. A recent issue of Time Magazine featured an article that provided some answers, entitled “How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century.” The article came partly in response to a major report by the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce, entitled Tough Choices or Tough Times, a kind of roadmap for transforming education to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing global economy. The Time article was required reading for all EFS faculty, who discussed its points—and if and how they apply to Elmwood Franklin—at a recent faculty meeting. The

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National Association of Independent

character-based skills such as

Schools is also fostering similar discourse,

professionalism, ethics, social

and Tony himself was a part of it,

responsibility, self-direction, and

traveling to Washington, D.C. in

leadership in their top ten.

November to participate in a Think Tank for the annual NAIS conference. NAIS

Tony wants to foster these qualities

terms it “programmatic sustainability,” the

through increased community service and

need to become more focused on the

the introduction of something known as

skills and values the marketplace of the 21st century will seek and reward—and

“service learning,” a teaching and learning

less narrowly isolated in a traditional

community service with instruction and

disciplines approach to teaching and

reflection to enrich the learning

learning.

experience, build awareness, cultivate

Education: BA in history from Boston College; MA in teaching from Brown University

strategy that combines meaningful

civic responsibility, and strengthen Although the finish line will probably be

communities. It differs from typical

ever-changing, Elmwood Franklin has

volunteer work in the way it integrates

somewhat of a head start in this race.

specific learning objectives as part of the

The focus on the development of the

experience. For example, if students

whole child, providing each student with

collect trash out of an urban streambed,

the basic skills to learn effectively and the

they are doing community service. When

fundamental elements of knowledge

students collect trash from an urban

which will become the foundation for all

streambed, then analyze what they found

subsequent learning—this is a mission

and share the results with residents of

that is truly timeless. “Academic

the neighborhood along with suggestions

excellence, an emphasis on skills mastery,

for reducing pollution, they are engaging

a challenging curriculum in a supportive

in service-learning—providing service to

atmosphere, teachers and parents who

the community while also learning about

work in partnership... EFS is pretty close

scientific analysis, developing an

to my vision of the ideal school,” says

understanding of pollution issues, using

Tony. “What’s ultimately most important

problem solving skills, and practicing

is the focus on ethical and moral

communication and presentation skills.

behavior. In my 20 years in independent

They may also reflect on their personal

schools, I’ve found that character

and career interests in science, the

education is the real work. Who you are

environment, public policy or other

on the inside is more important than

related areas.

what you know.” Tony’s assessment fits perfectly with recent educational

featherston Fast Facts

Exploring service learning is just one of

findings: respect for others, compassion,

Tony’s goals as head of school; tackling

and a sense of humanity are essential

the upcoming strategic planning process

assets for success in a world in which the

with the Board of Trustees is another.

digital realm makes information easy to

Tony says that in keeping with NAIS

come by, but values much harder to find.

recommendations, they’ll also be looking

A survey conducted by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills found that when

at other aspects of sustainability:

asked to rate the importance of applied

less costly; environmental, becoming

skills to successful performance,

more “green” and less wasteful; global,

substantial majorities of employers listed

becoming more networked internationally;

financial, becoming more efficient and

Family: wife Helen Roy and daughters Riley and Lucy Favorite figures from history: Abraham Lincoln and Muhammad Ali Hobbies: cycling, sailing, hockey, car shopping Last book read: Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie Favorite quotation: “You can't always get what you want, from the Rolling Stones song, which I sing to my kids in response to their telling me they want some new toy/CD/item of clothing, etc. They only recently discovered that it is a real song.”

Best burger ever: Napenthe in Big Sur, CA Worst job ever: dishwasher Best job ever: father Favorite teacher: his mother Favorite color: red (and black) Favorite movie: “The Godfather (The book is even better.)”

Lifelong goal yet to accomplish: to ride his bike across the US Three little-known facts: “I was born in Zurich, Switzerland. I spoke fluent Dutch as a kid. We named our dog after a hot dog restaurant in Pittsfield, MA called Teo’s.”

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and demographic, becoming more approachable financially and

know how things happened, how it affects people now, how it all

socially. These are the channels through which Tony and the Board

fits together.” And the move from teacher to administrator? “I have

will identify possible programmatic and capital projects, such as

always been a big-picture person; I have always approached things

rebuilding the Lower School facility, a major undertaking on the

with a larger vision,” says Tony. “But it wasn’t always my dream [to

horizon.

be head of school]. There was a time when I felt, who would want to do that? But I’ve been inspired by some great leaders, friends, and

So how did Tony, a former history teacher, find his place at the

mentors, and it made me think that I’d like to be a part of that

helm of all this forward momentum? Why would someone

group.”

intrigued by past lives and events make it his mission to shepherd an institution—and the new generations within it—into a dawning

Is the job so far what he expected? “People told me that it would

era? Actually, Tony’s story is a prime example of the very paradigm

be challenging, that it would be rewarding, and it would be

we’re talking about. Innovative lessons and memorable teachers

frustrating, but no one told me how much fun it would be. I don’t

inspired him as a student to make connections between things, to

think I have ever smiled so much in my life,” he says. “Every day I

see the big picture, and to want to work with others to make a

meet more and more people who are connected to and care about

difference.

EFS.” That includes EFS’ many alumni, whom Tony sees as important parts of the puzzle. He urges alumni to stay connected,

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“I had great teachers who were able to teach history so that it

to get involved. “Every alum that I meet talks about the foundation

went beyond dates and names. I was able to see it in terms of

that EFS provided. The school holds a special place in their hearts.

people, as opposed to in terms of politicians. It completely

They will smile and remember a special teacher or a friendship

changed my perspective. History is not just a thing in a box; it’s

they made and still continue. I would like them to know that all the

expansive,” says Tony. Being able to see the human side of history

things they remember—the rigorous academics, the safe and

made Tony want to teach it that way himself, to inspire others to

nurturing environment—those things are still here.” And with

see the wonders he was seeing. “I’m wired to think in terms of

planning, purpose, and one eye on the future, Tony’s ensuring they

history. Everywhere I go, I wonder, why? Who? How? I want to

always will be.

Welcome to

“

Buffalo!

I love snow—really! October is a little early, obviously,”

says Tony of his “induction ceremony” to Buffalo: the October

Surprise snowstorm that wreaked havoc on the region and closed Elmwood Franklin for six days. We had to ask: did the infamous storm make him question his family’s relocation to Buffalo? “Actually, in a neat way, it was a true welcome to Buffalo. We had no power, no heat; we went through the worst of it just like everyone else. We only hear stories about the other storms, like the Blizzard of ’77, but this one, we were part of.” Tony and his family saw the truth behind the nickname “City of Good Neighbors” and were able to appreciate the unplanned break. “We hunkered down in front of the gas fireplace, listened to WBEN, read books, talked,

”

and went to bed early—it was actually a treat!

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profile

ALUMNI

Bu·shi·do (n)

the traditional code of the Japanese samurai, stressing honor, self-discipline, bravery, and simple living. From the Japanese bushido: bushi, warrior + do, way

of the Warrior Way

Peter McGennis ’85 makes Buffalo Bushido his second act of filmmaking bravery

To live as an artist—whether as a painter, a musician, a poet, or a

Order, Rent), John Savage (The Deer Hunter), Bruce Glover

filmmaker, is to be, in some sense, a warrior. Consider how Peter

(Chinatown), Leila Arcieri (Daddy Daycare), and Fred Weller (The

McGennnis ’85 is making his second independent art film,

Shape of Things).

entitled Buffalo Bushido, right here in his own hometown, producing, directing and even acting his own script, while running

Peter recently shared his thoughts about his work as a

a company and managing a family—and the term warrior

filmmaker, his business success as an entrepreneur, his life as a

definitely comes to mind.

family man, and his many ongoing connections with Elmwood Franklin.

Buffalo Bushido is an independent feature film destined initially for film festivals and ultimately for art house theatres. It is the

Describe your writing process for your films. How are your

second movie that Peter’s created from concept to print; his first,

ideas generated?

entitled In, was released in 2005. Buffalo Bushido, filmed entirely

“I've been carrying stories in my head for as long as I can

in and around Buffalo (including a scene on the EFS soccer

remember. They spring out of embellishments from actual events

field!), is the story of a man returning home to Buffalo in search

or just imagined interests. Anything can be interesting, but it's

of human connection and redemption. Despite its “labor of love”

important that it means something to you. That's why drawing

standing and its shoestring budget, Peter managed to secure

from real life events can fortify the writer with reverence and a

accomplished actors such as Buffalo native Jesse Martin (Law and

sustained purpose.

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profile

ALUMNI

That's how Buffalo Bushido sprung forth. It was kind of a back-

something to do here.

pocket project in case I wanted to make a film here in Buffalo.

The idea grew on me as I roughed out the story and I found

I sorted through the remnants of what my father had going in

meaning in every detail. It starts with a basic outline, path, and

his safety business. He had just bought his first motorcycle in

general structure. The first draft usually comes quick once you

years, seduced by the resurgence in Harley-Davidson and its

know the path of the story. It took six weeks. This initial writing

marketing to the now-rotund American Graffiti crowd. He had

phase is a safe sanctuary. It's just me in my dining room with a

one sewer left in his building, and we thought it might be a cool

pen and paper at night and then typing on the computer the

idea to make a cooler for the motorcycle. We made our first bag,

next morning before work. The revision process, however, takes

and then I basically dialed for dollars, getting dealers across the

time. For Buffalo Bushido it was ten months.

country to try out the Cool Sac, that over the years, with much effort, grew in popularity. SAC was the brand name and new

Coming out and showing people your work can be scary.

products were introduced around a couple of core products. We

There's always rejection and a fair share of tomatoes to take in

traveled across the country and world selling our bags both to

the face, but it goes back to what I learned at Elmwood Franklin

dealers and to customers at rallies like Sturgis. Harley

about believing in yourself. Listen, be patient, and persevere and

approached us and decided to co-brand with us, forming

good things will come eventually.”

Harley by SAC which to date is still the only Harley Davidson co-brand in existence. We now distribute worldwide but still

What is your definition of success as a filmmaker? As a person?

create new products and travel to shows staying true to our

“Success is not some elusive finish line or some power over

roots. Going into its fourteenth year, SAC is still the only real job

somebody else. Success is inspiration to be shared. That's what

I've ever had!”

filmmaking allows me to do with such a broad array of people.

It puts my character to the test, drawing on my strengths

You’re a big proponent of Buffalo. Why do you choose to

and testing my weaknesses. I guess the process means as much

reside here?

to me as the product because it's a reflection of my character.

“I loved growing up in this city. We have so much culture, and

That’s where I differ from Hollywood and why I'm happily married

everything's so accessible. You can do so much in one day here.

in Buffalo with a full plate. There's no rat race for me. That said,

It's real community. You add Canada and Elmwood Franklin to the

however, I realize how difficult and miraculous it is to have the

equation and you have a unique environment for children to be

chance to make a feature film, and the work should matter and be

brought up in. It worked for me and I'm fortunate that I

as good as it can be for what it is.

convinced my wife to give up the suburbs and come here.

Success as a person lies in meeting the measure of high

As for Buffalo, it's pitiful that we're shrinking, but the die-hard

standards that you set for yourself, and that absolutely includes

attitude endures and actually fosters leadership that's

inspiring others, especially children, and making the world better

contagious. Slowly, we all make progress in our own ways.”

in some way.”

You’re a true EFS family: you’re an alumnus, you have three

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In addition to filmmaking, you’re also a successful entrepreneur.

kids enrolled, your wife is active on the Parent Council, and

Describe your business, what it is, how it came about.

your mom is a teaching legend with more than 30 years at EFS.

“After graduating from college [Peter studied theatre at Miami

What’s it like being so connected to a school?

University], I came back to Buffalo sobered by reality. Get a job?

“A school is what you make of it. My family has invested a lot in

What? Nobody ever told me this. So, it was either move to LA to

the school out of belief in what it does and what it represents.

pursue "something" or stay in Buffalo. The decision was tipped

EFS is very important to this community. It's a huge pillar.

by the fact that I knew that I wanted to be with my soul mate,

Hopefully, more young people will recognize this and come back

Susan, who had gotten a teaching job in Cleveland. I'm very

to Buffalo to add to the city's vitality. For a while, it was looking

grateful that my ego was put on the shelf. So I needed to find

like all of the EFS alumni from my era had left Buffalo taking their

talents to other cities. That pattern has been changing over the

I also remember stunning Nichols’ illustrious soccer team on our

past seven years and it's great to see.”

field 1-0, my first real taste of the stage as Curly in Oklahoma!, the first Medieval night, Lakeland (who tipped that canoe?), and

As a student at EFS, what were your favorite subjects? What

everything else.”

did you want to be when you grew up?

“I loved creative writing. Each paper was a labor of love. I was

How has the school changed since you attended? What things

blessed to believe that I could do anything (which included

are still the same?

making films, playing in the NHL, and following in the path of

“Times have changed more than the school. However, marketing

either my father or Mick Jagger).”

to a county, we're not a neighborhood school anymore. I worry sometimes about the erosion of the middle class and

What is a favorite memory of yours from when you were a

the expectations parents place on the school to churn out "the

student at Elmwood Franklin?

best" because that's what they're paying for. Kids are still kids

“Memorable times in the auditorium—watching after-school

and we need to let them explore, create, and make mistakes in a

movies like Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians and the annual

safe environment. At its core, EFS recognizes this and continues

sing-a-long and decorating of the EFS Christmas tree. The Upper

to shape and build our children's confidence in a nurturing

School was all girls back then, and that was a really wonderful,

setting through their formative years. The tightness of the

spirited setting, especially during events like the decorating of

student body still stands out as being so special. You can feel

the tree and the awesome EFS Fair. The girls all looked like giant

the confidence flowing from this unity the moment you enter the

Christmas trees while we dashed around under their limbs. The

school. That's school spirit and it's rare these days.”

vibe of the school really changed when they let "us", the other half, enter Upper School.

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along

LEARNING

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Once never around is

enough.

Come along and learn with the EFS second graders on their trip to the Herschell Carousel Museum in North Tonawanda.

Bet you didn’t know that the word “carousel” comes from the Spanish carosella, meaning “little war.” Carousels, as our second graders found out on their trip to the Herschell Carousel Museum, had their start as training devices for medieval knights, who would ride upon wooden horses with their lances and swords to hone their battle skills.

And there were other fascinating surprises—such as an exhibit of carousel horses from the private estate of Andy Warhol. Who knew that Andy Warhol was an avid collector specializing in carousel horses?

Another little known fact was that when carousels originally became popular amusements, they were strictly adults-only thrill rides, spinning their daring riders around by steam engine so fast that they would often go flying off.

It’s probably not a surprise that such an extreme ride actually sounded enticing to many of the students, who were happy nonetheless to take a more moderately paced ride (at 6.5 revolutions per minute) on the museums’ famous 1916 carousel, housed right in the roundhouse where carousels were originally assembled and tested almost 100 years ago.

Measuring 40 feet in diameter, with 36 hand-carved horses and more than 580 lights, this particular carousel was one of the first machines the Allan Herschell Company shipped after it opened for business at the Thompson Street location in 1915. The wildlooking horses on the outer row of the machine were of the "new and improved" 1916 style, while two inner rows featured horses that dated to the late 1890's. An actual Wurlitzer military band organ, circa 1910, played the familiar lilting music, and a spinning tub, a rare carousel feature, whirled kids into fits of dizzy laughter, proving true the museum’s motto: Once around is never enough.

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Herschell

carousel museum

Museum Background

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum occupies the original Allan Herschell Company factory complex at 180 Thompson Street in North Tonawanda. The building is a series of seven interconnected structures which once housed all of the manufacturing components of the factory. The building contains a large carving shop where 50 to 75 carvers worked, a woodworking shop, a paint shop, a storage area, an upholstery shop, a machine shop and a roundhouse in which carousels were assembled and tested before shipping.

The only museum in the world housed in an authentic, original carousel factory building and roundhouse, the museum now exhibits the history and growth of the Herschell Companies; demonstrates carving, horse restoration and band organ roll production; and operates two antique carousels. The building and the 1916 carousel are listed on both the New York State and the National Register of Historic Sites.

More than Just Horses The Lockman Collection, a private collection of carousel animals, is currently on exhibit at the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, documenting style changes over a period of sixty years in the different factories with which Allan Herschell was associated. The earliest animals are small and fairly plain, while later animals are more realistic and detailed.

The collection includes animals from the four eras of carousel companies in North Tonawanda: the Armitage-Herschell Company, Herschell-Spillman Company, Spillman Engineering Company, and Allan Herschell Company. It includes several more unusual menagerie animals, such as a carousel dog, a wild boar, a rooster, a sea monster, and an ostrich.

The Business of Fun The Herschell companies collectively were the most prolific producers of carousels in the country, manufacturing machines which were known for quality in workmanship and reliability. The Allan Herschell Company produced over 3,000 hand-carved wooden carousels and out-produced all of its rivals in the carousel industry, shipping throughout the United States and Canada, as well as across the globe, including South Africa, India, Tahiti, and Mexico.

Over the years the Allan Herschell Company expanded its line of amusement park rides and pioneered specialized rides designed for small children, even publishing a promotional book entitled Kiddielands: A Business with a Future. Many of the kiddie rides found in time-honored amusement parks today are the very same ones manufactured by the Allan Herschell Company.

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along

LEARNING

15

profile

FACULTY

16

the

Math team From left to right: Neil Connelly, Claire Barry, Maureen Jacobi and Alyssa Roberts

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PROFILES Claire Barry, math coordinator; math teacher, grades 5, 6 Years at EFS: eight Place of birth: Orchard Park Education: BS in elementary education, master’s in elementary education from SUNY Fredonia Why math? “I really enjoy the subject. Early in my career, in my first year teaching at a school in Colorado, I was inspired by a colleague—an amazing math teacher, Pat Baker.”

Special area of interest: algebra Most enjoyable aspect of job: Claire’s favorite things are working with motivated students, watching students succeed, and witnessing those “a-ha!” moments when they catch on.

If Claire wasn’t a teacher, she’d probably be: a child psychologist or stay-at-home mom Heroes: Claire lists her mom and dad, former teaching colleague Pat Baker, and elementary mathematics expert, author and lecturer Dr. Lola May. Hobbies: gardening, reading, walking, and playing with her one-yearold son, Jude A few things you may not know about Claire: “I was undefeated in ‘Multiplication Around the World’ in grade school!” boasts Claire.

She adds that she lived in Colorado for four years (and taught there for two). One more surprise: she’s pregnant with her second child!

Why math? “Math has always been my favorite subject and one that I’d always done well in.”

Special area of interest: algebra and trigonometry Most enjoyable aspect of job: Maureen gets much satisfaction from watching her students “find their voice” by raising their hands, asking questions when they don’t understand, seeking help with something. It shows that they care and are confident enough to take charge of their education.

If Maureen wasn’t a teacher, she’d probably be: an accountant (but she dreams of being an FBI agent!)

Heroes: “Cancer survivors are my biggest heroes,” says Maureen.

She also cites her maternal grandmother, who she says was “the sweetest, most lovable woman, as well as the best cook ever.”

Hobbies: power walking, cross-country skiing, and playing canasta and backgammon, among others A few things you may not know about Maureen: Maureen’s been happily married to her high school sweetheart for 26 years and has a son and a daughter, both in their 20’s. (Taking after their mom, one’s studying to be a teacher and the other is an accountant.)

Cooking is one of Maureen’s passions—including watching cooking shows and taking cooking classes. And she still finds time for accordion classes, which she began a few years ago.

Alyssa Roberts, math teacher, grades 2, 3, 4, 5 Neil Connelly, math teacher, grades 6, 7, 8 Years at EFS: two (but he’s been teaching for 33!)

Place of birth: Depew Education: BA in mathematics from SUNY Oswego, MA in education from Canisius College, MBA from Canisius College Why math? “I always enjoyed math the most from an early age, and I had excellent teachers in elementary and high school who gave me confidence by cultivating my ability and making math interesting and challenging, yet fun.”

Special area of interest: logic-related problems Most enjoyable aspect of job: The camaraderie with others teachers and staff is great, but for Neil the best part of his work is the satisfaction he gets when a student, especially one who struggles with math, starts to realize he or she can actually achieve mathematically.

If Neil wasn’t a teacher, he’d probably be: a financial analyst or an accountant Heroes: Mickey Mantle, Lennon and McCartney, Rene Des Cartes Hobbies: golf, basketball, music trivia A few things you may not know about Neil: A former basketball and baseball coach at Depew High School, Neil is also in the St. Mary’s High School Athletic Hall of Fame. At one time he was a council member on the Lancaster Town Board. His wife Trish is also a teacher, and they have two college-age sons.

Maureen Jacobi, math teacher, grades 7, 8 Years at EFS: 11 Place of birth: Buffalo Education: BS in math education and MS in multidisciplinary studies, both from Buffalo State College

Years at EFS: first year Place of birth: Buffalo Education: BA in education with concentrations in mathematics and science from John Carroll University Why math? “Maybe it is part of my ‘organizational’ personality, but I like how math works, how there is a system and it makes sense. It is an impressive sight to gaze upon a completed problem followed by a check.”

Special area of interest: algebra and geometry Most enjoyable aspect of job: “The greatest thing about being a math teacher is watching children learn and having fun with them in the process. It is so exciting when students start using what they know and applying it to new things. It is the most amazing feeling when students can solve a problem and it is because you taught them how.”

If Alyssa wasn’t a teacher, she’d probably be: a marine biologist Heroes: Alyssa says that her heroes are people who are famous in her heart rather than famous in the world, and cites her grandmother as an example. “My dad is also my hero. When I was born, my dad quit his job to work out of the house and be an athome dad. He played with me when I was little, made my lunches, got me off the bus everyday, and basically was the perfect role model. I am who I am today largely because of his influence.”

Hobbies: playing and coaching basketball, watching the Sabres, photography, scrapbooking, and running A few things you may not know about Alyssa: Since she’s a math teacher, most people aren’t aware that Alyssa is also certified to teach science. Beyond that, she’s an avid snowboarder (she even started a snowboarding club while in college) and a self-professed pack-rat.

Test your

Math skills

4. The numbers in the squares are the sums of the numbers in the circles to which they connect. Solve for the numbers in the circles (hint: answers may include fractions)

Do you think you have what it takes to crack our math teachers’ favorite math problems? Take your best shot, and if you are like most of us and need a little help, check out the answers included below.

1. Evaluate the expression:

2. The product of two whole numbers is 144. If the difference of the numbers is 10, what is their sum?

5. A piece of paper that is .003 inches thick is cut in half and the pieces are placed on top of one another. Then those pieces are cut in half and placed on top of one another.

This process continues until the stack has been cut in half 50 times. At the end, how high is the stack?

3. Egyptian multiplication 6. Add the following numbers mentally: 1000 40 1000 30 1000 20 1000 10

Did you get 5000? If you did, try again.

7. A train that is one mile long is traveling at 20 miles per hour. At 2:00 p.m. it enters a tunnel that is one mile long. At what time does the end of the train emerge from the tunnel?

1. -85 Answers:

2. 26

3. 338

4.

6½

9

2½ 11

15 8½

5. Over 50 million miles high

6. 4100

7. 2:06 p.m.

In more ways than you can count,

Math Matters.

20

beyond

THINKING

“if

I were again beginning my studies, I would follow the advice of Plato and start with mathematics.”

Galileo Galilei Math, it seems, is a lot like opera or Brussels sprouts: either you love it or you hate it. At least, that’s the way it used to be, when learning mathematics suited only a certain kind of mind—one that was good with figures, enjoyed abstractions, and could readily memorize facts— and left everyone else either intimidated or tuned out.

The EFS math team believes that math doesn’t have to be a restrictive, take-it-or-leave-it kind of subject. Math is adaptable. Math is diverse.

Math is entertaining, illuminating, or in the opinion of EFS teacher Alyssa Roberts, even more.

“Math is beautiful!” Alyssa says. “It has an order to it. It is so enjoyable to complete a math problem, especially algebra, and have everything all neat and perfect. Math is a beautiful thing.”

The challenge for math teachers, for math lovers, is in helping students to discover math’s many interesting possibilities, a task that has several components. First, it requires an experienced teacher with a keen grasp of the subject matter—mission accomplished here at Elmwood Franklin, with a team of four full-time math educators to give math instruction the focus that it needs and deserves. Claire Barry serves as the school’s math coordinator and teaches fifth and sixth grade students; Maureen Jacobi teaches algebra to seventh and eighth graders; Neil Connelly teaches sixth, seventh and eighth grade math, and Alyssa Roberts teaches math to grades two through five.

The next ingredient is curriculum, creating programming that is meaningful, balanced, accessible, and rigorous. This is carried out by using a variety of programs, including Everyday Math and the Passport series, as well as enrichment and advanced texts.

“I don’t think there is any one math curriculum that is perfect, just as in any subject area. So we use a variety of programs, and we always supplement. We use Everyday Math from Prep I to fourth grade and then from fifth grade we use a more algebra-based series,” said Claire. “We supplement Everyday Math with different fact practice because we do think facts are important. It makes everything else easier when you know your multiplication facts. So we supplement, for instance, with the Mad Minute series in computation areas. We also add extra problem-solving and review when needed. We never limit instruction to one specific published series.”

Alyssa recognizes the freedom this gives her as a teacher and the enthusiasm it can generate in students. “Sometimes in class one topic will lead to another and then another. Once, we were talking about perimeter and area, which led to a tangent on geometric shapes,” she says. “We ended up with a flow chart on the board with polygons at the top and the different shapes and categories following.”

The other necessities for math success are small group instruction and adaptation for different learning styles, two things that go together at Elmwood Franklin. Small groupings of students allow for personal

attention, which allows for instruction that is learning-style specific, which allows for better understanding, which allows for faster progress, which allows for advanced study. According to Neil Connelly, this small group instruction is a main difference between math studies at Elmwood Franklin and in the public schools—and it’s why students here do work in the seventh grade that most other schools don’t tackle until high school. In fact, almost all students do not need to take the introductory algebra classes offered in high school because they have had a full solid year of algebra at Elmwood Franklin. The Upper School math program is a true stand-out and is often a main consideration of parents who choose Elmwood Franklin for their child’s middle school years. Last year, Elmwood Franklin ranked first at the seventh grade level and fourth at the sixth grade level for the Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara Region in the Math League contest, with individual Elmwood Franklin students claiming first, second and fourth place slots.

Of course, the success students see in the higher grades is a culmination of a well-integrated approach starting in the earliest of grades. The Lower School’s “spiral” math structure lets students revisit essential concepts and skills in different contexts, thus continually reinforcing and expanding their learning.

“A second grader might be exposed to decimals, without necessarily needing to master all of the concepts of decimals, but then decimals would be in each chapter after that, then re-taught in third grade, and then re-taught in fourth grade, so that the students that need extra help can have the same topic addressed three times, and the students who have grasped it the first time can do more enrichment with it,” explained Claire. This spiraling technique is just one way teachers teach to all levels, to those students who naturally excel and to those who need more reinforcement.

“Everybody can’t be great in math, but everybody can raise their level of understanding. I think when students realize this, they become more engaged,” says Neil, and Claire agrees. “Most people who do not like math feel that way because it is difficult for them,” she says. “By empowering students with the right skills, they are able to enjoy the challenge instead of fearing it.”

Linking mathematical concepts is another method the teachers employ.

By emphasizing the application of mathematics to real world situations, numbers, skills and mathematical concepts are not presented in isolation, but are linked to situations and contexts that are relevant to everyday lives.

“I try to make math more interesting by giving real life examples that students can relate to—relating the study of parabolas to basketball, for example,” said Maureen. Alyssa follows suit. “Math is a subject that can be applied to everything, so if you like anything, chances are that math is involved in some way,” she says. “The possibilities for math are endless. The subject’s presence is everywhere and in all things.”

Mathematicians sometimes refer to math as a language, with numbers expressing concepts in much the same way words can. What the math team does, then, is foster a kind of literacy—involving both computation and problem-solving, both inquiry and understanding— that is nothing less than a new way of seeing and understanding the world around us.

involved

GETTING

Good Works:

Community Service Takes a Center Role in School Life In keeping with EFS’ commitment to

• Many Upper School students

enable our students to “develop

participated in Kazoofest, a fundraiser

confidence in themselves, demonstrate

for Camp Good Days and Special

respect for others, and assume

Times. The EFS crew spent two

responsibility for their own actions,”

Saturdays hawking kazoos at the

Elmwood Franklin believes that community

Walden Galleria, raising more than

service is an essential part of educating

$1,000 for the camp that serves

the whole child. Students participate in a

children with cancer.

variety of service projects that are student-driven and reflective of the

• Read about the Fourth Grade’s

current interests of our student body and

special project to benefit Literacy

the current needs of our community-at-

Volunteers on the next page.

large. So far this school year,

• Third Grade students arranged for a • The Eighth Grade chorus performed

Lower School assembly presented by

at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in

Sally Vincent ’60 from the Ronald

December as part of the hospital’s

McDonald House and made holiday

“Music in the Lobby” program, which

cards for the children and families

promotes music’s capacity to modify

staying there.

mood, soothe pain, calm nerves and relax the mind and body.

• Prep II students put their creative skills and their caring spirits to work

• The Sixth Grade sponsored a holiday food drive in November for the Ronald

by making holiday cards for Meals on Wheels recipients.

McDonald House and the Food Bank of WNY. Students shown here are

22

• Also, all grades participated in a school-

ready to deliver the boxes that were

wide winter clothing drive for the

filled with donated food items.

International Institute’s refugee program.

Above: Tracy Diina, executive director of Literacry Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County, speaking to the Fourth Grade class in November.

Wordsof encouragement What better gift could be given or received than the gift of reading? EFS Fourth

Graders understand the important and joyous role that reading plays in our lives. They spearheaded a special service project for Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County, donating beloved books along with messages of support to individuals working to overcome illiteracy.

Tracy Diina, the agency’s executive director, came to speak to the class in November and answered the students’ many questions about what life is like for those who live without reading skills— in a word, difficult. Difficult to learn, to work, to drive, to cook, to shop, to vote, to stay informed, and to stay healthy. When the students learned that one in five residents of Erie County is functionally illiterate, they were inspired to take action. Because illiteracy and poverty often go hand-in-hand, and the majority of lowincome homes have no books in them, the kids decided to sponsor a new book donation program for the holidays. Kids selected and purchased favorite books to give to families who are working with Literacy Volunteers to improve their reading skills.

Along with the wrapped books, the students sent handwritten cards of encouragement and insight into the joys of reading.

Excerpts from some of the Fourth Graders’ sentiments are printed on the following pages. Read through for your own inspiration!

23

perspective

STUDENT

24

As the EFS Library

reviewed and renewed its collection this past summer, unwanted titles were not discarded—more than 400 books were donated to Literacy Volunteers for its children’s book pantry. Sherry Byrnes, family literacy coordinator, said, “The donation could not have come at a better time as our inventory was down to almost nothing.”

Dear Reading Friend, I like to read because it gives you an adventure that never ends. I like to read because it gives you more knowledge. I like reading because it relaxes your brain. I like reading because it takes you into a universe only you are allowed to enter.

Your friend, Tristan Dougherty Dear Reading Friend, I like reading because every time I read it’s like going into an adventure and you don’t know where that adventure will end up. I get deeper and deeper every page. I hope you enjoy reading this book I picked for you. I’ve never read it, but two things tell me it’s a good book.

One is people say it’s good. Also, every book is fun and exciting.

Your reading friend, Sam Stark Dear Reading Friend, I love to read because it makes me think about things more than I usually would. Good luck reading!

Sincerely, Jason Jarrett Dear Reading Friend, I love to read because every book is filled with amusement and excitement and mystery. It gives me an inspirational feeling to read and read and read and read. I hope you enjoy this book!

Sincerely, Natalie Harden

Dear Reading Friend, I like to read because if you find a good book you can get really soaked into it and it’s like a movie that you’re in. I hope you are having a great time learning to read.

From your reading friend, Henry Frome Dear Reading Friend, I hope you soon discover the magic of reading.

I like reading because once you’ve read that someone has experienced something that you have, it helps you understand that you’re not alone.

Your friend, Paige Spangenthal P.S. Never get frustrated with reading because reading can get you somewhere in life.

Dear Reading Friend, I love to read because I can picture things that I couldn’t before and helps me feel alive. If it wasn’t for reading I’d be bored. I hope you enjoy this book. I would! Happy holidays, and remember, reading rocks!

Your reading friend, Colin Cramer Dear Reading Friend, I love to read because when you find a good book sometimes you find a character you can actually relate to. Books take you on adventures and after you read a couple pages, and if it’s a good book, you feel like you’re the main character.

Your reading friend, Colleen Frank

25

Day toDay

26

27

28

Names in the

News

Student News

skate in a show with national and world

Student Coordinating Committee Officers

champions at the Stars, Stripes, and

for the year are Nicole Trubish, president;

Skates ICExtravaganza Show in October in

Patricia Haddad and Karson Humiston,

Uniondale., N.Y. Jillian also participated in

vice presidents; Drew Slawson and Gabi

the recent Stars, Stripes and Skates Talent

Reed, treasurers; Elizabeth Bassett and

Search in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Daniel Healy, secretaries.

Fifth grader Brendan Watkins is the Blue-Gray captains for the year are Sarah

featured model for the month of August in

Miller, girls Blue captain; Alison Johnston,

the 2007 Cutest Kids National Calendar

girls Gray captain; James Dryden, boys

sponsored by Fresh Faces Magazine.

Blue captain; Scott Zachau, boys Gray captain. Blue-Gray co-captains for the first

Faculty and Staff News

semester are Sukie Cleary, girls Blue co-

Fourth grade teacher Jennifer Brady gave

captain; Catherine Williams, girls Gray

birth to son Greyson Eric Brady on

co-captain; Gabe Bialkowski, boys Blue

November 30, 2006.

co-captain; and Louie Jacobs, boys Gray co-captain.

Third grade teacher Cara (Murphy) Reich wed Eric Reich in 2006.

Pushing Up the Sky awards were presented in November to fifth graders Elliot Biltekoff and Sydney Brason; sixth graders Sarah Duncan and Kenny Lipke; seventh grader Nickolaus Osinski; and eighth graders Elizabeth Bassett and Annalee Burkley.

Third grader Evan Brason took first place and Prep II student Alexander Popat took second place in the Achieve Chess Masters

Tony Featherston traveled to Washington, D.C. in November to take part in a Think Tank for the 2008 NAIS National Conference.

An essay by Keith Frome will appear in a forthcoming book entitled Twenty First Century Schools: What Are the Choices? from Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.

Tournament, held at EFS in November.

Kathleen McIntyre has been named Fourth grader Natalie Harden was

director of Achieve. As director, Kathleen is

awarded the first ever WGRZ-TV “Great

responsible for all operational aspects of

Kid Award” in December in recognition of

the center, including educational programs,

her community service and her dedication

personnel recruitment and management,

to her family.

and marketing. She was previously director of Supplemental Educational Services

Third grader Jillian Gately was selected to

operations for the Princeton Review.

A poem entitled “Etymology” by Margot Vincent ’85 was published in the August 6 edition of The Buffalo News.

The photography of Marigrace Papagni is on display in the Anderson Lobby of the Johnston Theatre throughout the winter of 2007. Elmwood Franklin is proud to celebrate the artistic talents of our community with the display of original artwork in any media in this space. Works are presented on a rotating basis throughout the year. Contact Julie Raynsford in the Development Office for information.

Parent News Pablo De Greiff is the editor of the recently published book The Handbook of Reparations. The first work to examine massive reparations programs for victims of human rights violations worldwide, the book was released at an October event in New York City featuring Archbishop Desmond Tutu as the keynote speaker.

Lauren Fix and past parent Milly Toy will publish The Essential Guide to Car Smarts from St. Martin’s Press this spring.

Leslie Kellogg of Hodgson Russ LLP and Robert Rich III of ROAR Logistics were named “40 Under Forty” award recipients

by Business First of Buffalo in recognition of their outstanding professional and community contributions.

Sonia Taggart was the featured artist in the Latin Fusion II show at the NoHo Gallery L.A. this September and October.

29

30

Good

Sports College Hoops in the Fifth Grade

Clockwise from top to bottom:

The Fifth Grade took a shot at college basketball in January,

Third/fourth grade girls’ basketball team meets the Canisius Griffin. The girls’

traveling to Canisius College’s Koessler Athletic Center for the

team gearing up to run drills at Canisius

college’s annual Kids’ Day game (vs. Marist College) for a look

College receives encouragement from a Griffins’ member. Third/fourth grade girls’ team runs drills at Canisius College.

Fifth grade students receive ball handling tips. Members of the Golden Griffins women’s team talk to fifth grade students about the importance of team spirit.

at how the “big kids” handle the ball. Prior to game day, the EFS fifth-grade boys’ team (as well as the third/fourth grade girls’ team) had the opportunity to actually play a game on the Koessler Center court, and the entire fifth grade did some drills when two members of the Golden Griffins women’s team visited gym class at EFS (along with two members of the cheerleading squad, who gave a quick lesson in the importance of team spirit).

31

Development

Office

U P D A T E While attending a planned giving conference this past October, I was once again reminded just how great a school Elmwood Franklin is—and what an important role it plays. According to a Cornell study, recently updated by the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College, there will be a wealth transfer of at least $41 trillion in the U.S. over the next fifty years. The planned giving conference focused heavily on what non-profits can and should be doing to ensure future gifts in the form of bequests and other planned gifts. One presentation was on the megatrends affecting planned giving across the nation, and the main message was many people currently fear the unknown. The world is a very different place than it was even just five years ago, let alone ten or twenty years ago. Uncertainty with respect to the economy and homeland security causes inaction. If we don’t know what’s in store for ourselves and our families, how can we know what level of support we can offer Charity A or Charity B? The good news is that although we live in an ever-changing and sometimes ominous world, Elmwood Franklin School is and always has been a kind of haven, a sound and stable place that provides true hope and lasting impact on the children we serve. Elmwood Franklin can be relied upon, and that’s exactly what our families do: they rely upon EFS to nurture, support, and protect our children from a world of uncertainties. Although we can’t protect our students from everything, we can provide a safe environment in which their dreams, decisions, and endeavors are secure. This environment is made possible by the generosity of our donors, both large and small. Everything we do and everything we are, from the school building itself to the learning experiences of each child, serves to transform an unknown world into a world of opportunity for our students. In many ways, supporting Elmwood Franklin is the safest investment one can make.

If it looks like we are marketing planned giving more, we are. We must. In order to ensure the future of the school, we must make known the various planned giving options that are available for our donors. If you’ve never thought about supporting Elmwood Franklin through planned giving, I encourage you to learn more about it. Planned gifts can be made with cash, but many planned gifts are made by donating assets such as stocks, life insurance, or real estate—the possibilities are endless. There’s a growing group of donors who have chosen to support Elmwood Franklin in this way.

Speaking on behalf of our students, faculty and staff, we thank each of you for having confidence in our institution.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2007,

Julie A. Raynsford 32

From left to right: Katie Wilton ’85, center, reunites with fellow alum Jason Rothschild ’85 and his fiance Leslie Brown during a recent visit. Ansie Baird ’51 reads to the Fourth Grade students. Landscape detail from the original photography of Amelia ’03 and Rachael ’04 Kermis which was on display at EFS.

Alumni U P D A T E

Katie Wilton ’85 made a special appearance at the EFS Fall Book Fair with a cooking demonstration and book-signing in support of her book, You’re the Cook! Katie also led assemblies for the Lower School students, chronicling her journey from EFS student to kids’ cooking coach. Eighth graders in Margot Vincent’s (Katie’s fellow Class of 1985 alum) English class took the opportunity to interview Katie and glean from her the insider’s scoop on writing and publishing your own book. Student Alexandra Mathews was inspired by the visit. “[Ms. Wilton] mentioned many times, ‘I would not be where I am today if I didn’t go to Elmwood Franklin.’ Speaking as a current student, I think we should be very thankful for our exceptional school and take advantage of the skills we are learning to enjoy the opportunities we will have in the future.”

Ansie Baird ’51 visited the Fourth Grade (of which her grandson Sam Stark is a member) in December to talk about poetry and her work as a poet. Baird is the poet-in-residence at Buffalo Seminary.

For more than twenty years she taught poetry workshops for Writers in Education in public elementary, middle, and high schools. Baird has given numerous readings locally and outside the region and has had poems published in a number of journals, notably The Paris Review, The Denver Quarterly, The Southern Review, Pembroke Magazine, Poetry Now, and The South Dakota Review.

34

The original photography of Amelia ’03 and Rachael ’04 Kermis was displayed in the Anderson Lobby of the Johnston Theatre in the fall of 2006. Elmwood Franklin is proud to celebrate the artistic talents of our community with the display of original artwork in any media in this space. Works are presented on a rotating basis throughout the year. Interested alumni are encouraged to contact Julie Raynsford in the Development Office for information.

Like Parent, Like Prepper Eight kids in this year’s Prep I class are the children of EFS alumni—that’s almost a quarter of the incoming class! Here’s a list of our alumni parents with their Prep I progeny.

Theodore Rich '84, daughter Amelia Brad Wyckoff '85, daughter Ellie Darcy Donaldson Zacher '84, son Walter Amy Decillis Bard '86, son Jake Carrie Hamlett '82, daughter Lily Margot Vincent '85, son Jack Kinsman Peter McGennis '85, daughter Claire Scott Saperston ’86, son Maxwell

New Planning Opportunity for those with IRAs

If you are age 70 and a half or older,

will not be subject to tax and will be counted

new legislation now allows you to make

toward her annual minimum distribution.

charitable gifts directly from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

An IRA charitable distribution may be

Individuals age 70 and a half and older

right for you if:

can make direct transfers from their

• You are at least age 70 and a half, AND

IRAs of up to $100,000 to charities like

• You do not need the additional

Elmwood Franklin School.

income generated by the minimum required distribution, OR

Example: Suppose Mary has $500,000 in

• Your charitable gifts already equal

an IRA and will be required to withdraw

50% of your adjusted gross income,

approximately $25,000 this year, and

so you do not benefit from an

suppose that she also wants to contribute

income tax charitable deduction for

$20,000 to Elmwood Franklin. She can authorize the administrator of her IRA to transfer $20,000 to EFS and $5,000 to herself. The $20,000 distributed to EFS

How do I initiate an IRA charitable distribution?

Contact your IRA administrator. We can provide a sample letter of direction if you would like. Make sure that you also let Julie Raynsford in the Development Office know when to expect your gift and how you would like it designated.

additional gifts, OR • You are subject to the 2% rule that reduces your itemized deductions, OR • You do not itemize deductions.

For more information, contact Julie at 716-877-5035, ext.115.

As with any decision involving your financial or estate plans, we urge you to seek the advice of professional counsel when considering a gift to Elmwood Franklin School. Under current law qualified charitable distributions from IRAs must be made before December 31, 2007.

1935 Cecile Kelly Whittemore writes from Salisbury, CT, “Last November Charlie and I moved to a very nice retirement community. We have a lovely cottage and are well settled.”

1964 Lisa Lord Gillespie writes, “Still teaching after 36 years! I am now a learning specialist with the Ross School in East Hampton, NY. My oldest daughter Hartley, 27, is getting a nursing degree at Georgetown University. My youngest, Eleanor, 22, graduated from Georgetown in May ’06 Phi Betta Kappa. She is now pursuing a singing and acting career in NYC. My husband David is also a teacher. My mother Barbara Lord is going strong at 83.”

1966 Bill Gisel, Jr.* was named president and chief executive officer at Rich Products Corporation in August. In his new role, Bill continues to be head of the company’s Executive Leadership Team and is responsible for advancing Rich’s overall strategic directions through its various domestic and international business units and subsidiaries.

Penny Matthews writes from Coconut Grove, FL, “Spent the past 29 years as an educator, beginning at Drexel University then to Rowan University until 1986. Moved to Florida and am still teaching at Ransom Everglades School 36

(very much like EFS and Sem/Nichols).”

Penny is the P.E. department chair and the ninth grade academic dean.

Daniel Cameron Duarte-Baird November 17, 2006. He joins three-year-old brother Theo.

1971

1982

Elizabeth Waagen received the 2006 Leslie C. Peltier Award from the Astronomical League in recognition of her dedication to variable star research.

Elizabeth is senior technical assistant with the American Association of Variable Star Observers in Cambridge, MA.

Amy Habib Rittling and her husband Mark welcomed Anthony Joseph “A.J.” Rittling into their family on February 8, 2006.

1973 Holly Hahn-Baker participated in the 2006 U.S. Transplant Games last June in Louisville, Kentucky. The Games celebrate the success of organ transplantation for young and old – from new transplant recipients to those who have had their transplanted organs for many years.

Holly, who received a double lung transplant in 1998, represented “Team WNY” in doubles tennis at the Games.

Holly works for the Joan A. Male Family Support Center, a United Way agency which helps abused children and families in crisis, and lives in Buffalo with her husband David.

1980 Mary D. Bassett wed Troy Dean Wilson in September. She lives in Raleigh, NC where she works as an education policy consultant.

1981 Bridget Baird welcomed her second son

1984 Rebecca Cosbey-Bourke is living in Aspen and Denver with three-year-old son Thomas and five-year-old daughter Abigail. Rebecca is a jewelry designer and invites fellow alumni to visit www.rebeccabourke.com H. Bradley Kahn* married Erin Hemmings on Aug. 26, 2006 in the Cascade Mountains in the state of Washington. The newlywed couple is traveling for nine months in Africa, SE Asia and South America before returning to settle in Seattle, WA.

1985 Kevin McGee* wed Kathleen Pendergast in June 2006. Kevin is an attorney with Jackson Enterprises and lives in Healdsburg, CA. Jason Rothschild will wed Leslie Brown this summer.

1986 Allison Gioia, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of New York, was

recently honored at an awards ceremony conducted by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzalez in Washington, D.C. Allison received the Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee, which recognizes an employee with fewer than five years of federal career service.

1990 Meredith Kirchner is the director of development at Sheridan School, an independent K-8 school in Washington, DC.

1991 Kary Fronk teaches English I and II at Buffalo Seminary, where she is also the assistant crew coach.

1992 Christine Lillie earned an MS in social psychology at University of Massachusetts- Amherst and now attends law school at Case Western Reserve University.

1993 Bryan Kirchner wed Eliza McAllister in July 2006. Former classmate Chris Gerber ’93 was a groomsman.

Laura Santilli joined the faculty of Boston Valley Elementary School in Hamburg as the K-5 vocal/general music teacher.

Sarah Santilli recently joined the Findlay Light Opera Company for its production of The Sound of Music and began her second year teaching choir and band in northwest Ohio.

1997 Jordan Funk graduated from Cornell University’s School of Engineering in 2005 and is working for J.P. Morgan and Associates in New York City.

1998 Julia Drury graduated from Dartmouth University and is coaching squash and playing professionally.

David Moore graduated from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry cum laude. He is now a graduate student at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute.

1999 Lee Fabiatos is a senior at Lake Forest College, where he is captain of the varsity football team. He ended his college career with two touchdowns in the last season game.

2000 Lauralynn Drury is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania where she plays on the squash team.

1994

Samantha Friedman announced her engagement to Andrew Olsen of Buffalo.

A wedding is set for May 26, 2007.

Katherine Moore teaches English at Amherst Central High School.

2001

1996

Karen Lillie is a sophomore at Princeton University.

Sarah Lillie earned an MPH from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is currently in fellowship at the National Cancer Institute.

2002 Kelli Pirtle* is a freshman at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA.

2003 Meryl Gellman held her senior vocal recital at Temple Beth Zion on March 6. She performed nine selections from an array of genres. A reception followed.

2004 Kimberly Pirtle* is a junior at Detroit Country Day School in Michigan.

In Memorium Nicole Mariconda, Class of 1995, passed away July 23, 2006. A memorial service was held at Elmwood Franklin School in August celebrating Nicole’s life and her love of EFS. Nicole’s family has established the Nicole Mariconda ’95 Memorial Fund at Elmwood Franklin School. The monies in this memorial fund will be used to support EFS at the discretion of Nicole’s family. If you would like to make a contribution in Nicole’s memory, please send your gift to EFS with the designation “Nicole Mariconda ’95 Memorial Fund.”

Dorothy Doane Scott, Class of 1922, passed away spring 2006.

*For the purpose of consistency, we group all former EFS students into class years according to the year in which they would have graduated from EFS as eighth graders.

(That means boys who stopped attending after fourth grade before the Upper School was co-ed are listed under class years that are four years later than the year in which they actually left EFS.) 37

remembers 1987

EFS

Do you recognize these smiling faces? As first graders in 1987, these girls seem eager to find out what’s on the other side of the fence. Email us at development@elmwoodfranklin.org with their names and we’ll send you an EFS memento!

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 1818 Buffalo, NY

104 New Amsterdam Avenue Buffalo, New York 14216-3399 phone 716.877.5035 fax 716.877.9680 www.elmwoodfranklin.org

TO PARENTS OF ALUMNI: If this magazine is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Development Office by phone 716-877-5035 or by email development@elmwoodfranklin.org with the correct mailing address.

Thank you.